A wonderful B&B in Tiverton

 I knew I needed to get myself in gear when my big brother asked me at the weekend if I'd stopped blogging as there had been no posts! Of course I have excuses - the excessively hot weather (which I can't cope with) and family issues took over for the last few weeks. Last night we had the most incredible thunderstorm, which has improved things - except it kept me awake for hours!

So, on to nice things - we have actually been away for a few days to the beautiful county of Devon,  visiting two wonderful National Trust properties. We found the most fantastic B&B, Howden House, near Tiverton,  run by Louise and Martin - who really are the perfect hosts. We  felt as if we were staying with friends.  I can't recommend Howden House highly enough, our short break was such a treat! As well as lovely accommodation, gorgeous views and wonderful food,  Louise and Martin  have two  beautiful dogs, Pepper and Millie, some very happy chickens, who lay the best eggs; and to cap it all, three adorable angora goats,  Miranda, Sebastian and Morgan!

Louise's friend Jan Tillet is a well known textile artist and she has created this amazing dress from Miranda's fleece

The dress will be on the catwalk at the Festival of Quilts in August,  so if you're planning to go along, do look out for it.  Jan is a very nice lady, she had an exhibition at Killerton House, one of the properties we visited while we were in Devon,  and I was able to meet her and see her beautiful textile work at first hand. She has a stand at the Festival of Quilts  this year, so do go along and see her if you're visiting.  I now have some Howden  House fleece myself - it is fabulously soft, and I want to do something special with it this autumn - hmmm, thinking cap on!x