Sunday 17 August 2008

Devon dash...

Last week.. beloved and I put down our paintbrushes and took some time out to head to our favourite escape.. Dartmoor... North East Dartmoor to be precise!
We had booked our escape back in April when we first stayed at the
super comfy and friendly B + B at The Old Inn ~ Drewsteignton.
It was just what we both needed to try and restore some equilibrium to our summer hols as the last three weeks have been a bit of a marathon to complete home improvements and generally to get a grip on the ever encroaching clutter in our lives...
Boy.. it was good to arrive at our favourite bolt hole and to slip into a semi-comatose state for a couple of days..
Thank the heavens that it didn't rain for the first few hours of our arrival so we donned our walking boots and headed for Fingle Bridge.. Possibly my favourite place on earth, to step out and walk along the River Teign..
..the most beautiful stretch of river that lies at the foot of a natural wooded gorge..It felt so good to be under the canopy of trees and playing Pooh Sticks.. you're never too old for this game.....
On arriving back at the car and while standing on one leg trying to change my walking boots whilst entertaining the entire car park with my impression of a stork... beloved let out a cry.. and lo.. a few yards away were some familiar faces.. friends of ours from Bath... You can run but you can't hide! We couldn't believe that we had both chosen this spot to have an afternoon peramble and had a good laugh and natter at the happy coincidence!
The following day we had planned to drive to Totnes.. land of vintage goodies and quirky shops.. but the rain put paid to that plan...It was a pretty hairy drive across the moor in torrential rain so we headed for Ashburton instead.. another mecca of vintage goodies and fine emporiums! Sadly the two shops that I was planning on visiting with a clutch of hot sweaty coins.. were both closed on Wednesdays... Oh hum... at least I saved some pennies and contented myself by licking windows!
These lovely swallows that camped outside our bedroom window...caused me great concern.. it was so wet and cold and I just wanted to tell them that maybe it was time to pack their bags and seek warmer climes in Africa...
Thursday we awoke to a glorious sunny morning.. blooming typical as it was the day to return home...
It is always good to come home though and this little chap was pleased to see us!
I have just dusted my mantelpeice to receive this very generous award from these lovely lassies Sal and April and Ginny. Thank you so much for this generous award... As you know I am a big fan of hearts and this one will look lovely amongst my collection..
Now as the rules dictate.. I must pass this heartfelt award to seven other favoured bloggers.. So small fanfare please for these magnificent seven..

Kim from Ragged Roses.. a sublime blog and always such a delight to visit!
Deborah from This Vintage Life A new blog for me but one after my own heart!
Louise from The Home is Where the Heart is... always a mine of information, friendly and fun!
Lili M.. a Vintage style dream blog!
Lynn from Sea Angels.. style personified..
Annie from A Saucerful of Secrets..A lovely lass with masses of talent.
Anna From All things Lovely... A bright spark in blogdom with a wicked humour!

It's good to spread a little love around.. we really could do with some smiles to brighten up these rainy days..

20 comments:

Ragged Roses said...

Thank you my darling Mrs Custard, I am very honoured, perhaps I could collect the award in person!!! I have so enjoyed reading your holiday post, the photos are just beautiful. I am so pleased you enjoyed your break and equally delighted that you have been given this award
Mxxx

Louise said...

Hi Michele, I knew we had great minds, that think alike. I have an award for you on my blog too. Congratulations on receiving the I Love Your Blog award, many of us do, and thank you so much for passing it on to me, most kind. A trip down West is always very exciting, you made the very best of the terrible weather we have been having, and the shops being shut! I hope Mr Pickles kept the place tidy whilst you were away? x

Garden Girl said...

wicked humour?!! Heeheehee...
Thankyou Mrs C, am very excited by such an attractive hearty award, was well worth getting off the sofa and wiping the dribble off my cheek for....
Still raining. Sigh.

kristina said...

Looks like a gorgeous place to stay, and I'm so glad you managed to have a such a good time despite the rain. I'm hoping to do a course at the Ashburton Cookery School in 2009, and now I'm really looking forward to visiting the village, too (although maybe not on a Wednesday!)! K x

silverpebble said...

Ooh, what a lovely little escape you had there - beautiful pictures of the water. You got me all excited about Totnes - I though there was going to be another lovely virtual shopping trip. Blasted rain. Still, it's always good to be home in the end isn't it?

Teena Vallerine said...

Now there's me thinking 'ooh a short break and some rain- what better excuse to light a stove and read a book' - don't think I've done that for (pause to think - how old is my boy?) well at least 6 years!!!!! Sounds like a lovely break and congratulations on the well-deserved award! t.xx

Dana and Daisy said...

oh thank you for a gander into your favorite places, both real and cyber lands!

dana x

walter and me said...

Lovely pics of your Dartmoor escape, at least you had some dry bits! It's always good to get away for a breather...Congrats on the awards, too, and for sharing all that love around. Diana x

Simone said...

I love rivers. It is good that you managed to get out for a bit before the rain arrived. Mr Pickles looks very comfy in that wonderful chair!

Petticoat Lane said...

What a lovely relaxing break, it's been such a while since I had a realaxing, childfree break! Did you manage a quick trip to the Dartington Cider Press Centre?...I always love a quick stop off on our jaunts to the South Hams. It's one of those places that I manage to buy something in every little shop I look in!... Mr Pickles looked happy you were home. x

This Vintage Life... said...

Thank you Michele, you've cheered me up no end on this miserable wet Monday.
It looks like you had a lovely break...I could do with a bit of that. Disappointing not to get any vintage goodies though!
deb x

Cape Cod Washashore said...

What a dreamy trip you went on! Everything is so lush and green! (Poor little soaking wet birdie!) =O

Congrats on your award, Michele! Happy Monday! =)

Deb said...

Congratulations on your blog award!
I've got lots of catch up reading to do here as I've been on summer holidays!

Anonymous said...

Hi Michele,
What a lovely break and what a beautiful place you have shared with us,love the little Swallow picture,how sweet.
I need to read back now and see what i have missed with me being gone so long.
Love Kristina XxX

A Saucerful Of Secrets said...

Hi there sweetie,Ooooh!how lovely!. having an award,Thank You,your so kind.I now have to decide seven worthy bloggers, tough one that.Love your post on Dartmoor,glad you had a lovely time,now your all refreshed, ready for the build up to the VH Fair,lol!love,Annie x

Carol said...

What a great name for a bridge !
it is such a beautiful place, I can see why you love it there.
Congratulations on your award Michele.
Carol xx

Country Cottage Chic said...

What a lovely place - a pity about the rain!

Congrats on your award - so much love going around this week!

Elizabeth said...

Hi,
Your trip sounds restful and I love the picture of the little birdie!!

I had fun looking at the blogs you had selected to award, it is always fun finding new blogs.

Sea Angels said...

Thankyou soooo much Michele, what a lovely suprise for me, and congratulations to you too, well deserved xxx
Your break sounded so perfect, and oh so beautiful,I love those photo's.... it was a shame about the weather, but I think there is no escaping the rain....ever, we might as well become ducks quack, squelch!
Hugs Lynn xx

Hen said...

What a shame the weather prevented you getting to Totnes. We discovered Totnes in June and I just loved it. Mr Pickles is gorgeous!
Best wishes
Hen x