This morning we assessed the weather with great precision in the hope of visiting one of the beaches along the Devon coastline. Cath lay the foundations of the assessment with talk of "weather pockets and cloud formations", and I finished it off by checking the wind direction. The conclusion resulted in us deciding on Ilfracombe towards the northernmost point of Devon.
We departed a gloomy Birchill Farm and made our way north on the 26 mile journey. The weather brightened the further north we travelled, and by the time we hit Ilfracombe, the sun was clearly visible and soon to be unobstructed by clouds.
Cath, Olivia & Ian at Ilfracombe
After finding a car park close to the coastline, we wandered down towards the beach and set up shop for the afternoon, Cath & Ian hiring traditional deck chairs, Lucy & I with our travel chairs. Olivia was soon digging up sand with her newly purchased bucket & spade.
Olivia gets to work with her new bucket & spade
Cath & Lucy had prepared a picnic lunch in the morning, and we were soon tucking into our sandwiches and crisps, all the while attempting to ward off a rather hungry seagull, which we did successfully.
Lucy finishes off her lunch with one eye on the seagull
Olivia spent the afternoon either running down to paddle in the sea, or running back up to our patch on the beach to play with her bucket & spade, exhausting Cath & Ian in the process.
Time to give mummy & daddy the runaround?
Olivia & Cath look out to sea
Later in the afternoon Lucy & Cath did the refreshments run, bringing back coffee, tea and pop. To go with our drinks, we had packed Bakewell Tarts & Country Slices which we gleefully tucked into. Olivia had her own cake slice which she mucnhed on, but after only a couple of bites she dropped it in the sand and there was no chance of recovery. Within moments of doing so, out of nowhere swooped a pesky seagull, startling all of us except Olivia who seemed oblivious to the attack.
As the tide began to turn we packed up for the day and walked back to the car. On the journey home we stopped off in Braunton for a fish & chip supper at Squire's, a restaurant recommended (not personally) by Rick Stein.
Cath drove us back to our cottage, which was basking in sunshine for the first time this week. Long may it continue (well, for another three days at least!).
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