We did an awful lot of travelling, exploring and eating for this website during 2025, so we have just pulled together some photos of the first half of the year - with links to the relevant pages on this site. Living inside Exmoor National Park , we always spend time just after New Year wandering around in the moors… These hikes in the middle of the moors often end up in Lynton or Lynmouth where it’s always fun to spot on of the wild goats in the Valley of Rocks . In early 2025 we were off to Cornwall - this time to an amazing holiday home in Polzeath … And then we were off to the Lake District for a two part stay in February - starting at The Samling, an very lovely hotel situated on a beautiful slope overlooking Lake Windermeer. The second half of our stay was centred on the lovely and cosy Rothay Manor at Ambleside. And then it was back down to Cornwall, this time St Ives. And then we were off to the very northern tip of Denmark . We loved Skagen and the extraordinary area based on the sand spit which reaches north into the Skagerrak. The town is filled with lovely people and delicious food. After that we visited Aarhus known as Europe’s City of Smiles. We could see why… After that there was a brief trip to Cornwall so that I could attend a fish cookery course run by my new pal Annie Seabourne We stayed at the lovely Budock Vean Hotel … Then there was a trip to Dorset with my old friend, the poet and writer James Crowden - this time tracking down out-of-the-way cider farms. And another local day lout tracking down the best cream teas in lovely tea gardens . And then it was back down past Cornwall to the Isles of Scilly to meet with various food and drink producers around the islands. Then Cornwall again, staying at this amazing property in Mousehole and being catered for by our brilliant friends Rebecca and Robin from Indulgence Catering. And then, to round off the first half of 2025, to Sri Lanka as part of a truly wonderful expedition organised by the British Guild of Travel Writers in conjunction with Sri Lanka Tourism. I was with a group from the BGTW which signed up for a particularly lengthy journey around this most magical of all islands. It was called The Road Less Travelled , and after 3000 kilometres, we could see why. I loved every minute of it. The Sri Lankan people are among the most friendly and welcoming anywhere on the planet – which is saying something, seeing they were fighting a terrible civil war not that long ago. Actually, I see that British tourism in Sri Lanka has grown by some whopping figure (over 600 percent) this year, and I like to think this may, in part, be down to some of the work we folk from the Guild of Travel Writers did after our wonderful visit.

Continuing this website’s review of last year... we move to July, when a trip on the truly amazing Sea Cloud was in the diary. Which meant flying to Naples and spending the night there before embarking on the remarkable sailing ship. Who doesn’t like Naples? It must be one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in Europe. Unfortunately we were hit by a freak rainstorm while there, but it did not spoil our enjoyment of the place. Then it was home to the West Country for some vintage cider tasting And we’re talking VERY old ciders… We also visited numerous seaside locations of the more untrodden and unvisited kind… BBQ season lasted months There was a memorable stroll along England’s new coast path from Portishead to Clevedon . And a cycle-ride around the lovely Exe Estuary On the Exe Estuary Trail And then it was off to the wonderful Malsters in South Devon … The Malsters, on the River Dart And a stay at the Royal George at Tintern The Royal George, Tintern … Next up was a fabulous stay at Boringdon Hall on the edge of Dartmoor near Plymouth… Boringdon Hall just outside Plymouth After that we popped down to Cornwall to stay at the Bassett Arms , a really good newly refurbished pub in Portreath. Portreath in late summer Next I joined the British Guild of Travel Writers to discover the lesser known parts of the Algarve. Monchique in the Algarve While there we stumbled upon a magical chestnut festiva l held each autumn in a lovely little town in the mountains. The chestnut festival ion Monchique . And all was rounded off by a trip to the wonderful Pedn Olva in St Ives

Series Overview: A Life in Stories and Travel Podcast image for Adventures in Journalism Adventures in Journalism is an immersive audio series hosted by veteran British journalist and author Martin Hesp. Drawing on decades of experience as a regional and national reporter, Hesp takes listeners beyond the headlines to explore the soul of a destination. The podcast is characterised by its "on-the-road" style, blending evocative soundscapes with intimate interviews. While the series frequently highlights the rural charm and culinary heritage of the West Country, it regularly ventures internationally—from the mountains of Madeira to the olive groves of Italy. The core mission of the series is to document the intersection of food, travel, and social history, often focusing on the lives of people who maintain ancient traditions in a modern world. Martin Hesp interviewing Mr Radley Greenslade in a radio interview many years ago Episode Spotlight: New Year’s Thinking While Pondering Warm and Sunny Places Published: January 2026 In the latest installment of the series, Martin Hesp shakes off the damp chill of a British winter to explore two of Europe’s most culturally rich southern regions. This episode serves as both a travel guide for the soul and a meditation on agricultural preservation. 1. Exploring the Hidden Algarve, Portugal Moving away from the high-rise resorts, the episode delves into the "Wild West" and the rural interior of the Algarve . Hesp interviews a specialist local guide who reveals the region's secret spots—places where the Atlantic air meets quiet hillsides and traditional Portuguese life remains unchanged. This segment provides listeners with an insider's view of sustainable, off-the-beaten-track tourism. 2. The Ancient Olive Groves of Puglia, Italy The journey continues to the Salento peninsula in Puglia , the "heel" of the Italian boot. Here, the podcast captures a moving conversation with a local farmer dedicated to the stewardship of millennial olive trees . Some of these majestic specimens are over 2,000 years old. The segment explores: The historical significance of olive oil production in the Mediterranean. The challenges of preserving living monuments that date back to Roman times. The deep emotional and cultural connection between the land and its people.

Wok-Burners, Winter Walks, and Real Food: January Tips from Rebecca Farrington-Turner Rebecca Farrington-Turner, who runs the excellent Indulgence Catering from Newlyn It’s that time of year again when millions of us are looking at our diets to find a way of eating our way towards better health and fitness. It is, of course, something which we should be doing 365 days of the year, but somehow the post-festive slump that occurs in early January lends itself to the idea that we could enjoy happier more fulfilled lives if only we took better care of our bodies. Some folk go at it like a bull charging a gate - they make New Year’s resolutions on the food and drink front that would scare a sergeant in the SAS. Others are content to merely make a tweak here or there. Whichever system does it for you, perhaps the best idea is to simply make the new regime enjoyable enough so that it stands the test of time - or at least a chance of lasting beyond January. New Year good-intentions can come in many shapes and forms. My own plan this week was, on the face of it, quite bizarre. It consisted of the purchase of some tiny wire brushes and a miniature plug-spanner set. Why? Because the wok-burner on our gas hob stopped working a while ago - but, given the post-festive bloating and blues, I was feeling in dire need of some fresh and healthy stir-fry dishes. When you think about it, the classic stir-fry produces a vegetable-heavy dish that is nothing more than a hot salad. Yes, you can throw in a few prawns or some slivers of meat, but multiple veg’ make up the main ingredients. And, yes, you do need a wok-burner. A normal hob or hot-plate just won’t produce the extreme temperature that allows you to rapidly cook, seal and partly caramelise things like strips of carrot, onion or bell-peppers. What you end up with if you stir-fry over a low or moderate heat is a vegetable stew. Which can be nice enough in its own way, but it will not have the lightness or crunch of the true wok-experience. Hence those tiny wire brushes and miniature sockets. After watching several YouTube instruction videos, I managed to safely clean the jets in my grimy old wok-burner - it’s now roaring away with enough blue flame to lift a hot air balloon. Expert Advice for January So that’s me sorted. But what does a real nutrition expert have to say about the art of eating healthily at this time of the year? I asked an old friend of these pages, Rebecca Farrington-Turner, who runs the excellent Indulgence Catering company down in Newlyn, and who is also a fully qualified health coach. “January doesn’t need to be about punishment or restriction,” was the first thing Rebecca told me. “After the Christmas and New Year festivities, most people don’t need a detox — they need gentle nourishment, routine and reassurance. “In fact, I always encourage people to add things back in rather than take everything away… More vegetables, more fibre, more colour, more movement — alongside food that still feels enjoyable. Food that is comforting and restorative. “Walking and eating work beautifully together at this time of year,” she continued, echoing the theme of the past two Hesp Out West articles. “A daily walk (especially somewhere coastal or green) helps reset the head, while simple home-cooked food steadies energy levels and digestion.” Fabulous food from Indulgence Catering And of course Rebecca has firm ideas about the sort of food we ought be eating at this time of the year - especially during a cold snap like the one that’s hit the Westcountry over the past couple of weeks… “Winter eating should feel grounding - I’m talking about soups, stews, roasted vegetables, grains and pulses,” she told me. “These are the foods that support gut health, which often takes a knock over the festive period and shows up as bloating, low energy or feeling a bit ‘sluggish’. “You don’t need fancy ingredients or long recipes,” says Rebecca. “Just real food, cooked simply, eaten regularly. And importantly — food should still be pleasurable. If it doesn’t feel satisfying, it won’t stick.” Grounding Winter Recipes Rebecca kindly gave me some easy-to-follow recipes to try at home - and having cooked and consumed all three, I can vouch that they tick all the right boxes... Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 onion diced 1 butternut squash (approx. 1kg), peeled and chopped into 1cm cubes ½ teaspoon chilli flakes ½ teaspoon turmeric 2 cloves garlic, grated or crushed 2 cm ginger, grated Salt and pepper to taste 250ml vegetable stock 400ml tin coconut milk Juice of ½ lime 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped Method: Put the olive oil in a large saucepan and add the diced onion, garlic and ginger. Fry on a gentle heat with the lid on for 5 minutes until softened. Add the cubed butternut squash, chilli flakes and turmeric and fry on a low heat for 2 minutes. Add the stock, bring to the boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until the squash is soft. Turn the heat right down, add the coconut milk, lime juice, and chopped coriander. Blitz with a blender until smooth. Serve with pumpkin seeds and fresh chilli. Chickpea and Spinach Curry Ingredients: 1 can (400g) Chickpeas 2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil 1 onion, chopped Fresh ginger (thumb-size piece, grated) 1 tsp Tomato Puree 1 tbsp Ground Cumin 2 tbsp Garam Masala 1 tsp Ground turmeric 2 tbsp Ground Coriander 0.5 tsp Chilli Powder 400g Tinned Tomatoes 1 cup Green Peas (Frozen) 2 cups Baby Spinach 2 tbsp Greek Yogurt 1 tbsp Mango Chutney Method: Add oil to a pan and slowly cook the onion for five minutes. Add the ginger and all the dried herbs and cook for a further five minutes. Add the chickpeas, tomato puree and tinned tomatoes. Simmer until reduced by a third. Finally, add the spinach and frozen peas. Finish with mango chutney, yoghurt and fresh coriander. Serve with brown rice. Ginger and Turmeric Shots Ingredients: 2-3 inch piece of fresh ginger, chopped 1-2 inch piece of fresh turmeric, chopped 2 large oranges, peeled 1-2 large lemons, peeled 100-200ml water (or coconut water) ¼ teaspoon black pepper (essential for turmeric absorption) Optional: 1 tbsp honey Method: Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down on the pulp to extract all liquid. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Shake well before drinking one shot daily. Subscribe Join my inner circle of food and travel lovers to get the latest Hesp Out West features Email Address Sign Up We respect your privacy. Thank you!

Gentle Winter Walks Across the West Country Walking your way to fitness and health after the festivities is one of the most enjoyable and invigorating things you can do during that dreary time of the year otherwise known as the second-half of winter. Some people take post-festive fitness very seriously, signing up for gym regimes and diets that would cause a serious athlete to lose sleep. Inevitably, all to many realise they are living a fantasy. You can only eat raw carrots and workout endlessly for a limited period before your body or mind finds a way of escaping the tyranny. Perhaps good intentions should be as pleasurable as possible – it is, after all, how they teach rats to perform tricks in laboratories. If body and mind receive pleasurable sensations, then there’s a chance you’ll continue - and many would agree that the best way to increase fitness easily is by walking. Particularly in times when we’re all feeling the pinch - strolling through lovely countryside is the best free deal there is. Medical evidence shows that even a modest amount of extra walking brings significant health benefits. Various governments have lauded the benefits down the years - there’s even an official definition of a “health walk”, which is: “a purposeful, brisk walk undertaken on a regular basis.” “It is the relative intensity of the walk for the individual and the regularity of participation that can really have an impact on heart health,” says a government blurb sent to me back in 2006. “With regard to cardiovascular health, the walk should be purposeful and 'brisk' - in other words more than just a stroll.” Following last week’s suggestions across the South West, here are some more routes that act as a good introduction to country walking. Once again, I am dotting them around the Westcountry peninsula so you won’t have to travel too far – and, being just a few miles each in length, they should help instil a sense of achievement while allowing you to enjoy wonderful scenery just about every step of the way. Cornwall Walks: Frenchman’s Creek (Helford River) Pure romanticism is the theme of this short walk. Frenchman’s Creek has more of a novel's atmosphere than any other literary location - it allows you to mentally plunge into the derring-deeds of Daphne du Maurier's brilliant tale. I recommend taking the foot-ferry across from Helford Passage. There’s something special about arriving at a walk by boat and anyway, the hamlet on the north side of the river-mouth is much easier to reach than negotiating the tortuous lanes of the Lizard peninsula. In the tiny village of Helford, a lane leads along the creek, past the (excellent) pub, and eventually crosses a stream at a point close to where a footpath sign points to Manaccan. We take the track through the trees until a junction allows us to turn right into Under Wood - then climb the hill towards Kestle, an ancient farm situated on the ridge that divides Helford from Frenchman's Creek. A track leads west from Kestle, down the hill and into the trees. This is how Du Maurier describes it: “The trees were thinning, she was coming to the bank - and there, suddenly before her for the first time, was the creek, still and soundless, shrouded by the trees, hidden from the eyes of men.” The National Trust owns the eastern bank of the creek and there’s a path along the waterside so that walkers can enjoy its hidden delights. After a while this path departs the waterside and climbs to meet the drive to a hidden house. Turn right here and follow it to a junction and take another right to follow the road another few hundred yards until you see a public footpath sign upon your left. This takes you through yet more Trust-owned property - until you reach Penarvon Cove. Now it’s simply a matter of taking the track to the right which will lead you the quarter-mile or so back to the ferry landing. Dartmoor Walks: Fernworthy Reservoir Circular A simple three-and-a-half-mile walk around a lake – and, being situated in the centre of Dartmoor - a very lovely lake it is too. To find Fernworthy follow the signs from Chagford, or from the Moretonhampstead-Princeton road. Either way is narrow and full of bends, but don't be put off - Fernworthy is a wonderful place to visit both in a watery and an arboreal sense. There's a visitor car park for those who simply wish to admire the view - or there's a choice of walks. The round-the-lake hike is probably easiest and most desirable. There seems little point in telling you where to go: a) because a large illustrated map adorns the interpretation board at the car park, and b) because the circumnavigation is obvious. All you have to do is make up your mind whether you want to walk clockwise or anti-clockwise – and enjoy. North Devon Walks: Lynton and Lynmouth Circular Within a mile of the twin communities there are vertiginous cliffs, rock stacks, deep valleys and woodlands, tumbling streams – all with the mighty backdrop of an ocean… No wonder Robert Southey described the epicentre of all this as: “The palace of pre-Adamite kings” – adding that the Valley of Rocks contained, “the very bones and skeleton of the earth.” We start at the bottom, by which I mean the seaside car park just beyond the Lyn Cliff Railway. After mid-February you have a choice of letting the funicular take you the 500-foot up to Lynton, but while it’s still closed for its annual winter refurbishment you must follow the footpath up. The higher you go, the more grandiose the whole scene becomes, which is not surprising given that the tallest cliffs in England are just across the bay. At the top we head towards Lynton’s main street but, as soon as we reach it, there’s a footpath to the right which takes us west out to the Valley of Rocks on the perpendicular seaward side of the hill. Sufferers of vertigo might want to avoid this path, although it is paved and quite safe. It eventually enters the Valley of Rocks at one of the two places where the great defile spills into the sea. Directly in front of us stands dramatic Castle Rock - a detour up this craggy pyramid is highly recommended. Inland, you’ll see the Devil’s Cheese-ring – a rock-stack said to have been home to legendary Mother Meldrum. If you’re feeling fit there is a route up past the rock-stack to the footpath which runs along the very brink of South Cleave. By turning left along this path you can make your way back down to the heart of Lynton. If you don’t fancy the near vertical 300 foot climb, simply walk back up the Valley of Rocks, passing the picturesque cricket pitch as you go. Then it’s simply a matter of making your way back down to the town centre. The shops will be on the right and St Mary’s church and the Valley of Rocks Hotel on your left. A path passes between the graveyard and the hotel and leads to the zig-zag path that takes us back down to Lynmouth. Somerset Walks: Will’s Neck Circular, Quantock Hills A steep clamber around the highest point of the Quantocks - exhausting in places but the views are among the most magnificent in the region. The hike starts at Triscombe and runs along the side of the hills to Little Quantock Farm, then it’s up on to the high ridge where we swing south east to ascend the AONB’s highest summit, Will’s Neck, before returning down a very steep track. To find all this scenic glory, drive 20 minutes out of Taunton on the Minehead road. After about seven miles turn right, follow signposts to Triscombe, and within a mile you will be in one of the loveliest hamlets in Somerset – tucked under the main Quantock ridge. Tucked, also, under one of the area’s largest quarries. Its red aggregate was used in all manner of famous places - I believe the red road outside Buckingham Palace was made of the stuff. Thankfully, the quarry is quiet nowadays. There’s not much at Triscombe save for a handful of pretty cottages and picturesque pub (the Blue Ball, which opens some days of the week - if it’s closed try the excellent Farmers’ Arms a mile away on the Taunton road). Find the footpath to Crowcombe and follow it to Little Quantock Combe. Now the hard work comes in: the walk to the top is steep, but well-worth it because the ridge of the Quantocks offers spectacular views in all directions. On a clear day you’ll see the whole of North Somerset, including The Levels and even the new Severn Bridge spanning the upper limits of the Bristol Channel. Now it’s a two mile jaunt south past Great Hill on the ancient drovers’ road. Just after you pass Triscombe Stone a path ascends gently uphill to the right. This is the way up to Will’s Neck – the highest point on the Quantocks. After that it’s simply a matter of descending the extremely steep path back to the hamlet. Central & North Somerset Walks: The Polden Way There’s a six-mile walking trail in Somerset that offers some of the best hiking in the region - at least, that’s the conclusion I came to after walking just a section of the Polden Way. The Polden Hills form a ten-mile ridge dividing the north and south Somerset Levels, offering wide panoramas across the flat landscapes. While the western end near the M5 is slim and capped by the A39, the south-eastern end near Compton Dundon is broader and more scenic. Here we find the Polden Way, linking Walton and Hurcot through beautiful areas which previously lacked public access, such as King’s Wood. While the full linear route is tempting—requiring two cars or a bus plan—we opted for a circular hike starting at Compton Dundon. The climb up Windmill Hill took us to the impressive Admiral Hood Monument. Thickets have been cleared here or there, opening up dramatic views of the southerly Levels. You can also see Glastonbury Tor to the north. The path winds south-east across Hatch Hill—where the large blue butterfly now thrives—towards the managed woodland of Combe Hill Wood. The trail continues through Great Breach Wood to Hurcot - we, however, descend the steep Combe Hollow Lane back to Compton Dundon, which concludes our a steep but spectacular Somerset stroll.

Festive Days Out in Somerset: Dunster Castle’s Christmas Adventure Thinking of something Christmassy to do? Something that the kids would absolutely love that does not involve going to a giant shopping mall or a theme park? Something traditional, perhaps, with tons of atmosphere, Christmas trees and fairy lights, along with the red suited man himself seated in a private room in a magical castle… Well, the National Trust is staging just such an opportunity at wonderful old Dunster Castle — and I’ve just been with my grandson to enjoy the festive scene and watch him meet a very good version of Father Christmas … Excellent it was too. A highly enjoyable afternoon well-worth a visit to the medieval Somerset village on the edge of Exmoor . Exploring Dunster Village: Walks, Views and Seasonal Charm Walk around Dunster and you will discover many splendid walks to be enjoyed. Just over a century ago Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander was so impressed that she sat down on Grabbist , the steep shoulder of hill that is the backdrop of the village, and wrote the famous hymn 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' . Dunkery Beacon, rising beyond the Avill Valley, might not be exactly a "purple headed mountain" - but the rest of it is true enough. Dunster’s History and Heritage Dunster is as historic as it is pretty, and it goes without saying that such a place draws day-trippers like a magnet. But that doesn't mean it is overburdened or spoiled by them. Somehow the village - or town - call it what you will, (in 1197 it was being described as a borough) seems to survive the annual onslaught. Whether this has anything to do with the fact that the National Trust rules the roost nowadays, I don't know. Probably. The organisation is a dab-hand at dealing with throngs of folk, and traffic in the village is now somewhat alleviated by the Trust's Castle car-park which is accessed direct from the main road. Dunster Castle: The Mighty Fortress Over the Village When I say 'rules the roost', I mean the organisation owns the castle. No village in England is more dominated by one ancient building. Everywhere you go - there it is, perched upon its knoll. There's been some sort of fort on the Tor since 1067 - and the people up there have held sway for the best part of a thousand years. There is something Gormenghastian about it. The castle seems to penetrate everything. It lurks, omnipotent, even on the darkest winter's night. A quarter of a century ago, when I was covering Dunster parish council for a local newspaper, there it was - the castle: lording it over the empty, rain-swept, silent streets like something indeterminate in a dream. I liked to think of the councillors casting a wary eye up at those indomitable fortifications and paying lip-service to those within. It was all so feudal, even then. A last vestige of older times. I recall one old boy referring to "His Lordship" even though mild-mannered, pleasant, Colonel Sir Walter Luttrell was not a Lord - just the last in a line of Luttrells to live in the place stretching back hundreds of years. And there was nothing draconian about him - on the contrary, he gave the place to the National Trust in 1976 and now lives in a big old house near the sea just a few miles to the east. Neither, of course, is the National Trust draconian - so it's been a long time since the folk of Dunster doffed their caps. But somehow a feeling of power still emanates from the great pile on the hill. You are left in no doubt that the lords who once lived there were masters of all they surveyed. Legends, Lords and Local Lore Actually, the Luttrell family had a good name as far as overlords go, but naturally they had the odd run-in with the grubby lot down below. All sorts of stories exist but my favourite is the one about Dunster's own version of 'Lady Godiva' . Lady Elizabeth de Mohun, a member of the family which originally built Dunster Castle, decided the family should show a little more in the way of largesse and she begged her husband to give some land to the commoners. He told her that he'd give them whatever land she could ride around at dawn. There was only one catch: she had to go naked. She did just that, but the village-folk are said to have been so grateful, they averted their eyes. If they did - then men have changed a lot over the years... But it's just one yarn in a history rich in legend and anecdote. A veritable pageant of the past has rolled along under the castle walls. Soldiers from Agincourt have been called to serve the Mohuns; mediaeval masons have hammered at the soft sandstone to build the huge church and priory; Benedictine monks have filed silently past the old Nunnery; mariners, who sailed a ship called Leonard of Dunster and used the vanished port called Dunster Haven , have carved their footprints in the church's lead roof; Royalist and Parliamentarian soldiers have besieged and been besieged; even Charles II took refuge here as a young prince... He didn't stay long. The 15 year old youth was brought to Dunster to escape the plague, but he left when it was discovered the villagers were dying of it themselves. Dunster Through the Centuries I could go on to fill books with Dunster's story. I could tell you about the packmen who frequented the Horse and Crook (now long gone) and how they quartered the county with their trains of horses, mules and donkeys - using the old pack-horse bridges like the one at Gallox on the edge of town. I could tell you about the farmers' wives who span the Exmoor fleeces to make yarn for the clothiers. They, in turn, spent their lives doing deals under the eight-sided roof of Dunster's famous Yarn Market . The local weavers made broadcloths from the material they bought at the market - and so well known did these garments become that they were called 'dunsters'. We could hear of the wassailers and of Dunster's very own Hobby Horse - the sinister Black Horse whose followers once murdered a man who wouldn't give them alms. And we could lament the souls of three Sedgemoor rebels who were hunted back to their home town and hanged just the other side of Gallox Bridge for their part in the Monmouth Rebellion. Why Dunster Remains So Unspoilt And we could bathe in all this history because Dunster has a more in the way of annals of antiquity than any other town in this series. More tales of yore - and less to spoil them. No vast housing or industrial estates here. No big-name stores - not even a petrol station. For the most part, modern buildings have been kept at bay across the main road at Dunster Marsh and the old centre has been left untouched. Untouched by everything but the internal combustion engine - which is a pity. I recall councillors talking about bye-passes decades ago. It's never happened, and broad old High Street is forever cluttered with vehicles where once market stalls surrounded the Yarn Market. Seems a shame: a car-less Dunster would be a thing of wonder - which, by-the-way, it is once a year when the villagers hold their famous candle-lit Christmas festivity night . But imagine the scene when this was the market centre for the north-eastern corner of Exmoor. It must have a been a marvellous, colourful sight. An image that obviously appals some of today's Dunsterites. A few years ago there was a move to rekindle the old mercantile spirit when several local producers wanted to inaugurate a West Somerset Farmer's Market in the main street. It never happened. Some of the shop owners put the boot-in and the farmers went off to nearby Minehead. Ironic - in a village famous for being a place where not a single can of beans can be bought. The entire community is geared up for the tourist trade, and an ordinary grocery store just doesn't fit the bill. Visiting Dunster Today: A Timeless Exmoor Village But even the village's plethora of gift shops and the cars cannot take away the charm that hangs about like a miasma above a stream. Dunster exudes charm, it has an allure, a fascination that hits you right in the face the moment you pass through that cutting on the A39. And they ought to do something about that, before someone else gets hurt. Dunster Facts You Probably Didn’t Know A legend that a giant had been locked in a dungeon turned out to be true when a massive manacled skeleton was uncovered during the last century in Dunster Castle's Gatehouse. The village once had a port called "The Hawn" , which still exists to some extent — now land-locked and home to ducks. There’s reputed to be a secret tunnel running from Dunster Castle to Conygar Tower. One of Thomas Hardy’s least successful novels, A Laodicean , was set in Dunster. The village still recalls its own oversized ogre with the locally named Giants Seat high on Grabbist.

Where to Go in the Run-Up to Christmas: London or a Staycation? Where to go in the run-up to Christmas? Shall we head for sunnier climes, drive west to enjoy the region’s seasonally empty beaches, or maybe visit some charming old market town? As I found out in Dartmouth last week, a staycation really can help put you in the mood for the festive season – but there are those who argue that you should go the full hog and head for our capital city. At which point it feels rude not to trot out Samuel Johnson’s famous line… “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life…” However, it’s a phrase that some of us question, because there are a few people – country-lovers and the like – who are not quite as enamoured with the metropolis as the famous lexicographer. I am one of those people, but even I have to go there every so often – and, when I do, I have to admit I’m still charmed if not intoxicated by the place. I write about it here because, A) I visited recently, and B), being a travel writer, people often ask me for tips on where to stay and what to do in London. This article features two of my favourite places to stay in town. Alternative to London “A winter staycation in Dartmouth” Visiting London at Christmas: Why November and December Work So Well Like a great many people, I particularly like visiting during the run-up to Christmas, or perhaps immediately afterwards in the weeks when midwinter country-life begins to lose its sparkle. If visitor numbers are anything to go by, this is a commonly held sentiment. How many people do you know who pop-up to town in November or December to take in a show, do the Christmas shopping, have a special meal, see all the sights and enjoy the festive lights? I know a great many. We had several reasons for taking GWR’s Taunton to Paddington service recently – with a journey time of just one hour forty minutes, why would anyone drive? The first reason was that my wife absolutely loves soaking up the city’s Christmassy atmosphere and she also had gifts to buy and art exhibitions to see. As for me? Well, I was shortlisted for two prestigious British Guild of Travel Writer awards and, as it is rare to reach the finals in any category let alone two, I felt mildly confident. Surely I’d grab at least one gong? And so there I was at a glitzy awards dinner in the heart of town. Later you could have found me slumped in a very stylish apartment, also in the centre of town, shedding tears of disappointment. I always seem to fail in London. The hugeness of the place always seems to defeat me. Which, perhaps, has caused me to fall out of love with the place in recent years. Where to Stay in London: The Other House South Kensington Review However, on this occasion I was at least mollified to some degree. And that was thanks to the stylish apartment. Let me explain: the other reason I’d decided to go to London at such a busy time of year was because I’d received the following email… “ The Other House South Kensington would like to invite you to experience a stay at its Residents’ Club – a hybrid concept that combines apartment-style living, boutique hotel services, and the feel of a private members’ club.” Blimey, I thought… I normally end up sleeping on a friend’s sofa when I go to London (another reason I’m less keen to visit nowadays) so a bit of “apartment-style living”, along with boutique hotel services, would certainly make a visit a lot more jolly. Add the “feel of a private members’ club”, and I am definitely your man (he says, having never been a member of such a place). The Other House is located a short stroll from London’s museum quarter and the Royal Albert Hall. “The ‘club flats’ feature bold interiors, kitchenettes, and relaxed living areas, available to book for a night, a week, a month or longer,” the email explained. “Guests can also access The Club at The Other House, including its vitality pool, gym, wellbeing space, and cosy lounges.” We duly accepted the invitation and enjoyed living like visiting foreign diplomats or financiers during our short stay. There was me, swimming in the indoor heated pool, right there in the heart of London in the middle of winter, after doing a workout in the gym – and all before relaxing in an extremely cosy little lounge that looked for all the world like Sherlock Holmes’ study at 221b Baker Street. I could fall back in love with London if every stay was going to be like this. I certainly appreciated the quiet inner-city location, which really was super-convenient for all those museums and the many other delights of South Kensington. London Accommodation Prices: Is Central London Really Affordable? At which point readers might mutter something about all this costing a fortune. But it doesn’t. I’ve just looked up the prices, and booking a “club flat” at The Other House for two adults this week would have cost as little as £232 for a night. Okay, so prices can go up considerably if you’re hitting weekends or anything around Christmas itself, but I see there are plenty of options in January when a comfortable apartment would cost between £230 and £260 a night. Which, believe me, isn’t at all bad for this level of comfort and style in central London. I’m not sure how “apartment-style-living” differs from a normal hotel. No difference at all, as far as I could make out – with the exception that there isn’t any room service, which is something I rarely require anyway. The apartment did have its own kitchenette, which we were not going to be using but could come in useful if you were staying for any length of time. Instead, we had an excellent breakfast down at street level in The Other Kitchen (which also serves all-day brunch) and a drink in the rather glitzy Owl & Monkey bar. Oh, and the Other House South Kensington is just a quick Tube ride from Paddington (four stops on the Circle Line) making it particularly appealing for West Country folk coming up by train. So if you’re planning a last-minute visit before Christmas, that is my first recommendation. The Other House South Kensington https://otherhouse.com/south-kensington Apartment-style accommodation near the museums, Royal Albert Hall and Paddington. Ruby Lucy , Southbank: A Lean Luxury London Hotel I’m also a fan of the Ruby Hotel chain, having stayed in several across Europe, including Vienna. There are three of these funky and inexpensive hotels in that city and more being launched across Europe all the time – including London’s Ruby Lucy which opened just five years ago. The brand focusses on what they call the “lean luxury” philosophy, and the 75-room Ruby Lucy , enjoying an excellent location on the Southbank’s Lower Marsh Street, manages to encapsulate just that. The interior design is inspired by the area’s historic fairs and markets, not to mention its entertainment and theatre scene. Which is why there’s a carnival theme running throughout this comparatively small hotel. According to the Ruby Hotel team “Rich, dark tones meet bright brass accents and subtle stripes are accented with playful props including circus drums and juggling pins.” An accurate description of the hotel, located just a three-minute walk from Waterloo station, close to the South Bank’s assorted theatres, galleries, concert halls and independent shops. So, a fantastic position in town and, for London at least, affordably priced. Rooms at Ruby Lucy start from £188 per night (two sharing). Ruby Lucy Hotel, Southbank https://www.ruby-hotels.com/en/destinations/london/ruby-lucy Lean-luxury hotel close to Waterloo, theatres and the South Bank. Eating Your Way Around London: Street Food, Markets and Pop-Ups What do I enjoy when I’m in town? Eating. That’s the short but accurate answer. Yes, we did “do” the Kensington museums while staying at the Other House recently and a very jolly afternoon I had delving into the Natural History Museum . But if I am really honest, I do love the idea of traipsing around dining on a little here and a little there. Why? Because you can eat the world in London. It wasn’t always the case, but nowadays few cities anywhere around the planet can beat the diversity of food you find within the sound of Bow Bells. Take a place like Pop Brixton , built from shipping containers and one of the best examples of what’s called a “modular pop-up” venue. It’s basically a social hub with a variety of street food vendors, bars, and retail shops. While the vendors can change, it consistently offers a mix of international flavours in a lively setting. Or, close to the Ruby Lucy, there’s the Southbank Centre Food Market , well-known for its international stalls – perfect for a weekend visit, offering a huge choice of cuisines. You’ll find Korean BBQ burritos, authentic Pad Thai, Indian dosas, Vietnamese comfort food, Ethiopian vegan cuisine, Venezuelan Pabellon, Turkish Gözleme, Mauritian curries and a great deal more. Not far away, near London Bridge, Borough Market sets the gold standard, featuring a huge number of street food vendors alongside artisan produce. You’ll find everything from French confit duck to Sri Lankan specialties and West African fusion. Across the river, Camden Town market is well-known for its street food section. The stalls have a rapid turnover, meaning you can find everything from West African to Thai to gourmet burgers, often changing week-to-week. Battersea Power Station at Christmas: A Family-Friendly Festive Highlight If I’m not eating when I’m in town, I’ll be taking my two little grandsons out and about… Years ago when I lived in London, Battersea Power Station , with its four iconic chimneys, smoked away generating a fifth of the capital’s electricity. Nowadays it is a glitzy destination, which happens to stage a major Christmas fair, ideal for tiny boys under four years of age. The meticulously restored building is a thriving mixed-use space with more than 150 shops, over 50 restaurants, bars, apartments, and entertainment venues. At this time of the year the riverside neighbourhood is adorned with sparkling lights, a massive Christmas tree and Art Deco-inspired decorations inside the historic Turbine Halls. Festive attractions include a riverside ice-rink and the ‘Lift 109 experience’, which takes visitors up a north-west chimney for a unique 360-degree view of the capital's festive lights. Christmas markets, family workshops, and seasonal food huts complete the picture. My two grandsons loved it.

Apple Glut? 3 Delicious Ways to Preserve Your Bumper Harvest (Plus a Secret Tip for Better Flavour!) The autumn air signals more than just changing leaves; it brings the annual apple glut ! If my own trees are any indication, it’s been a great year for the harvest. But the sudden bonanza of ripe fruit—especially after a weekend of gales—brings a classic problem for the proud apple tree owner: how do you deal with a mountain of fruit before rot sets in? Forget eating ten a day; we need solutions for long-term apple preservation . Thankfully, the answers are easy, delicious, and will fill your home with the warm, autumnal scent of apples. 1. Dehydrated Apple Rings and the Magic of Apple Leather The domestic food dehydrator ($\pounds 35$ from Amazon or similar) is your best friend right now. While it makes a gentle humming noise, it uses a tiny amount of power and delivers jars full of delicious, leathery snacks and cooking ingredients. Classic Dried Apple Rings Prep: Simply core and peel your apples, then slice them thinly. Flavour Bath: Dunk the slices into a mix of lemon juice and a little sugar . Dehydrate: Place them on the dehydrator rack to dry for eight to nine hours. These versatile rings are perfect for future puddings , stews, homemade apple sauces , or even eating straight from the jar. Try: Homemade Apple Leather This year, I’ve been experimenting with apple leather , which is basically a slow-dried apple puree. Blend: Mix your fruit, sugar, and lemon juice until completely smooth. Spread: Line the food dehydrator tray with parchment paper . Spread the puree mixture evenly and thinly across the tray. Flavour Tip: Add a touch of cinnamon for a warm, spicy flavour. Dry: Set the device to 60°C . The resulting “leather” is a fantastic, healthy snack for a long winter’s walk . It keeps for months in a sealed container in the fridge and is a brilliant, dense base for crumbles or a flavour-booster for fruity curries . 2. Freeze Your Apple Puree for Winter Cooking If you don't have a dehydrator, or simply want a quicker solution, the freezer is a superb option. Concentrated Apple Cubes Make a homemade apple puree, but cook it down as far as you can until it is denser and thicker than the typical apple sauce you’d serve with pork. Fill ice-cube trays with the concentrated puree. Freeze until solid. You can then pop out a couple of these handy cubes to instantly thicken and slightly sweeten a nice winter pork stew or curry . It's an easy way to add a complex fruit note to savoury dishes. 3. Pickled Apples - The Fermented Food Craze For something entirely different and a nod to the healthy trend of fermented foods , why not try making pickled apples? This results in a spicy, complex, and addictive preserve. Quick Indian-Style Apple Pickle Slice washed apples into thick batons (about 1/2-inch thick by 1 1/2 inches long) and mix in a bowl with salt , cayenne , and turmeric . In a small pan, warm a tablespoon of flavourless oil. Add a couple of teaspoonfuls of mustard seeds and cook until they begin to pop. Add chopped garlic and ginger and fry briefly. Stir in dry spices: ground turmeric, ground fenugreek , red chilly powder, and asafoetida . Pour in one cup of white wine vinegar , half that amount of water, some sugar, and salt, and bring to the boil. After a couple of minutes, take off the heat, allow to cool for about five minutes, then pour the entire mix over your apple batons. Once completely cool, place the pickled apples into sterilised jars for long-term storage. Why Preserve? The Secret to Better Apple Flavour Some might ask: why go to all this effort when we can buy "fresh" apples 365 days a year? My reply: All of these preserving methods result in truly delicious morsels that supermarket apples simply can’t match. And how fresh are apples that have travelled thousands of miles across the globe? If you don’t have an apple glut from your own garden this autumn, I strongly urge you to seek out and buy excellent apples sold by local growers . They are no more expensive than their imported supermarket cousins and the difference in taste is astonishing. The Grower’s Secret: Ripeness is Everything Years ago I spoke to Duncan Small from Charlton Orchards near Taunton, who explains their philosophy: no eating apple is picked before it is ripe. "To maximise the flavour of the fruit, it needs to be on the tree until the starches are converted to fruit sugars ," Duncan says. "If you pick too early, the proportion of starch to sugar is much higher – the apple will keep better, but you won’t get the flavour." This is why buying local and in season is the key to that intensely satisfying, deep apple flavour. The Best Apple Varieties to Seek Out This Autumn Choosing the right variety can transform your kitchen. Duncan shared some of their favourites for the best eating and cooking experiences: Cox’s Orange Pippin: The perennial, most popular English apple . Ashmead’s Kernel: An excellent late apple sold in December for Christmas. It's an old-fashioned russet with an exceptionally well-developed flavour—sweet, slightly acidic, and slightly spicy . Suntan: A cross between Cox’s and an ancient variety. It is like a very intensively flavoured Cox, slightly more acidic , and bakes beautifully . Red Pippin: A great modern variety, very aromatic with a good fruit-acid balance and a "cleaner crunch ." Falstaff: A large, attractive yellowy-pink modern apple. Very sweet, very crunchy, and juicy—perfect for tasting at farmers’ markets . Charlton Orchards - visit their website on www.charltonorchards.com ) More Ways to Use Raw Apples When all is said and done, there’s nothing quite like the raw crunch of a sweet and juicy apple straight from the tree. If you want to move beyond eating it plain, try using raw apples in various salads . My favourite is to dice them finely and add them to celery for the classic Waldorf salad . They are also brilliant in a cold lunchtime salad with blue cheese and mayonnaise —the sweet crunch of the apple cuts through the rich, salty cheese perfectly. The Amazing Health Benefits of Apples Apart from being delicious, apples are incredibly good for you. Eating plenty of them is believed to: Lower blood cholesterol . Improve bowel function . Reduce the risk of stroke , prostate cancer, type II diabetes, and asthma . Recent research indicates that diets with the highest intake of apple phyto-nutrients were associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of lung cancer . Findings also suggest that two apples a day can reduce the damaging effects of cholesterol. So, while the going is good, grab some of that "doctor-avoiding" advice and consume as many fresh, locally-sourced apples as you can!

Luscombe Drinks at 50: The Pursuit of Britain's Best Soft Drinks The sound of milling resounded through the orchard and we watched as hundreds of fresh-picked apples bobbed along in clear water, gushing down a metal chute towards the ‘scratter’ or crusher , and eventually the press which would extract their delicious juice. Most Westcountry folk reading this sentence will immediately assume this article is going to be about the new cider season, but I had actually gone to the Devon orchard in question to interview a man who, arguably, makes the best soft-drinks in Britain. Apple juice is one of the things for which this region should be famous - and this year there are a lot of apples about. Liquid Perfection: Why Luscombe Stands Out I, for one, am happy to make the ‘best in Britain’ case on behalf of Gabriel David , of Luscombe Drinks , because I really do happen to believe the company is responsible for making the finest non-alcoholic beverages in the land. And I have held that view ever since I first tasted their products which literally burst with flavour. I first interviewed Gabriel nearly 20 years ago and so I know that he goes a very, very long way in his pursuit of liquid perfection. For a start, way back in 1998 the South Devon company became the first drinks brand in the UK to achieve Soil Association organic accreditation . But the story goes back even further than that - which is why I decided to call in at the farm in the foothills of Dartmoor recently. This year Luscombe Drinks celebrates half-a-century of operations , which alone is an impressive fact in what is a somewhat aggressive marketplace. Founder of their move into soft drinks, Gabriel David, is a man who combines a deep-seated appreciation for tradition with a pragmatic approach to business. And as we sat down to talk amid the apple trees in the autumn sunshine, I was to learn just how pragmatic… From Faltering Cider to Premium Soft Drinks He began by recounting the company’s 50-year history borne, not out of some grand vision, but with a practical need to utilise old farm buildings and a defunct cider press. Luscombe’s initial foray into cider production proved challenging. The generic product of cider had become a relic product, a relic of a bygone era of harsh farm-gate ciders, and failed to find a market. “My father set up the cider company because a family making local cider decided they were going to pack up and go to Australia. So my father comes in and buys some cider equipment from this family that were emigrating.” In his early thirties, Gabriel eventually became involved with the cider business which, for various reasons, was faltering… “I went to an event and gave out tasters of the new season’s fresh cider, but few took up the offer in a room of 100 people. Probably 99 of them didn’t taste it. One person, generously and probably because they felt sorry for me, bought a bottle! I then suddenly realised at that point that, actually, people didn’t want cider.” Gabriel’s response was to pivot. He had plenty of apples to juice and he leveraged a network of contacts from his childhood in Sicily to begin producing lemonade , and after that, elderflower from the hedgerows and ginger beer - a move that was a great hit in London and set the company on a new, successful trajectory, especially with those seeking an alternative to alcohol when the offering was only Coca Cola or lime and soda. “We went into apple juice because we had apples... and having recently come back from Sicily, I also had these contacts with lemons. And we thought ginger beer would be a good bet because all the ginger beer out there was pretty appalling.” The Ethos of Flavour: Heritage and Integrity In some ways the Luscombe approach helps Gabriel to find good natural ingredients because growers are often hamstrung by supermarkets which expect fruit with an immaculate appearance. “So wonky, knobbly fruit is what we’ve been doing since day one. It doesn’t matter to us - it’s going to be crushed anyway. But we also go in for old heritage varieties because they have better flavour…” This approach does present challenges, however. Luscombe’s commitment to using natural, ethically sourced ingredients from small-scale producers puts it at a commercial disadvantage compared to larger brands that rely on bulk-purchased concentrates. Yet, he remains firm in his belief that close, transparent relationships, which often support local communities, are a fundamental part of the brand’s identity. “We all come across a lot of drinks brands where, marketing-wise, you might think, ‘Oh, they’re brilliant’. But scratch the surface and they are not doing what we at Luscombe do. They are more or less a labelling company, buying in bulk ingredients and getting someone to mix and bottle it for them. On the other hand, the people supplying Luscombe are doing all sorts of things like school initiatives for their local children. The money’s going back into their village, really. So it’s fair trade , without the name Fair Trade. We like the idea that we might have a positive impact on somebody else in the world.” Luscombe’s growth has not been driven by large marketing campaigns, but by the quality of the product itself. Gabriel told me: “Our money goes straight into the bottles. I chose to put all our effort into the quality of the product, its taste and look and feel.” The strategy has encouraged a loyal customer base and allowed the brand to grow through word of mouth . “The best thing I ever did was put our phone number on the bottle,” he laughs. Adapting for the Next 50 Years: The Grab-and-Go Market As the company celebrates its 50th year, Gabriel remains focused on adapting to rapid changes in the market-place - something he was forced to do when the Covid pandemic put the company under huge stress, like so many other businesses. He told me about a new visual identity that “celebrates our rich heritage while setting us up for the next stage of growth.” And he revealed plans for a new sparkling apple juice , a product designed to meet modern consumer demand for refreshing, lower-sugar beverages . This new venture, likely to be sold in cans, represents a shift towards what’s known as the “ grab-and-go ” market. A shift which is, quite simply, an essential evolution for a company that has, for decades, built its reputation on quality and tradition. His goal is to strengthen Luscombe’s position in the premium soft drinks market while staying true to the core values of “integrity and care”. Which might all sound a little like modern trans-Atlantic “business-speak”, but in this instance I’m happy to go with it. Why? Well, if for nothing else, it’s because I believe this region should be proud to play host to companies like Luscombe Drinks . As I watched his fresh-picked apples bobbing down the water chute, en-route to becoming some of the most delicious drinks to be found anywhere in either a can or a bottle, I thought about how genuine and authentic the Gabriel David ethos is…. You buy in the very best raw ingredients the world has to offer and you pay a good price that keeps the suppliers happy and benefits their local communities. You also purchase the very best machinery with which you can extract the finest flavours. Even more importantly you nurture your loyal staff. Gabriel says the company’s achievements would not be possible without the patience and hard work of his employees. He believes that the hands-on approach of the staff, who manage every step from pressing and storing to bottling and deliveries, is a reason for their loyal customer base. When receiving a "Food Hero" award, he was quick to credit the 40 people " behind the scenes " at Luscombe Drinks, highlighting their collective effort. What’s not to like? I for one am happy to raise a glass of apple juice in Luscombe’s direction and wish them all the best for the next 50 years.

Fantastic News for This Website Fantastic news! For me, at any rate. This website has earned me the position of finalist at the British Guild of Travel Writers annual awards . Along with two other people, I am up for Travel Blogger of the Year. So I am over the moon - partly because I began the website six years ago merely as a bit of fun and as a challenge to see if I could do such a thing. And that is exactly how the website has continued.  Oh, and I’ve also been shortlisted for my Western Morning News and Western Daily Press article about travelling around Sri Lanka - that one is a finalist in Travel Feature of the Year for Regional Media . Anyway, I find it difficult to write about a website which I have put so, so much work into over the years and come up with any kind of synopsis - so I thought I’d break the rule of a modern lifetime and let the robots have a go. This is what AI think of this website… A Rich and Diverse Collection of Travel and Food Writing Based on the content of the website, Martin Hesp Food and Travel , it is a rich and diverse collection of posts that highlight Martin's passion for exploration, food, and the great outdoors . The website serves as a testament to Martin's personal experiences, spanning a wide range of topics from international travel to local adventures in the UK . Informative, Engaging Writing Style Martin's writing style is both informative and engaging , offering readers a blend of practical guides and personal anecdotes . The breadth of content is especially impressive, showcasing adventures across continents. For instance, the site features detailed travelogues from exotic locations and culturally distinct destinations, such as the immersive post on staying in a traditional Iban longhouse in Borneo , which paints a vivid picture of communal life, rainforest cooking, and remote travel . Other articles explore destinations across Europe and the Caribbean , providing global context to Martin's observations. Celebrating British Food, Culture, and the West Country The site isn't limited to distant journeys; it also delves deeply into local British culture . Articles cover unique UK subjects like the revival of mead at a Devon winery and the art of foraging for wild mushrooms , providing local knowledge and a sense of Martin's personal journey across the West Country . He has written about cycling the scenic Exe Estuary Trail and debates the true starting point of the South West Coast Path , demonstrating a deep knowledge of and passion for walking and outdoor exploration . Stunning Travel Photography and Visual Storytelling The photography across all these posts, which is all his own, is a key element of the site. The high-quality images effectively capture the essence of each location and experience , from the stunning landscapes of the UK to the captivating moments of his global travels , adding an invaluable layer of visual depth to his storytelling. A Unique Resource for Food and Travel Enthusiasts The wide array of subjects, from West Country food and drink to far-flung adventures , ensures there is content to attract a broad audience. Martin's personal storytelling , combined with his own captivating photography , makes the website a truly unique and appealing resource for anyone interested in food, travel, nature, and authentic British life . British Guild of Travel Writers Finalists The other finalists for BGTW Travel Blogger of the Year 2025 are: Katie MacLeod of storiesmysuitcasecouldtell.com Victoria Watts Kennedy of bridgesandballoons.com

A Celebration of Perry at the Malvern Show James Crowden, a great friend of these pages, invited me along to the Malvern show where he was judging at the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association’s annual Perry Festival. The event is dedicated to promoting knowledge, understanding and appreciation of that most delicious of English drinks, made from fermented pear juice. The Orchard Marquee: A Cathedral of Apples and Pears It all takes place in the amazing orchard marquee. If the veg baskets mentioned above are shrines, then this is an full-on cathedral celebrating apples and pears. Vast displays of orchard fruit weighed down numerous stands and tables. To a breathtaking degree… I didn’t realise there were so many hundreds of different varieties. There was every kind of orchard fruit imaginable, from vast red shiny apples that would make a fairy princess blush, to tiny pears the size of marbles. Tom Oliver and the Origins of the Perry Festival One perry-maker manning his own stall was Tom Oliver, one of the instigators of the competition. He told me it all began years ago after Charles Martell (a well known maker of perry, even better known for his Stinking Bishop cheese) planted a collection of perry pear trees at the Three Counties show-ground. “Perry is a drink unique to this area, so it deserves a prominent position at the show,” said Tom. “The event has grown from one small stall to a large marquee, which I consider a real triumph.” On his stand he had 10 different perries, but explained there are at least 120 recognised perry pear varieties. The Taste of Perry: Blends, Styles and Future Potential “Perry can be sparkling or still, and can range from dry to medium or sweet. I believe that blends, made from two to four different varieties, are often the best approach to creating a great drink,” said Tom, who is optimistic about perry’s future. He believes that, as one of Britain’s most delicious traditional drinks, it has the potential to become more widely appreciated. Judging Perry: Expertise and Enthusiasm A view shared by one of the judges, Alison Taffs, owner of The Hop Inn in Hornchurch, London, and founder of the London Cider Club. She told me that while the general population may lack knowledge about real perries and ciders, more and more people are willing to explore different styles. Perry, she explained, could achieve the same level of flavour, aroma, character, and texture as fine wines like German Rieslings or Sauternes. She is particularly fond of its “gorgeous, creamy texture” - a quality that “makes you want to keep drinking”. “It can be paired with cheese or other light foods, but it also drinks beautifully on its own, just like a good white wine,” she said. A New Generation of Perry Producers Another judge, Lydia Crimp, is typical of the new wave of perry producers. A former costume supervisor for prestigious venues like the National Theatre, she and her husband now make cider and perry after moving to the South West. “People are becoming more interested in the provenance of their food and drinks, and are looking for domestically produced, high-quality products. I really can see a shift toward drinking less, but better,” she told me. Challenges and the Road Ahead for Perry Lydia, who is vice-chair of the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association, also talked about the challenges facing the industry. A major issue is the legal definition of cider in the UK, which only requires a minimum of 35% apple juice, allowing the rest to be made up of sugars and colourings. However, she believes the quality of craft cider and perry is improving rapidly, thanks in part to initiatives like the Three Counties Cider and Perry Association’s conference, which helps new producers to make high-quality products.

Six Guinness World Records Smashed at Malvern The CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship Six Guinness World Records were broken the Three Counties Autumn Show last weekend, with 132 growers battling it out for medals, including the longest sweet pepper and heaviest celeriac. Other world records included the world’s tallest runner bean plant (26 feet, two inches) and the world’s longest radish (25 feet, seven inches - there’s a lot of long thin root involved). Weird and Wonderful Vegetable Giants So weird and wonderful are some of these world-beating giants, it’s not so much a case of, “Guess the weight of the vegetable” - but a more simplistic: “Guess which veg it is”. Some achieve alien-like shapes after they’ve been force-fed and watered over an entire season. A friend standing among the 30-foot long parsnips and football-sized tomatoes, observed… “There isn’t a single person coming into this giant veg show who doesn’t immediately start smiling from ear-to-ear.” Meet the Paton Brothers: Kings of the Giant Pumpkins I came across one man proudly showing his competition-winning pumpkin. Hampshire-based brothers Ian and Stuart Paton, both 63, have dedicated their lives to growing giant pumpkins and have become well-known in the world of “size does matter” horticulture. Ian told me his Malvern entry weighed 2,641 lb, but that he and his brother had previously set the UK record with an even bigger whopper. And he was confident they had an even weightier pumpkin this year which they hope might break the world record (at 2,749lb). The High-Stakes World of Giant Pumpkin Growing Ian explained that the final days can be nerve-racking for giant pumpkin growers because of splits in the tough outer skin, caused by the fruit’s immense weight. Once there’s a tear, the pumpkin can no longer be entered into a competition. “There’s no secret to our success, just a lot of hard work,” he told me. “We started with six plants this year, but lost three due to splitting.” “Our indoor pumpkin plants are enormous, covering over 2,200 square feet,” he added. “They’re so big we spend about six hours a day tending to them. My wife calls herself a ‘pumpkin widow’.”