There’s Always an Upside

One of our neighbours is waiting for the shepherd to show him the Christmas baby

It is all too easy, at the moment, to swear at the news. Why not, after all, here comes another upset for many, as Christmas plans dissolve into the destruction of more plans. You may be forced into staying here, at home, if you’re really lucky, you may be forced to sit in front of the fire and enjoy a friend’s Christmas with them! You won’t, as I did once, sit in a corridor, on a long distance train with all those merry, sticky beer cans travelling your way, as, yet again, there is no coffee available and if you are really lucky, a heavy breather will join you, of the male gender, and impose his drunken conversation on you until he alights the train. Of course, that assumes that there is a train. How stupid of me. If you are a mother, you can spend a delightful time in A&E at an unknown hospital with a child with a bit missing until it is restored. That might not be possible either!

Stay here. Never forget that this is probably one of the best communities that you can live in. It doesn’t matter if there is a postal strike, your friends and neighbours deliver cards by hand and if you are the one delivering cards, you are very likely to be invited in for a drink

A winter Friday night at The Globe

Talking of drink, The Globe is looking splendid. It looks even better than usual. Peter spent an excellent evening there last Friday celebrating his birthday with a hearty meal and a pint (or two). Dear Josie had decided that The Globe was easy to get to. It is so local and every year there literally are so many decorations in there that you can’t count all the Santas. The Globe is situated opposite our local church, which, incidentally, is worth a visit in its own right. The choral singing at Christmas is magnificent. It usually makes me cry! In the summer, however, the church wall is festooned with locals on a Friday night out. They are celebrating the weekend with singing and their own musical instruments. It’s a community thing. It is simply joyous and the singing and music are glorious!

The author, Noel, Blacks, Christmas decorations, Monday morning breakfast club, all in one picture

Down at Blacks, Chris and Catherine are doing their stuff. There is glorious food to take away and enjoy over Christmas. Chris is making his special sausage rolls again this Christmas. They are worth the year’s wait for the delight that they are. Peter and Wesley will have their eye on a pork pie or two, perhaps, a third one later? Sitting outside of Blacks, Peter, Jim, Noel and I will enjoy one last Monday before the great event. We’ll have a coffee or two and have the chance to wish friends a merry time as they pass by.

At home, we continue to burn John Hooper’s logs, which are dry and warm in the log burner. Peter has the kettle on top and there will be some soup later. This is how we used the fire last winter, when the electricity was off for four days. Of course, Peter and Duncan found the line down before anyone from the electricity people even got around to looking for it. It’s what we have to do out here. We still await that great broadband experience!

Peter and I reflect on the year and enjoy looking back. Of course, nothing is perfect. We will miss the local people, who we have passed on this year. Noel has buried some wonderful friends of the community, but we won’t forget them. There was so much to remember.

We have had unforgettable moments with friends. Our friend, the building site manager came around and had a well earned rest over a cup of tea and cake. His conversation is always interesting and knowledgable. In the summer, friends came and had tea and cake under the apple tree. What a lovely time we had when Kate and James unexpectedly arrived and we had cake and sparkling wine to celebrate the Queen’s last Jubilee. Most wonderful for us, was meeting my first cousin, who lives in America, for the first time in a while. Best of all, her son, his wife and and their new baby are living close enough for us to visit, or for them to visit us and Josie and Wesley. When my cousin left Britain, we were both small children. What a joy it was to meet her husband too. What a treat to end the year! We have been so fortunate.

A special light over Meldon

If we didn’t live here, all of us would miss Meldon Hill, how it overshadows the village with its stark beauty and moods. Last week, Peter and I walked Meldon with Josie’s dog (Millie). The sun was setting and the light was remarkable everywhere that we looked. A house had a fire in, which swept its smoke in a wondrous pattern. There was the odd bonfire in the distance. The horses were tall and strong, eating the grass, which was growing there. We took the dog home, and, already, there were decorations going up in New Street.

So to all our neighbours and our friends, some of whom live far away, we would like to wish you all A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. THIS IS OUR CHRISTMAS CARD TO YOU. If you are forced to stay around at Christmas, we are all here for you and we will give you as good a time as we can manage, whatever is going on elsewhere.

Foot notes

Our hero works his magic on the Rhino

Wesley came and helped us finish erecting the Greenhouse just before the really cold weather. Wesley and Josie have been our great joy all year. They keep an eye, from a short distance on what the olds are up to and sometimes, quite rightly, we are reprimanded.

Summer is easier. They are usually, doing their bit at the swimming pool, so the “olds” can be up ladders, painting the house and all sorts while they are there!

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and contact The Photographer directly on Peter Bennett Photos email The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer (aka Peter). Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate

All The Pretty Houses

We are walking past the church. We are on the way to New Street. It is that time of year. You must drive with care. Your delicate garden shrubs are just that bit too close to the edge of the road. They are coming. The Moorland horses are rounding the corner. They are sleek and very beautiful and they know it. All the traffic has come to a halt. They have probably eaten their way through a number of gardens in the Little Town. It is such a wonderful sight that all of the traffic has stopped. This is the land where nature has its priority. It is the home of a real national park. You are only here by permission. The position that you live in is regulated. You are only important as a minor inhabitant. Nature has its way however you play life. The sheer wild and natural beauty of the place is breath taking. To live here is beyond most people’s wildest dreams. We consider ourselves fortunate and humbled.

The intelligent horse.

We are in spring. We are doing our best. It’s cold unless the sun shines. For some weeks Peter has wanted to start the big mower up. Time after time, it is simply too cold and we must give up.
Susan’s battery strimmer will start, so they use this in the odd area that is too overgrown. About two weeks ago, Peter arrived at the mower shed as the temperature had risen. The mower started on a second try. Peter sat on the mower until he was satisfied. After four and a half miles, up and down, in and out, he had finished. The next day, he got the smaller mower out, serviced it and remowed the garden paths in the wild area. He was exhausted, but happy. Now he could let anyone who wanted to, to stroll around the acre. We had daffodils galore, shrubs in flower and Josie had planted the wild garden with tulips, which in years to come would multiply. We are all looking forward to that.

Elsewhere, in the garden, plans for food were changed. It was becoming very clear that food was going to be a priority. Having lived through the seventies recession and the huge mortgage rises of the eighties, we weren’t going to take any chances. Having made deep beds in the previous year, we made plans. We are chaotic people usually, but we weren’t doing that one again. At least we had food, even if a generous pension was not linked to a possible 7 to 10 percent rise in inflation. If necessary, we would feed our family, which was already facing, together with the rest of the country, fuel price rises way beyond the usual. Peter produced a plan and ordered all the stuff required to hopefully avoid the worst of Moorland pests, though one can never tell where the badgers have settled from year to year. This may well be the last year for apple production. All of last year’s apples were eaten by a pair of squirrels nicknamed Larry and Linda and their substantial family. Most mornings, the first person up for tea will see a large squirrel bottom disappearing around the corner from the bird feeder. We are hoping that they overfeed themselves, but we know it’s hopeless. Even if we did still have our pellet guns, we couldn’t really do it. Let’s hope that Peter’s fortifications work. We won’t all starve, but we’ll end up eating a lot of potatoes! We’re already eating nothing but rhubarb!

An Engineers Garden. What do you mean there are no plants? They are optional extras, like indicators on a BMW. Just admire the design and execution…to the millimetre!

Now is the time to mention the local community. The Little Town on the Moor is a great place to live. The kindness exhibited to one another is beyond anyone’s expectations. The other week, Susan visited the local grocery store and found it overflowing with food for the local Food Bank. There was so much in there, it was amazing. Susan had a warm welcome after some absence due to lock downs. At the Forge Cafe, every effort has been made to keep on producing meals and coffee throughout the pandemic, and what a place to eat! Peter and Susan have had two incredible lunches recently with a nice glass of wine each and the breakfasts are amazing and already Vincent is using his vast knowledge of catering to try and keep his costs down. What a cafe!

Vincent’s egg at The Forge

You could never go without mentioning The Deli where Chris and Catherine have simply just kept going. The Monday Club has resumed and despite having much to do, Chris still comes up with that wonderful bacon sandwich. Our household simply could not have managed without Chris and Catherine during the most dreadful days of the pandemic. Every store in the town has done it’s very best to keep us all going.

Chris’s egg at Black’s Deli

For those of us who enjoy less than perfect health, the surgery has been a tremendous life line. Dr. Wood managed to deal with Susan’s painful leg, which was beyond even sleeping. He soon dealt with that one. Susan and Josie have had all their check ups, whatever has been going on. Peter had treatment via internet. Most of the pandemic jabs were given at our surgery. We are grateful for the surgeries care and kindness.

The whole family and the members of the swimming pool committee have spent literally months looking for a place for Josie and Wes to live. We had resigned ourselves to losing them out of the area, when a local person found somewhere for them. Wes had serviced the pool for some years and Josie was always there backing him up and she always painted the toddler’s pool, which looked very tempting to a toddler. They would have been missed and the pool might even have had to shut, but this wasn’t to happen. Phil Fowler has been very supportive. He needn’t have bothered, but he did. That’s what a local Estate Agent will do for you. Local knowledge is a huge plus on the Moor. With so many AirBnB properties (over 100 in Chagford at last count) displacing residential lettings, the balance of the community is at risk, and the very experience the tourists are seeking will be lost.

Finally, what of the future with so many new faces. There is great hope. We have two sets of neighbours who hail from London. Despite not having been here long, they are making a major contribution. Becky and Adam ordered building materials for the drive and Adam helped Peter refill the pot holes. Their children attend local schools. They are very busy, but deeply interested in the community.

Sam and Sally are really pleased to be living in such a lovely place. They and their little family are a delight to talk to. Sam is finding time to make shroud bases for local people despite a heavy schedule. What a comfort to know that at such a sad time of life, peoples needs can be catered for by someone local.

Spring on the Moor has brought so much hope to the community. There are years ahead in which we can all see that this community survives and indeed, thrives. We must keep these wonderful people here and make it easier for families to thrive amongst us.

Words by Sue

Picures by Peter

The Easter Quiz

“What is the colour of the Engine Driver’s socks?”

Happy Easter to all our readers

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and contact The Photographer directly on Peter Bennett Photos email The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer. Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate

SOME OF OUR HEROES

As we set about ordering seeds and worrying about the next batch of marmalade, there was something else that we both knew that we wanted to do.

This year has been a challenge to everyone on the Moor and our other readers, who love to join in. Most of them would give a great deal to come and be here.

Everyone has their own list of people who they have admired as we meet the challenge of a pandemic. You will probably have a list of your own. Please join in if you want to.

This is a list in no particular order. No one is first and no one is last.

It’s that man again. The ever cheerful “Hermes Van No. 73”

Delivery drivers. Yes, we know there have been problems. We’ve had some ourselves, but many have found their way, even in the dark, to this place, out on the Moor, with no public lighting. Many have been polite and taken a great deal of trouble to get to our door. Amongst these are our postmen, who arrive in all weathers. They never fail to deliver and always knock the door. We have friends elsewhere in the country, who have postal deliveries every few days or, in the case of Chichester, every eight days. We are grateful for our daily deliveries. The items which arrive are either welcome because they are practical or because they bring pleasure. What a benefit in a lonely pandemic.

Chris and Catherine of Black’s Deli at Christmas

Blacks Deli. Chris and Catherine have barely drawn breath in their efforts to supply some wonderful food. At the start of the pandemic this house had two shielded people and a vulnerable one. Catherine and Chris stretched to delivery of various difficult bits of food. At one stage, Chris went out of his way to get us some reasonably priced olive oil. We could not obtain a supermarket delivery, and felt very challenged as we worked our way through the tins in the cupboard.

Ben’s Farm shop in Staverton. This was a place where many of us with underlying illness gathered in our cars. You could order in advance and a masked assistant would deliver to your open boot. Ben never failed to be able to supply. His genuine concern for his customers was obvious. This year, because he had made a reasonable profit, he shared it with his customers by doubling their loyalty points. Last week, we cashed in £27 worth. He could have kept all this money for himself, but it was typical of him to share it.

Tim Sutcliffe. Poor Peter would feel a little worried from time to time. This was always cured by one of Tim’s jokes, which were hilarious and always full of wit.

Let’s never forget the NHS. Dr. Wood and the team must have been jabbing in their sleep. It was incredible that here, in this remote area, they managed to keep us safe and cheery. These sessions also kept people in touch with one another. As the car park filled the open air provided a much needed social break. The surgery have helped us out all along the way. Josie had her leg playfully bitten by her dog. This became very serious. Dr. Wood managed to prevent the leg getting any worse. Thank goodness!

This is also an NHS hero. The Exeter jab centre at Greendale in Exeter. Sue and Peter called in, on their way back from Wales and although they had a later appointment, were fitted in for the booster so they could get home in time for tea! A few weeks later, Wes came home for tea. He put Josie in the car and drove her to a booked appointment at 9pm at night. Wes was worried about visiting his 104 year old granny, so Greendale gave him a jab. Much to our amazement, Josie was given her jab by a medical commando, which was what her granddad had been in the war. He was very tired. He had been jabbing for ages, but he told he was absolutely determined to jab as much as he could. That’s a hero!

Come on in, it’s not too cold to volunteer

Chagford Swimming Pool.Exercise has been the watchword for many people. It certainly has been for us. During the summers of the pandemic, somehow, the swimming pool in the little town has managed to open! This involves a great big vote of gratitude to Wes. Andrew, Sue, Flora and Ann. Josie enjoyed painting the toddlers’ pool. These members of the community have worked ceaselessly to keep the pool open. It has been the lifeline for many people, who just needed a break from it all. If you are new to our community, please step forward and volunteer. You will get to know new people and feel involved in a very real way. The next year it will be essential for volunteers to keep it all going.

Still on the theme of exercise, walking is our major exercise. It would be fair to say that we would have never walked so far without encouragement from our friend Jim Fortey. His example was amazing. Each time we spoke to him, he had a whole list of places that he had walked locally, some with great difficulty. Thankyou Jim for keeping us fit.In this regard, we would like to give a word of praise to the Ordnance Survey smartphone app., which is much smaller than a huge and possibly wet map. It has guided us around unfamiliar areas of the countryside. Best of all it will show you where you are now. In Hereford, it managed to impress us with precision walking around an entire area, which we could have got lost in. It actually led us past a Tanner’s wine shop. Well! Who wouldn’t pause there! If you walk at Fernworthy, you will know that wonderful food van that comes at weekends. Try resisting that one.

The Forge Cafe. If you want to meet some fit people, Sarah and Vincent are they. Throughout the pandemic, they have barely halted in offering wonderful food, enabling people to get together who otherwise wouldn’t.

“Colin……..Have you got a left handed throstle bracket?” “Yes, they are next to the nurdling widgets”

This is the house upkeep department. Needless to say, Colin, at Bowdens, has never failed, whether it was an ordered tin of paint, or peanuts for the birds. Washing up liquid, dish washer salt or a beautiful pair of mugs, saucepans, kettles. Shall I go on. It’s a nice walk there with a rucksack. We adore Porky, who once portrayed Jesus in an Easter Passion Play. When he isn’t Jesus, he drives a delivery truck for Bradfords. He’s the best. Peter has been working so hard on the house and garden that Screwfix has come in to play. He has never had to stop a project. The deliveries can be next day.

The Spar Shop. Sue’s port of call for Cornish Coffee. She’d be hell to live with without it. She needs three cups to start the day! They have loads of stuff in there.

The Bell Ringers at the Church. On the shortest day of the year, their practice echoed through the area and it brought joy to so many people. Thank you!

It was July and John brought the wood

John Hooper John Hooper helped shape our garden when it was a wilderness. He remembered how the garden used to be. He knew its shape and its trees. John and Chloe have worked together for many years. Chloe is an expert with a chain saw. They know so much history of the area and are fascinating on the subject. John can remember when you could park a tractor by Chagford Church, leave the keys in the ignition and go about your business. John has been our fire wood supplier every winter. Lighting a fire is one of our greatest pleasures and his wood is always good. Without his wood our lives would not be so rich. Thank you John.

Our new neighbours, all of them. They have made every possible effort to settle in during the pandemic. It’s really hard when you’re new somewhere without the lock downs. We think you’re great.

Trago Mills. They charge the best price for petrol and diesel that we see as we drive about the area.

Always a warm welcome at Angel Barn, however cold the weather

Sharon. Sharon lives in Hereford and she works very hard at keeping everything just right for the people who stay with her. She is the go to place for all of our family. We go there to sleep, sometimes for a whole week. Josie and Wes camp there. Sharon’s is never noisy, never uncomfortable, and it has beautiful wild life and newly planted trees. You can do absolutely nothing all day. We’ve been going there for years. Its that sort of place. She is family to us.

Our readers. You are all terrific.

No friends like old friends. Maria is in pink without a hat, and Uncle John is there too.

Here we will mention Sue’s best friend , Maria. Sue has known her for fifty years. She is Josie’s godmother. Why mention Maria? It’s not just because she is a friend.Sue met Maria when she was a teacher and Maria was nursing at one of the major London Hospitals. She retired a few years ago as a very senior nurse. She never stopped being a nurse. She was terribly ill, she had two beautiful girls. Whatever happened she never stopped being a nurse. When our husbands worked abroad for ICI, which incidentally, eventually became Astra Zeneca, we stuck together. (Shout out for the AZ & Oxford vaccine scientists and engineers) We supported one another. It is a cause of much amusement that Maria, who lives in Chichester, has to be one of Blacks greatest fans. She longs for a Blacks in Chichester. During the pandemic, Maria could not nurse or jab because her husband was vulnerable. She worked beside the local Roman Catholic Church providing whatever she could and her husband helped her from home. Masked up, she collected and delivered prescriptions for the elderly. At one point, she arranged a funeral and she and her husband helped clear a house. She would go to supermarkets for other people’s food. She always found out when the lowest populated period would be. We can’t wait until all this is over and Maria and Sue can sit in the garden with a bottle of gin while the men cook. That’s traditional. Do people like Maria get awards? Sadly they rarely do, but she is our top hero of the pandemic.

Wes and Josie were coming to stay with us for a year to save up for a house. Due to the pandemic, their progress has been slower. They have endured not having their own house for two and a half years. While they have been with us, they have revamped two bathrooms. Wes has moved heavy slabs in the garden and performed other useful tasks. Josie, the trained artist amongst other talents, has decorated huge areas of the house and endured together with others the lonely task of working from home. She never ceases to be a source of joy.

That’s it folks. This may have been a bit of a long read,but that makes the point. There are so many heroes out there that this could have been twice as long again! Never hope for a better year ahead, just live in the moment and we shall meet again in 2022

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and contact The Photographer directly on Peter Bennett Photos email The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer. Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate

PS.

An additional Hero posted by a reader in Ely, who relied on one particular Tesco delivery driver to keep her and her husband supplied through the lockdown.. Hilary thanks you.

Living in the 1950s

There is light beyond today’s dark clouds

By the Photographers Assistant

Currently, the family are enjoying the return to a simple life and it seems to be reminiscent of Susan and Peter’s childhood. There are many activities which turn the clock back. In the main our parents were absorbed by the hunt for everything needed for the house. Returning from the war and being able and fortunate enough to have a home was a real shock. To be able to have a family and shut your front door on the world was a real tonic. Getting it all together was a real challenge. Susan’s mother revelled in not wearing a uniform. She would buy a pattern for a pretty skirt and stitch the whole lot together by hand. The whole household was dedicated to production of various bits and pieces. Food was difficult. Rationing was still on some items. Cooking something edible was a bit of a chore. Susan’s mother’s charm offensive in various shops was much admired. We seemed to have enough meat and eggs and the rest was Susan’s father’s job. His days off were spent in growing veg in every square inch of the garden. This was Susan’s greatest fun. Brussels sprouts were a great hiding space. They were so tall for a toddler. Most of Susan’s parents’ time was spent securing food and fuel.

Today, we sit at the table in the kitchen and plan in much the same way as our parents. Wes and Josie have managed to get a monthly “click and collect” from a supermarket. They still can’t get a delivery and Josie is still vulnerable, and so they have made a tricky supermarket collection. Susan and Peter have just had the jab, so this won’t happen again. After three weeks, they will be able to protect Josie by doing some of her shopping. The boot will be on the other foot after Jo and Wes have been protecting Susan and Peter all this time. Wes has forgotten to buy some bread so he will have to visit a shop. He also works so every time he comes in he has to shower. The trip for bread will have to be made at the end of the day, to avoid contact as much as possible . Shortly Peter and Susan will be able to visit the organic store that they all love and these supermarket problems will be over, but the obsession with food will need some getting over. Today, the whole family is going to enjoy Josie’s roast dinner. She will provide the chicken and Peter and Susan get veg from the garden, just as their parents did all those years ago.

Susan’s shed………after the tidy up. Compliments only please

Doing our own construction was very much a theme of the fifties, as it is here. Josie has made an incredible deal with a bathroom supplier over the phone. Wes and Josie have spent every weekend since Christmas working on a modernised shower room and a basin for the utility room. Josie has been painting areas of the house that need a freshen up before her mother paints the kitchen ceiling and Peter is busy ordering wood for deep vegetable beds to save those poor old knees this year. Wes has ordered and collects fish and chips from Chagford. The workers are filled to the brim as they tuck in and have a bottle of beer each. The late fifties equivalent of this was fish fingers which mum got from a grocer’s freezer. She made chips with a nice bit of white sliced bread with proper butter as a treat!

Susan has been working outside for three solid days. Soon Peter will be on the warpath. He will be looking for unbroken seed trays, tidy seed packets, pens which actually work on homemade labels, and all sorts of useful tools for the coming garden season. Susan will be in a deep panic. This is a tradition that never changes. She is a disorganised creature and a last minute operator. You will now find her in HER shed deep in piles of junk, trying to find the useful bits. The margarine cartons have not been turned into labels. The seeds are not in ABC order in their box, and goodness knows where Peter’s posh trowel is. PANIC SETS IN as she realises that this will not take just one day! Peter’s prize agapanthus plants have taken shelter in the greenhouse and they all needed weeding months ago. Fortunately, Peter is very happily designing his deep beds. How deep? He’s been watching Monty and he’s not sure that he has got this right. Thank heavens for Susan as the trowel turns up. She is thinking of planting broad beans in greenhouse pots, but her niece, who lives in Derbyshire, has just sent her the most lovely picture of herself and Susan’s great nephew and niece playing with a snowman, so perhaps, plant the beans later!

Wet and wonderful Victorian engineering. Never mind drowning the odd Iron Age village or wrecking the local ecosystem. The dear old Victorians just couldn’t resist “developing” backward old Mother Nature

As children, Susan and her brother would often be taken for a walk, Susan’s poor brother often being pushed in his pram with his older sister sitting at the front of the pram. The parents were very fond of walking a fair old distance up the Oxford Road until there were sheep and fields and great loveliness. The children were exhausted and a happy tea in front of the fire could be taken in their new Canadian temporary home. The Canadian house is still standing and we still have a housing shortage! It was a lovely home. So well built. Many of our children still seek a decent home.
Today, we all take a walk as a family. It is cold and visitors have been discouraged so
Fernworthy will not be busy, so we take the Mini and have a bash around the reservoir before Josie’s roast. Perfect!

Not the Everglades, but a moss covered Devon cloud forest

At the end of the day, upstairs, in the old bathroom, Susan has a bath. She lights Peter’s homemade candle, and places it on the window sill. The light shines out as darkness approaches. It’s a favourite time of day. She has given up listening to the News in favour of the quiet and the view. This window is incredibly old. It has those dents and bubbles that old window glass has and it is not patterned. Susan can look out at everything so wonderfully arranged, from the bird feeder, where Josie has just broken up a fight amongst the blackbirds, to Mike’s beautiful house, where he has added an extension, which is perfect in every way. We were able to watch him climb his ladder and work towards his goal. All the tiles are perfectly arranged as they meet on the end of the building. Amazing! It is time to get on or the water will be cold for Peter. Remember that! The campaign to save water and bath with a friend has never left us. It’s probably saved us a fortune. The lights come on at Lionel’s house, where only the other day a heron sat pompously on his roof, showing its chest and eyeing up the river. Lionel’s house is often used as a jumping off point for many large birds. It seems to be tall enough to offer a wildlife facility. Not so long ago a sparrowhawk would visit and keenly eye up our bird feeder. He frequently dived so quickly that you couldn’t see the moment that he had carried a favourite bird away. Just a cloud of feather in the air.

Mike’s patient and exact tiling

Footnote “What about the internet?” you might say. The internet is still behind the fifties when your shopping was delivered exactly as ordered on a bicycle or in a van on the day that it had been ordered and free of charge. Sometimes a letter says far more than an e-mail. You can keep a letter as a keepsake in your drawer.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Footnote

Have you got peacock’s in your local Co-op supermarket car park?

No?

You see Devon really is different

Peacocks in the Co-op car park

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

 

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford     

 

A Day in the (Lockdown) Life……………..

Of an ordinary moorland family supporting the lockdown and living their lives

By the Photographers Assistant

We have had the Christmas break and we are on our way. The Dartmoor winter routine takes off, so its awake and get down those stairs. Wes is the first out from under the big, thick duvet and blankets. He is walking past the heating timer. It is 6.30 so he turns on the radiators and hot water. The boiler roars its steam out of the outlet and rattles its way into action. Wes gets off to work. Currently, he has no choice. There is a huge amount of plumbing and rescuing, which needs doing out there. Sometimes, there is something awful going on. Today, someone has accidentally left a gate open and there is a dead animal to be dragged out of the water. It is the worst, but it can and does happen. People make mistakes. Wes won’t be home until 5.30. In the summer, the pace of the work picks up even more. Now, on an icy Friday, he slips on the drive and is so careful that he is ten minutes late for work.

Not much later than Wes, Josie climbs out of bed. The house is still cold. Her first action is to fill the tumble drier with the night’s wash. It is a condensing machine, so its warm air heats the utility room. The shower is in here, and it will be warm for her to wash. She steps out into the conservatory and looks at the thermometer. It is showing 3 C inside. She knows that it will be a rough Moorland winter. She puts the kettle on and arranges a mug each for Mum and Dad and makes herself a cup of coffee. Upstairs, in the study, she is arranging and thinking about her day’s work.

See beauty in every place.

Another windscreen photo. This one is the Mini on a frosty morning

She returns to bed, where a man on television is trying very hard to explain the vaccine roll out. Josie, her Mum, Dad and Wes’ Nan, all have underlying health conditions, so she is keen to hear about what is planned. Unfortunately, the interviewer seems to have a savage interviewing technique, so that Josie is none the wiser at the end of it, which is a shame as she is really worried. Mum appears with another hot drink. Mum is always in awe of the way that Josie and Wes have their room arranged. They have a set of drawers on which an enormous television is balanced. Anyone appearing on this screen has no hiding place. There is no hiding place for the media, all of whom look drawn and pinched. They are all exhausted and shout at everyone, no matter what side they are on. Josie is amused, as today’s victim is Matt Hancock, who looks as if he hasn’t slept for some years and grown used to it. Hancock has a ream of papers and a steady stare. He is a details man. Facts are his mission, even if they change, he means them. The interviewer has a bit of a warm up, but she has failed to shake him. His mission is to get over to this apparent small child of an interviewer, that things beyond her understanding are happening, indeed, in this pile of paper, he has several plans and alternative plans, which he explains with a steady eye, which looks out of an ashen face. Josie is enjoying this greatly. Her mother feels like a small person as she shuts the door. Intellectual jousting is not for her at this time of the day. Mum does, however, think that Josie looks amusingly small, eating yogurt and fruit in the iron framed bed, which is just a bit too small, but does.

Josie will emerge, still incredibly early, grab yet more coffee and disappear into the study for at least 12 hours. She will plan, she will write up what she is doing, she will make numerous phone calls and the rest of the house will be taken over by her parents, who have entirely different missions. They are old so they are having breakfast either in bed or in the kitchen. These days scrambled egg is the order of the day, and sometimes, porridge, depending on the milk situation. They have enjoyed replacing the endless gloom on the BBC with Times Radio, where Stig Abell frequently loses his temper with himself and his lack of perfection, or he has a serious discussion with Asma about their children, which is always fascinating as the olds have no idea about what is going on with children at the moment. As an ex 1970’s childrens’ teacher, Susan thinks that stressed children should be playing with mud pies or making cakes with Mum, rather than looking in deep stress at a screen. She never liked Michael Gove’s so called reforms for children, which seemed to lead to far more strain for children than any Covid situation. She cannot name him, but she knew a Super Head, who, when in his own school, threw all the fourteen year old tests in the bin, declaring that children like Josie, who had individual talents and needs, did not benefit from exams. ( Josie will be embarrassed, but, under this man’s system, she achieved two Russell group degrees. Our other daughter is an environmentalist and also has two degrees. She was taught in the same system. Exams kill children’s imagination stone dead and show little faith in the teacher’s ability to come to a right conclusion about a child’s ability. They also favour a privately schooled person. End of speech!

While the parents have breakfast, they listen to an Audible version of Love In the Time of Cholera, which is part of their campaign for a peaceful day. Unless Boris and Chris Whitty both make an appearance, they will not listen to or watch the news until 10.00pm. Chris Whitty is an essential, as he reminds Susan of her Dad, who was totally dedicated to the National Health Service. As a very senior nurse, he spent every Christmas on a hospital ward relieving other staff. The NHS was his big priority in life. He had been a socialist all his life and he adored the institution and had joined the NHS at its inception. The only problem for us was having to run up to the hospital whenever there was an emergency at home. I worked there for a bit as a student in the League of Friends Canteen just so that I could see him now and then!

A bracing morning constitutional

After breakfast, if we are not likely to break a leg on the ice, therefore creating more problems for the NHS, we will set off on our daily walk. We both feel the hit from the cold air and it takes us more time to get along, but the walk is good. On their return the kettle is hot to make the coffee and, if they feel worthy, they have a biscuit and they have a chat about what needs attention. Today, they discuss supplies. Coffee is running low. Susan’s prescription needs collecting this week. The Riverford order is good and they won’t go to Ben’s until next month. As there is such a high infection rate, they will use the internet as much as possible. On Thursday, they will go to Blacks and Bowdens, but nowhere else. That is their ration. Peter has ordered three new window blinds, which he will make himself. In order to boost moral, Susan will make a Dundee cake, which can be taken on walks in the pocket and she will make a chocolate sponge for tea times. There will be no time to make soup today, but, there might be time tomorrow. Peter is on the second year wood in the log store, but it will certainly last the winter. This afternoon, he will help Susan take the decorations down and store them away. He too, has to keep up with supplies of paint etc. Josie and Wes are finishing the shower room in their spare time, so it will be all go.We usually make sure that the heater in the bore hole is on. One year the water froze, so we haven’t forgotten that! It will be a busy day for everyone, but hopefully, all the physical tasks will be finished.

A two cake baking day
Dundee cake for sustainable energy and a chocolate sponge for teatime

On Thursday, we stopped work in the afternoon for a while. Josie spent her dinner time, taking one of Wes’ old computers to Moretonhamptstead school, which had been appealing for them. She had to leave the computer in reception as not many adults were there and they were all busy with the children. The children were dressed up as dragons and all sorts of creatures and they were playing with those lovely model sheep in the playground. We were all terribly jealous! How lovely was that! While she did that, we Zoomed with dear Jim, who has endured his time alone with such good grace.

A two cake baking day
Dundee cake for sustainable energy and a chocolate sponge for teatime

At the end of the day, if things are going well for her, Josie will join us for tea, and Mum will have made that homemade cake. A nice quiet sit by the fire ensues. Everyone seems dead tired, but happy that all is well.Josie is worried for two friends who both have Covid. They live away from here, and there is nothing that can be done. Susan edges near the stairs. Wes will be coming in soon, so she wants to have a bath before he needs the shower. This is just about one of the best times of the day. In the bathroom, she lights a very special candle. It has been made by Peter in his workshop. It smells wonderful and it is all the light she needs. In the distance, she can see the reassuring lights of her neighbours houses and a bright and beautiful light in Lionel’s house. What a place to live! We are lucky indeed. The day is done with homemade bread, cheese and the Vikings.(Fantastic series on Amazon Prime, paid for by Josie and Wes. Thank you!)

A simple scented candle. Gives light and comfort

Footnote

It is with great sadness that we send you all news of the death of one of our most faithful readers and our true personal friend, who we shall miss a great deal. Mike Smith of Wiltshire, died on Wednesday after a fight with a long illness. We had known him since our children were small. You could never have a truer friend. May he rest in peace. Our family, to whom he was so kind, will never forget him.

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

 

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford     

 

A peaceful Autumn emerges from the storms

By The Photographer’s Assistant

 

Josie and The Assistant were making the most of the autumn. They didn’t feel too brilliant this evening and the men had a project on. Josie had a cold and the Assistant had had treatment for her troublesome leg. They didn’t feel like making a huge supper and were indulging themselves.
Josie had a large jumper and her comforting sheepskin slippers on. The Assistant had giant furry socks and warm tartan pyjamas. The television was showing the ultimate Country file programme. It was a Mary Berry special. The section on hand made cheese was of particular interest. The cheese looked wonderfully creamy, but not too creamy. It was covered in hay, which was wonderfully picturesque. Josie, still on furlough, was looking for a cheese making course, which she could attend. It was all very inspirational!

So Cosy

Sitting by the fire and watching relaxing television programmes is a real treat at the end of a well spent summer, mainly spent gardening until we were satisfied and exhausted. Josie had been working on her art, but, above all, she had been cooking produce from the garden for many a happy and exhausting hour. Now, with distancing sorted out at the gym, she could go out to Topsham and exercise. She could meet with her old bridesmaids in their new homes and enjoy a chat. She and Wes could walk greater distances and they had found a pub with good distancing, that they could walk to. Things were looking up.

The Photographer and The Assistant had been able to attend an appointment at the surgery and go to see the dentist. They had not found PPE frightening to look at. All they could see was their old doctor, trying to help them and a dentist, who was delighted to see them again. They did not feel in the least bit intimidated. The Assistant felt safe enough to arrange a hygienist appointment, which would be using different procedures from usual to protect from Covid.

Saturday was a delight with the annual trip to have our flu jabs. We all had different timed appointments and the route was made clear for entering and exiting the surgery. Lately, living right out in the countryside, we had felt a bit isolated, but now, we remembered and saw all the people we used to love seeing and talking to. There was Jo from church, and some near neighbours, and lots of familiar faces. It was so cheering. After, we had a couple of cups of coffee in the Three Crowns, out in glorious sunshine. We were able to do some shopping before the town became too busy. Josie was driving and the Photographer got in the car carrying two delicious bottles of wine. The Assistant had two huge pieces of salmon from Andy’s old place. A day of treats!

Innovation on Dartmoor hill farm……now that’s something to note! Spring Barley being grown for silage

On one of our walks up the hill, past Mr. Davis’ fields, we saw the most wonderful crop of barley. We were invited to go in and see it. It swept around corners with a wonderful swirl of green
and we were able to feel the crop. Mr. Davis had been trying out some new farming ideas and they had really paid off. Occasionally, we meet him and his family in town. What a delightful family! The children are full of bubble and bounce and they love the farm animals. So encouraging for those of us who have been connected to farming and lived next to it for all our lives.

Meanwhile, we are all coping with the apple harvest, which has been a bumper one this year. We are all standing over pans and cooking away with mixed spice and just a little of Mick’s honey, or perhaps, a bit more and a spoonful all on it’s own, just to make sure that the latest batch is o.k.

John Painter has had his wild meadow harvested and made into round bales. What happy memories of wild wild flowers as the bales are stacked up. Happy memories of our spaniel Marcus who loved to go over Duncan Vincent’s back field here. He would walk among the drying grass having the best and most interesting sniff of the year. How we both loved that autumn walk. Meanwhile, John’s old lathe is happy settling in to the Photographer’s work shop, where it has it’s own corner. All of the Photographer’s engineering friends have had much advice to give and the machine hasn’t actually turned it’s restored wheel yet!

The newly planted trees in the garden have given us great pleasure this year. They have grown well and are looking strong. We enjoy walking around them in the evening as the sun goes down and all the birds have flown over to their roost.

Meanwhile, Wes and Josie have created an autumn to do list. The rot in the front door is to be replaced with fresh wood and Josie is freshening up the front door. When they have done this, the porch will have a new lease of life. Much to our relief, They are going to replace the old shower and Josie is ordering new tiles and has paint to match the work. This has all needed doing for some time. It will all be so cheery again. Hoorah.

2 Pieris enjoying an evening Aster…..Why do they look so lovely here and so threatening on a cabbage plant?

Butterfly’s are aplenty as they fly around the orchard and the stream burbles in the background as we sit on the bridge, which has now been replaced and regained its former beauty.

All in all, autumn has bounced in in a most charming manner, and we reflect on this, as we sit on our favourite seat in the churchyard in the little town. We can light a candle now and watch it flicker as we leave, this almost peaceful place in the little town.

We have managed to return to Blacks, which is so close by this quiet place and enjoy being spoilt by Chris and Catherine as we rest our old bones sitting next our dear friend Jim, who joins us for a cup of coffee.

Yes. Peaceful autumn has returned and with it much of the world we knew before the arrival of Coved to our shores. Let’s do our best to drive it out again.

San Francisco at 1045 in the morning under the wildfire haze

A sad and distressing footnote to the blog has been this picture, sent to us by dear Jenny in California. She is currently surrounded by smoke. Her current state just reminds us of how fortunate some of us have been. We all send you our good wishes dear Jenny. We think of you. The next candle is for you with a prayer that it will all go away.

Footnote:

3rd time lucky!! The bridge installed yet again. Let’s hope it stays this time

 

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford     

Part 2: I told you you so

By The Photographer’s Assistant

The weather event has occurred. Yesterday, for the first time in many months, we decided to walk to meet Jim the Artist. Previously we had met on Zoom and in the open air. Only last week we had been able to meet in our garden, have lunch and, at last Josie got to discuss art with a fellow artist. It bucked her up no end! A walk across the field was in the shade amidst the heat. As we walked through the stream, it was woefully low. The stepping stones were high in the trickle of water. On entering the town, Josie went to see a friend, having cuddled a few precious flowers for her on her way. The Photographer and the Assistant grabbed a bun and met Jim. They went on to the churchyard, a place of quiet and welcome as they sat in the graveyard. It began to rain a little and they sheltered under a tree. They managed to sit until 3 o’clock when it began to come on to rain seriously. They found an empty room at the Three Crowns and ordered tea. It was a lovely cup of tea. The threesome chatted on about all sorts of nonsense as friends do. It was really raining hard now, but they continued chatting. The rain became very heavy. The Photographer attempted to get into the entrance way. It was hard to stand away from the rain, but he just about managed. He had the right camera with him. He was able to take this picture of the graveyard. It was now an altered place. You could have used it on a set for Wuthering Heights. The heavy rain was sheeting and it was so hard. He could see a red Wheely Bin in the middle of the road and wondered what it was doing there until it floated past. Cars were struggling in the depth of water. The Photographer continued to click away. Eventually, he just had to come back in.

Have you heard the one about a man who went into a pub and said there is this big red wheely bin floating down the road……….

From where we were sitting, we could see people queuing at the door, changing their mind and coming back in. The entrance was very wet. People were soaked and dripping. The threesome decided on another cup of tea. It was clear that they must stay here. They had to get hold of Josie who might be on the road going home. No answer on her mobile. The waiter arrived to say that the cellar was flooded. There would be no tea or coffee as the plugs were soaking. The room had become uncomfortably full and the three could not distance themselves from a woman, who had a persistent cough. The decision was made to leave. Jim left for home and the twosome decided to find Josie. The thought of poor Josie, without a coat and in a thin frock, having recently been shielded, was very frightening.

St Michael’s churchyard. This is not a Black & White, it really was this dark.

Josie was found with her friend, safe and dry, having enjoyed a lovely, relaxing afternoon sipping Prosecco in a beautiful garden. What a relief! Everyone enjoyed a nice sit down while the rain calmed as much as it was going to. Everywhere was either flooded or drowned in the rain. The pretty little town had turned from being a major tourist attraction to an ugly drowned rat. The threesome began walking. The rain was just lighter now and Wes was just too far from home to come and collect them, so they continued down MIll Hill. There were some jolly people in the Folklore Cafe as they passed, but it really was getting on a bit and there were suppers to get and lots to do at home.They were rather jolly. Jokes about the situation were made. They made way for a rescue truck to pass them. There was a stranded BMW at the side of the road. Thank goodness that they had not brought a Mini with them. Then they saw it. In the middle of the road there was a dip and a deep water barrier. The thought of getting that wet! Very fortunately there was the perfect vehicle approaching. It was a splendid 4×4, which was on its way home. The Photographer stopped it and he and Josie took the tail gate down and jumped in. The Assistant took a more dignified approach and sat inside. Thank you JP Construction.

Thank you to the local 4X4 driver from JP Construction who carried us through this lake

They came to the woods and made their soggy way along. When they reached the stepping stones to cross the stream. The stepping stones were gone and there was a heavy flow of water. Josie had sandals on so she just got wet. The Photographer managed to pull the Assistant across.

When we walked across here 3 hours ago there was set of massive stepping stones and virtually no water in the stream.

The three soaked companions made their way up the field with a cup of tea in mind. Before they had a cup of tea, they went to see if their new bridge, just built across their section of stream was alright. It had gone. The stream had risen many feet and had now subsided. The bridge, which was still intact had been carried until it met a heavy garden table, where it had wedged itself. It is very heavy, and we will need help to drag it out. It has been decided to think about its future position and anchorage over the autumn. Much thought will be put in. Meanwhile, two more bridges are missing, but there is a slate bridge, which we will be able to use.

Where’s my bridge gone?……It was there this morning!…..I spent 2 weeks on that project…….what’s happened?

Our neighbours are all in similar positions. There is damage to repair. Some of it will not be repairable. The change in the seasonal weather is here a little early this year. The Chagford Swimming Pool has 4 inches more water. This sort of thing happens on the Moor. We exchange these happenings for its beauty and remoteness.Yesterday, the geese, who come in the autumn, made an early arrival!

1/2 a tone (500kg) of steel and wood swept 25 yards (metres) downstream without a blink……..the power of water is just amazing

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford     

Part 1: Community

By The Photographer’s Assistant

This is the time when realisation grips the Moor. Autumn is imminent. One day, possibly as early as September, there will be some sort of huge weather happening, which will turn the season. We will go from hot to perishing cold and wet over night. You will wake up one morning and accept the obvious. You will try not to put the heating on and nestle in blankets to watch the telly. Any other activity at night will mean pressing that little button that will start winter energy consumption. It has to be said that the older you get, the more likely it is that you will drop off on the sofa under one of those warm National Trust blankets, and a small amount of snoring will certainly take place over the evening newspaper review. In short, it’s shut down time.
The little hamlet in which we live is full of activity in preparation.

Jane and John are busy getting their large garden ready for the shut down. They are organising our sewage collection and maintenance and they are having a damaged tree down as well as applying themselves to their university employment. We are very grateful for all that they do.
The Photographer is eyeing the drive, which will need pot hole filling during the heavy winter months. He and some of our neighbours are considering what to do about the recent reduction in broadband, which was caused by the hamlet being “upgraded” onto the “improved” fibre supply! Becky and Peter, our new neighbours, have been busy sorting out their water supply and are working hard on many tasks that need completion. They have been a wonderful addition to our community. They are very positive and interested in all that is going on. The Assistant has been stream clearing and vegetable processing. Josie has been shed painting and making huge quantities of soup. Everyone has been fixing up a wood supply for their fire. David, our other neighbour, has also been about with maintenance to do He undoubtedly has the best lawn. The badgers, who were such a worry, have removed themselves to the scruffy section of the Photographer’s patch, where there is plenty to eat. At least two houses have been sold in our little community. We shall be sad to see Nick going with his family and wish him and his family well in their new home. Andrew will be staying at Woodlands farm and will be joined by new neighbours. We are so pleased that he will be staying. He is our only connection with the hamlet’s deeper past. We all loved Winnie and John, his close relatives, and it will just be lovely to have him here still. Paul and Jane continue with their large garden, their hens and their dog. Plenty to be going on with! The Old Chapel continues to be a holiday home. The summer whoops of joy keep us all cheery. Virginia and David are our senior and much respected elders. They are always good for some advice and cheer. Virginia paints wonderful pictures and makes splendid pots. David is very up to date on everything and makes a lovely job of his garden. Their garden has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Mike Bond has started trimming his hedge and his neighbours, Lionel and Sally, have a very beautiful garden too. David and Jenny have been out and about and we love hearing their ducks in the garden.

Freshly harvested fruit and vegetables from the garden for the Assistant to process

All in all, we are kept busy with many items that are provided for in town. We supply our own water. There is no public water supply. Many of us have bore holes, which we maintain with the help of a local contractor. Half the village deals with its own sewage. There is no gas in the road.
There is no water hydrant in case of fire. Swimming often takes place in the River Teign, which is a feature of the village. Broadband is a real problem. The locally recommended company cannot supply any house that is out of sight of its mast. Since Covid, there are a number of villagers working from home. You will find them in the strangest of places linking up to their work as best they can. Josie has recently found a seat in the garden, an acre away from the house. She has a huge speed there as it connects with the Little Town’s supply. Occasionally, she can use the stable block and is working on setting this up for the winter, while maintaining the building as it is!

Construction by Wesley……over engineered design by The Photographer

The big job at the family home this year has been building a new bridge, which mimics the old one, in order to get the ride on mower across the leat. When Josie accidentally put her foot through the bridge it moved right up the “to do list”. The Photographer and Wes spent some time working out measurements, best materials etc. And last week the wood arrived. The two spent the whole weekend constructing the new bridge. It is amazing and really does help. Wes, in particular, went to work with a will and would not stop until the bridge was complete. All that work that he has done in the past on sheds and garden places for other people really came to the fore. In addition to his normal job, building and maintaining swimming pools, he has been helping to run the Little Town’s swimming pool to the extent that competitive swimmers, whose normal pool may not be open, have been coming to practice their swimming.

A bridge over completely untroubled water

Mick came over for supper with Josie and Wes. He is very wise about trees. He gave us some advice and brought his chain saw. The Photographer had been worried for some months about how to deal with the old apple tree, which had had a disease and had fallen in the spring. Mick made short work of it and we were grateful.

John brought his historic lathe over for the Photographer. He wanted someone to have it, who may be able to know how it was used. This was a great success and the Photographer will spend a happy winter in his workshop sorting it out and contemplating its use. Thank you John!

Indeed, everybody has been so helpful that we would like to send a gift to the community. Obviously, with social distancing, we cannot deliver these flowers individually, but would like to send you these sweet peas.

A basket of sweet peas for all our readers

Finally, we would like to thank Jenny, our San Francisco correspondent, for all her months of hard work. She has now given up her Pandemic Diary, which has been so informative over all these months.

And then…….and then…….something happened……See Part 2 published tomorrow………

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford     

Don’t mention the Virus, I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it.

By The Photographer’s Assistant

The tractor rumbled up the rough flower covered drive. It was an old favourite. It was old fashioned with no pretense of modern technology. It had a trailer on the back with John’s logs on board. It managed to back down to the resting place and its trailer tailboard was unhinged and set aside. The faded orange tractor knew its job almost by heart. A lever was pulled and the winter supply was unloaded. It was a beautiful load. John knew exactly where it had come from and was pleased with it. He had delivered here faithfully for eighteen years. He had never let them down.

He had been recommended to the family on its arrival in April of 2002. John had come with Chloe and another local man. They had set to and cleared unwanted scrappy bits of wood, trees which had fallen and needed clearing. They had worked hard and made a difference to access to the overgrown garden, which was so covered that the boundaries could not be found. Today, John came onto the porch for a distanced cup of tea and a biscuit. He was preoccupied with his bees, which were giving him some trouble. One had escaped into a bedroom and was having a wonderful time up there. It had to be fought.

Time passes slowly in rural Devon. Still waiting for someone to pay for nearly 8 1/2 gallons of petrol

John was the start of a flow of lovely visitors. Vince came to service the boiler. More heat for the winter! We have known Vince for so long too. When we moved in, he replaced the water tank with a modern one and recently he replaced the boiler with a condensing one. He came out once to an emergency when water poured through he ceiling. He just came. He didn’t care about the time and the day. On this occasion, he spent the whole time distancing himself and making a thorough job of his service. We all worry about how long we will be able to use oil. Electricity is the only current alternative.

Jenny called with Dylan, her dog. He is a wonderful creature, entirely dedicated to his mistress. Jenny distanced herself at the back door. Dylan came in to inspect the premises, just in case. He is quite rightly suspicious of anywhere. He inspected the utility room, but he found it entirely uninteresting. They went on up to Duncan’s farm to take a walking route on the Moor.

“weed’ vases turned from applewood by John. The tiny holes allow the moisture in the green grass to be drawn into the wood allowing the grass to slowly dry

Sue and John, our friends from Hittisleigh came out to see how we all were. John had turned a piece of our apple wood into two tiny “weed” vases, which were beautiful and filled with the grasses from his field.

So, we went on. Around some time in June, Jo and Wes had a practice camp in the garden. They had booked some camp sites in Cornwall and were keen to be well organised. While they were booking sites, our friend from Angel Barn, on the Welsh borders was setting up a camp site in an adjoining field, so Jo and Wes set off, as serious campers, to give the site a trial. My word! They enjoyed themselves. They enjoyed the site very much, especially the excellent composting loo! They went to Crickhowell and managed to get the best ribs for a barbecue at a knock down price and had a grand evening by the light of the campfire. They were half asleep in the night when Wes thought they had been invaded by a burglar. It was a sheep with a cough. Aren’t we all familiar with that one!

Lunch at the Duke of York at Iddesleigh. Ham egg and chips with a pint of Bays

Meanwhile, us elderly folks decided we should have a bit of a break, so we decided to explore Devon more. We spent a day between Holsworthy and Exbourne. We had become aware of how beautiful it was through a previous visit to Holsworthy’s Waitrose for a pick up. Why so far? Some of our neighbours recommended it. What a friendly supermarket! They had the pick up exactly right, so that you weren’t nervous of their distancing. What a fabulous ride through that countryside, some of which reminded us of Hampshire with its verdant green rolling fields. Josie spent ages just looking. What a view! She hoped that she and Wes would be coming back to enjoy a footpath walk. The “olds” set off through the most wonderful villages and greenery. Everywhere was so pretty that it was fit for a version of Cider With Rosie. What luck! A pub was open in Iddisleigh. The Duke of York was serving lunches on the green outside. There were lots of locals having a pint and we were virtually the only visitors. Ham and eggs with chips were a real treat! How delicious! What a change from our own cooking. The food was served by distancing, masked waitresses. They were so pleasant. We went on travelling through the villages. At one point, we photographed a memorial to a man killed at the battle of Balaclava, (The Charge of the Light Brigade). It was at the side of a main road and, was somehow both beautiful and touching. As, we travelled, we felt as though we were being wrapped up in a parcel of green with a big bow wrapped around it. Mick, who sends us delicious honey lives out amongst all this wonder. It is all amazingly pleasant. Incidentally, when Josie and the Assistant visited him, he too was being chased around his cottage by one of his bees. We are not even going to tell you where he lives. The set of Midsummer Murders has nothing on it. It is so perfect!

Memorial to a brother killed in the Charge of the Light Brigade

 

What to do the next day. It was quite simple. The Photographer had his phone out and read that the Castle Drogo grounds were open and there was the possibility of takeaway tea etc. We set off with some hope. Another wonderful day! We had a breakfast of a bacon bun and wonderful coffee. We eat it in our car because of the rain, which soon stopped. It was so wonderful to see our old friends in the cafe and the distancing was perfect. We walked to Drewsteignton, where we hoped for a pint, but, not for the first time, the pub was shut, so we took the short cut back across the fields and had an ice cream from the Castle Drogo cafe. We came home to more tea and the plan for more trips.

Spot the difference, Two consecutive visits to Drogo………with lockdown in between

The one thing that has struck us throughout our recent travels has been the resilience of our own Little Town. Nearly everything is open. We have even had a baby delivered without the need for a hospital visit. There are many shops, who sell coffee and a snack. Blacks even has a distanced table in the open air, where we had a roll and coffee at the start of our break.There is bread, grocery, fruit from Pam and all manner of delights. The four of us know from our travels, there is resilience and strength here, which we should all give thanks for. It makes all the difference to feel as normal as it is possible to feel amidst such speculation and sadly, some downright gloom, which we really don’t need.

If it is a lovely day, just drop what you’re doing if you can and get safely out. We are alive in the most wonderful and most blessed county that you could possibly imagine. Sorry, that was a bit preachy, but it really is true.

 

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

 

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

 

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford     

 

 

 

Let’s Stick Together (2020 Remix)

By The Photographer’s Assistant

 

I would like to start this blog with a Happy Birthday wish to dear June, who is an avid reader, who always has something to say about the blog. June is a typical reader. She lives alone in Marlborough and is a very interesting person. She loves meeting people and is a wizard at bridge. Her family is spread throughout the world and her IT skills are really impressive. They mean that she can talk to her family wherever they are. Far from feeling threatened by the dreaded bug, she has taken the whole thing as being an opportunity. On one day a week, she takes herself and her trusty shopping frame on a trip to Waitrose, where instead of fretting and worrying about how long
it is all going to take, she has a socially distanced chat with all sorts of people in the queue. She loves it!

Summer will return……A Skylark above Meldon

Here, on the Moor, in our small community, which is out on a limb, things are very busy. We are lucky enough to have space and beauty all around us. Walks are big walks. Bird spotting and deer watching are all on the menu together with the odd picnic. Our surroundings seem to have become more important to us. This time has brought us closer together. We enjoy our distanced chats and sometimes, we are able to help one another out with information, shopping and supplies. Plants are being exchanged in gardens. We are all able to enjoy our gardens and a great deal of activity.

Friday of last week is a real example of a day in our community. In our house, Josie brought her sleepy parents a cup of tea in her huge quilted dressing gown. We had tea in our respective beds. The previous evening croissants had been laid out to rise on a baking tray covered in silicone paper. Eventually, the Assistant launched herself out of bed and put the oven on. Home made marmalade was produced from the fridge and plates were placed out. The Photographer and Josie appeared in anticipation of the Friday treat. There are two armchairs in the hall, which are very saggy and comfortable. The whole family, including Josie have bad backs. Whoever has the least pain today will get a less comfortable chair from the kitchen. Coffee is made. Josie buys Cornish coffee, which is delicious. There is a debate about statues, which takes up the whole of the break with the sleepy Assistant playing the dormouse in the background. Eventually, coffee is finished and the dormouse is rudely awakened by her companions. The dormouse is fixed with the eyes of the two protagonists, who now that they are no longer on the shielded list ( Hooray!) have become almost insufferably cocky and demanding. Whilst shielded they were the most loving pair of suckers up that you could possibly meet. The weekend alcohol situation was now discussed. The wine rack was looking very empty. The dormouse was attacked on all sides. How could this situation have arisen? How many bottles would be needed? The dormouse had no idea. Her intake was usually quite restricted by these two because, quite rightly, being a dormouse had nothing on the way she could sleep through intellectual conversation. Money was exchanged, a list was agreed on and Josie took the opportunity to drive her car. She wanted to try out the repairs done by our neighbour on a wall that had taken a big hit by a vehicle some years before. The entrance was now beautifully repaired and the Assistant had been enjoying viewing it from the kitchen window.

Pam has re opened The Fruit Loop……..Hooray

As far as Josie was concerned, on her return, the dormouse hadn’t moved and was still not quite with it. Living with elderly parents could be testing. She was determined to be kind, which she was, but firm. The dormouse did not appear to have warmed up soup for lunch or thought about toast! Josie’s zoom quiz was at 3.30 and no later. The situation was tight. The dormouse stirred and made her way to the kitchen, where the Photographer took charge of the kettle. Josie had had a cracking time in the little town. Pam’s veg. Shop had opened for the first time since lock down during the week. It had been stripped, but Pam managed to come up with potatoes for roasting. Jaded Palates supplied some excellent wine. Josie had been trained as a senior member of staff in some really good restaurants during her student years. Her instinct on wines was first class. She could choose a bottle with a severe interest and a handy reference book written in her head. Next, she decided on an anti lock down treat. Three cinnamon buns were purchased from the sourdough bread shop. They were meant for Saturday breakfast, but were consumed the minute the kettle had boiled. The zoom quiz was cancelled so the three had a snooze after all their exertions. Josie could not rest as her parents’ “restful” music was so loud. She had promised the dormouse a roast dinner in the evening, so she went ahead with the preparations, listening to Hilary Mantel’s “Bring Out The Bodies” as she worked. The meal was a joyous one with lots of laughter and conversation. Wesley had arrived home from his work and enjoyed a beer. Today, as the working person, who left the family all day, he informed the family that its members must be careful when taking to the road. Drivers who haven’t driven for three months are really rusty!

Sara and Vincent of the Forge Cafe

To talk of our dear friends and contacts. One is taking a Zoom class in painting and her technique and use of colour have become very good indeed. Jim has a Zoom meeting with us every week. He has been enormous fun, one week appearing in his multi coloured Hawaiian shirt with a wonderful pair of shorts. He continues with his walks. His lunches are supplied by dear Vincent and Sara of the Forge Cafe, who provide excellent takeaway meals on five days a week. This is a real boon to the community. Incidentally, The Globe pub provides fantastic fish and chips for a treat takeaway on a Friday evening. Together with Catherine and Chris at Blacks Deli, there is no need to cook when you’re feeling a bit low. Jim’s conversation has been a real tonic to us. One of our friends who has a rare form of cancer, has made such good progress that his consultant has told him that he can continue on his walks and that he can visit his boat. What a tonic!! Jenny, our friend in the States, has been surrounded by riots in her building. So far, she is O.K. dear Jenny, who lives alone in her apartment, who has the occasional unofficial hug from her visiting sister, which actually keeps her blood pressure down. She bravely produces her Covid Diary once a week. She is careful about exercise since she was assaulted in the street.

Chris and Catherine of Black’s Deli last Christmas

We know that some of you are wondering about John, our dear friend, who volunteers in Hereford Cathedral. He is still able to get a supply of Jacobs cream crackers and has been using his time at home to greatly improve his IT system. No doubt, he will be needed at the Cathedral soon. Our retired priest friend ,Noel continues to miss the Monday breakfast club, though he has been getting about socially distance visiting and generally taking an interest in people as usual. A very busy retired priest!

My brother, it seems, has had a lucky escape. He has been isolated for some time with his wife in the Malvern Hills. It was not Covid that nearly killed him. It was his car. He had, in fact, had a conversation with his neighbour who owned the same model. Neither of them felt safe in their cars and decided not to drive them any more until they could get help. Eventually, a garage was contacted and a man came out to see my brother’s car. He was quite surprised. He declared the car to be unsafe! The car was taken away on a transporter. It was repaired, given an MOT and returned. My brother is a terrific walker and longs to get to the Brecon Beacons. We miss visiting Sharon and her family in Angel Barn, but all of this is on hold.

We must be optimistic and not let the situation get us down. Of course, there are days when things are not as they should be, but then, I think of poor Jenny and of my niece and nephew. My niece lives in Derby and has two very small children and I must say that she is making a cracking job of looking after those children. She must be so tired! My nephew lives in a confined space in London with his girlfriend and far from being furloughed, they are both working from this small space on nine days out of ten. There is often a cheery joke or situation written by Tim Sutcliffe on the Hub and I sent one of these to my niece, whose husband is an engineer. The more they looked at the joke the more that they laughed. Well done Tim. Cheer like this, it seems, can reach the other end of the country.

On the other hand, we have not been enjoying or understanding the motives of those, who in their misery, write the most insensitive and negative stuff. It doesn’t help anybody. Go out and kick a ball about or swear to yourself. Don’t spread such misery around the beautiful Moor. After all, you are still alive and well!

Hoping you enjoy the Photographers pictures this month. I am lucky enough to have a stream of his photos, past and present. What a joy it is to see places we have been, the children at various stages of their lives, and family events, relatives, who are long gone and all sorts of lovely stuff.

HAVE A GOOD MONTH AHEAD. WE HOPE FOR THE WEATHER IN WHICH WE CAN ALL ENJOY THE MOOR. PACK YOUR SANDWICHES AND GET OUT THERE. SOCIAL DISTANCE. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR EXCEPT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF VIEWS!

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

If in doubt……..make Pesto

 

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The Photographer is abandoning Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) so contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

 

The Photographer’s snapshots for this blog can be seen on     Dartmoor Diary Flickr Album or all his snapshots on  Flickr (follow link)           The serious stuff is currently only available directly from The Photographer except for a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Any similarity between characters in this blog and real people, products or events is entirely co-incidental

Any similarity between “The Little Town” and Chagford is entirely deliberate, Click on this link to find out more. Visit Chagford