About an hour’s drive from where we live is Hartland Quay. If you sailed westward from our house, close following the coastline, you would pass Morte Point and Grunta Beach on the way to Woolacombe and Putsborough, then round Baggy Point to Croyde and Saunton, skimming the estuary where Appledore and Insow nestle and the rivers Torridge and Taw find their way to the sea, then onto Westward Ho! and Clovelly, past Barley Bay and the lighthouse, turn the corner and you will have reached your destination. We forgo the dingy and took the Ford Fiesta.
My dear-dear friend Daisy-Daisy and her wonderful Chain own a caravan on a site close to the village of Stoke, a mile or so above the quay. Several times a year they venture down from the big city to enjoy the countryside. Sometimes they bring half the city with them. Yesterday, however, they were alone. So we visited. It is a lovely site, run by considerate folk. The camping and vans are confined to the edge of the fields, the grass is left long in the centre allowing wildlife and wildchildren to run free amongst the wildflowers.
After greetings and a quick cuppa we headed off on our quest. We began our journey negotiating a field of nursing sheep, with an unusual preponderance of black triplets, who were intent on resting on the footpath until the combination of human and jack russell caused a bleating retreat. We carefully traversed a vertiginous cliff path, past coconut scented gorse and diverting views, then shuffled down steep rugged steps skirted by sea thrift and kidney vetch, eventually reaching our destination. The pub. Here we gossiped, supped and ate chips. Bliss. Then malted milk ice cream. Double bliss. Then the climb back, considerably slower, to coo once more over the lambs, occasionally pausing to look back and smile.
Off The Edge Gardening 
What a wonderful outing! And so well described. I feel almost as if I were there.
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Wish you were!
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Me too! As it is, I am recovering from hip replacement surgery and hardly leave the house! I am living life vicariously. Fortunately, I can see daffodils and tulips outside my window. In a few more weeks I will be just like new again. 😊
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Aahh all warm and fuzzy ….and a glorious view!
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It was a good day. 🙂 Happy Easter to you and yours xxx
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What a lovely spot, Mr TT and I had tea and scones in the Farm Café in the days when it was open to thirsty walkers. Stoke is well worth the drive from any part of the country.
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Have you ever been to the church? Whenever we go we always say “we must visit the church” but never make it. We did however make it to Philip and Frannie Leach’s pottery in Hartland. Might have purchased ….. 🙂
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It sounds like you had a most enjoyable day. That’s wonderful panoramic picture. xx
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It was, and thanks x
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I don’t thonk we’ ve done this one, what’s the name of the pub?
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The Wreckers, let me know how you get on. 🙂
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When I saw your picture I knew it was going to be a wonderful day and story. I wasn’t disappointed. Knowing your love of pottery, I’m curious….
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Yes, we did, a lovely green glazed lidded pot and a fish decorated slipware plate. The pottery is owned by Philip and Frannie Leach, Philip is Bernard Leach’s grandson. Here is a link to their website http://www.springfield-pottery.com/ 🙂
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Sounds nice. You sent me a post card of Leach Pottery which I keep in a folder along with…
I have a book of Bernard Leach also. Sounds a successful journey.
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It was a great day. 🙂
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Happy days.
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