When Thomas Hardy made a Brief Appearance on the Moor.

Jacob

It was tea time up here on the Moor. One neighbour had been to collect her children from school and the other had gone to collect a small child from play school. Ivy, our dear neighbours English Pointer, was stretching her legs ready for a walk, Peter had a crisis in his workshop, which sounded kind of terminal. Susan was lifting the kettle onto the hob and wondering whether there were any biscuits left for Peter. Susan’s eyes strayed to the bird feeder. The scruffy woodpecker was just taking too many peanuts. Things were getting out of hand. Birds were fighting over the bird seed. A patch of white caught her eye. She had another look. A small boy was standing outside her window and he was looking lost. He was very worried too. She opened the front door and he looked relieved. An extraordinary conversation followed. Susan asked him why he looked puzzled and he spoke. He told Susan “ I am the son of ———-and my father is the son of his father, who is ———. I live in the farm close to Murchington, not in Murchington but close to Murchington”. It was an extraordinary frame of speech. The young man was so neatly dressed in a wonderful white shirt and such a tidy outfit that Susan was quite taken aback. He explained that he had lost one of his sheep and had been sent to every turning in the hamlet to check it out. At this stage Peter, Susan’s patient Gabriel Oak appeared. She was relieved to see him appearing in the distance. Peter knew the boy and his father. The boy had his own sheep, but it was one of his father’s that was missing. Peter knew that the sheep had appeared in another neighbour’s front hall, actually inside her farmhouse! Peter went straight up the road to a farm barn, where the boy’s father was looking both mystified and cross. The farmer explained that the mother sheep had taken her daughter on a three day holiday. The mother had an unusual freedom loving background and was used to running her own life. The farmer had not realised that she was not a conventional mother and he regretted the purchase. It turned out that the sheeps’ tour had included much of the hamlet. It is not clear how long their weekend break was, but it was certainly unusual. They had, for instance, wondered into Susan’s neighbours house, where outside their front door, they had taken up quite an acquaintance with Ivy, the dog, always a friendly creature, and the neighbour’s cat, who was always interested in unusual happenings. The four animals were getting on really well, when our neighbours were disturbed by the “goings on’. Fortunately, the neighbours had some experience of farm animals and were immediately on the case. The animals were taken to the field next door, and left there with some other sheep. However, these were not sheep of their acquaintance, so they left the field and wondered off elsewhere, which is how our neighbour found them. The whole incident would have so appealed to Thomas Hardy and surely would have arisen in one of his books! To live on the Moor gives a different dimension to life. The every day here is becoming different from that of many other places.

A trouble maker if ever I saw one

It is July and John is bringing us our winter wood. This is the 23rd time that he has done this. When we arrived here, John came to help us. The far end of the garden was as wild as any garden gets and John and his team set to with a will. They chopped and tidied and John told us of the garden’s history. There had been some walnut trees here, but, over the years, they had deteriorated, died and fallen down. Now, we hoped to plant and tidy and make something of it. John has his roots in this place and he can tell you much about it. He tells of the little town, when even we can’t remember it. He tells of how you could park your tractor in the main street with no hindrance. Life was simpler. Even we remember how, at Christmas, men, who you may never have seen before, arrived in all sorts of farm vehicles. They would alight and every single one of them would be trying to buy gifts for their loved ones. It was a touching scene of sheer desperation! Now, you have to look out for the traffic warden!

In the distance, we can hear the rumble of the tractor and it’s long trailer. It appears, with its load safely stacked. John’s manoeuvre of this load is safe and skilled. He has diseased ash on board. It is all cut to size and the best wood that you could possibly wish for. We feel fortunate, able now to face winter with a warm supply and no incremental CO2 emissions. We have an approved wood burner and dry wood. Out here, where there is no gas supply, expensive oil and in last winter, an unreliable electricity supply, we feel beyond lucky! We haven’t seen John for a while, so we have a cup of tea together and catch up on the little town’s news.

Robbie

We will miss Robbie. She came to the little town and lived at Cranley Gardens. She has decided to move on. She is going to Northumberland, which is a place that she would like to explore. She always had a cheery smile. We hope that she has a wonderful adventure.
We have a lively interest in cricket in the town with cricketing facilities at the Recreation Club. We could not resist mentioning the joy that the English Cricket team have brought. As a child Susan and her father watched the likes of Fred Truman, with a huge tea pot to hand. Not a single over was missed. When Susan had children and they were at school, Brian Johnson and his team accompanied her everywhere. Her father had bought her a transistor radio so she didn’t miss anything. Good old Dad! He must have been up above enjoying all of the Test Match series. What a gutsy performance! That’s more like it! England and the people on the Moor, many about their work with their phone attached, have had some cheer. Well! It’s 6 o’clock. It’s time for The Hundred!

We’re off to watch the cricket. This is not cricket to go to sleep to.

When we are recovered from the rigours of much of life, we will be seen moving wood and watching the sheep over the fence. We are well acquainted with them. Their antics are forever amusing, especially the near boxing matches. A man dared to enter their field on a walk the other day and the most territorial of the sheep actually went to get his boxing gloves out! They are bemused but very rarely amused!

Rampant Ram

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Recommended this month ; Chris Packham’s new series, which is not at all the same as the Watches. It is called, Earth. We are still hoping that some of you will read The Sheep’s Tale by John Lewis-Stempel. The story of our most misunderstood farmyard animal.

Peter’s recommendations are Bearskins by Annie Proulx to understand why Americans don’t understand the European concept of the managed mixed forest, and if you watched “Oppenheimer” then Cormac McCarthy’s last novels (The Passenger and Stella Maris) which deal with the effect on his imagined family.

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

More pictures of sheep that emerged in the search for this blog

Man and sheep in perfect harmony??

“We three sheep from Hereford are” Christmas carol sheep

Explanation: This is a flock of sheep on the Brecon Beacons, being driven back to the mountain grazing. The ewes have been shorn and marked by the farmer, while the yearling lambs still unshorn, accompany their mothers.

The Last of Summer

Morning beckons. The light is peeping in the window. It begs you to open your eyes. It is perfectly peaceful. Now, even the birds are almost silent. The owl has ceased it’s night time talk. It has flown on a morning mission. This is your most tranquil moment in the day. You can really enjoy it. Open your eyes and breath in the country air. A study of the clock reveals that it is just short of the time that Wes will leave his new dwelling for work, which could be anywhere in this county, or the next. I will lie here a little longer enjoying my own thoughts for the day. I will silently take my morning drugs. They’ve got this well sorted at the surgery, but it’s not much use if I forget to take them.

Peter stirs. We get tea, according to who is most awake. I quietly tread down the stairs, My whole body is like one stiff mass, so I give it a talking to. The stairs are slow and painful, but eventually, the whole body unsticks it’s limbs and we are in business. It is still very peaceful, so I open the front door and reach for the bird feeder. Before I have filled it, birds are massing on the end of trees and even twigs. They are so idle. There are a lot of insects still about, but they must have their morning seed! I fill their improvised pottery dish with water and go and put the kettle on. The noise outside is quite distracting. Feathers are being flapped and the odd fight breaks out greed is definitely not just the province of the human world. The punch ups outside the front door are ongoing. Tea up and possibly toast with an egg rise up the stairs. There is a debate over egg timing. The fridge is set on maximum due to the heat. Normally, the eggs are boiled for six and a half minutes, but these are really large, so its 7 minutes. You are probably not married to an engineer, to whom egg timing is of the essence. Literally!

Cattle by Factory Bridge grazing on parched grass

Breakfast over. We have not been able to take a walk for months. First, we had the veg plot to keep going, then, we had the produce to use. Every bowl of water from the sink is used to keep plants going. We are feeling very challenged. Peter’s plan for vegetables to save money is working. All pensioners, no matter who they are will lose money this winter. One morning, a while ago, Peter worked out our situation, and to our surprise, we found that we had to take some action. He spent a happy engineers day in the study. We had savings, but they had not collected much interest in twenty years. He had a small number of shares, which were dying and worth very little. We had been all through this before. In 1986, we had just moved house. On the day that we moved, the interest rates shot up on the mortgage and they just kept going. Peter had five people to support including his elderly mother. I was lucky. I had a phone call asking me to return to work urgently. I could work the old Purchasing and Supply IT system on my own, while everybody learnt the new one. At this stage, a part of our new home subsided into the road. Peter arranged the repair and went to work, while I helped earn an additional sum. The children were looked after by granny and they got very tired of fish fingers! We also had the Black Monday stock market crash, when we lost every penny of Peter’s bonus, which was paid in shares. This was the money to help with our eldest child’s university fees completely gone! When we heard the news about this new national money crisis, we determined to be prepared. In the early spring, Peter ordered lots of compost and stretched our seed packets across the kitchen table. We could almost feed ourselves; certainly through summer and part of winter. We will, and lots of people can also do this next summer as well. Of course, we would rather have been climbing the hills and enjoying our local community, but we knew that we couldn’t take this awful business again! If you want to you can make a difference. Almost any patch of free land can be turned into food. Yesterday, Wes and Josie came to dinner. We had bought a chicken, but every accompanying vegetable had been grown and everybody had more than enough to eat. Wine was added from a carefully accumulated stock. On Friday Wes and Josie will receive a carefully collected vegetable box from our garden.

Peter is sweating a bit this morning. The chicken stock is taking its toll on poor Peter, but he has an air of determination about it! We had a stimulus to our approach last week, when we happily went on the month’s shop up to find a loaf of bread costing £4.70. All thought of a week off bread baking vanished and Peter produced his usual poppy seeded white loaf. He felt too tired to produce wholemeal. He produces home made jam, pickles and amazing stuff. Susan recognising that the decorative garden area has gone from bad to worse, uses her battery strimmer in the shade to keep the place slightly tidy. In case, Mr. Burglar, you are thinking of your usual autumn theft of gardening equipment dream on, we sleep with it all. It’s a really romantic thing.

Winter is coming. This is what 12 cubic metres of renewable energy enough for one winter looks like.

What else has been going on? Visits have been going on. We could see virtually nobody during Covid. We visited John and Tillie and had a cream tea. They visited us with the winter logs. We have had John’s logs every winter for twenty years. Chloe has worked for John for, well, a long time. She helped John with delivering the logs. John’s vegetable patch is always impressive. Peter knows that he can’t beat it. There is always something to learn. We sit under our apple tree as the June drop continues into July. We discuss bread making, cake making and all that country stuff as we sup tea and coffee. We are each looking forward to our annual break and chat away. Back to normal. Who would have thought it. Later, in the week, Tim comes around and spends a happy afternoon, eating cake and talking of his latest project. It’s always good to see Tim. He works so hard that it makes you feel as if you do nothing in life.

Just that time when the Machinery tells you it’s Time for Tea

Peter has had the mower out. It will chop the hedge cuttings up. Susan attempts to keep up with it all. Just as they are reaching the end, there is a cry of distress from the furthest end of the garden. Peter appears dragging the mower trailer and the mower. The wheel on the trailer, has a puncture for the first time in ten years. Would you believe that! Well, I never! This necessitates a trip to E Bowden & Son the traditional agricultural mower people in Bovey Tracey. What a place! Sue and Peter love it. There is stuff in there that you could only dream of. Susan watches as Peter just has a stroke of those lovely new yellow tractor mowers. After all, you can dream. You can do that when you slowly come to in the morning!

PS

Congratulations to all who contributed to the fund raising Chagford Market. Another great community effort.

Mike Palmer raising money for Cancer Research at the Chagford Street Market

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

Thought for the month

“Four weeks is an eternity in the life of a tomato”

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

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     

 

As I walked out one November morning

Inspired by the wonderful Laurie Lee

By the Photographers Assistant

And now for something a bit different. Inspired by Slow Radio, and slow TV like The Yorkshire Bus, here is Slow Blogging.

Enjoy a walk through the Dartmoor lanes with us during a quiet autumn day in Covid-19 Lockdown 2

For those of you who wish to follow this walk on an OS map: follow this link https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/6775456/gidleigh-and-wonson

Exercise for Three

Having whooshed the dirt away and found no immediate work in the garden we decided on an autumn treat. We shut the house up, put an apple in our pockets and set off for Gidleigh. We walked the lane from our house. This was the lane that Ursula always insisted on being an original country lane with its pretty weeds and old fashioned ways. At the corner of the lane there is a lovely wooden seat on which people occasionally sit. The seat is maintained by Mike, who has lovingly preserved and looked after it all these years. Sometimes, Peter and I have been so excited about a visitor that we sit on the seat so that the visitor doesn’t miss the turning. Around the corner and past the house that Liz Goodchild used to live in. She rented a cottage out and we used to know some of the people who lived in this delightful cottage. A couple from this cottage used to walk past our house and we got to know them. The couple imported beautiful, fluffy wedding dresses and they kept them in the barn. They would take their two children for a walk and come in to see us. We used to give them a hot drink and some biscuits. Marcus, our rescue spaniel made a disgraceful fuss of the children. At first timid of this huge animal, the children were soon in league with him. They were a fun team. There would be no biscuits left!. Eventually. The barn was so cold that winter could not be endured, so we received the sad news that they would be emigrating to the U.S.A. to join some fellow Christians, who were building a community. Our house went very quiet now there were no more children. Marcus sulked for months and held us entirely responsible for the loss of his friends. We were just sad. The biscuit tin stayed full.

Opposite Liz’s old house we met Lionel and Sally just wandering out into their garden. We were so pleased to see them. The four of us used to meet up now and then, but know we were all under a heavy Covid cosh. We loved walking past their house. It was so beautifully built by Mike, who was their neighbour too. It fits so exactly into its surroundings.They were going to take themselves off to Scorell up the road. It was just such a lovely day.

We continue on our way and meet George Lyon Smith’s daughter exercising the most beautiful grey horse. What a lovely country sight.

Next we start to pass Duncan’s beautiful fields with views that would take anyone’s breath away. Here is the naked Moor with its high green hills, beautiful trees and sky. It can be shrouded in mist, covered in rain and snow. Its mood is unpredictable and you will need to walk that way with care and if you want to walk it properly, particularly in winter, you will need equipment. We came here from the gentle West Sussex Downs. This was a different case from those rolling hills. When we came here we were lucky enough to join one of Tom’s tours, where we learnt all about survival as well as beauty on the Moor. We remember well one day, when we were all feeling a bit cocky about our ability. Tom stood in what looked like a safe area. He took his walking pole, held it above the ground, and let it go. It was swallowed whole by the ground. Love the Moor was the message, but never stop respecting it!

Onwards, down to the river and a spot near the Woodland Trust Blackaton Copse. We had happy memories of Josie and Wes’ wedding, where Josie resplendent in her wedding dress, and now being wed, took the muddy path right down to the river. The Wedding Photographer could not believe that the whole wedding party were happy to almost bathe in mud while they had their pictures taken. The wedding frock was later restored by being washed in a product produced, as if from a conjurer’s hat, by Colin at Bowdens. It cost less than £4 to clean it! From the river, we go on towards Gidleigh Village Hall, which must have one of the most beautiful views in the country. You could stand here for a very long time, identify major landmarks or be entirely swept away by this view. Try it. It really will knock your socks off.

 

 

Around the corner, past the now empty little trinket and supply box, shut due to Covid. A sad sight indeed. Here, by his rather stylish bungalow, we meet with Dick, who is on business bent. Not for him, the idleness of a walk. Dick is bent on pleasing his wife, Janie. Here is Janie’s art studio, which is in need of a new path. On the Moor this is no simple task. There is sorting granite pieces and all sorts to be done. Dick sighs and lights a cigarette. Leaning on an implement of destruction, he is only too willing to have a chat. He sweeps a hand across his brow and tells us that all is well with Gidleigh.

Dick lives next door to the church and we shall visit this old friend. Inside the church, we remember Josie’s wedding and how, when she had been home from University, Anthony Geering, our previous vicar, had shown her something that you would never spot without being told. The beautiful medieval rood screen had had a very clever repair. Perfectly replacing a broken piece, there was an old fashioned wooden cotton reel, so beautiful mimicking the original colours and shape, you really had to know it was there. If you visit, see if you can see it. Outside the church and around the corner, there is an empty part of the graveyard, which was once the site of great bravery. Mr. Hardy, who lives in the castle beside the church had hatched an idea. He went to his tool shed and got out various tools of destruction. He carried them all towards a tree that he felt was past its sell by date, and examined it. This was not going to be a trivial exercise. He felt that the tree should be removed root and all to prepare for possible burials. This was a heavy task for a venerable more elderly member of the congregation. Meanwhile, recovering from a recent, serious operation, Peter was taking the air on a longish walk. He had walked to Gidleigh church, in need of a rest and was sitting on a bench when he heard the noises of an agonised destruction taking place around the corner. Somewhat alarmed, he investigated, and found Mr.Hardy bravely chopping at the tree. Peter was hard pressed, but, having had a large number of trees down throughout his life decided something had to be done. He stepped for ward and seized the axe. He found it comfortable to hold so he took a swing at the tree and the tree broke. One more swing brought the tree down. Mr. Hardy continued to do all that he could. By lunch time the tree was down. The two men heartily shook hands and sat down. Peter knew that he was now well and Mr. Hardy was enormously pleased.

Today, Mr. Hardy’s garden is being tidied and there is a neat little bonfire at the side of the road as we round the corner.

 

The two continued walking along enjoying the silence of the countryside when several cars swept along the road. Clearly, some wood had fallen nearby and local people had been clearing it all up. You can’t waste this sort of find out here, where independent living is a must.

We pass the gate which leads to the walk to the old hermitage. This is a hazardous diversion, particularly, in wet weather when the river is not to be trusted. You could have quite a nasty accident if you go this way. At the very least, You could get tremendously wet!

The horses on the right hand side of the road are just about as pretty and adorable as they come. They are proud and haughty, but they will let you say a nice hello if you play your cards right. What a beautiful sight!

Now, we see beautiful chocolate box pretty houses. Most of these houses are lovingly maintained and treasured, but it is only on a walk like this you will really see them. You have to know that they are there. We pass a moorland bridge, so unusually formed, but attractive to see, covered in ivy, it is a scene from a film.

 

 

So we go on until we reach the street that leads to the Wonson’s pub, sadly shut up by Covid. Here, beside us, is the phone box with the defibrillator in, a reminder of our human state.

 

Further on we pass Providence Chapel, where we and many others sadly attended John and Winnie Kingsland’s funerals.

On the opposite side of the road, there is a most tempting jar of marmalade for sale, but we have plenty at home. Now, we start for home, down the hills, and past more houses and sheep. Near home we pass Mr. Davies turnips, ready to feed his animals. How neatly, they are planted. At the bottom of the hill, we are home, so it’s past he chapel and back to Mike’s bench. At home there is tea and cake. Perfect. Absolute perfection. Put your feet up, light the fire and ask those who want to abolish your log burner, just how exactly, those who Iive off the grid are going to keep themselves from freezing!

 

 

 

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

A very Happy Christmas and a splendid New Year to all our readers, in case we don’t get back to you before then

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     

Tailpiece

 

Once upon a time in the West

By the Photographers Assistant

Murchington Jubilee photo part 2 (Hayes and Mosses)

The removal van had made a long journey from Sussex. The couple had spent the night sleeping on camping beds in their new home. The cat had spent the night in its basket looking very annoyed. This was yet another new patch for it to adjust to. Jim demanded more breakfast and feeling quite ancient today, settled himself down for an uncomfortable time. By the time the removal van left, he had resigned himself to his fate and he had no desire to leave the new home. He was bored and fast asleep and he missed the young cats, both of whom had been killed in a new traffic system outside their old village home. The grown children were at some other institution and he missed their cuddles. Dark days indeed, but not for the adults, who were delighting in moving furniture about and, above all else, looking forward to the restoration of a large garden.

This move had come about as Peter had managed to avoid moving to Switzerland with some of his colleagues. After decades as one of the country’s leading engineers, he had spent an evening doing his sums and decided to retire. He had actually spent some money and bought a new car in which to go and find somewhere he could live in a peaceful environment. Both he and his wife knew exactly where they would like to go. They had contacted Phil Fowler, driven down and Phil had put them in his Land Rover and shown them two beautiful houses. The two took the details to the Ring of Bells pub, where they bought a round of drinks and had a chat with some locals. The locals were adamant that this little hamlet was the place. You could not wish for anywhere better! This was the confirmation of a dream. In 1972, two young couples had a walking holiday together in this lovely countryside. One of the couples had spent until 2001, trying to get here. At last, a dream was fulfilled. They would never get on an aeroplane again. Enough was enough!

Sid Setter. Gardener, carer, repairman, local historian, friend

Returning to the new home, Jim, somewhat reluctantly, started to join in with the family. Josie returned for a holiday and he helped her settle into the big bedroom, overlooking a beautiful garden and a field. Peter, never one to turn down an offer, undertook a short engineering consultancy job. The travel only involving the U.K. Susan didn’t know where to start. Should she start in the house, or the garden? The garden had always come first. What a mess! It had been a beautiful garden, but it had been grazed by a horse. Here, in the shed there was evidence of previous gardening from some years ago and most of it was useful. There were old bean sticks, substantial balls of string and the odd implement. It was a treasure trove. The garden revealed old crops. There was a tree that would be full of cooking apples in the autumn. Treasure upon treasure. There were old fashioned raspberries that would survive a Dartmoor winter. Yes, a job could be done here. Meanwhile, unused to seeing Sue in action, Peter noticed that over a number of weeks that she had not been thriving. She seemed to be very tired and weak. His mother had died and she missed her. This was something he had not spotted. Sue struggled without his mother’s help. She had always had a couple of underlying illnesses, but they seemed to be taking over. This was a chance to find the local surgery. What a lovely change that was. Everyone was so welcoming and it was nothing like so crowded as their old one. Excellent! By some great good fortune, all the doctors seemed really useful and Sue was put on Dr. Sarah Wollaston’s list. Before long she was being sorted with two consultants and the right medicine. Meanwhile, Sue had decided on some exercise, which had been missing with the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Both Ursula and Michael, her new neighbours encouraged her to visit Richard Padley’s garden, a part of the original farming estate on which they all lived. Walking up the lane to the garden was simply beautiful. It could be muddy, but who cared when you could see that view down to the Teign and she thought the shrubs were better than a tour around Wisley. There was a really wild bit with all sorts of trees. It was quite hard climbing the hill up to the garden if she approached from the river. This was how she met Sid, the only gardener in this huge garden. Sid began to take an interest in this weak looking creature, and began not to be able to bare seeing her struggle, especially with breathing after the hill. He began to have little chats with her. She seemed deeply interested in the garden and he spoke to Richard, the retired FAO statistician, who could no longer manage to walk into the garden. It was agreed that she should be allowed to walk through the house garden and above all into the old walled fruit and vegetable garden. This was a real prize. Anyone who has seen a real Victorian walled garden, would simply stand and wonder. This became a real go to place for a treat. Sid was a wonder. From time to time he even managed to grow some broad beans for Richard. When we had Marcus, our rescue dog, we had some real adventures. Marcus was very protective of the garden and was at his peak, when a badger was on the veg patch. Fortunately, he was accompanied by Peter, who managed to rescue him from the fight. It would be impossible to praise Sid enough. He worked so hard and knew which parts of the garden would look so wonderful wild. As Richard got older, he worked miracles to keep him in his home. Richard was amazing. We will always remember the day that Richard’s cat appeared in our garden. It was dying and Peter was holding it. Richard was in tears and said that it had caught Aids. It was just very sad. Now, Richard had lost his beautiful wife and his cat.

We loved our new home and fellow hamlet dwellers. Sue would visit Ursula while she was having breakfast. Ursula, who had been a West End Actress, loved a visit and they would discuss Ursula’s garden. It was much admired and what really tickled Sue was that most of the substantial shrubs in the garden had been bought from the Daily Telegraph and not a posh nursery. Ursula had a lovely strawberry patch, which would amuse her neighbours because it was so well looked after and it was protected from the birds with many double cream pots. She was a good example of nutrition for any elderly person, having a large glass of wine and a really good piece of cheese for supper!

From 1959 Morris Traveller to 1978 VW Passat Estate……some people mark the height of their children in the porch. John Kingsland marked his cars, a rural petrolhead!

Ursula had a trip out every Wednesday with some other elderly neighbours. She would dress up and wait by the gate. John and Winnie Kingsland and Charles would appear in John’s latest car (the 1978 VW Passat) and off they would all go to the Little Town. When they got to there, Winnie and Ursula would take off on some mission or other, but the two men would stand outside Bowdens, ready to communicate with any other old mate, who happened to be passing. They would all return home for another week. Ursula always had a more higher flown attitude. After all, when we had arrived, she had a big green car (Audi 90) and was the best driver in the whole hamlet. Seeing her in reverse gear was a real lesson to us all!

There used to be lots of partying in the hamlet. Virginia and David always held an election party at which nobody ever heard the results for the noise of gossip and general uproar. David and Jenny held some wonderful parties, at which loads of local news was downloaded. Their children were almost equal to our children, except that our Lucy was so elderly that she had moved away by now. For a while, their Richard and our Josie, students both, had to get up at some unearthly hour and drive together to help the Department of the Environment. It was exhausting for them both. In the end, Josie was head hunted by a “dragon” type of employer and released from the early hours. We are all so proud for Jenny and David as Richard went on to become a doctor. Both students did well. Thank goodness! Anyway, parties in the hamlet used to be great fun. Peter had his 60th here and you couldn’t get in the door for sweat, food and laughter. We could be said to have settled in!

Winnie Kingsland. Born and lived in Murchington her whole life. Our heroine

Winnie and John are so missed. They were simply lovely people. They knew everything about the hamlet and were always there for anyone. When John was ill, we remember him walking the back field with long strides and great strength trailing a plume of St Bruno smoke behind him. When Sue was involved in an arts event, he helped one of her actors by teaching him to speak in real Devon language. It was a treat for us all to hear him.

We simply respected Charlie, who had a farm across the road. He turned out in a three piece suit in his 90s to supervise his relatives digging and planting his garden. He had a presence that demanded great respect. We were sad when he died.

Olive and Mike have lived here for a very long time. Mike came and helped Peter with some skilled pointing on the house. He is a man who works hard. He built the beautiful house in which Lionel and Sally now live. It is just a good solid, yet, lovely building and exhibits Mike’s skill exemplarily.

It is all change in the hamlet now. Barbara, a dear neighbour is about to move out. She and her husband David were kind to us when we moved in. Sadly, David died a while ago now and Barbara is moving on. Nick, who has been here a little while and was a great friend to Wes and Josie, is moving on. Goodness knows who else will sell for it appears, quite frankly, to be a good time for it. All we can hope is that some good country loving people will move in and be able to live the wonderful life that we have all led. Let’s be optimistic!

Murchington Jubilee photo Part 1

 

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     

We’re all going on an Autumn Holiday

No more worries for a week or two

(Sorry Cliff)

By the Photographers Assistant

The friendly and helpful farmer looking after Llancillo Church

This month we are off on a break and you are invited to go with us. Heaven knows, there is enough gloom, so let’s have a cheer up.

We knew that it was autumn when Wes set off to help close the little town’s swimming pool. There was a strange feeling around the house, as if this was some sort of closure, and so it proved to be. Soon, he would start closing his customers pools and he would begin to have a little more time to think of other projects. While the Photographer and his Assistant surveyed the garden and decided to plant some late spinach under a cloche, Josie and Wes decided on what they could do to help out indoors. Wes was happy that his bridge across the stream was now well settled in. He and Josie began to think of a long list of jobs which would update the house. The family had been in the house for a long time now and some of the initial work on it was showing its age. Wes, at first, looked to a couple of his greatest strengths. While the elderly were pottering in the garden, he examined a now aged shower room. This must be first. Tiling and plumbing were among his great strengths. The Photographer and the Assistant were in Josie’s car before they knew where they were. There was much grumbling at leaving the garden for the day. Tiles and a new sink were selected before they could refuse and so, the next project was selected. There was never a dull moment in this house!

It was Sunday and the Photographer and Assistant were packing. A holiday was in the offing. Josie was getting a lovely lamb dinner with all the trimmings. We won’t describe the roast potatoes. It would just be cruel, especially if you are hungry!

Monday morning and Josie was up and supervising the departure. After much humming and carry on, she succeeded in packing them off. She had a whole cleaning plan in her head and there were some friends to socially distance with. God only knew if her furlough would ever end. She so missed her job and colleagues . Keeping busy was for the best.

The two pottered off up the M5 and M4. They were going to the remote barn to stay at Sharon’s, where there would be perfect peace and time to relax after the rigours of summer and the lockdown etc.Sharon’s welcome was always warm and a bottle of wine and some welsh cakes arrived. Bags and food were unpacked. The Assistant had brought lots of cooking material with her. There were curry powders and poppadoms, garden vegetables, and loads of eggs. There was bacon for breakfasts and lots of bits and pieces. There were even some cooking apples from the garden.

The news on the Monday evening was not good. Here they were, on the Welsh border and it sounded as if some lock downs were on their way. Until now, they had assumed Wales was safe. The next morning, the two set off for Crickhowell with a long shopping list. Our own Bowdens has its strengths ie ordering paint etc., but Webbs has huge amounts of stuff that the farmers come to buy. The Assistant was after a certain type of saucepan set and a huge bail of garden twine. Photographer lusted over all the Stihl equipment any man could possibly want, but he knew that his loyalty was really with E Bowdens of Bovey Tracey. He reluctantly left with a few useful small items. Meanwhile, the Assistant was beetling over to the butchers, where an obscene amount of welsh cheese was purchased together with some strings of onions. The camping shop was as practical as ever. They even managed a cup of coffee at their favourite cafe. Poor Crickhowell.
What a wonderful example it was for Covid distancing. Everywhere was strictly distanced. Huge flower troughs had been planted in the road, so that people were helped into distancing on the pavements, and it was all so pretty. Every single person wore a mask inside and outside the shops. It seemed so unfair that it was so close to the area that had been locked down.

On the Wednesday, the Photographer managed to get The Assistant a slap up meal at the Felin Fach Griffin restaurant. This was the first time that he used the NHS tracing app on his phone. The two tucked into a smooth carrot soup, a mixed fish grill and a chocolate fondant to die for. The fondant’s taste was beyond description. You can imagine the quality chocolate mixed in with wonderful cream. Stunning!

The Black Hill from Offas Dyke

After this, the Welsh government began thinking about more lockdowns in Cardiff etc. When Liverpool was shutdown, 4 Welsh counties were locked down too. The Welsh Minister was asking people not to move about Wales any more than they had to. We decided to spend the rest of the holiday on our feet and what a glorious time we had! The weather was good and we walked for many miles. We took particular pleasure in climbing the Black Hill, otherwise known as The Cat’s back. What a climb! What a view! Bruce Chatwin’s book, “On the Black Hill”, about it came to mind and there were some broken down farmhouses, but the scenery was glorious. The Assistant’s grand mother had always told her of the glory of the Black mountains. You have to see them to know how true that was.

The Assistant reaches the trig point at the summit of the Black Hill

Our walking continued, and we always managed a lunch on a seat in a churchyard. The most difficult walk was to the church at Llancillo, a church under the protection of the Friends of Friendless Churches. It certainly was difficult to get to, situated in a remote corner of a farmer’s field. It was a wonderful example of church history with a Tudor Door way and a medieval preaching cross.

Llancillo Church. Supported by the Friends of Friendless Churches. Medieval Prayer Cross and Tudor door evident

It was visited often, and, in the same week, several people had been, including a visitor from China. There was a strict Covid notice, even this far away from the roads. Someone had been looking after the church. There were bits of cleaning equipment behind a screen and a beautiful white cloth adorned the altar. What a great save! So appreciated.

Freindless, possibly, but still loved enough for some kind person to clean and tidy

Our walk to Newton was taken from the barn.We set off with two pork pies and some fruit. The Photographer had his camera and had left the Assistant on the road, while he tried to capture a picture of a bull.

An actual Hereford Bull. Magnificent

In the distance, the Assistant could see a cyclist approaching. He was quite a way off and she was thinking about the photographer’s lenses when the bike stopped in front of her. A conversation ensued. He had pink trousers and an exceptionally bright jumper. It soon became apparent that he was about her age and that she might be being chatted up! The Photographer appeared when she had run out of conversation. The pink trousers decided that he would accompany them to the next junction, where he kept them talking for what seemed an age, until he decided that he needed a cigarette and would continue his journey. The two were very amused and beetled off to the glory of Newton, an agricultural settlement down a distant lane. Here, they found an undistinguished, but much loved church called John The Baptist, where there was a comfortable seat for lunch. It was not so glorious as some other churches, but it had hand gel at the churchyard gate and it was obviously a pillar of its community and much loved. Having lunched and connected many rural families in the churchyard, the two set off for a little longer, passing the farm machinery and homes, before turning around and walking home for supper.

St Margarets in Newton on a beautiful sunny day

Becoming ambitious, at the next opportunity, the two decided to walk to St Margaret’s church, which was further on. Here, was another glorious day. The two passed many houses and farms neatly arranged along the road. They were just becoming tired when they passed an argument in the road between a farmer and a householder, who wasn’t sure that the field next door to her house really needed to be so covered in lime dust. The two had St. Margaret’s in their sight. When they entered this glorious churchyard, they became very impressed with its size and its small wooden tower. It was sad, however, that despite its grand appearance, the church was firmly closed. We suspected that it was probably having difficulty with Covid, and security We did, however, find a lovely seat to have our lunch on. It became obvious that this was a seat that commemorated the memory of a lady called Anne and that opposite was a well maintained plot for her large family. All the women who had married into the family had their previous unmarried as well as their married names carved into their headstone. Another plot had also been maintained with the same practice. This seems to be common practice in the area.

We had walked ten miles on this day and had so enjoyed the glory of the fabulously well kept farm hedges and the beautiful sheep. It reminded us of the wonderful displays at the annual Royal Show, now defunct.

So the holiday ends and we shall be pleased to return to the ministrations of Wes and Josie. As many of you have asked, Josie has now been taken off furlough and is busy helping her customers on Zoom and the telephone and enjoying the company of her distanced colleagues. From now on, we’ll just have to look after ourselves. Oh dear! We’ll soon need another holiday!

 

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     

The Virus Diaries No 1 20th March 2020

This Diary is brought to you by the producers of The Dartmoor Diary, which will continue to be produced once a month. This is purely a record of how the lives of one family is being affected.

The family consists of four adults all living together in a Dartmoor hamlet. Peter and Sue are over seventy, he has one kidney and Susan has slightly raised blood pressure and athsma.
Josie is much younger and also has athsma. Wesley is middle aged and is in good health.
Three members of this family are therefore, living in self isolation. The fourth member works in an isolating position and strips off outside and showers on his arrival home and is minimising his contact with the outside world as much as possible.

The week has been recorded day by day.

Monday

Is this the last round up? We hope not, although the Assistant and the Photographer will be missing for a while, we hope your Monday mornings will still be enlived by Start The Week with Jim the Artist

A jolly outing to the breakfast club. All members in good spirits. At last the field walk is drying out. We walk to and from the town in a happy way and pick up some goods as usual. On the way through the woods, we meet David who is a dear neighbour and is over eighty. At home, the day continues as usual. Susan has bought seeds for an extra sowing of lettuce and cress for the window sill. Both suspect that they should not go out much. The virus is on its way. They are not too bothered as both spend the winter avoiding flu.

The two decide that they had better watch Boris 5 pm news conference, in case what he says is important. As it turns out, it is vital. We should isolate ourselves for three months. People like us and Josie are to self isolate. What a bomb shell! This is totally life changing. We mix with so many friends and we love it.

Late into the evening, Josie arrives home. She believes that her boss, who has been so worried about her, will send her home to work. Susan offers her study. It is perfect and has internet connections which will enable home working. Wesley is now terrified that if he is not careful, he will damage his family. A worrying evening ensues. Josie, quite rightly, believes we should make a lot of plans. The plans prove to be very useful.

Old friends, well met in the woods

Tuesday

Wes is in trouble. His grandmother is 103 and lives alone in a coastal town. Wesley always shops at the same supermarket for her. She is used to this food. He cannot book a slot to click and collect a list of goods. The store has been emptied. He does what he can. He is very worried. There is no one else in his family who can help. He has made a dangerous journey into the store, which may end in him catching the virus. He is so worried, it is sad!

Wes has managed his visit to his grandmother, who does not understand what is going on. He is now dependant on six carers who come in and out in the week. We are all pleased that he has secured a slot for next Tuesday’s shop.

The Angel of the MOT. Thank you for a clean pass!

Peter has to go to Moretonhamptstead to M.O.T. His car. The bureaucrats still expect their processes to continue. On the way to the Garage, he gives Catherine at Blacks Deli a list which she will assemble for him to collect. Catherine has run out of individual bread flour bags, so she has bought a huge bag of it. She breaks the bag up into smaller parcels. Peter has been able to collect everything on Catherine’s list. Andy, the butcher is able to give Peter a parcel of fish and bacon. Bowdens supply vital compost for seed sowing and some disinfectant spray. Peter knows that this will be the last time he can visit the town. People in town are mixing as if nothing has happened.

Susan and Peter spend the afternoon planting seeds. They will grow slightly more of their usual crops so any surplus can be given to neighbours. In addition they have set up a production line for salads.

Josie comes home equipped for running her office from home. We are all pleased as she has been to hospital at least once this year. Her peak flow is always low. We watch Boris, but have so much to deal with that we can’t take it all in.
We have heard that a village friend’s grandson has the virus. He lives in London so he and his parents cannot visit their grandparents.

Food Queues: Food plants queue to be grown on and cropped later in veg plot

Wednesday

Josie is up with the lark. She is video conferencing and busy. She is a recruiter for a very classy company from Topsham. She is proud to be working for them. All the staff are now at home except the head of staff, who is doing the rounds, generally cheering the staff on and doing his best. At the end of the day, Josie, who is a very tough person and became unemployed herself after the 2008 financial crises is on her knees. She has been helping her clients as much as possible. Josie is very upset for the people she knew today. She had done all she could, but it had been very tough.

We are thinking of the three people that we know, who are having serious chemo and radiology. That is really tough. You can’t risk anything in those cases.

We hear that not all, but some of London, are simply not heeding what Boris has been saying. A temporary mortuary has been set up in a London borough.

We have completed renovating the fruit garden. It is now dry enough to carry out that plan.
Josie and Sue agree that where possible, we will use a 60 degree wash or as high a temperature as the washing will stand.

The house is quite cold. We have been opening the windows so much. When the sun comes, people and clothing will be taking the air.

Thursday

Even though the morning is dank and cold Sue gets up early and strides up the hill for exercise before any one is out and about. Peter struggles behind her.
We have heard from Phil and Jo at Riverford, who, informed of our isolation, have saved us. They are going to be able to make us a delivery. We are very fond of them and they have not let these old customers down. Josie is in particular need as she has a poor reactive system and does much better on their supplies. We were a bit worried as Riverford have a massive number of customers (55000) and are overwhelmed, but trying so hard to supply.

Josie has a worse day, like yesterday. She is fed up and drinks one of her saved alcohol free beers! Wesley has had such a terrible time, we just can’t bear to tell you what happened
Boris has given way to people, who want the schools shut and now they are moaning about it.!

Peter starts the bread fermenting this evening. He will now make bread until we run out of supplies.

Food Chain: Farmers need to feed the cattle to feed the shops, plent of fodder beet here

Friday (till noon)

Josie is still locked away doing her best. The Riverford order has arrived. It is like manna from heaven. We shall live on this until next week, when another order will arrive. There is not much to say this morning as life has begun to follow a new routine. Up with the lark for the morning charge up the hill. Today as the sun is shining so we are putting out our garden furniture and enjoying arranging it. We will now be able to see the Moor from our garden and we will have lunch in the conservatory.

Words by Sue

Pictures by Peter

An upside to a warm winter: the best show of camelias we have seen in years, and despite the virus we can get out in the garden to enjoy them.

 

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 on Artfinder (follow link) or via Facebook  Peter Bennett Photographs and a few left on his  Saatchi Art shop

Visit our Facebook Page at Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page and The photographer is boosting his work on Artfinder,  ( Peter Bennett on Artfinder ) or contact him directly on Peter Bennett Photos email

 

What Moorlanders do all Spring

By the Photographer’s Assistant

The Photographer surveyed everything. The Assistant was really still a bit poorly. He was torn between planting seeds, cleaning the dusty old house, making meals, looking after Cough Drop and something she had forgotten; tree planting. There were still 250 saplings to be planted before the end of March. He looked at the leaden sky and was grateful that it was still cold! His photography was on the back burner even though he had now, at long last managed, to get on the Saatchi Art website. Today, however, The Assistant had managed to get dressed, make a cup of tea, and make lunch. On top of this progress, his son in law had managed to spare a day to help him with his tool chest door, which had quite defeated him. He felt better. He felt released. He felt supported. The tool chest was a work of art. It was on wheels and could be pushed around to wherever it was needed. He had used local Douglas Pine wood specially cut to size by John Hooper, who had spared time to help. The wood smelt warm and fresh and was a beautiful shade of pink.

While the Assistant was ill, the Photographer learned how to drive the washing machine, and even how to hang the clothes to dry!

The next week was a little warmer and the Assistant was able to help with the two greenhouses, watering and opening and shutting vents at the right time. She was able to fold and tuck away bits and pieces from the “almost commissioned” vegetable patch. She could look after peas in the cold frame and the poor everyday lettuce that had really suffered in the cold frame. She could weed the top cottage garden.

The week after she took more on. There were two to plant the trees, which would provide a valuable shelter belt around the garden. She was a bit feeble, but she was able to bring the saplings along in her barrow and she handed him bamboo supports and tree guards. It was better now that he had company. Finally, while he mowed, she held a bonfire of the wreckage of the snow damaged trees. She sifted the kindling and fire pit wood from the rubbish. She had a seat and took rests and she almost finished the burning. It did not make her cough. He had been able to take her out to a big breakfast to last the day. He could cope even though she was still delicate, she did enough. At night, they would sit by the fire and snooze gently through all the Brexit news and the less compelling dramas.

Oak tree sapling in its protective plastic tube. Keeping it warm, moist and rabbit proof. In a 1000 years which will still be here? Tube or Oak tree?

One Saturday, the two had begun to feel tired when the the Son in Law had appeared again. Despite helping to get the town swimming pool ready and clearing his own garden with the help of the Daughter, he was able to take a saw and clear more fallen trees from the garden. The Photographer was so pleased. He had just run out of energy. There was nothing left in the tank. The Daughter set to and made a good cup of tea. The whole family enjoyed the blustery evening.

The next week was even better. They found dear John from Hittisleigh outside Blacks on a Monday morning. They also met Jim the Artist, who was full of news and Easter guests. There was a really good Monday morning breakfast chat. Brilliant! Jim always had coffee, sometimes coffee and a bun. The rest of them had Chris’s special double bacon baguette with two eggs. We have written of this before. You just don’t know what you’re missing. The best Monday wake up ever. The two came home and tidied for two special guests, who were arriving the next day, when they took them to The Forge for the most wonderfully cooked tuna steaks. The little town proudly looked at its best.

Towards the end of the week, the two embarked on new projects. The trees were in and the garden was clear. John from Hittisleigh, who had a whole field planted with wild flowers also planted 15 oak trees in his field, the left overs from The Photographers pack. Bradfords the builders’ merchants delivered wood for the Photographer to make into a garden table for the daughter. This was her late birthday present and she needed it for an enormous bit of pork, which she had in stock and planned to use at Easter, so there was a schedule on the supply. The Assistant planted basil seeds and collected every bit of saved cardboard for use on the garden. She carefully took all the sticky tape off the boxes and while she did it, she wondered how much sticky tape was needed to stick a box together. The next day, the Photographer collected the cardboard up again as the wind had scattered it around the garden.

Now, there was another spring week to look forward to. They were almost back to normal. Some really good friends were coming to dinner and supper. They were going to dog sit too, for the Daughter. Yes, despite the vet’s predictions, Zaney, the weimarana, looking glamorous again Weimaraner is still wowing the town with her model looks her glamorous ways and her supervisory position at the swimming pool is well established for the new season. She has got the Daughter and Son in Law run ragged with work as she crosses her paws on the sidelines. She will sit in front of the whole of the fire and eat far too many biscuits. Easter is not a religious occasion for her, it is a time for extra snacks and long walks and bossing even more people!

Dear Tourist. If you meet a splendid flock like this down our leafy lanes, do not expect it to reverse for you

Meanwhile, everybody else on the Moor is just as active. John’s 23 year old pet cow has had another calf and is being kept company by a lovely blonde cow and calf. Various flocks of lambs have been born and they and their mothers are being moved to pastures new.

Castle Drogo. The long tulip border at its best in the formal garden

The town is readying itself for Easter with wonderful Easter displays. Castle Drogo has a brilliant display of tulips, wonderfully cheerful with bright colours.

The tree harvesting season has begun, and the log lorries are flowing through the town.

Spring is sprung The grass is ris I wonder where the harvester is? The new season’s tree harvester arrives in the Little Town

At least two weekends have so far been spent on preparing the swimming pool for the season. The little town puts a great deal of effort into this and help is always welcomed. Everyone looks forward to the opening in May.

We would like to wish you all a very happy Easter and spring. Let’s hope, its a warm one.

Dartmoor Diary Facebook Page

The Photographer’s snapshots can be seen on Flickr (follow link) or the serious stuff is on Artfinder (follow link) or on his new 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

Tick Tock Tick Tock The blog deadline approaches It won’t write itself The Assistant seeks divine inspiration on the blank screen Just for you……..