Sunday 23 January 2011

Lazy Sunny Sunday afternoon....

So, had a lie in today, because it's Sunday, and after a tasty brunch went for a walk. Just a nice leisurely stroll along the embankment. Rather a chilly wind but brilliant sunshine, twinkling off the river. Takes your breath away, for both reasons.

Then we spotted a rare site:

This, ladies and gents, is the fabled Dartmouth beach. Visible only at stunningly low tides and brought to you today courtesy of Google's Nexus One by HTC.

So, slightly stunned, we carried on walking for hours (well it was 15 mins actually) and then headed home for a sandwich, just to keep our strength up.

Later on this afternoon we are catching the Lower (historic!) Ferry across to one of our fav' pubs, The Ship Inn at Kingswear to take a leisurely pint with chums Clive & Barbs.

This time of year it can be a punishing schedule.......

Because on Friday we decided to 'bunk off'' for the day. Another gorgeously sunny day. After visiting Garden Time garden centre on the way out of Darty, instead of returning home we headed for Slapton. For those of you that don't know, Slapton, as well being home to the Ley :

   
Slapton Ley, freshwater Nature Reserve, Torcross.


















 and being home to a Sherman tank (in the car park at the end of Slapton Sands) which was dredged out of the sea after the fatal training exercise for the WW2 Normandy landings, is also home to The Start Bay Inn:

Start Bay Inn, Slapton Sands, Torcross.
Start Bay Inn, Slapton Sands, Torcross.




This pub serves the best fish and chips in the area. Huge portions and gorgeous fish, all local. I had monk fish in batter and Val had monk fish in garlic butter both with a huge salad and small chips or was it the other way around? This pub is definitely worth a visit, but either arrive early or late to miss the rush.

Lots more to tell you, but next time....

Thursday 20 January 2011

Dartmouth TIC....

Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre (TIC) produce huge amounts of really useful info all the time. For a list of What's On over the coming months: click here
View of the river from Dartmouth Castle

Facebook.......

So, this morning I have been mostly doing Facebook for Crows Nest. If you have an account with the big FB then become a friend. It's listed as Crows Nest (huge surprise) and it let's you know about special offers and stuff of interest.

We weren't sure when we started Crows Nest if people would like to stay in a guest house and not get breakfast! Surely, we thought, everyone will want breakfast included? It will never work, they said.

Not so, says I. It turns out there are loads of folks who like the lower price and the comfort and flexibilityof having a good lie-in and getting up when you choose. The next great thing is that you can then stroll along for breakfast to any number of great places in town.
Our favourite is Cafe Alf Resco - great atmosphere, unique style and great breakfasts - what's not to like?












It couldn't be any sunnier today. It's almost, dare I say it, too bright. But absolutely gorgeous. Why not rush down and stay for a few days in the sun?


Another thing to get into is the local community magazine called By The Dart. It comes out monthly. The good thing about this magazine is the interviews and reviews it does of local people and local businesses. Helps you get to know the town a bit better.
It's available on line through their website here: By The Dart 
Or you can get a subscription and they will post it to you. It would be much easier if you just moved here, then you would get it delivered free each month.

Saturday 15 January 2011

Brand new Crow's Nest blog.....

Welcome to the first post on our new blog.
We will be updating this site with info and news concerning both The Crow's Nest & Dartmouth (referred to in this blog affectionately as 'Darty')

So the first item is a special offer!
For the rest of January we are offering our double room which is normally £60 per night for just £50. In addition (this is really 2 offers now...) you get 10% off any meal at The Dartmouth Arms, situated in nearby Bayards Cove. You get your vouchers on arrival.

And just to help here is a picture of nearby Bayard's Cove (about 2mins walk from the front door also pictured here)




This is where the Pilgrim fathers set sail to America from after putting in to Dartmouth, from Plymouth, because The Speedwell, sprang a leak! You can read all about it on a plaque in the Cove while sipping a pint in the sunshine, or a glass of dry white wine of course....


Our 'hard to miss' light green door