Called to the bar (Free subscription) | 05/11/2009
Was talking to a chap at Devon Earth brewery the other day, a newish small operation based in Paignton, and was rather tickled to hear that he brews beer for monks (not punks). Neither does he brew like a monk, sadly. Instead a barrel of his Devon Earth bitter gets sent to the Benedictine brothers at Buckfastleigh Abbey, which can be found on the southern edge of Dartmoor (I sometimes drop in when...
read_warbler (Free subscription) | 19/10/2009
I honestly did not intend to start a new series. Relics by Pip Vaughan-Hughes was a random library grab, a book that I thought sounded like a lot of fun. But after I'd started it I checked the author out on FantasticFiction and found the book I was reading was in fact part one of his 'Brother Petroc' series. Typical. Even when I try not to start any new series, I end up doing just that... The year...
Community News - Leicester Mercury (Free subscription) | 16/10/2009
East Norton: Launde Abbey has received a prestigious tourism award for the third year in a row. This year, against a record number of nominations, the abbey received the Bronze award to add to the Silver and Bronze awards previously gained for the Tourism Experience category of the East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards. The Rev Tim Blewett, the warden of Launde Abbey, was delighted...
busdriving (Free subscription) | 07/10/2009
The notion that Fleet St should be free of buses has been around ever since Fleet St was pedestrianised which was over 20 years ago. There is an other way round other than using Fleet St; two in fact. The first is that the buses that come down Union St and Pimlico continue round the Post Office Roundabout and up Abbey Road and turn left into Torr Church Road onto Lucius St and left down Belgrave Rd...
Under Three Hundred (Free subscription) | 22/09/2009
Went back down to Somerset for a couple of days to see my parents. Who read this blog! Hello parents! For a day out we went to Watersmeet , on the edge of Exmoor, North Devon, where I had a little walk from Farley Water down to Lynmouth. As you can see, it’s all waterfalls and original woodland with the trees all gnarled with age. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and should...
Gulliver's Travels (Free subscription) | 21/09/2009
Fab weather in Devon last week - this is Budleigh Salterton, just east of Exmouth. I love the red cliffs, typical of the area. Buckfast Abbey is a wonderfully serene place. The abbey itself is beautiful and there are lovely gardens to wander round - all free. The monks sell their produce and there is also a restaurant and gift shop.
COWBOYS & CUSTARD (Free subscription) | 23/08/2009
With one week to go, these summer hols will have passed in the blink of an eye.. or so it feels. It really doesn't seem credible that 8 weeks ago I accompanied my son to his end of term service in Bath Abbey..and watched as the pupils poured out after the service wearing broad smiles and a sense of freedom in their hearts. The hols had begun.. So where have all those days in-between gone? I suppose...
Me, My Camera & Eye. (Free subscription) | 21/08/2009
Whilst I was away Kathie set me a blog challenge, to publish the fourth photo in the fourth file (photo storage) and write about it. Well here it is!!! During February half term whilst the girls were in Austria skiing (or breaking ankles as it turned out) Mick and I took the opportunity and went up to Devon for a few days. On the way back we stopped at Buckfastleigh Abbey and whilst walking
Brian's Blog (Free subscription) | 18/08/2009
Take a drive to Buckfast Abbey, attend the Service and then, a short walk to the Buckfastleigh Inn situated on the river, for a traditional Sunday lunch. In the afternoon take a drive over Dartmoor. 'Hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil' Taken opposite the Abbey Stained glass in Buckfast Abbey, Devon, England. The panel was designed and installed by the monks who built the abbey. This window...
The Wardman Wire (Free subscription) | 16/08/2009
Since the debate about Expenses for Members of Parliament is this afternoon, I thought I’d mention a likely never to be repeated analogy. A story all over the news in the East Midlands a few days ago was about a tame one-ton Water-Buffalo that has been named “Oink”, from Darley Abbey near Derby. The back story is [...] Post from: The Wardman Wire A Political Metaphor for Guido to...
Codex (Free subscription) | 13/08/2009
When I was younger, and we were on our family holiday in Devon, one of the things we always used to do was a trip to Plymouth (or Exeter - the irony.) On the way to either of these South-Western Metropoli (don't think that is technically the plural for metropolis, but never mind,) we would always pull in to the local Benedictine monastery at Buckfast Abbey. Partly because Dad liked to look around the...
Dark Rock Diaries (Free subscription) | 12/08/2009
Defender Fred Murray, who made a handful of appearances for Exeter City last season, has already been on the books of two clubs since his release from St James’ Park. Signing for Blue Square Premier League club, Grays Athletic, only a few weeks ago, he has moved on quickly to link up with Luton Town, where joins another former Grecians, Steve Basham. Born in Clonmel, Republic of Ireland, Murray...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 05/08/2009
North Devon Lanes edged in sodden meadowsweet, hemp agrimony and rosebay converge at isolated but named cross roads across pastoral Woolfardisworthy – pronounced and spelt locally as "Woolsery". The church's doorway, carved with zigzags and beaked heads, leads to a light interior with pillars cut from granite brought across from Lundy, carved bench-ends and ephemeral sunbeams casting...
Community News - Leicester Mercury (Free subscription) | 03/08/2009
East Norton: The Launde Abbey Open Days over the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 29-31) look set to be another roaring success and the organisers of the event are now looking for applications from churches, charity organisations and businesses who would like to take a stall during the weekend’s events. The fund-raising event, which takes place every August Bank Holiday weekend is now very...
The Guardian (Free subscription) | 26/07/2009
There's something special about escaping to an island - even if you don't need a boat to get there. Annabelle Thorpe picks a dozen British gems that you can reach by car or on foot - perfect for a day trip or a summer weekend away 1 Burgh Island, Devon Despite its isolation, this island is all about glamour - 1930s glamour, to be precise, evoked by the art-deco hotel of the same name. Cars can't reach...
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