This has been home-away-from-home during my absence in this space lately.  Mornings spent reading with steaming mugs nearby. Days spent hiking.  Evenings full of exploring all the nooks and crannies of the eco-friendly farm which surrounded us. 

Our host was a fascinating man with a heart for adventure. Quintessentially British, he sported a mop of curly untamed ginger hair and wore a button down shirt with rolled sleeves, glasses, and belted trousers tucked into gum boots. He welcomed our crew enthusiastically and showed the children all the possibilities waiting for them on the farm – bikes, badminton, ponds, and a real treehouse.  He explained why the farm was a proper nature reserve and not just a vacay spot. He then showed us where the best hiking was and where to find the ponies I had my heart set on seeing.

Before embarking on the guest farm adventure he had spent many years in Africa as a safari guide. We swapped stories of travel and military life.  He had fond memories of US Marines who shared music and cola and conversation in a far away place in the days before computers and ipods.  His feet are planted on English soil again but he said Dartmoor was his wild.  I get that. I need my wild too and we found it on this trip for sure, thanks to his maps and inside tips. 

(just looking – we didn't eat them) 

And now it's midnight and the day starts early here.  I hope yours are also full of fresh air and wet boots.