Tag Archives: devon

Bennett’s Cross

On Dartmoor there is a crooked stone cross beside the road between Moretonhampstead and Postbridge. Folklore has it that the cross was erected as a boundary marker by a tin miner named William Bennett in the 16th century. Looking out across … Continue reading

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Mini adventures

The car I drive for work is a Mini I inherited from my father-in-law. Whether I’m negotiating tight passing places in narrow country lanes or squeezing into impossible parking spots in town, it’s ideal. It has a small boot crammed … Continue reading

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Half term

The word ‘half term’ has lost a bit of its significance during lockdown. I mean, is it half term? Are we sure? Is it still May? And what day of the week is it anyway? But no, it’s definitely half … Continue reading

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In the midst…

I nearly stood on a peacock butterfly as I left a patient’s house this week. It was sunning itself on the front doorstep. The absence of car fumes and aeroplane pollution has made the night sky crystal clear, even in … Continue reading

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Duke of York

I have gone with Duke of York for my new potatoes again this year. Despite initial reservations they were delicious last year, and much better than the Charlottes I tried the year before, which are always so nice from the … Continue reading

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Ploughing

It is Ploughing Match season again down here in Devon. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky at the weekend as we followed the trail of little white signs down a myriad of narrow lanes to the allotted fields. The … Continue reading

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Scrapes

There was a time, with small children, where I felt as though I was in continual scrapes. Some of them were so ridiculous and laughable that I half expected a candid camera crew to jump out. I’ve written about a … Continue reading

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Blue tits

The most exciting thing has happened. There are blue tits nesting in the bird box we put up on our gable end! We have seen the parents flying in and out, and when our bedroom window is open there is a … Continue reading

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Franklin Nights

There is an old Westcountry name for the nights of the 19th, 20th and 21st of May. These are the Franklin Nights, feared for bringing late frosts to the orchards and causing a bad harvest. Down this way it is … Continue reading

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Home

This is a long one. You’d better grab a cuppa. Recently someone I know wrote an online article about home, and it got me thinking. The topic of ‘home’ is one I have gnawed and gnawed at over the years. … Continue reading

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