We have had a couple of really wet days recently. Although most of our hardy guests walk in any weather conditions it is not much fun when it rains constantly all day! Two groups of our guests visited the Quince Honey Farm in South Molton, which is the largest honey farm in the country, where you can see honey production and view colonies of bees (safely!), and of course, buy some honey to take home. Other guests visited the National Trust properties at Dunster Castle and Arlington Court, both of which have enough indoor activities to make them worth a visit in bad weather. Some others fancied shopping in Barnstaple, which is only 35 minutes away and has all the major high street names you would expect to see, plus the historic panier market which is slightly different every day, including antiques, collectables and books on Wednesdays and local crafts on Mondays.
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Our guests often ask how the cats are getting on, and as we've taken a couple of pictures of them recently, here's an update: They are both seventeen now, so it's no surprise they have a few problems. Mitch, despite having a 'nasty turn' nearly a year ago, seems to be as well as ever. The vets think he had a mini stroke or a heart 'event', but he got better in a day or two, and has been fine ever since. The picture captures him well, because he does spend a lot of time sleeping! Elwood has not been very well at all. Despite several blood tests, the vets are not really sure what is exactly wrong with him, and he is too old to operate on to find out. However, he is responding really well to antibiotics, and at the moment he seems to be ok.
Yesterday we had our visit from the enjoyEngland Inspector. All hotels, guesthouses and b&bs who are part of the scheme (ie graded with stars) get inspected every year. Sometimes they just pop in for a quick visit and sometimes they stay overnight. This year we had an overnight stay. The grading system is important, so these inspections are necessary, but there is an element of 'Fawlty Towers' about the 'mystery' guest! Apart from making sure standards are maintained (and hopefully improved), it is a good chance to catch up on any legal requirements etc. that may have changed . . . so look forward to an 'Access Statement' on the website soon!
Yesterday Daniela (one of our guests from Switzerland) made the trip to Lundy from Ilfracombe on MS Oldenburg. This is something we intend to do ourselves, but have not manged yet. People visit Lundy for the spectacular landscape, and also the wildlife. Lundy actually means 'Puffin Island' in Norse, and it is the only place in North Devon where Puffins breed. May and June are the best months to see them.
Daniela enjoyed the trip (although the crossing was quite choppy) and she kindly gave us some pictures, which we will put into the picture gallery as soon as possible. It looks wonderful and we must go ourselves soon!
This weekend was the Spring Gala Weekend at Woody Bay Station. The 'Bronllwyd' and the guest locomotive from Lancashire 'Stanhope' ran trips to Killington Lane regularly. The weather could have been kinder, but there seemed to be plenty of visitors. There was a tea garden with entertainment, and park and ride was provided from Killington Lane on a vintage bus. The rebuilding of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway is an ongoing project, and events like this weekend help to boost funds. Woody Bay station is only a five-minute drive from here, and the L&B Railway website has details of the project, including when train rides are available:
Yesterday we tried a short walk from Kilve in Somerset. It is worth exploring the coast towards Taunton. The walk was only three miles, circular, and quite gentle. The views back from Quantocks' Head were stunning. After the coastal path, the walk heads inland to East Quantoxhead (pictured), which is idyllic, and then back to Kilve. We have put a picture on the Picture Gallery of the views back from Quantock's Head.
We also managed to get a picture of a Stonechat on the walk. Stonechats are common in the Valley of Rocks, but they don't usually stay still long enough to get a decent picture!
