We have had a superb weekend here on Exmoor with lovely guests and weather We were full and
all our bed and breakfast guest made the most of the fantastic weather with long walks and
horse riding. Leaving Derek in charge (a brave decision), Ron and I took the dogs to
Larcombe Foot near Winsford and followed the river, through the bluebell woods to the log
bridge. Here we bumped into Robin and Claire, 2 of our b&b guests, relaxing by the river.
Ron and I went on up to Room Hill - quite a climb but I assured Ron it was worth it, and it
was. The clear air, blue skies and the views were fantastic. Taking a breather, we watched a
herd of deer grazing contently on the next hill over. On our way back we looked up to see a
small herd of deer on the bank above us standing in a patch of bluebells just quietly
watching us - and you can't wish for a more 'Exmoor' scene than that!
The farmers are busy cutting grass and making silage/haylage while the sun shines and by the
looks of it, most fields are yielding a good crop. The smell of newly mown grass is quite
heady. I listened to a programme about the declining state of our migratory birds today and
was amazed that the experts are forecasting that in 15 years, the cuckoo will no longer be
heard anywhere in this country and already it is becoming very rare in some parts (luckily
not the case up here on Exmoor). I know that it isn't the most socially acceptable bird, but
the thought of never hearing its call is very sad.
We took the dogs over to Hawkridge on Sunday. Driving through the village of Withypool, it
was great to see it so busy with people enjoying the Bank Holiday weather down by the river.
We drove on and then walked down to The Danesbrook River. It was so hot and the dogs loved
being in the water - Soda could swim for England I'm sure!
Today, it's blustery with clouds but loads of sunshine. Derek has gone to see his mum and after a busy day spent cleaning and ironing I’m going to try and get the photos onto the computer - it maybe a long evening!
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Walking in Hawkridge, Ley Hill and Dunkery
Julie and Helen from Stroud have been to stay with us for the week for bed and breakfast. They are really good fun and always ready for a laugh. Julie is a very good photographer and both are keen birdwatchers. They have had a great time with plenty of walks including Hawkridge, Ley Hill, Dunkery, Cloutsham and Horner and seeing many different birds (unfortunately the Pied Flycathcher eluded them this time)!
It was fortunate that they came when they did as Derek has bought a rather nice camera. Needless to say, Julie spent allot of time showing Derek how to use it and how to get the best shots - hence the instructions are still in the box (we are waiting for our 3 year old niece to arrive so that she can show us how to download the pictures onto the blog)!I feel that there was a little bit of competition between the 2 of them especially when it came to who took the best photo of the Pipit!
Ron has also been up and he has gone for long walks each day on the hills just behind us - walking nearly to Dunster. Today he came across 3 deer which were almost black so he isn't sure what type they were unless they were a cross breed. The views from up the top are stunning as you can look over Minehead and right across the Channel to Wales and on the other side, the scene stretches across to Putham, Cutcombe and Croyden Hill and beyond.
I spent a very happy afternoon in Wiviliscombe this week - wandering around The Court House with its collection of furniture, fabrics and gifts. The contents are unusual and its a wonderful place to pick up something for the house or for a present. My next stop was Yew Tree Antiques - 3 floors of beautiful restored furniture and all very reasonably priced. I don't think I have ever visited there without bringing something home (this time it was 2 tables, a mirror and a lovely china bowl)!Nigel and Shelia are very friendly so its usually an opportunity for a chat and a mug of tea as well. Next onto Carousel Pig - lovely gift shop that again sells unusual things and the most beautiful pot pouri. 2 pictures, 2 pot pouri and a vase later - I felt it was time to return home before any more money was spent.
It was fortunate that they came when they did as Derek has bought a rather nice camera. Needless to say, Julie spent allot of time showing Derek how to use it and how to get the best shots - hence the instructions are still in the box (we are waiting for our 3 year old niece to arrive so that she can show us how to download the pictures onto the blog)!I feel that there was a little bit of competition between the 2 of them especially when it came to who took the best photo of the Pipit!
Ron has also been up and he has gone for long walks each day on the hills just behind us - walking nearly to Dunster. Today he came across 3 deer which were almost black so he isn't sure what type they were unless they were a cross breed. The views from up the top are stunning as you can look over Minehead and right across the Channel to Wales and on the other side, the scene stretches across to Putham, Cutcombe and Croyden Hill and beyond.
I spent a very happy afternoon in Wiviliscombe this week - wandering around The Court House with its collection of furniture, fabrics and gifts. The contents are unusual and its a wonderful place to pick up something for the house or for a present. My next stop was Yew Tree Antiques - 3 floors of beautiful restored furniture and all very reasonably priced. I don't think I have ever visited there without bringing something home (this time it was 2 tables, a mirror and a lovely china bowl)!Nigel and Shelia are very friendly so its usually an opportunity for a chat and a mug of tea as well. Next onto Carousel Pig - lovely gift shop that again sells unusual things and the most beautiful pot pouri. 2 pictures, 2 pot pouri and a vase later - I felt it was time to return home before any more money was spent.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Blackford Woods and Bees!
After a busy week with bed and breakfast, we went with the dogs over to Winsford Hill. The roadside banks and woods are covered with bluebells and the scent is delicious. The beech trees are now fully out and are a lovely fresh green – such a wonderful contrast to the winter colours. The saying goes ‘oak before ash, in for a splash. Ash before oak, in for a soak’. This spring, the oak is well ahead of the ash – so good signs for summer sunshine!
The warm showers we have had over the past week have brought on a lot of growth. The fields have been rolled and shut up ready for hay and silage and the ewes and lambs have also benefited from the rush of spring grass.
When we walked at Blackford earlier in the week, we met Patrick who has lived here all his life and is very well known for his beekeeping and honey (Exmoor Honey). We were chatting just as he was about to round up a swarm which were hanging from a branch in the hedge. Talking to him, we had a good insight into his beekeeping activities on Exmoor and all the different places he keeps them. As Patrick made to collect the swarm, we beat a hasty retreat and walked over to Blackford Woods on the Holnicote Estate.
This is a newly created wood owned and managed by the National Trust and is planted with a variety of indigenous trees including oak, hazel, ash, maple and rowan. A stream runs through the wood into a large pond surrounded by bull rushes and marsh marigolds and is teaming with tadpoles. On our way back to the truck, Derek’s day was made complete when he found 2 single antlers (little things please little minds)!
The warm showers we have had over the past week have brought on a lot of growth. The fields have been rolled and shut up ready for hay and silage and the ewes and lambs have also benefited from the rush of spring grass.
When we walked at Blackford earlier in the week, we met Patrick who has lived here all his life and is very well known for his beekeeping and honey (Exmoor Honey). We were chatting just as he was about to round up a swarm which were hanging from a branch in the hedge. Talking to him, we had a good insight into his beekeeping activities on Exmoor and all the different places he keeps them. As Patrick made to collect the swarm, we beat a hasty retreat and walked over to Blackford Woods on the Holnicote Estate.
This is a newly created wood owned and managed by the National Trust and is planted with a variety of indigenous trees including oak, hazel, ash, maple and rowan. A stream runs through the wood into a large pond surrounded by bull rushes and marsh marigolds and is teaming with tadpoles. On our way back to the truck, Derek’s day was made complete when he found 2 single antlers (little things please little minds)!
Friday, 8 May 2009
Brompton Regis
We have Ron staying with us. Ron and Derek have grown up with each other and share many of the same interests in farming, wildlife and the countryside. We all went down to Bury near Brompton Regis last evening and walked up the Haddeo river towards Wimbleball Reservoir. On our side of the river, we walked along Hartford Bottom and Storridge Wood which is mainly oak, beech and ash trees. Tracks have been created so there are lovely walks up through the wood itself.
We passed Brompton Regis Fish Farm were they hatch and breed trout for fishing lakes. We watched hundreds of trout at various stages of growth in the lakes. Aeration 'buggies' on the lakes keep the water moving and these are interconnected via locks. The whole area is very interesting.
We carried on to the hamlet of Hartford where a car had got stuck. What is about men and getting cars out of difficult situations? Ron and Derek’s eyes positively lit up at the thought of solving this particular problem! After alot of discussion, scrabbling in the dirt, the creation of a towrope out of baler twine, the vehicle was successfully extricated and the grateful driver (yes it was a woman) drove off.
Time was getting on so we walked over the bridge and followed the path through some fields and then up a steep hill to the top of Wimbleball reservoir. It was almost uncanny to see such a huge concrete building in such a beautiful area of countryside but the views across the reservoir and up to hills in the distance were amazing.
By now it was beginning to drizzle slightly and I wasn't sure whether the sound of rumbling was distant thunder or mine and Ron’s tummy - we were all very hungry. We walked back via Haddon Hill and through the woods dropping back down to Bury. The bluebells were vivid and the damp air made the scent even more intense. The birds love this type of warm damp weather and the blackbirds and thrushes were almost competing against one another!
The walk was about 2 .5 hours in beautiful countryside with ‘unbelievable’ company! We arrived back at The George Pub in Bromton Regis a little soggy and very hungry but its amazing what some good food and a couple of glasses of beer can do!
We passed Brompton Regis Fish Farm were they hatch and breed trout for fishing lakes. We watched hundreds of trout at various stages of growth in the lakes. Aeration 'buggies' on the lakes keep the water moving and these are interconnected via locks. The whole area is very interesting.
We carried on to the hamlet of Hartford where a car had got stuck. What is about men and getting cars out of difficult situations? Ron and Derek’s eyes positively lit up at the thought of solving this particular problem! After alot of discussion, scrabbling in the dirt, the creation of a towrope out of baler twine, the vehicle was successfully extricated and the grateful driver (yes it was a woman) drove off.
Time was getting on so we walked over the bridge and followed the path through some fields and then up a steep hill to the top of Wimbleball reservoir. It was almost uncanny to see such a huge concrete building in such a beautiful area of countryside but the views across the reservoir and up to hills in the distance were amazing.
By now it was beginning to drizzle slightly and I wasn't sure whether the sound of rumbling was distant thunder or mine and Ron’s tummy - we were all very hungry. We walked back via Haddon Hill and through the woods dropping back down to Bury. The bluebells were vivid and the damp air made the scent even more intense. The birds love this type of warm damp weather and the blackbirds and thrushes were almost competing against one another!
The walk was about 2 .5 hours in beautiful countryside with ‘unbelievable’ company! We arrived back at The George Pub in Bromton Regis a little soggy and very hungry but its amazing what some good food and a couple of glasses of beer can do!
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
The Falconry Centre, Allerford
Last night I went for the most beautiful early evening walk. I took the dogs over to Cloutsham ball and from there walked up to Stoke Pero church and then down to Stoke Pero Combe. From there, I followed the river towards Horner through the ancient woodland and back to the car.
The bird song was amazing and I was lucky enough to see a Mistle thrush feeding one of its young.Something caught my eye and I looked up on the banks to see a couple of deer gracefully walking through the grass watching me watching them. The woods have changed a little because of the number of trees that have come down through the snow. It was hard to believe that one such a warm evening that only a couple of months ago we had such heavy snowfalls. The warm Spring rain we had on Monday has given everything a well needed boost and you could almost hear all the vegetation growing! The violets are everywhere and in some places the bluebells are starting to show their heads. A little later on I shall be walking from Winsford up the valley towards Exford where I know the smell and sight of the mass of bluebells will almost take my breath away.
The bird song was amazing and I was lucky enough to see a Mistle thrush feeding one of its young.Something caught my eye and I looked up on the banks to see a couple of deer gracefully walking through the grass watching me watching them. The woods have changed a little because of the number of trees that have come down through the snow. It was hard to believe that one such a warm evening that only a couple of months ago we had such heavy snowfalls. The warm Spring rain we had on Monday has given everything a well needed boost and you could almost hear all the vegetation growing! The violets are everywhere and in some places the bluebells are starting to show their heads. A little later on I shall be walking from Winsford up the valley towards Exford where I know the smell and sight of the mass of bluebells will almost take my breath away.
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