WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE.

During the Winter months we find it much more difficult to find good items to make into a blog. As most of my readers know we get most of our interesting items during Summer whilst away in our Van in N Devon, where we travel around in both the Car and on our Motorcycles, as well as doing as much walking as our health allows. At home here in Teignmouth S Devon we also try to keep life as interesting as we can. Teignmouth is a Seaside Town as well as being on the banks of the River Teign. So the Coast is all around us.
Today started a bit overcast but cleared around 11 am, we had a little shopping to do so decided while the car was out we may as well use it for a Coastal drive. After 20 minutes in our Tesco at Newton Abott we were on the road. We took the Road from Newton through to Torquay, then aong the sea front to Paignton. We drove along Paignton sea front past the Pier and the Apollo theatre stopping at the western end at the quaint little Paignton harbour. This cosy little harbour is only tiny so is used by mainly local small Trawlers and Crabbers, also small private boats as well. Inshore Crabbing boats are usually only between 25 and 40 ft long and stay quite close to land. This Harbour was built in the 18th century and is very busy in summer.
Below looking over the Harbour toward the Sea front and the Pavillion and Pier.
Do Click on any Picture to enlarge it.
This is Paignton Harbour showing the sheltered little beach and Boats.
Below is the very small sheltered entrance, which is apparently difficult to navigate in rough seas.
After Paignton we set off toward Dartmouth,below looking back toward the Town and across the bay to Torquay.
Below. Just a couple of miles outside of Paignton we took a right turn toward Galmpton, then onto a tiny road heading for Greenway house and Passenger Ferry across the Dart.The picture below is one of the first glimpses of the Dart.
This picture was taken from the small Car Park/Jetty looking seaward. Dartmouth Castle is just around the corner.

A winter view across the Dart estuary, this part of the river is probably 700/800 yards across.
This picture below shows one of the greenway passenger ferry boats, these small 12 seaters are used in the quieter months, there are larger ones for Summer. From here Dart Cruises are available to sight see the River. The Craft for these hold up to around 50 people.
This is the site for Ferries/Cruises. http://www.greenwayferry.co.uk/ourboats.htm
These next pictures Sue took out of the window on our way back up hill to the main Rd.
For the Caravan/ Campers amongst you there is a very nice site here. We called in even though they were closed and received a warm welcome from staff.They allowed us to quickly view the site and gave us 2009 Brochures and price lists. I have to say here although a few of the pegs are a little sloping, its more than made up for by the stunning River views. Site here
http://www.galmptontouringpark.co.uk/
Joke of the day.
An old, blind cowboy wanders into an all-girl biker bar by mistake.. He
finds his way to a barstool and orders a beer. After sitting there for a
while, he yells to the waiter, 'Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?
The whole bar immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky
voice, the woman next to him says,
'Before you tell that joke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, given that you
are blind, that you should know five things:
1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.
2. The bouncer is a blonde girl.
3. I'm a 6-foot tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate.
4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.
5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.
'Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?'
The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head, and mutters,
'No...not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times.'

OUR NEW TOY.

So here we are our New Toy, its a Raclet Quickstop Folding Camper. We had a Conway Corniche Trailer Tent before this, which was very good and big but was very hard work to put up/peg out. This is not as big but is just so easy to put up and down, even standing free , no pegging. We have been looking for a Folding Camper for quite some time now, even been to see 8 different Campers all over Devon/Cornwall/Somerset. Eventually we went to a large Caravan/Camping shop to look at a few used ones they had in stock.While we were there one of the Salesmen was putting up (in an undercover area) one of these for demonstration, he said it had been up outside while the weather had been dry. We stood in amazement as the whole unit went up in around 4 minutes. Sue, being a woman asked the price of this, he said they had 4 2007/8 models in stock that they had bought at the right price because of the new 2009 model was due in. These were being sold at approx £750 under retail price, also throwing in an awning, delivery, Number plate, Spare wheel,Curtains, and a Mains converter unit. Only trouble was, even after this it was still around £500 more than we wanted to pay. Oh well never mind we said, then he said if we wait three weeks or so(till the new models come in) we could have this ex demo one for the top price we had thought of paying. So obviously after looking around it (not a mark) and agreeing for us to check it before delivery we bought it.
The pictures below were taken from the Raclet brochure.
Please click on any picture to enlarge it.
These pictures speak for themselves.

When enlarged this picture below contains a frame with a diagram of the interal layout, two big double beds, storage spaces and a two ring cooker with Grille. With this and the erection speed it makes it ideal for our long weekend trips.
This row of four pictures show just how easy it is to erect with just one person. The last picture shows where the cooker is stored, it can be used in this position for a cuppa on route, or lifted into its spot inside the Camper.
This last set of pictures is the front cover of the Raclet Brochure. They are a French company so with the financial situation like it is 2009 models (with minor improvements) are set to be around £4,500.
So there you are, we believe we have done the right thing, (spent on our top limit) only time will tell, roll on April lets give it a try.
Joke of the day.

Japanese scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast,
They can now photograph a woman with her mouth shut.

A boy asks his granny, 'Have you seen my pills, they were labelled
LSD?'
Granny replies, 'Fu *k the pills, have you seen the purple dragons
In the kitchen?!'

Little Billy asks his dad for a telly in his room. Dad reluctantly Agrees.
Next day Billy comes downstairs and asks,'Dad, what's love juice?'
Dad looks horrified and tells Billy all about sex.
Billy just sat there with his mouth open in amazement.
Dad says, 'So what were you watchin'?'
Billy says, 'Wimbledon.'

A woman standing nude in front of a mirror, says to her husband,'I look
Horrible, I feel fat & ugly, pay me a compliment.'
He replies, 'Your eyesight is perfect.'

Wife gets naked & asks hubby,'What turns you on more, my pretty face or
My sexy body?'
Hubby looks her up & down and replies,'Your sense of humour!'

An elderly couple was attending Mass.
About halfway through, the wife leans over and says to her husband,
'I just let out a silent fart; what do you think I should do?
He replies, 'Put a new battery in your hearing aid.'

DEVONS COAST.

One day early last week Sue and I decided because it was such a nice day that we just had to get out for a while. The night before we had a heavy frost but the sun had warmed the air a little. We jumped into the car and just drove with no idea where we were going. Off toward Newton Abott we headed then turned across Shaldon Bridge heading on the Coast Rd. The views along this road are in some places brilliant. We stopped at the Labrador Bay Car park, overlooking the sea and got an Ice Cream (naughty). Back in the car we headed toward Torquay, stopping here and there for pictures.
Below, this view from Torquay looking across Labrador and Babbacombe Bays. Teignmouth is dead in front with Exmouth in the distance.
This below is of two of the three rocks that rise up just off Torquays Coast, they are Leadstone,Thatcher and Orestone and are favourite haunts for small boats fishing around them.
Not quite sure which hotel this is but it must have fabulous views across the bay.
Below, again looking across the bay, with Oddicombe beach directly below us. Apologies for one or two of the pictures were taken into the Sun.
This view was taken from the tree lined walk toward the Babbacombe Theatre, it lies on the edge of Babbacombe downs and looks down on Oddicombe Beach.
This view is of Oddicombe Beach, the small square building in the fore is the Down landing platform for the Cliff railway. This Railway has a gradient in places of 1 in 3 and is around 1800 metres long, it has been running since around 1926.
This is a short video of the coast from the cliff top walk.


Joke of the Day.

Nun in the Bathroom

A nun, badly needing to use to the restroom, walked into a local Pub. The place was hopping with music and loud conversation and every once in a while the lights would turn off. Each time the lights would go out, the place would erupt into cheers.
However, when the revelers saw the nun, the room went dead silent. She walked up to the bartender, and asked, "May I please use the restroom?
The bartender replied, "OK, but I should warn you that there is a statue of a naked man in there wearing only a fig leaf." Well, in that case I'll just look the other way," said the nun. So, the bartender showed the nun to the back of the restaurant.
After a few minutes, she came back out, and the whole place stopped just long enough to give the nun a loud round of applause. She went to the bartender and said, "Sir, I don't understand. Why did they applaud for me just because I went to the restroom?"
"Well, now they know you're one of us," said the bartender, "Would you like a drink?" But, I still don't understand," said the puzzled nun.
"You see," laughed the bartender, "every time someone lifts the fig leaf on that statue, the lights throughout all go out. Now, how about that drink?"

SILLY OLD BEGGERS.

To nights blog is carrying on the festive season thing. Over the last 40 years or so Sue, myself, also the kids too, loved Fancy dress parties. Luckily there have been many, from those in my former town of Stratford upon Avon to some in the N Devon Campsite plus a few in pubs here in Teignmouth. Up until a few years ago we tried to get into the dress thing when others did, its only over the last 4 - 5 years we havn't bothered.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.
Below Sue and me at the last party run at Mill Pk, a 60s Party night in around 2004. We went to a lot of trouble for this one, Sue making us both Leather look waistcoats and trousers, buying wigs, Transfers, Chains, Hats and heavy Lockets. It took us 4 showers over 3 days to remove the Tattoos (transfers).This party (pre my Diabetes) went on til around 6am.
This was a local pub "The Golden Lion" "Tramps & Vamps" night. This was around 1989 as you can tell by how much younger (and slimmer) we look. The Landlord/Lady closed one bar to just fancy dressers, we all had to drink out of (cleaned) Jam jars, yuk but fun.
Again, this one below was a Mill Pk 60s night, lots of hair, Beads, Ban and the bomb slogans. Left to right Sue, Me, Les and partner Mike.
This one (below) from around 1991-2 from the now closed local pub the "Talbot". Sue as a "Red Indian" me as a Scotsman, complete with Kilt and Sporran.
This was Steve our adopted (now deceased) Son as "Whispering grass" (Don Estelle) from "It ain't arf ot mum", bloody good he was too.
The picture (below) is of our Son Roy and myself at a "Golden Lion" pyjama party.Roy dressed as a woman, with a wig, makeup and a sexy nightie. I'm dressed as "Wee Willy Winky" and complete with candle. Before you lot comment, I got lots of stick over that one as you can imagine, especially being caught at the urinal in the Gents with my "Nightie" pulled up!!!!.
Again (below) our Son Roy dressed as a Woman. He was so good at it that at around 3am he was propositioned, twice!!!.
A few of the lads at the "Golden Lion" Pyjama party (mentioned earlier). Left to Right Bob, big Glyn, Me, Ian (landlord), Roy.
Sue and I going out of the front door to a 60s party (below) dressed again as Hippies.
Below, Mill Pk 60s - 70s Hippy night, L to R, John, Me, and site owner Brian. If I remember correctly this was the "Closing night" party and it went on till 6 am"!!!!!.
This picture is from the same party as above, pictured Me and our friend Annette (midlands).
Again (below) at the Mill Pk party, this time Me and Sue.
These last two are oldies, from around 1985. Taken at the "Talbot" when our old friends Keith and Judith ran it. This was a New Years Eve bash.
At least one of these pictures was taken with a Polaroid Camera, then scanned. Sue and I were dressed as "The Sun" newspaper cartoon characters "Hagar and Helgar". I also pulled around a kiddies toy dog on wheels as the characters dog "Snert".

So there you are, dont we do silly, but very enjoyable things when we were young (younger).
Apologies for the amount of pictures but again once I start I never Know when to stop.
Joke of the day.
10 storeys up.

Two men were in a bar, 10 stories off the ground. The first man took a shot and jumped out the window. A few minutes later he appeared out of the elevator. The second man astonished said, " How did you do that?" The man replied, " All you do is take a shot, then when you jump out the window you float down."
The second man not believing him asked him to do it again. The man took another shot and repeated the same thing.
When he arrived back on the 10th floor the second man said," What the hell I'll give it a try." He took a shot and jumped out the window. He fell gaining speed, then splattered all over the sidewalk. The first man was sitting at the bar, when the Bartender said
"Damn Superman, you're a real dick when you've been drinking".

NEW YEARS EVE AT THE KINGS ARMS.

So too much Booze, too much food, too many people, too long a night, far far too much enjoyment. Yes that was last night, New Years Eve. In Teignmouth (also a few other places) it has been a growing trend over the last 25 years for fancy dress parties on this night. It has now grown so that probably 25 to 30% of people dress up. Most people get together with friends to do group costumes ie Snow White & Dwarfs, Star Trek cast, Dr Who, Penguins, Playing Cards etc etc. They meet in a pub, up to 20 at a time, have one drink then on to the next pub/club and so on. It is probably advisable here for me to tell you that Teignmouth is ideal for this, with 29 or 30 pubs/clubs/open Hotels within 1.5 miles of the town centre. Sue and I have dressed up several times in the past but not this year.Last night we decided to go to our local "The Kings Arms". Kenny our resident DJ was there to supply the music the rest was up to us. At 9.45pm I stood on a chair and did a rough head count there were around 120 to 130 people in there. So if you didn't have a seat early you didn't get one, we did!!!.
Again Sue went mad with the camera (while both of us were sober) taking about 70 pictures, hence such a long blog. Apologies for poor picture quality on some pictures, due to bad light, and being bumped about it was difficult.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.
Below, Laurel & hardy of course.
Early in the evening before it got busy.
A couple of Coal Miners being "Nursed".
In the foreground a Snowman and a Female impersonator.
On the left "Scooby Doo" and on the right "Sylvester".
A load of pretty coloured Elves.
Three of the local Girls, Goths,Reindeer and Dancing Girls, complete with "Stockings" oooh and sussies!!!!.
A bit of all sorts here, below.
A load dressed as playing cards.
Snowmen, Pirates and of course Local playmate Kenny.
Not sure what he was but the other is a Nun with a bad habit, he he.
Early in the evening, us all getting our seats.
A few more members of the Pack of Cards.
All i can say is it was a fabulous night that I'm told ended around 3.30 am, we gave up at 1.30 and I had more to drink than I should have by then. Roll on 2009 New Years Eve.
Joke of the day.
Tasty Meal.

A blind man walks into a restaurant and sits down. The waiter, who is also the owner, walks up to the blind man and hands him a menu. "I'm sorry sir, but I am blind and can't read the menu. Just bring me a dirty fork from the previous customer, I'll smell it and order from there."
A little confused, the owner walks over to the dirty dish pile and picks up a greasy fork. He returns to the blind man's table and hands it to him.
The blind man puts the fork to his nose and takes in a deep breath. "Ah, yes that's what I'll have, meatloaf and mashed potatoes." Unbelievable, the owner says to himself as he walks towards the kitchen.
The cook happens to be the owner's wife and he tells her what had just happened. The blind man eats his meal and leaves.
Several days later the blind man returns and the owner mistakenly brings him a menu again. "Sir, remember me? I'm the blind man."
"I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you. I'll go get you a dirty fork." The owner again retrieves a dirty fork and brings it to the blind man. After another deep breath, the blind man says, "That smells great, I'll take the Macaroni/ cheese with broccoli."
Once again walking away in disbelief, the owner thinks the blind man is screwing around with him and tells his wife that the next time the blind man comes in he's going to test him. The blind man eats and leaves.
He returns the following week, but this time the owner see's him coming and runs to the kitchen.
He tells his wife, "Mary rub this fork around your knickers before I take it to the blind man." Mary complies and hands her husband the fork back. As the blind man walks in and sits down, the owner is ready and waiting.
"Good afternoon sir, this time I remembered you and I already have the fork ready for you."
The blind man puts the fork to his nose, takes a deep whiff and says,
"Hey I didn't know that Mary worked here?"

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