'O' where to go?

A very quickly put together blog today as I am very limited for time.
I just wanted to show you where I went this afternoon, on this glorious, hot, sunny, Sunday afternoon.
I went for a lovely drive in the countryside, just 13 minutes from home, to Otterhead Lakes.
If you live in the area and have not been you'll have to pay this gorgeous place a visit!  Its in Otterford, near Churchinford.

Its somewhere I had not heard of until the other day, a friend mentioned that he and his wife had spent a lovely hour or so there.  I decided I would pay it a visit for my letter 'O'.

Before I went I printed off a walk from the internet, produced by the Otterhead Lakes Local Nature Reserve and that was very helpful and informative as I walked around the lakes and surrounding woodland. The trail was 1.3 miles, a nice Sunday afternoon stroll!





The trail led through some beautiful woodlands and open spaces with stunning views.

Here are some of those views with a few pictures of my favourite at the end (black swans and a gorgeous, fluffy baby black swan cygnet!) I managed to get some good shots, just as I was leaving to go back to the car. They had been far off in the distance but it seemed they came to bid me farewell!

New one to me - Neroche Castle and forest

This time last week I had never heard of Neroche. Then on Monday I was chatting to some friends in work and one of them suggested I might go there for letter 'N'.  Over the course of the week I chatted to more people who had been there and had loved it. I checked it out online and liked what I saw, so, I decided that 'N' would be for Neroche.

This is probably my shortest drive so far and one I will definately repeat, in all seasons of the year. Its just 11 minutes from my home.  Its sometimes good to explore what's on your doorstep and this was no exception!

Neroche Castle is the site of a Norman Motte and Baily Castle with some wonderful views overlooking Central Somerset, the Vale of Taunton, Somerset Levels and Quantock Hills.  On a clear day you can even see the Mendips and Glastonbury Tor.  There are some fantastic forest trails that are well sign posted and many walks are available to print off online if you want to know more about what you are seeing.






Also, available, from several places, including the Tourist Info office in Taunton, are recorded guides which you take around the walk with you and they point out things of interest. I only discovered that they existed last night and it was a bit late as the Tourist Info office was closed today. If you are in the area and want to do it, they take card details etc as a deposit and you need photo ID.

The picture above was taken near the car park looking out to that view I mentioned earlier!

I decided to take the shorter of the marked paths - a circular 1.5 mile walk from the car park, returning to the car park.

The forest was absolutely stunning this afternoon.  It was gloriously sunny, but the sun followed a morning of heavy rain, so the paths were a little slippery.  Near the beginning there is a very, very steep slope and I descended it rather quicker than I had planned in the slippery, slimy, melted chocolate-like mud! I stayed on two feet though!

So, now to show you a few photos of this lovely woodland walk : -)

I love the shapes and light of this one!

You can see what a nice afternoon it was!

A helpful and educational guide to the site, which is funded partly by the lottery fund.

The meaning of Neroche?
The word Neroche is thought to be derived from the old English 'Nierra' and and 'Rechich' or 'Rachich' and means 'Camp where hunting dogs were kept'!

Tree Hugger!!

I love walking in the colourful, crisp, autumn leaves!

Attractive Autumn colours

Afternoon sun, shining into the forest, lightening the path

Funny, forest funghi!

Standing tall!

All the walks were well marked and signposted

More forest loveliness!




















Sunny paths

Still waters

The path led back to this bench, near the car park.  The bench had fantastic views, including the view over Somerset I showed near the beginning.

Me, sitting on that bench at the end of the walk, looking at the magnificent view (and the camera!)

Here is another look at that view for miles around

The final photo is forest fruits and farm view taken from the car park. There are blackberries on the branch and cows in the field, but they did not show up too well! 








The drive there and back was very pleasant too.  For those who live in or know the area and want to visit, you just have to drive along South Road, Shorditch Road, through Corfe, to the top of the hill where there is a cross roads. Turn left there along the Chard road and after 3 miles the entrance to Neroche is on your left.
If you'd like to read more about this gorgeous place this is a good place to start 
Also, if you are in to Geo - Caching, which I am not because I do not have GPS, there is a geo-caching site here!  Somewhere, underneath one of those thousands of trees, lies a tupperware box to be found!  Maybe I will give geo-caching a go sometime when I get a smart phone or something with GPS on!
See you soon from somewhere beginning with 'O'.  Oh! Where to go!!  I think I know!

M and Ms!

Its hard to believe that the last time I went out on my A to Z tour of the South West was in June! Time has flown by this summer. Sunday afternoons have been taken up with holidays, particularly a fantastic holiday in Italy by Lake Maggiore - (you can see my pictures on my blog www.lagomaggiore2011.blogspot.com), other trips, meals with friends and work.

I had planned to meet up with friends who live in the area of the 'M' I originally chose - Monkey World, near Wareham in Dorset, but that did not materialise due to their commitments and mine.  Today, I needed to visit an 'M' fairly close to home.  I toyed with the idea of going to Montacute House, Mulchenly Abbey, Minehead and many others, but I really fancied a trip to Lyme Regis, so, I cheated a bit! I found an 'M', infact an M and more Ms in Lyme - Monmouth Beach and Marine Museum!

The weather today has been very showery, but after a 45 minute drive through some very heavy rain showers I arrived in Lyme to be welcomed by glorious sunshine.
I parked in the Charmouth Road car park and walked down the hill into the town and by the time I'd reached the sea the heavens had opened and I got a seaside soaking!

I had planned to have a fish and chip lunch in Lyme as it is difficult to spend any amount of time in Lyme (especially when you have had no lunch!) without being succumbing to the smell of fish and chips, that together with the seaweed smell fills the air!
I needed to dry off and dashed in to the nearest beach side cafe' - a little place called Jane's Cafe'. I received very prompt and friendly service and was soon digging in to mouth watering fish, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter and a warming pot of tea!

Here is a picture of Jane's Cafe where I had my lunch.












Having filled up and dryed off I headed to my first M - Monmouth Beach.
This beach is so named because the Duke of Monmouth landed here in 1685 in an attempt to wrest the crown from King James II.
Monmouth beach extends over a kilometre southwest from the Cobb wall. Bordering this beach are holiday chalets, beach huts, the bowling green and car parks.
This is a picture of Monmouth Beach. You can see the weather was not too great at the time, so I do not have many photos of the beach!

Here is a picture of me on the beach! Self portrait in the wind and rain! Not the most flattering, but just a photo to say I was there!






After my visit to Monmouth beach the weather brightened up and I took a stroll along the Cobb towards the Marine Aquarium.

 The roofed building towards the right of this picture (which is towards the end of the cobb) is the Marine Aquarium

 Here it is a bit closer up!

And a bit closer!  The sky is getting bluer!

And here we are!

The entrance fee was a little pricey at £5 to view two rooms of fish, but the experience was delightful and if I had wanted, could have been very hands on!

I printed off the discount voucher from their website before going, so I got 20% off - so £4 entry.  The voucher allows 20% off for up to 6 people, so its worth printing it off if you intend visiting.

There are lots of fish which are local to the area to view and after a period of time they are released back in to the sea and others are gathered and displayed.

 I mentioned that the visit could have been very hands on if I had wanted it to be.  At the entrance I was offered food for the mullet and I could have had the opportunity to feed them by hand, but I opted not to! They are very tame, but all the same!! I don't do being nibbled by fish - be it toes in a tank or mullet mouths!  There was also opportunity to hold a starfish! Again, I opted out of this!  I did not get any pictures inside the aquarium, but there are some great ones on the website, aswell as the voucher! Have a look! You can also see the giant 80 year old lobster and the mullet being fed on the videos on the site:
Marine aquarium fishy pics and voucher 







Many of my local friends will be familiar with Lyme but many friends and family who do not live in the area have not seen it before, so I thought that as well as showing pictures of Monmouth Beach and Marine Aquarium - the M and M places I visited, I would take this opportunity to show a few pictures of Lyme too.  The weather brightened up and I was able to have a lovely walk around. Here are a few photos from my walk:

These beach huts (and many more) are available to hire from the local council. Rates vary depending on which month and which day you want to hire them.

Young seagull looking out to sea.

Most of the street lights in Lyme are like these - they remind me of tubas or some other brass instrument! 

Its Art week in Lyme this week. There was bunting everywhere, including here in the main high street, looking down to sea.  Many events are being held and people of all ages are being encouraged to take creative,arty workshops in the town, ranging from painting hairbrushes to puppet making for children and photography and oil painting for adults.

Some blue sky!
Walking down the famous Cobb towards the sea.

Mackerel fishing trip arriving back.  I love the colours in this one.

The very end of the Cobb.

Another view of Monmouth beach, this time from the Cobb.

Another self portrait, with the Cobb in the background.

One day I would like to go on one of these Mackerel fishing trips - I love mackerel!

And so, I am now half way through the alphabet! I have been to some fantastic places so far and am looking forward to the next 13 trips to see some even more fantastic places!  I look forward to sharing them with you.

Until then I shall say goodbye from the place of  Monmouth Beach, Marine Aquarium, mullet, mackerel, mouthwatering fish'n'chips and mushy peas! See you soon from somewhere beginning with N!

L today - Ladram Bay (via Otterton Mill)

Where to go for L?  Lynton and Lynmouth were a tempting choice as they are beautiful, but having lived in Lynton for quite a few years, I decided that I should go to a beautiful place that was new to me.

There was quite a bit of choice when I looked at the map, including a tiny place called Little Ireland which I considered, but when I discovered Ladram Bay, a place I had never heard of, 50 minutes from home and only a mile from a very special place I visited last year, I just had to go there!

The place its near is Otterton in Devon.  Facebook followers may remember I posted photos of it when I went there but others will not have seen them, so I will put some on here too.

Otterton is a beautiful village, near to Budleigh Salterton. I read on the internet that it is actually the best place to park if you want to go to Ladram Bay, famous for its sea stacks. 
If you want to park in Ladram Bay it costs £5 (for a day ticket) - more than I paid for lunch and parking combined at the mill in Otterton!  So, if you plan to go and would prefer a 3/4 mile walk each way, rather than paying £5 to park, park at Otterton Mill.

Otterton Mill occupies a beautiful spot on the river Otter and is a wonderful combination of things, as well as being a working mill.  Its a celebrated cafe - restaurant (the newest chef came from The River Cottage Canteen in Axminster, where I visited for letter A of this tour!).  It also has a Devon Food Shop, an art gallery and craft shop, live music and special events in the evenings, courses and workshops and an artesian bakery.
If you would like to have a look for yourself click HERE

I arrived at lunch time, so had a bit of a snack before heading off to Ladram Bay.  I chose the Red Pepper, Roasted Tomato and Lentil Soup with homemade granary bread, made at the on site bakery. There was a good choice of seating areas. Many people were sitting outside in the courtyard, but I chose to go upstairs in the mill building.  The soup was so good and served in a great big bowl - I imagine it would be a fantastic winter warmer too.  It came served with two big hunks of homemade bread and butter.  Simple and delicious!   They have a great menu, using locally sourced ingredients, including crabs, which I saw later at Ladram Bay.

Anyway, before I go on to Ladram Bay which was the main focus of my journey today, here are some pictures of the mill and the lovely Otterton village.

The entrance to the Mill from the large, riverside car park. Everywhere I looked today at the mill there were flowers in full bloom!

Sign outside the shop - which sells all sorts of delicious bread and scones, along with all this stuff and lots more temptingness!

A small corner of the courtyard dining area










And now just a few pictures of the inside of the mill - it wasn't milling today, but does so regularly.

A milling stone













Off to the main focus of the journey now - Ladram Bay.  I was looking forward to seeing the giant sea stacks which it is renowned for and I was not to be disappointed.

I followed the main road to the beach at Ladram, well signposted from the village which I had to walk through to get there.  Here are a couple of pictures of Otterton Village that I took as I walked.  Its a beautiful chocolate box village, lined with, thatched cottages.

After a nice 10 or 15 minute walk I arrived at Ladram Bay.
There is a holiday park there - mainly static caravans and there is a campsite too. You have to walk through the holiday park to get to the beach. 
It looked to me to be a very large holiday park and to have good facilities, but I am no holiday park expert.  It had a swimming pool and an ice skating rink and lots of other stuff to keep children happy and a little village centre with a child friendly restaurant.

The first sea stacks I saw. 

The Otter sandstone which forms the cliffs and seastacks at Ladram Bay was deposited in hot dry climates in the triassic period, about 220 million years ago! The striking red colour (caused by iron oxide) tells us that the climate was hot and dry for most of the year, similar to that of parts of the Arabian Gulf and South Africa at this present time.

The presence of ripple marks and channels in the sandstones, together with the remains of long extinct plants, insects, reptiles, fish and amphibians shows that the dessert was at times crossed by fertile river valleys.

The sandstones contain numerous vertical fractures (joints) that formed deep in the earth's crust during past mountain building periods. The sea picked out these planes of weakness to form caves and natural arches that collapsed to produce sea stacks. These at Ladram Bay are some of the best examples in Britain.

Those are the last of the picture I took on my phone. The battery then went and I took the last few on the beach with my new standby camera (a £7 Asda special!!)

After spending a nice relaxing time walking up on the cliffs (the South West Coast Path runs through here) and sitting on the beach I headed back to Otterton via a stinging nettle lined public footpath, a pretty and very narrow path back to the village.

Before heading home I popped back into the mill for a coffee and a lovely chunk of homemade fruit and nut flapjack in the courtyard.  A perfect end to the day.  50 minutes later I was home and downloading the photos!  I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country!

Next time I may go a bit bananas and visit somewhere completly different for letter M!  See you then!