Beautiful autumn

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I put fingers to keyboard – no excuse apart from the fact we have been very busy with our bed and breakfast visitors. Helen came back again with her walking group for 3 days and everyone had a good time. As it was a big party, I provided evening meal for them. Helen came for her last break of the year as did Julie and Lori and Julie and Helen. It is lovely when our guests become good friends and we are looking forward to catching up with everyone again next year.

If Derek has time, he sometimes takes Julie and Helen for rides on the horses – his excuse is to try and get the horses fit but we just think he is trying to get some help in cleaning the tack and feeding the horses!

We have had a fantastic autumn and the trees are magnificent and Derek took these photos this morning from the veranda. As you can see - Wistful the spaniel was pretty realxed about the whole thing! Yesterday I took the dogs for a beautiful walk up at Dunkery Hill Gate. We walked down through Blagdon Woods, crossing the river at the bottom and then up the other side of the valley. With the bracken getting darker and the light starting to fade, I didn’t see the large herd of deer with a stag until I was really close to them and they started to move off. There were loads of pheasants and a couple of woodcock plus some rabbits and squirrels – a wildlife haven.

The rutting season has just finished and we were lucky enough to see (and hear) some very large stags with their herds of hinds over at Nutscale.

Yesterday was the great Exmoor Beast cycle event across the moor. Once again Derek and I were too busy serving breakfasts to be able to take part. It’s such a pity as I’m sure that we would be up there setting the pace and leading the field! Luckily for the competitors, the weather this year was a lot better than last years when there were gale force winds and driving rain.

We had a lovely surprise visit from Derek’s brother Ray and his wife Mary. It was lovely to see them both and they were up with friends enjoying Exmoor. We have also had Dave and Sylvia staying for a night – friends from Exmouth. It’s great to catch up and hear the news from East Devon.