Next property

We went to Old Place of Monreith a couple of weeks ago - watch this space for photos and things to do...

The rest of the village of Coombe

The Mill Cottage, Ford Cottage and the Ford

Eden Project!

Well worth a visit... just check out these photos!

We also we to Tintagel, Widemouth Bay and Duckpool - the beach that is about 1/2 mile from Coombe - a lovely post-tea walk to see the sunset.

Apparently, this coast is great for surfing - the sea was like a millpond the whole time we were there!!

Places to go... Lundy

We made the mistake of planning the places we wanted to go to as neither of us had been to Devon and Cornwall for so many years. However, reading the obligatory log books, it was apparent that there was so much to do in the immediate vicinity - I think we'll have to come back!!

We took the opportunity to go to Lundy (just before it was shut!) to check out future Landmarks - the following photos are of the Island, the Lighthouse (where you can stay) the village and MS Oldenburg ready to take us back to the mainland.

BE WARNED - it is a steep path to the main village, although there is a land rover shuttle for those that need it. There is currently a fundraising campaign for the access road as a recent landslip and ongoing battering from the weather is making the road very unstable.

Second property in Devon

Carpenter's Shop, Coombe...

The whole village is owned and maintained by the Trust, with houses that sleep mainly 4, 5 and 6 people. Log book entries suggest that whole family/friend groups have taken over the whole place for celebrations - how many friends have we got? Hmmm

Anyway - pictures of the Shop

This place sleeps for in one double room and one twin room. The living room and dining room are all in one with a very steep and sharp spiral staircase up to the bedrooms, which are on a mezzanine level, giving the impression of being semi-open plan (the dining room area is open to the roof)

The garden area has a picnic table, which we made use of given the glorious weather and al fresco eating opportunities. It is effectively shared with those at the Ford Cottage.

More pics of the rest of the village to come...

Places to go...

Morwellham Quay - a lovely little visitor attraction comprising of an old mining village with a pub, heaps of walks and a tour of the old mine.

Cotehele House - a walk from the Mine - a bit testing for someone who is 25 weeks pregnant, but well worth it. An old house with loads of tapestries and an interesting history; croquet lawn (not sampled on this occasion!); working corn mill; quay side with a Tamar restored ship.

We also went to Newton Abbot for a day at the races - largely successful given that the favourite didn't win and my horse did, on an each-way bet! Great day out!

DANESCOMBE MINE, CALSTOCK, DEVON

Check out this place...

It's on three levels with the living room and kitchen on the ground floor, albeit split by three or four steps.

There are 'industrial style' grey iron stairs to the next level, where there is a toilet and a bedroom with two twin beds.

More stairs lead to third floor and a double bedroom and a bathroom, with that amazing window and treetop views!

There's also the terrace out the front - perfect for alfresco breakfast dining!!

UPDATE - AUTUMN LANDMARK..

Sackville Street wasn't available when we wanted and added to this, one of our group has moved 'oop North' so we plumped for the Old Place of Monreith in Stranraer.

Not many weeks to go now...

EXCITED!!

We have just booked our next property, well two actually!

We are going to Danescombe Mine for a weekend, followed by Carpenter's Shop, Coombe for the midweek booking.

It's been years since me and hubby have been to Cornwall/Devon and as flying would be difficult this year, we've chosen to boost the English Tourist economy - and continue to support the great work of the LT.

It will be the first time that the two of us have done a trust property on our own - I hope we don't get bored of each other's company!!

Oh, and we're probably going to Sackville Street, Sussex for the group autumn jaunt in October sometime, availability allowing.

Pictures will follow....

What's next?

Hmmm...

Could be a small house for me and hubby during the summer or could be another big one for the pub crowd - Howthwaite in Cumbria looks a good bet.

We'll see...

Freston Tower (okay, so we cheated!)

Just a taster....

My parents live in Ipswich, which is not far from where the Tower is (I grew up walking to the Tower in my summer hols!)

So, this weekend, me and hubby went for a walk...

We would love to stay there, but couldn't quite justify the money when it is so close to home!

Things to do...

So what did we do this time?

Well, we went into Edinburgh when we arrived on the Friday afternoon (after a £25 first class return train journey!) We went to look at the castle...

Then on the Saturday, we went to see the Royal Yacht Britannia...


An on the Sunday we had a walk around The Glen (in the rain), had a massive roast lunch and then relaxed in front of the open fire and read, chatted and played at tower building with the 20 month old...

Monday, we went to Rosslyn Chapel - it was more than what I imagined it could have been (but you'll have to see for yourself, as I'm not going to put any pics on here!)

Hidden levels

Back again....

What other things to share? Hmmm....


The castle has 2 levels of living accomodation and three floors of accessible lower levels. The first room has an infra red light-thing, but then you're on your own. The following pics were taken with a flash, so it looks like broad daylight, but believe me....IT WAS PITCH BLACK.
When you watch programmes such as Most Haunted, you wonder how they can get so scared? Well, take a trip into the lower levels with no torch or candles and you'll soon find out!

Rosslyn Castle

Okay, so we arrived back from Scotland last night and here is the first look at the castle...

The driveway and bridge

The front entrance of the building

The castle as viewed from below