Notes from The Rookery

It feels as though it has done nothing but rain for a fortnight. I seem to have spent most of that time soaked to the skin, dealing with ponies, or garden, or walking the dog, or simply dancing in and out of the house putting washing out, and rushing in with it when the rain comes, then spreading it round the house, on the backs of chairs, in the vain hope it might dry before it gets knocked onto the grubby floor. It is at times like these that I feel a small moment of weakness, and wonder whether I should go and borrow my mother's tumble dryer! I haven't yet succumbed - I think tumble dryers are horribly extravagant, and I have a great washing pulley in my lean - to porch, and if I leave the washing long enough - even on dark rainy days, it eventually dries.

We walked up Nattadon, the smaller of the two hills beside the village this evening, and stood on top. I never fail to be overwhelmed by the magnificent views from here, so I thought I'd share them with you!

These pictures are all taken from the top of the hill, as I turned a full 360 degrees around.

This is the view back down, over the village of Chagford.

This looks out across Meldon, the larger of the two hills that overshadow the village.

nestling between the two hills are half a dozen farms and cottages.

Looking out towards Easdon and Green Combe in the distance

Looking down the valley towards Bovey Tracey. On a really clear day you can see the sea in this direction.

Looking over Weeke Down

The hills on the furthest horizon here are those of Exmoor, roughly 40 miles away.

And here is Castle Drogo, high above the Teign Gorge, looking out over Chagford towards the moors.