Ten things you probably didn't think of doing this Summer

IT’S summer – or so you thought until you looked out of the

window and saw the rain. Regardless of that there are still plenty of hidden gems around our area to look at and do. Here’s a little guide of what you may

consider getting up to with a list of places to visit.

1. Connect With Mother Nature

 For example, did you

know that buried away in the quiet countryside of Mid Devon, we actually have a

naturist resort? No, I didn’t either. Now, don’t mark me down on your card as a

naturist, but if you are, you may wish to check out Acorns Naturist Retreat. There

are 13 acres of Devon countryside to explore within their own grounds, and it’s

easy to get to the beach and moors for more fun from there.

2. Go and Find a Dragon

Sticking with the nature theme, we have the National Trust

in Tiverton as well. They of course own our very own Knightshayes Court and

Gardens. It’s perfect for a stroll, walking the dog, or an adventure – ideal for

hide and seek. As a young chap I was told by my primary school that there was a

dragon living there – however, I am yet to see one.

3. Find a Deer to Feed the Dragon

What I did see the other day – which in 21 years I’ve never

seen – was a deer at the end of our own railway line, and then if you head from

there across to the Grand Western Canal, it was on that road. A very pleasant

walk until it started raining and my big horrible body could be seen through my

clothing, but all worthwhile because of the deer which ran out from a field and

up the road. It’s pretty good what you can find around Tiverton.

4. Get Lost

Like Bickleigh Mill. Good for a day trip because we have

Bickleigh Maze as well to keep you entertained. The Mill is ideal for a trip

next to the river and a cream tea will be atreat. They have a waterwheel there too, but I can’t

remember if it’s still turning or not (would somebody like to say if it still

rotates?!).

5 Do a Little Dance

If you want something a little bit more fast paced than a

cream tea, or even something to work off those calories, how about Salsa

Dancing? If you are ready to de-stress & re-energise, then join the fast

growing number of people already addicted to Salsa at the Exe Valley Leisure

Centre. I did some modern jive once – if you’re thinking about giving something

like that a go, you should!

6. Go Bidding

Another thing I did once was go to an auction. It was a

charity auction so it was just a bit of fun, but if you’re the type that likes

a bit of David Dickinson of a weekday afternoon – although I see he’s gone

prime time now which beggars belief – there’s an auction house on St Peter’s

Street with Chilcotts Auctioneers. Apparently there’s also a Sotheby's in

Tiverton as well (would anyone like to share any more on this one!?).

7. Arrange Your Funeral

Funerals are all the rage these days, and when you go, you

should go out in style. To help us, there are a lot of funeral directors and

places to buy a lovely little (or if you’re me, rather large) coffin. There’s a

shop – Cross & Beale - in the high street with a nicely decorated coffin on

display in its front window. Then you have Richard Grant in Westexe. To

compliment them, Squires will dig you a nice hole and bring you – in your nice

new box – into your church, and if you’re living nearer Witheridge you could

try WJ Rowcliffe.

8. Have a Sing Song

Ooo yes, we do love our karaoke don’t we. Blasting out Sweet

Caroline and murdering a bit of Frank Sinatra. A simple little search shows

that we have two karaoke folk in our area. MKG Entertainments, and Do-Re-Mi Karaoke.

Unfortunately, nobody has written any reviews on their karaoke night with them

here, so we can only assume everyone sang in the right key.

9. Leave Tiverton (Although why would you do such a thing?)

If you want to escape Tiverton (Why on earth would you want

to do that for?) then maybe you should go on a bus trip. There’s a few of them

in town each offering lots of different day excusions to different parts of the

country and beyond. I can remember the days when Kingdom’s Coaches used to pick

us up from primary school and take us down the swimming pool, but they also go

further than that. Blake’s Coaches also provide some more tours around the place

– I think I went with them to Windsor. Then there’s also Forward Travel which

also do the rounds.

10. Take Photos of It All

Don’t forget to take photographs of all the new and

wonderful things you have discovered! Tiverton has a camera shop down on Gold

Street – Camera Plus. You may wish to ask permission before you start taking

photos on a naturist resort.