We have had a great and hectic Christmas this year – thank you to all of you who have joined us, hosted us and helped us have so much fun.

However, after so much fun, we decided to run away to Dulverton for New Year. Lots of fresh air and a hearty walk each day to balance the over indulgence of the past week. Exmoor is a really special place, it never feels crowded and I get a great sense of well being the moment we arrive.

We didn’t completely avoid over indulgence, because this year we made it from the wait list to the reserved list at our local favourite, Woods.

For many years I referred to our trips to Dulverton as hovel dwelling, because the cottage was in need of some renovation. There was no central heating, the shower used to blow the fuses in the kitchen and an interesting array of mushrooms used to grow in one particularly damp corner of the kitchen. We completely gutted the property five years ago and I can’t stop smiling whenever we visit. It’s a warm and cosy bolt hole that I now love – the first 25 years were worth tolerating for the last five. Underfloor heating is a wonderful thing.

New Year’s Day means a walk by the sea. For many years we have taken the boys to a fabulous North Devon beach that runs from Puttsborough to Woolacombe, so we headed there today to reflect on the last year (what a great year) and to contemplate the future, oh and to have the best fish & chips.