of A place to dream of... and not to tell

I started spending days at apartment 5 over 12 years ago, when I bought it off-plan. At that time, I had never been to Bigbury-on-Sea or even knew of its location in South Hams.  I soon discovered its outstanding natural beauty, the delights of the large golden sandy beach, the endlessly changing surf (now with a surf school) and the great coastal walks. The climate is great. One year I sunbathed on the apartment patio two days before Christmas! There is so much for relaxation, not only the views, the coast, and the beach but also the Leisure Centre's excellent facilities.

One day following light breakfast at the apartment my day started at the Leisure Centre's indoor pool, followed by the Jacuzzi, sauna and a short workout in the gym. The coffee and excellent homemade cake in the Leisure Centre cafe made up for the light breakfast and probably negated the positive benefits of the workout, but was irresistible.

I felt warm and relaxed. I ambled to the local Post Office and stores for a paper, cash and groceries, having passed the beach shop and bay cafe on the way. Then I took the car for the short drive to Modbury to buy a replacement kettle at "Pickles" hardware store — a shop that B&Q cannot match. Modbury is the natural centre of my holiday shopping, I stocked up at the deli and butchers and my reward for shopping was tea and a Devon scone at the "Top O' The Steps" cafe. 

Plymouth was my next port of call to visit the National Maritime Aquarium (is it possible to have an aquarium that is not "maritime"?) to see the imaginative presentation of fantastic sea life, from the tiny sea horses to the basking sharks. After that, I escaped from the bustle of the central shopping area for a stroll in Drake's footsteps on the Hoe with spectacular views over Plymouth Sound and imagined what it was like for Drake seeing the invading Spanish Armada on the horizon.

Back to the apartment for a late lunch at the Leisure Centre cafe and bar, followed by some kite flying on the beach and then a gentle swim as the tide flowed round Burgh Island and covered the warm sandy causeway.

In the evening, it was dinner at the Dartmouth Apprentice. All the local restaurants, Journey's End, Bistro 35, and Oyster shack are good but the Apprentice, a beautiful converted church with imposing views over the Dart River and great food, was a special treat.  The unique and added attraction of the Apprentice is that the staff are selected from the unemployed and disadvantaged. They are trained at the Apprentice for six-months and with the skills they learn and experience they gain they are helped to get new jobs. It works. The staff are splendid and added to a special evening.

I have had many such wonderful days in the last 12 years and I could go on but I hope that some of the other pages on my website —  local activities, what to see, entertainment, eating and drinking, places I have enjoyed a meal, best thing to do, useful links — will help you choose your own "days in the life" of your apartment 5 holiday. Or, just spend another day on the beach. It is a place to dream of... and not to tell — but then I never could keep a secret.

If you want to share your experience, go to our online guest book and click on "New Entry" or email me and I will get my webmaster to look at publishing your story.

John Davies

ADayInTheLife@BurghIslandCauseway.com