Bridge Cottage, Peppercombe

Well where did my 60^th year go :-/ but go it did!

As has become traditional with birthdays and/or valentines Marilyn arranged another (our 6^th) Landmark Trust stay – this time at Bridge Cottage, Peppercombe, Horns Cross near Bideford.

Peppercombe is a steep and wooded valley, through which a stream meanders down before spectacularly tumbling down to a beach in a fine waterfall. Gently sloping paths reach the shore.

 

The cliffs here are particularly dramatic, formed from an outcrop of red Triassic stone, with the whole magnificent North Devon coast line curving away in both directions and Lundy on the horizon.

Bridge Cottage, built in about 1830, stands in woods at the top of the combe. It had been empty for years, with a tarpaulin over its roof, but the walls of cob and stone were sound. The kitchen and parlour have stone-flagged floors and fireplaces, while the bedrooms follow the line of the roof. It had a small but perfectly formed real fire. There were rustic views from every window.

The weather was at times messy but did give rise to this double rainbow across the bay.

At the top of the path stands the Coach and Horses. Real Ales, fine food and a great host. Also close by are Bucks Mills, the picturesque Clovelley and ...

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In Praise of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney 1793-1875

Like myself you may never have heard of Goldsworthy Gurney. In spite of having studied history in depth in my youth, especially the industrial revolution period, this chap escaped me. But without Gurney there may not have been Stephenson’s Rocket, many more miners may have been asphyxiated, Parliament and central London left in the dark for years and Cathedrals turned to ice in the winter. Deserved of his limelight this inventor and his daughter Anna Jane should not be forgot or marginalised in history.

Christmas Comes Early

Due to hectic social calanders this is the last weekend before the festive day that we shall all be together in Gloucester so we decided to have an early mini celebratory weekend.

We got the tree Friday much to the delight of Santa Doggie :) 

 






Lunch and some Christmas food shopping at the amazing Farringtons.



and onto the Enchanted Christmas arboretum at Westonburt.
This is best seen in 3D on a cold winters night in yer cap n boots, followed by a warming glass of mulled wine, but to give you a feel ...

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Vid Clip

 Next day brought a search for breckie in the Forest of Dean which led us to Gavellers Cafe which also marks the start of the Forest Sculpture Trail ..

 

Then on to The Hungry Polar Bear, this years christmas offering at the amazing Clearwell Caves turned, yet again, into a winter wonderland ..

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then home to a well earned home made sloe gin 

n a slice of Christmas cake :-p









Thinking of buying a Kindle, or book, this Christmas? Don't forget to order Angorichina by Marion Grace Woolley.