7th October 2012

7th October 2012.




Dear All,



Devon, Hunstanton and Hutton this week.
I was doing some more work for Riverford and South Devon Growers this week so Kate came with me and we stayed an extra day. We travelled down Monday and stopped at Tewkesbury for lunch and to explore the town. We stayed at Buckfastleigh that night and I had meetings and farm walks on Tuesday while Kate visited Buckfast Abbey, walked nearby and took in Totnes. The morning was OK but I managed to get soaked in the fields in the afternoon. Nearly all their crops are late and rather poor due to being deluged throughout the summer. Ironically the best crops are on the steepest slopes as they shed the excess water better.

Seale Hayne cabbage

 Late January King

We drove across Dartmoor that night in dark and gloomy conditions expecting to see the “Hound of the Baskervilles” at any moment! Kate had found a place to stay at Ottery near Tavistock. Thank heavens for Sat Nav, without it I think we would still have been looking.

On Wednesday we did a walk on Dartmoor starting at Merryvale near Princetown. The weather was reasonable and the walk took in three tors. Highlight was watching ponies being rounded up for their annual branding and cull. There were several hundred being driven by the largest collection of ATVs I have ever seen.

Vixen Tor

Pew Tor

Pony Roundup

Ancient Local

We explored Tavistock in the afternoon and drove back on Thursday.

Tavistock Town Hall

Tavistock Viaduct

Friday was Sam Foster’s wedding at Hunstanton. We just attended the evening function – quite a long way to go for a pork roll and disco!

Yesterday we all gathered in Hutton for Esther’s birthday meal. Mary-Ann, Andy and Amélie were already there when we arrived together with a pair of 6 year old twins that Esther was minding for a work colleague. Ben arrived later on his bike of course. He has recovered pretty well but can still feel an odd ache. The twins were rather lively and very talkative so Esther will know she has had them! We had an Italian meal at Café Uno.

Birthday Girl

Mary-Ann, Amelie & Uncle Ben



This morning we had a service to mark 275 years of the chapel in Over.



Love



Mike & Kate