Well, I spent the weekend at Woolacombe Bay Hotel and enjoyed the experience. I had a balcony overlooking the ocean that was a delightful place to sit in the sun and read the paper. My rate included breakfast and dinner. The service was spotty but the food was generally good. I took advantage of the menu and tried some foods that I wouldn't have found on a menu back in the US, including skate wing.

I spent a good part of Saturday walking, first on the coastal path, then up the hill over towards Mortehoe. I passed the early morning watching a large surfing competition and late afternoon drinking real ale (Tribute) and watching rugby at a local pub. I even found time to get my laundry done.

Downsides: Would have been boring after 2 days. Paper thin walls at the hotel. The lift was as old as my grandfather and broke down several times - and you couldn't cross the 2nd floor without climbing a couple half flights of stairs. The waitstaff needs some training. They kept taking my silverware every time they delivered a new course.

I'm glad I went. I'm sure it beat spending the weekend in Barnstaple. I'm not sure that would have been the case if the weather hadn't been decent.