It's raining, it's pouring . . . and we are eating another full English breakfast. What could be better? Yes, of course, an afternoon facial and massage at Bovey Castle!
But I've gotten ahead of myself . . . Today's adventure began with a drive to the picturesque village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, which lies in the very heart of Dartmoor National Park. As we drive along in through the mist and rain all I can think of is "Heathcliff, oh, Heathcliff, where art thou Hearthcliff?" This is a landscape of love, longing and dark romantic fantasies.
But I've gotten ahead of myself . . . Today's adventure began with a drive to the picturesque village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, which lies in the very heart of Dartmoor National Park. As we drive along in through the mist and rain all I can think of is "Heathcliff, oh, Heathcliff, where art thou Hearthcliff?" This is a landscape of love, longing and dark romantic fantasies.
Widcombe-in-the-Moor is beautiful wee, largely farming village that lies along the East Webburn River. Not unlike Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park, here horses graze throughout the village.
At its center is the Church of Saint Pancras, built in the 14th century and known as "The Cathedral of the Moor" for its 120-foot tower. Built of local granite, the interior ceiling is decorated with many roof bosses, which are architectural knob protrusions at the intersections of ceiling rib vaults. The ones in this church include the tin-mining trade emblem of a circle of three hares that are known locally as the "Tinners' Rabbits."
The church was badly damaged in the Great Thunderstorm of 1638. Legend says it was caused by a visit by the Devil that left 4 parishioners killed and 60 more injured.
Besides the amazing grave stones, one of the highlights of this church for me is a folk art sculpture of the legendary "Old Grey Mare" and her riders that was constructed by an 82-year old retired sailor named Harry Price. Hailing from Drewsteignton, Mr. Price spent two-years building his sculpture, which has many moving parts, entirely from scrap (recycled) materials. It was originnally exhibited at the 1959 Widecombe Fair.
Today, the Old Church House that was build around 1540 to hold parish festivities or 'ales' is held by the National Trust and leased, in part, to the village as a community hall. It also holds a National Trust gallery that sells wide range of crafts including beautiful wool blankets and pillow . . . which Gypsy and I purchased.
The church was badly damaged in the Great Thunderstorm of 1638. Legend says it was caused by a visit by the Devil that left 4 parishioners killed and 60 more injured.
Besides the amazing grave stones, one of the highlights of this church for me is a folk art sculpture of the legendary "Old Grey Mare" and her riders that was constructed by an 82-year old retired sailor named Harry Price. Hailing from Drewsteignton, Mr. Price spent two-years building his sculpture, which has many moving parts, entirely from scrap (recycled) materials. It was originnally exhibited at the 1959 Widecombe Fair.
Today, the Old Church House that was build around 1540 to hold parish festivities or 'ales' is held by the National Trust and leased, in part, to the village as a community hall. It also holds a National Trust gallery that sells wide range of crafts including beautiful wool blankets and pillow . . . which Gypsy and I purchased.
Afterwards, we head across the road to The Old Inn for a typical ploughman's lunch of cheddar cheese, locally sourced ham, pickled onion, dressed leaves, apple and coleslaw . . . and of course, a (half) pint of ale.
Fortified, we set the GPS for Bovey Castle for appointments of spa treatments on this wet and cold day. Now, the thing about the GPS in our rental car is that it finds the most "efficient" route, which today we discover is not necessarily the most conventional one. Our GPS routed us through a farmer's land, across his pasture, down an incredibly narrow dirt lane with tall foliage concealing walls that left no more than an inch of room on either side of our rental car . . . with the side mirrors pulled tight against the car. Thankfully, we didn't meet anyone coming in the opposite direction!
Totally turned around so we had no idea where we were on our road map, we found ourselves driving into Bovey Castle through the servants entrance, which only proved to the doorman that we weren't their typical guests . . . No sir-ee . . . The American girls on holiday had just arrived!
I should say that I was a bit disappointed when we were planning our English adventure not to be staying here at the Castle . . . but after visiting and experiencing the "hushed" atmosphere and the dark and staid public rooms, I became absolutely convinced that Petunia was right in choosing Highfield House instead!
I should say that I was a bit disappointed when we were planning our English adventure not to be staying here at the Castle . . . but after visiting and experiencing the "hushed" atmosphere and the dark and staid public rooms, I became absolutely convinced that Petunia was right in choosing Highfield House instead!
Relaxed, Gypsy volunteers to drive us back to Lustleigh, which gives me an opportunity to document the narrow and windy roads throughout Dartmoor.
Another full and wonderful day in Devonshire . . . Back at Highfield House after sipping wine and getting warm and toasty beneath our new wool throws from Widcombe-in-the-Moors, we decide to walk to The Cleve for a dinner. For me, mussels and dark beer!