wildman
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The latest van is rather large so for a first tour we decided to stay close to home and set off for a tour of Cornwall. Despite living in Devon for over 20 years it will be the first time. After a leisurly drive down we stopped at Padstow, and parked on the quay outside Rick Stein's famous fish restaurant. The cost an arm and a leg sea bass looked fantastic but we resisted, (this time). We spent our first night on the outskirts of town in an off road layby.
Driving on to St Ives we found the parking difficult and expencive, having taken a few photos we moved on to Newquay to visit the zoo. It was whilst trying to park outside the zoo that the van got given its' name.
" you can't park that BEAST here mate, you need to use the coach park." Well at £10 to park plus entry fees we decided to pass, there were other zoos on the way round. Driving on down towards Lands End on the B3306 we stopped for the night at Little Trevalgan 50-12'-5"N 5-31'-20"W. What a super spot great veiws and hill walking the "Beast of Exmoor" with wildman and unicorn parked for nearly 24hrs.
Next day we set off for Hayle and Paradise Park. Parking in the the main car park up to 8pm was only £4.50 and right alongside the estuary, there were we later found plenty of free parking spots across the river. Having visited the obligtory zoo we parked for the night in a carpark (free) attached to a cornish pasty shop (with owners permission) Late evening was spent consuming humungous pasties whilst fishing in the harbour. I could have cast from the rear window when the tide was in.
So off to Lands End. Stopping on the way to visit Geevor tin mine, well worth the visit, must see the Levant minbe next door on the next trip. Not far to Lands End now. Arriving late in the day there was no one to take our £3 all day parking charge and we were free to wander and take as many photos for free some of the exhibits looked interesting and it must be remembered tourism is the only local employer.
Moving on to Falmouth we spent the day shopping then along the coast a little to Penryn, what a delightful spot, we pulled into the harbour carpark, (free) and enjoyed fabulous views of the river whilst having dinner.
We then visited the Eden project after overnighting in a layby then on to Dartmoor. Quite unaware of the date we were woken at midnight by the dogs growling. Looking out of the window we saw a number of Druids heading for the stone circle, but it was moist and misty so we stayed in the van. Wet dogs in a small space make an intollerable smell. The next day we meandered back home via Tavistock and Barnstaple. The van behaved as expected of a 26yr old Merc. A small list of things to do before the next trip include getting the eberspatcher working and also the optimus grill (anyone got a manual?) apart from that we are ready for the next trip. Cornwall is very hilly so fuel consumption only averaged 19mpg but on vegetable oil that was not too bad. I wonder what it will do on a motorway. Could be Wales for the next long trip. But many local three day events before then. All in all traffic was almost nonexistant we were never hassled about overnight parking and will go again. 7 nights wilding in the West Country, Great.
Driving on to St Ives we found the parking difficult and expencive, having taken a few photos we moved on to Newquay to visit the zoo. It was whilst trying to park outside the zoo that the van got given its' name.
" you can't park that BEAST here mate, you need to use the coach park." Well at £10 to park plus entry fees we decided to pass, there were other zoos on the way round. Driving on down towards Lands End on the B3306 we stopped for the night at Little Trevalgan 50-12'-5"N 5-31'-20"W. What a super spot great veiws and hill walking the "Beast of Exmoor" with wildman and unicorn parked for nearly 24hrs.
Next day we set off for Hayle and Paradise Park. Parking in the the main car park up to 8pm was only £4.50 and right alongside the estuary, there were we later found plenty of free parking spots across the river. Having visited the obligtory zoo we parked for the night in a carpark (free) attached to a cornish pasty shop (with owners permission) Late evening was spent consuming humungous pasties whilst fishing in the harbour. I could have cast from the rear window when the tide was in.
So off to Lands End. Stopping on the way to visit Geevor tin mine, well worth the visit, must see the Levant minbe next door on the next trip. Not far to Lands End now. Arriving late in the day there was no one to take our £3 all day parking charge and we were free to wander and take as many photos for free some of the exhibits looked interesting and it must be remembered tourism is the only local employer.
Moving on to Falmouth we spent the day shopping then along the coast a little to Penryn, what a delightful spot, we pulled into the harbour carpark, (free) and enjoyed fabulous views of the river whilst having dinner.
We then visited the Eden project after overnighting in a layby then on to Dartmoor. Quite unaware of the date we were woken at midnight by the dogs growling. Looking out of the window we saw a number of Druids heading for the stone circle, but it was moist and misty so we stayed in the van. Wet dogs in a small space make an intollerable smell. The next day we meandered back home via Tavistock and Barnstaple. The van behaved as expected of a 26yr old Merc. A small list of things to do before the next trip include getting the eberspatcher working and also the optimus grill (anyone got a manual?) apart from that we are ready for the next trip. Cornwall is very hilly so fuel consumption only averaged 19mpg but on vegetable oil that was not too bad. I wonder what it will do on a motorway. Could be Wales for the next long trip. But many local three day events before then. All in all traffic was almost nonexistant we were never hassled about overnight parking and will go again. 7 nights wilding in the West Country, Great.
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