Photo by Meryl Landes
Cool Colours
Photo by Meryl Landes
Winter scrub bash project comences
Winter Wandering on Exmoor
A chance meeting, some like-minded friends and living in one of the most awesome places on planet earth conspired to a fabulous day out exploring Exmoor today. Thanks to the knowledge and skill of Neil Osmond, we travelled to places on ‘the moor’ that I have never seen in 35 years of living in this area. It’s always a bit of hit and miss in January but not unusual to encounter all four seasons in one day; and from the freezing cold cliffs of Countisbury to the secluded sun-caught valleys around Simonsbath, we really got to experience Exmoor (see what I did there Neil). Here’s some pix of the day, if you click on them, they get bigger, it’s amazing isn’t it.
Thank you Bella Given from LonglandsDevon (.co.uk) & Neil Osmond from ExperienceExmoor (.co.uk) for a fab day x
Canon 5D mk3 plus all the usual suspects inc 24-70mm…
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Rugged Coast
North Devon coast. Photo by Dave Rowlatt.
http://www.davidjrowlattphotography.com
Above the Clouds
Photo by Clayton Jane
http://www.claytonjane.co.uk
You can follow Clayton Jane’s photo adventures here on WordPress.
Exmoor Memories: Summer on the Exmoor Coast
A.G. Bradley, “Exmoor Memories”
(first published in 1926)
But Lynton, whether at the first boyish encounter, with its high, uplifting scenery, or at eighteen, when I had come to feel its attractions more deeply, was always my favourite place for these exhilarating trips. (…) Sometimes we took the rough moorland road, as it then was, turning off left-handed on the way to Simonsbath and heading across the open moor for Oare and Brendon, by Brendon Two-Gates, nowadays so familiar to tourists, and so down the glorious valley of the East Lynn. At other times we would take the Combe Martin road, and turning right-handed at Blackmore gate, in those days what its name portended, a turnpike, follow the coach road through Paracombe and on down the valley of the West Lynn. This was the route from Barnstaple for the comparatively small number of visitors that then found their way to Lynton. A long and hilly road of nearly twenty miles, over which agonised honeymooners from flat counties clung together on the coach roof as, with groaning brakes, it rocked down the steep hills, over loose stones and a stream-riven surface. Even Ilfracombe had only as yet talked of a railroad. Lynton had not even dreamed of such a thing. It would have seemed to us nothing short of sacrilege. (…)
What can one say of Lynton, or Lynmouth, that has not been told by pens innumerable since those old days of the ‘sixties? It is not so much the bold coast scenery, because that extends with equal, if intermittent grandeur all the way past Ilfracombe to Barnstaple Bay, and eastwards into Somerset, but rather those two lovely winding valleys, wrapped to their summits with foliage, and cloven by white streams foaming to the sea, which make it unique among English coast resorts.
Arthur Granville BRADLEY 1850-1943
Tarr Steps
Landacre Bridge in the Rain
Photo by Mike Watson
Letter from Exmoor: Snowdrop Valley – Tearoom, lunches and dinner at Exmoor House
Exmoor House at Wheddon Cross is for locals as well as visitors to the area! Once again we’re opening the Exmoor House dining room as a daytime tearoom for Snowdrop Valley (our 2014 dates: 1st February to 2nd March inclusive). Come and enjoy our fabulous mega ploughman’s lunches or some delicious soup. Popular sandwich fillings include home-smoked breast of chicken and real corned beef (not like the stuff that comes in a tin). There are home-made cakes and teacakes, and of course our sweet and savoury cream teas. ‘The best scones I’ve ever tasted’, says Julie atThe Wedding Genie. Find her review of Exmoor House here.If you are taking part in an excursion, for example the West Somerset Railway’s Snowdrops and Steam days you might like to combine it with lunch at our place. Booking is advisable.Remember that you can enjoy our great food in the evenings too: we’re open for dinner most days during the year. Frank the chef combines lovely local ingredients with expert cooking and everything is home made, including bread, ice creams, and our famous proper pies (‘exceptional evening meals’ – Hilary Bradt, Slow Devon & Exmoor). Advance booking is essential as we plan each day’s menu around our dinner guests’ dietary requirements and preferences, to make sure everybody has a good choice. To go with your meal, we’ve a nice selection of wines (including some from Exmoor), local beers, Somerset ciders…Planning a celebration? You can reserve sole use of our lovely dining room for private lunches at any time of year, subject to availability of course. The minimum number is 4 people; maximum about 12. We’ll devise a menu to suit your group. Call Rosi and Frank on 01643 841432, we’re happy to help.Try Exmoor House and find out why our food and hospitality get rave reviews.Never been to Snowdrop Valley? Here’s why you should go there.
Across the Moor
Photo by Helen Ash. http://www.twitchen.co.uk
Exmoor 4 all 