The light summer evenings are an ideal time for Derek and myself to take the dogs out as it so much cooler and the air is heavy with the heavenly scent of honeysuckle. There are more deer to be seen at this time of day as they come out of the shade and graze in the fields. Derek has seen some calves but was too far away to get any decent pictures so I think he is planning to go out on the horse as he can get so much closer. We were driving over towards North Hill the other evening and the setting sun over Porlock bay was breathtaking – a ball of red with a perfect reflection. Needless to say Derek didn’t have his camera!
We had thunderstorms on Thursday with two storms meeting overhead. The dark skies over the moor just seemed to be so heavy and brooding and it was a spectacular sight with both fork and sheet lighting. The warm, heavy rain was just what Derek wanted for the plants in the new beds (the downside is that the grass needs to be cut every other day)!
As the week went on we got busier and busier with people taking advantage of the lovely weather. Ron came up for the weekend and we went to Dunster for the afternoon. There is so much to see - castle and grounds, beautifully restored tithe barn, dovecotes and yarn market. The shops are interesting as well selling a whole range of things including pictures, clothing, jewellery, goods made in New Zealand, second hand books, gifts and even one that sells chandeliers! Dunster makes for a good afternoon just pottering!
We have been so busy that today is the first day that Derek has had to start paving up the steps with natural stone – I can’t wait to see them complete. The garden is really coming into its own with all the plants and flowers looking so colourful and with Dunkery Beacon in the background, it is the most perfect setting.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Summer is on its way...
As we move into summer, Exmoor is looking more beautiful with the heather just beginning to turn purple and come August, the moor will absolutely vivid. The foxgloves are magnificent this year with whole hills being covered in a pink haze. Already some of the fields of winter corn is beginning to ripen and starting to turn a golden colour – all the crops look healthy and it looks like being a good harvest.
The birdlife is getting more frenetic with parents constantly on the hunt for food for their growing broods. This year we have 2 pairs of house martins nesting under the eaves of the house. By quietly looking out of the bedroom window, our bed and breakfast guests can peer up and watch them flying in and out of the nests and catch glimpses of the young as they look out.
There are always a large flock of sand martins nesting in the banks down at Cloud Farm in the Doone Valley. This is one of our favourite places to go for a walk or a swim – the river is beautiful with lots of deep pools. ½ mile up a track you come to the farm where they provide pony trekking and camping. We like to follow the river into Badgeworthy Water and then walk back over the moor to the farm and enjoy a cup of tea in the tea garden. It is a wonderful spot just to sit and relax in the heart of Exmoor.
Although we have been busy this week with bed and breakfast guests, we managed to grab half a day and meet my mum and sister down at Tiverton and The National Trust house of Knightshayes. It’s great to have so many lovely places to visit within such a short drive away.
Some of our guests decided to walk from Porlock Weir up to Culbone Church, nestled in the woodland setting above the cliffs. This is a remote but very beautiful area having the atmosphere of a time gone by and was featured on Sunday evening on the BBC programme Countryfile. The programme also included an article on the wild Exmoor ponies at Ashwick near Dulverton, their history and near demise during the war. Now under careful management and a breeding programme, a beautiful thriving herd can be seen on various parts of Exmoor. It’s a wonderful sight to see this years crop of foals already becoming adventurous and curious!
The birdlife is getting more frenetic with parents constantly on the hunt for food for their growing broods. This year we have 2 pairs of house martins nesting under the eaves of the house. By quietly looking out of the bedroom window, our bed and breakfast guests can peer up and watch them flying in and out of the nests and catch glimpses of the young as they look out.
There are always a large flock of sand martins nesting in the banks down at Cloud Farm in the Doone Valley. This is one of our favourite places to go for a walk or a swim – the river is beautiful with lots of deep pools. ½ mile up a track you come to the farm where they provide pony trekking and camping. We like to follow the river into Badgeworthy Water and then walk back over the moor to the farm and enjoy a cup of tea in the tea garden. It is a wonderful spot just to sit and relax in the heart of Exmoor.
Although we have been busy this week with bed and breakfast guests, we managed to grab half a day and meet my mum and sister down at Tiverton and The National Trust house of Knightshayes. It’s great to have so many lovely places to visit within such a short drive away.
Some of our guests decided to walk from Porlock Weir up to Culbone Church, nestled in the woodland setting above the cliffs. This is a remote but very beautiful area having the atmosphere of a time gone by and was featured on Sunday evening on the BBC programme Countryfile. The programme also included an article on the wild Exmoor ponies at Ashwick near Dulverton, their history and near demise during the war. Now under careful management and a breeding programme, a beautiful thriving herd can be seen on various parts of Exmoor. It’s a wonderful sight to see this years crop of foals already becoming adventurous and curious!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Our New Camera!
On Thursday, Derek took the camera with him when he went out for a ride on Paddy. The deer were unaffected by the close proximity of the horse and without me or the dogs, he managed to get smashing shots of some stags. The stags loose their antlers in April but by now they started to re-grow and are covered in velvet. This will start to peel off during the summer months ready for the rut in October. The rut is a sight and sound worth seeing and hearing, in fact you can hear them roaring from the veranda. As ever with us, things of a technical nature take a little while to process but hopefully we will be able to put some of the photos onto the blog fairly soon.
My sister brought my mum and my niece and her partner (Katie and Aaron) up for lunch on Tuesday. It was mum’s birthday and for 85 she is pretty fantastic – only problem is her lack of hearing. But mum is still pretty mobile and has taken charge of Julie’s kitchen (much to Julies delight)! Katie and Aaron both did animation at university and using their talents as designers, they have created their own website design studio (Slurpy Studios). Their work is brilliant and very reasonable as well - take a look at their website http://www.slurpystudios.com/
Julie is still having problems with her bees – I never knew there was so much work, pressure and worry involved with a hive. Apparently it’s all to do with queens, swarming and angry bees. Not only that, rabbits have discovered Julies vegetable patch and do they love it. As fast as Julie plants out and things start to grow, there they are, waiting in the hedge row – it must be like one giant picnic for them!!
The weather this week has been brilliant – so hot and sunny. The bees have been busy buzzing between the cotoneasters and the roses. The lupins are spectacular this year and the roses are really starting to come into their own. Derek has practically finished planting the annuals and the garden looks lovely.
In the next village (Huntscott) Paul has a market garden where he grows and sells at the gate new potatoes, broad beans, courgettes, sweet williams and a variety of bedding plants. It’s great to wander down and get such beautifully fresh veg straight from the garden – in fact he will dig it while you wait! He also has some South Devon cattle – its lovely to see them grazing with Dunkery Beacon as a backcloth. We went to get some marigolds on Friday and Paul told us he had just seen his first deer calf of the season on the bridle path just behind our place – Derek will be off to hopefully get some photos next week.
My sister brought my mum and my niece and her partner (Katie and Aaron) up for lunch on Tuesday. It was mum’s birthday and for 85 she is pretty fantastic – only problem is her lack of hearing. But mum is still pretty mobile and has taken charge of Julie’s kitchen (much to Julies delight)! Katie and Aaron both did animation at university and using their talents as designers, they have created their own website design studio (Slurpy Studios). Their work is brilliant and very reasonable as well - take a look at their website http://www.slurpystudios.com/
Julie is still having problems with her bees – I never knew there was so much work, pressure and worry involved with a hive. Apparently it’s all to do with queens, swarming and angry bees. Not only that, rabbits have discovered Julies vegetable patch and do they love it. As fast as Julie plants out and things start to grow, there they are, waiting in the hedge row – it must be like one giant picnic for them!!
The weather this week has been brilliant – so hot and sunny. The bees have been busy buzzing between the cotoneasters and the roses. The lupins are spectacular this year and the roses are really starting to come into their own. Derek has practically finished planting the annuals and the garden looks lovely.
In the next village (Huntscott) Paul has a market garden where he grows and sells at the gate new potatoes, broad beans, courgettes, sweet williams and a variety of bedding plants. It’s great to wander down and get such beautifully fresh veg straight from the garden – in fact he will dig it while you wait! He also has some South Devon cattle – its lovely to see them grazing with Dunkery Beacon as a backcloth. We went to get some marigolds on Friday and Paul told us he had just seen his first deer calf of the season on the bridle path just behind our place – Derek will be off to hopefully get some photos next week.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
A Busy June in Exmoor...
We have had another busy weekend with our bed and breakfast guests. One party came to celebrate a special birthday while others came just to walk, explore the beauties of Exmoor and relax. The weather was stunning and Exmoor looks at its best.
Penny booked a return visit with us to show her father Exmoor and on the Saturday evening, I took them out on a brief ‘tour’ of moor. We went to Cloutsham, Exford and returned back over Dunkery Beacon. The views were unbelievable in the early evening sunlight and we saw deer and Exmoor ponies. On Sunday evening, it was so warm we took the dogs for ‘a cool off’ down at the river near Winsford and they loved it!
June is going to busy on Exmoor with different events taking place including:
A spectacle not to be missed - The 54th annual Dunster Archery Week 14th - 21st June. This is the biggest event in the UK, dating back to the 1930's and is an excellent opportunity to see top archers with a stunning backdrop of Dunster Castle.
On the 14th June, the UK Ironman 70.3 triathlon will be held at Wimbleball Lake. This consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. 1,500 athletes compete for an opportunity to qualify for one of the 100 qualifying slots for the inaugural Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida.
Lynmouth Music Festival Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June. This is an open-air and free music festival for all ages and musical tastes set in the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, on the coast.The beautiful surroundings of Lynmouth Manor Green and various pubs and venues in Lynton are the setting for this free music festival featuring Badly Drawn Boy, David Holmes and many more.
Summer Evening Paddles at Wimbleball Lake. All are welcome to come and join Exmoor Canoe Club at Wimbleball Lake. Have a go at Kayaking or canoeing where there will be coaches on hand to teach you the basics, or more advanced skills. As well as a fleet of different kayaks for children and adults there are plenty of paddlesport games to keep youngsters and big kids entertained!!!
No need to book, just turn up on the day to have a play! Wednesday evenings during June, July and August. 6:30 - 7:30pm - Juniors & Families and 7:30 - 9:00pm – Adults.
Oldenberg Cruise. See Exmoor from a different perspective – the sea. With the highest sea cliffs in the Britain, Exmoor is renowned for its fantastic coastal scenery and wildlife. This cruise aboard the Oldenburg will give you the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Exmoor coast with commentary from National Trust Staff.
Exmoor Society Walks - Lorna Doone Country: 19th June
Following in the footsteps of Lorna Doone, visiting many of the locations in the famous novel. Approx. 9 miles. Later walks include Heather on the Rugged Coast: 2nd September and Reach the Highest Point on Exmoor: 25th September
I rather fancy having a go at kayaking and I will try to persuade Derek to come as well – this could be brilliant or a disaster waiting to happen as Derek and any form of boating are best kept apart. On holiday once, Derek had to disembark from a pedaloe as he felt seasick! I will keep you informed of our progress.
Penny booked a return visit with us to show her father Exmoor and on the Saturday evening, I took them out on a brief ‘tour’ of moor. We went to Cloutsham, Exford and returned back over Dunkery Beacon. The views were unbelievable in the early evening sunlight and we saw deer and Exmoor ponies. On Sunday evening, it was so warm we took the dogs for ‘a cool off’ down at the river near Winsford and they loved it!
June is going to busy on Exmoor with different events taking place including:
A spectacle not to be missed - The 54th annual Dunster Archery Week 14th - 21st June. This is the biggest event in the UK, dating back to the 1930's and is an excellent opportunity to see top archers with a stunning backdrop of Dunster Castle.
On the 14th June, the UK Ironman 70.3 triathlon will be held at Wimbleball Lake. This consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. 1,500 athletes compete for an opportunity to qualify for one of the 100 qualifying slots for the inaugural Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Florida.
Lynmouth Music Festival Friday 12th to Sunday 14th June. This is an open-air and free music festival for all ages and musical tastes set in the villages of Lynton and Lynmouth, on the coast.The beautiful surroundings of Lynmouth Manor Green and various pubs and venues in Lynton are the setting for this free music festival featuring Badly Drawn Boy, David Holmes and many more.
Summer Evening Paddles at Wimbleball Lake. All are welcome to come and join Exmoor Canoe Club at Wimbleball Lake. Have a go at Kayaking or canoeing where there will be coaches on hand to teach you the basics, or more advanced skills. As well as a fleet of different kayaks for children and adults there are plenty of paddlesport games to keep youngsters and big kids entertained!!!
No need to book, just turn up on the day to have a play! Wednesday evenings during June, July and August. 6:30 - 7:30pm - Juniors & Families and 7:30 - 9:00pm – Adults.
Oldenberg Cruise. See Exmoor from a different perspective – the sea. With the highest sea cliffs in the Britain, Exmoor is renowned for its fantastic coastal scenery and wildlife. This cruise aboard the Oldenburg will give you the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Exmoor coast with commentary from National Trust Staff.
Exmoor Society Walks - Lorna Doone Country: 19th June
Following in the footsteps of Lorna Doone, visiting many of the locations in the famous novel. Approx. 9 miles. Later walks include Heather on the Rugged Coast: 2nd September and Reach the Highest Point on Exmoor: 25th September
I rather fancy having a go at kayaking and I will try to persuade Derek to come as well – this could be brilliant or a disaster waiting to happen as Derek and any form of boating are best kept apart. On holiday once, Derek had to disembark from a pedaloe as he felt seasick! I will keep you informed of our progress.
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