We’ve just had a brilliant weekend in London – an easy 2 hour trip on the train from Exeter to Paddington. We went to see Warhorse at the theatre – a treat to ourselves! Warhorse was exceptional – clever and moving. Since it was filmed here on Dartmoor, we’re looking forward to seeing the film too. It even snowed while we were in London which was magical!

What is in your stocking darling??

Whether there’s snow or the mildest weather we can remember, Christmas in Devon is a joy.

We spent it in Lympstone in our little holiday cottage while Orchard Barn was let for the week to a family from overseas. Back here for New Year – village life, a beer or two with friends and locals, drinks invites galore! Dartmoor was looking amazing; Exeter was charming with its lights and wonderful shops – Jail Ale hit the spot as it always does.

With bird feeders in the trees, we get a lot of birds visiting us – one of our favorites is a pair of woodpeckers who nest in the woods by the river and can often be heard making a racket knocking on the trees!

With dippers in the Teign Valley, king fishers, woodpeckers, lots of blue tits and nuthatchs, this is a lovely place to sit and admire these colourful active birds. You’d never believe that you are only 7 miles from Exeter….

Who's making all that noise!!

Anyone for hot tar?

On Nov 5th we all went to watch the incredible sight of boys and girls as young as 7 running through the streets with flaming barrels of tar on their backs!! Using gloves, they run in teams sharing the barrel until it falls apart…

It takes real guts to do this when the heat from the barrels was apparent to the crowd!!

The tar barrels attract big crowds – it starts at 4pm and goes on until midnight!! A fun fair, huge bonfire complete with Guy Fawkes and lots of good value food on offer including a new fishmonger selling dressed crab in little pots – not all burgers, then!!

View towards Dartmoor from our garden

It’s not much like Tobago but it’s still really beautiful! After a fabulous 2 week holiday loafing in the sunshine (our only responsibility being the supplies of gin, limes and tonic….)  we have returned to find Autumn has arrived!! Devon is cloaked in gold, red and yellow…. simply beautiful.

The famous stepping stones over the River Teign!

If you’re brave, it’s a hop and a skip into National Trust woodlands and up onto Dartmoor for a bracing walk onto Heltor Tor with amazing views across Dartmoor and towards the coast.

It's Renee in the Teign Valley

Watch out, bootnecks dressed as Renee in the Devon countryside – it’s extraordinary what you can find in Devon!!