On this really cold grey day when the weather outside if foggier and more rainy than anything I’ve seen so far this winter, it’s no wonder the mind returns to warm places in the sun. One of my favourite trips on the island of St Lucia in the Caribbean was a hot morning’s walk into the rain forest, high in the island’s vast and mountainous interior. Our Rastafarian guide was a kind of cheerful and laid back Caribbean version of Ray Mears – he knew every tree in the jungle and was able to expound upon medical and other virtues of various barks, roots and crushed leaves. Eventually our progress became too slow for the likes of a country boy me (I was with some other journalists, more used to desks than crags) and, having been given permission by the guide to forge on ahead, I set off for what was to be one of the most memorable walks of my life.  Being alone in virgin rainforest is an exhilarating experience, quite unlike anything you can enjoy in our northern climes. Under the canopy it is dark and in truth there’s not much to see – but the noise of the place, the bitter earthy scents and the general ambiance - all combine to make you feel very much alive and alone. What you mustn’t do is dwell upon thoughts of boa constrictors or the guide’s advice on what to do if one should take a liking to you. The walk ended at one of the many tall waterfalls which punctuate the island precipitous interior. Our arrival coincided with a severe but hot and steamy tropical rainstorm and it didn’t seem to matter a jot if we immersed ourselves under the falls fully clothed.

I’ve put together the podcast which you'll see below to give readers some idea of the very special Cornish place we’re talking about here… The podcast also includes an interview with Christine Gendall - a retired local health worker - who’s great love of the area is detailed below… There’s another kind of SSSI – ecologists and environmentalists have their Sites of Special Scientific Interest but 15 years ago I invented another type while writing a series of articles for a newspaper. They were called Sites of Special Sentimental Interest. Just about everyone has his or her very own special place and the series set out to explore the singular, exceptional, outstanding, fascinating and lovely locations that readers wrote in to suggest.  The point of the series, as the name suggested, was that each Site of Special Sentimental Interest will have a story behind it that strongly connects the location with the person who has suggested it – for whatever reason. It could be that your ancestors have come from the place for generations, so that the very rock and soil upon which it stands seems to line your veins. It maybe that something wonderful and exceptional happened to you in that location – perhaps the very last time you saw your Spitfire-flying fiancée was on the cliffs above Salcombe – to manufacture a somewhat overly romantic example… Perhaps there’s something in the place that grasped your imagination – a rare butterfly or plant, for instance, that you have spent years helping to conserve. It could be that you are a painter or a poet who has become obsessed with just one amazing setting - painting it or writing about it time and again.  Then again, you may be a business person who has some particular site to thank for your success – or, conversely, some grim tragedy may have happened to you or your family there.  It really doesn’t matter where the place is as long as it is within the peninsula or has some very strong link to it – nor does the actual reason for choosing it matter as long as it is a real story and not just because: “We happen to like it there.” The idea was inadvertently given to me by a Western Morning News reader called Christine Gendall from West Cornwall. Christine told me she was involved with nursing all her life, rising through the ranks to become a well known Sister down in Penwith – but it’s a wonderful little book that she’d written in aid of the St Julia’s Hospice Fund that really grabbed my attention. In my West Country Walks column I had admitted to being a little mystified about certain aspects of the wonderful, little known, rarely visited and enigmatic fishing cove called Porthgwarra tucked just around the corner from Land’s End. Christine had all the answers at hand – in her book named Porthgwarra, which is a slim but fascinating volume that describes the remote community in great detail. In the very first sentence of her introduction, Christine writes: “Many people have a special place which they yearn to revisit and I am attracted back to west Cornwall’s Porthgwarra – a haunt of my childhood.” Somehow those simple words written by a woman who has worked with so many poor patients preparing to leave this wonderful life of ours – lying there ill and dying, perhaps, in a hospice and no longer able to visit their special place even one last time - hit a nerve with me.   Most of us do have a special place. When we are troubled or ill, lonely or depressed – or even overjoyed by excitement and change in our lives – these are the places which we may fleetingly visit in our mind’s eye. They are the rocks up which our mental houses stand – the unshifting locations that will be there long, long after we’ve quit this mortal coil. Which is, I guess, why so many people wish for their ashes to be scattered somewhere special after they’ve gone. But let’s not be morbid or maudlin about this – our Sites of Special Sentimental Interest are nothing if they are not flagships for positive thinking, pure enjoyment and harbingers of wellbeing.  If you closed your eyes and tried to dream up the perfect Cornish fishing cove, the resultant image would probably look a bit like Porthgwarra. The shallow sheltered valley dips from the high fields and moors taking with it a stream, accompanied by all manner of bird-filled thickets surrounded by wild flowers. Up at the higher reaches, ancient farmsteads lurk as if they’ve been here since the very granite rock itself was born, but lower down there’s a scattering of cottages old and not so old – with the odd 1920s shack thrown in for romantic measure – one of which is now the hamlet’s shop. This attractively cluttered, secluded and protected vale eventually terminates at the cove itself – but it’s not a simple meeting of rock and wave. The soft, partly decomposed granite has been eaten away in different chunks so that a mini-headland exists plonk in the middle of the cove. An old stone slipway stretches down to the sand on one side, but on the other access can be gained through a rough hewn tunnel, carved many years ago by local miners to help farmers glean seaweed from the beach.  This somewhat cluttered indentation of the littoral has a strange picturesque quality that creates a romance all of its own. The various tunnels carved here and there in the soft rock suggest an age of swashbuckle and smuggling, though most were dug and blasted for prosaic workaday reasons. But there’s something extra wild about that sea out here in the far west. It may be a mere nuance born of a journalist’s fancy – but I’d swear it looks more angry and potentially more perilous than elsewhere. After all, England’s ultimate corner lies just two miles around past nearby Gwennap Head. And just offshore there’s the clanging buoy that marks the dreaded Runnel Stone – a needle that has taken countless mariners to a watery grave.  There’s even a perpetual seal lurking in the cove at Porthgwarra, as if to remind visitors that they really are halfway to a world that is more sea-salt and wave than rock and soil. And the day we were there a huge basking shark swam on by heading for goodness knows what salty domain – its big dorsal fin and tail flapping lazily and ominously in the west wind.  Christine Gendall looks around at all this with a discernible glint of passion and belonging in her eye. To spend an hour with someone like Christine in such a place, is to know what this series is all about – and to know how important it is that we create such a body of work in a regional newspaper. Imagine the oldest, most comfortable, and favourite coat you’ve ever owned and you may get just an inkling how someone like Christine can be so entirely enwrapped and mentally swathed by such a loved and intimate environment.  For such people, these special places – these sites of special sentimental interest – are not so much made of clay and stone, they are the very embroidery that creates a vibrant, vital, backdrop to life.   “There was talk when I was younger that I should move from Cornwall and get on with some bigger more important sort of career,” Christine told me at one point during our day together out there on the western tip of this peninsula. “But I never have. Never wanted to. I could never think of living anywhere else but here in West Cornwall.” Christine’s career flourished anyway – and she became a well known nursing sister working within the West Penwith community. But it is the parish of St Levan in general and Porthgwarra in particular for which she reserves a very special kind of love. Since retiring from the health service she has written two books about the area – Porthgwarra (the fascinating little tome which inspired this series) and more latterly Soil and Toil – A look at working lives in St Levan in the past.    “I wrote the Porthgwarra book a few years ago,” she told me as we sat on the steep slipway. “I read in a magazine that they wanted articles about Cornwall and I sent in one which was accepted - and they wanted some more. My mother said, ‘I'm sure you could write a book Christine’. “She was ill with cancer at the time and I started writing this book and read it to her chapter by chapter as I wrote it - but unfortunately she died before I had the book published. It’s sort of in her memory. “It’s been interesting because my father had written some notes when he was older and not very mobile,” she went on. “We found he had written notes about his early life and some of the occurrences here in Porthgwarra - shipwrecks and his early life - and so I had something to start from. “And we had a mass of old photographs because his grandfather had his picture taken several times by a photographer called Hawk who was coming around taking photos in the area - and he looked such a traditional Cornish fishermen - those photos are actually still at the Truro Museum.  “I was a Harvey before I was married,” Christine told me when I asked why this place in particular had such hold over her. “I was born just a mile or so up the road, but my grandmother lived here in Porthgwarra and I used to come here as a child. Both her family and her husband’s family were born in cottages in the little hamlet – so it’s the family connections and the beauty of the place… “It just is such a special place to me. I like coming back on a quiet day and sitting here and you can just imagine what life was like in those days… “The original Jackson, William Jackson, came there (to Penberth just along the coast) as a coastguard and he had quite a large family who started fishing at Penberth - and we think they may have fallen out with the other fishermen about shares of a seine net. “So the Jacksons decided to come to Porthgwarra where there were only five cottages at the time – the Harveys were already here and the Rowe’s - but the Jacksons built some of the cottages we’ve seen today. “They were quite a large family and they had a number of children each and so it was virtually a Jackson-Harvey cove,” smiles Christine. “When I was ten my grandmother moved up the road to live next to us, but until then I’d come to stay here at Porthgwarra at weekends and for my holidays and often in school holidays mum would make pasties and we would come down at lunchtime and stay down for the day.” You can see why writing a book about her beloved Porthgwarra was a work of some passion for Christine. And it is a most fascinating read – for example, she originally contacted me to put me right about the strange tunnels which are, as I’ve mentioned, a feature of the cove.  “The tunnel was primarily built (by St Just miners) to improve beach access for the local farmers,” wrote Christine. “They would collect and remove seaweed for use as fertiliser on their potato crops. Mrs Nancy Trewern told me that the fairly steep tunnel floor was slippery for the farmer’s horses pulling the seaweed laden carts – she remembers all the frantic activity and effort involved with the farmers persuading the horses up.” Such is the stuff of real, living, history. There was some swashbuckle back in days of yore, but there was a lot more hard work, hardship and sweat.  The book even describes how Porthgwarra’s main tunnel was in fact two different apertures in a figure-of-8 until the intervening floor collapsed – which may or may not have happened during the Mount’s Bay earth tremor of 1998.  Adorned with lots of old black and white photographs, the book goes on to describe the astonishing industry created by the hamlet’s long lost seine-net fishery and goes into some detail about how they used to salt and cure the pilchards that were brought in by the ton. There’s fascinating material on local shipwrecks and tragedies – plus a section on the much feared Runnel Stone which became just a little bit less feared after a steamer called The City of Westminster rammed the submerged pinnacle in 1923 knocking off its top 20 feet. Sit in Porthgwarra on a quiet autumnal day now and it is difficult to imagine all the teeming salty maritime life that once went on here. Only one fisherman keeps a boat in the cove now and he told me he’s giving up because of some mysterious skin rash that locals get after 25 years lobster-potting in these waters.  “They each had large families,” shrugged Christine talking of the Jackson family who built many of the cottages in the hamlet. “Now there are only two houses in the cove that are lived in all year round - the rest are holiday cottages.” At least the visitors buy her book, which is very good news for the local hospice movement. “The book has gone to a reprint and £1 from every sale goes to Cornwall Hospice Care which runs the two hospices in Cornwall,” Christine told me. “I do a lot of fundraising for them – and so far we’ve raised over £1000 by the sale of these books.” For that reason alone it’s worth visiting www.porthgwarrashop.co.uk or emailing sales@porthgwarrashop.co.uk to order a copy – but the bonus is that by reading the book you will learn a great deal more about Porthgwarra, which no one will deny is a very special place indeed.   We stayed at Cove Cottage which is owned and run by St Aubyn Estates https://www.staubynestatescottages.co.uk/ Sidebar As we walked around Porthgwarra so Christine shared her memories of the remarkable community: “Cove Cottage here is now just one property – but it used to be two. My great-grandparents lived there but great-grandfather died when he was 33 and left his wife with seven children to bring up. “And this is where she raised those seven in the 1890s – she lived 60 years as a widow - she died when she was 93 when I was about nine, and I remember her dressed in old fashioned dark clothing.  “She didn’t actually keep them all at home all the time,” she said of the children. “One went up to the farm at the top to live with his grandparents, another went to live with an aunt, so the family helped her out. And she started work - because the Cable and Wireless (Company) had started over in Porthcurno and had a lot of students - she was actually a laundress and she used to launder the shirts and stiff collars for them, carrying it over a mile-and-a-half over the cliffs to Porthcurno.

The Cornish coffee scene has a new champion, and it’s one that’s roasting, pouring, and proving its worth on the national stage. Dark Pony Coffee , tucked away in the heart of Falmouth, has just been named one of the 44 Greatest Coffee Shops in Britain  by Time Out . In a significant coup for the West Country, the Falmouth roastery and cafe has earned the distinction of being the only establishment in Cornwall or Devon  to make the prestigious 2026 list. The Rigorous Road to the Top Being named among the UK’s elite isn't just about a good latte art heart. Dark Pony was judged against a demanding set of criteria that separates the "good" from the "world-class": The Roast:  Barista expertise and the sheer quality of the bean. The Vibe:  Ambiance, community spirit, and consistent innovation. The Ethics:  Sustainable practices and support for global producers. The Extras:  High-quality food, pastries, and top-tier customer service. From Passion Project to National Recognition Founded in May 2022 by friends Mael, Grace, and Jacob, Dark Pony was born from a shared obsession with the perfect cup. Unlike many cafes that simply buy in their supply, this trio does it all. From sourcing and roasting to packaging and distributing, the entire process happens in-house right here in Cornwall. "Our vision for Dark Pony has always been to make the world of specialty coffee fun and inclusive to all," says Co-Director Mael . "To be recognised amongst some of the fantastic coffee shops on this list is a great honour and we are incredibly proud to represent Falmouth." Whether you are a coffee aficionado or just looking for a welcoming neighbourhood spot on The Moor, Dark Pony is proving that Cornish craft can compete with the very best the UK has to offer. For more information or to try their award-winning roasts, visit darkponycoffee.com .

Escaping the Winter "Meat-Fatigue" with Simple, Sunny Plant-Life Turkey, beef, pork, lamb, chicken, ham (both home-cooked and Iberico), and tongue—not to mention numerous sausages, bacon, and a few other carnivorous delights! After indulging in all that last month, I thought it was time to write about vegetarian food. Somehow, my body is now crying out for something light, easy-going, and easy to digest: a bit of plant-life. The Seasonal Dilemma Of course, it would be much easier in summer. Imagine whacking great big salads filled to the brim with nourishment from the garden! That's exactly what I would eat by choice right now. Sure, I could pop into a supermarket and grab some ready-picked salad leaves, a few greenhouse tomatoes, a cucumber, and a pepper or two. But I, like many others, have a thing about seasonal eating. I’m not religious about it, mind you. I’ll happily drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over a bowl of Canary Island tomatoes—especially if I can add a handful of the herbs that still bravely grow in my garden. Still, it seems to miss the point. All those un-ecological food miles that the tomatoes have flown, and all those poly-tunnels where artificial fertilisers are used with enthusiastic abandon… Having once over-wintered near Motril on the Costa de Sol, I know what goes into the average Spanish iceberg lettuce. Not a single crunchy but tasteless leaf of that stuff has passed my lips since! The Magic of the Dried Bean The sunshine taste of the Mediterranean can be enjoyed, however, with the help of a pulse or two. The secret is to get your act together and give your hardened dried vegetable jewels a plunge in water the day before you intend to eat them. Or, if you're in a rush, you can buy them in a can! What could be more instantaneous than a simple salad made of cannellini beans , sliced red onion, and a hefty sprinkling of parsley? Martin’s Tip: If using dried beans, pour on extra virgin olive oil just after you have drained them while they are still warm. This prevents sticking and heightens the flavour of the eventual vinaigrette. Three Simple "Sunshine" Dishes 1. The Piquant Bean Salad To your cooked beans, add a substantial vinaigrette made from the best extra virgin olive oil you can afford, lemon juice, and a spoonful of French mustard. Add a Kick: Throw in finely chopped chillies and sun-dried tomatoes. The Umami Twist: Add half a clove of garlic with some anchovies crushed in a pestle and mortar. Make it a Meal: Add a couple of cans of tuna fish to feed a crowd for under two quid! 2. Moroccan Chickpea & Fish Tagine Chickpeas are remarkably adaptable. For a warming fish tagine , you'll need: 1kg of fresh white fish (locally caught is best). Garlic, paprika, ground cumin, and chilli pepper. Pre-soaked and boiled chickpeas. Simmer the fish and spices in olive oil for 30 minutes. Then, add the chickpeas with a little of their cooking water and simmer for another 10 minutes. It’s exotic, warming, and brightens even the coldest February day. 3. Sicilian Puy Lentils with Spaghetti Lentils are the "food of paupers" with the flavour of kings. My favourite way to serve Puy Lentils was taught to me by a Sicilian friend: Boil Puy lentils until al-dente. Fry garlic and onions in olive oil until soft. Break spaghetti into inch-long sticks, boil, and drain. Combine everything in a large bowl with copious amounts of top-quality olive oil, sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Saving the "Poor Old Body" Dried pulses rate as one of the most inexpensive foodstuffs you can purchase. If you have an electronic Instant Pot , they don’t even take much energy to cook—reducing chickpea cooking time from 90 minutes to just 30. I, for one, will be taking the simple, sunny, healthy Mediterranean route to cooking in the next few weeks. It’s the best way to save the poor old body from the heavier excesses of midwinter. Editor’s Choice: More Healthy Winter Inspiration If you enjoyed these Mediterranean ideas, you might also like these recipes and tips from the archive: Chickpea and Spinach Curry : A grounding, spiced dish perfect for supporting gut health after the festive period. Healthy Winter Recipes & January Wellness Tips : More ideas for using woks, winter walks, and real food to beat the "sluggish" midwinter feeling. The Secret to Real Moroccan Flavours : A deeper look at the spices and techniques that make a tagine sing. Warm Winter Meals with a Mediterranean Twist : Why the "sunshine taste" of pulses is the best way to bridge the gap until spring.

Rediscovering Old Friends and New Adventures in South Devon Social media has many downsides but one useful role it plays is in allowing users to keep up with old friends. Occasionally their posts can surprise and delight you - which is what happened recently when I saw an Instagram photo and note from an old colleague saying: “Really enjoying life - wish I’d done this years ago.” The photograph showed a lovely waterside inn, tucked away deep in the South Devon countryside - and what Andy Cooper seemed to be saying was that he wished he’d stopped being a successful newspaper and magazine editor years ago to take on the management of a pub. It seemed to me the one-time editor of the North Devon Journal and group-editor of a large stable of county magazines had done a kind of poacher-turned-gamekeeper act. As editor-in-chief of numerous lifestyle magazines, I knew Andy must have stayed in literally hundreds of lovely pubs, hotels and other hostelries down the years, so the idea of him actually running one really did come as a surprise. A Warm Welcome at The Maltsters Arms , Tuckenhay “I am absolutely loving it!” he replied, when I messaged him. “Why not come down to The Maltsters at Tuckenhay and sample the delights of the place for yourself…” No need to ask twice. I knew The Maltsters from years ago when I went down to Tuckenhay - a tiny village on the banks of Bow Creek on the tidal River Dart - to sample its delights when it was owned by a man called Keith Floyd. Yes, that Keith Floyd. The man from Wiveliscombe who did so much to revolutionise cookery programmes on television. The TV chef who used to bark orders at the cameraman while slurping glasses of wine over steaming pots in wild, exotic and often unlikely places. Alas Keith, having enjoyed something of a late night, was apparently feeling a little under the weather the day I visited - so I didn’t get to sample the joys of the pub back then, but instead contented myself with the fabulous local walk which I’ve outlined in the panel. A Return Visit to a Devon Riverside Gem This time, however, I did get to wallow in the joys of The Maltsters Arms . My wife and I spent a wonderful afternoon and night there. We did the local walk, met the very friendly new owners, were treated to a very good dinner, slept in a room with views over the creek, and were sent off the next morning replete and extremely happy after an excellent breakfast, with a very un-Floyd-like spring in our step. It is a wonderful old inn and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious bolthole that’s just a little different, set in the most gorgeous countryside imaginable. A Pub with Heart, Character and Real Devon Warmth And yes, I say that knowing readers might suspect I am bound to be nice, given that the new general-manager, Mr Cooper, is an old mate. All I can say to that is he knows the game - having reviewed literally hundreds of hostelries himself as a journalist, he knows there is no hiding place. If The Maltsters, or any other establishment, was rubbish - and the likes of either him or me were to go into print saying the place was fantastic - our readers would soon know about it and our reputations would be in tatters. So I have no problem with going on the record and saying I believe The Maltsters to be an excellent getaway venue. One of those hidey-holes that is just right for a romantic weekend, for example. Tucked away in Tuckenhay. Can’t think of anything better. Great food, excellent beer and wine, and a lovely room with a very comfortable bed overlooking what is an incredibly peaceful and out-of-the-way creek. And what I haven’t mentioned yet for fear of embarrassing the man, is the warm and friendly vibe around the place. Which I put down to Andy’s influence. Because he has stayed in so many hostelries in this country and abroad, I can only imagine Mr Cooper really does know what is needed. Nothing too posh or exclusive - nothing too matey and, well, Keith Floyd-ish - just an atmosphere that seems to say… “Wonderful! You’ve found us down all these windy Devon lanes - now sit back, relax and enjoy every stress-free minute of your stay.” Just what the doctor ordered. Which is why I’m looking forward to a return visit - next time with a boat ride down Bow Creek to the main River Dart thrown in for good measure. The Maltsters Arms: From Devon’s Maritime Past to Today’s Riverside Retreat The old pub was originally a pair of cottages, constructed in the early 19th century when Tuckenhay quay was bustling with commercial activity. Various local commodities such as lime, corn, paper, cider and malt were transported by ship from the hamlet and by the mid 1800s cider and malting barley for beer-making were produced on the quayside. William Manning and John Earle owned a cider works here and the Maltsters Arms was named after Thomas Edmond’s malthouse. Trade continued to flourish right up until the beginning World War Two. It is hard to believe now when you see just how peaceful the creek is, but in 1939 the last large ship to arrive at the quayside directly in front of the pub was the 240 ton coaster, Reedness. How did she get up to this remote place? That’s what I found myself asking, looking around at the silent tree-lined shores which now play host only to egrets and herons. Well, they used to dredge Bow Creek - and this continued after the war because they kept making a great deal of cider up at Tuckenhay. The barrels were still taken away down-river, but now on much smaller barges. Once dredging ceased, however, the creek silted up to some degree making it navigable only by the smaller boats that visit today. And here is a fact about Tuckenhay that might have you checking the history books. I am reliably told that this out-of-the-way hamlet was illuminated by the first municipal gas lighting in the world. It was 1806, and they had it here before it was introduced to London or Manchester! You can see the original gas engine-house just 200 yards up the road from the pub. You can imagine the local smuggling fraternity wasn’t best pleased. Apparently quite a bit of smuggling went on up here in the privacy and seclusion of the upper reaches of the Dart. Not after the gleam of the gas-light, it didn’t. Inside The Maltsters Arms Today “These days we’re proud to be the hub of the village,” smiles Andy. “The owners Matt Clark and Erin Allgrove only took over this spring and already the place has built a big following. Matt ran various other well-known watering holes in the South West, including the popular Rising Sun at Lynmouth. Now people are finding that it’s well worth navigating down the Devon lanes or up Bow Creek to find a very special pub in such a stunning location. “Roasts and board games by the fire in the winter and Pimms and barbecues on the quayside in the summer…. There's a good choice of real ales to accompany our fantastic menus which always include fresh local fish,” says Andy. “Regulars love our events like the open mic nights, quiz nights, pie and curry nights and our beer and oyster festival. “Our six beautiful en-suite riverside rooms are proving very popular and people come up river to moor on our quayside and make the most of our water supply and three-phase electricity.” I couldn’t put it better myself, Andy. And hats off to you old mate for finding there is a life after journalism. A real-life Mr Polly, if you’ve ever read HG Well’s wonderful novel of that name. The Maltsters Arms, Tuckenhay, Devon TQ9 7EQ Sidebar: Pubs and Publishing – The Story Behind Bosun Bob As mentioned in the main article, I was speaking to one of the new owners of The Maltsters and she surprised me by divulging that she has recently set up her own book publishing company. One reason for doing such a thing is that Erin Allgrove has written a couple of excellent children’s books which feature fabulous illustrations. Bosun Bob, The Salty Old Sea Dog (published last year) and Bosun Bob And The Cat With No Name (published this year) have quickly become popular with young readers, as well as parents and grandparents. Erin’s style is timeless and little nostalgic. She wrote the first book while living onboard her yacht Rocket and sailing from Exmouth to Croatia and back with her family and dog Bob. Her love of sailing and books was inspired by her dad, also called Bob, who shared his love of boats and reading with Erin. Before becoming a writer she had a successful career in marketing and public relations working in a variety of sectors including film and TV, higher education and healthcare. All a long way from her present twin occupations of writing children’s books and helping to run a pub. “I am passionate about children’s literacy and we support schools, bookshops, literary events and arts festivals whenever we can,” she told me. “I love meeting young readers and engaging in conversations about the books that they love. Bosun Bob is available via Gardners and directly through Langrove Publishing as well as through bookshops, Waterstones and Amazon.

Beat the Heat: 4 Refreshing West Country Hikes for Summer Days Devon's South East Coast During the two decades I spent writing a weekly walks column, the most common question from readers was: “What’s your favourite hike?” It is a question impossible to answer. This region boasts some of the finest walking routes in Europe; picking just one would be like naming a single favourite piece of music. There is simply an embarrassment of riches. The second most frequent query concerned the weather. In a region that protrudes into a giant ocean, we see a lot of it. We often quote Alfred Wainwright’s famous line: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” While true for rain and wind, Wainwright (who died in 1991) might not have been quite so au fait  with the modern heatwave. You can buy gear for ice and rain, but on a humid, sweltering day, the only real remedy is to choose the right location . In the South West, these cooling sanctuaries fall into four categories: The Airy Ridge Ramble The Coastal Ridge Ramble The Coastal Clamber with Shade The Deep, Cool Forest Foray 1. Airy Ridge Rambles: The Quantock Hills All uplands are cooler than lowlands, but in a heatwave, the centre of a large plateau like Dartmoor  can feel stifling. Ridges are the "premium zone" because they attract breezes from all angles. The best of them all is the Quantock Hills National Landscape  (formerly AONB). This massive ridge marches from Taunton toward the Bristol Channel. Beech trees on the Quantocks The Route:  Start at the Staple Plain car park  above St Audries. Follow the ancient track to Beacon Hill  for panoramic views that inspired Coleridge. The Return:  Walk the "Great Road" toward Thorncombe Barrow . You can loop back via the beautiful Bicknoller Combe  or visit the village of Bicknoller  itself. High above Bicknoller 2. Coastal Ridge Rambles: Brean Down On a coastal ridge, the sea bounces light back at you—a "double sunshine whammy"—so a hat is essential. However, the exposure provides a constant, refreshing maritime draft. Brean Down  is essentially the most westerly ridge of the Mendip Hills , separated by the River Axe. This 3.5-mile return walk from Brean offers extraordinary views, Roman temple ruins, and Iron Age hillforts. Inland end of Brean Down 3. Coastal Clamber with Shade: Combe Martin to Ilfracombe While most coasts are treeless due to salt-laden winds, the stretch of the South West Coast Path  between Combe Martin  and Ilfracombe  offers rare, elegant tunnels of beech trees. Highlights:  Look out for Golden Cove , Egg Rock , and the fjord-like inlet of Watermouth . Top Tip:  This is a one-way hike. In a sweltering afternoon, you’ll be glad to catch the bus back from Ilfracombe! Ilfracombe Harbour 4. Cool Woodland Walks: Cotehele and the Tamar Valley When the sun is truly punishing, head for the deep, "sylvan" shade of the Tamar Valley . Cotehele  sits on the Cornish bank and offers both forest canopy and the cooling influence of the river. The Walk:  From the National Trust car park, descend to Cotehele Quay . Cross into Elbow Wood  and Comfort Wood . History:  You’ll pass historic lime kilns, old mines, and a renovated paper mill, all while staying tucked under a green umbrella of leaves. Down at the quay at Cotehele

Travelling with a newborn is a unique paradox. Your baby is small enough to fit comfortably in a bassinet. Yet, they are demanding enough to require a logistics plan complex enough to challenge even the most organised parent. Beyond the obvious task of packing extra onesies, traveling with a newborn hides deeper challenges. The biological impact of infant jet lag can disrupt routines. Meanwhile, navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system adds psychological stress, especially when adrenaline is already running high. In this article, we’ll explore the often-overlooked challenges that new parents encounter and provide insights to help them prepare with confidence, flexibility, and calm. Navigating Long Flights and Disrupted Sleep Schedules Long-haul flights can disrupt a newborn’s sleep, causing fussiness and parental exhaustion. Crossing time zones worsens adjustment, as infants lack a fully developed circadian rhythm. Parents often face fragmented rest and increasing stress. Planning feedings around takeoff and landing, keeping familiar sleep cues, and allowing recovery time can help ease these challenges. According to the Raising Children Network, newborns typically sleep 14–17 hours daily, though only in short 2–3 hour bursts. On flights, cabin pressure, noise, and constant lighting frequently disrupt their 40-minute sleep cycles. These environmental stressors make maintaining a natural rhythm nearly impossible, intensifying the challenge of long-haul travel. Health Risks Parents Rarely Anticipate While Traveling International travel exposes newborns to health risks that parents often overlook. Climate, altitude, and air quality changes can impact breathing and hydration, while crowded airports increase infection risk. Limited access to familiar medical care adds stress. Preparing medical documents, vaccinations, and emergency plans helps parents manage these challenges effectively. The CDC notes that while air travel is generally safe, infants with chronic heart or lung conditions face hypoxia risks during flight. To combat painful ear pressure changes during descent, babies should nurse or use a bottle to encourage swallowing. These physiological stressors represent critical health considerations often overlooked by traveling parents. Feeding Concerns and Infant Nutrition Feeding a newborn abroad presents challenges that parents often underestimate. Formula availability can vary widely by country, and ingredient standards, labeling practices, and fortification requirements may differ from those at home. This creates uncertainty about safety, preparation instructions, and potential allergens. Awareness of infant health risks has increased, especially regarding necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a severe intestinal condition in newborns. In recent years, NEC lawsuits have drawn attention to potential links between some baby formulas and NEC. This has led parents to examine formula ingredients more carefully. TorHoerman Law notes that some infants diagnosed with NEC recover after intensive treatment. Unfortunately, others may experience permanent complications or, in severe cases, pass away. Using a trusted formula, clean water, and pediatric guidance helps protect infant nutrition during travel. Managing Emergencies Far From Home Medical emergencies are especially stressful when traveling abroad with a newborn. Language barriers and unfamiliar healthcare systems can delay urgent care. Infants are vulnerable to issues like high fever, dehydration, or breathing problems. Carrying medical records, arranging travel insurance, and knowing local hospitals and emergency numbers improve response and outcomes. According to Canadian authorities, parents should consult their healthcare provider or a travel health clinic well before traveling. Ideally, this should be done at least six weeks in advance. Early consultation helps identify potential health risks, ensure necessary vaccinations, and prepare for emergencies while abroad, improving safety for newborns. Emotional and Mental Strain on Parents Traveling internationally with a newborn can create significant emotional and mental strain for parents. Constant vigilance over the infant’s needs, disrupted sleep, and worries about illness often increase anxiety. Being in unfamiliar environments amplifies stress, making even routine tasks feel overwhelming. Support and planning are essential to manage these pressures effectively. Feelings of isolation may intensify when support systems are far away, and communication barriers exist. Managing logistics while meeting an infant’s needs often leads to emotional exhaustion. Acknowledging challenges, setting realistic expectations, and prioritizing rest and emotional support help parents maintain mental well-being while traveling abroad. Preparing More Thoughtfully for Future Travel Thoughtful preparation can ease the challenges of traveling abroad with a newborn. Researching healthcare access, understanding local health risks, and packing essential supplies are crucial. Aligning flights with sleep patterns, allowing recovery days, and using infant-friendly accommodations reduces strain. Advance planning and flexibility help parents travel with confidence and peace of mind. The New York Post reports that six in ten parents find traveling with children the most stressful part of the holiday season. Planning ahead can reduce this stress. Thoughtful preparation, including scheduling around routines and anticipating potential challenges, helps make future travel smoother and more enjoyable. Frequently Asked Questions How can parents reduce stress while traveling with a newborn? Parents can reduce stress by following their newborn’s routine and packing familiar comfort items. Allowing extra time for rest and recovery also helps. Flexible itineraries, preparing medical needs in advance, and setting realistic expectations keep parents calm and confident during travel. What documents are required for newborns traveling abroad? Newborns traveling abroad typically require a valid passport, a visa if applicable, and a birth certificate. Some countries also request a consent letter from parents, vaccination records, or proof of guardianship. Parents should check destination-specific entry requirements well in advance to avoid travel delays. What travel destinations are considered more newborn-friendly? Destinations like Tuscany, Florence, Portugal’s Algarve, and Cancun are easier for parents with newborns due to stroller-friendly streets and calm beaches. Cities such as Kyoto and Vancouver offer clean infrastructure and family amenities. Baby-friendly regions provide services and activities that reduce parental travel stress. Travelling With Awareness, Not Illusion Traveling abroad with a newborn is often seen as a joyful first adventure, yet it comes with challenges requiring patience, preparation, and emotional resilience. Health risks, feeding concerns, disrupted routines, and parental stress are common hidden hurdles. Thoughtful planning, realistic expectations, and informed decisions help parents navigate travel confidently. Understanding these challenges in advance doesn’t diminish the experience. Instead, it empowers families to travel safely, calmly, and with greater peace of mind. Disclaimer: This contributed article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult with a professional regarding your child’s health.

There are things in life that just don’t change. They are permanent fixtures. You expect them to be there and, when you turn up, you’re somehow comforted to find they’re doing what they’ve always done. It could be anything, from a local hilltop with a memorable view to a favourite pub - but in this particular case I want to talk about a grand old hospitality establishment. The Castle Hotel, Taunton Whenever I think of Taunton’s Castle Hotel, set in the heart of Somerset’s county town, my mind goes back to the black-and-white world as seen in classic British movies such as Brief Encounters. This is an establishment with class. It’s got a natural easy style, and has more history than you could shake a jousting lance at. Nothing could be more quintessentially English. The Gateway to the West Country If a foreign acquaintance - say an American - was coming to visit and said they wanted to stay somewhere that had more Englishness about it than almost anywhere else, I’d recommend the Castle Hotel. Not only because of the classy old establishment itself, but because of its setting. As a county town, Taunton is wonderfully located, with two of Britain earliest Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty on either side and the enigmatic Somerset Levels stretching forth to the east, as well as Exmoor National Park rising in the west. And in summer, he or she could take the five minute stroll to the County Cricket Ground to watch that most English of sports. I mention this because I once interviewed the cricket commentator Henry Blofeld in the comfortable interior of the Castle Hotel, and somehow you just don’t get more English than Blowers. Martin Hesp interviews cricket commentator Henry Blofeld at The Castle some years ago The Chapman Legacy: 75 Years of Tradition And there’s another quintessential Englishman you’re almost bound to meet at the Castle Hotel - its proprietor, Kit Chapman. He will tell you, with immense pride, how the award-winning establishment has been owned by his family for the past three-quarters of a century. It has been Somerset’s leading flagship hostelry for many centuries, but the Chapman years have given the place the big name and style while continuing the kind of tradition which is becoming ever more rare when you think about modern ideas of pedigree and heritage. The charming and erudite Kit was brought up in the hotel as a boy, back in the days when his parents lived in-house and controlled absolutely everything with a micromanagement eye to detail. Which puts him beyond the age when most people would be hanging up their spurs, but as he told me: “No innkeeper can ever be retired - they have to be taken out in a box, horizontally… Because that’s the game we’re in.” A New Generation at the Helm Actually, his son Nick has taken over the day-to-day management as CEO, but that doesn’t stop Kit from popping in on a continuous basis to oversee the many various and intricate proceedings that come with running a major hotel. The Chapman family, CEO Nick on the left with wife Annabel, Kit on the right with wife Louise And. Of course, overseeing that standards are upheld. If you meet Mr Chapman Senior, you are left in no doubt that he is a man who lives up to, and expects, the very highest of standards. And why not? A classy hotel instantly loses its reason-for-being if those high standards drop. There are all too many cut-price alternatives run by giant corporations, if all you want is a bed to sleep in and some rudimentary hospitality. Here’s Kit talking about the essence of the Castle Hotel’s ethos… “In this hotel, it is all very personal—and deliberately so. We like to look after people and show them a good time. That is what it’s about. That is what hospitality is about: good food, a comfortable night’s sleep, and all the rest of it. “I keep telling the staff this… We’re in the happiness business. That’s what we want to do. We want people to leave this place a little bit happier than when they first arrived.” Navigating the Modern Hospitality Landscape Indeed, I found myself feeling happier after spending a couple of hours with Kit and Nick one day last week. I could have come away feeling a little depressed because the pair are having something of a hard time in these days when the government seems hellbent on slamming a wrecking ball through the UK’s hospitality industry. There are multiple other factors that have come along to erode the business of a grand old hotel in a county town. For centuries it would have been obvious why such a place needed to exist. A county town was the central human hub for a large area, and there would have been all manner of commercial, administrative and other reasons why folk would want to visit. But now a county town is much like any other urban centre - plus it has all those cut-price places offering a bed for the night. As for the leisure side of the equation, it’s the country-house style establishments that are seeing more business nowadays as people want to escape the fumes and noise of their cities. Reinvention and Custodianship However, a place like The Castle does have a USP - and it is a rich and worthy Unique Selling Proposition. And both Kit and Nick are determined to maintain it, as well as reshape and reinvent it for the modern world. Sea bass dish at The Castle As the third generation at the helm, Nick views his role as one of “custodianship”. While acknowledging the harsh economic climate, his focus is on a strategic “reinvention” of the business. It involves an investment in the hotel’s physical fabric - modernising 44 bedrooms and revitalising the events spaces - while leaning into the site’s unique 800-year Norman history. With a new team leading the Brazz brasserie and a clear eye on the future 100-year family milestone, Nick says he is positioning The Castle to bridge the gap between “old-fashioned” hospitality and the expectations of the modern traveller. My crab cake starter at Brazz “We need to build on that history, build on the tradition, build on the values... Old-fashioned, top-quality hospitality and excellent food - and we do have an edge when it comes to our heritage. “It is pretty cool, isn’t it?” Smiled Nick. “I mean, a Norman castle with 800 years or more of heritage. That is real history.” The Castle Hotel back in 1963 A Sense of Permanence I enjoyed a delicious lunch with father and son at Brazz, which nowadays acts as the hotel’s main restaurant (some fabulous fishcakes as a starter followed by confit duck leg, should you ask - and all on a special lunch menu priced at not much over £20) - but what I really enjoyed most was listening to Kit’s many anecdotes, some of which we repeat below in the Castle Tales panel. Brazz at The Castle Hotel Also, the visit was special for me because of the reason’s laid out at the beginning of this article. Some places are permanent fixtures. You expect them just to be there and, when you turn up, to find that they’re doing what they’ve always done. When I was a child growing up in Somerset, we’d regularly visit Taunton and I’d always feel a sense of awe when it came to the grand Castle Hotel. We never had the funds to enter its hallowed halls but later, as a journalist, I’d go there occasionally to interview celebrities (like Gary Rhodes who used to be chef, and the aforementioned Blowers) or cover some august event or other. Now, here I was chatting with the owner as if we were two old friends, despite the fact that, for some reason, we’d never met before. And what I came away with was that wonderful feeling of permanence. It is worth celebrating if you can find it. And the Chapman’s 75th anniversary helps us do just that. Kit Chapman (seated) with Head Chef Gary Rhodes back in the day SIDEBAR: CASTLE TALES The Hairspray Epiphany Before joining the family firm, Kit worked in London advertising. The moment he realised he was in the wrong trade occurred at a sales conference for a client’s hairspray. “The curtains parted, and there was this enormous display of hairspray. Of 'gunk,' really. And the loudspeakers came out with Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, if you please, to introduce a can of hairspray! I thought: ‘This is really very stupid. What am I doing here?’” The Dining Room at the Castle Hotel Three British Gentlemen in America In a 1970s bid to attract American tourists, Kit and two colleagues rebranded themselves as "The Three British Gentlemen" and flew to the USA on the Concorde. “With bowler hats, furled umbrellas, ties and shirts made in Jermyn Street... we were being treated like bloody rock stars. Ridiculous! We got mobbed in Atlanta, Georgia by all these women who met us off the plane. We got into our bedrooms and there were gifts from them—t-shirts with 'We love you all' and stuff like that.” The Art of the "Cabinet Minute” Kit recalls a lunch with Lord Armstrong of Ilminster, who had been Cabinet Secretary under Margaret Thatcher. Armstrong shared his secret to recording history: “He said, ‘I never ever wrote down what they actually said. Nor did I note what they thought they said. But I always wrote down what should have been said if they had thought about it.’” The Penthouse at The Castle The Keith Floyd “Disaster” The legendary chef Keith Floyd was a regular character at The Castle, but one specific event nearly caused Kit a heart attack. “By the time he got up to speak, he was roaring drunk. He started making a speech that would have made a rugby 15’s faces go red. He was so disgusting. I wanted to dig a deep hole and pile into it because I thought, ‘This is the best way to lose my clients.’” The Hotel “Ironing Service” of 1950 Kit’s description of the hotel’s state when his father first arrived in 1950 serves as a hilarious (if slightly grim) reminder of how far the establishment has come. “The then housekeeping department rarely changed the sheets, but gave them a quick iron and put them back on the beds. My father spent his first night at the Castle with the night porter cleaning the place.” Kit Chapman has always been a keen supporter of the arts in Taunton and I promised we’d carry the following link for those interested in Somerset county’s cultural scene - Arts Taunton link – https://artstaunton.co.uk

Experiencing authentic eats abroad: a guide for travellers Beyond the bustling streets and picture-perfect restaurants you may be drawn to when visiting a new location, there are neighbourhood cafes, morning markets, and small kitchens delivering delicious dishes that locals enjoy every day. Meals like these reveal the true nature of a destination, and are often shaped by long-standing traditions, rather than current trends. Looking out for them means really getting to know the destination you’re visiting on a much deeper level. Finding authentic eats abroad can be tricky, but a little curiosity is worth it for unforgettable experiences. Here, we share our tips for travellers seeking authentic cuisines overseas. Think like a local Restaurants near tourist attractions will be targeted at visitors rather than the local community, and while you may find traditional dishes on these menus, they may be adapted versions that lack the same rich flavours and textures of the original dishes. Head towards residential neighbourhoods and small restaurants in lesser-known areas instead – if there are locals inside, there’s a good chance you’ll find authentic dishes on the menu. Food is about more than just taste – it’s often the history of the community , so seeking such dishes will undoubtedly bring opportunities for connection. Don’t be reluctant to put yourself out there and ask around about the best places to eat. Explore markets and street food stalls Exploring local markets will take you straight to the source of some of your destination’s most authentic dishes. From fruit and vegetable stalls to street food vendors selling simple meals, you’ll find an abundance of flavours just waiting to be discovered. This will also allow you to get a real feel for the quality of the produce, as you can see it in its fresh, raw form. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of these cultural hubs, and you’ll leave with a better understanding of where your dishes come from, as well as the people behind some of your most loved recipes. If you’re staying in a self-catered accommodation, why not take the chance to cook something local for yourself? Embrace the unexpected Some of the most authentic food experiences happen when you step out of your comfort zone. Be open to trying dishes you’ve never heard of, sitting at communal tables, or sampling dishes recommended to you by local chefs. While it can be daunting to put yourself out there, particularly when there’s a language barrier , this is the best way to discover new spots spontaneously – you’ll truly be getting a taste for life as most tourists never get to experience it. Authentic food is less about labels and more about the context of the dish – it’s how locals eat, what’s grown nearby, and how flavours are built around the resources and traditions of the region. Being a good food tourist means respecting the people and places behind the dishes you’re served – remember that they reflect a whole culture, so be sure to follow necessary local customs and etiquette. So long as you have a genuine appreciation for authentic food, it’s hard to go wrong abroad. Lead with curiosity and respect and you’ll be guided towards some of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever encounter.

Food markets in the West Indies offer travellers the most direct way to experience authentic island cooking and everyday life.   These are the everyday working markets where locals buy fresh produce and seafood and haggle over prices with vendors, giving you an unfiltered look at how people shop and eat when no one is putting on a show for tourists. While beaches and resort restaurants draw the crowds, these markets show the real rhythm of island food culture. Food markets in the West Indies offer travellers the most direct way to experience authentic island cooking and everyday life.  These are the everyday working markets where locals buy fresh produce and seafood and haggle over prices with vendors, giving you an unfiltered look at how people shop and eat when no one is putting on a show for tourists. While beaches and resort restaurants draw the crowds, these markets show the real rhythm of island food culture. Oistins Fish Market, Barbados Oistins Fish Market  operates in two distinct phases.  In the morning, it functions as a working fish market, where fishermen unload snapper, mahi-mahi, and flying fish, while vendors clean and sort catches at long communal tables. Shopping is direct and efficient, with little small talk.  Return in the evening, and the market becomes something closer to a communal dining room. Visitors should expect to eat standing up and follow the flow of existing queues rather than forming their own.  Many travellers arrive in Barbados after exploring Caribbean cruise options , which come with organised port stops. However, spending an evening independently at Oistins will give you a much better sense of local food habits than a guided excursion. Here’s another cruise-related tip for you: hunting for last-minute cruises  is the ultimate way to enjoy a premium suite for a fraction of the brochure price. Roseau Market, Dominica Roseau Market  shows the island’s strong connection between agriculture and daily cooking. Located close to the waterfront, the market is open-sided and functional, with tarpaulins pulled tight during frequent rain showers.  Expect a wide range of root vegetables, leafy greens, breadfruit, herbs, and homemade juices. English and Creole are used interchangeably, and communication is often minimal, relying on gestures and established routines.  This market offers clear insight into how Dominicans shop and cook using ingredients grown nearby, often harvested only hours earlier. Musgrave Market, Port Antonio Musgrave Market  is quieter than markets in Jamaica’s major resort towns, but no less purposeful. Named after former governor Sir Anthony Musgrave, it has served as a community trading hub for more than a century.  The market is busiest on Saturday mornings, when vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, and prepared foods.  At the front of the market, jerk stands prepare chicken and pork, while other areas include craft stalls and small shops selling clothing and souvenirs. Shopping here follows a predictable rhythm: customers approach stalls, place orders directly, pay, and move on. Visitors who take time to observe how locals order and collect purchases generally find the experience more enjoyable and welcoming. Why Food Markets Are Still the Best Way In For all the effort that goes into planning meals abroad, food markets remain the simplest and most reliable way to understand how a place actually shops and eats. They show you what’s available, what’s affordable, and what ends up in local home kitchens every day. All you need to shop at these markets is a willingness to watch how things are done and follow along. Ask a quick question if you are unsure about something, and you will walk away with great produce and a real feel for the island's daily rhythm.

Why a Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection is Essential for Stress-Free Travel The excitement and anticipation of planning a road trip often take over, shaping every part of the process. Car travel gives you freedom, the ability to choose your route, and the opportunity to take your time exploring. However, long drives put a lot of stress on the car, especially when it is loaded with luggage and passengers for extended periods. It is a must to be well-prepared for hassle-free trips, thereby not only saving yourself from annoying delays but also turning the experience into worry-free enjoyment. Why a Thorough Inspection Matters Before You Travel Many motorists focus on routes, accommodation, and packing, yet overlook the importance of mechanical readiness. This can be a costly oversight when travel plans involve long distances or unfamiliar driving conditions. Taking the simple step of scheduling a professional inspection early in your travel planning gives you a clear picture of your vehicle’s condition and time to deal with any concerns before setting off. For example, you can get your car inspected thoroughly without spending a penny by scheduling a free MOT check with Elite Direct, helping you stay compliant with all legal and safety requirements. The Value of Early Checks for Road Trips A free MOT check can spot problems you might not notice in daily driving. Brakes, tyres, steering, and lights are tested more thoroughly for extended travel, and finding wear and tear early reduces the risk of breakdowns. That helps your trip run smoothly from start to finish. If you’re planning a holiday or road trip, this simple step makes travel safer and more reliable. Supporting Safe and Responsible Travel Providing safe travel experiences is an important goal for all travellers covering long distances or unfamiliar routes. Knowing that your car is roadworthy will give you peace of mind, so that you can continue your journey without interruption due to mechanical issues or extreme weather conditions. Avoiding Unnecessary Stress and Expenses Breakdowns are one of the fastest ways to ruin a trip. Recovery services, emergency repairs, and last-minute changes to travel plans can convert a refreshing holiday into a worrying situation. Scheduling a check prior to your trip is a great way to lower these risks, enabling you to sort out issues beforehand and handle the financial side of things better. Such readiness not only makes for a smoother journey but is also a good way to keep your travel expenses in check. Making Vehicle Checks Part of Your Travel Planning Travel planning goes beyond just packing necessities and picking destinations. One realistic measure to safeguard your plans and your own peace of mind is to include a vehicle health check in your pre-trip preparation. Knowing your car is prepared for the trip ahead allows you to concentrate on appreciating the open road and making the most of your travel adventure.

Why Post-Christmas Walks Matter Post Christmas walking in England's Southwest… Punch those words into my computer hard discs and I discover that, in the past quarter of a century, I’ve written a couple of dozen articles based on this theme, which is not exactly surprising for a couple of reasons… The first of which is that even busy people tend to have time on their hands during the strange period between Christmas and New Year - added to that they’ve probably been indoors a good deal stuffing themselves and are generally in need of exercise and fresh air. Which brings us immediately onto the second reason… The alarming and dispiriting fact that more people keel over with heart attacks over Christmas than at any other time of the year. Not surprising really, when you think of all that unaccustomed rich food and the booze – plus the break in people’s normal routines… But now the dangerous moment has passed; maybe it’s time we thought about our levels of bodily fitness and well-being. And my favourite - indeed the nation’s favourite - way of staying healthy is to go for a regular bracing country walk. Which is why Hesp Out West is going to be devoted to ideal post Christmas walking ideas over the next couple of weeks. Belever Tor on Dartmoor Start with Gentle West Country Walks However, I’d recommend being a little careful after the excesses of the festive period – which is why I’m starting by suggesting a round-up of easy but refreshing walks you can do during the festive limbo. And just a note here… As I live in what could be called the “true South West” - by which I mean, west of Bristol - I tend to focus on the actual West Country peninsula, so apologies to readers who live north or east of this large and hugely scenic area. If we divide that region up into ten areas there should be at least one route near to you. My areas are: North and Central Somerset, West Somerset and Exmoor, West Dorset, South East Devon, Dorset Dartmoor, South West Devon, North Devon and North Cornwall, Mid and South East Cornwall, West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Let’s work the list backwards… St Agnes in the Isles of Scilly Isles of Scilly: Best Easy Winter Walks St Agnes Coastal Circuit The Scillies provide one of the best walking areas in the country because, apart from the amazing maritime views, there is so little traffic. The islands are also pretty flat so they’d make an ideal location for walking off the Christmas flab. I realise not many readers are likely to be going there at this time of the year, but if you are fortunate enough to be flying out to the Fortunate Isles, then the four mile walk around the perimeter of lonely St Agnes would probably be at the top of my list of ideal post festive strolls to be enjoyed anywhere. Not only will you be walking around the most south-westerly place in the UK, you will also stand a good chance of seeing some rare migrant bird or other which has been blown off course by winter gales. And you can rest your weary limbs at the end of this gentle but wild meander with a pint in the excellent Turk’s Head. Strange rock formations on St Agnes West Cornwall: Coastal Paths & Church Cove Church Cove & Halzephron Cliff Loop The church at Church Cove As for West Cornwall: our traditional Christmas is meant to be about God so why not throw a church into our walking recipe? Church Cove, on the Lizard’s west coast, not only boasts a wonderful old temple by the seashore, it also offers some easy strolls. My recommended walk starts at Winnianton, walk back up road to Halzephron Cliff, join coast path back to Church Cove - then take right of way across golf course inland (beware low flying balls) and join road down to Poldhu Cove before eventually taking coast path back to start. Church Cove, the Lizard, Cornwall Mid & South East Cornwall: Caradon Hill Railway Walk Minions & Caradon Mast Circular Oddly enough you can walk around the very roof of this particular area without having to get out of breath, thanks to the old quarry railway that runs around Caradon Hill. Old mines around Minions in Cornwall Where there’s a disused railway, there’s usually a very flat stroll… The fact you are on the roof of South East Cornwall is reinforced by the massive television mast which crowns the hill. The 750-foot transmitter provides half the peninsula with its TV signal - you can see it for miles. Conversely, you can see for miles if you walk to the top of the hill. Simply start at the village of Minions (where there’s a pub that does excellent food) and walk around the mast in which ever direction you choose. North Devon & North Cornwall: Gentle Morwenstow Loop St John’s Well to Higher Sharpnose Point Cliffs at Morwenstow Mention the hamlet of Morwenstow and most local walkers would puff and blow at the thought. The coast path that runs from Hartland Point to Bude is one of the most roller-coaster-ish stretches to be found or endured, but there is a wonderful little stroll you can do from the church at Morwenstow that will not over-do the post Christmas cardiovascular limits. Walk down past the rectory to St John's Well to find footpath along the bottom of the valley to the sea cliffs. Turn left here and there is one steep climb up the SW Coast Path which you take to Higher Sharpnose Point. However, don’t go as far as to descend into the Tidna Valley – turn inland near to where Parson Hawker’s remarkable hut is located on the cliffs and follow the footpath back across the flat hilltop fields to the first class pub near the church. Morwenstow Church South West Devon: Dramatic Brentor Walk St Michael de Rupe (20-minute Hill Walk) If I had to choose a church in which to give praise for all that is holy this Christmas, I would have no hesitation in selecting St Michael de Rupe perched high on the crags of Brentor. It is, after all, closer to heaven than almost any other temple in the south of England and certainly it offers worshippers a better view of God’s handiwork than any other church I can think of. In short, the quick hike up to the little church at the top of Brentor, a couple of miles north west of Tavistock, is one of the most dramatic 20-minute walks you can do in Southern Britain. Dartmoor: Bellever Tor & Pinewoods Easy Routes to Bellever Tor Central Dartmoor from Bellever Tor Bellever Tor, in the very heart of Dartmoor, is both convenient to the few road routes that cross the centre of the national park and, thanks to its pine-woods, relatively sheltered when the midwinter weather is inclement. It also offers some of the flattest walking on Dartmoor, being situated in the big wide central basin of the plateau. There are numbers options which allow you to reach Believer Tor itself, which is nothing more than a knoll sticking out of the woods, These are easily to be found from several of the car parks that surround it, and they allow you to make your walk as long or short as your over-stuffed limbs will allow. South East Devon: Woodbury Common Triassic Pebblebed Trails Woodbury Common offers some of the finest inland walking to be found in the southeast Devon area, and the plateau is fairly flat so you can enjoy the views without overdoing it. Paths criss-cross the various commons and it's easy to make up your own route as you go. I’d recommend a gentle meander through the southerly limits of the area's fascinating Triassic pebblebeds - to give them their official title – there are plenty of interpretation boards with maps showing way-marked routes. Dorset: West Bexington to Abbotsbury 10/10 Coastal Views & Historic Hills The West Bexington to Abbotsbury hike scores a perfect 10-out-10 for views, history, and the promise of a good pub finish. Starting at the Manor House in West Bexington, a short, sharp 15-minute haul up Limekiln Hill gets the hard work over early, rewarding you with some of Southern Britain’s finest coastal panoramas. From here, it’s level walking through National Trust fields to Tulk’s Hill—above the wonderfully named Labour In Vain Farm—and east toward the ancient earthworks of Abbotsbury Castle. Continuing past Wear’s Hill, we descend into Abbotsbury village, crossing to Chapel Lane and heading seawards. Skirting the famous Swannery and St Catherine’s Hill, we eventually hit the beach at the western end of The Flete. From there, it’s simply a matter of marching along the coast path back to West Bexington, turning inland for a well-earned drink at the pub. West Somerset & Exmoor: Coast Path & Culbone Greenaleigh, Burgundy Combe & Culbone Church One hike I sometimes do at this time of year is immediately west of Minehead along the very first section of the South West Coast Path. Past the little farm at Greenaleigh you can take a detour to steep Burgundy Combe - you’ll certainly burn excess calories – you will also discover the ruined chapel where smugglers used to hide the festive booze that gives the place its name. Perhaps a more gratifying experience would be to walk from Porlock Weir up to the UK’s smallest complete church at Culbone. This is a bit arduous to be honest - if you’re really feeling lazy just stroll from the harbour out along to the shingle ridge and admire the long stretch of wild coastline where Exmoor meets the sea. Back at the harbour I’d highly recommend the Porlock Weir Hotel or the Ship Inn for refreshments. Central & North Somerset: Somerset Levels Maunsel Lock & Sedgemoor Starling Murmurations If you are looking for a really level walk so as not to strain over-fed self then, of course, an area which includes the world “level” in its name must come up trumps. The Somerset Levels is a wonderful place to walk at any time of year, but right now you will be treated to one of the greatest aerial displays in nature if you go late in the afternoon. The great starling roosts of Sedgemoor should be listed as one of the seven wonders of the UK. Looking over the Somerset Levels The walk from Maunsel Lower Lock car park on the Taunton - Bridgwater Canal is one of the least energetic I know anywhere. Walk north, along the towpath, beyond Godfrey's Corner to Whites, then south over the rhynes to Wisteria Farm and Coxhill Bridge - and back along the canal.