A while ago, my husband, Bryan, and I took a holiday in Italy, and I thought I'd share some of the highlights with you. We flew to Naples, an extremely busy city, and then stayed in Sorrento, a pleasant town reached by only one road which meanders through several long...
I always enjoy a visit to the ancient town of Tavistock, which is situated on the River Tavy in West Devon. It can trace its history back to at least 961 when Tavistock Abbey was founded, and whose ruins can still be seen in the centre of the town. Tavistock lies...
As a child, I remember my mother using the phrase only for high days and holidays, and I understood the meaning but never stopped to think about where the saying came from. For example, as a farmer’s daughter, we lived mostly in the living room and kitchen, and the...
The Jurassic Coast stretches for some 95 miles from Studland Bay in Dorset to Exmouth in East Devon and is said to reveal 185 million years of the Earth’s history. It was awarded UNESCO status in 2001 and is well known as a site rich in prehistoric remains. Many...
I recently paid a visit to Great Torrington, a small market town in the north of Devon. The town is sited on an ancient settlement on high ground with a steep drop to the River Torridge below. The Castle remains are surrounded by spectacular views of unspoilt green...
Found on the northern edge of Exmoor, two of my favourite places to visit locally are the picturesque twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth. As the name suggests, Lynmouth lies at sea level at the confluence of the West Lyn and East Lyn rivers, in a gorge some 700 feet...
I met a friend for a coffee recently and we were talking about how our lives have changed over the last couple of years. Looking back, I don’t think there can be anyone that the pandemic has not affected in some way or another. It has been a time of great sadness for...
In the absence of a holiday abroad this year we spent a weekend in Marlborough, a pleasant little town situated in the picturesque rural northeast of Wiltshire. It has a wide High Street, lined on both sides with characterful old buildings, a good variety of shops,...
During the summer, I enjoyed a trip on a 75-seater, horse-drawn barge on the Tiverton Canal, and it was such a lovely experience I thought it was worth sharing in a blog. We booked in advance to avoid disappointment but did not need to pay until we arrived to collect...
This is a relatively short walk of around two miles, but it includes some spectacular scenery. Hollerday Hill in Lynton is 750 feet in height, and its proximity to the coast provides views of the island of Lundy. On clear days the coastline of Wales is also visible...
This lovely walk has magnificent coastal views and country scenery and is around five miles long. The circular walk starts at Hele Bay on the road from Ilfracombe to Combe Martin and the route is via Watermouth Cove and Berrynarbor. There are two options for parking,...
I recently visited Tewkesbury with my husband, Bryan, to celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary. Apart from visiting family, it was our first trip away from home for well over a year, owing to the Covid pandemic. We were lucky in that the weather was fine and sunny...