On Friday, The Girl and I took the red eye flight from Boston to London for a research trip.
We had planned the trip and made all our bookings back in August. A few weeks later the cabinet guys called to say they’d be coming out to install the new kitchen cabinets the exact week we’d be gone and well…
It’s a good thing the HH is so easy going because that means he’s now in charge of dealing with all of that, plus taking care of Lucy 24/7.
And feeding himself for 7 days, having the electrician come out {to move the outlet for the AGA… again} AND fulfilling all my Etsy orders for the next week while The Girl and I are off driving around the countryside and filling our faces with tea and pastries. 🙂
That poor man. I hope he can handle it all.
Yada yada yada… Fast forward to Saturday morning at the car rental place. The drive to where we were staying for the first leg of our trip was about four hours away. I figured we’d probably make it there in 6 hours. It took us 9. 🙂
And as for driving on the left side of the road… I lasted about 20 minutes before The Girl yelled at me to pull over and said she’d drive the rest of the way.
I tried to tell her that I just needed a little more time to get acclimated and she just rolled her eyes and said umm NO… You’re done.
Whatever.
Driving is one of my least favorite things to do on the planet earth {and the HH drives me everywhere anyway so I didn’t mind AT ALL}. On a side note, gas petrol in the UK is 1.83 pounds a liter. Which translates to about $9.03 a gallon USD.
Yikes!
We found Percy Pig!!! 🙂 The Girl was so happy to find her favorite gummies!
Our first proper stop of the day {because service stations don’t count} was Burton Farm Shop in Chippenham. I had found the shop online before we left and it looked like it would be the perfect place to sit down for a cuppa and a bite to eat.
The side yard was filled with bicyclists and it was really nice to see so many people outside sitting down and soaking up the scenery.
Not only was the farm shop filled with fresh vegetables and jars of jam and condiments, there was fresh bread, cheese, pastries and plenty of cakes to choose from in the case.
The seating area inside was pretty idyllic too. After fueling up on tea and a bite to eat, we headed to our next stop.
Which was Darts Farm to look at AGA’s and to buy a set of Bake-O-Glide liners for the “hob” {more on that later}.
Darts farm is a HUGE upper end store {a shopping destination really} with everything from clothing {Patagonia type brands} and home goods to plants, to a massive food hall with locally grown meat, fresh cheeses, produce and more.
There’s even a place {or two} to sit down and enjoy a meal or a cup of tea.
I can’t think of a store in the United States that is quite like it. We loved Dart’s Farm. And loved that were walking trails, a fishing pond and a play area for kids.
We didn’t want to leave… but we had to keep going.
Since we were getting closer to our destination, we decided to pop by the Mount Boon Milk Company “milk shed” and get a liter of fresh milk for our stay.
Basically you buy your bottle from the vending machine {they also have cheese available in their vending machine} and then take it over to the milk machine where it fills up your bottle.
This was literally a shed off the side of the road with a vending and milk machine in it. THAT’S IT!!! What a hoot! Apparently it’s popular with the locals because as we were leaving two other cars pulled into the car park to buy their milk.
And then about a quarter mile down the road we spotted an egg stand.
And so we bought a 1/2 dozen eggs.
Just drop the money in the tin money box and you’re good to go. 🙂
After that we headed to the town where we’re staying for the next 3 nights.
Are you a fan of British television?
Does this look familiar to you? {Hint: Burt Large had a restaurant here}.
How about this view? Is it ringing any bells? 🙂
And this house!
Yep. We are staying in Port Isaac. At Doc Martin’s surgery!!!! OH MY WORD! Can you believe it!? How cool is that? 🙂 🙂 🙂
It took us a while to get here… but we made it. And we’re exhausted so we’re going to call it an early night.
Tomorrow we have plans to walk along the coastal path and to eat lots of British food. I’m so excited to be here, I can hardly stand it. I hope I can sleep tonight.
~Mavis
Anissa says
Living the dream! I love it, and so cool to see. Never knew milk vending machines were a thing! Such a fabulous experience.
Patti Vanderbloemen says
I am truly so excited for you two! Enjoy!!
Lesley says
Thank you soooooooooooooo much for sharing this trip. Living vicariously, as always!
christina says
Wow, is all I can say. I love Doc Martin’s house.
Christy says
Fresh food vending machine are gaining popularity in lower income countries because the person can tell itge machine how much they wamt to spend and it will dispense that amount of product. So if u have $1 for milk, you can get a small quantity of milk. I think I saw this on BBC website.
Karen says
As soon as I saw the picture after the eggs I knew you were in Port Isaac! So envious and so happy for you at the same time!
Tracy says
How exciting for you! Have a wonderful time. I look forward to reading about your adventures.
Joely says
Thank you for taking us along with you on your vacation. So much fun and what wonderful memories with your daughter.
Melinda says
Thank you for sharing! Looking forward to seeing more! Have a great trip!
Julie says
I don’t comment often, but I read everyday and I have to say I am so excited for you and a little envious.
Several years ago we rented a home in Oxfordshire and it had an Aga and my son at 18 taught himself to use it. So I have enjoyed your journey to the Aga. We still talk about the lamb dinner he made.
Lynne says
Thank you so much for sharing this adventure with us!
How lucky you are that The Girl is with you and willing to drive. I did a driving vacation with my nephew many years ago through Scotland and Ireland (we dropped off the car and took a ferry from Ireland and then a train into London at the end) and I never got the hang of that “driving on the left” thing. He was only 9, so I was the driver, like it or not.
Can’t wait for the updates!
Margo says
Many years ago, in the 60’s, we had a milk vending machine in town. My mother would send me to get milk if we ran out before the next milk delivery. It was 33 cents for a quart. Haven’t seen one since. Good to know they still exist. Have a wonderful time with your daughter, I’m sure you’ll make many good memories!
Joyce says
Mavis, Lucky you for your easy going husband & for your trip, can’t wait to read more !!!
Wendy C says
How exciting! Love that you are sharing it with us!
eliz says
Holy moly! $9 per liter?
Pj Truman says
So excited to follow along on this adventure! I loved Doc Martin and the scenery in the area! Enjoy!
Helen says
Sorry Mavis but that cuppa at Burton Farm shop looks like dish water. You need to ask for “builders” tea, and some chocolate digestives for dunking.
Welcome and have a great trip. Cornwall is lovely but Yorkshire is where its at 😉
Jeanie says
We loved Yorkshire but our very favorite town was Grange over Sands in Cumbria.
Tricia says
Sooooo fun! Post lots of pictures. This is on my bucket list!
Shawn La Favers says
I miss London so bad, and especially the food halls!!
Staci W says
Oh my gosh!!! Yay for you, looks amazing. 🙂 Enjoy and happy researching. 😉
Jeanie says
Oh you lucky duck! I hope you have a wonderful trip and take lots of pictures!
Love Portwenn (Port Isaac)…Aunt Ruth was my very favorite character.
Dianne says
OMG- (jumping up and down) I knew the first pic I saw and 4 hrs away from Heathrow. And to stay at the surgery!!!!!!!!!! How lucky can you get! Is it now a BnB? I am soooooo excited for you! Is there a restaurant in Bud’s now? Did you see what had been r
the apothecary and school?
You literally have the best guy on earth, (well I do, too)!!!! He would do the same as there would be no other option!
Have a GREAT TRIP –
How beautiful is that? I can’t remember what the real town is called.
Kathleen says
What a great trip for the two of you ! Cornwall is a place I hope to visit one day, walk the coastal path and eat plenty of scones and pasties !
Enjoy !
Carrie Valentin says
You so deserve this trip!!! You work harder than anyone I know of!!! Have a ball!!
Michelle S. says
AMAZING! I am freaking out for you!!! Have the best time with your girl.❤
Jules says
What?! Doc Martin’s house!!! I am soon excited for you. Have a wonderful time!!
Kimberly Vassar says
Enjoy every minute!
Samantha San Souci says
Oh my GOSH! Doc Martin’s house! How fun!!! So jealous! Have an amazing time!!!!!!!
Vivian says
O.M.G.!!!! Dying of jealousy! Went to England a couple of years ago with two of my daughters and a great granddaughter. Loved it beyond belief. Don’t think I will get there again at my age but I would certainly love to!
Alli Aplet says
Oh Mavis, what fun! I would never be brave enough I don’t think but I am so excited to “tag” along on this journey with you and your sweet daughter!
Julie P says
Welcome to the United Kingdom, we are so glad to have you and yes fuel is very expensive here but it’s always been a lot more expensive than yours! I hope your stay is spectacular and the perfect scone is found! I’m looking forward to reading about every bit of your latest adventure!
Nancy says
God I hate you! No, not really. I ENVY you! What a dream to be in Doc Martin’s town and house. Have fun and take a lot of pictures. I just loved that series.
Joyce Dvorak says
Lovely to see you in Port Isaac and staying in Doc Marten’s house, no less! It’s like having a vacation again!
Caroline says
Sign up to petrolprices.com, you pop in your post code and it tells you the cheapest place to get petrol. Prices vary by up to 30p a litre so it’s worth driving a few minutes out of your way. Otherwise supermarket petrol stations are a good bet, not always the cheapest but they tend to be cheaper than BP/esso /shell. Never buy petrol at a motorway service station unless you really can’t avoid it.