Last week (over the Easter break) The Family Turn went to Devon for a much needed break from routine and stayed in a family residence just far enough away from Torquay (not that I don't like Torquay, but it's nice to be out where it's green for a change...and away from the grockles teehee!). The weather was glorious for the first five days and not that bad at all for the last two, especially considering it was April.
We went to the beach twice. The first time we went to scope it out as we hadn't visited that particular cove before and, true to form, Roisin "accidentally fell in the sea a little bit" and got drenched! She loved it though, they all did. We forgot to take the camera both times though. Boo! We did other stuff like visiting the nearby Babbacombe Model Village and Kent's Cavern.
We went to the beach twice. The first time we went to scope it out as we hadn't visited that particular cove before and, true to form, Roisin "accidentally fell in the sea a little bit" and got drenched! She loved it though, they all did. We forgot to take the camera both times though. Boo! We did other stuff like visiting the nearby Babbacombe Model Village and Kent's Cavern.
The pictures of the model village really don't do it justice, the detail & humour were truly magnificent. The kids absolutely loved it, particularly the fire breathing dragon which induced squeals of delight! There was even a Royal Wedding procession - the most we saw of it in-fact!
We're always looking for ways to get us all out into the countryside. Being down in the West Country made this even easier than being at home what with the beautiful as it is remote Dartmoor being on our doorstep. Don't get me wrong, we get our fair share of moans and groans beforehand from the small people, but the overall experience is positive and Aoife particularly loves this kind of excursion. In-fact it seems the more challenging (i.e. uphill) the walk, the more she likes it! Rosh is (as always) the complete opposite, preferring short flat walks. HOWEVER. How can anyone fail to recognise such astounding natural beauty? And on such a glorious day too.
We're always looking for ways to get us all out into the countryside. Being down in the West Country made this even easier than being at home what with the beautiful as it is remote Dartmoor being on our doorstep. Don't get me wrong, we get our fair share of moans and groans beforehand from the small people, but the overall experience is positive and Aoife particularly loves this kind of excursion. In-fact it seems the more challenging (i.e. uphill) the walk, the more she likes it! Rosh is (as always) the complete opposite, preferring short flat walks. HOWEVER. How can anyone fail to recognise such astounding natural beauty? And on such a glorious day too.
Thank goodness for Ordnance Survey maps though, seriously. I love A-Zs for regular A to B driving, but deepest, darkest Dartmoor driving requires proper detail thanks very much! Kudos to my Dad for helping me out when I was wee. All those trips in his van following our route and recognising landmarks have obviously sunk in! Although it didn't stop the back seat driver comments "is this the right way?" "are you sure you know where you're going?" etc. Hmm.
We saved our trip to Paignton Zoo for Friday when my Mum and our friends Mark & Angie had arrived. I'm not a big fan of zoos, I remember being particularly upset at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. seeing the animals pace the same worn trail again and again. However, Paignton Zoo is more committed than most to conservation and breeding programmes in both the U.K. and overseas and the majority of the animals seem happy enough.
On our last full day we went over to Brixham. The original plan was to take the ferry across Torbay, but something to do with swells over on the other side of the bay meant we drove instead which worked out well nap-wise for Isaac. We'd found out (that morning) on the Brixham website that it was going to be the first day of the Pirate Festival and we weren't sure what to expect, but it was brilliant! There were pirates from all over the country making an appearance and really just wanted to arrrr! at people and be piratey; especially on camera. A nice chap was letting people hold his African Grey parrot. (I was relieved that his wings weren't clipped, rather he was wearing a little harness almost like the one we use for Rinny.)
We saved our trip to Paignton Zoo for Friday when my Mum and our friends Mark & Angie had arrived. I'm not a big fan of zoos, I remember being particularly upset at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. seeing the animals pace the same worn trail again and again. However, Paignton Zoo is more committed than most to conservation and breeding programmes in both the U.K. and overseas and the majority of the animals seem happy enough.
On our last full day we went over to Brixham. The original plan was to take the ferry across Torbay, but something to do with swells over on the other side of the bay meant we drove instead which worked out well nap-wise for Isaac. We'd found out (that morning) on the Brixham website that it was going to be the first day of the Pirate Festival and we weren't sure what to expect, but it was brilliant! There were pirates from all over the country making an appearance and really just wanted to arrrr! at people and be piratey; especially on camera. A nice chap was letting people hold his African Grey parrot. (I was relieved that his wings weren't clipped, rather he was wearing a little harness almost like the one we use for Rinny.)
Perhaps the best trip we made was to the House of Marbles near Bovey Tracey. I always forget how much is there! There are several small museums as well as a working glass factory with two skilled glass blowers, a restaurant serving really lovely food, an outside area with different marble related games and an enormous shop selling all manner of traditional toys and games, books, clothes, things made in the factory etc. and of course marbles. Admission is free and we all had a brilliant time! Definitely enough to fill one morning and lunch after. Highly recommended.
So that's what we did with the time afforded us by various Bank Holidays and religious holidays. Here's wishing you all a rather belated Happy Easter!
So that's what we did with the time afforded us by various Bank Holidays and religious holidays. Here's wishing you all a rather belated Happy Easter!
P.S.: Credit to Simon for photos. Demanding son = no photography for Mummy :-(
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