What ho!, as my dear father used to say in greeting.
He would certainly get a kick out of my living next to Westward Ho!, the only UK town with an exclamation mark in the name.
I have now lived here in North Devon for a whole year and, as is often the case with such things I feel like I’ve lived here a very long, lovely time and also no time at all.
I am very much still in the phase of learning new things about the area all the time and relishing the opportunity to do so.
When my husband Andre, Olivier the dog and I moved here it was all somewhat kismet. We had always talked about living by the sea and we knew it would need to be the kind of sea with waves for Andre’s bodyboarding passion and so when he was offered a job in Barnstaple, we took the plunge.
Daunting? Yes – to take ourselves somewhere we knew incredibly little other than it seemed charming, away from family and friends and business connections for The Henley Larder.
Exciting? Very much so, all the new places and faces we could get to know and it’s been a joyful year of just that with very happy results.
When we moved here a few things came up quickly in conversation when talking to established locals.
That our village of Instow has a micro climate. I have found this to be true.
I can’t put my finger on how or why but it really does seem to have its own little weather system for good and bad.
That come the Summer all the roads will be heaving with traffic and it becomes very hard to get around – well having been in Henley and negotiating Remenham Hill all year round, let alone at Regatta I have not struggled with this too much.
That the Winters are not only harsh but that everything closes down.
Sounds good huh?
It has certainly been an eye opener to be in such a seasonally changeable area.
The act of local legend Hockings ice cream van closing and reopening each year is almost ceremonial and yes some of my favourite eateries and coffee spots do take a Winter break but I certainly get why. There’s something rather special about feeling like you are in a resort in the off season and I actually highly recommend a visit to these parts in the Winter. Warm pub fires, lots of dog friendly beaches for brisk and beautiful walks, a whole lot of free parking and retail & hospitality awaiting you with open friendly arms.
That our local pub has seats that are meant for locals only.
Now this sounds more League of Gentleman than it is but it’s based in truth. There are a row of sun trap chairs in front of the pub and the first time we sat on said chairs we were quizzed as to whether we were local. “Yes, we are now’, we squeaked quite unsure and we were welcomed with lots of questions of where we came from and what’s brings us here, all rather lovely. They are now my favourite place to sit and watch the world go by with a pint of Sandfords Cider in hand.
And no, you don’t really have to be local to sit there, we locals allow outsiders the good seats too, we’re nice like that.
Since October last year I have had my beautiful Butchers Row shop and it continues to be interesting to see what each month and indeed change of season brings as far as footfall but also what people are looking for. Much like Henley where this all began, Bideford is a pretty tourist destination so people are looking for local treats for themselves as well as gifts.
But I am encouraged to continue to find that people are also interested in unique, tasty treats from further afield in the UK. There are certainly differences in what I sell the most of here compared to before but beyond anything the size and format of both the shop and the business have changed since then and will continue to change and evolve as I keep learning and moving with the times I’m sure.
What are the top sellers you ask?
Well without a doubt Peters Perfect Pickles is a beloved local brand for good reason. People can’t get enough of the Salsa Match, Bread & Butter Pickle and Cowboy Candy – often opting to take all three!
And West Country Olives are becoming a weekly staple for some, really good Greek olives in a selection of different marinades – I think lemon & tarragon might be my favourite.
This hunger for non generic food gifts is one that I am trying to further build with my online shop. It has always been the intention set for the Larder to give people the option for special, tasty, locally sourced and unique gift options – that will never change.
I continue to seek out and try new cafes, pubs, restaurants, bakeries, markets, fishmongers and farmstands whenever I can. Let's call it research, for beyond it sparking great joy for me personally, which it does it also helps me discover new makers and producers to add to the Larder stable.
I tried out the Ebrington Arms near Braunton recently and really like what their menu is about there – local, inventive and well executed. Definitely worth a try.
I’m looking forward to trying out the Crow Bar, Northam – food cooked over fire sounds rather marvellous to me & they also have a local produce lean which is fab.
I am fortunate to live very close to the Tarka Trail, a walking path based on the footprint of the old railway line that winds through 180 miles of spectacular Devon and Exmoor scenery. I regularly walk the section nearest to me to walk master Oliver the pup and it’s been quite wonderful watching the seasons change on this one little stretch.
Much like my days in Henley when I looked out at the same spot from the River Thames side each day, so many differences to be found as the days move by.
Living in a quiet village as I do with one shop and four pubs, a great ratio I know – I have been asked by several friends, “will you not get bored?”
The answer, certainly so far is no. I am constantly surprised and enamoured by what I see each day on my daily strolls. Whether it be rainbows, fishing boats, jelly fish as big as arm chairs floating by, bird life I’ve never seen before, sunsets so beautiful they bring a tear to the eye, the man I pass most days who gives me a different platitude daily, the dramatic changing tides and especially watching Olivier utterly adore his new beach life.
On our walk this morning I was struck by how many yachts were moored out in the water than I hadn’t seen on walks in previous days and weeks and it gave me a pause for a breath of happiness. It means Summer is on the way. People are making their moves towards Summer endeavours such as sailing. And while I might not be a sailor I am certainly a fan of watching the boats pass by and making their Summer home in this pretty harbour.
The Summer feels close.