To celebrate National Marmalade Week (Saturday 25th February to Saturday 3rd March 2012), head to Café Alf Resco in Dartmouth for a delicious piece of toast smothered in a thick layer of fabulous homemade marmalade. With the traditional marmalades, to the famous Christmas-style marmalade and the one laced with whiskey too… there is a preserve for everyone!
Thinking of making your own? Visit Riverford Farm’s online shop, where you can order their special marmalade kit. This organic box is filled with oranges, lemons and Jane Baxter’s outstanding marmalade recipe - everything you need to make you own! Visit www.riverford.co.uk/shop/organic_fruit/marmalade_kit_15kg/
Looking for a Spring Break in South Devon? Whether you are planning a romantic break with your partner, a walking weekend with your dog, or a relaxing holiday with your family, Spring is a fabulous time to visit South Devon. As featured in the Daily Mail today, Coast & Country Cottages are delighted to offer a fabulous choice of self-catering holiday properties exclusively in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Properties available include elegant coastal houses, stylish barn conversions, cosy ‘chocolate box’ thatched cottages and luxury waterside apartments.
Visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk/special-offers-two or call 01548 843773 to request your free brochure or to book your Spring break.
Now in its sixth year, the 2012 Dartmouth Comedy Festival looks set to be another outstanding event. Taking place from 6th-10th March, the line up currently includes Mark Steel, Jenny Éclair, Matt Harvey, Phil Kay, Ali Cook and Miles Jupp. With acts performing at various venues across Dartmouth, this exciting Comedy Festival has something for all tastes and sense of humours. For more information about events or to buy tickets visit www.theflavel.org.uk.
If you are looking to visit Dartmouth to enjoy the delights of the festival, book a short break or longer holiday in South Devon with Coast & Country Cottages, and take advantage of some fantastic Spring savings.
The Willows, Dartmouth Green, near Dartmouth (sleeps 6) £50 off the week commencing 1st and 8th March, at this luxury VisitBritain Five Star awarded stylish stone cottage situated adjacent to Dartmouth’s championship golf course. Perfect for a holiday this Spring, guests at The Willows can enjoy reduced green fees as well as the use of the tennis court and leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi in the nearby clubhouse. For those planning to enjoy the Comedy Festival, Dartmouth is just four miles away. Now just £445 per week, under £11 per person per night, based on 6 sharing. Alternatively book a three or four night short break during the festival – prices start from £347.
Today is Shrove Tuesday, otherwise known as Pancake Day. Whether you are planning to head out for breakfast or to make your own, South Devon is a delicious place to enjoy pancakes, with the fabulous range of fresh ingredients available.
If you have forgotten how to go about making pancakes, or feel you need to brush up on your skills before the big day, visit www.riverford.co.uk, where you will find a fantastic video showing how to make a top quality stack!
Alternatively, save on washing up and enjoy pancakes for breakfast at Café Alf Rescos in Dartmouth www.cafealfresco.co.uk. You can enjoy American style pancakes with toppings including maple syrup, bacon, blueberries, bananas, and even the traditional lemon and sugar combination!
Last Saturday, 18th February, the Coastal Trail Series returned to the South West for the 9th year. Over 1000 runners took part in the challenge, which took participants along the tough terrain of the South West Coast Path - the various distances included 10K (7.4 miles), Half Marathon (13.6 miles), Marathon (28.5 miles) and Ultra (34.9 miles). The event was arranged by locally based extreme sports company Endurance Life, and was supported by Coast & Country Cottages and Visit South Devon. For more information and event results visit www.endurancelife.com.
Dartmouth’s popular Picnic Boat has been featured in the February 2012 issue of the BBC Countryfile magazine, as one of the UK’s Top Waterside eateries.
The Picnic Boat offers a unique experience for up to 12 passengers – take a relaxing cruise down the River Dart, whilst enjoying the perfect English River Picnic. Delicious food options available include Seafood Heaven, The West Country Luxury Picnic and the Devon Cream Tea. Whether you are planning a romantic trip for two, or a meal for a larger family group, this is a fabulous way to see the River Dart in all its beauty. You can even bring the children, and join them in a spot of crabbing as part of the trip.
One of Coast & Country Cottages’ Planning Your Stay partners, The Picnic Boat is fantastic for visitors and locals alike, and can be hired exclusively for special occasions. For more information about The Picnic Boat, visit www.thepicnicboat.co.uk or call 07968 752625
This Saturday, 18th February, the Coastal Trail Series returns to South Devon for its 9th year. Organised by local company Endurance Life, this renowned running event is part of a national series - beginning at the fishing village of Beesands, the course follows the South West Coast Path, taking in various coves and golden stretches of coastline, including picturesque Slapton Sands, Prawle Point and Start Point. Runners will attempt to complete either the Ultra, Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K distances… on the challenging and punishing terrain of the South Devon countryside, competitors will be pushed to their limit!
Coast & Country Cottages are delighted to be involved in the event. Come along and join the team at the Coast & Country Cottages aid station at Prawle, where we will be providing water for runners and cheering them on as they pass!
For more information about the event, visit http://www.endurancelife.com/
Coast & Country Cottages have some fantastic special offers for Easter breaks in the South Devon countryside. Whether you are looking for a large elegant country house with beautiful landscaped gardens for the perfect Easter Egg Hunt, a luxury waterside apartment for a family getaway or a chic townhouse within easy reach of local amenities and all weather family attractions, Coast & Country Cottages can help. For more information visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk or call 01548 843773.
Angelwood, Dartmouth (sleeps 6)
New with Coast & Country Cottages, Angelwood is now available for Easter bookings! This stylish three bedroom townhouse is situated at the head of Warfleet Creek, near Dartmouth. Part of the Pottery development, this famous Grade II listed building was originally built in 1819, and has recently been sensitively redeveloped, retaining much of its original character. Angelwood boasts spacious living accommodation and a private decked area, with table and chairs, perfect for enjoying the South Devon sunshine this Easter. Introductory offer - £50 off the weeks commencing 30th March and 6th April! Now just £725 per week, under £18 per person, per night, based on 6 sharing.
The local Chemotherapy Outreach Project, providing treatment to cancer patients in the more accessible location of South Hams Hospital, Kingsbridge, has been given a boost following the acquisition of a dedicated vehicle, which will enable staff and equipment to be easily transported from Derriford Hospital to the local centre.
Brian Lavender of Oakley Developments has been working with local campaigner Deb Ward and the NHS for the past 10 months to gain full support for the provision of this vehicle, made possible by the financial commitment of four local businesses based in Hannaford’s Landing, Island Street, Salcombe. These include the popular restaurant Island Street Bar & Grill (www.islandstreet.co.uk), the family run marine engineer and boat specialist Reddish Marine (www.reddish-marine.co.uk) and the holiday cottage lettings agency Coast & Country Cottages (www.coastandcountry.co.uk), who offer over 425 self-catering properties exclusively in South Devon.
The C20 Volkswagen maxi window van will transport two fully qualified chemotherapy nurses and their equipment to the South Hams hospital each week. This valuable service will enable patients who live in the South Hams area and who are eligible for outreach chemotherapy to receive their treatment locally, without having to endure the sixty mile round trip to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. The treatments take place on the same day as the Triangle Drop in Cancer Support Centre at the local community hospital, which offers support, information, complementary therapies and counselling to both patients and families.
The van will also be used in community hospitals in Tavistock and Liskeard, helping cancer patients in those areas. Says Andrew Jones of Coast & Country Cottages, ‘Having watched my own mum undergo chemotherapy treatment in 2011, and seeing the demands this treatment makes, not only on the patient but the whole family, we are very happy to have contributed towards a vehicle designed to make coping with the treatment required easier for patients and their families.’
Deb Ward, from Malborough, near Salcombe has worked tirelessly to help raise funds for the Chemotherapy Outreach project and to promote awareness of the service and the Triangle Centre within her local community. She says ‘the van will make such a difference to the lives of those living locally who are having this treatment. Chemotherapy can be a very unpleasant experience, and is exhausting both physically and emotionally. Having treatment closer to home can relieve a lot of unnecessary stress, both for the patient and their loved ones.’ She adds ‘We are all delighted that this provision is now in place, and we are sure it will benefit many patients and families in the area.’
Deb would love to hear from anyone who has a fundraising idea or wishes to make a donation and can be contacted on 07929 969244. Donations can be made via the website www.chemooutreachproject.co.uk, where you can also find out more information about the charity.
For those living or holidaying in South Devon, spoiling your loved one on Valentine’s Day couldn’t be easier! Local companies across the South Hams are offering special packages to make the day extra special…
Kick start the 14th February by having a bunch of flowers from the Salcombe based florist Flowers From Penelope delivered to your Valentine. Whether you choose the traditional red roses or a more contemporary hand tied bouquet, Penny can help. For more information visit www.flowersfrompenelope.co.uk.
For a special treat, book a treatment with Haven Spa and Therapy for your partner, and let them enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Why not book your loved one in for the special Valentine’s Day Package? Only available on February 14th 2012, it includes an Elemis Advanced Anti-Ageing Facial, as well as a glass of bubbly on arrival and chocolates to take home, all for just £65! www.havenspaandtherapy.co.uk
Looking to spend Valentine’s night a little differently this year? Riverford Field Kitchen are hosting a Valentine’s dinner on Tuesday 14th February. Guests can expect delicious food, served in the Field Kitchen’s normal style... don’t expect romantic tables for two! The selection of starters include fonduta with purple sprouting broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke soup with hazelnuts and salt cod fritters. The main course will be slow barbecued guinea fowl stuffed with cloves of garlic, braised pigs cheeks and the customary, plentiful Field Kitchen veg dishes. There will also be some delicious desserts served to your table. Book by calling 01803 762074 or email fieldkitchen@riverford.co.uk. Tickets cost £26.50 per person for a 3 course supper (7pm for 7.30pm). www.riverford.co.uk