A Summer in the South West

As the waves lapped on this South Devon beach and the gulls screamed overhead at a passing child with an ice cream, it occurred to me how much one can miss even when you’ve lived in the area for a over a year. After all, when I studied in Cornwall, I made it my mission to seek out the local beaches and walks in order to acquaint myself enough with the area to call myself a “local”. It is this knowledge that allows you to truly understand and love the landscape within which you live. And so begins the challenge of my (probably) last summer in the South West.

     Over my twenty-two years of existence, I have often frequented England’s answer to the French Riviera. From childhood memories of seeing my Great Aunt almost lose a leg in one of the bogs at the top of a Dartmoor Tor (in the end it was just her wellington boot) to seeing a basking shark swim along the Cornish coastline, I have invested a large part of my life in enjoying the simple joys of the South West. It is not surprising that I have a constant love of landscapes, fresh air and country lanes.

     It’s certainly been quite a summer. The weather has been simply stunning. You know it’s good when you still manage to develop a tan despite being in the office every day. I have also had the luck of finding friends who share my fondness of spending endless weekends on the beach and having family who enjoy long walks in the hills.

     Yes, my parent’s annual trip to Dartmoor was certainly interesting this year. I managed to completely freak myself out in my tent by convincing myself that the raindrops were footsteps and there was a giant herd of cows just by the fence. Sunrise has never been so sweet. It was nice to see my younger brothers bond with the landscape too. Ben’s learning to ride at the minute so we went out exploring the Moors with our Dartmoor pony Izzy on a daily basis whilst Luke, who is only 3, took up the pretence of being Frodo from Lord of the Rings and we spent many happy hours singing the theme tune whilst helping each other across the chasms of doom. I do love being a big sister.

    Next week is Regatta Week in Devon so I’m hoping to pick up my love of sailing again and hit the high seas. Luckily I’ve also found a new friend who also shares this ambition. It’s strange to think it’s all nearly over. Indeed, Autumn Term is literally round the corner; my younger sister is off to University for the first time in a few weeks, my other sister goes back to uni in a few weeks and I have a whole range of events to organise and host at work. This time next year I will be getting ready for my first term as a Teach First teacher. What a summer that will be!