Apologies for no news during the summer, but it's the busiest time of year for accommodation providers.

Exmoor is now bathed in sunshine, and it's difficult to imagine the endless rain we experienced in July and August. Luckily, all our summer visitors made the best of it and enjoyed Exmoor whatever the weather. There's a surprising amount to do on Exmoor in the pouring rain, including a variety of all-weather attractions. The photo is of Beetle, the West Ilkerton Farm sheepdog, wallowing in a cool muddy puddle after a hard day's work this summer.

Autumn is a time for festivals and fun on Exmoor. The CAMRA Real Ale Festival is in Minehead next weekend (15th and 16th September), Porlock Arts Festival takes place from 20th to 23rd September, and The Exmoor Food Festival is from 6th to 14th October. Other major events in October are The Two Moors Festival (12th to 20th October) and Bampton Fair on 25th October.

Several Exmoor Holiday Group members have special events and residential courses in the autumn.

Sheila Gibbs from Wick House, Stogumber, http://www.wickhouse.co.uk/ , says that following the success of upholstery courses held in the spring, more are planned this autumn. The first one will start on October 22nd and will run over five days, so it will be an ideal opportunity to tackle a large (within reason!) item of furniture. Accommodation will be available in Wick House, and the course will be held daily from 10am to 4pm in Stogumber Village Hall. The tutor will be George Parsons. Please ring Sheila on 01984 656422 or e-mail sheila@wickhouse.co.uk

Tortie Eveleigh is running a residential course, on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st October, for people wanting to learn how to handle previously unhandled Exmoor ponies. The course Tutor is Vanessa Bee http://www.positivehorsemanship.co.uk/ .The residential places are all taken for the course, but there are limited places for spectators. The cost is £25 per day, which includes ad lib tea and coffee, and a light lunch. Places must be booked in advance. Please see http://www.westilkerton.co.uk/ for further details, or contact Tortie by phone 01598 752310 or e-mail eveleigh@westilkerton.co.uk

The photo is of (L - R) Philip Bee, Tortie Eveleigh, Chris Eveleigh and Vanessa Bee with three previously unhandled filly foals and one young stallion (who had been handled a bit but wasn't keen on the idea!) outside the barns at West Ilkerton Farm after a two day course in 2006.

The website www.whatsonexmoor.co.uk has a usefull list of all the events and guided walks on offer in the Exmoor area this autumn.

Exmoor Holiday Group members provide a wide variety of high-quality farm and country accommodation www.exmoor-holidays.co.uk

For self-catering vacancies information please ring Tortie Eveleigh on 01598 752310

For B&B vacancies information please ring Tricia Vellacott on 01398 323722