An "A-Devon-torous" Month (Pt. 3)
- Kabort Motorsport
- Mar 30, 2023
- 6 min read
The clock struck midnight on Monday morning - a new week was upon us!
Back in the land of iRacing, I just missed a chaotic weekend:
- Creventic (R1 @ Spa) - ARL Formula 4 League (@ Road America)
- Spirit Of Le Mans (League Event) all happening.
- The final day of Week 13 (saved myself £12.00 by not buying the Clio!)
- George Ezra Concert*
*Had I gone to every concert I was interested in, I would be at about 5
25th Feb: Lukas Graham (London)
26th Feb: BANNERS (Portsmouth, Attended)
13th Mar: George Ezra (London)
19th Mar: Tom Grennan (Brighton) - I'll get onto.
But I'd much rather be here in the beautiful Devonish Countryside, away from all the hustle and bustle of the racetrack, Isle Of Wight and city.
Alas - I have a blog to resume.
Monday 13th March, 2023
On Monday, we didn't really have anything planned - but Charis wanted to do a bit of wild swimming, so that was the plan for the day.
Before that however, I managed to sneak in a call with Universal Credit - how I managed to get this on a day we weren't doing much - I still don't know!
As the day went on, everything started to...unfold.
Charis found that a nearby Castle (Castle Drogo) had wild swimming facilities, but upon arrival, we came across a sign that said that the whole site was closed due to high winds - this was backed up by a member of public leaving the entrance (as we came in) and also letting us know everything was closed.
We got halfway up the driveway and then turned around to find somewhere else (to wild swim).
At the time, , I did want to drive down to the end of the driveway (to see the Castle/front of the castle), but looking back, on Google Maps it's not accessible by car (only foot) and if the entire site was closed - this would have been the hardest bit to access.
No matter, we next headed off in search of...swimmable water.
Originally we went to a road near Scorhill Stone Circle - but due to the wind - we were pretty much ready to pack our bags and head on home - before we realised I took a wrong turning and it was a little further north.
Eventually, just outside Throwleigh, we found a SSOS (Swimmable Source Of Water) - a Brook named "Blackaton Brook"
It wasn't bad. It fufilled our requirements - it was fresh water - and Charis enjoyed swimming in it.
It was marred by the fact I forgot to pack her action camera - which she could use underwater - but I've learnt my lesson now.
From here, we headed back to the accommodation.
Tuesday 14th March, 2023
Tuesday...was certainly an interesting day.
On iRacing, it was the start of a brand new seasons - the scores had been reset, leaderboards wiped clean - and at 00:00 GMT - it was anyone's championship to win.
Due to typically lower driving standards on Tuesdays, I usually race on Wednesdays - but not for Season 2, 2023.
Back in 2022, I raced the ROAR Before The 24 in a McLaren - and then did the following season (S2, 2022) in the GT4 Challenge - in a McLaren.
Come 2023, I once again did the ROAR Before The 24 - but this time in an Aston.
After a thrilling season in an F4/IR04/Formula D car, I decided for S2, 2023 I'd do exactly as I did last year - this time racing in the Aston Martin GT4 in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge - which is a 2hr 40 minute multiclass series - pitching TCR's up against GT4's.
In addition to this, I also found an interest in the IMSA Endurance Series - which was a multiclass GT3 series.
Season 2 seeing me compete in both IMSA Endurance and IMSA Michelin Pilot.
Ironically enough, both series were held on opposing weekends (one week GT4, one week GT3, one week GT4, one week GT3 etc.)
Due to prior commitments however, my season debut wouldn't happen until at least two weeks later in April - a month after my last official race.
Tuesday 14th March 20223 (2)
Meanwhile, in Devon, a new day had also just started.
Tuesday was a weird day for many reasons - and it was also weird in Devon because it was both our final FULL day in Devon - and the sun decided to come out and make a rare appearance.
We decided to make the most of this by heading down to Princetown and having a little bite to eat.
This was mostly so my friend could eat some scones in the "Devon-ish" way - but being lunch time, we both decided to grab some lunch whilst there.
I had sausage and chips (twas good!) and Charis had scampi and chips.
It was absolute bliss - the sun was out, the birds were tweeting - and I had a perfect view overlooking a road which by-passed the cafe - time for a little car-spotting!
(Car in Pic. 2 is a lesser spotted Honda Beat)
Onward from here, we headed to Wistman's Woods and actually made it this time, but via something rather interesting...
But first, upon writing this blog - I was absolutely astounded at how many "Places Of Interest" there was - and how many of these were ancient points of interest.
Charis we're both from Surrey - I moved to the Isle Of Wight - and there's nothing like it where either of us live - and I suppose it's a little bit of a guilty pleasure of mine - just seeing old ruins/old places and how much is left compared to how long they've survived.
I bring this up, because on the way to Wistman's Woods, we stumbled upon (either intentionally or not) "Higher White Tor"
Today I learnt a Tor is landforms created by the erosion of rock - almost making them look man-made.
Wistman's Wood were certainly...odd - and had an eerie vibe to them.
From afar it just looks like a wooded area off on the distance - but you can only REALLY appreciate them and their beauty once underneath/in it.
The woods themselves were also very bizarre - it's a good 30 minute to hour's walk out to them (or via the Tor) - and they are some of the only trees you can see for miles (other than a thick traditional forest to the west.
Once in Wistman's Wood its like you've been transported to a different planet - all you can see is green.
I think coming to Wistman's Wood during the winter was a bit of a blessing in disguise because the trees are bare and your line of sight is a lot greater with less vegetation in the way.
Moreover (oooh), being in the off-peak season, the moss hasn't been touched for a few months (due to harsher weather) - so it hasn't yet been ruined by travelling tourists and visitors.
I'll admit, after we had seen the wood, like the previous trips I had been on to different places around Devon/Dartmoor - I was pretty ready to go.
Charis asked to stay until sunset/almost dark.
I was hesitant, but it was our last day and the weather was good, so I agreed.
I suppose I was a little hesitant on three accounts.
Legend has it that this place was/is haunted - and yes, I believe in that.
It was a fair old time before sunset - so I had to kill the time somehow.
It was a 30 min - 1hr walk back to the car - and it would be likely getting dark/be dark by the time we got back to the car.
I still had to pack (when I got back home) and I didn't want it to be getting all too late as we had a very lengthy drive back home the following day.
Eventually I found something to do to kill the time - I walked around a bit, took some pictures and got absolutely FASCINATED by "Spring Water" (water from a natural spring) and filled my bottle up with some. "Some of the UK's Freshest Water" - as I said to myself.
I live in a little town called Freshwater - and you can guarantee that I had an absolute field-day with that one.
Long Day short - the sun eventually began to set and set an atmospheric mood upon the woods - we eventually headed back - and yes, it would have been incredibly interesting to see Wistman's Wood during night/pitch black but I'm not the biggest fan of the dark - and we had batteries to maintain and we had already been out for many hours.
Eventually we'd head home - and after food, our priority was packing to ensure a swift and easy departure before 12:00 (noon) the following day.
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