Dunkery Beacon Accommodation

Walking on Exmoor

2012-01-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

I cannot belive where time goes - its already the 29th January but its great that its still light after 5.00pm. Spring is definitely waiting in the wings – Snowdrop valley is starting to live up to its name and there are primroses in the hedges. Looking back at some of the photos Derek took last year we just hope that the freeze they are forecasting doesn’t come to anything very much!

I have just got back from an ‘exhilarating’ walk above Porlock and towards Aldermans Barrow. The weather has been beautiful today – lots of sun and with a sharp breeze. The dogs were on their toes and just galloped (well Abby hobbled) all the way. Derek is suffering (which means we both are) with sciatica and can’t walk. So he dropped me off and drove round to meet us. When Soda spotted ‘daddy’ again she tore off to greet him and jumped into his arms acting as if she hadn’t seen him for a week!

The moor looked beautiful in dusk and in the distance we saw a group of horse riders returning from a days hunting. While he was waiting for me Derek saw a hen harrier which are pretty rare while yesterday I followed a pair of dippers along by the river when I walked through Horner Woods. The birdsong has been very evident over the past few days – it’s so lovely to hear.

Last weekend we went up to Leicester to Tim and Bec’s engagement party and to meet all her family. We hade a great time and in the evening we went to a very crowded Greek restaurant. Obviously the restaurant had moved on from the usual plate smashing ceremony to ‘flinging food’. Poor Derek had a bowl of warm green bean in tomato sauce tipped all over him (by mistake I hasten to add). He was covered and we just didn’t know what to! He disappeared into the loo with Tim and re-appeared wearing a chefs jacket which was 2 sizes too small for him. To cover his chest up he turned his vest back and ended up looking just like a Greek waiter!

Wishing you a belated Happy New Year!

2012-01-12T07:17:00.001-08:00

Christmas was a time long time in the preparation but a very short time going! Tim and Bex’s spent Christmas with her family in Leicester and then came on the 27th and Lucy was working. So we went to my mum, sister and brother in law for a very lovely lunch (first time I haven’t cooked in about 30 years)! Boxing Day was spent cooking in preparation for the ‘Brown fest’ on the 28th when 20 plus members of the Brown family descended on us, 5 of them being under 6 with another on the way. It was a great day with lots of noise, food, wrapping paper and party games.

You know how each year there is always one present that really hits the mark (and several that miss it by about 5 miles) – well Tim had it bang on this year with his godson. What more could a four year old boy want than a mouth organ AND a whoopee cushion (self inflating). Things started to go downhill rapidly after Noah had unwrapped them and any form of control I had over pass the parcel went out the window!

Becky invited me to go to Wiveliscombe to try on some wedding dresses at Isle Altar Hymn – all very beautiful and once again I was so pleased that it wasn’t me making the decision! On to Mole Valley Farmers for a bit of retail therapy plus a pork bap and then to Hemyock to visit mum and Julie – all in all a lovely few days!

Last year, the arrival of the New Year was heralded by snow and ice but this year it was wind and rain. Our spirits weren’t dampened however and we celebrated in style by helping to organise the Wootton Courtenay New Years Eve village party in the hall. Based on last years success, all the tickets were sold within 3 days with some people queuing to get them the day they went on sale! Panic ensued as we realised that the ‘committee’ hadn’t bought theirs but with a quick press of the printer all was fine!

We had a great time with groups of friends and neighbours bringing their own food and drink ranging from 8 courses plus champagne and port to a packet of bread sticks accompanying a thousand island cream dip! There was live music, mulled wine, raffle with money going to air Ambulance, a quiz plus lots of dancing. The hall looked beautiful in the evening and decorated with greenery and candles. The next day things were not quite so pretty but by mid morning and with the help of about 30 people, all was cleared and back to normal.

Now with the start of 2012 it’s back to work. But on second thoughts, looking out the window at the sun on Dunkery Beacon I feel it would be far more beneficial to go for a long walk with the dogs! I have been looking back at some of the photos Derek took over the past year and have decided to put some summer ones on the blog just to remind you of the sun and warmth to come.
P.S. primroses are out at Selworthy – unbelievable!

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-24T00:34:00.000-08:00

As Christmas fast approaches it is the usual last minute panic regarding cards received but not sent, catering for the family who are arriving en-mass (‘do we really need all those potatoes’? ‘yes - its 25 and all will want mashed'), loosing all the forfeits for pass the parcel, trying to decide what to buy Soda, helping to organise the New Years Eve party…….. Derek’s contribution to the festive preparations so far has been a bunch of holly!!

The weather has been so much better than last year when, after cooking for all the family, no one could get here because of the snow. This resulted in a very impromptu lunch with many of our friends from the village.

We did have some snow last week when I took the dogs up to Cloutsham. While I was out walking we had heavy snow and sleet, gales and thunder and lightening all at the same time! I felt trifle a vulnerable but the dogs were totally un-phased by the whole and event and after 20 minutes the storm passed and we walked in brilliant sunshine.

To give this last script of 2011 a festive feel, I have attached photos taken early in the year during the snow.

Derek and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has stayed with us over the past year and we wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.

Dunster by Candlelight

2011-12-13T09:51:00.000-08:00

We have had a great few days. Tim and Beckie came down for Dunster by Candlelight bringing with them their friends Pip and John. We certainly had a houseful that weekend as many guests come to experience Dunster dressed up for Christmas. All the windows in the houses had candles burning in them, there were street entertainers, stalls selling all sorts of different gifts, music playing and all the shops were beautifully decorated and there was a wonderful atmosphere throughout.

The highlight for me was when Beckie asked if I would like to go with her and Pip while she tried on some wedding gowns at Parnham House in Dunster. It is a very special bridal shop and I have always wanted to go and in and have a browse. However, after 34 years of marriage I really don’t have the occasion! It completely lived up to my expectations and the gowns are gorgeous. When Beckie came out of the changing room she looked beautiful – I almost cried!

I recently went to Exeter to do a little bit of shopping and to see my old work colleagues at Exeter College. It was lovely to see them again and catch up with all their news. A lot has changed but several things remain the same.

As we are now closed for a few weeks, Charlotte and I have been busy giving everything a DEEP clean. In some ways I have been glad that the weather has been so rough as I haven’t been tempted to skive off all the time and go walking! But there have been some times where I just need to get out. Completely booted and waterproofed, the dogs and I have had some lovely long blustery walks over Exmoor – it is good to get fresh air in my face.

Derek has been suffering with a bad back but he has just had it treated so hopefully things will start to improve over the next few days. I have been trying to teach him some Pilates exercises but I starting to wonder if he is taking me seriously – those of you that know Derek will know what I mean!

I have been so fed up with this weather that I have resorted to looking at the photos taken in the summer!

Exmoor Dark Skies

2011-12-04T08:32:00.001-08:00

Last weekend an event kicked a whole new era for the National Park after its recent award of International Dark Sky Reserve. Despite a damp start, the clouds rolled back leaving a sky full of twinkling stars. Even international space stations were gleaming and arcing high above Wimbleball Lake which has been nominated to be the first Dark Skies Discovery Centre on Exmoor.

So many people attended that there was trouble parking! Amongst the throngs were numerous experts armed with powerful telescopes and with laser torches they were able to guide people to watch various constellations, the Milky Way, nebulae and other distant stars.

This is only the first of a series of events that are being planned by the National Park. So if you like star gazing, keep a watch on The National Park website where details of all the events will be posted.

Once again we have been busy with allsorts of different things. I recently took part in the Wootton Courtenay All Stars show in the village hall. Together with 8 friends we (Corpse de Ballet) performed our version of the final scene of Swan Lake. Dressed in leggings and tutus we went down a storm!

This was closely followed by Wootton Courtenay pole dancing. I won’t go into details as you may find it distressing but suffice to say the act involved red fishnet tights, boa, blond wig, a pole and a lot of nerve! Afterwards Jane (friend) said that I had made quite a few men in the audience very happy. Derek (husband) said he thought I could get away with it for one more year and it maybe wise to wear a paper bag over my head for the next week! Unfortunately I have just been told that the clips are now going on You Tube! So if you want a good laugh………………

2011-11-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

We have just returned from a short break in France which coming at the end of the season, was a greatly appreciated. Apart from rest and relaxation, it also gave us a chance to reflect on what a beautiful and special place Exmoor is and how lucky we are to have access to 267 square miles of such wonderful walking. The photos are some Derek has taken recently on the moor.

We have had wonderful news. Tim and Bex’s have announced their engagement with a wedding booked for early September 2012. We couldn’t be more thrilled and are so delighted that Bex’s is going to become our daughter-in-law (makes us sound so old)! It would seem that our first meeting with Bex’s didn’t put her totally off the Brown family.

This was the occasion that after having a nerve wracking drive across London (with me map reading – note to self ‘get a sat nav’), we arrived at the restaurant where I downed 2 glasses of white wine in quick succession (usually 1 makes me feel a little tipsy). I greeted Bex’s somewhat unsteadily and promptly asked her where she saw herself in 5 years time! This was closely followed by Derek slipping off the pavement onto his bottom outside Stringfellows (sober but clearly his eyes were elsewhere)! Jumping up (I use this term loosely) Derek brushed himself off and nonchalantly mentioned that his old SAS always came back into practice when needed. It was a testament to Bex’s sense of humour that she took it all in her stride.

Julie and Helen came down last week for a flying visit and to catch up on all the news. After lunch we went for a walk. I felt sure that it was going to brighten up so we decided on the Nutscale walk which involves negotiating the river at least twice – on reflection this was the wrong choice. Just after we left the truck it started to rain and continued for the 2 hours we were out. I won’t go into details but suffice to say that this has been named the ‘soggy Saga walk’ after Helen’s very near miss in the river and Julie’s boots still being in front of the fire steaming gently. However the dogs enjoyed it and that’s the main thing!

Photos

2011-10-29T09:20:00.001-07:00

Sorry but for some reason the photos to go with the previous blog didn't upload - fingers crossed this time!

Busy times

2011-10-28T09:59:00.000-07:00

Each season on Exmoor is heralded by its own different sights and sounds and autumn has its own special beauty. The trees are now turning yellow and golden and some are laden with berries. The air is cooler which means the dogs are more active than ever with them demanding longer and longer walks (such a pity)! There is the ever present smell of wood smoke drifting across the valleys from log burners, the sound of stags roaring during the rut and the sight of tractors hedge cutting.

The rut this year has been fantastic. We took the dogs over to Nutscale for a walk and in the 2 hours we were out we saw 7 stags with hinds. At one stage we were standing in a bowl surrounded by gentle hills on all sides and saw 3 stags – one was magnificent with looked like a royal head (rites and fore) with long white points.

We are having a very busy week this week with our bed and breakfast guests coming down to make the most of the half term break. Most have been going out and walking and exploring while other hardy souls are girding their loins and preparing for the (infamous) Exmoor Beast. This is either a 60 or 100mile bike race across Exmoor and on some of the steepest hills in the country (definitely NOT for the faint hearted)! Unfortunately once again Derek will be too busy washing up to participate. He is also concerned that his bike really isn’t up to it and he also informs me that his lycra shorts are getting a little on the tight side (too many cooked breakfasts)?!

Some of our visitors have taken advantage of the beautiful weather and have travelled from Porlock to Lynmouth in the open topped bus via Porlock Hill. Today was so lovely that I took mum on a short tour of Exmoor for the afternoon. The scenery was breathtaking and the sky so clear that we could see as far as Dartmoor. The photo is taken from the top of Porlock Hill looking down onto Porlock Bay.

Exmoor Rut

2011-10-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Apart from the increased need to use my glasses to read any form of instructions, forgetting completely the reason why I went upstairs and the ability to fall asleep just as my favourite programme is starting, the other reason why I know I am getting older is that time is going so fast. I try to write the blog each week (less I forget what we have been doing) but the days just seem to race past and before I know it it’s a fortnight since I last put finger to keyboard.

We have had some pretty hectic times being full up with our bed and breakfast guests, friends and family coming to stay plus seeing mums (both) and Lucy. Last weekend Alan and Trish came to stay again bringing their parents. Ronnie is 94 and Hazel a tad younger and they were full of life and laughter. Alan and Trish made the most of the beautiful weather and took them out everyday to enjoy Exmoor in her autumn glory. Other guests did some lovely walks we recommended and everyone went home tanned and very relaxed.

Autumn is well and truly here with the leaves turning beautiful shades of green, brown and orange in the woods. All the geraniums in the tubs are holding on and there is still a lot of colour in the flower beds – the hot weather last week gave everything an extra boost.

The rut has started and the stags have moved out of their bachelor groups and started to be interested in the female of the species! At night with the windows open you can hear the stags roaring – it’s quite a haunting sound in its own way. Up on the moor the stags are very evident with their coats a deep brown and their antlers looking magnificent as they round up their hinds. Derek took these photos at Cods End Moor above Exford last weekend and you can clearly see the colour difference and size between the stag and hinds.

We went up onto Winsford Hill yesterday and there were 3 of this years foals playing chase. They were galloping up and down the paths, bucking and kicking out at one another. All was fine until one slipped over with a crash but watching him I think it was only his pride that was dented!

Lucy has started a new job in a racing stable at South Molton and we popped down on Sunday to meet up with her and take her for a meal. She seems very tired but enjoying the work. Its long hours with little time off but she is riding up to 5 horses a day plus grooming, mucking out, working with horse dentists and farriers, strimming and learning a lot.

2011-09-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I took the dogs (minus Abby) for a walk up to Dunkery Beacon. It was beautiful and the dogs loved it. As we were walking down the other side towards Cloutsham, a herd of hinds and calves started to move off. As I stood and watched more and more started to appear from the heather and I should think that there were about 40 plus a very large stag. They look magnificent in the afternoon sun and their coats blended in so well with the vegetation. In the next couple of weeks the rut should begin and judging by the size of the stags it should be a formidable sight to watch and hear.

On Tuesday we looked out of the window and roughly counted about 100 deer quietly grazing on the side of Robin How. We were delighted as some of our bed and breakfast guests were really keen to see some deer and this was a sight to behold. However as we watched, Belinda rode up one side and down through the middle of the herd. Needless to say by the time Caroline and Julian came in most of the deer had disappeared! But at this time of year the deer are never too far away and we were able to show them some later on.

There is a circular walk that we often recommend which is from Winsford to Exford along the River Exe and back via Room Hill and following the river on the opposite bank. The trouble has been that there wasn’t a bridge so for anyone that didn’t want to do the full 8-9 miles it was a case of retracing their steps or getting their feet wet. But the National Park has now built a bridge across the river just above Nethercote so this beautiful walk can be halved. The grand opening was this week so Julie and Helen not so far to lug all the camera equipment but plenty of opportunity to take some more stunning photos!

A lovely and busy weekend!

2011-09-13T05:42:00.000-07:00

We had a very busy weekend with lots of our bed and breakfast guests going to a wedding at Knowle Manor which is only about 2 miles from us. Knowle Manor a beautiful country house situated in its own grounds with a lake and is becoming a popular venue for weddings and large family parties. The weather was kind and by all accounts everyone had a wonderful day.

Tim and Bex’s came down for the weekend and it was lovely to see them again. On Saturday we went to Porlock and had a stroll around the town and spent a long time in the art gallery. The gallery tends to concentrate on the high quality work of local artists and pictures based on and around Exmoor. Luckily there were so many pictures I would have liked that I couldn’t decide on any!

We then went down to Porlock Weir and saw the arrival of another wedding party plus several guests that we knew. It was a lovely sight down on the harbour. After sustenance of Styles ice cream, we went home to pick the dogs up and took them to Blackford to pick blackberries. Then we went to The Blue Ball at Countisbury for a meal out – excellent company, traditional location and very good food – perfect!

Derek took them riding on Paddy and Rupert. I think that this is only about the third time that Tim has actually sat on a horse in his life. At the start of the ride, Tim commented on how easy it was and that it wasn’t tiring in the slightest. Moving on to a trot – he rapidly changed his opinion!

As we were busy doing change-over’s in the bedrooms on Sunday, Tim and Bex’s cooked Sunday roast followed by apple and blackberry crumble. It was delicious! Time went all too quickly and soon they were on their way home again. 2 hours of ironing followed by a walk with the dogs saw me collapsed on the sofa by about 8.00pm!

Derek is out riding today so I’m just about to load up the dogs and go blackberry picking again – the harvest is fantastic this year.

A walk on The Forest

2011-09-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

Ron was up at the weekend and he and Derek went for a boy’s day out. Well on Exmoor that translates to a visit to Mole Valley Farmers at South Molton to buy a pair of waterproof leggings, a yard broom and of course 2 freshly cooked pork baps with apple sauce, extra crackling and a side order of roast potatoes courtesy of Kenniford Farm!

Once all the shopping was completed and nourishment taken, the boys set off with the dogs for a lovely walk from Brendon Two Gates over the area of the moor called The Forest. This was a royal hunting forest at one time but now there is hardly a tree to be seen – just vast open moorland - very dramatic and very beautiful.

They didn’t meet anyone on their travels, just a few Exmoor ponies with their stallion. This is part of the beauty of Exmoor. As it is relatively un-discovered, the occasions of meeting other people on walks are few and far between so you sense you have the whole place to yourself – a feeling not often experienced by many people today.

A brilliant afternoon's fun!

2011-08-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

It was the annual August Bank Holiday Raft Race in Minehead on Sunday. Groups of totally mad people got together to ‘design’ and create all sorts of weird and wonderful rafts to get them across the bay at Minehead. While even madder people start further along the coast at Blue Anchor Bay. This year Lucy took part – an experience that she is not likely to forget!

Dressed in fashionable attire to compliment their theme of their raft (cowboys, super hero’s, farmers, Bill and Ben etc) and with one wet suite between them, they all bravely entered the water. If you can remember the weather last weekend it was true to form for a BH - i.e. not brilliant sunshine, very windy and the water was freezing.

Once afloat, Bill of Bill and Ben realised that he had left his paddle on the shore. The raft rapidly started going round in circles while he struck out for land to retrieve the paddle. Once safely back on board the raft started to sink and they had to be rescued. Things weren’t going entirely to plan with the stagecoach and tractor rafts either. The models where so tall that they acted like sails in the wind and despite valiant rowing attempts, both rafts started to sail backwards to where they started from.

Further on, Lucy’s more streamline super hero’s raft was doing well until they got caught in some pretty strong currents. They all had to be unceremoniously dumped into a fishing boat and Lucy has the bruises to prove it. Whereas the Smurfs stayed in the same place for about an hour – just going nowhere!

Needless to say the moment the race finished and the last lot were brought ashore, the wind dropped and the sea became beautifully calm! BUT everyone had a great time, lots of money was raised and the evening concluded with a great firework display. An event definitely worth going to next year.

P.S. Click on the photos to enlarge them.

View from work!

2011-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Like most people in life, I do occasionally get a little fed up with work and sometimes, just sometimes, I really don’t feel like making another bed or polishing another chest of draws. But then I look out of any of the bedroom windows and realise what a wonderful place to work! Derek took these pictures from The Dunkery Beacon on Thursday and I think you would agree that it’s not a bad view!

I knew that we were going to be pretty busy so I took the opportunity of taking the dogs out for a beautiful long walk along the River Exe from Winsford to Exford, up over Room Hill and then followed the river on the other side of bank back to the truck. It was perfect walking apart from one heavy shower. Soda and I took cover under some trees while Wistful and Wagtail had a happy 20 minutes routing around in the gorse bushes totally unaware of the rain!

Abby has become too lame now to go for long treks so I had to leave her at home to help Derek with the gardening. When I looked back in the mirror she was sitting in the drive looking so sad and apparently remained there until we came back some 4 hours later!

Fabulous few days

2011-08-22T04:52:00.000-07:00

It’s been a very busy few days with lots of guests arriving and making the most of the lovely weather. The weather conditions of the past year have resulted in a glut of beautiful Dunster plums and greengages and we often have bags given to us. Each morning, I gently poach some, add a little sugar and put on the buffet table for breakfast. With a dollop of natural yoghurt they are perfection on a plate with the fresh fruit salad being relegated to second place!

Ron has been to stay for a few days and we all went to Dunster agriculture show on Friday and I should think it was a record number of visitors. It is held in the grounds of Dunster castle and with the sun shining, all the showing cattle and sheep groomed into an inch of their lives, live music plus all the stalls it really was a lovely day out.

We went to The Doone Valley yesterday afternoon and had a cup of tea at Cloud Farm in the tea garden. We then headed up into the hills up above Malmsmead and walked over to Dry Bridge. The sun was really hot and the sky was blue and enormous with just a few clouds dotted around The views over towards Aldermans Barrow and down towards Lynton and Lynmouth were fantastic. The smell of the heather was quite heady and full of honey.

On the way home we stopped at the top of Porlock Hill to have a Styles ice cream looking out over the Channel. Then onto Paul’s to get newly dug potatoes and freshly picked runner beans for tea. Ron drove back to East Devon with 40 pounds of runner beans for his poor old mum to prepare for the freezer! Up here on Exmoor you don’t have to go very far to get the best out of life.

Exford Show

2011-08-12T09:36:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday we went to Exford Show which is held in the middle of Exmoor and surrounded by the most stunning scenery. Despite all that goes on in the world there are 2 things that remain constant – the show is a lovely day out, a real social gathering and secondly that the wind always blows up there!

Our friends Julie and Lori are staying with us and they had 2 of Wagtails puppies. They managed to meet up with John and Lin who had another 2 of the litter. The dogs all got on well and it was great to see how they have grown and what characters each of them have developed. For about 60 seconds they stopped playing which enabled Derek to get a picture of them.

The standard of entry in all the classes was very high from Exmoor Horn sheep to working hunters, Exmoor ponies and of course all the family dog show classes. Many of the Exmoor characters were present plus lots of craft stalls and local produce. I managed to buy a couple of presents – I just have to remember where I put them for safe keeping between now and Christmas!

I’m waiting for Derek to return from his walk so I can nip up to Wheddon Cross to sample my first zumbar class. I have a horrid feeling I am going to ache and feel rather tired tomorrow but it should be good fun.

Exciting weekend at The Dunkery Beacon!

2011-08-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

We have a very busy time of late with our B&B guests enjoying Exmoor in the lovely weather – walking, riding, cycling and general just relaxing from their busy lives. Sarah is completing her PhD and needed a break from her research. Sarah used to come Exmoor a lot with her parents and she bought Neil down to show him some of the beautiful places she visited.

Lizzie and Lawrence made a return trip to stay with us and on the Saturday while they were at Watersmeet, Lawrence proposed to Lizzie. He had planned everything from buying the ring to the surprise trip and the dinner in the evening at Reeves. Who says romance is dead?!

I had been doing some gardening in the front beds - (well a bit of weeding as Derek once said that my attempt at gardening was if a chicken had been scratching around). After that I decided that he could get on far better without my help! Soda does love to help when we are gardening as she potters around getting in the way by wanting to investigate EXACTLY where we are trying to work. She became very excited and kept on returning to the same place despite repeated attempts to get her out of the lavender. A little while later I discovered why. As I bought guests up the front door, there was Soda eyeballing a very beautiful 3ft long grass snake on the veranda! Unfortunately by the time I had got Derek with his camera the snake had gone but Derek did manage to find him curled up in the plants and take this photo.

A dear little baby wren flew into the conservatory and Derek managed to get a quick photo of him before he was put outside.

Another lovely walk

2011-07-28T09:01:00.001-07:00

The weather has been fantastic – so warm and sunny and we have seen the first field of cut corn over at Ashwick. The heather is really starting to show up a very beautiful shade of purple. Derek has just returned from helping out at Dunster Country Fair and is hot, tired and dusty. Loads of people apparently so it should be a bumper gate. I stayed behind to do the chores (well someone has to) but I think I had the better option. Once I had finished I sat out in the sun and relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful view and peace with a cup of tea.

We have been very busy with guests coming from all over the place to enjoy Exmoor some on return visits and some getting the ‘Exmoor experience’ for the first time. We have had many guests coming from abroad this year as well.

Yesterday we took the dogs for a beautiful walk through the woods and following the River Barle up from Marsh Bridge. The dogs couldn’t wait to get into the cool, clear water. Abby just stood up to her tummy in the water, Wagtail pottered in and out very ladylike while Whist just hurtled about getting everyone soaked! Soda spent a very happy hour diving in to fetch the sticks. In some places the water was very fast flowing and she looked as if she was surfing! Didn’t put her off though – she kept on going. But when we go home she did have a VERY long sleep, some tea and then another very long sleep (well until 10.00 this morning)!

Make hay while the sun shines!

2011-07-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

The lovely warm weather has created a flurry of haymaking activity around the local farms. Despite earlier worries in the year that there wouldn’t be enough grass, the crops have been very heavy. Unlike haylage, to make good quality hay, farmers need at least 5-6 days of dry, warm weather. So as you can imagine the farmers are always listening closely to the weather forecast and keeping fingers crossed throughout that the weather remains good. Derek took these photos on the farm just down the road from us.

Our neighbour Paul has a market garden and each weekend puts his stall out on the side of the lane with an honesty box. So far this year we have had beautiful new potatoes, broad beans, carrots and peas all freshly harvested – nothing beats the taste of really fresh vegetables (especially when they are grown at the foot of Dunkery Beacon)!

We are really looking forward to the next visitation of our friends Julie and Helen. They have recently acquired not 1 but 2 allotments so we are expecting at least a (small) bag of produce when they arrive! They have spent many hours clearing loads of rubbish out, tidying the ‘shed’, acquiring seats (valued at more than the shed) and been given a camping stove so they can make a brew – sounds like home from home!

A rare sighting!

2011-07-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

I took the dogs for a walk over Dunkery and along Dickies Path last weekend and spotted some interesting activity in the bracken. I saw what I thought was a bird of prey flying down to the bracken and some little birds then flew up and started flying all around it. At first I thought they were trying to scare it off but the bigger bird just sat there. A couple of people came along with binocs and asked what I was looking at – they had a look and were very excited to see it was a baby cuckoo being fed by meadow pipits – apparently this is a very rare sight. They congratulated me on the sighting and said that I obviously knew the area well and what to look for. I modestly shrugged and thought ‘who needs Derek to show visitors the sights of Exmoor’ The situation was spoilt somewhat when they then asked me whether I had spotted many Fritillary as the area was a good place to see them. I replied that I wasn’t that good on my birds but I didn’t think so which is when they informed me that Fritillary were in fact butterflies! Move over Beccy and let Ranger Brown take over!!!!

A couple of days later Derek took the camera and went over to where I told him I had seen them and managed to take loads of photos. There was also an older cuckoo flying around all the time which Derek thinks must have been from an earlier brood as it is far too late for adults to be here still. (Click on the photos for an enlargement).

Beautiful places to visit on Exmoor

2011-07-01T07:28:00.001-07:00

The weather over the past few days has been beautiful – warm but with a lovely soft breeze. Yesterday I had to make a big decision – do I sit in the office and do accounts, emails etc or get out and take the dogs for a walk and swim? It was a tough one but someone had to do it – we had a gorgeous time walking from Lanarce and following the River Barle to Withypool. I think that this be one of my all time favourites. We went over the moor then through some old farm buildings that look as they just grew there and down through lovely small pasture fields that led to the rivers edge. The dogs were in heaven!

Our bed and breakfast guests are always delighted by the quaint thatched villages that are dotted around Exmoor. We are very near some of the most beautiful such as Alderford with its lovely packhorse bridge, Selworthy, Luccombe and Bossington. Derek has been out and about getting a few snaps for the album!

Rupert the new horse remains an absolute sweetie and Lucy is really enjoying riding him every evening. He and Paddy have hit it off and are now best friends.

On Tuesday I went to Tyntesfield near Bristol with mum, sister Julie and friend Jane. This is the Victorian National Trust property acquired in 2002 and is now being restored as you watch. Two of our guests, Bev and Elizabeth had gone there on the way down to us as it is only 40 minutes from Taunton and just off the motorway. For anyone coming down to Exmoor it is definitely worth a visit.

2011-06-25T07:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the Exmoor Ironman competition was held at Wimbleball Reservoir. Starting at 7.00am, 1600 athletes took part in the event that consisted of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike and a 13.1 mile run. Although this is a half Ironman, it is considered to be one of the toughest.

We were full of bed and breakfast guests either competing or supporting. Michael had been ‘encouraged’ to take part by a friend at a party (I gather alcohol had a lot to answer for)! Anyway he completed and raised a lot of money for charity into the bargain but swore that he would NEVER do it again – so we expect to see Michael and Victoria again next year along with Neil who has already signed up. Unfortunately Neil’s bike chain broke 3/4 of the way around so he couldn’t finish the race. Desmond completed despite suffering from leg cramps and I am waiting for Kenji to let me know how he got on.

Once again Derek was too busy working to be able to take part – such a pity!

Bill and Denise came to stay again. They have been visiting Exmoor for 20 years and just love the peace and beauty of the area. We also have some guests from Germany staying who came walking at Selworthy 15 years ago. I mentioned that Exmoor will be as he remembered it and he has since agreed that the moor hasn’t altered and is so beautiful. Nowadays its wonderful that some things remain constant.

Last week I wrote about the goldfinches on the lawn. Derek sneaked into the conservatory to ‘pretend’ to be asleep ready to snap some photos. An hour later when I nudged him awake he was able to get these two.

A wildlife extravaganza!

2011-06-18T05:27:00.001-07:00

Our friend Ron came up last week and we all went out for some great walks and watched any amount of wildlife. We were strolling in the valley following Nutscale Water towards Chetsford Water and saw a couple of herds of hinds really close by in the heather. A cuckoo was really shouting and we were able to watch it several times flying on ahead of us sometimes being chased by a small song bird. Further on there was a duck with her brood of beautiful ducklings bobbing along in the water – the first brood I have seen this year.

The population of birds has exploded up here. When we sit in the conservatory, sometimes a pair of beautifully coloured goldfinches come and start to feed on the grubs on the grass and they have now started to appear with their young. Ron saw a brood of bullfinches out in the lane and the house martins have started to re-build their nest on the house. The sparrows are continuing to do their dive bombing stunts in and out of the veranda as they bring food for their increasingly hungry family. Julie and Lori who are staying at Horner campsite have told us that when they take the puppies for a walk in the evening the swallows will dive in between them and the pups as they disturb all the insects.

Lucy has embraced her new independence of being able to drive with gusto! The proud owner of a little Peugeot 206, she is now able to take her friends out and about and go off by herself without having to ask to be taken everywhere. It has bought her such freedom (and I have got my car back)!

When Derek sold Bally he said that he wouldn’t bother getting another horse as one was enough…… well if he did it would have to be at least 12 years old, a middleweight who has seen it all. Within 2 months he is the owner of a 6year old throughbred ex-racehorse called Rupert (this could be something to do with Lucy’s influence however)! Never talk to me about women changing their minds more than men as it’s just not true! He is an absolute sweetie (Rupert I mean) who has settled in well and is already part of the family.

The landscape photo is taken from our neighbours’ field looking down through the Avill valley towards Timberscombe and the Channel

Soda's day out!

2011-06-09T10:04:00.000-07:00

I am slowly getting used to this computer game. What I hadn't realised is that if you click on the photos they enlarge - thats my IT lesson for the day!

Julie and Helen have been to stay with us much to Soda’s delight! They took Soda for a day out down to Hawkridge and walked down to the river where there was much diving and swimming in the Barle river (Soda not Julie and Helen)! Picnic, a little sleep and a comfy lap to sit on all the way there and back – what a life! Needless to say when Ju and Helen were walking down the drive to their car to leave, Soda was trotting on with them assuming that another walk was on the cards!

Julie and Helen are very keen bird watchers. There is always a little bit of competition as to who can take the best photo between Ju and Derek. On this occasion Julie won hands down as her zoom was able to take this lovely photo of a wren feeding her chicks. She also took the stunning one of Soda in the river. Mind you as I pointed out to her, with such a perfect subject she couldn't possibly go wrong!

Last week it was mums birthday – she really is quite remarkable for 87! I took our neighbour Julie and met mum and sister at Hestercombe Gardens near Taunton. Hestercombe is situated on the southern slopes of the Quantock Hills with extensive views over the Vale of Taunton to the Blackdown Hills beyond. There are over fifty acres of lakes, temples, cascades, woodland walks and formal terraces. Hestercombe is a unique combination of three period gardens - the LANDSCAPE GARDEN was created in the 1750s by soldier and artist, Coplestone Warre Bampfylde, renowned as having "the finest taste for laying out ground of any man in England". Bampfylde's vision was complemented with the addition of a VICTIORIAN TERRACE and SHRUBBERY in the 1870s and followed by the creation of the beautiful EDWARDIAN GARDENS designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll between 1904 and 1908. It was a lovely day and Hestercombe is well worth a visit.

The Exmoor ponies looked too good to miss – I know we have loads of photos of them but they are all unique. The photo of haymaking was taken in Pauls field last week.

Make hay while the sun shines!

2011-06-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

With the weather set to remain hot and sunny for the next few days, farmers have been busy cutting grass keep for hay and haylage (mix of hay and silage). The lack of rain has meant that some crops are fairly light but the quality should be very good for next winters feed.

Hearing the sound of the machines mowing the grass up brings back lots of childhood memories for me of helping (or hindering not sure which) my dad on the farm. Riding in the tractor cab with dad as he cut the fields of grass, turning it and then baling it. Perched on top of a trailer load of hay to the farmyard and then stacking it in the barn - health and safety would have a field day but no harm came to us. Mum bringing out flasks of tea and sandwiches for dad so he could keep on working late into the night. Things you take for granted and assumed that it will always be so when you are 10 years old. Life of course does move on and haymaking is far more mechanised but I am pretty sure that modern day farmers wouldn’t want to return to farming methods of 40 years ago!

We have had a very busy week with lots of bed and breakfast visitors all enjoying Exmoor in their own way. Some guests have been up and away early each morning to enjoy a full days walking while others have been bird watching. A couple staying with us wanted to hear a nightjar so Derek sent them up onto North Hill where they heard 2 if not 3 of these elusive birds last night. Others have been meandering exploring all the hidden delights of this special area – pretty thatched villages, clear beautiful streams and rivers, fantastic moorland views, plenty of red deer and of course the occasional cream tea – an ideal mix to relax and unwind with!

We were coming back late last night along the lanes, came around a corner and there was a stag trotting along in front of us. He was beautiful with his antlers in velvet. Although we see lots of deer, it’s always a thrill to see one so close. We went up to Cods End again this week where we saw a herd of hinds. As you can see they are loosing their winter coats and look very scruffy. Give it another couple of weeks and they will be looking sleek and beautifully red.

The views looking down the valley from Cods End towards Luckwell Bridge are very beautiful. The old ruined farmsteads just nestle in the little coombs and here the dogs love just to pootle especially when it’s warm. While Abby was taking a breather Derek caught her on camera – 16 years old and still very photogenic.

A perfect walk

2011-05-24T09:58:00.001-07:00

Julie and Lori have been staying at Burrowhayes campsite at Horner for the past 2 weeks. They invited us down for tea and we had scones and cream and beautiful lemon cupcakes – all made that morning in the caravan. Julie has also made apple pie and orange cake – if this isn’t the epitome of being a domestic goodness I really don’t what is!

They bought 2 of Wagtails puppies – Ollie and Tilly who are absolutely gorgeous but being so young they are a bit of a handful. We went out for a walk with them taking all the dogs. Complete pandemonium for the first 10 minutes until things calmed down with springers springing around all over the place! I suspect that those two puppies couldn’t wish for a better home and as I commented to Lori, after having to look after 2 such energetic dogs, when they have grandchildren, it will seem a real doddle!

Having being very brave and investigating the bank out the back, Soda spent ages trying to get us to come and see what she had found – it was a pair of slow worms quietly basking in the sun! These caused her much fascination but I will have to watch her in case she finds an adder out on a walk. Unfortunately she is not blessed with both looks and brain!

I have just been up to Cods End Moor which lies to the south of Dunkery Beacon. This is an area of strip fields that are farmed by different people in the area. It was absolutely beautiful up there today. The sky was huge and the colour of hedge sparrows eggs with just a few clouds sailing on. Sitting on top of the valley and looking across to Hoar Moor I watched a herd of hinds in one field, a herd of Exmoor ponies with very young foals in a adjoining field and next to that a flock of sheep and lambs. With this view, the skylarks singing their hearts out and the wind blowing through the grass I almost got poetical!

After approximately £5000 in lessons and more than one test, Lucy has just passed her driving test!!!! Derek and I now go through the next stage of parenthood – worrying each time we hear the question ‘mum, dad – can I borrow the car’? But its wonderful that at long last she has done it!

Springtime on Exmoor

2011-05-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Lots of young animals out and about now enjoying the lovely spring weather and many birds are performing their mating ritual. It never ceases to make me smile to see the male doing all the work with dancing in exotic plumage for the female who then just flies off totally unimpressed. Some things are the same in every species!

We went up onto Ley Hill a couple of evenings ago. It was lovely up there – huge sky with loads of swallows darting and swooping and skylarks singing. The views across the channel were clear with the mountains of Wales visible in the background. All was peaceful and quiet until Soda thought she found a rabbit and promptly spent the next 5 minutes barking down a hole. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the rabbits had long since packed up and gone!

The trees are beautiful with the oak long out before the ash. It will be interesting to see whether the old saying of ‘oak before the ash and were in for a splash. Ash before the oak and were in for a soak’ comes true this year and we have a dry summer. The ground is desperate for rain now and the fields are starting to crack open.

Colin and Sue came to stay with us again for bed and breakfast and they had a great 3 days meeting up with old friends and exploring Exmoor. We have also had 2 different parties staying from Switzerland this week. Giving them maps and directions, they too went off exploring and fell in love with the area.

We have Helen’s walking party of 12 staying at the moment so it’s full on here this weekend as we provide evening meals for groups. Derek, Lucy and Charlotte do tend to like it when this happens as I usually cook too much. Lucy was looking a little green last night after eating a lemon posset closely followed by a rather large sticky toffee pudding (with clotted cream of course)!

Paddy cut his leg and is now on stable rest for a couple of weeks and is feeling a little sorry for himself and bored. The image on his bottom isn’t a tattoo but a bird that was whizzing past when Derek snapped the photo!

Point to Point races

2011-05-08T04:41:00.000-07:00

Helen has been back to stay with us for the past few days for a bed and breakfast break. She loves riding and often goes out with Derek on our horses but unfortunately Paddy has recently cut himself so is out of action for a while. Helen has been down to Huntscott Stables and has had a couple of lovely rides out over the moor with David.

Our friend Ron has also been staying for the weekend and all four of us went up to Codsend Moor in the evening to take the dogs for a walk. It’s always lovely up there and with the sun shining through all the beech trees, leaves blowing in the wind and the sound of the skylark it was magical.

On the way home there was a herd of about 30 Exmoor mares, yearlings and foals trotting along by the side of the road. As they were so close Derek was able to get some great picture of them. The foals are just being born so there were some very young ones amongst them – they are so sweet!

Yesterday it was the Holincote point to point at Luccombe. This is a beautifully located course lying in the heart of the Holincote Estate between the foothills of Robin How and Selworthy with views stretching down to Porlock Bay. Lucy went down with some of her friends and had a very good afternoon socialising! Derek went down a bit later on and spent the afternoon chatting and taking photos. It was a great afternoon and next week there is another meet down there.

During the week we had a lovely couple from Australia staying. As we know the moor so well we were able to send them on a walking and motoring ‘tour’ of Exmoor so they were able to get a true flavour of the area. Dunkery Hill Beacon, Exford, Lanarce Bridge and walk to Withypool for lunch. On to Tarr Steps and another walk following the River Barle. Then to Dulverton for a meal at The Bridge Inn and finally meandering home up the Exe valley road to marvel at all the bluebells in the oak woods. They arrived home tired but having fallen in love with Exmoor and planning a longer stay on their return trip!

A beautiful (and romantic) Easter

2011-04-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

We had a great Easter with a houseful of guests, friends and family but with a little planning and a lot of help the weekend flew by. The gorgeous weather really made everyone wind down and get into a relaxed holiday mood so nobody wanted to go home! The stay vacation that everyone had was a winner.

We had a lovely family staying who came to celebrate a friend’s birthday. With packed lunches on the moor and barb-b-cues in the evening, they had an idyllic time. Other b&b guests spent their days exploring Exmoor by going down by the rivers at Lanacre, Cloud Farm in the Doone Valley and Withypool, walking up over Dunkery Beacon or pottering around Selworthy, Dunster and Porlock.

Exmoor really is a special place – peaceful, tranquil and so far removed from the rush of everyday life. So we can quite understand why one of our guests choose Exmoor as the place to ask his girlfriend to marry him this weekend – it was so romantic!

Our nephew Neil and his wife Sally came for the day with their 2 boys Noah (3) and Rory (1) While Rory quietly sits and takes everything in Noah lost his shyness in about 10 minutes and was into everything. Tim then produced his birthday present to Noah – as Sally’s face fell, Noah’s lit up as he unwrapped a pump action water pistol. It is amazing how quickly he learnt the correct stance and how good his aim was – no one was safe (or dry)!

Bex’s dad and family came for the weekend and we all had a wonderful time - eating, playing and chatting.

Derek has seen his first swallows and up over Cloutsham the other day he saw a pair of cuckoos who were obviously engrossed in their mating rituals. This was a real treat as they are usually such timid birds.

We went over to Snowdrop Valley the other evening and the bluebells almost took our breath away with their colour and scent. While the dogs pottered in and out of the stream, Derek got quite carried away in his David Bailey moment and the results are pretty good (especially the one of the elf on the log)!.

Beautiful weather

2011-04-21T10:24:00.001-07:00

The fantastic weather continues – it’s going to be hard accepting the rain when it comes! Mum is staying with us at the moment which is lovely – I get all the ironing done plus we have her company! It was so hot the other day that we took the dogs down to Landacre Bridge for a picnic, walk and swim. They love the water – Soda continually swimming for sticks while the spaniels pottered in and out busy doing nothing, something they so well. At the moment they are collapsed out on the lawn and we won’t take them out until this evening when it cools down.

We have a busy week with some of our bed and breakfast guests returning for another ‘fix’ of Exmoor and others coming to the area for the first time but all saying they will come again. A neighbour dropped a beautiful trout in that he caught that morning and I was debating on how I should tackle gutting it when one of our guests called Rob mentioned that he used to catch and gut trout all the time when he was young. Not one to waste an opportunity, 5 minutes later I had a beautifully prepared fish courtesy of Rob!

The weather has certainly shown off the moor to its best – it looks stunning at the moment with all the trees coming into bud and the bluebells, primroses and wildflowers filling the hedgerows. Derek has been busy in the garden and although the daffs are past their best, there is still loads of colour.

Spring visitors

2011-04-13T01:48:00.000-07:00

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!

Experiencing Exmoor

2011-04-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

With winter a distant memory(!) thoughts now turn to getting out and about and exploring beautiful Exmoor in the spring either on horse, bike or by car. An even better way of seeing the moor is by air. A neighbour of ours very kindly took me up in his 2 man plane a couple of years ago. Eddie keeps the plane in a barn and his field is where he takes off. Prehaps not the smoothest of runways and when I looked at the plane and saw how fragile it seemed, I did wonder whether my life insurance was up to date! However once we were in the air and flying across the moor and down the coast to Lynton (as opposed to Rio), everything was forgotten. The views were stunning and I think it was one of the best 2 hours I have ever spent.

However, if you don’t have a plane, walking is a wonderful way to spend a day. Derek took the dogs over to Molland Moor on Saturday and the photos are looking towards the distant hills of Dartmoor and some of the hounds and riders of the Devon and Somerset.

The Exmoor Perambulation is Exmoor's longest one day walking event and is held each year in June. The following information about the event is taken from Active Exmoor website.
This circular long distance walk, the Exmoor Perambulation, is a traditional walk dating back over 725 years. It's one of the most challenging walks in the Exmoor annual calendar and during the 31 miles of cross country walking you will be taking in breathtaking views and accessing parts of the National Park not normally open to the public. You will also be participating a bit of history!
Every June hundreds of people from around the country come together to tread the boundary of the old Royal Forest of Exmoor and pass through some unique areas of Exmoor not normally accessible to the public.
Started many years ago by Exmoor Youth Association, this event has been faithfully supported by a significant number of loyal volunteers without which the Perambulation would simply not exist.
Today the Perambulation of Exmoor Forest is organised annually by the Exmoor Tourist Association and the Exmoor National Park Authority.
This 31 mile walk is very challenging so training is highly recommended for the event, but it's well worth it as the views are spectacular across Exmoor National Park.
It's a huge achievement to complete the Perambulation but if it sound too much don't worry, there is also a half distance option. It starts at the same time and place as the main event but terminates at Check Point 5 (Picked Stones Lane) where you can enjoy our BBQ while waiting for our free mini bus service to take you to the finish at the Pinkery Centre.
For full details and to book your place visit www.exmoorperambulation.co.uk

Sighted - the first sign of spring!

2011-03-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

Forget the clocks changing, primroses and daffs coming out, lambs in the field and the temperature being so much warmer. On Exmoor the first sign of spring has been sighted – Styles ice cream van was up on Porlock Hill yesterday! I was coming back from Alderman’s Barrow after taking the dogs for a beautiful long walk up over the top and spied the van. Needless to say that I didn’t have a penny on me and had to go without a homemade stem ginger ice cream – sometimes life can be very unfair!

Yesterday we had our first evening walk of the year along the river at Larcombe Foot near Winsford. It was so warm and the birdsong was beautiful with a woodpecker hammering away in the distance. As usal the dogs spent most of the time in the river with Soda swimming for sticks and tiring herself out - (needless to say she is sleeping soundly in the sun this morning).

We had a busy weekend with our guests who all enjoyed lovely weather and lots of walking. Pat and Stella are staying with us again and their son and his family came up from Whimple in East Devon near where we used to live. They visited lots of the beautiful areas near us and had a cream tea at the Falconry and small animal centre in Allerford.

Last week we popped down to Otter Nurseries in East Devon to meet my mum and sister. It is very large garden centre and sells everything. All the plant stock looks very healthy and Julie who is a very keen gardener (bordering on the extreme) spent a happy hour choosing clematis and debating the best compost to buy. Derek and I meanwhile had a look, sit, snooze in all the garden rooms and conservatories!

On the way home we called in to see Aunty Lil and then to see Aly and Martyn for a catch up. Soda came with us as she does like a day out. On the way home there was a badger trundling on in front of us much to Sodas excitement. Not sure what she would have done if we had stopped the car and she had got out - probably run as fast as she could in the opposite direction!

The garden is starting to come alive with LOADS of daffs, hyacinths, aubretia, pussy willow and the lawns have actually been mown twice. Doesn’t seem very long ago that we couldn’t see them because of the snow. As the clocks are going forward next weekend, Derek will be able to start spending more time in the garden working (or chatting)!

Spring is in the air - honestly!

2011-03-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

The weather has been beautiful over the past few days – dry with bright sunshine and perfect for walking. Yesterday I took the dogs up to Dunkery Hill Gate and walked across the fields and down into the valley. It was so lovely not to have to get kitted out in wet weather gear but just a couple of light layers and walking boots. The dogs loved it too – they just galloped for miles. There was plenty of wildlife about with 2 large herds of deer who didn’t seem to be in the slightest bit perturbed about us being there, four buzzards hovering on the wind currents and a woodpecker hammering away.

The dogs dived in and out of the gorse bushes looking for rabbits with Soda looking on supervising the situation (with no intention of actually going into the gorse – far too prickly). A couple of rabbits popped out, took a look at the dogs who were too busy to see them and then disappeared into the next bush – this continued all the way up the hill!

Our bed and breakfast guests have certainly made the most of the dry days. Walks to Dunkery Beacon, Dunster and Culbone Stable to name a few.

The countryside is looking beautiful and the fields are starting to green up. The farmers are gearing up for spring with fields being prepared for drilling, lambing well underway and hedges being cut and laid before the bird nesting season. The drier weather isn’t good for everything as lots of the frogspawn laid in the puddles is starting to dry up and die. Derek managed to get another 4 loads of wood from Ashwick ready for next winter – we now have 2 very large piles of wood in the car park!

We have heard about most of the puppies and all (including owners) are doing well and very happy! As you can see from the photo, John and Lyn who took Meg and Molly are taking the act of bonding with their new offspring very seriously - although I'm not sure who is more tired out! Jo brings round Charlie quite often and Wistful and Wagtail play like mad with him.

Walking in the rain

2011-02-27T04:50:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that occasionally the sun doesn’t shine down here on Exmoor – in fact it can be a little damp and yesterday was a case in point. The mist had come down and it was starting to rain quite heavily. We had been over to friends the evening before and so had a rather late night and I was feeling tired. Derek had gone to Exeter to pick up Lucy so after I had finished all the chores, I settled down in front of the woodburner to read the paper – bliss! Within 5 minutes I was woken up by a tapping at the window and there were the spaniels all looking at me with great big brown eyes. Their message couldn’t have been clearer if they had shrugged their shoulders and said ‘Excuse me. Walk?’

Clearly there was no way I was going to get any peace. So donning wet weather gear and loading up the dogs, I set off to Cloutsham and Nutscale reservoir – bad move. By the time we got there the rain was coming in horizontally and it was blowing a hooley. I was wet and cold but the dogs loved it and within 5 minutes I was too. We saw a large herd of about 50 stags and hinds only about 100 yards away. A woodcock flew up right in front of us and it was so windy, it was held by the wind current and seemed to be stationary in the air for a few seconds – its plumage was beautiful. We also saw a fox and loads of frogspawn. By the time we got back to the truck we were all soaked but felt 100 times better!

Derek had a very sad incident this week. He was walking in Annicombe when he saw a yearling Exmoor pony in distress. Following it down to the stream he found its mother very badly injured. She had fallen about 10ft off a ravine into the stream and it looked as though she had broken her leg. All the Exmoor ponies belong to someone and all the herds tend to stay in the same area. Derek contacted Joanna who holds all the details of the ponies and their owners and she was able to contact the owner who sent for the vet. Although they are such hardy creatures accidents will always happen and it was lucky that Derek found her and she was quickly put out of her misery. Unfortunately the poor creature had to be put down but the foal was old enough to fend for herself and she will remain within the same herd.

Our last 2 little (actually not so little now) sprollies have just been collected to by their new owners John and Lin who are great friends of Al and Martyn. It is very sad that we won’t have the ‘pack’ to entertain us anymore but we know that they have all got great homes. Feedback we have had so far is that they have all settled in well and nobody can get any work done!

A very busy weekend!

2011-02-21T10:15:00.000-08:00

It’s been a mixture of emotions this weekend as six of the puppies have gone to their new homes with Molly and Meg leaving us next weekend. It was similar to when the children first go to school – you want them to go as they need more stimulation (and you need some peace) but it does seem very empty when I look out and there are only 2 puppies trying to chew to death a watering can.

They have provided us with such wonderful entertainment and we have never had so many people drop in. I shall never forget Derek walking down from the paddock with a ‘pack’ of miniature sprollies running, bouncing and rolling on behind! All of them have wonderful new homes and I know that we shall be seeing them again – in fact I’m ‘puppy sitting’ Charlie on Wednesday when Jo rides out with Derek. Our dear friends Lori and Julie came down from Hertfordshire to take one home and ended up taking 2!

I popped down to Dulverton on Saturday to meet up with friends from Exeter College where I used to work. It was lovely to catch up with all their news and I do miss their company but when I compare Exeter to Exmoor there is no contest. Dulverton was very busy as there was a vintage car rally across the moor. All the cars were open topped and when the drivers got out their top halves (including their faces) were more covered in mud than the cars!

We had a lovely weekend with Tim coming down from London and Lucy from Exeter plus Ron from Woodbury. Unfortunately Bexs was away in Korea working and couldn’t make it but hopefully we will see her at Easter. It was a weekend that involved a lot of cooking, lots of laughs and some very vulgar jokes!

Our bed and breakfast is now open for the 2011 season and we have already had several guests staying. One couple went to the Falconry Centre at Allerford on Saturday as a birthday treat and had a wonderful time learning to fly the birds. Snowdrop Valley is looking beautiful – a complete carpet of white. The birds are now singing in the early morning and the sparrows have started visiting the underneath of our veranda. They hurtle in and out of the netting seeking any holes with precision and speed of fighter pilots!

Puppies and deer

2011-02-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

The puppies are really becoming quite a handful now. They run out of the shed like a gang of very naughty school children looking to see where they can cause the next bit of havoc. Any plant that tries to get its head above the ground is fair game to be chewed, bowls are wrecked, they continually try to get anywhere they shouldn’t – up in the paddock, under the shed, tearing down the bank and just causing complete and utter mayhem and we love them to pieces! They are the biggest time wasters and so funny causing endless amounts of amusement for everyone who calls in (we have never had so many visitors). We now have homes for 6 so hopefully by the end of February they will all have places to go but they will be sorely missed and I’m not looking forward to it.

Derek took the dogs up to Dunkery Hill Gate yesterday and took these lovely photos of a very handsome herd of Red Deer stags. The weather has been beautiful the past few days and lots of people have been visiting Snowdrop Valley. Lucy came up at the weekend and from the photos I think she was more pleased to see Wagtail than us (certainly Wagtail got more of a hug)!

Winter sunshine

2011-02-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

We have just returned from a lovely week in Tenerife – our first holiday in 5 years! I think the best thing of all was feeling the warmth of the sun – after such a long cold winter it really was sheer bliss. And not having to struggle with 4 layers each morning and trying to run around on the ice and snow with an extra 14lbs of clothing. Just to wear shorts and a t-shirt! We met a lovely couple called Paul and Marlene who come from London and gave us the low down on what to see and where to go. They have travelled to the Canaries many times and after such a lovely stay, we can see why.

Our dear and long suffering friends Julie and Helen very kindly (and a touch hastily methinks) offered to hold the fort while we were away. They offered BEFORE we knew that Wagtail was going to have puppies. As a result their relaxing break turned into a marathon of feeding, walking, watering horses, dogs and puppies. We might be wrong but we think that they were glad that we hadn’t gone for 2 weeks! This really was truly a magnificent test of friendship and luckily they are coming down again soon to inspect the puppies and make sure all is well.

We have just spent the day in the garden as the weather has been so mild and warm today. We have snowdrops, daffodils, aubrietia and a primrose out so spring is definitely on the way. We lifted the pups out onto the lawn this morning so they could enjoy the sun. They played like mad chasing one another and Wagtail and Wistful joined in. After half an hour they all had lunch and collapsed in a heap – what a life!

We are now busy getting ready for the 2011 season – spring cleaning, gardening and decorating and we shall be opening again on the last weekend of February and we look forward to welcoming all our old and new friends.

Heaps of puppies!

2011-01-17T03:42:00.000-08:00

The wet spell has given me the opportunity to spend lots of time with the pups. Now 17 days old - they have grown like mad as the photos show. They have their eyes open and are starting to walk (if a little unsteadily) and are the biggest time wasters possible!

The daffodil bulbs are coming up, the nights are starting to draw out a little and the birds are really starting to sing again - all signs that spring (and spring cleaning is just around the corner thank goodness.

A lovely start to 2011!

2011-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and we hope you all had a great time.

We had a wonderful evening spending it with friends at the village hall. People were invited to bring their own food and wine and make up tables of 10. We had dancing, live music, a seasonal quiz and we raised money for charity. After spending too much time on the dance floor, we got home at 2.00am and fell into bed with throbbing feet, backache and completely tired out!

At 4.45am Wistful barked to let us know that Wagtail had started to give birth. By 7.30 she was the proud mum of 8 beautiful and perfect puppies, 4 black and white and 4 liver and white. It was a lovely present for New Year and for my birthday. We are sure that dad was a collie but at the moment they all look like pure springers – only time will tell. They are complete time wasters and I could watch and listen to them for hours. Wagtail is a marvellous mum and takes it all in her stride and as you can tell from her picture she is pretty laid back about it all!

Happy Christmas?

2010-12-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

I hope you have all had a happy and peaceful Christmas. We had a great time but it was a bit of a roller coaster mainly thanks to the weather. Exmoor has looked so beautiful in the snow but it has caused a few difficulties. Tim and Bex had a tortuous 8 hour drive down from London on the 18th after spending 3 hours just trying to get out of London but they arrived safely as we went out to a party! We had arranged a large family gathering of 25 on the 19th but the roads where so dicey that we all decided to cancel it. It wasn’t all the food I had prepared or not seeing the family that made me fed up, but the 3 hours I had spent devising and wrapping the best ever Family Brown pass the parcel!

As no one could get out of the village and we had LOTS of food, we gave an impromptu lunch and invited a load of our neighbours. As a result we have discovered the art of getting luncheon guests to leave – just produce a pass the parcel and ask who would like to play and people suddenly have urgent tasks to see to at home! However it was a lovely afternoon and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Derek went down with flu on the Wednesday which meant I had to deal with the horses (with a little bit of help from Tim). After mucking out, loosing the battle of filling hay nets (which clearly have a life of their own) and struggling up with buckets of water on icy steps, Tim and I have both come to the conclusion that anyone who keeps horses must be mad!

We went down to pick Lucy up from Exeter on Christmas Eve and managed to see a lot of the family. Derek was still too ill to come so I had to drive – thank goodness for 4 wheel drive – it is not an experience I would like to repeat in a hurry. On Christmas Day Tim went down with flu so between the 2 men in the house – it was a little bit like a combination of Casulty and Holby City on a bad day. However despite all the signs, we are very happy to report that both are now recovering!

We are waiting in trepidation as Wagtail (one of the springer spaniels) is very pregnant and due any day/hour. I would like to be able to say what kind of puppies she will have but unfortunately we are unsure of who the father is so maintenance claims will be a problem! She is like a large barrel on legs as she waddles around but she still wants to go for a walk. The only problem she has is when she gets stuck trying to get under gates so now waits for me to open them for her. Updates and picture will follow.

The photos are of Dunkery from above Wheddon Cross, hoare frost at Dunkery Hill Gate, Wagtail and Tim and Bexs

We have met so many lovely and interesting people at The Dunkery Beacon and we would like to thank everyone who has stayed with us and to wish everyone a very happy, peaceful and healthy 2011.
Beccy and Derek

PS – Anyone want a puppy?

Winter Wonderland (again)!

2010-12-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

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!

Sunshine and showers

2010-11-24T03:43:00.000-08:00

The weather has been intermittent showers and lovely sunshine. I took the dogs for a beautiful walk from Larcombe Foot near Winsford to Exford and then back over Room Hill to the river valley and home. The dogs loved it and didn’t stop – even dear old Abby kept bowling along and walked the whole 3 hours without a break. Not bad for a dog with a pin in her hip and who in human years is 112 years old! Later on in the week we went over to Aldermans Barrow. As you can see from the photos, the weather was very mean and moody and the dogs had a wonderful time!

At the weekend Ally and Martyn came for the day and after a day of catching up on news, needless to say my throat was sore by the evening. They are going to be grandparents and are thrilled at the prospect.

Great excitement in the village on Saturday as it was our first Beetle Drive. For those of you who haven’t experienced this thrilling and absorbing game, the idea is to draw a beetle depending on the numbers thrown by the dice. (Why does everyone on the table say out loud the number thrown)? The age range was from 10 to 92 and I have to say that that for sheer cunning and dexterity of hand (arthritis allowing) the older the contestant the more skilled they were!

I went down to Otter Nurseries yesterday and met mum, my sister Julie and Ally for lunch. Otter Nurseries started off very small but has grown into a huge concern with a fantastic array of plants, garden equipment and gifts. We spent a happy couple of hours chatting, browsing around and buying some Christmas presents and generally having a ‘girlie’ day out! Although we are very rural, we are only an hour away from some great places to spend a day.

Lovely weekend in London

2010-11-14T06:02:00.000-08:00

After a hectic October, things should have become a little quieter – but far from it. I suppose now that the days get darker so much earlier, it seems that we have to pack far more in each day. As a result by the time 6.00pm comes we are both ready for a ‘quiet night in’ (mind you it could be an age thing – look at the comment about vintage clothing below)!

Last Thursday we took the train up to London to spend 3 nights with Tim and his partner Bexs. We visited Covent Garden and the Seven Dials area, National Gallery, popped into the Royal Opera House (plus several shops) and generally drank up the ‘buzz’ of London which looked lovely with all the Christmas lights. We went into a vintage clothing shop and there were 3 garments that I used to have in my wardrobe. The chap in the shop said that the 1990’s are coming back but as I pointed out – what I was looking at went a lot further back than that!

On the Saturday the plan was to go to Hampton Court via boat and arrive in style. As usual the Brown’s left it too late as the boats stopped running in October so we arrived by train instead! The gardens have given me some food for thought and I did suggest to Derek that we could use a few ideas from Hampton Court at home – Derek was not impressed! It was a lovely weekend and it’s great to see Tim and Bexs so happy in their new flat.

We soon got back into the swing of things when we got home as we welcomed a lovely American party to our Exmoor home. We were worried as to how they would cope with the weather (which to be honest was a little wild and woolly) but they had a great time exploring the area. Its so interesting meeting people from different parts of the world. Joy was describing life in Utah and the buffalo roundup which happens each year. Derek’s main wish now is to go and see it for himself (has always fancied himself as Clint Eastwood since he saw Pale Rider) and we have an open invitation to go and visit.

We have also had a party of ‘off road’ cycling friends come and stay to ‘enjoy’ the challenges of Exmoor. They set off and expected to be back by 4.30. After coping with 4 punctures between them, navigating the very steep and muddy terrain plus failing light, they eventually got back at 8.00!

We have been out several times with the dogs for some lovely walks. The other afternoon we were out at Aldermans Barrow and saw several starling murmuring displays. With the cold red sky behind them, they looked spectacular as they dipped and weaved in fantastic patterns. Several of our guests have commented on the fact that we have several sparrows living in and around our veranda as apparently in parts of the country, the sparrow is becoming quite a rarity.

Beautiful autumn

2010-11-01T06:03:00.001-07:00

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.

Bits and pieces

2010-10-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

We have been a little quieter this week so I had the opportunity to have some time with mum before the busy weekend. We went shopping and then the touristy things that I never normally get a chance to do like going around Dunster Castle. The views from the windows are magnificent stretching right away to the coast and then up to the Quantock Hills.

It has been lovely having mum to stay and unfortunately she went back home to Julie’s today. Mum is quite remarkable for her age – at 86 she is totally with it and if there is anything we need to know it’s a case of paging the oracle!

GREAT excitement in the Brown household this week – we bought a new washing machine. After several attempts to firstly program it into English and then to actually get a load washed – mum and I resorted to the instructions!

Yesterday it was really hot and sunny – about 22degrees. I took the dogs up to Dunkery Beacon via Spangate and then to Webbers Post and home via the Dunster path. Soda and I were both a little tired by the time we got home but Wistful and Wagtail were ready to go on again – they are both so fit!

Derek has been out and taken some smashing photos on Codsend Moor near Exford. The trees are looking beautiful at the moment – just starting to turn and the red deer rut has definitely started judging by the strange sounds echoing across the moor!

Active Exmoor

2010-10-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

Mum has been staying with us for the past couple of weeks while my sister Julie has been leading a Ramblers walk in Italy. It’s been lovely having mum to stay as we have been out and about - and I haven’t touched the ironing board in a week!
As always, there is something going on up here on Exmoor. For the past fortnight it has been Somerset Arts Weeks when people are invited to go visit local artists and view their work in their own homes and studios. It’s fascinating to see how different artists capture the essence of Exmoor in such totally different ways and through such different mediums.

October is very active month on Exmoor with a range of different events taking place from the Exmoor Walking Festival with 32 guided walks to choose from, to the Exmoor 30:30 – a challenge to carry 30lbs over 30 miles of open moorland for the benefit of one of the selected charities: Army Benevolent Fund, Help For Heroes, Royal British LegionSt. John's Ambulance.
The Exmoor Stagger and Stumble are annual events designed to provide challenging off road courses using the steep and varied terrain within running distance of Minehead with distances ranging between 6, 15 and 17 miles.
There are a whole range of alternative and extreme sports activities planned for 11-18 year olds during October half term with small group sizes and high staff ratios to allow the highest quality of coaching, catering for all abilities. These include Kayaking, Power Kiting & Land Boarding, Surfing & Power Kiting, Climbing, Mountain Biking, Mountain Boarding and Coasteering
For more information or to book call 01823 410 213 or email info@escapexsports.co.ukPlease see www.escapexsports.co.uk for more details.
FINALLY - just when you thought it was safe to put your bike away for the winter, the Exmoor Beast rears its majestic head to give you the last chance to test yourself in what will be one of the best and most challenging cyclo-sportives of the year. The Exmoor Beast started in 2007 and was immediately billed as one of the best cyclo sportif events of the year.
And if that’s not enough to keep the most energetic of people entertained there is always just standing still and enjoying looking and absorbing the total beauty of the moor. The weather has been wonderful for much of the time and the walks in the late afternoon and evening have been really very beautiful. Derek has just come back with some stunning photos of the moor taken within a mile of Dunkery Beacon - the most beautiful being the one of Soda!!

Harvest time

2010-09-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

It has been a beautiful September so far and we are still very busy with our bed and breakfast visitors. For many of our guests it is their second visit to us this year as Exmoor is especially beautiful in the early autumn. Several (including us) have enjoyed particularly good walking weather this month with clear distant views, magnificent skies and lots of sightings of deer and Exmoor ponies. We have had a couple of early evening walks in Codsend Moor. There are some breathtaking views right across the moor towards Devon and Dartmoor. We walked for about 2 hours each time and had the whole place to ourselves apart from the fantastic number of deer and there wasn’t a manmade sound to be heard (when Derek stopped talking)!

Many of the farmers around us are ploughing up and working down the corn fields and getting them ready for replanting. The hedgerows have been full of sloes and blackberries and the trees all have plenty of fruit. As the squirrels have been busy beavering away adding to their winter larder – so have we. Setting off with basket and wellies plus the dogs to the fields around Blackford – the scene could have been from a Cath Kidston advert. 2 hours later having been stung, scratched and bitten my basket overflowed with lovely blackberries – but there is no such thing as a free lunch!

Enjoying the moor

2010-09-17T09:42:00.001-07:00

As with most people nowadays, we seem to be constantly busy but this week we both managed to get out and enjoy Exmoor. I took the dogs for a beautiful walk on Wednesday up over Nutscale. The wind was blowing and there was definitely a touch of autumn was in the air. But with big, clear skies, sun and wonderful views – it really swept the cobwebs away.

Lucy came home for a couple of days this week on holiday so Derek and Luce were able to get out for a couple of rides on the horses – through the lanes and fields and up on to the moor for some cantering. Our neighbour Paul lent Derek his saw bench today so Derek spent a happy 5 hours logging up our wood pile!

Although the heather is still beautifully purple, on the higher slopes of Dunkery it is now starting to turn brown so the deer are perfectly camouflaged. Two of our guests recently bought a new camera and were keen to try and get some pictures of the deer. Derek directed them up to Cloutsham and they managed to get some great shots of some very large herds. Another couple of our guests have come from New Mexico this week and are retracing their steps from 40 years ago and Barry and Anne have just left us after 5 lovely days walking all their favourite paths throughout the moor.

Friends

2010-09-12T07:07:00.000-07:00

We have had a very busy time recently with lots of guests staying with us for the first time and others who have become good friends. Julie and Lori came down again and we went out for a lovely meal with them to Lapsewood Restaurant in Porlock.

Derek has been able to bring back his 2 horses from their summer holiday and start riding them this week so he took Julie out for a lovely long ride through Huntscott and Luccombe then up to Webbers Post to Dunkery and down the track to home. It was a beautiful day and both horses and riders had a wonderful time (Lori and I had coffee and a chat on the veranda with the dogs for company – very civilized)!

We are very lucky to have made such good friends with lots of interesting and lovely people - Barry and Anne from Cornwall have just returned today for another weeks holiday and Julie and Helen are coming down again in October (which is always a guarantee of a good time). Helen is coming down also in October and we are planning to walk from here over to Malsmead with the dogs (but not Abby this time as she is getting a little old for such a long walk) and Derek will drive over and pick us up. Another Helen is coming again this October with a group of 14 friends for a few days walking.

The Red Deer rut starts in October so hopefully all our guests will be able to see some of the magnificent stags. Some of our guests have just returned from a morning with a friend of ours who owns Red Deer Safari. They were thrilled at being shown so much – herds of deer including stags, Exmoor ponies and lots of different birdlife as well as being told about the history of the area

I managed to grab a couple of hours last evening and walked up to Span Gate and home via Annicombe. It was a different climate up on the slopes of Dunkery with magnificent clouds and strong winds. The dogs loved it and spent a happy time chasing about in the bracken. On the way back there were loads of blackberries which the 2 younger spaniels love. Wagtail will wait until you pick them and give them to her while her daughter Wistful will pick them off the brambles (very carefully). As we walked home, I looked down from the path and saw 2 big hinds eating the leaves of the bushes – they were no more than 15 feet away from us but because of the direction the wind was blowing they were totally oblivious to me. After about 5 minutes one glanced up and did a double take to see us standing there and they wandered off down into the valley.

2010-08-31T07:04:00.000-07:00

After a very busy Bank Holiday weekend with our bed and breakfast guests we were able to get out yesterday and have a wonderful afternoon in the sun. We went down to the river at Larkham Foot for a stroll (very energetic swim in Soda’s case) to start with as it was so hot. We then went into Winsford and stopped for afternoon tea at Karslake House. We were informed that would be a slight delay as the scones were still cooking in the oven! It was pure bliss to sit in the garden overlooking the village and have a cup of tea and warm scones (cooked by someone else) while soaking up the sun.

After we managed to rally ourselves we went for another walk just up the road on Winsford Hill. The moor looked so beautiful in the early evening sunshine with the beech trees catching the rays of sun and casting shadows on the fields. There were plenty of Exmoor ponies about and the swallows were diving catching the flying insects. It was so clear that we could see the Sidmouth Gap down on the south coast of Devon (approx 50 miles away).

The weather is set to be good for the next week so from our vantage point we could see farmers busy cutting their second cut of grass for hay. Fields of corn have been harvested and are now being worked down ready for re-seeding. The dogs were totally oblivious to everything apart from the possibility of smelling a rabbit (the chances of catching one being a million to one but the anticipation is great)! Charging in and out, up and over bracken, they had a brilliant time.

We went home the long way via Ashwick and Draydon Railing as we just wanted to see as much of the moor as we could in the evening sun (and I didn’t want to go back to the ironing)!

Beautiful Exmoor walks

2010-08-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

As Derek was coming back from Molland Moor over Dunkery, he had to stop to take these fantastic photos looking down into Porlock Vale towards Allerford and Bossington. The heather is looking at its best at the moment and the bees are hard at work taking the nectar back to their hives. When we walk through the heather the smell of honey is lovely.

The picture of Cloutsham Farm was also taking from the slopes of Dunkery. Cathy and Dave live and farm here and before we moved to Exmoor, we spent many happy holidays in their self catering cottage.

I had a lovely walk on Wednesday from Stoke Ridge, through Dadycombe over to Nutscale, followed Nutscale Water up to Chestford Bridge and then back over Embercombe and then back across Stoke Pero Common to the truck. During the walk I saw several Exmoor ponies and a lovely herd of Red Deer. It took about 2 hours and the dogs absolutely loved it – lots of lovely smells and rivers to soak in. Even dear old Abby who is 15 cantered along the whole way. It really is a dog’s paradise!

We had a busy week – going out for lunch with friends from the village who are sadly moving away and then for dinner with Mike and Dawn who regularly come to stay. Lucy came up for the night I think it was more to see the dogs and horses than to see her aged parents!

Exford show

2010-08-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

We have had a great week with lots of bed and breakfast guests and plenty to see and do. On Tuesday evening we went out with Lori and Julie to The Stags Head for a meal and a catch up. On Wednesday it was the highlight of the Exmoor social calendar as it was Exmoor show.

The show is held at Court Hill above Exford and it has the most magnificent views. Although a little cloudy to begin with, the sun came out later on and it was a lovely day with lots of Exmoor ponies being shown, show jumping, sheep classes, great produce tent, parade of hounds and the annual award for the best pair of antlers! We met some of our guests including Helen who came down to stay again. Our friend Derek was showing 7 of his Exmoor ponies (not sure who was leading who looking at the photos)!

It was with great trepidation that I entered Soda into the terrier racing competition. She did seem very keen in the first instance but clearly hasn’t quite got the hang of it. As the trapdoor went up and all the other terriers hurtled down the track after the lure, Soda came out backwards and seemed more intent on greeting everyone rather than chasing!

In Minehead they have had a spectacular display from The Red Arrows. Julie our neighbour plus some friends walked up the hill behind Wootton Courtenay and had a birds eye view. The hill is quite high and it was if they were on the same level as the planes!

Last night Derek took Helen up to Aldermans Barrow for a walk with the dogs and earlier in the week we took Julie and Lori for a walk up onto Cloutsham. It’s lovely to introduce people to areas of the moor, beautiful views and wildlife that they wouldn’t normally see.

A very happy day

2010-08-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe that it has been over 2 weeks since we last updated the blog. We have been very busy looking after our bed and breakfast guests – some visiting us for the first time and many others enjoying return visits. Tea and homemade cake together with a catch up chat when they arrive always goes down well!

We have also enjoyed 2 more weddings. Ryan and Gemma had a beautiful day and the sun shone. They had a reception in the garden under a marquee and everyone had a great time.

Last Saturday we attended the wedding of Alex (Tim’s best friend) and Helen. It was a very happy and lovely day. Helen looked beautiful and Alex was the personification of the handsome groom. Tim was best man and I know I am bias but he really did a brilliant job making sure everything went according to plan. Despite being a little nervous, he gave an excellent speech – witty but delivered with great affection for both Helen and Alex. He made us feel immensely proud.

The Brown family scrubbed up quite well. Lucy looked quite the sophisticated young lady in a little black number while Bexs (Tim’s partner) looked beautiful in Greek style dress. Derek and Tim were suited and booted and all was fine until the music started.
Well I like a dance and what are parents for apart from embarrassing their children? Suffice to say that both Tim and Lucy were mortified to see their mother performing on the dance floor. Later on Lucy danced with her father and actually said it was ‘awesome’! How things change over the years!

2010-07-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

We have had a very busy time lately and this week we had a group of U3A walkers staying from Thornbury for 4 nights. I have to be honest and say that the sun doesn’t always shine on Exmoor (as Julie and Helen will testify) and on Tuesday afternoon it was a party of quite soggy walkers that arrived home. Luckily we have a large drying room and soon clothes were starting to steam quite nicely! After that, the weather stayed dry and they had some lovely walks.

We badly needed the rain. The moor is starting to green up again and the garden is looking lovely. We have a large buddleia which the butterflies love during the day and in the evening, their place is taken by moths. Derek took the dogs up to Codscends Moor (the south side of Dunkery Beacon) during the week and took a couple of lovelyshots of the area.

Jonathon came to stay again with his mum and dad and they were thrilled to see a herd of 10 stags over towards Lynmouth. On the way back from Porlock they had their own wildlife safari by seeing a fox, a badger, a stag and a vole!

Our bed and breakfast visitors come from far and wide – Germany, New Mexico, America, The Netherlands plus South Molton and Frome! Because Exmoor is such a beautiful area, some of our guests come from only a short distance for a break and to completely relax without having to drive miles.

Nature watch

2010-07-18T12:43:00.001-07:00

It’s been a real nature watch on Exmoor lately. The other day we went over to Nutscale and saw a lovely little stoat in the road. A bit further on a Hen Harrier landed just next to the truck and on the walk we saw a young deer calf running along side its mum only about 20 yards away from us. The house martins under the eaves are popping their heads out and are ready to fly. The hot dry weather has pushed the heather on and there are beautiful bursts of purple all over the moor. The corn is also turning early this year and some already looks ripe for harvesting.

We went to Aldermans Barrow last night and in the Enclosure area there were 4 herds of deer. I stayed with the dogs and Derek managed to creep up close and take the photos above.

Although we have been very busy all week with our bed and breakfast guests we managed to pop down to Woodbury to Derek’s brother birthday party. We also saw the new Brown arrivals - 2 great nieces and 1 great nephew born into the family within 6 weeks of one another and they are all absolutely beautiful!

Very happy days

2010-07-12T11:33:00.001-07:00

It’s been very busy in the village with 2 weddings this month. On Saturday Dominic and Mel the eldest daughter of our friends Paul (who featured heavily in last week’s blog) and Gillian got married. She looked absolutely stunning (and the bridegroom scrubbed quite well too)! It was very much a local affair with both Eddy and Roger providing their beloved classic cars as the transport and many of the villages turned out to watch - it was a lovely occasion. Later on we went to the evening reception held in a marquee at their home. Unfortunately we missed the highlight of the day – Paul’s speech as father of the bride. Apparently it had quite an agricultural theme and I think it is best left there!

Lucy our daughter came up from Exeter for the weekend with a friend and it was lovely to see her. They didn’t do very much but were content just to laze in the garden and play with the dogs who were so happy to see her.

We had a another return visit to our bed and breakfast home from Mike and Jane this weekend and they bought their friend Lyn with them. I packed up a lunch for them and they set off to Nutscale for the day. The weather was beautiful and in the evening they sat out in the gardens and had a picnic – very relaxing and they had a great time. It is clear that Lyn has also fallen in love with Exmoor and wants to come back soon.

Watersports at Wimbleball

2010-07-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

July is a very busy month up here on Exmoor. This year Wimbleball Lake is hosting a huge Sporting and Countryside event from the 14th to the 18th July, to celebrate 10 years of the South West Lakes Trust and partners on Exmoor.

On offer will be a massive range of watersports and land-based activities for all to watch or try out, as well as a fun-packed Country Fair and an evening of live entertainment - all in the beautiful setting of Wimbleball Lake in the heart of Exmoor National Park.

I promised myself a go at kayaking last year but time was against me. I definitely want to try it out this time although if my balance is anything to go by, I shall probably spend more time under the boat! I have suggest to Derek that he doesn't have a go due to his very delicate stomach. When we were in Spain with Lucy a few years ago, he had to get off the pedalo as the motion was making him feel sea sick. The trouble is when he struck out to swim for the shore, the water didn't quite reach his knees!

Mad friends!

2010-06-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Our bed and breakfast accommodation has been full this week with a bunch a very lovely and completely mad guests who all met one another over the years through the Girl Guides. From the moment they arrived, it was like welcoming a group of our old friends into our home. Kate did a fantastic job of organising different walks over the moor each day and they all had a wonderful time. As they wrote in our visitor book ‘What a triumph! Crutches discarded, brilliant weather and stunning scenery’. We were very sad to see them go but all said they would love to return.

Helen made a welcome return visit this week as well and Derek took her out on Paddy for an evening ride while he rode Bally. I played tennis and was well and truly thrashed – no change there then!

Helen joined us for a lovely walk yesterday evening up through Robbers Bridge and along Weir Water where the dogs had a swim and managed to cool off. There were beautiful, vivid dragon flies zooming up and down and loads of little trout jumping. We drove home via Cloutsham to see the herds of red deer and Exmoor ponies on the slopes of Dunkery Beacon. Through the binoculars we watched a young deer calf galloping up and down on the skyline and managed to spot another calf by its mum. It was a lovely end to a beautiful day.

Mid summer on the moor

2010-06-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

Derek had to go across Exmoor and down to Dulverton earlier this week. As it was so hot, he took the dogs with him and went via Withypool to take them for a walk and a swim in the river. On top of Winsford Hill he saw a blanket of cotton grass dancing in the breeze. While he was taking the photos he came across some beautiful wild orchids.

It has been a very family focused week. On Monday we went down to Julies to have lunch with the family before Gerald and Freda fly back to New Zealand – a very happy day but a little sad at the end when we had to go. Yesterday Derek popped down to Exmouth to see his mum, then onto to our friend Ron and to watch the football and finally into Exeter to see Lucy. Ray and Mary called in (brother and sister in law) and we have just heard that they have just had their second grand daughter in 6 weeks!

Our bed and breakfast accommodation has been full all this week with a group of great friends who have all met through Girl Guides over the years. Out walking every day by 9.00 they have had a great week enjoying the weather and Exmoor at its best. Back home for tea (or something stronger) and then out for a meal each night in a local pub. Helen returned again this week for another riding and walking break. She also had a couple of evening rides with Derek and ended up cleaning his tack (first time this year)! Oh and we also had some unexpected guests but they only wanted to make use of the lawn!

Pictures from the past

2010-06-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe how fast time is going at the moment as we have been so busy with our bed and breakfast guests. The weather has been beautiful and everyone has had a wonderful week of exploring and walking.

All the farmers are now busy making hay while the weather is so hot and sunny. There isn’t a lot of grass about for the horses at the moment so Derek popped down to Huntscott to get a bit of hay to top them up. He also bought a big bag of freshly dug new potatoes and broad beans which Paul grows on his farm. He found Paul busy turning the sweet smelling field of grass which will be ready to bale this afternoon. The Devon Ruby Red cattle looked lovely grazing in the sunshine with Dunkery Beacon behind them. It is a picture that could have been seen 50 years ago (mainly because that’s the age of Pauls tractor)! Relaxing in the hay, Tia kept a close eye on her masters tractor driving skills - wise girl.

Last night the entire house was full of Ironmen (exclusion of Derek). Bringing family, friends and supporters, they were competing in the Exmoor Ironman triathlon – the hardest half triathlon in the country. It started at 7 this morning at Wimbleball Reservoir – firstly a swim, then running and finally cycling across the moor. Unfortunately once again Derek was unable to compete due to the work commitments of getting up at 4.30 to get breakfasts for everyone - as he said not all the Ironmen on Exmoor were competing this morning!

2010-06-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

I had a brilliant week last week. All our B&B guests had stayed before so it was a houseful of friends. Breakfast time was non stop chatter of guests (Derek was in his element) swopping places to walk and visit, what they had done the day before, good places to eat, etc etc. In fact I was thinking of asking if they would like to stay on for lunch!

I managed to get to Pilates 3 times and play in 3 very good tennis matches (usual story of heart and head being so willing but the old body lets me down every time). On Saturday Derek dropped me off by Nutscale Reservoir and I walked home with the dogs across the moor, following Dickies path along the base of Dunkery to Webbers Post and then the carriage path back home. It was beautiful weather and we all had a great time. During the week, Derek had a lovely ride on the horses around the lanes and round the fields at Huntscott.

The icing on the cake was Sunday when my uncle Gerald and aunt Freda who are over from New Zealand came up for the day with my mum, sister Julie, brother in law Paul, Katie my niece and her partner Arron. These 2 designed and created this website and have a great business called ‘Slurpy Studios’ – check out their website to see what they do.

We had a wonderful time catching up and looking at photos and hearing lots of stories. We then went down to Wootton Courtenay Craft and Hobby show in the village hall. It was so busy and there was so much to see (and people to chat to). This village really has an amazing amount of talent from sculptures and painters to authors and silversmiths and model aeroplanes (and real ones) and train builders. We all came back for tea and cake and more chatting. All too soon it was time for them to go but we are hoping to get down to see them next week.

2010-06-07T05:33:00.000-07:00

At the moment, time is just flying by and we seem to have something on everyday. We went to a farm sale during the week and I should think that everyone from Exmoor was there. There were over 2000 lots – from a combine (circa 1952) to buckets of nails, old school writing book, portable gas heaters (which looked as if they should have been condemned), tools, baler twine, wardrobes, wooden skis and everything in between. Although we didn’t see anything we wanted to bid for, the weather was fantastic, the characters amazing, the views incredible and we caught up with quite a few friends and acquaintances. So all and all it was a great morning out.

We then went to Dulverton to meet our very good friends Mike and Jackie who came to stay for a couple of nights this week. The weather stayed hot and sunny and they managed to get a couple of walks in including one up to Dunkery Beacon.

We have a red rose called Fragrant Cloud growing along the veranda. It’s absolutely beautiful this year and as everyone walks past they get a delicate whiff of the scent. The lupines are also quite spectacular as well this year – watering and spraying have paid off.

All the baby birds that were nesting in the veranda have all flown now. The poor parents have been so busy still feeding them, trying to make sure that their babies stay safe, teaching them to fly, feed and fend for themselves. Something’s are the same no matter what the species!

Talking of which, we picked Lucy up on Friday from Exeter and she came home for the weekend to go to a wedding, see the dogs and Derek’s new horse and to catch up with her old boss and her son (I would like to think she came back to see us as well but perhaps that would be pushing it)! But it was lovely to have her home again.

On Saturday we had friends from the village around for supper. They have just moved into a bungalow in the village and having loads of work down. The stories they tell remind us of the time we were doing up the Dunkery Beacon – I NEVER want to go there again!

Foxy tales

2010-06-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Well it’s been a hectic week again with lots of guests staying at our bed and breakfast accommodation. Some were new visitors who have now fallen in love with Exmoor promising to return again soon as they can. Other visitors have been several times before and have become firm friends. Sunshine was ordered and appeared for the week so everyone enjoyed Exmoor at its absolute best – beech trees, bluebells, blossom, fantastic wildlife, nesting swallows, wagtails and sparrows and that’s just in our garden!

We went out to eat at The Stags Head in Dunster with Julie and Helen and had a lovely evening – great food (although the conversation was a little ‘suspect’ at times)! Derek sent them on a new walk from Bury near Dulverton, up the river to Wimbleball Reservoir and then back over the top. Beautiful walk but as Julie pointed out – not quite such an easy walk for them as they were carrying a ton of photographic kit!

My sister Julie went to France for a few days and mum came to stay with us which was lovely – all the ironing was done, dinning room cleared each day, greenhouse tided, mending brought up to date, containers planted up etc etc. Not bad for a mum who was 86 today! Apart from all her help, it was great to have her company.

I took her for a ride around Exmoor yesterday and as we came down the lane from Luccombe there were 2 very small fox cubs playing in the road quite unperturbed by our car. They were so beautiful. A few days ago a fox was running in the field where Derek and I were walking and Derek made the noise of a rabbit. The fox stopped and then came straight towards us and then sat watching us for about 5 minutes before he ran off into the nearby woods.

Summer time

2010-05-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been so beautifully hot that we have had to wait until the evenings to take the dogs out and let them cool down in the river. We went to Larkham Foot and walked up towards Exford and it took about 20 seconds before they were all in swimming and having a wonderful time. The bluebells are just about at their best now and the smell is quite heady.

We weren’t the only ones making the most of some river dipping. All the cows and calves have been turned out and were meandering down towards the river bank for a drink and cool down.

We have got new neighbours - 2 swallow nests being built in the eaves and a family of sparrows are living in the roof of the veranda! Julie and Helen are with us again at the moment and were heading off towards Hawkridge this morning leaving behind instructions for coffee and doughnuts to be bought to the river at around 11.00!

Derek is busy pulling out all the wallflowers and getting the beds ready for re-planting and although its very dry, the garden looks lovely. I’m heading off now with the dogs and then playing tennis this evening while Derek is going off riding this evening when its cooler – what a life!

Wonderful spring weather

2010-05-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

After a hectic weekend with a wedding of the century being held in the village, we managed to get out on a couple of lovely walk. The photos were taken last night over by Dunkery Hill Gate. It was so hot that the dogs couldn’t wait to get into the river. The beech trees are wonderful this year and the bluebells are starting to come into their own Given another 4 days, the walk from Winsford to Exford will be fantastic as all the sides of the valley will be covered in a blue haze and the scent will be unbelievable.

Our bed and breakfast guests have been lovely and really made the most of their breaks. Visits to Porlock car museum, Porlock Weir, sitting in the sun on the moor and having a doze, Selworthy, Doone Valley, drives along the coast, walks over Dunkery Beacon, deer spotting and generally relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Exmoor. One of the couples, Sue and Elmer from Cornwall mentioned they liked antique shops so I sent them to Yew Tree Antiques in Wiviliscombe. They had a great time and as they were loading up the car with their purchases, another couple asked if they were in the trade!

As Exmoor is a perfect location for many events and there is always something going on. June is one of busiest months with lots of fetes, summer fairs and art, craft and hobby shows. Wootton Courtenay holds its own show on the 13th and the standard of work exhibited is very high. On the 19th there is a ‘Perambulation of the Royal Forest of Exmoor’. This is a 31 mile cross country walk accessing parts of the moor not normally open to the public. On the 20th The Exmoor Ironman event is held at Wimbleball. This triathlon is known as the hardest 70.3 in the world. We are fully booked that weekend with competitors and their supporters so unfortunately Derek and I won’t have time to compete – such a pity really!

Weddings and things

2010-05-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe it has been over a week since I last wrote – we have been so busy with accommodation guests plus family and friends. We had a lovely extended family staying last weekend – from grandparents to 3 year olds and another 2 on the way! They had a great time and made the most that Exmoor has to offer including a trip on the Steam Railway, a visit to Dunster Castle, walking and the beach.

Another couple of guests, who have become friends over the years, arrived on Sunday. Walter loves to ride and was out on the moors everyday by 10.00 while Rebecca waited patiently in the car. Afterwards they drove out over looking out for Exmoor ponies and their newly born foals. We saw one the other day on Dunkery. It could only have been a day old and it looked like a wobbly ball of fluff!

I had by first league tennis match in over 5 years last night – and boy didn’t I know it this morning. I was aching in places I had forgotten existed! But I have to say that tennis is a ridiculous game. On club nights I can go to Minehead and have a really good hit of the ball and play a reasonable game. Come the match and it all goes out the window. Dolly shots, hits in the net instead of over it, beautiful to watch but complete misses on a smash – its such a pity that the heart is so willing but the brain is totally malfunctioning!

Wedding of the year is happening the village tomorrow. Over 200 guests arriving (and at the moment with all the comings and goings it feels as if they are all staying here)! Marquee in the field, DJ flying in, suits and beautiful dresses and hats – and its forecast to be a beautiful day so fingers (and toes) crossed!

Beautiful Exmoor

2010-05-04T10:13:00.001-07:00

The colours over the moor are spectacular. The gorse is vibrant yellow, the May trees are starting to blossom and in the garden the wallflowers are still blooming. The fields are starting to green up and the first flush of grass is coming through. The lambs love this dry weather and in the evenings they go around the fields creating gangs – running, jumping and generally causing havoc!

Last evening we went to Dunkery Hill Gate with the dogs. As we came back over Dunkery, looking down over Porlock Bay and Cloutsham looked so beautiful in the evening sun. Just to complete the picture, a line of 8 hinds and a young stag walked slowly over the moor to our right only a stones throw away. Really quite perfect.

Last week our B&B guests made the most of the beautiful sunny weather. One went horse riding at 4 different stables situated over the moor. Another more mature couple walked up over Dunkery, down over to Horner and back home on the first day and then up to Selworthy Beacon (from here) and back on the second day.

I took the dogs on one of my favourite walks along the river from Winsford to Exford, back over Room Hill and then dropped down to the valley and back to the car (approx 10 miles). Abby the oldest spaniel, is 16 and has a pin in her leg but she didn’t stop the whole way. Soda was yawning by the time we got back to the car and then had a long sleep that evening – wise girl. Wagtail and Wistful were looking for another walk by the time we got home and I forgot my age and went on to play tennis - boy did I regret it the next day!

This weekend we were full with bed and breakfast guests plus we had Tim and Beccy to stay. They went camping on the Saturday with Alex and Helen at Woolacombe but unfortunately it rained. By 10.00 on Sunday all 4 came home to get dried out, warmed up and fed. We aged parents may not always be street savvy but we have our uses however Derek and I wouldn’t have it any other way (although replacing the petrol you used in my car would be good Tim) as they are such great company!

Exmoor at its best!

2010-04-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

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

Last day of the dark nights (we hope)!

2010-03-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

Derek took the photos of the first Exmoor foals of the year over at Ley Hill this week – they are so beautiful! The landscape photo is from Ley Hill looking right across to the Quantock hills

We have just got back from a stunning walk over by Hawkridge following the river down to where the Barle and Danesbrook meet. The dogs loved it as it was the first real walk of the year where they could enjoy river swimming – sunny and warm. On the way back we passed a young lad who had tripped and broken a bone in his leg. Luckily the Devon Air Ambulance was able to land in a field nearby and take him to hospital – we are very lucky to have such a wonderful service.

We had a great group of 10 cousins staying for bed and breakfast this week. They really enjoyed themselves and after dinner spent a happy couple of hours watching slides and catching up with one another’s news. Long walks up to Dunkery Beacon and visits to Dunster gave them plenty to do!

Other b&b guests have been staying to go house hunting, walking and generally enjoying the beauty of the area. We have our guests/friends Julie and Helen coming tomorrow for a few days. It will be great to catch up but I have no doubt that there will be great competition between Julie and Derek as to who can take the best photograph of wildlife. Helen and I will judge the winners and put them on the blog.

Spring sunshine

2010-03-20T02:20:00.001-07:00

We had lots of bed and breakfast guests staying with us last weekend and the weather was absolutely fantastic. Looking out from the sitting room window on Sunday
morning, the sun really picked out the 2 large herds of about 50 red deer grazing on the slopes of Robin How. We have a pair of binoculars for such sightings and breakfasts are often interrupted by our guests

I had a lovely surprise as 2 huge bouquets were delivered from Tim and Lucy for Mothers Day. The hall and sitting room are now full of the scent of roses and lilies and look wonderful.

This morning I was awake early and I couldn’t understand what was different (no Derek hadn’t stopped snoring)! I suddenly realised it was the dawn chorus. Winter has been so long that I had forgotten what a beautiful sound it is.

On Thursday I spent the morning scrubbing the paintwork down on the veranda. After a while, the view towards Dunkery Beacon and the warm sun were so inciting that I couldn’t resist taking the dogs on a long walk up over to Span Gate and then home via the fields. The first walk of 2010 without a coat, hat, scarf or gloves – it was beautiful.

Shire folk travel to the city smoke!

2010-03-10T06:55:00.001-08:00

It has been a roller coaster of a weekend. We went up to London to see Tim and Bex’s and to do lots of the tourist trips – Greenwich, St Pauls, Tower of London, boat trip etc, etc (good job we are used to walking as we must have covered about 20 miles on foot)! They gave us a wonderful time and the fantastic weather really made it. We went to Bough Market where Derek couldn’t resist the doughnuts!

We came back on the Saturday and on Sunday the car was loaded to the gunnels with all of Lucy’s gear (how many pairs of shoes can a girl have)? Lucy has just started a new job in Exeter as a Nursery Nurse and from her telephone calls she is very happy, enjoying life and doesn’t seem in the slightest bit homesick! The house does seem very empty without her and we feel a little lost now all our brood has flown the nest.

One of the great positives of this B&B business is meeting so many interesting and lovely people that soon become friends. Although it is still quite early in the year, we have had quite a few guests come to stay and to enjoy Exmoor already this year. The moor is beginning to shed its winter outer layer and the signs of Spring are becoming stronger.

It was a wonderful weather yesterday – dry and sunny with a ‘refreshing breeze’ so I took the dogs over to Nutscale for a walk. We were out most of the afternoon and we only met one other person but loads of deer. A herd of hinds ran in front of us and down an almost sheer drop – they are so agile for such large creatures. There was plenty of frogspawn in all the pools, primroses are starting to bud, crocuses are out and at the farm in our neighbouring village of Luccombe, lambing is in full swing. The best is yet to come!

A hetic weekend!

2010-03-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely weekend as four of our friends came to stay and watch the murder mystery being performed in the village hall. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. They are all great characters and we spent a long time catching up with all the news beautifully embellished by Peters unique story telling!

The play was a great success and everyone really enjoyed themselves (including the cast) and entered into the spirit of the evening. Most of the audience dressed up in 1940’s fashion, the hall was decorated with posters and blackout curtaining and the food was fantastic (no Spam in sight)! (I shall put some photos on the blog next week). The most surprising thing of all was that Derek remembered all of his lines (plus a little adlibbing)!

I had a close encounter with a deer this week. As I came around the bend on Cloutsham Ball, a large hind came hurtling towards me on the path. I don’t know who was more startled but luckily she veered off down across the hill. If she had run into me she could have done some serious damage!

Last week Ron was up and we walked over to Webbers Post. On the way we saw 4 huge stags appearing the mist and they were only 50 yards away from us. The following evening Derek went on the same track on Paddy with the camera and managed to get some great shots but not of the stags (they must of heard him coming)!

A very happy day!

2010-02-25T00:35:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful day on Saturday when we attended the wedding of Adam and Kate. Adam is the eldest son of our friends of nearly 40 years, Alyson and Martyn. Needless to say we were worried in the morning as we looked out onto a very snowy Exmoor but the sun came out and everything about the day was perfect.

Kate looked beautiful, Adam handsome and even Martyn scrubbed up well and looked the part in his morning suit (although this was swopped for a more comfortable outfit once the meal was over)! Alyson certainly didn’t look old enough to be mother of the bridegroom especially as she danced the night away – where does she get her energy from? She was invited to the hen weekend in Bournemouth where they all had a go at pole dancing. Apparently Alyson was so good at it that she ended up upside down on said pole - Bournemouth has yet to recover!

I had a very special dance (not to be forgotten in a hurry) with gorgeous Duncan (middle son) who whirled me around the dance floor and then was mortified when he was informed that I am in fact his Godmother! Barnaby (youngest son) was the ‘mister cool’ of the whole day - both witty and debonair (so like his dad)!

We drove home across the moor in the early hours. A beautiful moonlit and frost laden night and we had to stop on a couple of occasions to let deer cross the road safely in front of us. As we dropped down towards home, the lights along the Welsh coastline were so clear– a fitting end to a wonderful day.

Our bed and breakfast guests enjoyed the beautiful weekend weather and did some serious walking to Dunster, up over Dunkery Beacon, Selworthy and Hurlestone Point. As they walked through the lovely National Trust village of Luccombe, a couple of our guests heard music coming from the church and said it was ‘magical’. A perfect way to describe Exmoor!

Busy days!

2010-02-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

Although it’s supposed to be our quietest period, Derek and I seem to be continually busy with many different things. We have already had quite a few guests staying with us for bed and breakfast and we are getting bookings from guests who have stayed before, new enquiries and from recommendations. We also have some walking groups booked in. Our bed and breakfast accommodation has 8 bedrooms and is an ideal size for parties and being at the foot of Dunkery, we are in a perfect spot for walking and exploring Exmoor.

The weather has been great for this time of year and everyone has been able to enjoy beautiful walks. The Dunkery Beacon is such a lovely home to come back to after a day’s exploring and to relax in front of the log fire with a cup of tea. As a reminder of what we have to look forward to this summer, I have included a photo Derek took near Winsford - can't wait!

We are both in a murder mystery play in the village. It is quite complex and Derek was completely in the dark as to what was going on until we sat down and went through it and he learnt his lines – things then became rapidly clearer! Derek does like to do his own interpretation on things so I am a little concerned that come the night, the wrong character will be murdered!

Our daughter Lucy is starting a full time job in Exeter at the beginning of March and we have been down a few times for the interview and to sort out her accommodation. We are all very excited about it but I know we shall miss her (if not her washing)!

I have started doing some voluntary work with the West Somerset Advice Bureau in Minehead (same as CAB). It is very interesting and really makes me use the old brain box. We are also finishing off lots of jobs in and around the house and Derek has been very busy pruning in the garden. In amongst the work we have been walking the dogs, riding, playing tennis and attending Pilates classes (me, not Derek)!

Signs of Spring.

2010-02-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

After such a hard winter, I can start to believe that spring is just around the corner. We have lots of snowdrops out in the garden and we have even seen daffodils and primroses. In the morning the birds are starting to sing earlier and earlier and the nights are definitely drawing out a little more each day. The robins are starting their mating rituals and there are several male robins that look considerable worse for wear! There are a few newly born lambs in the fields and things definitely feel on the up.

After being closed in January for decorating, it’s good to be open again and welcoming our bed and breakfast guests. We are looking forward to our first weekend of the year and the telephone has been ringing with lots of enquiries.

On Saturday I was upstairs cleaning and I looked out and the view of the sun shining over Dunkery and Robin How was just too much – I had to get out and walk! Needless to say the dogs were up for up it so off we went following the footpath over the fields and up onto the moor. We went up to Span Gate and over towards Dunkery Hill Gate – it was so warm and it really felt like spring. I had planned to walk down through Snowdrop Valley but time was against us so we came home down through the fields and into Annacombe and then Ford and home for a very welcome cup of tea!

On Sunday, we went over to Hurlestone Point which is on the cliffs above Porlock. As you can see, the views looking down over the bay and across to Wales are quite stunning.

Warning! Red deer crossing road!

2010-01-31T09:59:00.000-08:00

Derek and I were up to neck yesterday and didn’t manage to get out with the dogs until late afternoon. We have had more snow and it was gorgeous up by Larkbarrow Corner – cold, sunny and beautiful clear skies. We were debating which way to go (too much choice) and I mentioned that it was getting late and would we have time to get back to the truck before dark. ‘Of course’ was the reply. Around 5.30 I noticed that our pace had increased (trot for me) and we were still about a mile away from where we were parked! We got back to the truck hot but invigorated. Travelling home across Exmoor we had to suddenly stop as a herd of red deer trotted over the road in front of us. Their heads were silhouetted against the full moon – it was a magical picture. Derek wasn't quick enough to capture this but took one of the moon over the Channel with the Welsh coastline lit up beneath it.

We have managed to take some time off and recently spent a lovely, relaxing weekend with our friends Mike and Jackie (photo) down at Shaldon in south Devon. They have a lovely self catering property overlooking the estuary and we spent a happy couple of days just walking around the area, soaking up the sun and eating!

We have been very busy this past month – spring cleaning, decorating and generally getting ready for our bed and breakfast guests of the new season. It’s lovely to have all the windows open and hear the bird song along with horses trotting along the lanes. The award from TripAdvisor has certainly sparked people’s interest with a lot of enquiries and booking coming in for accommodation. Back to decorating today but this afternoon I’m playing tennis and Derek is riding – lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

2010-01-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a bit of a surprising day. Tim our son phoned us first thing and said that we had been voted 9th in the top hotels in the country by TripAdvisor! You can read our reviews via the link on our website and below is the press release issued by TripAdvisor.

‘THE DUNKERY BEACON HONORED AS 9th BEST HOTEL IN THE
2010 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Exmoor Somerset 20.01.2010 - The Dunkery Beacon was chosen as a Best Hotel by TripAdvisor® in its 2010 Travelers’ Choice® awards. Now in its eighth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers.

Unlike any other hotel awards programs in the world, TripAdvisor® Travelers' Choice® winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com™ and content from across the web.

“Inspired by the millions of trusted traveler reviews and opinions on TripAdvisor.com, the Travelers’ Choice awards have once again highlighted the finest hotels in the world,” said Christine Petersen, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. “From remarkable bargains to the trendiest hotels, travelers worldwide are recognizing more than 700 hotels for their outstanding service, value and quality.’ Golly!

As magical as it is, I am pleased that most of the snow has gone from Exmoor although there are still a few places higher up that still have a good covering. Our photos show Derek and Lucy enjoying a stroll with the dogs over by the base of Dunkery Beacon. The green shoots of the snowdrops are starting to push through and by the end of January Snowdrop Valley will be carpeted in these beautiful little flowers. We usually have quite a few guests staying for bed and breakfast during Febuary so that they can enjoy the walking and the valley.

Let it snow!

2010-01-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

After a fairly frenetic Christmas and New Year with family, friends and bed and breakfast guests coming and going, we settled down to a blissful month – of decorating! We have divided our time between painting, walking the dogs(photos taken at Cloutsham Splash), impromptu lunch with friends and along with the rest of the nation, checking on weather forecasts.

I have to say that I am getting a little fed up with the snow now but the dogs LOVE it. They pull themselves along on their tummies, hurtle after snowballs, roll downhill, dive into drifts and generally behave like small children! Some friends of ours who farm up on the moor have been completely snowed in for a few days. Derek just caught them coming back from a combined shopping trip and walking the dogs!

We have seen very few red deer on the moor and only a few in the valleys so they are keeping themselves sheltered somewhere in the woods. There have been flocks of Fieldfares and Lapwings in the fields around us but unfortunately Derek hasn’t been quick enough to get any pictures. There are loads of Woodcock and Snipe about and the bird feeders in the garden have seen a considerable increase in use by Blue tits, Chaffinches, Robins and several other small birds.

Happy Christmas!

2009-12-23T01:38:00.001-08:00

Exmoor is being moody and magnificent. Wonderful skies that change from wide open blue to heavy mauve, dramatic landscapes full of colour and crisp snow. The dogs just love it – chasing one another, rolling and pulling themselves along on their tummies to get the full benefit of a quick wash! We went up to Aldermans Barrow and the Enclosure to take some photos of the deer but unfortunately they were always just a little bit too far in front of us to get any really good shots.

I think we are almost ready for Christmas. I tend to be one of these people who won’t really know until afterwards when I realise that all the presents were bought and all the trimmings for the turkey were remembered! We have my mum and my sister Julie and her family coming for Christmas Day and then seeing an assortment of friends and family (weather permitting) over the Christmas holiday.

So from a beautiful Exmoor, we hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful, happy and healthy 2010.
Best wishes
Beccy and Derek

Its getting colder!

2009-12-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

This morning it was lovely to look out over the gardens to the moors beyond when it first became light. It was a really hard frost followed by brilliant sunshine and I could pick out the shapes of deer grazing their way along the slopes of Robin Howe. Apart from the bird song and the clopping of horses’ hooves as it was being exercised, there wasn’t a sound to be heard – it was so still and quiet.

Later on we took the dogs up past Cloutsham to get some holly and they just love it being so cold and dry, running for miles. Derek did his ‘me Tarzan’ bit and climbed the tree while I did the pathetic Jane bit and got stuck! When some semblance of order was restored we walked on and there was a herd of about 30 deer on the opposite valley slopes all congregating around a wallow. We came across a small herd of Exmoor ponies whose coats are fantastically thick now – like big balls of fluff!

Now the weather has got colder we are so glad of all the wood collecting we did earlier in the year. When our B&B guests arrive we always invite them to have a cup of tea and some homemade cake in front of the woodburner. The sitting room is a lovely traditional room and has fantastic views looking right across to the moors. We can see our guests start to relax and be at home as soon as they smell the lovely wood smoke and feel cosy in front of the fire.

I am trying to get organised for Christmas but as this is the time of year when we catch up with many of our friends and family, it is proving a tad difficult. We went to Feniton on Sunday to see my dearest and oldest friend and her husband. I have known Aly for 38 years and although we don’t see as much of each other as we would like, we just carry on where we left off. My throat is just beginning to recover! They do so many different things – they have bought a wood and now a cottage in France that they are doing up – not your usual run of the mill hobbies and far more interesting than some.

Christmas shopping

2009-12-09T01:14:00.000-08:00

Last weekend up here on Exmoor we were full up with bed and breakfast guests, family and friends – hectic but good fun. Most guests stayed to enjoy Dunster by Candlelight and everyone had a lovely time – all the shops were beautifully decorated and full of novel ideas for Christmas presents.

Exmoor is an ideal place to do any form of gift shopping. There are no crowds, easy parking and most of the shops are privately owned and have a wide range of different goods to choose from at very reasonable prices. Each year, I buy all of our presents from shops in Porlock, Dunster, Minehead and Wiviliscombe.

Paul, our neighbour down the road sells Christmas trees and we are off to choose ours today. I am leaving Derek in charge to put them up and decorate them this year (not sure whether this is such a good idea as he hasn’t quite cottoned on to the idea of ‘less is more’)!

I’ve managed to get out and have a couple of really good walks lately with the dogs. We went up to Dunkery Hill Gate and walked down through the woods towards Snowdrop Valley. Walking along, I had distinct impression that I was being watched and looked up to see a lovely herd of 6 red deer hinds and a stag quietly looking down on me. Three woodcock flew up along with lots of pheasants and several rabbits ran out from the gorse bushes in front of us. Soda was going mad chasing sticks while the spaniels did their own thing involving a lot of water and mud! Down in the valley, the herd of single suckler cows carried on eating as we walked past, more intent on their silage than what we were up to. All in all it was a very peaceful but busy walk!

A very talented young man!!

2009-11-28T09:49:00.001-08:00

Wootton Courtenay has an exceptional number of interesting and versatile people within its community including a young and very talented musician called Alex. Last night Alex held a concert at St Swithins church where, accompanied by Marcus, he played a range of beautiful classical pieces on the flute and saxophone. Later, to showcase his wide range of musical prowess, Alex sang a well known ballad plus some Frank Sinatra. Not bad for a 20 year old!

The audience loved it and it was great to hear such a variety of musical scores in the church. After the encore, Alex invited the audience to sing along – (I have to say that the overall quality and standard of vocal harmony steadily declined as I opened my mouth and sang)!

Despite the wet weather, we have been taking the dogs out on some lovely walks. A waterproof jacket and leggings makes any walking weather possible to enjoy. Yesterday Derek and Lucy loaded the horses up and took them over to Webbers Post and the dogs and I hitched a lift with them. We walked home via the Horner Woods and the bottom carriage track to Wootton Courtenay. Along this route there are some grassy areas and a herd of Exmoor ponies were busy having a good old feed

Getting ready for Christmas

2009-11-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

I can’t believe how long it’s been since I last put finger to keyboard to write on the blog. We have been so busy catching up with lots of jobs, having a couple of days away on the Isle of Wight and although it’s November, we still have guests staying with us for bed and breakfast and to enjoy Exmoor. At the moment we have Jo and Jackie staying who have been for exhilarating walks along the coast at Porlock, horse riding with David at Hunstcott Stables plus seeing allsorts of wildlife on an Exmoor safari.

Even at this time of year Exmoor retains a special magic – the wonderful light, quietness and wildlife. Despite the blustery winds, lots of trees have retained their autumn colour and the woods at Horner and Webbers Post are beautiful. Even though most of berries have been devoured by the fieldfare and blackbirds, there are still some beautiful holly trees fully laden (fingers crossed they are still here at Christmas)!We took the dogs up to Dunkery Hill Gate in the late afternoon which is my favourite time of day. In the dusk, several deer ran across our path and onto the moor beyond. 4 woodcock flew up, several pheasants were on their way to roost and there were loads of rabbits darting in and out of the gorse. On the way home the road drops down towards Webbers Post and view towards Horner Wood and Porlock is spectacular. Below us Cloutsham Farm was the only light in the valley and the only sound to be heard was a fox barking.

The run up to Christmas is always busy on Exmoor. In Porlock next week there is a 2 day Christmas Fair with stalls and exhibitions. The first weekend in December is Dunster by Candlelight and people come from all over the country to enjoy the evening. Shops stay open until the late evening, there are street entertainers, people dress up in medieval costumes and the whole town is full of a festive atmosphere On the 13th it is Dulverton by Starlight and the 15th and 16th is Porlock late night shopping. All these events provide ideal opportunities to buy Christmas presents.

A very active week!

2009-11-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

The fantastic weather has prolonged the lovely autumn colours in our garden and across the moor.

We have just had a very busy week with bed and breakfast guests – half term combined with great weather and various activities on Exmoor. From ghost walks at Dunster Castle, master puppeteers at Tropicana and the famous Exmoor Beast cycle event across the moor.

Over 1700 people took part in the Exmoor Beast to cycle either 60 or 100 miles. The weather changed that night and we got up to gales and lashing rain. At 5.00 in the morning and peering out to such conditions would make most people go straight back to bed but not these hardened sportsmen! Not a lot of conversation was flowing (including from me) but 7 men, single focused (if a little doubtful), set off at 6.00 for the ride they wouldn’t forget. Ian's wife Heather, got up to take him to the start of the race (true dedication) but then very wisely returned home for a leisurely breakfast leaving Ian to it!

Making up our cycling guests were Tom and 2 friends from London, Al and his son from Dorset (never done an event like this - a baptism of fire methinks), Ian and Andy. Andy stayed with his family and he owns a cycling dynamics company which offers a specified range of bike fitting and analysis services plus a specified range of bikes to get maximum power, speed, efficiency and comfort – website is certainly worth a look We also had Phil staying who owns a photographic company specialising in bike, marathon and triathlon events and his photos of the riders in action are amazing. He was taking photos for a feature for Cycling Weekly and for his website.

Apparently it was one of the toughest rides ever with gusts of wind up to 70mph on Dunkery - Andy got blown off his bike twice! There were quite a few slips and collisions involving cattle grids, punctures 20 minutes into the race but it must have been a great sense of achievement for everyone who took part.

More and more activities are taking place on Exmoor and its great to see the area become such a focus for so many different events – cycling, Ironman, Wooden Spoon, running competitions, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales Trust and many more many of which raise a lot of money for charity.

Busy times!

2009-10-24T08:36:00.001-07:00

We have had a very busy couple of weeks at our B and B. Last weekend we had a party of 14 walkers staying for 3 nights for bed, breakfast and evening meal. The weather was lovely and they were able to walk about 14 miles a day and really enjoy the moor under the guidance of Richard who has spent many walking holidays on Exmoor and knows all the best places to go.

On Sunday afternoon I nipped down to Porlock and spent a very happy couple of hours being kitted out in 3 beautiful outfits but unfortunately they weren’t for me to keep (as I pointed out a beautiful red and black check tailored jacket, black skirt, tights and high heels aren’t really suitable for changing beds and walking the dogs – but I can dream)! Jane owns a superb ladies wear shop in Porlock and every 2 years puts on a fashion show to raise money and this year it was for Save the Children and Porlock Visitor Centre. So for a couple hours on Thursday and Friday I got to ‘strut my stuff’ along with 10 other ladies and we had a ball!

Running along the front of the house there is a lovely old veranda and everyone loves to sit there and enjoy the views with a cup of tea. The garden is starting to loose some of its colour although the fuchsias are still going strong and the lawn still needs mowing! Derek has started tidying the garden and planting some wallflowers in the beds.

We walked over to Anicombe the other afternoon and there were hundreds of Fieldfares all eating the holly berries. Earlier in the week we went over to Ley Hill above Porlock. There are some fantastic views across the valley to North Hill and Wales and over to Stoke Pero church and Dunkery Beacon in the other direction – a real panoramic view!

Lovely walks and rides

2009-10-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Julie and Helen came last week and despite the weather not being brilliant every day, they had a great time and took loads of photos (well I think Julie takes the photos and Helen carries the gear)! Julie is sending them down so I should have some great ones to put on the blog. David and Carol stayed for the week and found plenty of different things to see and do.

We have a new addition to the family. He is called Sailor, is 16.1hh and is a flea bitten grey. So far, he seems to be very well mannered and has settled in very well. Derek and Lucy rode Paddy and Sailor up onto Robin Howe yesterday evening and had a lovely couple of hours watching the deer and enjoying the wonderful views.

Ron came up for the weekend and we went on the West Somerset Steam Railway. We took Soda and after her first encounter with a steam engine she settled down and spent a happy hour either on my lap or just sitting on the seat staring out of the window. All was OK until she saw a couple of pheasants out the window and she started to howl! Ron pretended he wasn't with us, Derek was getting more cross and embarrassed and telling me to stop her - the whole carriage was in disarray by the time we got to Bishops Lydeard! The journey home was a little more refined and funnily enough we had the carriage to ourselves (the moral of this tail(!) is if you want to get a carriage to yourselves - get a Jack Russell)!

A perfect walk

2009-10-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day and the garden still looks lovely.

I went on what had to be the best walk of the year – the scenery, colours, sights and sounds seemed to be even more acute. The weather was unbelievable with hot sun tapered by a slight autumnal feel. Derek dropped the dogs and myself at the bottom of Aldermans Enclosure and we walked over Wilmersham Common to the foot of Dunkery and then along the path which hugs the side of the range of hills to Webbers Post and from there along the carriage path to Wootton Courtenay. Abby, Soda and I covered approximately 8 miles while the 2 young springers covered about 38 miles!

There were so many herds of stags and their harems of hinds that I almost became blasé about seeing them until looking over the valley, I saw and heard a stag roaring. With no other sound apart from the breeze in the bracken, it is the most evocative of sounds and sent a shiver down my back. The colours of the trees are staring to turn to a lovely yellow, golden and orange glow and the view from Webbers Post over Horner Woods is fantastic. Soda discovered her first adder sunbathing near the footpath and decided that this was worth investigating further. Not sure whether it was her mistress’s slightly panicking voice or the hissing that made her decide to come away!

Autumn is a busy time of the year for the farmers - fields being ploughed ready for planting, bracken being cut and baled for bedding and hedges being cut. Around our lanes, it looks as though a spirit level has been used to get the hedges so neat and square – it is really the work of a craftsman.

Walking at Hawkridge

2009-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

The dry, warm weather has been beautiful and our B & B guests have taken full advantage of the wonderful walking. A couple of weekends ago, our son Tim came down from the big smoke to see his aged parents. We had a lovely walk from Hawkridge down the Danesbrooke to Castle Bridge where its meets the Barle River below Tarr Steps.

The dogs loved it – in and out of the river the whole time and Soda was in her element. In this photo you can almost see her determination to find her stick!

On the way back we passed a rowan tree (mountain ash) growing out of an ash tree stump. Derek can remember when this was just a very small seedling (he really doesn’t get out a lot)! This walk takes approximately 2 hours and covers some of the most beautiful countryside – river, valley, moor and fields. Julie and Helen (2 of our bed and breakfast guests) are planning to do this one tomorrow and hopefully get some great photos (which we maybe able to use on the blog for a small fee)!

Walking on Exmoor

2009-10-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

At The Dunkery Beacon, we are ideally situated for walking and as a result we have quite a few walking parties come to stay for bed and breakfast. Last week we had Pauline and Mike and their friends come to stay for 4 nights. With wonderful weather and walking, they had great time exploring Exmoor and visiting many of the lovely towns and villages in the area.

I couldn’t resist the beautiful sunshine yesterday so with the dogs for company (Derek was visiting his mum) I went off to Cloutsham Ball.
The 2 photos below are taken from the Ball in the trees towards Stoke Pero and looking towards Porlock Bay.

It was so warm and the heather so inviting, that I had had 10 minutes dozing in the sun. My thoughts on the meaning of life and what I was to cook for tea that evening were rudely interrupted by Soda frantically digging right by my ear and covering me in soil. She clearly felt bored and it was time to move on! We meandered over the top and onto Stoke Pero farm and church and then followed the river down through Horner woods. The dogs divided their time running about the woods on different scents, getting too hot and then wallowing in the water. Soda spent her time chasing sticks – as you can see she really does love the water!

It was surprising how much water was in the river considering we haven’t had any rain for best part of a month. Then it was over the bridge and back up the valley to the truck. A lovely afternoon spent just enjoying the beautiful countryside.

Exmoor activities

2009-09-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

Our b and b guests come and stay with us at the Dunkery Beacon for a variety of reasons. Dawn bought her husband Mike a day flying birds of prey at Exmoor Falconry Centre as a surprise birthday present. As you can see from the photo, Mike really entered into the spirit of the occasion wearing all the right gear but I'm not sure who was the more wary of the other - Mike or the bird!

Other guests and friends like Julie and Helen come for the opportunities to take fabulous photos of the wildlife and scenery. Armed with an amazing array of lenses and other equipment, they are able to take lovely pictures of Exmoor at its best. However, there does seem to be a little bit of rival between Julie and Derek as to who can take the best shot and I suspect that this will heat up even more when Julie and Helen arrive on Monday - a case of tripods at dawn! Below is one that Julie took on a trip down to Exmoor earlier in the year.

Derek went for an early morning walk yesterday in Snowdrop Valley which is just up the road from us. Rounding the bend, there was a group of 6 hinds on the track and on seeing Derek they quickly disappeared into the trees lining the valley - it was still a lovely sight in the early morning sun. There is always so much to see up here and often when you least expect it!

Exmoor illustrated

2009-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Our niece Katie and her partner Aaron have designed and constructed our smashing new website from their company Slurpy Studios . It contains many new photos taken by Derek and also Andy from A@B Photography in Minehead so you may like to take a browse around. The one important thing for us is that we can now share even more what goes on up here on Exmoor through updated photos on the blog. From Soda and me on the epic crossing of the Exe at Larcombe Foot, to the beauty of a deer calve above Exford.

The signs of Autumn are getting stronger. The swallows are starting to gather in preparation for their long journey to Africa, corn fields are being ploughed ready for the next crop to be planted, the hazelnuts are starting to drop and the berries on many of the trees at Blackford are vivid. Yesterday we went up to Aldermans Barrow and watched a large herd of hinds with their stag. Down from the slopes, 3 other stags approached the herd and started to contest the right to be in charge! The rutting season has begun!

Our garden is still very colourful and the Indian summer is giving a boost to the roses and geraniums and even the sweet peas are still blooming. Derek is off to Paul’s at Hunstcott to get the wallflowers ready to plant in the borders for early spring colour. Our B&B guests are enjoying the weather and making the most of the beautiful walking. At the moment we have a party of friends in who are spending 4 days exploring and walking their way over Exmoor. Last week saw the Tour of Britain come through Winsford and Dulverton. A couple of our visitors went over and enjoyed watching the sight!

Autumn on Exmoor

2009-09-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

Autumn on Exmoor is a special time of year – the light on the moor is especially wonderful. The run of lovely weather we have this month has bought many visitors to our bed and breakfast home to enjoy the beauty of this area. Yesterday Derek and I took the dogs over to Cloutsham and saw a spectacular sight of a herd of about 70 hinds and calves lying in the evening sun on the slopes of Dunkery. It won’t be long before the stags start their autumn rut when they contest each other for the favours of the hinds. Behind us on Stoke Pero Common were a couple of herds of Exmoor ponies and their foals grazing, enjoying the last of the warmth of the day’s sun while the dogs pottered around sloshing about in the stream.

Today, I went over to Selworthy and walked towards Selworthy Beacon and Hurlestone Point. In just an hour, I walked through ancient woodlands, up onto open moorland on North Hill and looked over the coastline towards Wales and down over fields and the Vale of Porlock. There is always something different to see in such a short time – all of it beautiful and dramatic.

Most of the fields of corn have been harvested and some already ploughed and worked down for the next season’s crops. The tractor trimmers have been busy tidying up the hedges. I have been trying to beat them to pick the blackberries and get a few supplies in for the freezer! We popped down to Ashwick yesterday to get another load of wood for the wood burners. Its all lovely dry beech and ash – ideal for getting a good fire going. How my values have changed - I never thought I would be so contented to see 2 years seasoned wood ready and waiting (must be the squirreling instinct in me coming out)!!

Autumn is here

2009-09-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

The seasons are turning once again and autumn is coming. I was out walking the other evening with the dogs and by 8.00 it was coming in dark – I always forget how quickly everything changes. But autumn does bring its benefits especially in the way of nature’s larder. The hedgerows are full of blackberries and my sister is providing us with plenty of apples from her garden – blackberry and apple pie with clotted cream for pud tonight – Derek will be pleased!

The berries on the mountain ash are stunning – vivid red that really stand out especially against a blue sky and this year there is an abundance of berries. There are also loads of hazelnuts ready for the picking. The ones that have already fallen onto the lanes and crushed are quickly scooped up by the chaffinches, sparrows and other small birds.

Looking out across the lawn, Derek noticed a small pile of soft grey feathers that once belonged to a dove that nested in the trees at the bottom of the garden. The culprit was a very swift and beautiful sparrow hawk who seems to have taken a liking to our garden as its hunting ground. We won’t be feeding the birds until he has found another venue!

Derek has been out exercising the horses over towards Allerford and has come back with news about the pair of merlins which have been nesting in a stone barn down at Blackford. They now seem to have moved and seem to be spending a lot of time in a couple of oak trees by the racecourse. The house martins have finished raising their second brood in the eaves at the front of the house but no signs yet that they or the swallows are grouping to migrate – sign of an Indian summer maybe?

September Already!

2009-09-02T12:56:00.000-07:00

I can't believe its September already! Over the past few days we have been incredibly busy and have met a host of interesting and lovely people who have come and stayed with us for bed and breakfast. We ideally situated for walking or exploring this beautiful and undiscovered National Park being so near many interesting places. Feeling rested and relaxed, they come as guests and leave as friends and everyone (including us) had a great time.

There is always something going on in the area to suit all tastes. Selworthy village has just had its beautiful flower festival and this then coming weekend for the more active, the British Heart Foundation Bike Race is being held. There are 5 routes to choose from so for people just starting out there is the 12.5km route, followed by a 25, 50, 75 and a mega 100km for the really experienced rider all starting and finishing this year in the beautiful village of Porlock which is only 4 miles away from us.
Then on the 17th and 18th of September there are the 2 stages of the Tour of Britain. Last year 70,000 turned out on a gloriously sunny day to watch the 112 riders from around the world racing from sea level to cliff top in minutes, all chasing that coveted yellow jersey.

The two race routes will cover a total of 346kms and pass through a number of towns and villages in Somerset and Devon. 96 internationally elite cyclists, including a Great Britain team, will tackle six grueling climbs through the picturesque landscape of the two counties. Day 6 of this 8 day race starts in Frome passing Dulverton and Simonsbath on the way to Bideford with day 7 from Hatherleigh to Yeovil.
So from relaxing beauty to tough endurance, Exmoor has something to suite all tastes and all ages!