23rd August 2019
Leo is busy in Berlin, so I am back with news from the farm. I’ve been enjoying friends staying and as always we do get out and about to walk the moor or discover some paths that are new to me. The most amazing find for me was the 5 Mile walk around Clatworthy Reservoir (about 1.2 hr /10 miles from here near Wimbleball Reservoir). Unlike the latter it is less busy and no dogs are allowed (so no Ebony – sorry!), but the scenery is fabulous and if you like fishing, you might get very excited about this place – see the pictures.
As August can be a bit of a challenge if the weather is not as you’d wish, I’d like to tell you what our recent guests wrote in their review (You can check it on HomeAway.com, where we have a listing). They really made most of the area, with visiting quite a few of the local attractions, and still found time to relax and enjoy our big cottage.
Tschuess, Doris
*****5/5 Very relaxing stay in a country cottage
Having had our original holiday in Devon cancelled at the last minute (by a different company to Home and Away), I was desperate to find a replacement. As we only had 24 hours notice I didn’t hold much hope. Thankfully Doris the property manager couldn’t have been more helpful and the booking went very smoothly. On arrival, we were greeted with freshly cut flowers and an afternoon tea with scones jam and cream. The property itself is an excellent size and accommodated the four of us very easily. The garden and surrounding fields were perfect for our Dog who probably enjoyed the holiday the most, especially having the owners Dog (Ebony) living next door and always ready to play. The cottage was wonderful and provided everything we could wish for. As we stayed during a very wet August week the log burner in the front room was very welcome and I would imagine this property would be comfortable to stay in any time of year, rain or shine. It is well located for most things in North Devon. Saying that, be prepared to drive or cycle everywhere as this property is in the middle of the countryside and there are only small country roads to travel on. If you’re not confident driving down (or up very steep) narrow country roads perhaps this property isn’t for you but if that’s not a problem (which it wasn’t for us) its almost perfect in every way. 08/19/2019
22nd July 2019
Mum has been incredibly busy the last few weeks with friends visiting from Germany and multiple changeovers. On top of that she’s got two boys eating her out of house and home and a dog that has more energy than a Duracell Bunny! It’s fair to say that her time and cupboards are vastly depleted… Fear not, however, for I, Leo, have taken it upon myself to execute blog duties.
A lot has happened over the last month and I have returned home to a farm in full bloom! The sheer variety of colours and patterns is wonderful, Mum should be proud. The grass in the fields has been grown so that it can be cut for hay. This has made walks with Ebony extra fun as she has to stretch her neck to try and see where she is going. It has also resulted in an abundance of beautiful butterflies, specifically white ones, which look very delicate and summery.
The local area was treated to a lovely evening of Shakespeare as a small theatre company from near Exeter performed an adaptation of ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’. This took place at the amazing Knackershole Amphitheatre, not more than a stone’s throw away! The atmosphere was amazing with the sun setting behind the trees, providing the perfect backdrop. We are very lucky to have the chance to enjoy theatre in our local community, despite being in quite a remote area. For this, we have to thank our friends Pam and Steve who made it all possible.
The weather has been mostly hot and dry although we have had a few rainy spells. Max ran the Beacon to Beach run with lovely views over the coast from Selworthy Beacon and down into Minehead. As I write this I am reminded of the calm here. I can hear the various different calls and songs of birds and insects, the occasional rustle of wind in the leaves and the agonising creak of my chair as I shuffle in my seat, eager to finish this blog post so that I can head outside!
Au revoir!
Leo
8th June 2019
Well, this really is not good enough (again)!! But watch this space – new posts will emerge in the near future as now I have strong help on the social media front (check Instagram and Facebook) because my sons Max and Leo are taking a greater interest in the business. So I am being bullied into posting at least once a month, but don’t worry as I have plenty to report – not least to moan about the interference.
So to start, a quick recap: In 2018 we had a really lovely summer and the autumn was not bad either. In expectation of another cold winter, I had purchased electric blankets for all main beds (not the futons). And although we did not have the ‘Beast from the East’ return, the extra warmth was appreciated.
So far this year we have been very lucky with the weather which, considering we had the Thatch re-done, has been a big help! It’s a wonderful sight, seeing the new roof complete with the straw pheasant on top. Looking at the blossom all around and ‘Oak before ash…just a splash’ … this seems to be another promising year!
Ebony is scratching on the door – got to go walking! By the way, doesn’t it look like we have got a new dog?
