May was holiday time! Chris and I were very lucky to be invited to stay on Lundy Island with Diana Keast, whose father (Martin Coles Harman) owned Lundy from 1925 until 1954. Diana, her sister (Ruth) and her brother (Albion) were then joint owners until 1968, when Albion died. In 1969 the island was sold to the National Trust. It is leased to the Landmark Trust.Chris with Diana Keast on Lundy
The idea was that we could do some research for the story I'm writing based on Lundy. It was a fascinating trip, and we had a great time with Diana and her friend, Bridget. Of course, we did some in-depth research into the Marisco Tavern. Sarah (who looked after the farm very efficiently while we were away) did some follow-up research in the Tavern when she went camping on Lundy with Bicton College a few weeks later.
The weather was fine and sunny on the first day, damp and misty on the second and gale force on the third, so we were air-lifted off by helicopter. Ideal! The only slight problem was that someone (who shall remain nameless) pressed the black & white setting on the camera, which was a great pity because the spring flowers were especially colourful!

I'd better write the book now!

For further information about Lundy, see the website www.lundyisland.co.uk . If you want to book a day trip, don't leave it until the last minute because numbers are limited and the boat gets booked up weeks in advance during the main holiday period.

'I'm just a travellin' fool' (to quote my good friend Marcia) . Four days after returning from Lundy, I went on holiday to Norway with my Mum, Anne. She had always wanted to see the Norwegian fjords, and I now know why. The scenery was truly spectacular. We went on a post boat/small cruise ship called the MS Richard With, run by Hurtigruten www.hurtigruten.com Here is a very small sample of photos:

It's back to work now, with lots to do around the farm, a book to write, loads of farm paperwork to catch up with, two Exmoor ponies to break to harness and a cocker spaniel puppy called Moss to look after until we can get her up to George in Scotland (she's a birthday present for George).

I'm tempted to keep her!
We're hoping that Sarah will be around for a bit during the summer so she can help train Jack and Harry. Here is a photo of Sarah with Harry and Chris with Jack in the yard. Sophie Perks is the groom. One bit of sad news is that Rosie, my lovely old hunter mare, had to be put down last week. She had a bad sarcoid problem which was no longer treatable. Winaway, her foal (who is nearly two) is best of friends with Basil the Shire, so parting from her mum was not at all traumatic, thank goodness. Sophie took this photo of Rosie last spring: