March: Hayling Island

This weekend trip was to Fishery Creek Hayling Island.  Hayling Island is just off the south coast but, although it is a true island, it is reached by road.

The weather had been windy and rain splattered for most of the week prior to our departure, so we were pleased to wake to a dry day and to be able to drive off with a clear-view windscreen!  The trip to Hayling was uneventful and we were pleased to arrive at our destination at around lunch time. 
The site appeared reasonably attractive...but were delighted to be parked in a prime position that offered a clear view of the tidal creek, and with a pretty swan lake beside us too!

From base camp we were able to walk along beside the water in two directions...one path leading to the sea front, where a small train ran back'n'forth to a funfair (which was somewhat dilapidated).

Link: Hayling seaside railway (found on YouTube)

We sat on the beach and enjoyed delicious fish'n'chips at the Coast Guard Café (recommended)

On our second day we took a drive around Hayling. There were lots of small boats, small yachts, water sports...stuff like that aplenty.

We were also delighted to find a shell beach!  Just beside the ferry crossing...

March: Devon

Having spent the past few months busily doing other stuff, this long-weekend we finally took to the road with Wilby!

This time we chose to break from our usual policy of escaping from the maddening crowds...mainly because the weather forecast was uncertain and we didn't want to be stuck in the moho with nowt to do!  The River Dart Country Park appeared to meet our requirements...maybe...possibly...perhaps!

It felt really good to get on the road again and to be sitting in what feels a bit like a tour bus!  The roads were fairly clear so the journey was just fine and we arrived at our destination before lunch time.  I can't say that I was impressed by the site...in fact I thought it was rubbish...and being on top of the hill above Dawlish Warren meant that we had to walk down a steep hill to get to the beach, and were then faced with an uphill walk afterwards.  In fact we caught a bus back!

By the second day we'd learned that Wilby could in fact be taken down to the Dawlish Warren car park...and from there we could walk along the sea front beside the railway line and beautiful red sandstone rock face to Dawlish.  This was much better! 

The black swans at Dawlish