Nutcombe Chocolates

We had an incredibly busy week last week with our bed and breakfast guests but we were able to grab a couple of hours out and went to Exford Show. Although the weather wasn’t brilliant, we had a lovely time – lots of produce stalls selling beautiful foods and crafts.

One of my favourites is Nutcombe Chocolates. Richard and Lorna have been making and selling homemade chocolate for many years and have a faithful following. Their chocolates make great presents and I am already considering my order for Christmas especially as they now make chocolates in the shape of stags! They are now expanding their business and have just purchased a shop in Dunster (called The Chocolate Shop) where customers will be able to watch the chocolate being made as well – sounds like heaven to me!

After having a summer out on the grass, our 2 horses need quite a bit of exercising to get them fit so Derek and Lucy have been taking them out each evening when it is cooler. I just wish that I could ride a little bit more but I need to put some serious work into getting myself fit. When I do have a ride, I get off looking like John Wayne and feeling a tad stiff!

Over the road our neighbour Eddie is making hay. The wet and warm summer has meant an abundance of hay with some crops up by 50% on last year. Its lovely to smell fresh hay and this smell mingling with the scent of honey from the heather is quite heady! Further down in the next village, they are busy combining the corn. No huge combines here – the gateways are too narrow! It reminds me of when I can first remember my dad combining some 40 years ago and this is what so much of Exmoor is like – a step back in time.

The moors are looking spectacular at the moment – vivid purple with slashes of bright yellow from the gorse bushes. I took the dogs out yesterday and I think that nature must have been out in full force. I saw wonderful scenery, Exmoor ponies, 4 herds of red deer, some highland cattle (not sure where they came from), pippets, buzzards and a kestrel – not bad for an afternoon stroll!