Lynton and Lynmouth in Nessa July 2022

We've survived the hottest day of the year. In fact we both worked.

38*c in my consulting room, where the aircon hasn't worked since 2020, thanks, in no small part, to my own meanness. I was punished for this on Monday this week by our Practice Manager. She lent me a fan. Despite the fact that it would just stir the soupy hot air, I turned it on with some expectation. To find it didn't work was both cruel and also, it's fair to say, Karma! She sent me a smiley emoji in response. Fair play.

Long weekend exploring some more of the north Devon coast beckons.

The journey in Nessa is always part of the enjoyment for us.

An ex-17 seater minibus, she's still got her 65mph speed limiter fitted, so To Pootle is the best verb to describe our usual progress .

"Pootling" along the M4/M5/A39 was a joy for us, but perhaps not so the 911 behind ??

We made it eventually to Lynmouth Holiday retreat. I know, I know, it sounds like an old peoples home. It turns out to be a fabulously positioned series of pitches with spectacular views across the estuary to Wales! We wont let the fact that there are lots of old people here and there's a whiff of wee put us off!

Glorious afternoon sun on the Devonian hills that roll down to turquoise sea and beyond! @Reggieroothecockerpoo is in his element again! So , to be fair, am I!

Little to dislike here! Off for an evening meal to the Old Cottage Inn with its legendary Thai restaurant Nartnapa.

We strolled the long way round to the restaurant, probably only 2 miles..... wow was it worth the walk! Reggie came too.

Our meal consisted of shared tempura Squid - ( Stunning light authentic crispy batter, chilli-salty moist perfectly cooked squid ) Then Penang pork curry - hot and spicy, creamy coconut, not too sweet (cardinal sin for 95% of Thai restaurants) Jasmine rice and perhaps the most authentic Pad Thai this side of the muddy river!

(Click pic for more detail)

Washed down with Ocean Gold from the Fatbelly brewery, which turned out to be a nano brewery on site!! What a gem!

The mile back up the steep hill was a push after a couple of pints and with a "fatbelly"! But on return, Nessa was all powered up and welcoming!

Fab start to our long weekend.

Friday. Long walk, 10 km of very steep terrain. Circular walk starting at the campsite. Set off around 11.30am and back for a cuppa around 4.30pm. Hard work, with lovely picnic en route. We felt we had earned a steak supper!

Walked down to WatersMeet

Up and over to the coastal path

Through the picturesque old fishing town of Lynmouth and up to the hill top town of Lynton.

Only while we were there did we remember staying in Lynton about 20 years ago. It's changed from a rather dour town with one haderdashery to a really lively little holiday town with loads of vibrant attractions.

Our route is saved on AllTrails App

Back for a snooze in the sun!

BBQ - M&S thick cut serloin - about four and a half minutes each side for rare. Incredible tho I say so myself!

Served with watercress and tomato salad and some thin sliced manchego all that was needed was a heavy red!

I'm pretty sure this came in a Virgin mixed case, and was about £12. Very rich, smooth red, with pronounced notes of plummy damson and blackberry, chocolate and peppery spice. A pretty damn good wine, 14%vol..

We will be ordering this one again!

I'm told there was a spectacular sunset and the photos seem to confirm it, but by this time I was already in a bacchanalian trance.

This is why we came !

The weather then changed to more normal pre-climate-change English summertime.

The deal with @louwattsie, is that she pretty much thinks of everything. So English weather, pah! We're booked into a snug pub in Lynmouth for a long lunch!

To earn lunch we walked from the van to Lynton the other way round.

The descent was exhilarating. And then lunch, at The Rising Sun. It's had new owners, a fact that doesn't best please the locals apparently! Don't need to be around long to get the gossip it appears! But the chef remains , and in my book that makes this place a destination pub!

Roast seafood with chilli ginger and garlic was exceptional.

Local mussels also fit for Jehovah ! https://www.risingsunlynmouth.co.uk

Return trip with Lyn Valley taxis. Basically, more than a simple taxi company. This is a local historical and political information service run by Neil, who, according to our bar staff is 64! He used to own and run the local garage. God I love a small community . He told us that the winter time population of Lynmouth is now 53 people and every single other house is owned as holiday homes. I see no reason to doubt him. The three closed butchers are testiment to his assertion. There isn't a food shop in Lynmouth. The holiday homers use Tescos delivery, apparently with the specific aim of irrevocably damaging the local economy! If it's not all fact you can blame Neil, but it certainly appeared to be the case.

Back at Nessa, and understandably peckish (???!!!), we indulged in a Devonshire cream tea!

And Reg had a holiday ice cream!:

We would highly recommend the venue, and a long weekend in Lynton and Lynmouth.