
Ruth Lively-Masters
About Me & Mine
Having lived in N. Devon for the last 12 years, we recently moved across to the other side of the world and now live in New Zealand on the North Island. Our adventurous family includes my husband Phil and 2 small cheeky children: Ramona 8½ and Eomer 5½. I have a wonderful day job as Lead teacher in the sensory unit of an SEN school and spend as much time as possible outside, exploring nature and environments both on our doorstep and further afield.
Favourite place in the world:
Hmm, that's really tough! I loved the west coast forests of British Columbia in Canada, such a humbling, incredible place - tall trees right down to the big ocean waves. There's a whole lot of other places I'd love to explore though...moving to New Zealand has opened up a whole world of new adventures and we’re slowly finding new favourites to add to the list.
Sea, mountains and forests in any combination please!
Favourite things to do outdoors:
Again, lots of favourites. Definitely a mix between walking, cycling, surfing, camping and exploring, combined with taking time to notice detail of a place, hear the sounds and absorb the changes over time and seasons. Active and quiet times are both invigorating for different reasons.
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Clay balls and incoming tides
We have always lived by the coast and have a healthy respect for the sea. However, on a recent visit to Pourere Beach, near the Te Angi Angi Marine Reserve, even we got caught out by the tides.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 06 June 2017. Posted in Worldwide
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Waking up the boarding legs.
Wakeboarding is one of those sports I've always associated with noisy boats blasting up and down, akin to Jet Skis - terrorising the peace of the water with petrol and roaring engines. However, one of our local lakes has a marvellous set up which uses cable pulleys on its training lake. No noise and completely controlled by the operator to go slow, fast or stop depending on what stage of beginner you are. And we truly were beginner level!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 07 May 2017. Posted in Worldwide
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Feeling hot hot hot...
You know sometimes on a long journey you see a sign for something and you spend the rest of the journey wondering what it would have been like inside? Well we passed Morere Hot Springs on our journey to Gisborne and we all went "ooh, that looks awesome" then the sign and turn off flew past and on we travelled to Gisborne.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 12 February 2017. Posted in Worldwide
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Surfing Poverty Bay - crocs off to Captain Cook!
It's the summer holidays here in NZ and we've been making the most of it by exploring a little further up the Eastern coast and returning to the sea for our first proper surfing session since moving to New Zealand. We drove up to the town of Gisborne, full of history and Captain Cook's famous landing.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 17 January 2017. Posted in Beside the Seaside
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Tramping, nearly camping.
The Ruahine Range called to us again...there's so much you haven't seen yet. So, of course, we returned for more exploration, more tramping and more muddy boots!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 06 November 2016. Posted in Environmental Education and Wildlife
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Maori history, punga trees and smelly thermal baths!
Thermal hot springs are a really common occurrence across New Zealand and remain toasty warm all year round, whatever the weather. Which means that even when it's raining you can immerse and enjoy the steaming waters!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 23 October 2016. Posted in Worldwide
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The day the lambs came to play
Well, it is New Zealand after all!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 22 September 2016. Posted in Worldwide
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Sunrise Hut: our first climb in the Ruahine Ranges
What do you do when you find yourself with a sudden free weekend before the new school term starts? Climb a mountain of course!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 09 September 2016. Posted in Mountain High
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Te Mata Peak - the Giant among us.
We climbed a giant! Rising out of the plains of Hastings is Te Mata Peak, a glorious park with heaps of walking trails, forests, views and legends.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 16 July 2016. Posted in Mountain High, Worldwide
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Half a world away
Welcome to our first blog post from New Zealand! 11,654 miles, a whole other hemisphere and a new landscape to explore.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 16 July 2016.
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Exploring the Tuki Tuki
Our newest cycle route follows both sides of the Tuki Tuki river – what a great sounding word!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 16 July 2016. Posted in Cycling, Worldwide
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Mermaids and seashells
It's finally chilly enough for down! We've all loved the warmer weather but with winter comes the chance to snuggle up in down jackets and furry hats.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 05 December 2015. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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Finding Sunshine
We are lucky to live in a beautiful region with many stunning places to adventure. Sometimes though, a recommendation from a friend opens another magical door to explore.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 13 November 2015. Posted in South West
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Mud Kitchens and Messy Play
Cooking, mud, water and tools – a perfect messy play weekend!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 23 October 2015. Posted in Environmental Education and Wildlife, South West
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A few of our favourite things.
''Shield bugs and conkers. Earthworms and autumn, these are a few of our favourite things…''
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 27 September 2015. Posted in South West
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Cable Cars and Vertigo
Mountains: we love them. Heights: suddenly not so keen…
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Monday, 07 September 2015. Posted in Mountain High, Europe
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Two Wheels and Awaaay!
Hurray, at last – Eomer is on two wheels and pedals! There was a point when I thought the balance bike was as far as he would brave it but suddenly, the first week of the holiday, the big bike came out again, feet came up, and he was away!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Monday, 24 August 2015. Posted in South West
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Risky family forest
I love my job as Forest School Leader but sometimes it's a pleasure to be a part of someone else's days and be on the play end rather than organiser. A friend is running monthly Family Forest play days at a Tapley Park site and the stars and busy weekends finally all aligned so we could all join in.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 29 July 2015. Posted in South West
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Adventures at Arlington
Near to us is Arlington Court. An impressive old stately home run by the National Trust; the history is interesting and there are the usual impressive buildings, chapel and stables but I’ve never really been tempted to take the kids. Until we discovered the GROUNDS!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 05 July 2015. Posted in South West
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New Season Camping
May! Definitely officially camping season already! The husband needed a weekend to immerse in music and the kids and I needed a weekend under the stars so after our recent explorations (see Over Hill and Vale), Exmoor beckoned once more.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 30 May 2015. Posted in Camping Fun, South West
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Return to the seas
This weekend marked a significant moment in our family seasons – the first time we all got suited and booted and in the sea again together. Until May, it’s been a little too chilly for the little bears but the weather’s turned; the sea temp has matched the air temp, which means fair game for water play!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 05 May 2015. Posted in South West
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Over Hill and Vale
Now the little legs are longer, we’ve loved setting out mini adventure days and just building in time for a hike, explore, discover and anything else that happens enroute – such as a handy pub stop!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 22 April 2015. Posted in South West
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Wet weather walking
Wild and windy days…this Easter has certainly seen a few of them. Our favourite place to hide out and wander when the weather is squally is the woods.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 04 April 2015. Posted in South West
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Incredible Edibles
We have a wonderful community in our little town and over the years a number of small gardening initiatives have amalgamated into the umbrella group Incredible Edibles. Each fortnight, children, babies and grownups are welcomed to one of the gardens for planting, activities and sometimes even pancakes and hot chocolate.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 12 March 2015. Posted in South West
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The Adventures of Mr Bump
Mr Bump: famous for his clumsiness and bumbling worries. And King of the Castle for a day at our recent winter water beach trip.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 22 February 2015. Posted in South West
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Pine Cone Play
As I mentioned in a previous post, both children are really into bird watching at the moment. It’s great – keeps them still for five minutes, looking up rather than down (its very easy when you’re outside to focus primarily on the floor, try raising your vision up and out) and starting to recognise key species of bird, by shape, colour and size.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 01 February 2015. Posted in Environmental Education and Wildlife, South West
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Off Route, Off Plan
I love maps and planning. There – I said it, confessional time! Last weekend was spent pouring over Explorer maps, planning a romp on Exmoor.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 18 January 2015. Posted in South West
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Meeting the Beast
“We’re all going to the zoo tomorrow, and we can stay all day!” Anyone else remember this children’s song? This was our Friday singing mantra as at the weekend we were off to Exmoor Zoo.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 18 December 2014. Posted in South West
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Taking Muddy Time
Everything is soooo muddy at the moment! After a dry start to autumn, since the rain began in September, we've barely had a day without rain. This means all our usual tramps are knee deep in boot sucking mud and even the cliff top coastal trail has transformed into a mud slide!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 29 November 2014. Posted in South West
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Refreshing Portland Perspectives
We visit family on the Island of Portland, Dorset, fairly regularly. It’s my childhood stomping ground too so I know its quirkiness and landscape well.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 09 November 2014. Posted in South West
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Valley of the Rocks
Mention ‘train’ to most children and their eyes light up. What about a train that goes up and down a hill, using just water as power…?!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 23 October 2014. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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Autumn Treasure
If you go down to the woods today…you’ll find a family foraging! After a bumper berry harvest this year, we’re out again and have conkers, beech masts and hazel nuts in our sights.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 12 October 2014. Posted in South West
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I Want to See Mountains Again, Gandalf...
We love living by the sea but it's been a few years since we got up high (so to speak!) so this summer was all about exploring somewhere new and getting some height.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 16 August 2014. Posted in North Wales and Anglesey
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Nervous Surfing
The sea can be a scary place. If you are a little person, sometimes even the little waves can be intimidating and seem huge. Add in the bewilderment of a constant moving, roaring mass of cold wetness which numbs your feet and gets in your eyes and ears and tumbles you over, then actually it could even start to put me off!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 17 June 2014. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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The Woodland Detective
As a family we each have our little ‘guilty pleasure’ of a semi regular magazine that plops through the post every now and then. Mine is the Permaculture Magazine, Phil’s is definitely music based and a few years ago we subscribed to the Woodland Trust for their wonderful outdoor exploring ideas and games package for the kids.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 30 May 2014. Posted in Environmental Education and Wildlife, South West
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Springing, Swinging, Splash
Springtime always fills me with such optimism – all the fresh new shoots and so many shades of green. We’ve been busy of late; first holidays abroad and lots of family visits but walks in the woods, exploring springtime flowers and imaginative play simply can’t be missed.Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 27 April 2014. Posted in South West
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An Urban Outdoors
As springtime lures us out with the promise of blue skies, fresh buds and daffodils, it can still surprise us how different each day can be, one minute warm and sunny, the next cloudy with a bitter chill.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 16 March 2014. Posted in South West
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Searching for Snow
North Devon, by the sea: wild, wet and windy but never quite cold enough for snow. BUT one marvellous morning last week it was my lucky school run day and by the time we reached the top fields on the ridge way enroute to school both children were squealing excitedly and pointing out of the window – there was snow on the roads and randomly scattered over the fields!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 21 February 2014. Posted in South West
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Sticky Days
They’re long, short, brown, white, or speckled – one of our favourite play things is sticks!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 19 January 2014. Posted in South West
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Birthday Biking
It arrived! Ramona’s new birthday bike sparkled and shone and, most importantly, was a cinch to put together. Since it arrived she’s been around the block and back a hundred time (metaphorically speaking) and each weekend begins with a request to go somewhere biking. It’s been a massive hit so Thanks to everyone for your input and ideas!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 15 December 2013. Posted in Cycling, South West
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Whatever the Weather
We have a small house. And two energetic children bouncing about. Not a great combination, perhaps! There is a silver lining though and it simply means that we have to get out as much as possible…whatever the weather!Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 12 November 2013. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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A Little Forest School Life
As another autumn grows and our woodland treasure box fills with acorns, cob nuts and prickly conker cases, we’ve already buried each other in fallen leaf piles and strung up colourful garlands in many random places (keep an eye out for some if you walk in the woods near here!).Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Saturday, 12 October 2013. Posted in South West
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Stretching Our Legs
Suddenly little legs don’t seem so small…Eomer’s trousers (barely touched since June) are swinging around his ankles and Ramona’s knees are pushing high on her favourite learning bike. It’s time for a change!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 13 September 2013. Posted in Cycling, South West
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Summer Storms
After last year exploring End of the Road music festival, we decided we wanted to try something a little more off the trendy trail which slotted more into our ideals of sustainable living and learning.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 14 August 2013. Posted in Camping Fun, South Wales
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Little Surfing Days
With all this hot weather, it’s more beach days, and a strong water theme emerging!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 10 July 2013. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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Into the Deep
We love water in our family and Ramona and Eomer have always taken to it like the proverbial ducks but we tried a new toy recently… kayaks!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 27 June 2013. Posted in Sailing Adventures, South West
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Tents, Trotting and Terrible Twos
Half term holiday – horray! And sunshine – what a treat!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 06 June 2013. Posted in Camping Fun, South West
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Growing Little Beans
The recent sunshine beams seem to have brought everything bursting to leaf and flower before our very eyes. The buddlia and willow stems have doubled in height virtually overnight and even our own little bean Eomer is swinging around in too short trousers all of a sudden!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 09 May 2013. Posted in South West
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Hunting in Hedgerows
We love the colours of spring! It suddenly seems as if the hedgerows have burst into colour with yellows and pinks framed by fresh green leaves. Our biggest Little Trekker took me on a colour hunt up and around our countryside lanes.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 11 April 2013. Posted in South West
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Signs of Life Returning
Ah, Grab it while you can - Spring Time Days! Limited offer, make the most of them while you can!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 19 March 2013. Posted in South West
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Let Those Blue Skies…
Ah, breathe! It was such a treat to have beautiful blue skies for even just a couple of days and the cares of the winter just melted away for a few moments while we spent every available moment outside.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 28 February 2013. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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Adventures on Exmoor!
We live really close to Exmoor. Ridiculously close. But somehow we’ve always headed coastwards for our days out and Little Trekking. So this year we’ve decided to make more “Adventures on Exmoor!” (sounds like the start of a televised version of an old school Enid Blyton story…). And explore we have.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 24 January 2013. Posted in South West
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Picnics in Puddles
Ah, rain rain and a little more for good measure. But wet and wild as it has been we still need to be out and somehow picnics in our family have a little magic no matter what the weather. Two days on the trot, we bundled up and stomped off to a local beach for sandy sandwiches regardless of the next looming rainstorm!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 02 January 2013. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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My Family, Other Animals and the Elements
Just around the corner from us is a beautiful beech and mixed woodland owned by a local farmer and its always a favourite ‘trek’ for us as we also often get to see chickens, pigs, sheep and horses walking through the farmyard!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 04 December 2012. Posted in South West
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Little Learning Times
These last few weeks I have been recovering from a hip operation which has pretty much confined me to the house and chair (with a few pining moments clinging to the window!). Just a couple of weeks to go before I’m allowed out to the beach and woods to clamber and climb about again, I can’t wait!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 06 November 2012. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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Lord of the Rings Terrain
A couple of weeks ago, we woke to the sounds of a digger and crashing. Pretty ominous! Horror on horror, it was a huge machine smashing its way through the trees and undergrowth on the beautiful valley directly in front of our home.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Friday, 19 October 2012. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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Playing with Autumn
I love autumn. Something about those cooler, crispier days and the thought of fires and wood smoke and cosying up in the evening.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 02 October 2012. Posted in South West
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Festival Fun
Ever since we booked our End of the Road tickets, Ramona was SO excited and asked daily “when are we going to the music festival?” And then suddenly, 4 months later, we were finally able to say “in 3 sleeps it’s time for the music festival, yippee!” A car full of camping gear, a few hours later and we pitched the tent under the light of a beautiful full moon – a great start!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 12 September 2012. Posted in South West
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Hooray for Off Road Trails.
Before children I used to ride everywhere especially during time in Spain where the roads are generally wide and pretty empty. Cycling on the UK’s roads seems quite hairy in comparison and, since living in Ilfracombe where everything is very steep up or very steep down and always narrow and busy, the amount of saddle time has definitely decreased.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Sunday, 26 August 2012. Posted in Cycling, South West
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We Love Quiet Days Too
Trying to plaster, paint and garden are never the easiest jobs and factoring two live wire rascals into the drying paint and polyfilla mix can be a recipe for disaster! So, leaving my husband to the sweaty jobs indoors, we’ve been out and about as much as possible, even a trip to Nanny’s on Portland for some live sailing action (and, more excitingly for the kids, close up helicopter landings!).
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Thursday, 16 August 2012. Posted in South West
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Rain and Sunshine Within a Week!
Our last few Forest School sessions finished in torrential rain. Which no-one seemed to mind and which made the mud seem even more worthwhile...think festivals, slipping, sliding and then standing under the waterfall edge of the shelter getting all clean again – that’s the kind of feel we got!
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Tuesday, 24 July 2012. Posted in South West
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Searching for Dragon's Teeth on the Beach
Let's face it - British summers never quite measure up to what we're hoping for! But throw a wetsuit on and bring a couple of spades and the beach is always an adventure whether it rains or shines.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 04 July 2012. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West
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A Glorious Sunny Day in North Devon!
It was a perfect glassy surf, sandy beach, blue skies day in February so we spent it digging in the sand, wading through the channels, taking it in turns to squeeze into wet wetsuits (eeeuk!) and have some time out on the waves.
Written by Ruth Lively-Masters on Wednesday, 13 June 2012. Posted in Beside the Seaside, South West