Ironman Event, Exmoor

We have had another busy week with our bed and breakfast guests. The weather wasn’t as hot as the previously but it didn’t rain and everyone was able to get out and explore Exmoor. It is now absolutely gorgeous with fantastic sunshine.

We went down to Sidmouth in Devon for a friend’s birthday last Sunday. Aubery was 80 and his daughter and son-in-law had organised a lovely afternoon for everyone including a farm walk followed by a barb-b-cue. The weather was beautiful and everyone had a super time and it was great to catch up with friends we hadn’t seen in a while.

Last week we decided to build a couple of raised flower beds either side of the front steps using local stone. Before we moved up to Exmoor, Derek ran his own landscape gardening business so he knew his stuff and within 2 days, had totally transformed the front of our home. We then spent a happy couple of hours at the local garden centre deciding what to plant them up with. I have to say that he has made a super job and they look as they have always been there – its amazing what he can do when I set my mind to it!

Yesterday, friends of ours (Ruth and Chris) who ring bells at Payhembury in East Devon, organised a ‘ring around Exmoor’ at Dulverton, Bampton and Winsford churches and ended up coming to us for tea. Everyone had a great time and Derek met one of his relations that he hadn’t seen in many years. They were a smashing lot and hopefully they all got home safely (bit of a problem with the bus they had hired and the Exmoor hills)!

This weekend the Ironman event has taken place and we had several of the competitors staying with us. A swim of 1.5 miles, cycle ride of 57 miles and run of 13 miles - all starting at 6.00am at Wimbleball Reservoir. It is a fantastic spectacle to see and must be great to be that fit to take part. Derek said he was going to serve breakfasts and then go and catch them up but unfortunately he had too much gardening to do – what a pity!