it’s a bird serenghetti near the lions rest

Without wanting to sound like a harbinger of doom as we approach the end of the year you could say the country and world is treading water. There’s a lot of political and economic turmoil up yonder and globally things seem just as uncertain. Inevitably, it has a knock on effect down here in our little margin as none of us are immune from spiralling costs or potential hardships. To make things worst then England just got knocked out of the World Cup! That sort of ruined the Christmas party starting early for some of us, but you know what, that and other disappointments we face in life shouldn’t dampen our spirits as we look forward to this festive period in beautiful Devon. As I write this looking out over Crockwells, there’s still a frosty rime covering the Meadow and in the distance the iron age Fort on Woodbury Common is obscured by a lowly fog which has enveloped the area. Earlier, I’d wheeled through the meadow down to our own ‘Bird Serenghetti’ near Lion’s Rest.

There, the marshes were filling with water and an array of waders had already arrived for the winter. I wasn’t insulated like our feathery visitors, so I didn’t hang around for long as the cold was biting. On the way home through the village the smell of wood fires permeated the air and every exhale of my breath looked like I had an internal vaporiser fitted in my lungs. It reminded me of days gone by when I lived down here and seasonal weather was more consistent and winter meant winter. Much has changed with our climate in forty years since. Now a cold snap or heatwave seems to hold so much more significance, as the population struggles to keep warm or cool respectively. This years summer was a case in point as some of us wallowed in the heat, whilst others found its excesses unbearable. I’m sure this winter – especially if a ‘Beast from the East’ moves in, could be an uncomfortable and expensive one, but I wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere else though because of the warmth in this village. With the worst of the pandemic behind us everything and everyone seems to have opened up again. It’s been great helping to edit the magazine with Chris and Stephen and corresponding, meeting and talking to so many people who help make this community tick – and as ever I’m in awe of my dear wife Julie, who keeps me on the straight and narrow. It’s been a tough year though for many who’ve lost loved ones and have faced difficulties and I somehow think the storm is still to pass – so let’s keep an eye out on each other. However, already the nights are getting shorter and before we know it the green shoots of spring will be upon us and Devon will be coming into bloom again. So as ever thanks again for your continued support of The Scene. Keep Holding the line and that dream alive and the best of New Year’s 😉