Winter Wonderland (again)!

Like everyone else, we are experiencing a pretty severe start to winter. It only seems like a couple of months ago that I was packing away the thermal vests and leggings from the last lot of snow and only 2 weeks ago that we had coffee sitting out on the veranda and admiring the autumn colours - now its suddenly become absolutely freezing! The plus side is that Exmoor looks so beautiful in the sun with the snow glistening on the hills and the light becomes even more spectacular.

We took the dogs up over Winsford Hill the other day and they went mad in the snow – just like children. They push themselves along on their tummies – through the bracken and down over tussocks as if they were sledging and enjoying having a very cold bath at the same time. We then drove down into Dulverton and had coffee while the dogs snoozed in the back of the truck.

We have just back from a lovely walk all through Selworthy Woods and up onto North Hill, around the top and then back – very bracing but fantastic walking. This weekend is Dunster by Candlelight where all the shops are open in the evening and there are street entertainers, stalls selling hot drinks and food, music playing and lots more. The weather will be perfect and the whole weekend certainly gets everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Which is more than I was feeling last Saturday I have to say. We went down to Exeter to see our daughter Lucy, Derek went to see his mum and I went shopping for a few bits. Bad Move! As I struggled against a rising tide of people, hot stuffy shops, little or no room to move or see and not even anywhere to get a drink unless I wanted to queue for ages, it all came flooding back as to the reasons why I always do most of my shopping on Exmoor. Lovely towns like Dulverton, Porlock and Dunster on the doorstep, wide selection of presents, individual shops ,time to look and chat and good places to eat and take a breather!