If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you will know that I’ve spent this past weekend across the water in Devon.  Sadly it wasn’t a happy occasion that brought Eamonn and I to the village of Ashburton in the southwest of England.  No, our good friend’s mother passed away so we travelled with heavy hearts.  I had the great honour of reading at the service and then experienced a woodland burial for the first time.  If ever a funeral was to be described as beautiful, this was it.  In fact, the whole weekend was enshrouded in beauty – the woodland where the burial took place, the rolling hills, the rugged moors, the ancient churchyards and picturesque thatched cottages dotted around the countryside .

I did not expect to fall absolutely and totally in love with Devon.

Buckfast Abbey

Of course as beekeepers, we could not leave without visiting Buckfast Abbey and I’m already planning a return visit to take one of their courses.

The dedicated food writer that I am, it was my duty to seek out the finest Devon Cream Tea (no need to thank me!!).

Heavenly!

I picked up a couple of scone-making tips that I’ll be sharing with you shortly.  And then I discover that one of the UK’s top cookery schools is in Ashburton.

Devon Cream Tea

Yes, you’ve guessed it – I’m planning to return in the summer for a bread-making course (life is short).

So that’s where I’ve been.  Standing amongst a group of friends, each one of us there to support our friend in his hour of need.  We laughed, we shed tears but mostly we celebrated the life of a lady who was laid to rest in one of the most beatiful places on earth.

Rest in Peace Barbara..