Sarah and Luke wrote this in the snow on Opposite (the field opposite the house) a couple of days before Christmas.

For the first time in ages, we had a white Christmas at West Ilkerton. In fact, it was touch-and-go whether everyone coming for Christmas lunch would be able to make it, as the road to Barbrook was like the Cresta Run.

From afar, Chris and I saw the cloud which dumped most of the snow on the farm because we stayed for a night at the Red Lion, Clovelly, as my 50th birthday treat.

A snow cloud rolling towards Exmoor, viewed from Clovelly Harbour

We stayed at the Red Lion for the first night of our honeymoon many years ago, and for my birthday we slept in the same bedroom, which has wonderful views of the harbour and the sea (Room 4). If anyone is looking for a special place to stay (apart from West Ilkerton!) go to the Red Lion - it's comfortable, warm and friendly, with good food and a spectacular location. The harbour was lit with Christmas lights, which made it extra-special.

The Red Lion is the large white house at the end of the harbour wall

Lundy was never far away during our holiday. We went for a lovely walk in the sunset round Morte Point, and there it was:

Then, the next day, we went for a walk along Woolacombe Beach, and there it was:

And then we went to see Kizzy and her foals, and there it was:

Kizzy was our children's pony for many years. She's now back with the Oldhams, who bred her, and has had two foals. Her 2009 colt (the chestnut) is particularly handsome. Kizzy's mother was a Lundy pony called Magic Flute and her great grandfather was Midnight (as in Midnight on Lundy) If it hadn't been for Kizzy (and the Oldhams telling me about Midnight) I wouldn't have written the book.

Anne Bush and her family (Andy, Liz and Larry) stayed in the self-catering cottage over Christmas. Anne's family lived at West Ilkerton during the War, because their house near Plymouth was turned into a hospital. She has many memories of West Ilkerton when it was owned by the Tuckers, and it was fascinating to talk to her.

More news soon, but I must catch up on all the things I meant to do over the Christmas break....