Oh! I lived in North Devon through my childhood and on or near Dartmoor for nearly 40 years until last year. Very poignant to read this (the bar wasn't at Widecombe, was it?) and see the photos. I used to lead writing workshops at Merrivale at the 4 turning points of the year, no matter what the weather.
And yes, I too love Hope Cove. And yep I'm a Raynor Winn fan. And PS my sister wrote many of the official SWCP guidebooks (in sections for circular walks).
We now live in Brittany (much worse for vegans!), but I do miss Devon. Thanks for a nostalgic trip - and yes, England is rather crappified in some ways now, esp the politics.
Lovely to hear from you. The bar was in Merrivale. The Dartmoor Inn. Looked so promising...
Those workshops sound amazing, as does your sister.
We hiked part of the coast of Brittany on our honeymoon in 99. St Malo to St Brieuc. We were not vegan then, so crepes sarrasin and moules frites were just fine! And the cider is always good!
I'm writing the story of our new life here on an eco-micro-smallholding (that's the subject of my Substack pages); I wrote my most recent book 'A Spell in the Forest - tongues in trees' here in Brittany; and I am still leading workshops but in the UK. Thanks for asking.
Was thinking of you, Luisa! Next visit, I'll try to do a little of the north Devon coast. Welcome back, and looking forward to reading about your SWCP adventure!
I love Hope Cove!
Oh! I lived in North Devon through my childhood and on or near Dartmoor for nearly 40 years until last year. Very poignant to read this (the bar wasn't at Widecombe, was it?) and see the photos. I used to lead writing workshops at Merrivale at the 4 turning points of the year, no matter what the weather.
And yes, I too love Hope Cove. And yep I'm a Raynor Winn fan. And PS my sister wrote many of the official SWCP guidebooks (in sections for circular walks).
We now live in Brittany (much worse for vegans!), but I do miss Devon. Thanks for a nostalgic trip - and yes, England is rather crappified in some ways now, esp the politics.
Lovely to hear from you. The bar was in Merrivale. The Dartmoor Inn. Looked so promising...
Those workshops sound amazing, as does your sister.
We hiked part of the coast of Brittany on our honeymoon in 99. St Malo to St Brieuc. We were not vegan then, so crepes sarrasin and moules frites were just fine! And the cider is always good!
Thank you John.
That's a lovely walk. And I get by fine with the sarrasin crepes (as a vegan and g-f person). And yes, the cider is good!
Ah the Dartmoor Inn! That was v rundown for a while, and rarely open. Sounds a bit better now, then. A bit.
Realizing I missed a "not" as in we were not vegan then! Moules would not work now! The buckwheat flour is great if you're GF.
The inn is now a partnership with a local farm and is doing really well, but the menu is very meat heavy.
Are you writing or leading workshops in Brittany?
Oh I got the 'not'!
I'm writing the story of our new life here on an eco-micro-smallholding (that's the subject of my Substack pages); I wrote my most recent book 'A Spell in the Forest - tongues in trees' here in Brittany; and I am still leading workshops but in the UK. Thanks for asking.
Following!
Another great read! I too love The Salt Path and am eagerly waiting for her new book, Landlines. Thanks John!
Thank you!
Great pictures!
Was thinking of you, Luisa! Next visit, I'll try to do a little of the north Devon coast. Welcome back, and looking forward to reading about your SWCP adventure!