Port Issac and Exmoor

Port Issac which is the setting for the TV series Doc Martin with Martin Clunes as the Doctor was our last stop along the Southern coast. We have seen him on BBC TV narrating really interesting and diverse subjects.
The village is quite remote, but without doubt kept afloat because of being the location for this series.




The house which is Doc Martins Home in the programme




Street scenes of the village








Looking down on the port






More street scenes







The last area to visit as we headed back to knightcote was the region of Exmoor. This area is so very pretty with rolling green pastures and huge pockets of lovely forests of beeches, oaks, elms, ashes all in the soft golden autumn shades.

We stayed in a refurbished boutique hotel which had been beautifully restored. Alex was our host and he was a real enthusiast for the region and recommended a small tour though the lanes, up and down dales, through forests and ports etc.









Just look at the gorgeousness of this pub. The boys had a drink here while the girls roamed around and took photos. We were so enchanted.



Our hotel in Minehead, Exmoor. Alex the owner was watching from one of the above windows and could not believe that four of us unfolded ourselves out of that car!!



Further up the street from our Hotel



The little lanes that led down to the village in Minehead


The view from the Hotel. This mist is very common.







Loved the way this thatched cottage had had the road built around it.




The Bar in the Hotel





The gorgeous and picturesque country lanes in Exmoor








This Church was built by a wealthy land owner for the locals, family and staff to attend.





View of country side from Church door






The Church had 5 of these thatched cottages attached which were built for the farm workers. Today they are part of the National Trust Body. One is a cafe where we had coffee.



The cafe






Even the loo was cute


Such a pretty window scene






The brook and bush nearby

We all loved this area despite the gloomy weather and narrow lanes. It is just chocolate box pretty.

Exploring the North West

The next part of our journey took us north. Carol,was keen to see Blackpool as it is always talked about on Coro St and we had heard that they have a month of illuminations.

She had a bad start that morning with 'nothing to wear' and after she had tried on a thousand options we headed north. Fortunately our first stop was at a cafe (obviously) which consisted of a few boutique shops. I noticed a mannequin wearing a lovely ribbed cardigan with a cupcake lace frill so said to her lets check out the store. The clothing label was gorgeous and really suited Carols shape so I became the runner and she hit the fitting room. Three dresses, and two tops later we left oh and plus a good coffee.

Our next port was Liverpool and we were both impressed and amazed at how they have blended the old with the new architecture here. The Docks area which has a huge industry history with ship building and fishing has all been restored and it is the largest grade 1 listed project I the UK.


The Docks


The restored Docks buildings.

Carol and I went up on the wheel which gave you stunning views of the city




Liverpool from the top of the wheel


The giant Cathedral


The art gallery which has its shape based on the letter X for maximum hanging space.











Old and new buildings together. You do not see this very often in England. They are mostly old.

Liverpool is, of course the home of the Beatles and attracts lots of tourists. The museum for this is in one of the Docks buildings. We were very impressed with the city.

Our drive continued further north to Blackpool where we arrived about 5.00. We had a booking at a B and B near the beach so headed there to check in. When John had made the bookings the reviews rated it 9 out of 10 mostly so we were hopeful of something reasonably nice. OMG. it was just very very average to awful. Anyhow we checked in and decided to walk the strip area where the lights are which is about 10 miles of coast.

The illuminations are quite spectacular and there are lighted themes of every imaginable thing, cartoon, story etc, etc.







View of street with terraced houses next door to our guesthouse


Our guesthouse in Blackpool






Lights along the promenade at night. Sorry camera died this point, so had to get day time shots but they are still pretty amazing.













Scenes of the light parade - really fantastic to see at night.










Views of the beautiful beach and you can imagine the party atmosphere in summer.

Whilst it all looks gorgeous the main town part is quite awful and depressed and felt quite oppressive. We tried to find a decent coffee house, but were very pleased to head it of town to do this. We walked for miles the previous evening looking for a meal but the only thing that remotely appealed was a diner offering a roast. Sadly we think it had been cooked three month previous and hauled out and reheated. It was awful!!!

We decided to cheer ourselves up by coming home through Iron Bridge. John and I had visited here earlier in the year, but it is somewhere you can visit again and again. It is the original location for the production of fhe most gorgeous Coalport China.



Views of Ironbridge Gorge







The original Coalport factory and kiln. The name and from the location where the coal used to be delivered to for use during the industrial revolution.
















Some examples of the exquisitely painted china.

We felt quite refreshed after visiting a place with such beauty.

Location:Liverpool, Blackpool and Ironbridge