Plymouth Holiday

5-13 September 2020

Saturday

Finally, we’ve got away! For a short eight-night stay Down to Plymouth we have come We’re not really seeking sun

We are staying in a flat But there’s ample room in that We wanted a change of place And, maybe, a change of pace

What do you think we will do? I guess I can give a clue We have brought our folding bikes So we prob’ly won’t do hikes

It’s sad some places are shut Others open if booked, but We out on our bikes can ride And don’t need our faces hide

We ventured on roads round town They were very up and down And Phil after me did shout Your brakes will soon be worn out

We couldn’t return too late As for Waitrose we did wait It definitely felt good Knowing we would have some food

Sunday

What happened then on Sunday? We said rain please go away! As we ventured by train north And then on bikes tallied forth

Road was busy as we went But at least for us this meant If on it then we did stay We would easily know the way

Up and down went the hills En route to Trago Mills A mini railway we find With model railway behind

To try to avoid the rain For lunch there we did remain And after filling our mouth We then headed back down south

On arrival at station We heard some information That there was a train just due Thus for that we joined the queue

It was only a short ride To take us to the seaside But it was rather a pain That down came some heavy rain

Hence we made just a brief stop Enough time to find a shop To buy postcards, fudge and cake They really do a trip make

Although we’d have liked more ride It’s no fun when you just slide Thus we hopped back on the train Ate some cake, us to sustain

Up to Exeter we went Trav’lin’ by train we’re content Then to Plymouth on train rode Back to our temp’ry abode

Next we can our dinner cook Hopef’ly at a service look Maybe for a walk we’ll go Before the sun sets too low

But arriving at the flat We found some mess on the mat Also some upon the chair However did that get there?

Ah! what down the chimney came? Good job that there was no flame Maybe ‘twas a little bird Tho’ nothing was seen nor heard

After we got back and ate Before the time got too late Yet again we did go out And had a nice walk about

Where exactly did we go? Off to visit Plymouth’s Hoe And when we looked all around We could see the Plymouth Sound

We glanced out across the sea A fav’rite place is to me There was someone having swim ‘Tho’ I did not envy him

Much, much further out to sea That is where the boats would be Along this historic coast It has many things to boast

Grand Parade, cannons, wall Tinside lido, that’s not all There’s the lighthouse on the hill Standing tall and straight and still

There were many ice cream vans Of this treat there must be fans We saw posh places to eat But the chip shop you can’t beat

Monday

Monday morning dawned quite clear Hopef’ly today no rain near This time we’ll travel south west Enjoy Cornwall at its best

But crossing River Tamar We really couldn’t see far As the cloud and the fog fell Where we were was hard to tell

This mistiness came and went From our seats we watched intent Sometimes we saw something new When things came back into view

Journey time’s about two hours And as yet there’ve been no showers Soon we’ll reach the end of line And on our lunch we will dine

As we disembarked the train<img src="/images/202009-01o.jpg" alt=“Photo of Instow signal box” On us it did start to rain Fortunately it was light Didn’t really our day blight

We cycled round by the coast Barely needing a sign post Terrain to Mousehole quite flat But did not see mouse nor cat!

There we did then turn around For the station we were bound Onto the same train we got Even bagged the same bikes’ spot

Travelled back north to Bodmin To climb some hills and get thin! I’d like to get to Padstow But think I’m a little slow

So the next part of this tale Is about the Camel Trail Went quite a way down this track But at Wadebridge we turned back

The riding there was quite tough Surfaces extremely rough We had to cycle with care ‘Cause of stones, ruts and mud there

To the station we came back And by train went up the track This evening we both stayed in As we needed clothes washing

Tuesday

Tuesday dawned a little grey But we won’t let it spoil our day This morning as we set forth We have chosen to head north

Destination – Tarka Trail Reaching Barnstaple by rail Then on our bikes we will go Riverside – near Westward Ho!

If we can the time afford We may go to Bideford And this all assumes the rain In the clouds it does remain!

Suddenly I start to shout, ‘Oo, the sun it has come out’ But will it still be in view When we get where we are due?

No, unfortunately not Instead light showers we got But we still stick with our plan And cycle, because we can!

The outlook remained quite dull ‘Though we saw many seagull The path followed water-side Until the river got so wide…

…I knew we surely can’t be Far from where flows into sea But the path continued south It didn’t go to the mouth

More old stations dot the track Many platforms still intact Why this a good journey makes? Because it’s flat like pancakes

Later we did catch the train Journey from branchline to main… Then we got a better view When the sky turned back to blue

Another day reached its end So our way back we did wend But we made time for a walk And also a chance to talk

Wednesday

Up and out to catch the train I wonder when it will rain? Across the water, afloat We can see many a boat

Bobbing up and down with tide Would make for a bumpy ride We saw herons stood dormant With them pair of cormorant

More animals, many kinds In the fields where the track winds Sheep, donkeys, cows - quite a few Pigs, ponies, alpacas too

There is so much countryside As we take our leisure ride There are many things to see When you just take time to be…

Enjoy our creator’s earth Many things he brought to birth Wonders of his mighty hand On the sea and on the land

Next we journeyed on our bike Many others did alike We followed Exe Est’ry path Which is like the Bristol-Bath

It goes by the riverside Sometimes narrow, sometimes wide You do get some lovely views And you can look when you choose

On way south we didn’t stop Except for at the cake shop Picked something scrummy to munch Stopped to eat it with our lunch

On return to Exeter What shall we do, we confer? Let’s take the little train south Down the branchline to Exmouth

From there we did go explore To increase our miles by more Then headed back up that side Of Exe Est’ry - wow, it’s wide!

The cycle route twisted round On and off road it was found Its bridges were made of planks It sounded like creaky cranks

The path followed railway track Station photos didn’t lack Boarded train at Topsham’s stop To St David’s was short hop

Again we need to go south To our temp home in Plymouth We took an evening wander Saw boats and swimmers yonder

Thursday

This morning we saw the sun As northwards the train did run Then cycled ten miles with care And Luke also met us there

At Devon Railway Centre We’d been online which meant, uh! We were prepared and did book So we could go in and look

There were two trains for to ride And much more to see beside A model village with band Model railways all well planned

At lunchtime we ate whilst sat Upon the bench jumped a cat Seems his friendship was a sham He only wanted Luke’s ham

Later, at the time to leave Over some hills I did heave Got to Exeter on cue As train to Plymouth was due

Straight back to the flat we go We have time to walk the Hoe And fulfil a little dream To eat very posh ice cream

What made it even more fun Was that we could see the sun It actually got quite hot As many clouds there were not

Wandered down The Barbican Of their fudge shop I’m a fan Then we went back to the flat Time for food, and this and that

Friday

This morning it’s overcast We really hope it won’t last Today we’re off to Bicton Gardens – Budleigh Salterton

Trees, plants, shrubs and flowers galore Different gardens to explore Countryside museum too Ha-ha, ice house – there to view

The gardens were very large So for a small extra charge You could ride Woodland Railway Which, of course, did make our day

Afterwards we headed west I’m sure you can guess the rest At the station – boarded the train At Exeter did detrain

The next thing that we would like Is to return south by bike… Beside the Est’ry we went It’s quite a special event

This route’s no longer foreign As far as Dawlish Warren From there I think that we will Catch the train, avoid the hill!

Instead of walk by the sea We bought Devonshire cream tea Took it to the flat to eat It was really very sweet

Saturday

On Saturday – cycled east Not shortest route but at least We got where we wanted to Doing extra mile or two

Initially like an alley We headed up Plym Valley But then it became more wide As we continued our ride

After what was a short time Went beyond heritage line There was a disused platform They all look the same – uniform!

One minute upon a ridge Next crossing over a bridge Sometimes quite narrow – funnel Then passing through a tunnel

The path took a diversion Houses not trees – conversion From the path we disembark Pop out through a new car park

We were cycling on a road Remember your highway code We needed to take great care As there were animals there

Sheep right up on the bank side Horses where we want to ride Cows were beyond the car park They all thought it quite a lark

We’d reached the edge of Dartmoor But had no time to explore Our plan, after lunch, to reach Bodmin, Truro, St Ives, beach

Another essential stop Will be their local cake shop And I always love to see Birds and boats out on the sea

The train to St Ives was packed And on the beach bathers stacked We walked out to bakery Bought a pasty for our tea

Then it was time to head back As this evening we must pack We soon will be heading home After our Devon – Cornwall roam

But one last trip we did make Up the branch to Gunnislake There were some amazing views You wouldn’t have had a snooze

Out of the window I look Many a photo I took But by the time we alight It is rather a dark night

Sunday

Sunday started getting hot I definitely did not Need my cardi or coat on As we cycled to station

We had had a final stroll A good short break on the whole It’s time to tidy away And to end our holiday

For just one more and last time We had to carefully climb Up rick’ty, metal staircase From the flat that’s at the base

I certainly will not miss Always having to do this Generally, if I rate This flat I’d say pretty great