It hardly ever happens but we have come down to Devon in the South West of England to housesit and have no pets to look after! Yes you heard it right, no dogs or cats or anything. A very rare occurrence but one that we are desperately trying to make the most of. Very odd not to have to get up to let a dog out or to have to get wrapped up for wet and windy walks.
So what’s the story?
Well it’s not a sit booked through our normal housesitting site, TrustedHouseSitters, we are actually looking after Jo’s younger brothers house down in Georgeham whilst he’s away skiing in the Alps. We’ve been down a couple of times in our JWalking years (How we got blown away by Devon and 100 Years – A Visit to Remember) so know the ropes and where everything is. It’s a lovely house set in the beautiful Devon countryside with views on all sides so very quiet and very restful after our busy Christmastime.
We are here for just under three weeks so lots of time to relax and catch up with a whole bunch of online work plus get out and about exploring a few of the wild and wonderful places that Devon has to offer.
Putsborough walk to Woolacombe
After a long travel day from London followed by a day of chores like shopping, washing, and sorting backpacks we headed off to the local Putsborough Sands for a bit of a walk. With the weather taking a break from wind and rain it was absolutely glorious. Still cold though so we were well wrapped up for the 5 mile round trip to Woolacombe and back.
Putsborough is actually the southern part of Woolacombe Sands on Morte Bay and is a beautiful sandy beach protected from those south westerly winds by Baggy Point. As we wandered north towards Woolacombe there was activity all around with families and couples enjoying the blue skies and pre-New Year holiday. Lots of people walking dogs, reasonably well-behaved, and a whole host of very brave surfers in wetsuits launching themselves into the sea in the hope of catching that elusive wave.
I don’t think many people live in the hamlet of Putsborough but it’s been there since the 14th century and is now a North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which I assume is an NDCAONB which just runs off the tongue doesn’t it?
We love these winter beach walks so much and stopped in Woolcoombe for a couple of cappuccinos at the Beachcomber Cafe before the walk back to Putsborough car park.
Braving the wind around Baggy Point
The following day we woke determined to head out again and make the most of the decent dry weather so once again parked at Putsborough but this time headed south up onto Baggy Point for a circular walk around to Croyde and back. The walk is part of the South West Coastal Path and is a National Trust site so great footpaths and lots of amazing views.
We saw quite a few people walking the other way around the point some of whom were in shorts and flip-flops pretending it was summer. Crazy! Still really cold but absolutely stunning views and a brilliant walk.
New Year’s Eve at Crow Point
Keeping up our relentless schedule of daily walks we headed out on New Years Eve to Saunton Burrows with the aim to get out to Crow Point on the edge of the estuary. The burrows are a huge expanse of sand dunes that are great to explore but easy to get lost in. Walking via Crow Point we headed north and then inland in an attempt to find the most historic location in the area.
Right in the middle of Saunton Burrows is the site of WWII replica landing craft that were used by the Americans to train for the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach. Three concrete landing craft remain in the dunes. We found it fascinating especially as we’d visited Omaha and the Normandy beaches recently (Operation Normandy and The Unforgettable beaches of Normandy).
So three wonderful walks on the North Devon coast and a wonderful way to spend the last few days of 2019. Massive thanks to Jon and Julie, Jo’s brother and sister-in-law, for asking us to stay in their lovely house. Looking forward to another week or so of walks and exploring and just making the most of the South West.
27/12 – 31/12/2019
JWalking 
It looks beautiful, Jonno! I’ve half-promised myself a visit to my lovely friend Gilly (Lucid Gypsy) in Exeter this summer. 🙂 🙂
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That would be a great trip, really like Exeter and it’s so close to the coast on both North and south Devon. All spectacular. Hope it comes off Jo.
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Love those winter beach walks. I feel the name Baggy Point is less than enticing, but it looks beautiful all the same!
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Ha Baggy Point may not sound too inviting but it’s a beautiful place and the walk is pretty impressive. We really like the winter walks as long as they’re dry.
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Happy New Year! Wishing you lots of lovely walks in 2020.
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Thanks so much, it’s started well as we seem to be getting out on a daily basis down here. Happy New Year to you too.
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You guys are sooo cute!! Happy New Year!
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Thanks Pam. Have a great one yourself.
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Ooh, time to visit Devon again soon!
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It’s a stunning county isn’t it? Think I prefer it to Cornwall and the north coast is so much wilder and more remote than the south. Lucky to be able to spend a few weeks here.
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I do like the north coast, although when I go to Devon it’s usually to Dartmoor – that’s been a regular stomping ground for some 25 years or so, now.
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Looks like a lovely area for walking. Love the cows! And you made me chuckle with your ‘it rolls off the tongue’ comment.
I’m doing a 3 month house sit in Bulgaria later in the year, with no pets. I have to say I am excited and terrified in equal measure. A dog would be good company especially as I will be 1km up a forest track (with wolves in the area apparently) and 5km from the nearest town.
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Three months in Bulgaria? Wow that’s an incredible housesit. Did you get that through THS? We still haven’t really done much outside of the UK but later this year could be the time. See what crops up.
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I did yes, I was amazed. It was one of those occasion when I got an almost immediate response, I must have written a really good application. 🙂
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It’s all about the application isn’t it? We’re always a bit uneasy if the house owners take ages to reply to an application.
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What a very civilised way to start the new year. Beats the views from the M20 that;s for sure!
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Great way to ‘end’ the old year and start the new one.
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I’ve never been to Devon or Cornwall but I would love to go. The beaches look beautiful. You really do get to visit some fantastic places Jon, long may it continue!
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Can’t believe you haven’t made it down to the south west Liz, you should try and rectify that someday. We’re pretty lucky about where we get to currently although I’d love to spend some time in the Algarve still.
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It does look beautiful but tell me please? Did you call in to Westward Ho! While you were there? That does it you’ve definitely won the funny names challenge.
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Ha we’re actually off to Westward Ho! today on a bit of a roadtrip. Will let you know how it went.
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I’ll look forward to it.
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Beautiful area! I love those trees – I almost thought they were palm trees! I love the names of places in England – so colorful! You would like the winter walks on the beach here too. Have a wonderful, adventurous New Year!
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Thanks so much Chris. They were actually palm trees! Think your winter walks would be a little warmer than those we’re experiencing but would be fabulous to try.
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What an idyllic place to start off the new year. I love Devon but haven’t visited for quite awhile but your post urges me to return.
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It’s so unspoilt and a little wild down here. Lovely part of the world.
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I don’t get the people who walk around in shorts in the winter pretending it’s not cold. I saw a lot of that when I was in Ohio over Christmas – I think there it’s a macho thing, because these guys certainly couldn’t have been hot in -10C!
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You’re so right it’s all about showing off and being macho. Crazy though, if it’s cold you wrap up don’t you?
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What great names they give to these places, ‘Baggy Point’ being a Particularly good one!
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Great name isn’t it? How could we resist going and exploring Baggy Point, just had to be done.
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What a lovely way to end the year. Gorgeous walks, the beach is always exhilarating in Winter. Enjoy the house sit. Sounds like a fabulous spot. And a very happy new year to you. xx
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We’re loving all the beach walks especially when the sun breaks through. Almost better in the winter when you can wrap up. Have a great New Year Miriam.
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Visiting historical sites always makes the event real for me. It sounds like an amazing place! Enjoy your leashless walks while you can. LOL!
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Thanks Susie, we’ll be back on the leash in a couple of days so making the most of every day down here. The more history the better for us as it brings a place to life I think.
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Devon and Cornwall (and the Scilly Isles) has always been a corner of England I’ve longed to visit. Looks great.
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It’s stunning at any time of the year. Much quieter in winter though which we prefer, gets a bit busy through the summer months.
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I love that part of Devon, the coastline is so beautiful… I didn’t know about the replica WWII landing craft though – will have to check them out next time we are down that way.
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It’s a stunning coast isn’t it and never seems that busy, out of season, so you can get around pretty easily. We love it up there.
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Looks very nice!!
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It’s lovely, such a great place.
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Thanks foor the post
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You’re very welcome Jude
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