My version.
I will start with the great quote "you really have to be there......"
So leaving the car park in convoy, smallest car first, all went according to plan until the narrow Manaton/Lustleigh lanes were reached.
First, very large new agricultural vehicle appeared. It stopped, we stopped, what now? It appeared intimidated by my car's size and actually backed up to let us pass.
What a man! What a driver!
Next
Mr Spanking new shiny Tesla appeared and tried his luck getting past. He also had to back up protesting loudly. Apparently he's lived round those parts for 15 years and never had to give way!
On to Manaton, large driverless white van in middle of the road, two men talking oblivious to waiting traffic. I got out of my little car to see what going on. He was putting a Road Closed sign up!!!!!
As a certain Mr McEnroe so famously said
"You cannot be serious!" We were allowed through with no guarantee we could get back.
Thirteen minutes late to the start, nine of us..... or was it eleven, started our lovely walk towards ye olde packhorse Hisley bridge. Upwards and onwards through Hisley woods until we reached Heaven's Gate, sadly devoid of it springtime flora a welcome break was enjoyed and a phone call to The Cleave was made to confirm our numbers for lunch. There followed a bizarre chat of our entire group of nine or was it eleven to confirm numbers.
I am not making this up!!!!!
Carrying on round the track underneath the Nutcrackers and onto Hammerslake, Interesting scenery round here.
Back onto the road we found an interesting shortcut to explore, can't resist it, can I? Down, down a very slippery, mossy damp track, brambles constantly trying to grab us, skunk cabbage in their hundreds, several streams tinkling away until we reached the top road into Lustleigh.
Well what now? at least one hour before nine or was it eleven of us could eat. So we explored the lovely old church and had a prelunch drink.
Lunch time at last, bit of a wait but we're used to that, aren't we? Very tasty and very reasonably priced.
Nine or was it eleven set off again to get to our cars. Going up hill on stomach full of lunch and beer wasn't such a good idea. An afternoon nap would have suited better. Down into the woods again , past wonderful Hisley Farm and Gradnor Rocks and across the ancient bridge again.
Last bit now, all up hill to the cars. After a very short discussion we drove home Widecombe way.
Much easier!
Well we all enjoyed our adventure, especially the newly returned, from their adventures in Europe. Why go away, you can get it all here!!!
I'll finish as I started:-
You really do have to be there, be it nine or eleven of us!!
Brenda