I never get fed up of Brean Down

Another glorious day to wake up in the van.  It was a Bank Holiday weekend, and a few more vans had pitched up,

I've lost count of the number of times over the years I have visited Brean Down.  But it seemed the perfect stopping off point for the journey home.

There was a good breeze blowing at the top!

When I was 15 I went to college at Weston Super Mare, which is the view in the distance.

Great views down to Glastonbury Tor in the distance.

But it's the beach I love.  People complain about the tide being out, but if you check the times, if you want a paddle, then you can't go wrong, and it comes in twice a day!

 

I missed the best of the Bluebell display, but it was still stunning.

There are approximately 6500 Trigg points dotted around the UK.  

Apparently, you're meant to touch it for it to count that you've been, so I heard!

As you reach the end of Brean Down, you see both Steep Holm and Flat Holm.

This is an absolutely perfect spot to just sit and listen to the water, people's chatter and the birdlife.

The Thrift or Sea Pink flowers were out in full glory.

I watched as a guy laden with equipment clambered down the cliff face.

It was an impressive fishing spot.

After a walk on the down, I then did a couple of miles on the beach before heading home.

 

The beauty of the outdoors

I feel so lucky to have my van.  It's perfect for me, I can use it just to potter and get the shopping, but also save a lot of money and just go away for mini or longer trips away.

Some people like to camp "off grid" parking in a layby or just finding a quiet spot somewhere.  For me I like the safety of a campsite and it's always fun people watching and seeing all the different set ups that make going away fun.

I got this sticker on a visit to a van show and it sums up great times.

I last visited Dunkery Beacon on Exmoor in August last year.  All the heather was out then, but this time the Gorse is covering the view and it's just as beautiful.

The weather was perfect (for me) i'm not a fan of high temperature's so the high teen's were perfect for walking and the blue sky's just made everything look so bright.

When I was walking up I met a couple of lovely guy's who were staying in Lynton for a long weekend having travelled from Sussex.  

They were so nice and when I asked if they would take a picture of my current project I am working on he said how when he used to live in London he used to crotchet and I had inspired him to get out his hook and finish a scarf he had been working on.

For me, my favourite places to be are where there are big expanses of nature, but also having a sea view just makes it that bit more special.  

This view looks down towards Dunster and Minehead.

The sheep are so used to vehicles and people passing them by that they just stayed where they were.  

 

I did feel sorry for them and hoped the farmer was going to shear them soon, as their coat looked very long and hot.

Just miles and miles of open space.

After spending some time at the Beacon, I then headed 15 minutes down to Dunster I can not remeber the last time I actually walked around this small village.  

It is full of a huge variety of gift shops, which is great for visitors, but I am not sure how the locals manage with day-to-day essentials.

I did so love this wreath on the door.

I have been a member of the National Trust for a few years, and it has paid for itself so many times. Admission to Dunster Castle and Watermill is definitely worth a visit.

Without membership costs £19.80 for an Adult, and an annual membership for a single person is only £8 a month, which I think is great value.

The gardens are stunning, unfortunately, I did not get there till mid-afternoon, so I did not have time to explore everywhere.

have

For those who know me and follow my blog, you will know I love photography, so experimenting with black and white was fun.

I highly recommend the tea rooms based at the Watermill, just a perfect sitting, and again, people watching and listening to the stream and enjoying a delicious cuppa whilst crafting.

I do love my home and my garden, I have created over the last 20+ year's but would definitely love to live somewhere more rural, so as my bestie said, "have a look round and see what areas you like".

I rarely have ice cream, but this went down a treat!

Back to the campsite for the perfect end to an amazing day.

 

First trip away in the van this year.

I decided as the weather had been so lovely and with the prospect of a Bank Holiday to have an impromptu first trip away in my van.

My Son loves Cider so on route to the campsite I stopped off at Sheppey’s Cider.  

If you’re in the area just 18 miles from Bridgewater then I highly recommend it.

Not only do they sell their own cider, they do tours, have cider tasting.  A shop selling delicious food and a cafe.  But the highlight for me is the orchard you can walk around. 

It is 90 acres and they have all the trees set out and labelled with the different varieties.  

As I visited in May the trees were in full blossom and it was just glorious.

I found a perfect spot to sit and work on my current crotchet project and as it turned out it matched the blossom perfectly.

The location is also a working farm, wow the cows were impressive close up!

After a lovely couple of hours I headed a few miles across to the campsite I stayed at for two nights.

Obviously I purchased a treat from the cafe which took two days to eat!

The view from the van, I do so love my little home away from home.

I always bring Harold the frog, a childhood toy my Son had.

 

I hope you enjoyed this and I shall share more of my next adventure soon.