Exmoor at its best!

We had another hectic week with guests requiring accommodation on Exmoor for a variety of reasons. We had a lot of repeat bookings plus some guests who were due to fly to the Midddle East but because of the volcanic ash they decided to come to Exmoor instead – a wise decision methinks! We also had 3 crews of 4 men taking part in a rally event held throughout the forests around us. So on Saturday morning we had to serve all the breakfasts at 7.00 which was great as I then had to finish off, delivery and serve a lunchtime buffet for 60 for friends in the village. By 4.00pm I was feeling a tad weary!

It was great to relax a little on Sunday so we nipped down to see my mum, sister and brother in law at Hemyock and then went on to Feniton to see our very dear friends Aly and Martyn. So by Sunday evening we weren’t so tired but were pretty much hoarse!

The weather has been wonderful the past few days and the little bit of rain we had yesterday certainly has made the grass grow. Derek was out first thing with the mower as the yearly battle of the lawn control commenced!

On Monday we were sitting on the grass up at Dunkery Hill Gate looking out over the valley and watching a large herd of deer when we heard the cuckoo for the first time this year. The swallows were really going for it - swooping and diving and there were lots of linnets feeding on the all the insects. Different types of blossom are coming out all over the place and the villages on Exmoor look so pretty with the primroses and spring flowers. Luccombe looks like a picture postcard village – lambs playing in the field, cherry blossom out and the cottage gardens look beautiful. Exmoor at its best!

Perfect evening

The beautiful weather of the last week has really been a bonus. The colour and mass of flowers are vibrant after the long cold winter, trees are coming into bud and the birds and animals are out in full force. Our B&B guests have spotted flycatchers, swallows and also the local bird population are busy nesting. Derek took a photo of a kingfisher earlier in the week but unfortunately all he managed was the bull rush it was sat on!

On Tuesday I nipped down to Tiverton to meet mum and my sister Julie at Knightshayes (National Trust) for lunch. The house itself is Victorian and not really my cup of tea but the gardens and grounds are beautiful. The walled kitchen garden is how everyone would like their garden to look – immaculate without a weed in sight and full of produce. At the moment in the gardens they have a magnolia walk which is wonderful – fully grown trees laden with huge flowers – the pink and white is stunning against the blue sky.

We have got our friend Ron staying at the moment and last night we went to the Doone Valley near Lynmouth and walked along the Weir Water. It was a beautiful evening and we saw a brood of ducklings at Robbers Bridge, some toad spawn in the shallows of the river and a pair of grey wagtails obviously getting to know each other quite well!

We then went to the Stag Hunters Inn at Brendon for something to eat. This is a lovely old Exmoor inn right beside the river and well worth a visit. We then drove carefully home across the moors due to the number of Exmoor ponies and foals grazing on the verges. The view from above Porlock across Exmoor, the fields and the Bristol Channel to Wales in the evening light never fails to amaze and it was the perfect end to a lovely evening.

Wonderful spring weather

After the very busy Easter weekend with our bed and breakfast guests, Derek managed to take advantage of the beautiful weather and ride up over Dunkery on Paddy with the camera. In April the stags start to cast their antlers – as the photo of the 2 deer shows. In the morning we look up to the deer on Robin Howe but Derek’s picture shows a deer’s view of Wootton Courtenay and our home – not a bad scene in itself! Dear old Paddy enjoys an early morning ride over the moor and the view over Porlock Bay makes the effort of carrying Derek on his back worthwhile (I think)!

The daffodils in the garden are fantastic. The hyacinths and aubrietia, tulips and primroses are such vibrant colours giving so much hope for the summer. Our friend Ron from East Devon phoned yesterday with the news of his first sightings of swallows – something to celebrate after such a long winter. The fields are full of lambs, birds are busy, our neighbour's horse has just foaled and we feel that that the best is yet to come – nowhere is more beautiful than Exmoor in the spring and summer (and the autumn is pretty spectacular as well – not that I’m biased as all)!

Derek has just gone down to Exmouth to see his mum and to pick Lucy up. She is so looking forward to seeing her dogs again and going out for a ride on Paddy and it will be great to have her home for the weekend.

Catching up

We have just had our friends Julie and Helen to stay for bed and breakfast. They are such good company and we all enjoy a good laugh (usually at Derek’s expense - he being the token male). It was good just to draw up in front of the wood burner and catch up over a cup of tea. Tim our son has just arrived for a few days but unfortunately Lucy is very busy so we won’t be able to see her until later on in the month.

Popped over to Wiviliscombe yesterday to see mum and Julie my sister. Caught up with news over lunch and then spent a very happy afternoon browsing at all the lovely things in The Court House and at Yew Tree Antiques. Yes, I was very tempted but was strong enough to resist although there was a lovely side table which would be ideal in one the bedrooms…………!

We are now geared up for a busy Easter with our B&B guests arriving from tomorrow onwards. There is so much to see and do up here and the West Somerset Steam Railway is a real favourite with many of our guests. They put on Murder Mystery Specials during the year and weekend Galas. Visitors can also learn to drive the engines and these courses make a great presents. All the information is available on their very good website www.West-Somerset-Railway.co.uk