Thursday 11th October
Today we went to visit Lynton and Lynmouth, even though the weather wasn’t on our side for the first time this week.
Walking along the lovely streets we came across an artist’s workshop and where he still paints today. His name is Maurice Bishop and you can see his work here.
The pictures really were amazing, especially the sunsets on the beaches, so I bought a greeting card of one of his designs to perhaps hang up at home.
The flood of Lynmouth
We visited the local museum to learn more about a flood that practically destroyed Lynmouth.
On the night of the 15th – 16th August 1952, after extremely high rainfall and storms in the area, the rivers of the East Lyn, joined by Hooroak Water at Watersmeet, and the West Lyn, burst their banks. The flood water raced down the river valleys destroying bridges and houses along the way until it reached the sea at Lynmouth.
More than 100 buildings were destroyed or seriously damaged (55 lost in Lynmouth approx. 25% of the rateable properties in the village) along with 28 of the 31 bridges, 95 cars were damaged with 38 cars being washed out to sea. In total, 34 people died (17 in Lynmouth) with a further 420 made homeless. Eleven of the dead were people on holiday, with four of these being children. This disaster is the single largest loss of life in Britain from a river flood event.
There were some harrowing stories and photos in the museum and also the progress the village has made since, including the re-building of the village with better flood protection.
We enjoyed a lovely pasty each for lunch – we walked past the shop, smelt them cooking and the packed lunch we’d prepared was left in the car!
To make our way up to Lynton we took the Cliff Railway.
When the railway was first built it was the steepest railway in the world. The two carriages are mounted over 700 gallon water tanks and linked together via a cable and pulley. The tank in the top carriage is filled with water and water is released from the carriage at the bottom so the heavier top carriage pulls the lighter one up.
It only lasted about 4 minutes, but it was good fun going up and down!
We had a quick walk around Lynton, but there was more to see at the bottom of the hill in Lynmouth so made our way back down via the cliff railway again.
Feeling in need of some refreshment we headed towards a National Trust tea shop called Watersmeet. The house there (down a rather steep hill) was originally built by a local Rector as a fishing retreat and it must have been a beautiful place to stay – away from it all. You had to cross bridges to get to it and there was some fantastic scenery to enjoy.
We enjoyed a lovely cream tea (yep, another one. We’re on holiday!) and were joined by some very inquisitive and friendly birds.
Leaving Watersmeet full of scone, cream, jam and tea (jam on first) we started our journey back to the cottage. Unfortunately we couldn’t go the way we’d planned (the most direct route) as a Lady flagged us down to tell us that the coach she had been on had got stuck going around the corner of a 16% incline hill. Whoops! We instead took the route across Exmoor and got some lovely photos.
Back at the cottage, Dad lit the fire and I went on my second power walk/hill climb of the week. I ended up on the beach again and was lucky enough to catch another beautiful sunset.
Friday 12th October
It was another wet and rainy day today, the perfect excuse to stay in and watch the Royal Wedding!
Enjoyed the coverage and seeing the happy couple get married and loved the dress! Really classic, and they genuinely looked happy and in love.
After lunch, Mum and Dad chose to go to Darlington Glass to watch the glass makers while I stayed at the cottage to have a quiet afternoon of reading and writing. It’s always been a dream of mine to be a writer and though my job has always had a big element of writing in it, it’s not a novel or creative writing experience!
I’m taking an online creative writing course and have also signed up for a ‘proper’ one that starts in November, so for now I am just practicing.
As I was in quite an atmospheric environment I started writing this short story….
I missed the turning the first time I drove along the road.
‘Clearly marked by a signpost on your left, the road is to your right’ the instructions read. That’s fine if you aren’t driving alone, down a road you’ve never driven before, to a place you’ve never visited before, on the darkest road you’ve ever driven along before.
It was 8.00pm on an October evening and making my way slowly back the way I came, I saw what I assumed what the back of the sign and indicated left.
My headlights cast an eerie glow down a narrow, unlit country road, beckoning me into complete darkness. I started to wind my way down, the trees on either side of the valley road enveloping me in their branches and scratching their probing, wooden fingers along the side of my car. I really hope I’m heading in the right direction. Noticing a small sign welcoming careful drivers to Bucks Mills I sighed with relief that I was nearly there.
Over six hours in my car, with only one short comfort break, my eyes were a reflection on the moon above me. Gallantly trying to shine through, but being covered with thick tufts of clouds, determined to dim the glow.
Tarmac gave way to mud, the car suddenly losing grip for a moment as tyres tried to make contact with the slimy, fallen leaves on the ground, desperately trying to re-gain purpose as they continued on down the hill and towards the cottage waiting for me. Rented for a week, I was sure this place would be just what I needed, giving me sometime away alone, to reflect on the past few weeks.
Feeling lonely and lost, I realised just how isolated I had made myself, as the darkness creeped towards me and I noticed less and less signs of life as I edged gingerly down the hill in the lowest gear possible.
Watching out for the gatepost that would be clearly sign posted towards the cottage, I caught the luminous eyes of an animal as I turned what should be the last corner, only for it to leap to the side and flee in disgust at my appearance. No one happy to see me here either it would seem.
Parking the car I gratefully unrolled myself from my sitting position and stretched my arms high above my head, and let out a big sigh.
My breath was carried away by the sound of heavy wind blowing through the trees that surrounded me, rattling leaves and screeching through the valley. I could hear, but not see water cascading further down the hill, rushing to find its escape somewhere further along.
Turning towards the only light I could see in the blanketing darkness I pulled my bags out of the boot and made my way towards the door. Retrieving the key from the key safe with the help of the light from my phone screen, I notice I have no signal down here. A small shiver of worry snakes down my back before I shake it off and make my way inside.
Not sure where it will end up, what the story will be or the actual ending, but it’s always good to practise and take notice of your surroundings and the stories you can create from them.
Mum and Dad had a perilous journey back to the cottage as this had happened just up the road! (photo) Luckily the car could get under it, but it shows how powerful the wind had been down here. The weather forecasts were right!
Dinner at a restaurant in Instow this evening where we all enjoyed three courses (ok, Dad didn’t have a pudding) and I enjoyed a rather lovely glass of wine too. The only photos I took here were of Mums rather humorously shaped dessert….
Saturday 13th October
Today we leave Devon and head home after a lovely week. I always love being by the sea and the cottage was lovely, if not in need of a good deep-clean and some home comforts. Would recommend this part of Devon if you want a quiet week and don’t have kids! Bucks Mills especially was out of the way and remote but close enough to be able to enjoy the surrounding area.
Where will I go next…?
One (wo)man and her (cara)van 
Looking forward to reading the rest of the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person