West Lake Willow and George the Dragon

 

One of our swampy meadows was good for nothing but growing willow. And good things have transpired from that boggy land. Local willow worker Mary Jannaway from Black Torrington has turned West Lake willow into a Dragon which now sits on top of a garden shelter in RHS Rosemoor gardens. Rosemoor have called the Dragon George – is there a connection ? Mary has also made some large masks which hang high on the trees. So don your sword and chain mail and check out that Dragon with fire from its nostrils. The 'Middle Earth, Tolkien themed event is on till end August.

Castle Drogo receives a special gift from West Lake.

 

 

Anyone for tea?  or an old tea sign brought by us from Lancashire and which lay gathering dust in our barn for the last 15 years.  We cleaned it off and took it over to Castle Drogo the home of the Drewe family who started the Home and Colonial stores which were common in Lancashire and Yorkshire. They were delighted with the gift and will mount it somewhere in the castle after the major restoration of the roof is complete.
And our gift from the National Trust was a special pass for guests at Orchard Keepers Cottage to visit Castle Drogo, climb the scaffolding and see the restoration work below...then climb down and learn croquet on the lawn.  And of course, have tea.

Cider with Roadies

Campers at Hole Station just 2 miles away descended on West Lake this weekend to sample ciders and learn the craft of the 'champenoise method'.  We tell visitors how the methods used to make champagne were first developed here in the southwest as only the English made toughened glass that could withstand the pressures.

However they were a jolly group who were cycling around the area getting the most of the very wonderful, unspoilt region known around here as Ruby country. After the talk and tasting they went off up the lane laughing,  planning to drink their ciders at the camp barbque