Spring Highlights. Looking forward to March.

It was amazingly warm in the garden on Saturday and the birds were enjoying a splash around in the birdbath (any bowl will do). Starlings, Sparrows, the Blackbirds and Chaffinches taking turns for a Spring Preen. I heard the distinct twittering of a Blue Tit and a Goldfinch. The Starlings have been regular visitors in great numbers of late, sqawking away and flying in formation aloft, not quite a murmuration but close enough. Also noted the first Bumble Bee and the first Dandelion, spikes of the Bluebells and the first flowering Wood Anaemone

Sunday headed out for lunch at Rosemoor. On the way noticed the Blackthorn were flowering and had a quick glimpse of a Brimstone on the verge and a Buzzard high above us as we drove along the A386. Glorious sunny day, at last, in the garden awash with colour from Camellia, Crocus, Daffodils and Cherry Blossom, the roses, shrubs and trees ready to sprout into bud.

Plenty of bees out there taking advantage of the early flowering blossom. Also spotted 7 Brimstone and  1 Peacock Butterfly enjoying a warm outing. Plenty of birds too twittering, Robin, Blackbird, Bluetits and Goldfinch. 

Great to see the sunlight through the trees in the lower woodland and as we emerged an Egret was sunbathing across the lake. First time I have seen one here.

The North Devon Coast is wonderful in the Spring, walking while nature watching is great on this stretch of the South West Coast Path including Northam Burrows Country Park and Westward Ho!. In addition to RHS Garden Rosemoor, I recommend Victoria Park, Bideford, Clovelly Court, Hartland Abbey and Tapeley Park, Westleigh.

I have listed here the first events of the season at Clovelly and Hartland Abbey. Westward Ho! is fast becoming a top venue for live music, next up the Big Sound Soul Band “Soul Intention" at The Pier House. 

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5th March Clovelly Lentsherd - Free entry after 4.30 p.m.

Lentsherd (pronounced 'Lanshard') is an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom, and the aim is to chase bad spirits away and drive the devil into the sea before Lent. At dusk children set off Down-a-long, dragging clattering tin cans, which are then tied together and thrown into the sea (later retrieved). We like to invite as many children as possible to take part in Lentsherd. Those taking part receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings in the Harbour Bar at the Red Lion. The Harbour bar also offers a lovely selection of bar food should the family like to have supper before leaving.

Sunday 17th March Daffodils & Spring Flower Sunday at Hartland Abbey. 11am-4pm EX39 6DT Contact: Tel: 01237 441496/441234

Friday 22^nd March Big Sound Soul Band Soul Intention. The very best of 60s soul classics at The Pier House, Westward Ho!.  Doors open 7pm - 8.30pm-11.00pm. Further information: Contact Terry Thorpe - soulintention.org Facebook @soulintentionsw

For more North Devon Events see North Devon Focus Community Calender -  North Devon Coast & Country Chronicle Facebook -  The Big Sheep - Burton Art Gallery -  The Plough Arts Centre -  Bideford Cinema Local Press: What's On North Devon Gazette - North Devon Journal  

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 North Devon Tourist Information Centres
Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre, North Devon Museum, The Square, Barnstaple, EX32 9LS Tel: 01271 375000
Bideford Tourist Information Centre, Burton Art Gallery, Kingsley Road, Bideford, EX39 2QQ Tel: 01237 477676
Braunton Tourist Information Centre The Bakehouse Centre, Caen Street, Braunton, EX33 1AA Tel: 01271 816688
Combe Martin Tourist Information Centre Cross Street, Combe Martin, EX34 ODH Tel: 01271 889031
Holsworthy Visitor Information Centre Ruby Country, Holsworthy Manor Car Park, Holsworthy EX22 6DJ Tel: 01409 254 185
Torrington Tourist Information Centre, Castle Hill, South Street, Torrington Tel: 01805 626140
lfracombe Tourist Information Centre The Landmark Theatre, The Seafront, Ilfracombe, EX34 9BX Tel: 01271 863 001
Lynton & Lynmouth Tourist Information Centre Lynton Town Hall, Lee Road, Lynton, EX35 6HT Tel: 01598 752225
Lynmouth National Park Centre, The Pavilion, The Esplanade, Lynmouth, EX35 6EQ Tel: 01598 752509
South Molton Tourist Information Centre 1 East Street, South Molton, EX36 3BU Tel: 01769 574122
Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre The Esplanade, Woolacombe, EX34 7DL Tel: 01271 870553

Stepping into the Past at Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve

Here we go again, as we just start to think about Spring, the UK is hit by the "Beast from the East". Well there is snow on them there hills of Exmoor and Dartmoor but once again just a snow flurry today where I live near Bideford.

We had lunch at RHS Garden Rosemoor on Sunday hoping to capture a preview of the Snowdrops before their "Snowdrop Trails" start in February, but sadly due to very high winds the garden was closed so we took the opportunity to walk around Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve near Hatherleigh.

Hard to believe this was a working quarry up until 2004. It was purchased by Devon Wildlife Trust in 2012 and opened as a Nature Reserve in 2013. 

The clay pits of the past have flooded creating a series of lakes, ponds and muddy puddles. There are different colour-coded paths around the reserve some of which include access for wheelchairs/mobility scooters. 

The line of trees in the distance is the Tarka Trail which was once a railway line. The Marland narrow gauge locomotive, built in 1883, used to haul the white clay in open wagons as far as Torrington.

Not a lot of wildlife  to report we spotted a Buzzard aloft on the way then a couple of water fowl took off as we arrived at the Glebe.  Took a shot of some hoof prints in the mud up high beside Woolladon Lake, sadly did not to see the Exmoor ponies on this visit. We sat for a while in the freezing wind just taking in the view of the lake glistening in the Winter sun. Happy days.

 

 

Meeth Quarry DWT nature reserve is on the southern edge of the village of Meeth on the A386 between Hatherleigh and Great Torrington. Follow the access road for half a mile and the car park is on the left. Nearest postcode is EX20 3EP 

Tap here to check the Devon Wildlife Trust website for more information

Tap here to read post about the herd of Exmoor Ponies at Meeth Quarry: 

"The herd of Exmoor ponies are the unpaid workforce at Meeth Quarry. They work 24 hours a day, seven days a week munching the rank grasses and scrubby shrubs which would otherwise quickly overwhelm the nature reserve's open areas." 

Clovelly Updates. Key changes down the cobbles.

The Red Lion Hotel situated on the harbour wall at the historic village of Clovelly, and looking across Bideford Bay will be undertaking further major renovations, starting in January and to be completed in March 2019.

The reception area will be refurbished using their much loved local Delabole slate (admittedly Cornish – but you cannot have everything in Devon) as the flooring. A reception desk picks up on our maritime tradition, and behind, as wallpaper, an enlarged map of Devon dating back to the 16th century, from the owning family's archives.

There will be comfortable seating in both the reception area, and the Lounge where oak flooring and rugs will replace the carpet.

An oak staircase will lead down to the Harbour Bar and Snug Bar. Both Bars will be refurbished, whilst not losing their original character.

The design criteria has been "traditional with a modern twist", and follows the brief of extensive renovation of the Restaurant in 2017 and the Sail Loft accommodation in 2011.

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Tap here for Clovelly Website

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Red Lion Hotel, The Quay, Clovelly, Devon, EX39 5TF
Tel:: 01237 431237
Email: stay@clovelly.co.uk