After a journey over hills and down country lanes I arrived at The Hunter’s Inn, a splendid old hotel situated in the Heddon Valley in North Devon.
I always like to test the comfiness of the bed when I arrive anywhere. This bed was good.
I looked out of the bathroom window and was pleased to see that it had finally stopped raining.
After a look at myself in the mirror it was time to go out and explore.
The stream outside of the hotel was in full flow, with the water brownish in colour due to picking up mud as it gushed down the valley after the heavy rain.
I climbed up onto an arched bridge for a photo, but had to be very careful not to fall in (a hidden human was holding onto my foot just in case…)
The river had tremendous power rushing towards the sea down through the Heddon Valley.
It was a tad windy at Heddons Mouth. I was at risk of getting blown away so a human held on to me for this photo!
I tried to shelter in the lime kiln but it was fenced off….
I found a suitable overhanging rock instead, which got me out of the wind for a while!
Back at The Hunter’s Inn I enjoyed a nice mug of tea and biscuits.
The following morning I got to meet the resident peacock, apparently he is called Colin, but I doubt that he knows that…
Humans often have three course breakfasts in hotels. I decided to give it a go, starting with fruit and muesli…..
…….followed by full English vegetarian breakfast……
…..finished off with honey on toast. I only had one piece of toast as there was a danger that my jumper would get stretched too much. I didn’t need any more food for the day.
Before making our way back to Bristol where I live we did a walk from Valley of the Rocks to Lynton. The scenery is all very beautiful.
The view from the coast path is spectacular.
Once at Lynton I spent a while watching the cliff railway. It was four years ago that I travelled on it with Nye. (See https://horacethealresfordbear.com/2019/10/16/re-visiting-watersmeet-where-my-tile-is-now-on-the-roof/)
North Devon is a wonderful place to spend a few days exploring.
For more information about the Heddon Valley and The Hunters Inn see links below:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/hotels/hunters-inn
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/heddon-valley
Watersmeet rates very highly in my mental list of places that are good for bears and their humans to spend time. It is good just to sit and watch the river gurgle down the valley.
In some places the river Lyn gets quite frothy as it tumbles over rocks. I didn’t sit too close as I really don’t like getting soggy fur.
I am quite an adventurous bear though, so when I spotted this log across the river proceeded to clamber to the middle of the river.
My humans were getting a tad concerned that I might fall in but I felt quite safe and sat for a while.
We followed the river for a couple of miles down to a place called Lynmouth where the river flows into the sea.
Here is a selfie of me sitting on the bridge.
I was very interested in the boats that were in the harbour. I like to read the names; one day I might find a boat named after me!
There is a very interesting railway at Lynmouth that takes people to Lynton which is at the top of the cliff. The railway is powered by water, and when one engine goes up the one at the top comes down at exactly the same time. 
I would have liked to have a ride, but there wasn’t time as we had to walk 2 miles back up the valley again and get to the tearoom before closing time for cake. I like cake.
We walked back up the valley to Watersmeet on the other side of the river. I had to stop and admire the lovely view.
I was very pleased when I finally spotted the tea room, and extremely happy that it was still open.
We had to cross on a wooden bridge over a big waterfall to reach the cafe. Here I am sitting on the railings, though a human was holding my legs to make sure I didn’t tumble over the edge.
Yum yum yum chocolate brownie and a pot of tea.
After filling my tum I had a look at the signs hanging on the front of the tearoom.
The lovely old building needs a new roof and the National Trust are fundraising by getting bears (and people) to sponsor slates for the roof.
I decided to sponsor a slate. My name will forever be up in the roof of the Watersmeet Tearoom, or at least until it needs another new roof (quite a long time I would think).
By the time I had finished writing my slate (I can only write slowly with my paws) the tearoom had closed. I posed with my slate on the steps.
I think perhaps I should have written ‘Watersmeet is a good place for bears’, but there wasn’t much time, and I am not sure that there was room for another word on the bottom line.
On the way back up to the car park right at the top of the hill, I stopped for a while and watched another waterfall.
Watersmeet is indeed a beautiful place. I hope to go again oneday.
Horace the Alresford Bear 