Dartmoor adventure

For my 40th birthday, I spent a few days beforehand at Bovey Castle, in wild + gorgeous Dartmoor National Park, Devon, UK. This is the setting for the Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; a childhood favorite of suspense, logic + setting. Neil + Lucius then joined me for the actual birthday celebrations (Lucius is 2!) and further adventures

A gorgeous, frosty morn seen from my window

The Cathedral Room. Indeed. Ideal for a fireside Caol Ila

The Adam Room aka Lady Room

Ideal for late afternoon teas + re-reading THOTBaskervilles on a overstuffed sofa in front of a roaring fire on a stormy evening

Falconry display on the lawn with Artemis. The eagle

Daily wildlife sitings chalked up in the entrance.
Including 2 stroppy teenagers

The hunt: but only the pomp + circumstance

A hike was had every morning, from ancient Roman bridle paths through the woods...

to the eerie mystery of the stunted oaks in Wistman's Wood...

to the daffodil stream paths of quaint North Bovey + The Ring of Bells 13thc. pub...

and a birthday hike to historic Postbridge, through the moors, and up to the desolate and stunning Stannon Tor. Lucius was a true adventure pup + too excited for anything but a brief nap on Papa's shoulder: Sheep! Big stones! Puddles! Windy! Go!

And then a cozy return to the Castle for fireside champagne + Lucius's first fruit juice cocktail