Day 05 - Barnstaple to Oxford

I left Barnstaple this morning and started my drive towards Oxford.

It was a misty morning with it alternating between patches of clear sky and then foggy again.

I stopped off at the services  for a coffee and a croque monsieur.  (not the best one I have eaten)  Looking at the price of a Costa coffee and a sandwich at the services, I will be better off having the continental breakfast at the Premier Inn which includes UNLIMITED coffee.

I decided to stop off in Bristol and try and start arranging another car from Europcar.   After a bit of phoning, I managed to find another Vauxhall Insignia  at the Bristol Airport.  After looking at the car and being happy with it (only 4000 clicks on the clock), I had to fill up the VW Passat before giving it back.  They sorted the paperwork and I transferred my luggage and all was good.  So now I have a lovely silver Insignia.  (just no ‘Park Assist’ like the first one)

I got underway again and travelled towards London on the M4 to about Swindon where I came off and headed north through Lechlade-on-Thames.  I had to stop in Lechlade as it is a beautiful market town.  

I found the Swan Inn and sampled a pint of Anvil Ale from the Old Forge Brewery.

On through Burford and a short while later arrived at the Premier Inn, Witney. 

I checked in, got myself settled, and after looking at the in-house ‘Thyme Restaurant’ menu, I thought...   there MUST be more exciting food out there..  So I took a walk into town in search thereof.

After getting HORRIBLY lost (I walked nearly 2 miles to get to a road ½ a mile away), I found the “Hollybush” ...

and had….     wait for it…              surprise, surprise….      A Steak and Ale Pie! 
 

It was served with the freshest locally sourced carrots, beans and baby peas (in the pod), and some of the nicest chips I have eaten.  The pie was the best by far!   Absolutely the winner!

..And this was all that was left...  

I washed it down with a local ale from the Hogs Back Brewery called “T-E-A”..  delicious!

Then I took a 15 minute stroll back to the Premier Inn…  

..a couple of whiskys...   .....and time for bed!

Day 04 - Land's End to Barnstaple

What an exciting trip today!

I started out in Hayle and went to Boots Chemist  to buy some tissues for this snotty nose and to get a credit on the adaptor I bought in Weymouth that didn’t work. (I think I blew it.. LOL!)

From Hayle I travelled down to Marazion to see St Michael'sMount.  Parking was a problem, because there is no stopping anywhere.. and no free parking to be found.  I did however stop at a hotel in the “Residents Only” spaces and take a few pics.

After that I went on to Penzance and took a look around.  I didn’t find any pirates, but I did see a ship flying the Jolly Roger.. so perhaps the pirates were in a pub somewhere?  ("The Dolphin" looked deserted.. :-D)

I drove on to Mousehole (pronounced Mau-zil) and what a pretty little place that is.  Very narrow streets! 

The GPS was kind enough to lead me to Land’s End through some roads that were barely wide enough for a car.

On the way, I saw something that made my hair stand on end!  Do you remember the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds"?   ... I had to stop for these pictures!

When I got to Land's End.. they wanted SIX POUNDS entrance fee!  JEEZUS!  Talk about robbery!  So I refused to pay and went and stopped in the coach parking and took a few pictures of the visitors centre with the zoom lens.  Oh well..  I have been there now.

St Ives was the next destination and off I went (along narrow little farm roads) only to have to wait for a whole herd of cows to come past.  The cows were in no hurry and kept sniffing at the car.

I then stopped in at Europcar at the Newquay Airport to try and arrange another car, but they had nothing in the class, so they phoned Heathrow and allowed me to make arrangements to collect a new car on Thursday morning.

It was a long but very scenic drive all the way up to Barnstaple.  I stopped for diesel along the way and also grabbed a coffee to help stay awake.

The Premier Inn at Barnstaple is very nice and the Table Table Restaurant attached to it was wonderful. (a welcome change after the crap service at Brewers Fayre last night) .   I had the 2 course special at £9.99 for which I chose Chicken Goujons as a starter followed by Hand Battered Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas as a main.

I had a pint of Otter Bitter (which comes from Devon).  It was a little insipid and lacked body for my taste.

OK!  That’s all for tonight folks!  I am going to turn in for the night and make an early start to my long trip to Oxford tomorrow.

Day 03 - Paignton to Hayle

 Okay!  So it was a delayed start this morning as the weather was looking a bit shitty and I was not feeling so good.. (of all times to get a cold..)

Another wonderful nights’ sleep at the Premier Inn. 

I drove out of Paignton in the direction of Plymouth.  On the way I stopped at a Morrison’s Service Station and bought water for the day and also my breakfast!

I think I have found the right breakfast for myself..It’s called the “Breakfast Triple” and at only £2.75..  it’s a winner!

I drove around Plymouth and eventually  found myself at the Tamar Bridge.. quite impressive!

I needed a more stylish way to cross... so decided to cross using the Torpoint Ferry 

after crossing Tamar, I headed for Looe.

From Looe I drove to the Bodinnick Ferry and crossed the Fowey to arrive, strangely enough.. in Fowey.   That ferry was the biggest rip-off..  £4 to go the length of a football field!  (by comparison.. the big Torpoint Ferry was only £1.50)

Next on the list was Mevagissey and then on to St Austell.  Then to Truro where I found a Boots chemist for some medicine.

I decided to go straight to the Premier Inn in Hayle as it was getting late.  I checked in and the reception lady (Sara) very kindly booked a table for me at the Brewers Fayre next door.

I went to the Brewers Fayre at 6:30pm and had to stand around “waiting to be seated” but there was no one in attendance and a queue formed.

Eventually this guy (I believe the manager), came mincing up and asked my name and led me to a table.  He said that the special was a carvery and to order it at the bar.

The couple that were behind me got seated at the next table to me.  They went to look at the carvery and said it looked as dry as old boots.

By now I have been waiting about 20 minutes and no one even looks my way.  I watch the barmaid chewing gum while serving and talking to customers.. not discreetly chewing either.. really chomping!  (disgusting little cow..)

The couple get up and leave..  I got up and walked to the manager still packing more people in.

“Just want to tell you I’m leaving because your service is disgusting” I said.  “I have been here 20 minutes and no one has even looked my direction”

“Oh!” he says..  “..but I told you you must queue up at the bar to place your food and drinks order”

“Queue at the bar to place my order?  What is this... a fucking hostel?” I said in a raised voice as I turned and walked out.

I went back to the Premier Inn and said to Sara that I would not eat there if it were the last place.

She then suggested “The Old Quay Inn” and booked me a table.  It was less than 2 miles away and I got there in about 5 minutes.

What a lovely restaurant!  I settled for a homemade chicken and leek pie with thick-cut chips and garden peas.  Delicious!

I washed that down with a pint of “Doom Bar”.  This is the flagship ale of Sharp’s  Brewery.  A  local brewery from Rock, Cornwall.

Take care!   Talk soon!