Fact; it’s always sunny in Broadstairs. Whenever I visit my Brother and Sister-in-Law the weather never fails to deliver and this time was no exception. We’re here for a few days making what should be last-minute preparations but it’s actually the first chance to make any preparations.
I return from a visit to the local Mountain Warehouse with a bargain two-man festival tent although I have no real intention of going camping at this point.
Several days later Carole is on a coach to Torquay visiting her son and I’ve headed to my niece’s as I’ve got the London to Brighton bike ride to complete tomorrow.
Surprisingly, I manage to cross the finish line in Brighton without too much difficulty and have a great day with the other members of Team Chyps.
Off to the Dengie Peninsula next for some male bonding with my two boys. After an overnight stay at the Green Man we head off into the wilderness for a few miles hiking then return back to Kent.
Wild camping on Dartmoor.
The Mondeo is filled to the brim with allsorts of rubbish that will need chucking or storing later. I drive to Torquay and meet up with Carole; we’re staying at the Newcroft Guesthouse that is good value at £25 per night.
Over the next few days ideas about camping start to germinate and we take the bold step to start with wild camping on Dartmoor. If ever you decide to go wild camping I suggest buying a good quality trowel and not one from the pound shop like I did. It’s a great experience and I wholly recommend it and the festival tent was just fine. Make sure all of the contents of your backpack are in waterproof bags or, at least, carrier bags.
Down on the beach, Looe, Cornwall.
Next stop, Looe in Cornwall and a slightly pricey guesthouse where we manage to wash and dry all of our sodden clothing before we check out the next morning. A clonking sound from the car means a trip to a garage and the news that a spring has snapped and the car is unsafe to drive. We arrive at Tencreek Holiday Park (Looe) in a taxi and with a promise from the mechanic that he’ll do his best to have the car repaired in the next couple of days. He keeps his promise – and at a very reasonable rate too.
With the car back a visit to Tintagel Castle is magical but the nearby St Nectan’s Glen is both beautiful and emotional. Take your wellies for the full experience.
After the best part of two weeks in a the festival tent we decide to upgrade to a three-man which we purchase at Millets in Exeter. A quick pop to Torquay for farewells to Carole’s son then we’re back on the road and heading for Wales.