The most important occasion for me was the celebration, at The Kings Arms, of Jago's birth. We can but hope that he has a tremendous life, and that maybe he will remember the dotty time he is likely to have in South Zeal, and that he will return one day (he is sure to leave for a while as most people do) to contribute in some zany way – as we all do now! Congratulations to Miles and Nikki – and may there be a few more!

But otherwise, the month of September seemed to me to be somewhat transport orientated - at Whiddon Down and at Okehampton Camp. Steam traction engines at the former; and old and new army vehicles at the latter together with a wobbly fly past, at a somewhat disconcertingly low level, by a number of Austers. I am still deeply impressed by the preservation of the NAAFI though – ‘Watneys Red Barrel’ suggests its attributes very well. Am I the only one to appreciate it?

The month got off with a whirlwind start with Dave England and Friends at St Andrews, a real tonic– our pictures here cannot do justice to the energy and humour that Dave projects – and the month ended with Cider with Roadies at Townend. A steady stream of villagers brought their apples up to be converted into apple juice, the Tinners Morris strutted their stuff and the Common Players acted out their highly entertaining, though somewhat inexplicable, play. A good time was had by all, and the village cider stocks sagged.

And then there was the Pram race.....what can one say about this extraordinary occasion? It is great to watch and doubtless to be in, but don’t analyse it! This year the wet element was at least internal rather than that and external!

Turning back to transport experiences for a moment, I was invited for a sail out of Lymington on ‘The Bare Necessities’ which turned out to be a huge, very comfortable sailing cruiser, some 80 feet on the waterline with a full crew and fine meals - “built for around half a million I should think” I said (in the knowing way that you know so well). Five and half million it turned out to be. But this is nothing to do with village life – still, do look at The Bare Necessities website if you get the chance.

Robin Tilley - October 2007