In our childhood, we all enjoyed hearing ancient nursery rhymes recited to us, and those of you of a similar age to me have probably continued the tradition and sung them to your children and grandchildren, but have you ever wondered how they originated? I thought I...
Lundy Island is an isolated granite outcrop of rock that lies some twelve miles or so off the North Devon coast, with nothing between it and America. The island is three miles long and just over half a mile wide, and it welcomes over 20,000 tourists each year who sail...
We didn’t have many trips out when I was a child, as my dad was a farmer, and he had little time off. However, I particularly remember him taking me and my mum to Clovelly on my thirteenth birthday, and I immediately fell in love with this picturesque little village,...
In 2023, I was lucky enough to go on a trip to New York to celebrate a significant birthday. I was accompanied by my husband, Bryan, my eldest son, Stuart, and his wife, Laura, and my youngest son, David, and his wife, Jenny. We went for six days, and quite apart from...
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...
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...