Getting ready for Christmas

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I last put finger to keyboard to write on the blog. We have been so busy catching up with lots of jobs, having a couple of days away on the Isle of Wight and although it’s November, we still have guests staying with us for bed and breakfast and to enjoy Exmoor. At the moment we have Jo and Jackie staying who have been for exhilarating walks along the coast at Porlock, horse riding with David at Hunstcott Stables plus seeing allsorts of wildlife on an Exmoor safari.

Even at this time of year Exmoor retains a special magic – the wonderful light, quietness and wildlife. Despite the blustery winds, lots of trees have retained their autumn colour and the woods at Horner and Webbers Post are beautiful. Even though most of berries have been devoured by the fieldfare and blackbirds, there are still some beautiful holly trees fully laden (fingers crossed they are still here at Christmas)!We took the dogs up to Dunkery Hill Gate in the late afternoon which is my favourite time of day. In the dusk, several deer ran across our path and onto the moor beyond. 4 woodcock flew up, several pheasants were on their way to roost and there were loads of rabbits darting in and out of the gorse. On the way home the road drops down towards Webbers Post and view towards Horner Wood and Porlock is spectacular. Below us Cloutsham Farm was the only light in the valley and the only sound to be heard was a fox barking.

The run up to Christmas is always busy on Exmoor. In Porlock next week there is a 2 day Christmas Fair with stalls and exhibitions. The first weekend in December is Dunster by Candlelight and people come from all over the country to enjoy the evening. Shops stay open until the late evening, there are street entertainers, people dress up in medieval costumes and the whole town is full of a festive atmosphere On the 13th it is Dulverton by Starlight and the 15th and 16th is Porlock late night shopping. All these events provide ideal opportunities to buy Christmas presents.