Instead there was this chap. Isn't he cute - if I didn't have a morbid fear of anything bovine, I would have hugged him.
OK, so we were on yet another mini-break. I know, I know... I've only just posted the photos of our mini-break to the Peak District but the fact is, my husband had a week's holiday left and we decided to split it into three mini-breaks and this is number two.
We thought long and hard about where to go: it had to be near enough to give us enough time once we were there, be Bonnie friendly, have walks on the doorstep and amazing views. Oh, and it had to be somewhere we didn't know.
Having dismissed the idea of staying at home (which has all these things except the last), we decided on the pretty town of Porlock in North West Somerset. "Good," I said. "Now we can add ponies to the list."
and a paddock behind the house for Bonnie, along with dog-friendly pubs nearby.
This was the start of our coastal walk...
...from the gorgeous little Porlock Weir.
It took us to Culbone Church. This is the smallest complete church in Britain and measures just 13ft by 11ft. It was in the middle of nowhere and has a leper window (so lepers could watch the service while staying outside.)
The following day we had a lovely walk along the river from Tarr Steps, which took us through Exmoor. Can you believe we didn't see a single pony? We had to drive home the next day through the New Forest just to get a glimpse of one!
All these amazing sights - and another wonderful sight was seeing my story, 'Only Skin Deep' published in the This Week's People's Friend. It is the second story they've published where one of the main characters is blind... maybe it's because I am aware of how much we should all appreciate the wonderful things around us.
And to help with my appreciation, I must get on and plan the next mini-break!
That beasty does indeed look huggable. Glad you had a good time - and what a fab view!
ReplyDeleteOpening the curtains to that view in the mornings was a real treat, Patsy. It's just a shame it was just out of my sight when I was in bed as the bed was low.
ReplyDeleteJudging by the photos and description, I think that's the same place my family and I stayed in August! Tennis court, by any chance? Rufus the dog? Porlock is gorgeous (hope you visited The Big Cheese and the butchers) and Exmoor itself is a largely undiscovered paradise. We have been several times. You should certainly have seen the ponies on your route down to Tarr Steps but they also like to hang out on the fields around the coast road over to Lynton. I set one story there quite recently for the Friend and have more planned after the summer - so many gorgeous locations!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your story in the Friend this week as well!
No tennis court and no Rufus, Kate... and no ponies!
DeleteOoh, now that's intriguing! Two places so similar. Glad you enjoyed it anyway - you'll just have to go back and look for those secretive Exmoor ponies another time!
ReplyDeleteThe place was called 'Coachman's Cottage, set back from the road from Porlock to Porlock Weir. The owner is David Ramsay a local historian and author of Unforgotten Exmoor. There were two of his books of interviews and photographs of local people's memories in the cottage - they were fascinating. If you read this, could I ask which 'Friend' writer you are, Kate, so I can look out for your stories?.
DeleteHow lovely, Wendy - and that looks like a right handsome Highland cow in your first photo! Well done on another story.
ReplyDeleteHe must have been a Highland Exmoor cow, Rosemary.
DeleteYou were in my neck of the woods Wendy - we live just on the edge of Exmoor, about 10 miles from Tarr Steps. Sorry the ponies weren't behaving themselves - normally you can't avoid them! Well done on another story success.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely area, isn't it. The ponies were obviously all taking a mini-break in the New Forest! I've only just realised that you were at the Woman's Weekly Fiction Workshop with me (I saw your name on my email list). Did we actually meet?
DeleteWe didn't actually meet Wendy but I did recognise you from your blog. Wish I'd been braver and come to say hello - it was quite strange seeing people who I felt I knew from reading their blogs but who would have absolutely no idea who I was!
DeleteWhat a shame you didn't, Tracey.
DeleteLovely photos and well done you for your People's Friend story, I shall look out for it. They're always looking for something different so I'm not surprised a blind character sparked their interest.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cara. I was especially pleased with my animal photos as they all seemed to turn to the camera as though posing!
DeleteHi Wendy - I'm Kate Hardstaff. I write for PF and WW. If you were on the Porlock Weir road you must have been just below us - we were on the Toll Road. We cycled down to Porlock Weir a few times - to go crabbing of course. Those poor crabs must spend their entire lives being hauled in and out of the harbour by assorted children, but we do treat ours to frozen prawns as bait!
ReplyDeleteTracey - I'm very envious of you for living 10 miles from Tarr Steps! I could just do with a walk there today and some proper fresh air.
Ah, I wondered if it was you. Lovely to 'meet' another PF and WW writer. I often speak to Sam Tonge through our blogs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place. You didn't see Mr Tumble while you were there did you ;-) x
ReplyDeleteMr Tumble? I'm I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about Teresa!
DeleteOops - I think I've been watching too much Cbeebies! I'm a huge fan of Justin Fletcher (Mr Tumble) and he films a lot of his shows around Porlock :-) x
DeleteIt was a gorgeous place to visit -- even my computer. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Roland.
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