Cornwall to Chesterfield in the very heavy rain we have had lately. It feels like we just drove o
ver a 100 mile section of the M5 car wash. Neither the dog, the car, she who must be obeyed, or even I, would wish to report the experience.
During the journey we were involved in a "rolling roadblock". Some Highways Agency vehicle with enough flashing lights good enough to be a display at Blackpool. It drives slowly, blocking all the motorway lanes. Being at the front is an unnerving experience, driving in a very slick, obviously, practiced manner. The North and South sides were both affected- it was to facilitate a helicopter landing on the road to evacuate some trauma victim. Once the helicopter had gone, we were on our way again though.
There were many weird and wonderful sights on the M5. We saw a caravan become independent of its tow car, fortunately it went into the hard shoulder. Then a car promptly lost its bicycle attachments, that caused a bit of a melee.
Whilst on holiday, the dog and I watched many harbours and people fishing there. We watched the Topsham Crab Contest- males on one side, females on the other. Equipment is minimal, one chunk of mackerel on a string which is dropped into the water and voila! Crabs! We left when the contest was neck and neck, scores in the seventies!
I had hired a buggy for this Cornwall and Devon trip, so Murphy and I went to the marshes at Topsham, which is an RSPB owned site.
I saw, in the distance, some white dots, miles away. This Bill Oddie look-a-like told me that they were avocets. Right, well, they were white dots to me. There was also an RSPB hide, quite a palatial thing with two rules. No dogs and no smoking, which are two necessities for any countryside meander!
Later on in the holiday we ended up in Bude. If it had stopped raining I think we would have enjoyed it more. At a nearby beach called Widemouth Bay there was a spectacular display of waves and surf. Murphy tried paddling but not wanting to get his underbelly wet, soon put an end to that. Further down the coast is Rich Stein country - Padstow - very twee, but his chips are good!
On the trial of a journey home, stopping for fuel for the car and passengers, we found out that the helicopter was for some pour soul who tried to jump off a bridge. What must have been going through his mind before jumping - then those stick in slow lane of the M5 afterwards.
See You,
Buggy Man.
