I’m back on the South West Coast Path this week, filling in some North Devon gaps.

As you read this I’ll be somewhere between Woolacombe and Braunton, enjoying a relatively flat walk with my friend Neil who is in training for a long trek in Spain.

The path always has something to give, and I recently came across this topical comment, which made me smile.

What can they be referring to?

Yours in Devon,

P.S. Don’t forget to check the regularly updated events listings for where you live.

Coming up in North Devon, you can take in a vineyard tour, a free pottery show, a photography school and a laid-back music festival. Click here

In South Devon there’s a fishing village community festival, the Women’s Rugby World Cupmin Exeter, live professional darts and a scary shark experience. Click here

Summer colour at Rosemoor Flower Show

It’s up there with Chelsea and Hampton Court.

The annual flower show at RHS Rosemoor is a celebration of summer colour and all things gardening. It’s on from tomorrow until Sunday.

Quality plants on show and for sale will be everywhere alongside top expert growing knowledge to tap into.

EXPERTS: Catch gardening guru Carol Klein discussing her new book Hortobiography, Jekka McVicar imparting wisdom on herbs and Joe Bagley explaining how to make your houseplants love you.

RECHARGE: When your feet can’t take any more settle down for a cup of tea and some live music from artists including Maggie Duffy, Lara Conley and Applecorers Shanty.

Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August. RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington.

Tickets from £14.50, must be booked in advance.

All aboard the popular Round Robin

It’s the most popular of the heritage train and boat trips in South Devon. Why would you want to miss out?

The award winning Round Robin tour with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company visits the quaint towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes.

It’s one of the best ways to explore the region. A typical itinerary is:

• Bus from Paignton, 20 minute to Totnes

• Cruise from Totnes, 90 minutes to Dartmouth

• Ferry from Dartmouth, 5 minute crossing to Kingswear

• Train from Kingswear, 30 minutes to Paignton

Tickets: Adult £42, child £26, family: £120

A sweaty, achey but rewarding fire and steel experience

Enter a world of bulging leather bellows, raging fires and glowing red and orange steel.

At Old Pound Smithy near Woolsery you can create your own pieces of metal artwork, a knife or an axe, using traditional blacksmithing ways.

This is the home of artist blacksmith Bex Simon and her husband Dave. They promise you will get hot, sweat a lot and ache afterwards, but will leave feeling rewarded.

A 2-hour blacksmithing course is £62.88 and a 2-day axe-making course £356.

You can turn the experience into a trip by staying overnight in one of their yurts that comes with a hot tub and BBQ firepit. Details

READER POLL

Last week’s result: “Do you get emotional about your old motor?” (3,000 subscribers)

• I well up just thinking about her 0%

• I have fond memories 67%

• They’re just pieces of metal 33%

Laura said: “My Ford Fiesta 957cc Popular Plus gave me the freedom to explore the beauty of the UK. Although I do remember it struggling up the hill from Lynmouth to Lynton.”

Something different at the Chagford Show

Sheep hurdling is not among the usual things you’d expect at an agricultural show – but Chagford likes to be different.

The highlights of this year’s annual agricultural show are the BMX bike display, pony scurry racing, terrier racing and the sheep show.

CORE DRAWS: Livestock and horse competitions, more than 200 trade stands, the rural crafts area and local produce food hall, live music and the foxhounds parade ensure that there’s something for everyone.

WANT MORE? For the more active among you there is "The Slackline School, a balance sport based on tightrope.

• For fun, watch the dog show judging of the hound that most looks like its owner.

Thursday 21st August. Entry £15. Show website

Devon Curiosities #71: Devonport Column

Many people seeking a Plymouth view mount Smeaton’s Tower on The Hoe, but there is a higher perch with better views.

Closed for years, the 137 step spiral staircase of Devonport Tower can now be climbed for a commanding picture of Devonport, The River Tamar, Plymouth and Dartmoor.

HISTORY: The tower was designed by John Foulston in 1824 to put Devonport on the map as the growing dockyard town competed with Plymouth.

• During the Blitz, it was a post for firewatch duties with one policeman at the top and another at the bottom to relay messages.

HEIGHT ALERT: You’re going to be 124ft up in the air (Smeaton’s Tower is 72ft)

BOOKING REQUIRED: Visits start at the nearby Market Hall and are limited to 12 people. You are escorted to the column and make your own way to the top.

Next dates: 2pm to 3pm, Wednesday 20th and Wednesday 27th August. Tickets £3.69

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

🐬 South Devon

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon leisure prizes

FEATURED:  🌊 An Ocean City holiday bundle for a family to enjoy in Plymouth. A stay at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel, a boat trip with Plymouth Boat Trips, and fish and chips at The Boathouse (19th Aug)

♨️ A spa break at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth with a skin care bundle, worth a total of £440 (17th Aug)

🫖 Afternoon tea for 2 worth £110 at Lympstone Manor, Exmouth (19th August)

🐑 A 4-night stay for 4 people in Dipple Mill Cottage, self-catering in the North Devon countryside (20th Aug)

🌊 A 7-night stay for up to 5 guests in a platinum-rated caravan at a holiday park in Devon, plus £200 of park spending money (21st Aug)

NEW!  🚌 1 of 4 family tickets worth £120 each to be used at one of Devon's Top Attractions, plus free bus travel (24th Aug)

🍻 A 12-pack case of Bays Brewery Devon Rock Craft Lager and gift items (26th Aug)

♨️ A spa day with cream tea at The Spa, St Sidwell’s Point, Exeter. Only EX and TQ postcodes can enter (31st Aug)

⛱️ A £250 holiday voucher to spend at either Ruda, Sandaway, or Combe Martin holiday parks in North Devon (31st Aug)

 🐑 A £250 voucher towards a North Devon & Exmoor farm holiday (31st Aug)

🐎 2 tickets to Don Quixote at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in March 2026 and a Spanish food and cookery book (31st Aug)

🍨 An 8-litre bundle of scrumptious, award winning Salcombe Dairy ice cream or sorbet (31st Aug)

NEW!  🌊 A 3-day stay for 2 at the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon in a deluxe sea view room with breakfast on all 3 days and dinner on one night, plus £100 of holiday spending money (29th Sep)

❓️ Have you won a prize from a link here? Let me know

New member? Catch up here

🫢 A shocking case of BMW 2002 envy

⚓️ A Devonport sailor and an urgent telegram

🤹 10 days of open air events in Plymouth, many free

🎸 Quirky, unusual, offbeat autumn shows

That’s all for this week. Thanks for being a member.

NEXT WEEK: Celebrating the wilderness of Dartmoor

Andy, Esme and Lara