Beauty on the doorstep

I think that sometimes things lie so much on our doorstep, that we never take the time to appreciate them.  Here in South Devon, we're blessed with some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, yet how many of us watch it zoom by on our daily drive to work, or brush it aside to concentrate on booking that important and relaxing holiday abroad?  Enter a bank holiday, and a five-mile drive to the beautiful Canonteign Falls.

The Canonteign Falls estate incorporates lovely woodland, numerous lakes and abundant wildlife, the perfect escape for a sunny morning.  Its crowning glory is the 67-foot-high waterfall, created in 1890 and the tallest in England.  The waterfall was the idea of the third Lady Exmouth, who instructed that water from the above leat should be allowed to cascade over the rock formation.  The result is a stunning, haunting, misty sight, gallons of water gushing over the cliff top, crashing into the pool below, and shifting with some speed down the hill to its final destination, the lowland lakes.

The lakes were looking picture-perfect tranquil as me made our way away from the fast-flowing falls.  Out of reach of the crashing cascade, the water settles serenely, the sunshine shimmering off the still water's surface.  We bought some duck food, and spent a delightful half hour tempting the variety of waterfowl that call this place home.  A gaggle of Canada geese soon found us, surrounded by seven or eight goslings, chirping away in the sunshine.  After a little hesitation, they made a beeline for our food and, although not quite allowing themselves to be hand-fed, they weren't far off.

The beauty of nature is hard to beat, and when it's already in your neck-of-the-woods, it's definitely worth exploring.  So get those muddy boots on, take a trip to a nearby woodland, and enjoy an hour in the company of your local wildlife.  We were certainly glad we did!

A Sunny Bank Holiday at Petworth House

I love the National Trust!  Two months ago I finally got around to joining the organisation, and since my ubiquitous orange-backed card arrived in the post, I've already recouped more than half my money.  If you're a history fan, an architecture buff, or you just like a good nose around, you really can't lose!

Bank Holiday Monday saw us in the fine surroundings of Petworth House, West Sussex.  Billed as one of Britain's finest stately homes, set within a beautiful deer-park, landscaped by none other than 'Capability' Brown, the building houses paintings by world-famous artists such as Turner, Van Dyck and Blake.

Our tour started in the kitchens, where hundreds of pots, pans and other utensils were lined up and ready for use.  Every shelf was full of curiosities - herbs, spices, mustards, an indication of the strong-smelling preservatives of the past.  Next door, in the ice house, a pre-electric refrigerator and old ice cream makers hinted that the aristocracy of the past certainly had their luxuries.  Just watch out for the pesky tart thief, up to her usual tricks.

In the main house, pleasantly cool in the hot May day, several comfy and well-decorated rooms were a pleasure to explore.  The galleries contained a great number of paintings, but I picked out this one as my moody favourite.  A JMW Turner of a scene not too far from where I live.  Answers on a postcard please...

Our tour of the house finished in grand style, being watched over by the great Tudor king, Henry VIII.  Looking out the windows, the open landscape rolled off into the distance, down to a lake, where many people had gathered to enjoy the sunshine.  Inside, it wasn't difficult to drift off into a world where the house was all mine, where I could pace the galleries and admire the artwork, whilst a team of servants cooked dinner in the kitchen, and the afternoon would be spent riding a horse across the enormous landscaped garden.  To dream is a wonderful thing, and so easy to do in a house such as this.  Thanks, National Trust, for a lovely morning out!