News
Some of our latest news, thoughts and the odd bit of helpful advice.
Woolacombe in the summer
The traditional games are the best when you are staying in a cottage near Woolacombe. The British summertime is on a roll and what better way to spend a day than on the beach building a traditional sandcastle in our traditional family style? The build style has traditionally had a moat around the outside and also tunnel underneath the castle. The Midlanders on holiday have tried different versions but we always end up with this. If we have time we decorate with shells but the timing is critical because the incoming tide has to go up the channel and around the castle, that’s the fun bit. ...
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Ilfracombe Lifeboats
The RNLI recently had an open day and along with a couple of pals we were treated to a fascinating tour around the RNLI Ilfracombe lifeboat station, got to stand on their flagship rescue boat and found out more about this lifesaving charity. We have had a lifeboat station in Ilfracombe since 1828 and although there have been many changes over this period, the one constant is that we are very lucky to have such willing volunteers to help protect us when out at sea. It takes just 12-15 minutes for these volunteers to go from being paged to being at sea. The crew have to be working / living...
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Walking above Woolacombe Dunes
Meet Gurtrude. We love the walks around Woolacombe dunes, a short drive from Spreacombe and standing just next to the Porthole Cafe is Gertrude, part of the North Devon Dynamic Dunescapes project that aims to rejuvenate sand dunes across England and Wales. Gurtrude was decorated by The Trinity Arts Group who operate out of Barnstaple. The real “dunes cattle” are further back in the Woolacombe Dunes; their grazing and trampling naturally helping with the dune restoration. There are 10 decorated cows in total across Woolacombe Dunes but this is the one with the fantastic view over the long...
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Kestrels at Spreacombe?
We joined the North Devon Biosphere “Pledge for Nature” and were fortunate enough to be given a kestrel nesting box. Kestrels are listed as 'amber' UK conservation status, meaning that their breeding population is in decline. The numbers have declined significantly across Devon and it is hoped that if there are more nesting boxes in ideal locations then this will reverse, hence the prize draw for free nesting boxes. The North Devon Biosphere was the first of 6 to be designated in the UK. (It is one of 668 Reserves in 122 countries designated by UNESCO) . They are working really hard to ...
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