We decided to stick close today, going into Bude at most. We woke up to rain this morning, but it was expected to clear out. Linda, Ed and I set out on a walk to find the monument to the Battle of Stratton (Stanford Hill). We walked up the hill, Market St. to Maiden Street, over to the A39, which we crossed. We were going on only a vague idea where it was. We followed a footpath up a hill which ended in a cow pasture with no sign of a monument. Another trail ended up in an adjoining cow pasture. By this time we were soaked, but Linda scouted ahead and waved us up further. After passing some curious cows, We found a plaque describing the battle, which was part of the English Civil War and took place May 16, 1643. After reading the plaque, we headed toward a road and there we saw the actual stone battle monument. I had read in one of Dad’s books that so much blood was spilled that the field produced splendidly for years afterwards.
At about lunchtime we all left for Bude, where we bought pasties at Tasty Pasties then walked to Bar 35 for cider to wash them down with. We then walked to the Strand and found George and Mary’s house (4 Granville Terrace). Dad wanted to see if the pub down from the house that George frequented was still there, but it was now a part of Adventure International, and so is the entire former Granville Hotel. Next we crossed the river and walked to The Castle, which is now a history museum of Bude. That was quite good, with exhibits on shipwrecks, railroads, etc. We found a few references to family there that bore further research.
I wanted to walk along the cliffs, but it was still raining so only Linda would go with me. We walked to Compass Point, a small stone tower marked with the points of the compass. It was quite blustery! We could have gone further but decided to return to the castle where we had left Dad, Ed & Barb at the cafe.
Ed and I walked back to get the car, stopping in a few gift shops on the way. Ed bought some coasters and a Bude print.
Back in Stratton, Ed, Linda Barb and I tried to visit a gallery and history archive that Linda had found but it wasn’t open.
We got ready for dinner with Anne Davis at her daughter Natalia’s in Stibb. We had to work to dry enough clothes and shoes to wear.
Natalia and her husband Bob have built a wonderful house with a view of the ocean & fields. They have two children, Seth, 4 1/2 and Peggy, 9 months. They are both blonde-haired and Seth has wonderful curls. They are quite adventurous, climbing, hiking and camping. Natalia is a high school geography teacher and Bob teaches architecture at a college.
Anne and her boyfriend Dave travel all over in their motorhome but live in France and Spain the rest of the time. She looks just the same, a few more wrinkles.
Natalia and Bob fixed a wonderful dinner – a smoked mackerel spread to start, then pork with apples and cider, mashed potatoes and green beans.
For dessert there was saffron bread pudding, junket, rhubarb, hedge blackberries, and clotted cream. All traditional Cornish food and all delicious. I really liked Bob and Natalia – they would get along well with Erica and Raf.
