We did the Hunters Inn to Heddon's Mouth walk the other day. The river was quite high (not surprising really) and the waves dramatic. But what really caught my eye was the gorse, which in a couple of weeks has really come on. I always think that gorse flowers look as if they have some sunshine caught in them.
Gorse is used as one of the Bach Flower Remedies (you might know that I'm a Bach practitioner) - it's to help relieve states of despair, gloom and pessimism. Just looking at the flowers, and inhaling that heady coconut-type scent, always makes me smile.
You can see one of the photos I took when we were walking on the 'Pic of the Week' page of our website.
It looks set fair for a great weekend here on Exmoor. We've still rooms left, so why not pay us a visit?
Friday, 9 April 2010
Friday, 2 April 2010
More signs of Spring...
Just a couple of weeks ago when we were out walking, the grass on Exmoor was the same colour as it gets in Africa (good camouflage for the Exmoor Beast, perhaps). But now everything's a lot greener, the promroses and daffodils are well on their way and the snowdrops are finally finished (they lasted incredibly well this year). Lots more Spring lambs too, and the birds are still nesting like mad.
We have had some snow over the last couple of days, along with some amazing cloudscapes. The snow didn't last too long, but while it did, Dunkery Hill looked like a proper mountain. Funny how the snow makes it look much higher, and much further away. From our dining room window, I can see a tiny bit of snow still lingering in some of the more sheltered combes and dips.
Easter seems to have fallen at a strange time this year - it feels as if it's way too early. Maybe because it's been such a long, cold winter. Bring on the sunshine!
We have had some snow over the last couple of days, along with some amazing cloudscapes. The snow didn't last too long, but while it did, Dunkery Hill looked like a proper mountain. Funny how the snow makes it look much higher, and much further away. From our dining room window, I can see a tiny bit of snow still lingering in some of the more sheltered combes and dips.
Easter seems to have fallen at a strange time this year - it feels as if it's way too early. Maybe because it's been such a long, cold winter. Bring on the sunshine!
Friday, 19 March 2010
Walking on Exmoor - some walks we've done recently
Frank and I found ourselves with a bit of free time over the last week or so, and we've discovered some walks we hadn't done before....
...From Exford, along the river Exe towards Nethercote, then climbing up to Room Hill and Road Hill and back to Exford via Court Farm (this was on a perfect frosty morning - lovely)
...Up over Dunkery Hill via the Rowbarrows, along the lane then across Bagley Combe and back over Dunkery again (the scenery is very different on the two sides of Dunkery Hill you see on this walk - an amazing contrast)
We revisited some old favourites too: including Snowdrop Valley (of course!). Some of our guests were down there yesterday and report that the snowdrops are still looking great. The primroses are out too and the daffodils are on the way.
And we did the walk down Putham Lane and over to Hart Cleeve, up to Lype Hill and then following the Coleridge Way back to Wheddon Cross. Quite a brisk wind on the hills - very refreshing!
The moor still looks quite wintery, but the signs of spring are here: apart from the flowers mentioned above, we spotted the first few gorse flowers and some catkins, and the beeches are in bud. The new lambs are arriving now, of course, too.
...From Exford, along the river Exe towards Nethercote, then climbing up to Room Hill and Road Hill and back to Exford via Court Farm (this was on a perfect frosty morning - lovely)
...Up over Dunkery Hill via the Rowbarrows, along the lane then across Bagley Combe and back over Dunkery again (the scenery is very different on the two sides of Dunkery Hill you see on this walk - an amazing contrast)
We revisited some old favourites too: including Snowdrop Valley (of course!). Some of our guests were down there yesterday and report that the snowdrops are still looking great. The primroses are out too and the daffodils are on the way.
And we did the walk down Putham Lane and over to Hart Cleeve, up to Lype Hill and then following the Coleridge Way back to Wheddon Cross. Quite a brisk wind on the hills - very refreshing!
The moor still looks quite wintery, but the signs of spring are here: apart from the flowers mentioned above, we spotted the first few gorse flowers and some catkins, and the beeches are in bud. The new lambs are arriving now, of course, too.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Events coming up on Exmoor
Here is a preview of just some things happening soon on Exmoor. Being more or less in the middle of the National Park, Exmoor House is very well situated, so is a perfect place to stay if you're visiting Exmoor for any of these events.
The Exmoor 4x4 Jaunt and Challenge, a charity fundraising event which starts from Wheddon Cross, is on March 19th, 20th & 21st.
West Somerset Steam Railway's Spring Steam Gala takes place on 20th-21st and 25th-29th March, with visiting locomotives and lots going on.
The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival takes place from 29th April to 7th May. There'll be a range of fabulous (and varied) guided walks.
This year's Golden Horseshoe endurance ride, which starts a few miles down the road at Exford, is from 16th-18th May.
The half Ironman triathlon is on 20th May at Wimbleball Lake (just over 8 miles from Exmoor House). We don't have any rooms left for Ironman weekend itself, but for participants who are planning to do a recce before the race, Exmoor House is a great place to stay! We'll also be doing a high-carbohydrate dinner for Ironman participants - featuring our home-made pasta - on the evening before the event. People who aren't staying here are also welcome to join us for dinner (advance booking is essential).
Looking way ahead, December sees the very popular Dunster by Candlelight, on 3rd and 4th December. Very atmospheric, with street entertainment and Christmas shopping. The town will be closed to traffic but special buses will be running.
The Exmoor 4x4 Jaunt and Challenge, a charity fundraising event which starts from Wheddon Cross, is on March 19th, 20th & 21st.
West Somerset Steam Railway's Spring Steam Gala takes place on 20th-21st and 25th-29th March, with visiting locomotives and lots going on.
The North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival takes place from 29th April to 7th May. There'll be a range of fabulous (and varied) guided walks.
This year's Golden Horseshoe endurance ride, which starts a few miles down the road at Exford, is from 16th-18th May.
The half Ironman triathlon is on 20th May at Wimbleball Lake (just over 8 miles from Exmoor House). We don't have any rooms left for Ironman weekend itself, but for participants who are planning to do a recce before the race, Exmoor House is a great place to stay! We'll also be doing a high-carbohydrate dinner for Ironman participants - featuring our home-made pasta - on the evening before the event. People who aren't staying here are also welcome to join us for dinner (advance booking is essential).
Looking way ahead, December sees the very popular Dunster by Candlelight, on 3rd and 4th December. Very atmospheric, with street entertainment and Christmas shopping. The town will be closed to traffic but special buses will be running.
Friday, 5 March 2010
Is spring here at last?
Wow - it's been absolutely gorgeous here these past few days, with those fabulous clear skies that Exmoor does so well. We finally made it down to Snowdrop Valley, which is looking spectacular. Even better than last year! I think the snowdrops should still be good for the next week or so. If you're walking down there, I'd recommend avoiding the last bit of path and going on the road instead (watch out for tractors etc) as it's very slippery.
Yesterday we went to Lynton & Lynmouth - we drove there the Simonsbath way, then back via the coast road. There was an icy wind - very refreshing, not to mention bracing - and the views from the top of the cliff railway were as good as we've ever seen (often, Wales gets lost in the haze but it didn't yesterday).
Here's to a lovely weekend...
Yesterday we went to Lynton & Lynmouth - we drove there the Simonsbath way, then back via the coast road. There was an icy wind - very refreshing, not to mention bracing - and the views from the top of the cliff railway were as good as we've ever seen (often, Wales gets lost in the haze but it didn't yesterday).
Here's to a lovely weekend...
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Snowdrops in the snow
What an interesting few days, weather-wise! It's been snowing... and thawing... and snowing... and thawing... you get the picture. We seem to have had today's snowfall now, and the thaw is happening. There was glorious sunshine over the weekend and lots of people visited Snowdrop Valley (and our tearoom). Frank's scones - we have a secret recipe - are getting rave reviews.
The Park & Ride has finished now for this year, but of course the path down to the valley is open and the signs will be in place for the rest of this week at least (note that you can't drive down to the valley at the moment - the road remains closed till the end of the month).
Paths are very muddy, so do bring appropriate clothing and wellies or walking boots.
The Exmoor House tearoom will be open until Sunday, so do call in if you're in the neighbourhood. We've accommodation available for all nights this week too.
The Park & Ride has finished now for this year, but of course the path down to the valley is open and the signs will be in place for the rest of this week at least (note that you can't drive down to the valley at the moment - the road remains closed till the end of the month).
Paths are very muddy, so do bring appropriate clothing and wellies or walking boots.
The Exmoor House tearoom will be open until Sunday, so do call in if you're in the neighbourhood. We've accommodation available for all nights this week too.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Update on Snowdrop Valley
The snowdrops are looking better every day just now! The Park & Ride from Wheddon Cross ends in a week's time but the road closure stays in place until the end of February and the information point in the village car park will still be open too.
It's a lovely walk down to the valley (and back up again!) but it can be quite muddy - so good, strong, non-slip footwear is essential.
Our tearoom at Exmoor House will be open most days, so do come in and try some of our lovely scones, teacakes, ploughman's lunches, soup, rolls - everything home-made.
It's a lovely walk down to the valley (and back up again!) but it can be quite muddy - so good, strong, non-slip footwear is essential.
Our tearoom at Exmoor House will be open most days, so do come in and try some of our lovely scones, teacakes, ploughman's lunches, soup, rolls - everything home-made.
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