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Amanda’s Journal

My thoughts, my musings, my observations…

 

Literary Festivals

Chagword Kicking Off The Literary Season In Devon And Cornwall

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This year’s round of literary festivals kicks off this month with Chagword on the weekend of 22nd to 24th March. This will be the fourth year for Chagford’s festival and it will get off to a lively start with the wonderful Jo Brand talking about her book, Born Lippy.

Listen to Prue Leith talk about her life and career, David Archer (otherwise known as Timothy Bentinck) reveal behind-the-scenes anecdotes from The Archers and Michael Morpurgo read from In the Mouth of the Wolf which tells the story of his two uncles during World War II.

Perhaps appropriately the weekend’s Great Read is Salley Vickers’ The Librarian, about a young woman in the 1950s who moves to a market town to start work as a children’s librarian. Scattered throughout the book are references to the author’s favourite novels (with a helpful list of the books referred to!).

And Andrew Miller, who wrote Pure, will be talking on Sunday about his most recent novel, Now We Shall be Entirely Free, a story of a traumatised soldier returning from Spain fighting against Napoleon’s forces.

And for the first time there will be a Chagword Children’s Bookfest taking place on 9th March

Tickets will be on sale from 2nd March from the festival’s box office at The Three Crowns in Chagford.

The Fowey Festival of Arts & Literature follows in May, from the 10th to the 18th. The full programme for the event will go live on 8th March but details of an adult short story competition and young writers and artists awards have already been revealed. The closing dates for entry are 17th March and 8th March respectively.

Probably getting a bit ahead of myself but other literary festivals to look out for in the year are:

  • The Bodmin Moor Poetry Festival, 24th to the 26th May. Details to be revealed at a later date but there’ll be readings, workshops, talks, film, music, theatre, exhibitions and a poetry walk.
  • The tenth Charles Causley Festival in Launceston, 7th to 9th June. The organisers are hoping to have Penelope Shuttle, Patrick Gale and Jim Causley headlining the event but details are yet to be confirmed.
  • Ways With Words at Dartington Hall, 5th to 15th July. The full programme will be launched in May.
Sally's

Home Styling in Cornwall

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Spent the morning styling the lovely Spring Cottage for professional photos tomorrow.

Spring Cottage is a dream of a holiday let in the Tamar Valley owned by Sally Harvey, owner also of Cornish Country Cordials. Spring Cottage is the quintessential Cornish cottage with bags of character: beams, gently sloping floors, inglenook fireplace, deep windowsills and a winding staircase that feels like the inside of a seashell, all sitting in Sally’s pretty, peaceful garden in the hamlet of Tutwell, a mile or so from Horsebridge.

Sally’s warmth is revealed throughout the cottage. It’s spacious yet cosy, extremely comfortable and guests are welcomed with a table full of treats which always includes freshly-baked scones or cake.

The cottage has been redecorated throughout and Sally’s now marketing it independently, hence the new photos being taken tomorrow.

Photos are key to good marketing and attracting guests, especially when there is so much competition, so it’s well worth spending time on dressing a property to get them just right. What may look appealing to the naked eye may not come out well in a photo so there’s always plenty of tweaking involved to convey the right look – and to make sure there are no stray cables, wires or other housekeeping paraphernalia and the like getting in the way. (The photo above is one I took on my phone.)

Similarly, if you’re selling a property, it’s the photos that grab the attention of a potential buyer. Get them right and you’re much more likely to turn that interest in to a viewing. When it comes to an empty property, buyers often find it easier to visualise the space if there’s at least some furniture in the room. So, think about dressing an empty house with some basics and a few touches carefully placed – you’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.

Harlyn House

What’s New for Hotels and Restaurants in Devon and Cornwall in 2019

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Some exciting hotel and restaurant changes to look out for in 2019.

The Pig Hotel chain has bought the Grade II-listed Harlyn House near Padstow, Cornwall. This 15th-century house (pictured above) has gorgeous views of Constantine Bay and, all being well, will open its doors in the autumn/winter of this year. Set in five acres and with a walled garden it promises to be a perfect spot for the hotel chain for whom it’s all about good food from its own gardens and easy, relaxed glamour. This will be the second ‘piglet’ in the region, joining The Pig at Combe near Honiton, east Devon.

Gara Rock’s ‘Out of the Ordinary’ suites should be opening around March. The hotel near Salcombe underwent a big revamp in 2018 and its one-of-a-kind Secret Suite, Signal House and Penthouse (sleeping 2, 4 and 6 respectively) promise something quite special. Bookings are being taken for later in the year.

Fowey and Padstow will see completion of work on two landmark hotels this year. The Metropole at Padstow and The Fowey Hotel were bought by the Harbour group of hotels last year and will join the group’s existing hotels at Salcombe, Sidmouth and St Ives. The public areas of the hotels have been refurnished and work on the rooms should be completed in April.

Crocadon Farm at St Mellion is a 120-acre organic farm at St Mellion, Cornwall and the farmhouse is let for holidays. The farm is being taken on by Dan Cox, who used to be head chef at the Michelin-starred Fera restaurant at Claridges Hotel, London with the help of Sean O’Neill of the Modern Salad Grower whose organic farm is near Looe and who already supplies a number of top restaurants and hotels in the region.

Christmas Whats On

Get into the Christmas Spirit in Devon and Cornwall

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Are you looking for something to get you in the Christmas spirit? Here are some suggestions.

You’ve just about got time to go along to Exeter Cathedral for their Carols in the Cathedral event on 11th and 12th December. Tickets are still available so enjoy an evening with the Exeter Philharmonic Choir.

Also this week, on 12th and 13th, the Palace Theatre in Paignton is going full-on glamour with its Puttin’ on the Ritz in celebration of the golden age of Hollywood. With songs such as White Christmas and Silver Bells you’re bound to come away in a festive mood.

The Donkey Sanctuary will be hosting Carols by Candlelight on 14th December. See the sanctuary lit by thousands of candles from 3pm onwards and the carol service will be in New Barn at 5pm.

Powderham Castle’s Music in the Castle’s offering for Christmas is Handel’s Messiah on 13th and 14th December at 7.30.

The music theme continues with the Dartmoor’s Folk Choir’s Stormy Weather Concert at Ashburton Arts Centre on 22nd December. The choir will be singing winter songs from across the ages and around the world, from medieval to blues, from folk to gospel.

Scorrier House near Redruth will be hosting The Three Harps of Christmas with Ruth Wall playing traditional carols in the grand hall.

Plenty of the region’s hotels are offering festive afternoon teas. Some of the best will be found at Glazebrook Hotel, Bovey Castle, Boringdon Hall, Sidmouth Harbour Hotel, Fowey Hall and Pentillie Castle.

It’s still not too late to catch one of the Christmas markets in the region. Exeter’s Market on the Cathedral Green is on until Sunday 16th December, as is Plymouth’s market. Totnes Night Market is open on 11th and 18th December. The Big Sheep near Bideford is host to two more markets on 15th and 22nd. Healeys Cider Farm at Penhallow is running Christmas markets at weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

The Eden Project’s winter wonderland ice skating rink is back of course and will be open until February next year.

As always, many National Trust properties are putting on wonderful Christmas displays. Saltram House in Plymouth is having a fairy-tale Christmas; Cotehele will be home to the Christmas garland as always; see how the Victorians spent Christmas at Lanhydrock; and Killerton House is transformed in to the world of the Snow Queen.

Christmas Table Main

Make Your Christmas Lunch Sparkle – Decorative Ideas from Devon

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Central to Christmas Day for me is lunch (always very late admittedly) and I like to dress the table to create a bit of a wow factor as everyone gathers round to eat.

I love to create something a bit special every year but it has to be practical too – lunch is normally fairly raucous, loud and busy so the table has to fit in around us rather than the other way round. Tall, expansive arrangements may look fab but can get in the way of seeing and and hearing everyone round the table. So I tend to keep it simple – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be extravagant too.

Key for me are scent, candlelight, glass and colour. If you’re opting for scented candles try not to choose something that’s too sickly, it’ll be overwhelming. It’s really hard to beat the smell of freshly-cut pine or evergreen from the garden so if you have time to add some greenery then do. Even a few sprigs will make a difference, just in a jar, decorating candles or creating a runner down the centre of the table. Don’t be afraid to cheat – if you have an artificial arrangement simply add some fresh greenery to it, especially if you have the berries too.

I always use as many candles and as much glass as possible although that’s not always feasible if you have young children. The combination of candle light sparkling against coloured glass, massed closely together, instantly creates a beautiful soft warmth that’s enchanting. Add some depth with a runner, topped with your greenery, and the result is magical. If you want something with a bit more pazzazz  introduce something more extravagant here, be it vintage baubles, glitz, feathers, kitsch, flowers in abundance – it’s Christmas after all. Otherwise, simply tying your napkins with some ribbon or a simple sprig can be enough. Just go with whatever feels right – and enjoy!

 

Christmas Cooking

Christmas Cookery Courses in Devon and Cornwall

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I had to look recently at cookery courses on offer in Devon and Cornwall. Not surprisingly there are some inspirational Christmas courses still available so if you’re looking for ways to put the sparkle into your Christmas fare, read on.

The long-established Ashburton Cookery School has half- and full-day courses available in December covering just about everything, from baking and bread-making to making chocolate advent calendars, macarons, chocolates and canapés. The advent calendar course is on 25th November – learn how to temper chocolate at home and impress everyone with your very own festive calendar with filled chocolates and dipped chocolate truffles.

River Cottage offers a wide range of courses including baking, curing and smoking, game cooking and a ‘stir-up weekend’ making puddings, mincemeat and truffles. If you’re cooking for vegans then the ‘gluten-free Christmas’ on 7th December may be just what you’re looking for. You’ll learn how to make gluten-free panforte (a traditional Italian pudding with fruit and nuts, similar to florentines but more solid), mince pies and Christmas pud.

Exeter Cookery School on Exeter’s Quay is running a series of half-day Christmas foodie gift-making workshops this month and December. You’ll learn how to make delicious treats such as florentines, marshmallows, chocolate-dipped honeycomb and chocolate truffles complete with packaging; perfect for gifts.

Darts Farm is offering an evening Christmas butchery masterclass on 21st November. Learn how to cook the perfect turkey and watch the butchers prepare some showstoppers which are bound to impress your guests.

And finally, Mark Dodson runs masterclasses at The Masons Arms at Knowstone, the Michelin-starred inn and restaurant on the edge of Exmoor. Mark hosts bespoke masterclasses for small groups, maximum eight, so if you can’t find quite what you’re looking for then create your own theme.

Lee Byre

Best Hotels in Devon and Cornwall

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Good to see some of our finest hotels being recognised in The Sunday Times 100 Best British Hotels.

The family-friendly Watergate Bay Hotel was the winning hotel in the South West section, thanks partly to the ‘buzz about the place’, its choice of restaurants and its Kids’ Zone, Ofsted-registered and open daily from 8am to 10pm. And, of course, its location set atop two-miles of spectacular surfing beach.

It has to be said, though, that it’s a pretty good place for couples too. Treat yourself over the winter to a Taste of the Bay, a three-night stay at the hotel with dinner in Zacry’s Restaurant, The Beach Hut and Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen.

The newly-reopened Gara Rock near Salcombe was voted Best Seaside Hotel. I’ve written about this before and there’s a great selection of lofts, suites, apartments and cottages. 2019 will see the opening of the ‘Out of the Ordinary’ suites, including their Secret Suite for couples.

And perhaps not surprisingly the Best Romantic Hotel was Michael Caines’ Lympstone Manor overlooking the Exe estuary. The hotel is sumptuous, a perfect match for the exquisite Michelin-star food. You’ll be smitten in every way. Make the most of their special three nights for the price of two offer this autumn (running until the end of November) or their autumn lunch offer.

The ever-popular adults-only Scarlet got a mention. With its clifftop hot tubs and glass walls revealing its spectacular ocean backdrop it remains a firm favourite.

But good to see some newer names on the list, especially Lee Byre, a B&B at Coryton between Tavistock and Okehampton (pictured above). With just three rooms you’re going to have to wait a while to enjoy a visit here – the rooms are booked up until the end of the year. At the end of a track, sitting on the side of a hill enjoying woodland and river views Lee Byre makes a beautifully peaceful retreat – but step outside and be exhilarated by the walking, biking and wild swimming on the doorstep. Packed lunches and day- and night-time guided Dartmoor walks are on offer, as well as dinner and their own spring water.

Rees Kenyon

Let Me Introduce You To… Rees Kenyon Design, Devon

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It’s a little over a year ago that I realised I needed to rethink my website. I’d been going for a few months and was getting a feel for the sort of work that was coming my way and this was helping me to sharpen my focus on the services I was offering and the clients I was securing.

I went to Rees Kenyon Design in Lewdown, Devon with a vague idea – or so I thought – of what I wanted, only to be put right by Rees (in the nicest possible way).

Rees’ philosophies are: ‘Communicate well. Be creative. Be Passionate. Ensure your audience understands the message. If in doubt leave it out.‘

Sound advice. And, sure enough, a year down the line I realise that the design process he took me through was absolutely invaluable. With Rees’ guidance, we decided on a totally new website and a rebranding. He made me think about the business in the round; the need to market it (and myself) in an entirely different way; to think about what I liked doing in terms of the services I was offering (and equally importantly what I was discovering I perhaps didn’t want to offer); and how to visually present my services.

It was quite a daunting prospect in some ways. When I first started Concierge South West I’d deliberately taken rather a broad-brush approach because I really hadn’t been sure which way the business may go. My collaboration with Rees gave me the confidence to be more targeted and it’s paid off. Plus I was delighted with the elegant designs he produced: he listened to what I was looking for, was a perfectionist, innovative and creative and continues to offer ongoing support. He knows his stuff.

A year down the line, thank you Rees!

Personal Assistant

Personal Assistant Work in Devon and Cornwall

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I’ve found that my services are often sought as a personal assistant, in particular, for people who’ve perhaps been in hospital and unwell for some time and need help catching up on the avalanche of paperwork that awaits them when they return home.

It’s easy enough for any of us to put off the dreaded pile of paper and emails but even more so when you’ve been unwell and maybe aren’t up to tackling all that personal admin just yet but are worried because you’ve fallen behind on it; it adds another layer of stress and anxiety that doesn’t help your recovery.

My role is often to go through the paperwork, deal with correspondence, reply to letters and emails, make appointments, file documents and generally to help a client regain control of their affairs. I started my career as a solicitor so I’m well versed in issues of confidentiality. My role is not to advise a client but to assist and carry out their instructions. I may be needed for just a couple of sessions but sometimes the relationship remains ongoing and I’ll visit a client once a month or so to continue supporting them where necessary.

The work is often varied: from simply replying to Christmas cards to obtaining quotes for house insurance to sorting the disposal of many items that have been in storage for several years, each client’s needs will be different. And, indeed, each client is different. And it’s the clients that make this work so interesting. I have to say, it’s very rewarding to see a client regain the confidence to deal with their personal affairs. A privilege to be part of that process.

Gara Rock

New Gara Rock, Devon Opening August 2018

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For those people who’ve walked the coastal path near Salcombe many will be familiar I’m sure with Gara Rock, perhaps walking there from East Portlemouth, and the spectacular views across the meadows and cliffs out to sea. If you’re feeling energetic you can walk down to Gara Rock beach, a lovely, secluded and sandy cove with plenty of rocks, small caves and tunnels which provide plenty of adventure for children and a great spot for a picnic. If you’ve not been before, you need to be aware that there are no lifeguards or facilities here though and that you need to keep an eye on the tide.

On the cliffs above the beach was the well-known Coast Café, part of the Gara Rock hotel and cottage complex, which has been closed for some months. The whole resort has undergone a major redevelopment and is opening on 3rd August as an exclusive well-being retreat.

The revamped accommodation is going to range from new loft suites for couples to a penthouse apartment with floor to ceiling windows  and cottages which will sleep up to five.

Sounding particularly appealing is the brand-new Secret Suite for couples. Set in the hillside beyond the gardens this will be an open-plan living space with spectacular sea views and private hot tub.

With the outdoor pool tucked in to the hillside looking out to sea, spa and indoor pool with panoramic views, new cinema in the making and new restaurant opening on 1st August under the helm of head chef Lewis Glanvill it’s all promising to be pretty special.

And for all you walkers the new Walkers’ Hut is now open – to dogs too. Sit back, rest your feet and enjoy those amazing sea views.

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