Holiday in Noss Mayo

 A week's holiday in Noss Mayo has left us fit and thoroughly relaxed.  What a charming place it is, situated as it is on the Yealm Estuary but within easy walking distance of the main sea coast.  I was inspired by pictures posted on Facebook by my friends Debs and Keith Bennett.  They seem to have more holidays and days out that can seem possible for two people working full time, with great walks and stops for tea etc.  

When I asked what Noss Mayo was like, they said very quiet, and very few shops.  In fact Noss has no shops as such, and a walk round the top of Newton Creek takes you to Newton Ferrers, where there is a small COOP, a butcher's, a Post Office, and a Chemist.

These are some of the views across the Newton Creek towards Newton Ferrers

This is the view towards the River Yealm Harbour Authority.  On one of the occasion when we were walking on the other side, we popped in there to view some people launching their canoes.  From three points one on each side,  you can catch a small foot ferry, by signalling which you do by lowering down half the circular sign to reveal a big white circle.

We did this once to go across to Warren Point where we walked along the coast to Wembury Beach.  The return walk we took up through Wembury and down across fields for the return ferry journey.  Each time we only had to wait a few minutes for the ferryman to respond to our call.  

We found the ancient church dedicated to St Werburgh very interesting on the inside, with its ancient tombs.  

Just on the edge of the beach, but high up with good vantage points yet a good walk from the village it held our interest for quite some time.  

Down on Wembury Beach where there was sand as well as some interesting rock pools,  we found this fine sand castle.

I do like rocks and there were some lovely ones small and large.

Had we known that The Old Mill Cafe served excellent lunches, we would not have made up some sandwiches, but we did have room for one of their excellent ice creams.  Sometimes places are closed, so we always like to take something for that eventuality, but I have since realised that all these places have Facebook pages, and advise of closures etc.  

What I found pleasing on this holiday were the short conversations we had with total strangers, for example talking to the person on Wembury beach would was using his mobile phone and a borescope for cameras which he bought on ebay for very little to try and capture some underwater pictures in the rockpools.  I guess this is a sort of rock pooling for techies on holiday.

At the same time something a little more irksome was going on in a prime spot:  a food vlogger. was pictched and talking loudly.  I felt it restricted people from a whole and pretty part of the beach feeling they may be photobombing or intruding, but in the end I decided to take the more positive view, and my irritation passed.  First this young couple were exploring their talents, second it taught me just how many takes are required, but maybe they just had not prepared sufficiently.  Yes I must practice the talk I shall be giving next spring, and I also learnt that there is the possibility of making a toasted sandwich in a pan.

With lots of coastal walks

Only the one pub was open this week in the Village: The Ship was completely to our liking, and apart from a Sunday Roast again excellent, we often stopped by and sat on the very outside of their terrace a beer in hand, and on our last night, they very gladly made this double starter for my mains, and followed by a delicious Lemon Posset, I would say the holiday was perfect!  

Another place we popped in a couple of times was The Deli on the Green in Newton Ferrers, where we had lunch, and Mr S declared his hot chocolate was the best he had ever had.

A favourite shortish walk, about 30 minutes,  was to Cellar Beach where we enjoyed a few hours on the last day.  We checked the tides and we would be able to get onto the beach, but it is so peaceful as there is no road access and with a steep decent, is often accessed by boat or canoe. Two beautiful boats were floating a hundred yards away, one an old sailing affair and the other more modern.  A handful only arrived on the beach during our few hours. The water was crystal clear and there were oysters, and all sorts on the lowest rocks exposed. When I say beach, don't imagine sand, but small particles of the local stone...bliss, I sifted through and found a few pocket full of small pieces which will be used to top dress some of my succulents or maybe some choice alpines.

Bird spotting was great, and looking down through the woods to the waders just below, we were able for instance to observe really closely a little egret use its feet to flush out fish from the estuary mud and see it in its beak before swallowing it.  Of course there were other birds, binoculars and book at the ready!

We enjoyed popping into the local churches as well as this very old building of The Church of St Peter the Poor,

and the more recent Church of St Peter in Noss Mayo is unchanged and has interesting Arts and Crafts Style decorations, carvings etc, as well as hangings.

A holiday is not a holiday without a little souvenir. We found local artist Penny Carter who makes all sorts of things in coloured glass.  I was temped and chose a pretty necklace.