Pippa and I went to Porlock and Dunster in Somerset for 2 days. Katharine gave Pippa a stay in a B & B for her birthday. We set off just before lunch on Monday. We drove along the M5 to Taunton then to the A389 to Mindhead.

We bi-passed Mindhead and stayed on the road to Porlock. Anouk in the back was getting antsy so we stopped at Dunster beach to give her a run. It was bitingly cold and Anouk was happy but Pippa and I found it challenging. The beach was wide as the tides in the Bristol Channel are huge and the beaches can be hundreds of metres wide during the low tide.

We arrived at Myrtle Cottage B & B in Porlock about 2pm. We were greeted by the owner and shown to our room. It was a nice room with a double and single bed. A window looked over the high street. Porlock is a beautiful village with Tudor and Medieval buildings along the street and through the narrow back lanes. We walked the streets and bought some post cards and small presents for Katharine.

Pippa and I wanted to get chips for dinner and headed off to find a fish and chip shop. We drove up Porlock Hill with its 25% incline. On top we travelled across Exmoor where days of snow had settled. It was a breath taking trip and we talked of the Bronte sisters' novels and the inspiration for them. Wind swept and harsh, however beautiful. We spotted a Buzzard and some Exmoor ponies. No luck in seeing a Red Deer, but apparently they are up there.

Dropping down the 25% decent into Lynmouth and up over the hill into Lynton. Both these towns were very quiet as it was the off season. I imagine they are busy in the summer but we caught them at the quietest time. Sadly none of the Fish and Chip shops were open.

So back in the car and off to Mindhead. This is a much bigger town further along the coast. Mindhead has several pubs and restaurants. No luck on the fish and chips but we got a lovely curry at the Taj Mahal and ate it on the beach esplanade. We had a quick drink in the "Hairy Dog" while we waited for the order. Mindhead is larger and obviously a busier town. There is a Butlins on the Esplanade and several long main streets. After dinner we drove back to the B & B, dodging a badger and a pheasant.

Next morning we had a huge breakfast of beans, eggs, cereal, vege sausages tea and coffee. Then we headed off to the visitors centre for advice on where to go given it was snowing down to the sea. We made our way to the village of Dunster. This is a preserved medieval village with a castle on the hill. I have not seen something so "English" since Carisbrook on the Isle of Wight 8 years ago. We walked down the cobble stone streets and bought more post cards and some chocolates for Mary whom we are staying with in a few days.

Then a quick trip back to Porlock as I had the room key still in my pocket. After this we headed to Blue Anchor as the owner of the B & B recommended a cafe for good fish and chips. He was right; The Driftwood cafe had the nicest food. I had a great ploughman's with cheesy chips while Pippa had a vege burger. Anouk was allowed inside. This I find great about the UK that the British love of pets means there are many pubs, cafes etc you can take you dog. Another long walk along the beach and then home.

We also had a quick stop at Selworthy for a look at all the thatched roof houses. This village is a heritage village but all the houses are behind large hedge rows so we stopped at the church and took some happy snaps. There are a couple of new photo albums on the blog and apart from the weather it was a great 2 days away.

Next is Badger Cottage in Sandford Orcas, then a night in Bristol.