In our last post we talked about a Tank Museum that is having a large display of tanks, both static and operational. John said he may go to it until he realised it is this weekend and we already have other plans so he is not happy.
Oh darn, says Fiona, because it is the opposite direction to where we are headed. Phew!!
We came from Charmouth, past Honiton, Exeter and then through Newton Abbot to Torquay, Paignton, Totnes and stopped at South Brent on the SE corner of Dartmoor Forest for lunch.
Onward past Plymouth and Torpoint and turned off to Looe. Saw a sign for a National Trust property called Antony House so followed all the signs and ended back near Torpoint. Guess what – it’s Friday and its’ England and it’s closed. But this house is still occupied by a family so guess they have to have their privacy at some stage. Not going back though. Found there is a better one near Bodmin on our way north, so will stop there later.
Back to Looe and as it was only around 3.00pm went into the village of Looe and wandered the very narrow streets and got to the beach/sea front and saw the English in all their glory playing on the beach. At least it was sand as opposed to other pebble beaches around the area.
Got back to Looe Caravan Camp and very nice it is too.
Some of you may remember our camp gradings. Last night was full lidded sit loos but still with push button shower, but it was only 20m from our van.
Tonight is just as good but 150m away. Distance means everything in the middle of the night. Constant running water through a dial system in the showers, no push button on a timer.
Tomorrow we are catching up with Adrian and Alison Snell in Penryn, a couple we met at Etreham in France. We are sure they will show us around the SW coast.
Cheers
J & F
Saturday 28 June
We hit the road a bit later than expected and with Alison’s directions to John, off we went to Mylor near Penryn, about 35 miles. One of the directions was to look out for the Jeep in the front yard so when we saw we knew we had the right home. After a cuppa & renewing acquaintances, Adrian & I went in the Jeep and picked up some delicious Cornish pasties he had ordered for lunch. Adrian had a friend there, Brian who is into restoring steam engines, and we got heaps of questions on what we have in Australia.
After lunch we were taken for a drive to see the Redruth Engine House. This was one of many used in Cornwell to drive plate in the process of tin mining.
Then on to look at the lovely “Trebah Garden” on the banks of Polgwidden Cove on the Helford River at Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth. This is where the American 29th Infantry Division embarked on the 1st June for the assault landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day 1944.
We were very fortunate to meet the owner Major Tony Hibbert Ret, a spritely gentlemen of 92.
He regaled us with a piece of history that he was involved in. He told us he was the first allied officer to go into Kiel to negotiate the occupying Germans’ surrender following the news that Hitler had committed suicide the previous day. He said that the German Officer looked at him with such disdain at his audacity but the surrender proceeded accompanied by a bottle of champagne. By achieving the surrender of the senior German Officer and his troops, the British were able to secure the area on 5 May 1945 before the advancing Russians reached the area. He told us this is his most memorable moment of the War and when he feels down he recalls this moment and feels much better for it. Major Hibbert was placed under arrest on VE Day 8 May 1945 for ‘an displaying an excess of gung ho’ but exonerated the following day by the Corps Commander.
Major Hibbert’s remarkable connection with Australia lies with his brother-in-law Lt Cmdr Bobby Bradshaw DSC (2 bars) and three Mentions in Dispatches. Having received the signal that any pilot reported flying under Sydney Harbour Bridge on VJ Day would be court martialled, he turned back and flew the entire squadron of Avengers under the bridge, whilst giving the ‘V’ sign. I believe I have seen this picture before at the Australian War Memorial.
Back to Mylor and fish and chips for dinner and a slide show and bed.
Sunday 28 June
Now it was time to look at what Adrian had in his shed. Beside the Jeep and the GMC he took to Normandy, there were 2 other treasures. The smallest being a fully restored Studebaker Weasel in good running order. The other is his latest project, a International Half Track with a winch mounted on the front and is currently under restoration. His aim is to have it ready for Beltring next year.
Then it was time to get on the road. First we went to St Michael’s Mount, similar in concept to Mont St Michel in France, a Benedictine Monastery on a island in the ocean surrounded by water. Then we went to Lands End, the furthest south western tip of the UK. Apparently Sydney is 12,000 miles from here so Paddy had to have his photo taken.
After a photo shoot we headed to our next camp near Newquay.
Tomorrow we are headed for Higher Clovelly to stay three nights with long time friends of the Hedges family.
Monday 29 June
On the way to Higher Clovelly, we stopped at Crackington Haven just south of Bude to see Andrea who spent the first part of the journey with the group from Istanbul. It was lovely to see her again. After lunch we moved onward to our destination at Downland Farm and the Milky Way Adventure Park owned by Trevor & Christine Stanbury. Later in the afternoon we went to Clovelly, a quaint coastal village and walked through, as vehicles are not permitted. Very steep up and back from the seaside.
Tuesday 30 June
Today we went and seen Preston Isaac at his Museum called Cobbaton Combat Collection. We met Preston in Normandy in his role as President of the UK Military Vehicle Trust. His collection is very extensive and we will post photos later. Back to Higher Clovelly and dinner followed by a trip in Christine’s VW EOS convertible (probably Fiona’s next car) at Harland Point to watch the sun set but it was too cloudy.
Wednesday, 1 July
Today we spent exploring the Milky Way and watched the two birds’ of prey shows and through the whole complex. See www.themilkyway.co.uk
At lunchtime we learned today was the park’s 25th anniversary of opening. Happy Anniversary to everyone.
Cheers
J&F
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