I will be losing it - just you wait

Autumn is here and the leaves are starting to fall. Oh those trees have it so easy. They stand there, looking great, with different colours and textures that suit the season (unless they're evergreen of course...) and then, just when they might be saying to each other "Ooh, I seem to have put on a few pounds recently - could do with slimming down a bit," their leaves take the hint and drop off, leaving them with a stick thin figure all through the winter season and perfect for next spring's fashions when they arrive.

That is what I want to do. I'd like to be able to tell my body that there are bits of it that really don't belong on me any more and could these fat blobs please melt away right now. Wouldn't that be good!

Instead, I've found I just can't stop eating at the moment. True, I'm eating all the right things - I still have my favourite, tasty low fat, low calorie breakfasts, lunches and dinners... but in between I have my favourite high fat and sugary snacks and in the evening I enjoy my glasses of wine just a little too frequently!

Why am I doing this to myself? Is it something instinctive about preparing for winter? I love feeling slimmer and I hate seeing blobby me reappearing, but I'm finding it really difficult to get on the right track.

But today I am going to start going for it big time. I have Christmas as my goal and hope to be able to slide into something that makes me feel slim and sexy by then! I also want to go skiing - and be able to get up when I fall over... Not sure if that's affordable this year, but I hope I can find a way.

So I shall step up the exercise. Today is beautiful and I plan to cycle for a couple of hours, with some steep hills to burn off the calories and build up my muscles. And it will work! I have just refused a sausage roll offered me by my daughter and believe me sausage rolls are one of my biggest temptations and downfalls. So there it is. I will be back losing it from today!

Do the pump 'n' spray and lose some weight today,

Can you lose weight and save money in these dire times?
Well, according to the government you just need to eat less.  Control yourself and keep off the cream buns and the weight will drop off.  Hmmm.  Not so sure about that.  I find that my weight loss(or sadly gain) fluctuates with the seasons and my mood, and that what I eat is only a part of the problem.
But, clearly anything that can enable calories in to be less than calories used will help in the fight to get thinner.  so here is my top tip for the day.    Remember the 'Shake and Vac' advert?  If not you can watch it here.  

Well meet the Pump 'n' Spray.  This is from Lakeland Plastics and you fill it with the oil of your choice. 

It dispenses a fraction of the oil you would usually pour in cooking, so you save massively on the oil as well as on the calories you're putting into your meal. Plus of course it gives you a bit of exercise (you have to pump before each spray).  I also suggest a little dance around the kitchen whenever you use it - to the  tune of the Shake and Vac advert.


You may hate me for getting that tune in your head, but at least you might be thinner and richer!

The ups and downs of cycling in Sussex

As Dave was doing his flight sim show at Shoreham airport I decided to cycle over and show my support.  (It had turned out to be a bit of a family affair with James doing some filming there and Charli helping out too.

I cycled just over 31 km which took about 2 and a quarter hours.  The first and the last bit were the worst - a long slog up the very steep Tongdean lane in Withdean to start with and again, climbing Tongdean lane at the end to get home.  I know those are the very bits that help burn the fat, but I wish there was an easier way - especially at the end of the ride... The rest of the cycle was fab.

 Most of it was along the sea front, including the port road and lock in Shoreham harbour.
 Can anyone explain why bikes are not allowed on the prom here in Brighton and Hove?  I mean, bikes tootling along and looking out for other users, not those in a hurry - who should be on the road of course.  The prom must be about 20 m wide along here. 

Anyway, I felt pretty pleased with myself.  But I did possibly cancel out the positives with just one little negative... When I arrived at the airport Charli was starving and the airport cafe had closed - having run out of food!!!!  So I drove to McDonalds to get her a burger - and found myself eating one too - how did that happen:)
Still it was a good cycle and I'll do it again some day soon. 

My cunning plan to lose weight

It seems to me that my wannabe fat self (lets call her Lard) has been making some sneaky moves on my wannabe thin self (I'll call her Beyonce!). I really don't recall giving Lard permission to drag me towards biscuits, crisps and cheesecake - whilst keeping away from the gym on the flimsiest of excuses. "Your trainer lace is broken." - I have spares, somewhere, or "If you go now you might be late back and you'll miss checking with your dental hygienist on facebook..".

All the time Beyonce, bless her, has been under the impression that she has, by and large, been sticking to the straight and narrow -avoiding chips and dumplings, whilst leaping on her bike frequently and pedalling pretty furiously. Beyonce - and I'm with her on this one - is gutted to find that the weight is going the wrong way; 8 pounds - and that's on the kind and friendly scales. The gloating scales can just sit there and 'wait' for the moment. I'm going nowhere near them.

But, as I mentioned, I have a cunning plan. This is based on trickery and deception. Lard will not know what's slithered off her until she's just a mere globule of fat.  And here is an example of how it will work.

It's 4.30 pm and Beyonce is putting the finishing touches to her work for the day.  A tick here, a tick there and a shimmy across the floor as she sings to John who has come to replace the light bulb.  Soon it will be time for home.

At this point Lard, in that rather devious and manipulating little voice of hers, pipes up.  "Oooh don't forget that you need to go to the staff room to pay for those sweeties you had yesterday.  You know the white chocolate mice.  Have you forgotton that all the profit goes to charity?  And such a good cause too.... maybe you should get some more?"

Beyonce though is ready! "Yes Lard Great Ormond Street Hospital is a good cause isn't it.  However, I think I could better support them by taking part in a fun run.  So I'm going to get into training by jogging home this evening - up that steep hill."

"No, no!" shrieks Lard " You might hurt yourself.  You're too old and unfit. Anyway, you've got too much work to carry home in that bag of yours."

But Beyonce has the final word.  "Lard - I have a flash pen, with all my latest lyrics and toons on.  I don't need any heavy books in my bag, just a song in my heart and a spring in my step.  And I'll put the money in the sweet box tomorrow.  Come on let's go.  Got me lookin so crazy right now..."

Thus will I defeat slobbery old Lard and allow Beyonce to sing and dance her heart out, in a lightened up sort of way.  Wish us luck:)

 

New goals at the Seagulls Amex Stadium

Monday morning and I wasn't at work!  No I was at the brand new Amex Stadium in Falmer, Brighton - the home of the Seagulls - and a fantastic place it is too! The sun shone and life was good.

It was also meant to be a day that showed my determination, stiff upper lip and general ability to reach my goals and win in the weight loss war (yeah!)  So why is it then when you go out on a trip, even when the trip is only 5 minutes away from home, the first thing you want to do when you get there is eat your packed lunch?  I felt so hungry, despite a good 'how to be slim and still eat sausages breakfast' of quorn sausages, tomatoes and toast.  And so did everyone else.
We were on a special sporty day playing football, hockey, rugby and rounders - brilliant idea and
almost guarenteed to help the pounds fall off - were it not for the fact that it was the young students I was with who were doing the sports while I stood and watched...
But:

• I did not start nibbling - I waited until I could sit down in the stands and have my lunch - Goal!
• I kept away from those extra sandwiches and crisps... Goal!!
• I felt motivated enough to take the long, uphill  50 minute walk home afterwards... Goal!!!          

 

Ok, there were a few lapses afterward.... but I'm going to feel proud of myself.  I really think that thinking yourself slimmer is half the answer.  They say 'you are what you eat', but I also think' you are what you think you are'.   Not profound, but I think it's true...

I could curl up and cry - but I'm going to jump up and down instead and scream

Ohhhh, I am so woeful.  I have been 'coasting' with my weight loss campaign recently.  The plan was to have my hols in Turkey and then get straight back on to the diet and exercise plan when I returned.  I know it's a winning combination because it worked!

However.... I've sort of done that.  I've gone back to my favourite low fat yet filling breakfasts, lunches and dinners and I've been out cycling and swimming a lot.  But I guess 'coasting' isn't enough for me as I've put on 8 pounds in the last few weeks. Eight pounds!!!!!!

 So I need to take action.  Lots of it.  For a start the zumba wii game that I got for my birthday in June... needs to be taken out of the box.  I shall jump up and down and sing along with it for a session every day (almost... yeah a bit of copping out going on already).
The other things I know I have to do are stop the nibbling and cut down on the vino.  Both of these have crept up - actually rather leapt up if I'm honest...

So it's back to Sparkpeople every day too, which is an amazing site and has seen me through some tough times.

Ok, now I'm off to Zumba!!!!

Finding fixes for those fat times...

The plan still goes like this ... a year on.
I hadn't realised how much I owe to Pretty Woman... or how much that 50 Shades of Grey owes to the film either.  I watched it last night and it still hits the spot.   
Day - Thursday, in December
Time - 11 am
Place - Brighton, London, Paris... who knows? Somewhere with lots of beautiful shops full of gorgeous clothes.

I walk in and the sales assistants, who have been looking bored as they tootle around the store, gasp with astonishment. They all look towards the store's manageress who regains her composure, puts on a big smile and walks towards me.

"Madam - can we help you?"
I smile nonchanantly, ( I need to practise this in the mirror) and gaze around at the rich array of designer dresses dripping off the hangers. "Perhaps, yes I think you probably can."

There is an audible buzz of excitement now in the shop.
"I need a whole new wardrobe - and rather quickly actually", I add. "I have such a busy schedule these next few weeks; you know parties, balls, school productions, skiing trips, a weekend in the Cotswolds and a few nights in Istanbul. Plus I have to fit in a bit of location managing too. Colin and Pierce have asked me to find a few beautiful secluded bays in the mediterranean. Such a bore I know, but I did promise I'd do it."

The manageress smiles and nods incessantly, whilst around her the staff run for the hangers eager to help. "Would you like one of our girls to model some outfits for you?" she asks. "I guess you're about a size 8."

I smile and thank her, then slump into an arm chair, with a glass of bubbly, as the dresses start to parade themselves before me.  An hour later, I'm out of the shop, laden with designer carrier bags, l and heading for lunch; somewhere nice of course...

BUT this plan has a flaw - just one!  I am having trouble getting to that size 8 bit.  My dream is having hiccups and I need to get it back on track.

It's the tea time treats that do the damage for me I think.  I watch what I eat quite carefully in the day - and in the evening too, but I need to arm my kitchen with self locking machines to stop me nibbling late afternoon.  And maybe add in a little zumba then too.

Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan like me the way I am, of course, but I really don't want to let myself down.  A girl has dreams you know...
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You won't believe this but... wine can help you slim!

Here are four reasons why wine can help you slim. Read on before you mock!

1. If you love a glass or two of wine it probably makes you feel good.  Feeling good is fundamental to feeling positive and in control.  If you want to look good, you need to start feeling good about yourself. 
2. Women over 30 were asked about their wine drinking habits and their weight gain.  Four in ten, who said they were tea-total, gained the most inches, the Archives of Internal Medicine reports.  
3. The fewest inches were gained by those who drank 'moderate' amounts - perhaps a glass or two of wine a day. 
4. There is a  theory that in regular drinkers the liver develops a separate method of breaking down alcohol, with surplus energy turned mainly into heat, rather than fat. So drinking a small glass of red wine (120 calories),  most will be burnt off. However, if they come from a slice of pizza, more may be turned into fat. I like this theory.
   
   Clearly, too much alcohol - wine or not - provides too many calories, but for me, wine is a luxury that makes life feel better - and after a hard day's work it feels real good!
   
   

Back on the Bike

This summer has been my most fantastic for years - for lots of reasons.  I felt fitter, happier and more in control.  I went places and did things I love with lots of very special people and I think we all really enjoyed ourselves - I know I did.  Over the last few weeks I've done loads of cycling and  fully intend to do lots more!  I know it makes a big difference to getting myself fit and enabling me to eat some of the food I really like.

The other day Dave and I cycled 22 km to the top of Ditchling Beacon (one of the highest points in Sussex at 240m or there abouts.)  It was really knackering, but I felt great afterwards and can't wait to try it again.

I used the map your route app on Spark people, which I find really useful - although it doesn't (yet) work out calories used going up hills!    However, it still reckoned I'd used over 900 calories - which I can believe.

Thinking about it, we took a wrong turning at one point and had a lovely freewheel down a hill, then having to climb back up again (not so great, but good for me!!!)  So I think that means I can say I used those 900 calories ignoring the large 99 I ate when I got to the Beacon.

I don't think an ice cream has ever tasted so good.

I want to start thinking of my next goal, which I would like to be another holiday although quite how I'll pay for it is another question.  At the moment I'm trying to do 10 competitions a day (with holiday prizes).  I don't usually win stuff but you never know!

Happy Hour with Harry Potter Cocktails - slim by magic!

Don't get blue and down because life stinks. No, get up, put on some music to dance to and mix yourself a Harry Potter Cocktail from the collection below! They taste like nothing else in the cosmos and will make your world a better place to be! And they will help you lose weight*.

Golden Pumpkin
Originally drunk as an elixir to keep acromantulas at bay, this delicious cocktail has been found to also cure deathly chills on a cold night.

• 1 part Goldschlager (or other cinnamon schnapps), 3 parts Pumpkin Juice. Served piping hot.

Pumpkin Cobbler
Rich spices and sweet peaches join forces to cast a powerful spell that you won't soon forget. 

• 1 part Goldschlager, 1 part peach schnapps, 1 part good vodka, 3 parts Pumpkin Juice. Shake with ice and serve up (in a chilled martini glass) or on the rocks. For a twist on this cocktail you could substitute other sweet liquors for the peach schnapps, such as Chambord, Midori, banana schnapps etc.

Potterpolitan
So good, so unique that you must show this cocktail proper respect by bowing before it. Remember, yuh always wait fur the Potterpolitan to make the firs' move.

• 1 part Chambord, 1 part Absolut Citron (or other citrus vodka), 2 parts Pumpkin Juice and a squeeze of lime. Shake with ice and serve in a chilled martini glass.

Potterita
You don't choose the Potterita, the Potterita must choose you. And you'd better hope it does, magic must have been involved to create this smooth and tangy twist on the original.

• 3 parts tequila, 2 parts sweet and sour mix, 2 parts Pumpkin Juice. Shake with ice and serve on the rocks or blend with ice. Either way, serve in a sugar rimmed glass.

Hot Buttered Pumpkin
Allegedly a stolen recipe from Dumbledore's office, this amazing recipe is begging to be made at your next holiday party. Literally, it's begging. Would you just hurry up and make it already to shut it up?!

• 1 part rum, 3 parts Pumpkin Juice, 1 teaspoon of butter per 8oz drink. Microwave or heat the pumpkin juice on the stove with the butter. Once the butter is melted, stir and then add the rum.

Spiced Butterbeer
Served at all the wizard parties . . . well, the cool wizard parties.

• 1 part spiced rum, 1 part Stoli Vanil Vodka, 4 parts butterbeer (or other cream soda), serve neat (without ice) and top with rediwhip whipped cream that's been beaten to remove the bubbles and thin the consistancy slightly. Be sure your ingredients are ice cold or you'll have a warm drink. If making as a punch, float a single large ice cube (made in a bread pan) as to not water it down and have the whipped cream in a bowl for topping.

Pumpkin Juice
I know what you've been thinking . . .
"These look great, too bad I can't get my hands on any of that awesome pumpkin juice."
I'm sure you've found the recipes out there that call for a pumpkin that's chopped and juiced and mixed with things like pineapple juice. While I won't say they may not be good in their own way, I will tell you that they're not even close to what's at WWOHP as they're missing a few key ingredients to get the right flavor profile. You know PTTP wouldn't let you down! I haven't met the recipe our sophisticated squade team can't crack - enjoy the closest thing you can get without hopping on your broom for a trip to Florida.
 - Because the pumpkin juice ingredients are in such small proportions I'm breaking from the part measurement standard for this recipe.
Pumpkin Juice Recipe

• 8oz apple juice, 3oz Petit brand pear nectar, 3 tablespoons of pumpkin pie filling, 1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. Blend the ingredients in a blender to properly incorporate. Yes, it's supposed to be a little "pulpy", just like it is in WWOHP.

*These cocktails can work as part of the very special Harry Potter will make you slim programme, which requires you to have a phoenix feather wand  available from me at the ludicrously tiny price of £17.99 -free instantaneous postage and packing.  Guaranteed fool proof. Payment by paypal.  No returns accepted, no correspondence will be entered into.  Just pay up...

These drinks have been shamelessly copied from this site.  Go have a look!http://www.partythroughtheparks.com/islands-of-adventure-drinks/tag/harry-potter-drink-recipes

 

A Kalkan Kick and a Kalkan Kiss - cocktails for weight-watchers

With less than thirty hours to go until we depart on our holiday to Kalkan, Turkey I have abandoned all hope of getting packed in a structured and calm manner. Instead I have decided to create two more cocktails that I may have to try out later. In part, this is because my dear son, who is going to Berlin in about six hours, has just stuck a load of washing in - and appears to have plenty more to go. I suspect that he will be travelling damp...

So what better to do to fill the time than be creative with cocktails. Once again they are intended as a treat for the weight-watching drinker.  I'm told that doesn't mean you can have twice as many of them...


The Kalkan Kick - or Bloody Mary plus...
It's packing time and you should be really excited, but you're feeling a little stressed as you also have a million and one other things to do:  Feed the papers, cancel the cat, water the fridge and chuck out the mouldy plants - you know the sort of thing.
So you need to focus on what's important - and that is getting in the right frame of mind.  

 You need:

• 2/3 cup  tomato juice
• Slug of  vodka*, depending on strength of drink
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish 
• 6 shakes Tabasco Sauce
• teaspoon of Worcestershire Sauce
• Juice of 1/2 large lime (or medium lemon)
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• Celery stalk

A few sips of this and you'll be raring to go.  Not only that but you'll find yourself trying on those fake leopard skin shorts or  bikini bottoms that you'd shuddered at only an hour before - and chucking them in your suitcase along with a voucher for cut-price paragliding off the Taurus mountains.  Well, maybe not...


The Kalkan Kiss
Maybe you're wondering what on earth you're doing going on holiday when the roof needs fixing and the cat keeps being sick down the stairs.  Perhaps you should cancel it and put the money towards a new drainpipe.

Oh no, no, no!  Take immediate action and create a Kalkan Kiss for yourself.  This may be hard to justify on the slimming count - but hey, it could save your holiday!
You need:

• A measure of tequila
• small measure of white creme de cacao
• small measure of reduced fate double cream
• a little chambord
• a few white chocolate flakes
• a few raspberries for decoration

Mix all the liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker for about 15 seconds, then pour into a cocktail glass, chilled and rimmed with the chocolate flakes.  Decorate with raspberries.  (these could be part of your 5 a day and are very good for you).
Once you've enjoyed your first Kalkan Kiss you'll be ready for romance.  And Kalkan has to be one of the most romantic places in all the world.  Who needs new drainpipes anyway!

The trouble with crumble

Oh dear! I guess it had to happen. My resolve has been crumbling and has been swallowed up by a sudden obsession with puddings - with custard!

A few days ago I was basking in self-approval at how I'd managed to stick to the diet and exercise agenda and today I'm hovering near the fridge and picking at bits and pieces. I am not impressed with myself.
So rather than going to get yet another tasty morsel I am going to write about why this has happened and how I'm going to turn it around. (This is a bit like a stream of consiousness as I have no idea what's going to come out here!)
Now I could blame my young student friend who greeted us on our return from cycling the Tarka trail with a dish of steaming fruit crumble, which I haven't had since last winter. Of course I had some, who wouldn't when you've covered hundreds of miles on by bike and car - well, hundreds of miles by car and 65 by bike, but we'll gloss over that smoothly, like creamy custard over a crispy crumbly topping...
I think the problem started with knowing I'm not going to lose quite as much weight as I'd hoped before my hols next week. I'm really delighted with what I have lost and have been wearing some different clothes because I feel good in them, but I've stayed about the same weight now for around a month or more.
I have tried upping the exercise and taking more care with what I eat, but clearly not carefully enough.
The last couple of weeks have been really busy and I don't feel I've given myself enough time to do the things that relax me and make me feel good - which includes the hour a day for some form of exercise. I have been swimming, cycling,to the gym and even some tennis, but it has been rushed and not each day. It's just life I know. At the same time I've had some celebrations and meals out - including a great celebration of Bastille night in Cafe Rouge with some old friends.

No crumble but a wonderful blue cheese salad starter followed by bouillabaisse. mmmmm
So I can't really expect to have lost much weight.
But today I felt stressed, tired and had a sore throat. Work after a late night is difficult at the best of times but today I was meant to do something amazing to do with sustainability and I felt distinctly uninspired about it - it just seemed one thing too much to take on. Add to that a staff room full of cakes and goodies and you would be right if you suspected I succumbed. Yes, dear reader, I partook of chocolate cornflake bites, flapjack bites, peanuts (salted and honey coated) and a cadbury's hazelnut chocolate...
Then I hit the fridge when I got home - not too badly I guess if I think what I've had, but I'm feeling a little sorry for myself with another sore throat and feel the fates are against me... I don't wan't to go on my hols feeling ill...
So what can I do?
1. Drink copius amounts of lemon and ginger tea - I love it so that's no problem.
2. Have a sleep - sort of did that after work until my daughter woke me up
3. Plan out some tasty, yet slimming meals for the weekend! - Maybe devise a recipe for red fruit crumble and custard sans calories.
4. Go shopping for holiday stuff - (this is making me feel decidedly more cheerful!)
5. Go out for a long cycle. I have no more commitments today I think - but it's quite windy... guess that will help work off those extra nibbles!
6. Clean the house. (Ha, that's a laugh - done enough of that this week so that's a no!!!)
Enough.
Now I feel a bit better and maybe I'll keep out of the kitchen for a few hours.
I wish everyone out there a great weekend and hope you get your 'me' time. You're worth it...they could use that on an ad I think!

Cycling the Tarka trail, North Devon - day 3

Today the sun shone and the clouds vanished so that we looked out on a completely different, colourful landscape.
It was beautiful and hot.   They were putting out warnings for sunstroke on the radio, where the day before they'd been advising us to wrap up and take an umbrella when we went out.  (Which of course we had ignored, wisely).
Today we started our cycling back at Bideford our aim being to cycle to the Puffing Billy at Torrington, have a spot of lunch and then back again.  This was a very short run compared with the previous 2 days, but it was our last day and we wanted to relax a bit before heading back home to Brighton.

We joined the Tarka trail by the Royal hotel where the old station had been turned into a stopping point on the trail.  An old railway carriage now acts as a cafe, museum and shop.  Nearby are steps down to a pub with a garden for more refreshments and a loo!
The Taw looked so different under a blue sky.   It was still peaceful but there was other human life around.  A group of canoeists paddled along gently in their single crafts and others, looking more like crews from Oxford and Cambridge (or Bideford and Barnstaple perhaps) whizzed along at speed.  There were more cyclists around too although it was hardly crowded.  You could still go for a mile or so without meeting anyone at all.

Our route took us over the river about 5 times - and each time we stopped and gazed around thinking how lucky we were to be there on that lovely day.

These are probably in the wrong order.  I should be able to tell from the meanders I guess, but I can't.

 We had a spot of high drama at this bridge.  Note the cows on the opposite bank.  We heard this strange high pitched mooing and it sounded as if one of the animals was in trouble.  Eventually we spotted a cow in the water up to it's neck.  It was making an awful screechy moo.  Dave was all for calling 999, thinking it had fallen in the river - but we were just discussing if it might not be better to wait and tell someone at Torrington station when the aforementioned cow strolled along a bit, up the bank and joined the rest of the herd.  I guess he was just hot!
About halfway along the route we arrived at a tunnel which I think would make a brilliant location for a Dr Who story.  It had a green glow about it, maybe from the lichen - or maybe from something a little more sinister lurking deep inside.  There was a warning to remove sun glasses - it was a pretty long tunnel!

 

It was another very scenic route and although flattish had enough ups and downs to make it fun cycling.  Curiously, I think we entered a strange state where we couldn't always tell if we were going up, down or level.  Too much wine the night before maybe?  Or perhaps it was the effect of the tunnel...

The river Torridge ran alongside the path, although far below for much of the journey.  Just before we reached Torrington it became (if that's the right word) a weir.  Apparently in September salmon can be seen leaping the weir in an effort to get back upstream to lay their eggs.  

 

Finally we arrived at Torrington and just had to visit the Puffing Billy and have some lunch.  I don't know if the food tasted so good this holiday because we worked hard for it, or because it was tasty, well cooked and plentiful.  Probably a bit of both.

After lunch I  went and had a sneaky peek at some of the sculptures on the trail before we headed back to Bideford  - the end of our cycle.  

But - by way of celebration, and pudding we stopped and had a cream tea at Bideford station - and a lovely end to the cycling it was too!

So that was it.  Bye bye Tarka trail.  I'lll be back again.  It was great!

Cycling the Tarka Trail, Devon - day 2

Today was misty and damp to start with – but we were not put off our cycling mission!
We had survived our first night at Bideford Park Resort – a beautifully sited place, if not quite my idea of bliss... definitely a no frills stay for us, but probably great if you have young kids and good weather!

We set off to Puffing Billy in Torrington intending to cycle to Meeth – the end of the Tarka trail for bikes, as far as I can tell. The journey to Torrington was a proper trip into deepest Devon. We weaved our way through tiny winding narrow lanes with huge hedges, up hill and down dale; over streams and rivers which were all in spate after days (or maybe weeks) of rain, rain and more rain. The Torridge looked beautiful, cascading over rocks as we drove through steep green embankments, with pine and other trees managing to grow vertically to form a high canopy, when they looked as if they should be sliding off the sides onto the road below.

Puffing Billy is a pub on the site of Torrington Station. The station platform remains, but the track is now dedicated to cyclists and walkers and there is a bike hire company and cafe on site too. although we had our own bikes,

The map said it was 11 miles from Torrington to Meeth – so 22 miles return. Easy peasy. But, I’d not taken account of the gradient. I’d just assumed it would be largely flat – but no – it was a gentle persistent climb for the first 5 miles until it reached a peak, marked by a sign and sculpture, of 128 m above sea level. I’d been assuming train journeys were all flat... silly me. However, starting at Puffing Billy is a much better option than starting at Meeth as there are more uphill bits going out than coming back (if you get my drift).

But, it was a wonderful ride. Setting off we soon passed over an iron bridge and then entered some deep dark woodlands, real Tarka country, where you might see an otter if you’re very lucky and very patient as the streams ran parallel to the cycle path.

Look out for the wonderful sculptures on the trail – good opportunities to stop and have a breather. We met very few people on our trip and some of those seemed a little wooden...

 We arrived in Meeth just in time for lunch.  Wasn't that lucky!  The trail sort of fades away and there are no banners or fanfares to congratulate you or welcome you to the end of the line.  However, is a sign for a nearby pub - up a hill (of course) on the road, so we followed that and found ourselves at The Bull and Dragon.  This turned out to be a good friendly pub with tasty food - we had ploughman's with a huge chunk of mature cheddar, fresh bread and homemade chutney.
They also laid on entertainment for us: one of the more colourful drinkers in the pub suddenly vanished just as a woman stormed in the door.  "Have you seen him?" she yelled.  "I'll kill him if he's here...".  The other drinkers shook their heads and after a bit she disappeared driving off in her car, narrowly avoiding some cyclists.  A minute later the guy appeared again - he'd been hiding behind the curtains apparently!  It all happens in Meeth!

The cycle back was lovely - especially the last 5 miles - downhill all the way.  Because it was soggy underfoot I was completely splattered with mud from head to toe - and it felt good!
That evening we went to the Hoops Inn on the main Clovelly to Bideford road and again had a fantastic meal from a vary long and varied menu.

Good night out, but guess who was driving?

Cycling the Tarka Trail, Devon. Day 1

The Tarka trail ticked all the boxes for me and I can not recommend it highly enough for a peaceful but energetic holiday where you can eat all you want, get fit and have a wonderful time in a stunningly beautiful part of England.

All of this was important to me - but especially the eat all you want bit!  Having been dieting for the past 6 months I was keen to enjoy some real food again, without putting the weight back on.  And I reckoned that cycling for 5 or 6 hours a day meant I could pretty much eat anything I liked.

The Tarka Trail follows an old railway line in north Devon  for much of the route:  about 60 miles are suitable for cyclists.  It offers sea and estuary views along some stretches, whilst other parts go deep into the Devon countryside through dense woodland, across open meadows and nearly always close to the river Torridge, home to wildlife such as Tarka, the fictional otter that the trail is named after.

We started our holiday in Bideford, staying in The Royal Hotel, pictured below.  It was a great place to start as it was a friendly, comfortable place in a beautiful town.

Bideford is situated either side of the estuary, with a 'weak' bridge linking the two areas.  The Royal hotel was east of the water, which is why the area is called East-the-Water.  It is an ancient suburb of Bideford apparently.

It also happened to have it's own railway platform so that guests in days gone by, could alight here and go straight into the hotel.  It is now part of the Tarka trail, so very convenient for our cycling holiday.

There was an information centre and cafe at this former station too, where you could get free maps and a cream tea to go with it!

On our first day we cycled from Bideford to Braunton, via Barnstaple.  This took us along the Taw estuary where the rivers Torridge and Taw met.  It was flat, quiet with just flocks of birds to keep us company.

A grey day - but still beautiful in the Taw estuary.

We passed through the villages of Instow and  onto Fremington Quay as we cycled towards Barnstaple.  Fremington Quay was a very busy port a hundred years ago, the busiest between Bristol and Land's End, with the  railway serving the vital function of transporting goods brought in by boats as well as local clay.  The last train was in the early 1980s and it's closure was the death knell for Fremington Quay as a port.

The tide was out...

Eventually we arrived at the outskirts of Barnstaple and crossed a suspension bridge here (steepest climb of the holiday!) in order to avoid going into the town.  We cycled westward back towards the mouth of the estuary - again beautiful, peaceful and flat!

It just so happened that we arrived at a waterside pub just as it started to rain - the appropriately named Tarka Inn.  It would have been rude not to shelter there!  Castle like on the outside and nice and quirky on the inside, with lots of little nooks and crannies to sit in, we were actually quite glad it had rained... 

The Tarka Inn near Barnstaple
The journey back to Bideford was just as interesting as the journey back, even though it was the same route.  The wildlife and the weather were constantly changing and it really didn't seem like we'd cycled about 36 miles.   The fact that it was pretty flat helped of course.  All in all it was a great first day and we were ready to feast by the early evening!
We drove inland a little, (yes, drove...) getting ourselves deeper and deeper into the Devon countryside with the lanes so narrow and windy and the hedges so high they scraped the sides of the car and created a sense of danger with every twist and turn.  For all I know we may have driven round in circles for about half an hour before we came upon a pub where we stopped and ate.  It was one of those olde worlde places where it helps to be under 5 foot 4 - as Dave found out a few times when he stood up!  The name of the pub?  Ah well that eludes me right now, but I will look it up shortly.  It served good food in plentiful portions - something we became very used to in North Devon, and very nice it was too!