GB19 - Day 8

Today we decided to stay local as we set off for home tomorrow. It will be a long day in the car for us and Reggie especially.

So our first stop was as ASDA in Bideford to get some cash and fill the car ready for tomorrow. 

A disappointing 43.7mpg. I guess all the low gear ups and downs of the Devon countryside.

The next was at Tapeley Park just the other side of Bideford.

Another estate with a garden open to the public. Again it was on the Gardener's World 2-1 offer and seniors we got in for a fiver. The house looks at first a bit run down but the gardens are very nice. An Italian garden and the kitchen garden are the highlights.

We met Hector who "runs the place" and is actually one of the owners of the site. He was accompanied by his English Bull Terrier called Wayne. Reggie barked at first but they got on after mutual sniffing.

On the way out I saw the field alongside the carpark had a herd of Highland Cattle. Reggie barked as a calf came close. 

To sound a bit "girly", these are the best looking cattle.

From there, we headed for Northam Burrows Country Park. A little shock at £4 to park although it covers the whole day. There are three entrances and I chose the wrong one really as we couldn't get to the visitor centre.

The place was alive with horses and sheep. Reggie generally ignores them. And until a small group of sheep ran past us. He wanted to chase but we kept him on his lead as always.

We walked across the dunes and rock. The beach is sand and as we walked across towards the sea, we sank about four inches into the sands until we got to firmer ground. 

Reggie was let off the lead and went into the sea and ran about free. He loves the sea. Oddly he never tries to get into the canal at home.

We looped back to the car and as it was way after lunch we went on a pasty hunt. Some success in Westward Ho! 

Two large ones from Betsy Buns Bakery. 

Whilst in there they gave us some scones as they were closing and wanted to get rid of unsold stock - four lovely ones.

We headed for the cottage and once back Reggie had his dinner and we had the pasties. 

Later we had the last cream tea of the holiday with two of the scones.

Some packing completed and we have to decide what time to leave in the morning. TomTom is set for home and claims we are looking at five hours fifty-four minutes on the road from Langtree to home. Let's see how that turns out.

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