HelpX : Chagford

Today is my last day in the little town of Chagford, Devon, Dartmoor National Park. I've spent a great week here HelpX-ing a lady called Lucy. Lucy owns a shop called the Devonshire Dairy. She sells milk, cheese, bread, brownies, honey, jams and makes her own ice cream.

Chagford is a small town about 1 hour’s bus drive away from Exeter. It has beautiful countryside, 3 pubs, an old church and the small village feel. There are also apparently a number of 'famous’ type people who live here. British famous of course. Plus the artist who did the concept art for Lord of the Rings lives here.

Lucy has a lovely, recently renovated apartment, over the shop, where the HelpXers usual stay. We eat and cook all of our meals here. There are two Americans here already, and they stay until I leave. As I’m here to help Lucy move house, I’m staying with Lucy, first in her old house and then into the new house. It’s a 5 mins walk away from the shop.

The Americans helped Lucy run the shop. They baked the brownies and bread in the morning, made the ice cream and frozen yoghurt and handled deliveries etc. I spent a lot of my time setting up the shop in the morning and then packing up boxes / helping Lucy throw things away, which is always interesting haha. I then helped set up the new house too.

In my spare time I dutifully tried all of the ice creams and as many of the cheeses as possible. One particular day I recall cleaning up the icecream machine wiht my spoon and tastebuds haha. It was a beautiful strawberry ice-cream and it tasted like you were eating fresh strawberries and cream. It was amazing! One of the Helpxers made it. On the cheese front blue cheese is definitely my favourite.

I also lived out a dream of enjoying a number of Devonshire cream teas, in Devon! Can you imagine?! The first time I was joined with the Americans, the second I enjoyed it by myself. I visited the same place twice, it has won many awards for their creamteas and boy do they deserve it. The hospitality from the owner is second to none.

We receive giant pots of tea brewed with tea leaves and on beautiful trays arrive these gorgeous, freshly baked scones, with clotted cream and local jam. As you pull the scone a part it's aromas engulf you. It is just beautiful. Hence why I returned a second time haha. When in Rome hey.

In my spare time I went on walks with the others to walk the giant dog, visited the pubs, explored the town, stopped by the local church and cemetery and attended a couple of the town socials.

Lucy’s two friends, Sam, who works in the shop and Neville, who helps Lucy with her horses, would often joins us for a drink or take us out somewhere. On the Thursday night we had a memorable evening in at Sam's house, this is Lucy's friend and employee. We drank lots, enjoyed yummy snacks and ended up at one of the local pubs for a night cap.

On Saturday, Neville showed us the hounds he was looking after for the local hunting club. There were 60 of them in 3 kennels and as we drove in they all popped their heads up over the cement barrier to see who was visiting. It was very interesting. It reminded me of the hounds I met in the Irish streets when I stayed with Catherine.

Quite randomly there was this little lamb who's play area was right beside the hounds. She was very excited to see us. All the other sheep were in a field across the road. Neville also took us on a tour of the area, up to historic castles and hotels, we visited a yoga studio with a view over the valley, and went out to the moor and past some really fancy gardens.

The best garden was a secluded garden. In what looked like a mansion at the front, they had this never ending garden out the back and at one area there were all these cricket statues set up around the place making it look like an actual game of cricket was taking place. There were umpires, spectators, a bowler in mid pace. It was amazing!!! and the coolest thing I have ever seen.

On Sunday, the 6 of us went out to visit an old pub for a drink, before heading to a little pub, Fingle Creek, for lunch. We had a roast lunch, and then enjoyed a nice walk into the forest. Sam brought her little dog, which reminds me of Wally, along. I love an English roast lunch, especially in a beautiful pub. The English countryside is amazing.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, Chris will pick me up and I'll spend a few days with his family before heading back to the big smoke of London.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Chagford. It has been great living in a small English village, exploring the little shops, breathing in the country fresh air. A wonderful experience.Read more