Rocky Shores and Windswept Sands
Photos and more from North Devon
Hello there,
I hope you’re fit and well. I’m back at work after a break to recharge, so I’m mainly sharing a few photos today.
People often tell me how much they love Devon, and I remind myself that we’re very lucky to live here. We don’t have to go far for a walk on Dartmoor or a stroll by the sea, and since Devon is quite a varied county we don’t have to travel far to take a holiday.
So having got our feet wet with camping - literally (see Camplings Under Canvas on substack) we decided that we could easily pack the car and go for a camping trip in North Devon.
How I laugh as I write ‘easily pack the car’. Getting ready for a week-long camping trip apparently involves cramming the car with pots and pans and plates and stoves and all manner of equipment needed for the daily business of keeping body and soul together.
But after a Tetris-style assault on the car, we got everything in. The journey to the campsite took only an our and a half, so we arrived feeling relatively fresh, and the tent went up without setbacks.
But as we made the inner tent ready, I said, “Are the sleeping bags still in the car?”
Mrs C stared at me in horror and uttered these fatal words: “They’re in the wardrobe.”
For a split second I wondered whether we’d packed some portable kind of wardrobe, especially as the tent has a built-in storage contraption hanging from the roof. But then I came to my senses.
“You mean, the wardrobe at home?”
A nod.
We took deep breaths and counted our resources. Over the years we’ve taken a few of life’s wrong turnings, and this was just another. We had a self-inflating mattress, a blanket, a sheet and some beach towels. The weather was warm. We’d survive for a night and find a shop the following day.
And we were okay. In a way, this is what camping is about - overcoming obstacles. It was actually kind of fun. We were like kids making a den, and looking back on it now, it raises a smile.
The next day we visited a supermarket and bought a summer duvet and cover that was actually better than our old sleeping bags which would’ve been too warm.
Over the next few days we had a great time exploring this corner of North Devon, so I’ll share some photos below. But first, Reader of The Week
Reader of The Week
Today we’re waving to Darío.
First name: Darío
Where you’re from: Bath, Somerset (well it was when I was born!)
Favourite book: My favorite series are Rivers of London and The Dresden Files
Favourite author: Ben Aaronovitch, Jim Butcher, Terry Pratchett, Caimh McDonnell
Last book you read: Omega Force 17 - Hunted, by Josh Dalzelle
Fun fact: At the tender age of 58 I gave up my involvement in the IT world, moved to Spain, opened a wellness center with my wife and took up the practice of Reiki.
Thanks Dario, especially for sharing your fun fact. I’m also an escapee from IT although I left that world in the early 90s to take up teaching.
Who will be the next ROTW?
If you’d like it to be you, all you have to do is to fill in this form:
Featured Photos
Long and almost empty beaches, cliffs, and Lundy Island seeming to appear magically from the mist like Avalon. I hope you enjoy the photos.
More photos next time.
Bookish News - My New Store
There are still a few days to use the introductory 25% discount on my new store and get the ebook of A Study in Stone. The handy link below will take you to the ebook in the store and add the promo code to your cart automatically, but if you need the code, it is: ASISAUG2025:
authormichaelcampling.com/promo/ASISAUG2025
Have a great week
Apart from cracking on with the next Devonshire Crime Thriller starring DC Spiller’s adventures back in 1993, I’m hoping to spend some time tackling our rather neglected garden. The book is almost there, and the next few days should take me to the finishing line for the first draft.
As of today, I’m sharing the book as I go along, piece by piece, in a separate newsletter for paying subscribers. I don’t really like paywalls, but the book isn’t ready to be shared more widely yet, so this is a behind the scenes special. Also, several months can pass between the release dates of my books, and the extra support helps. I won’t link to the extract of the book here, but if you wish to seek it out, clicking on the header image or the title of this piece will take you back to substack and you can look for the Behind the Scenes section and assess whether it’s worth going beyond the paywall.
I’ll have some more photos to share soon, and maybe a short piece about life in general.
Until then, happy reading and take care,
Mikey
