Spring visitors

We have had a flurry of friends call in to see us. I think the wonderful weather we have been having has made everyone want to get out and experience beautiful Exmoor (and have a cup of tea with us)! Angela and Paul came up from Woodbury, Liz, Dave and Chris from Sidbury and Payhembury, Dawn and Mike from Yeovil.

I was in the drive when a very large motorbike turned into the drive. When the helmets were removed I saw it was our neighbour and friends from Woodbury – John and Nina. John had had a bonus and instead of putting it into savings they had decided to enjoy it by buying a bike. I did ask if the male menopause had come into play!

Lucy has moved back to Exmoor - missing the countryside, the horses and the dogs but no mention of missing her mum or dad (no change there then)! Lucy starts work on Friday in her job so she has been taking the opportunity of riding Paddy when she can. Derek has sold his other horse as he just didn’t have the time to look after two. However now that Lucy is back I wonder how long it will be until they start searching for another one!

The garden is really starting to come into its own – with yellow rhododendrons, vivid tulips and the cherry tree is in full blossom. The dawn chorus is as beautiful as ever and the veranda is alive with sparrows, wrens and wagtails all nesting in the roof. A blue tit has nested on top of the ‘exit’ light giving it a certain amount of warmth but also 24 hour light! Our friend Ron phoned at the weekend to tell us he had just sighted the first swallow of the suummer in East Devon. No sign of any up here yet but I suspect it won't be long now.

We popped up to London for a couple of days to see Tim and Bex in their new flat which is really lovely – light and bright with plenty of room. It was great to see them looking so happy and well. On the Saturday they took us to where Bex works – she is a history teacher at North London Collegiate School (a very good girl’s school where my mum and aunt used to attend – small world). It was beautiful and strolling around the grounds I can see why Bex loves working there.

We then drove over to Harrow School where Tim now works as Operations Manager – a very full on role I gather but he has taken it in his stride and again enjoys it very much. Tim was able to take us around the grounds and some of the buildings – a far cry from where we used to go to school! It was fascinating and so steeped in history that I could have stayed there for a lot longer but the train beckoned and we were soon on our way home. Our trip was so quick and we packed so much into it we almost felt jet lagged by Saturday evening!