Farm Life

Carole had booked us into a cottage on a working farm so that Ben could get the whole collect the eggs and feed the animals experience. The one she chose (Little Comfort Farm) in Devon was excellent. The farmer's wife was great with Ben and Roger the farmer didn't mind the 'imposition' of a famaily tagging along on his morning rounds. He was quite happy to chat and explain things as he went along and it was interesting for us as well to find out how much the animals cost and return etc.

The cottage was really comfortable and set right in the heart of the farm.

We stayed 4 nights and used it as a base to explore North Devon which is very scenic and rugged. Everything from rugged coastlines to lonely Moors to waterfalls to surf beaches.

Met up with Vanessa's sister Carol who lives only a few miles from the farm at a place called Croyde which is one of the best surf beaches in England.

We met up for a drink in an excellent pub called the Thatch (T tick) had lunch at her house and went for a walk along the beach and up through the dunes before having a drink in a posh hotel with amazing views (Silverton Sands).

Carole wanted to see wild ponies on the Moors and we were lucky enough to see a few although most aren't out in the open at this time of year.

Did a great walk out to Morte Point as recommended by Vanessa. Amazing views. Had a quick drink in the Ship Aground pub. Easily the worst pint of bitter of this (or any other) trip. Exmoor Ale. It actually stank and I have to say that while there have been a couple of others that weren't flash, this was the only one I couldn't finish.

Blackberry the pig hadn't dropped her piglets by the time we left but Carole (I started out on a farm) informed me she might well have them later in the day. I'll check the farms website to see if she's right. Ben told me she would be having 13 piglets (Blackberry, not Carole).

The cottage at the farm

Forget Astro Boy, We've Got Annoyo Boy

He's the super hero with the secret power of annoyment (legit word, trust me).

Ben's been a bit trying lately..we have to remember he's only 4 and we put him in a lot of different and unusual situations but sometimes he doesn't half know how to push our buttons.

To be fair there's also the issue that sometimes you have to tone down your travel plans and remember that not all the things you would like to do are possible with a 4yo in tow.

The dog sledding was an amazing experience but it might have been a little too much for Ben. He loved it to start with but turned into Annoyo Boy later on.

A team of 9 Alaskan Huskies took us at sometimes breakneck speed along a forest trail and out onto a frozen lake. I got to drive for a while and actually brought us in including crossing the highway.

The last day skiing was a great day for all of us. Ben had his best lesson of the week and put it all together well. He's now confident on the button lift again after some tumbles earlier on.

He got diplomas from Martina his ski instructor and Jessica his crèche lady. Apart from one morning Ben was on his own with Jessica in crèche. Amazing really that the best kids resort in Sweden had no other kids in crèche. It was almost like a kids private cooking clinic. Ben & Jessica made home made walnut & apricot bread, pancakes & popcorn.

We had free skiing on the last day so we caught the bus to the main mountain and the huge gondola lift to the top. We skied down then zigzagged our way back to our resort via various other lifts. Great fun.