The gales of last week have hastened the change in the leaves and now shades of colour from the Horse chestnut brown to deep crimson Norway Maple are there to be seen dispersed between the Oak which is still to start changing.

As the days are noticeably shorter those animals which are normally active mainly at dawn or dusk, known as crepuscular, are far earlier to see.  The most noticeable of these are the Roe and Red Deer.  The latter have been causing the greens staff a few headaches recently running through bunkers and crossing the greens.  This problem may get worse before it gets better as North Devon and Exmoor have the largest herd of Red Deer outside Scotland.  And around Highbullen the herds can be 20-30 strong in the autumn. 

Red Deer on Exmoor

Within a week or so the valleys adjacent to the Hotel at first and last light will echo to the bellowing of the Red Stags as they claim their harems of hinds and intimidate any other stags in the area.  This is known as the 'rut' and October is the month next years 'calves' are conceived.

Remember Autumn Watch from Rhum over the last few years on BBC. Well that very same frenzy happens here on our doorstep.  If you fancy a day or evening with or without the camera to experience these sights and sounds then I will try my upmost to give you that, along with exhilarating countryside and walks.

Over the last few days, helped on by blustery conditions, it has been very noticeable the speed of change to the leaves.  Maples are already deep red in some places, the Horse Chestnut are curling up and dying and many Beech trees have started to turn yellow.

Heavy morning dews are common and on some days they highlight the spider webs which can carpet large tracks of the golf course.  A fascinating sight because of the sheer number, so I will try hard to capture this on camera.

Trying to obtain interesting wildlife photo's is often difficult and always requires the camera at close quarters.  Annoyingly and all too often it's never around when something's there to be snapped.  Last week having only just made the first cup of coffee of the morning I glanced out over the meadow adjoining my cottage to see a large Fox patrolling his territory and my hen runs!  This time my camera was at hand and I managed a slightly out of focus shot.

It is common to see Foxes on the Golf Course and by the 14^th and 15^th greens.  Cubs have been seen quite often in the early morning during the summer.  The neighbours hens have been the main interest and recently a Vixen was observed running down the road by the 14^th Tee with a hen grasped tightly in her mouth.

Katia - the 'storm' arrived in the early hours and is now on the wane.  Leaving us with an acceptable amount of work to clear up in her wake.  To my recollection, this autumn storm is earlier than normal and fortunately the remaining breeze will dry out the golf course quickly.

Generally the golf course and the fishing have held up very well with these unusual conditions.  It is always a relief to see the mowers in action after such unsettled weather.

Also the rivers have been in excellent condition and we have landed several Salmon and Sea Trout.  Over last week 4 Grilse were landed on the Hotel beat and on the opposite bank one rod landed 3 and lost 2.  Our total this season is now 7 Salmon up to 16lbs and 15 Sea trout up to 6½lbs from a handful of fishermen.  It is very encouraging to see nearly all the beats on the Taw system recording good catches.  We still have availability for rods in the remaining 2½ weeks of the season.

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Back in 1850, about the time Highbullen was built, mills were built on the River Mole and the River Bray.  To provide the head of water to drive the waterwheels, weirs were built.  The first weir, at Head Mill on the Mole, was built of timber and over the  years was eventually improved to stone and concrete.  I say improved, that's from the Millers point of view and latterly in the 1990's, well after the mill closed down, the adjacent fish farm benefitted from the original mill leat water.

Weirs generally can and often do effect the migration of Salmon and Sea Trout upstream to their spawning gravels. In the 1990's Head Weir had a Salmon/Sea Trout pass fitted.  Unfortunately, from it's installation this fish pass was more of a hindrance than an aid to fish migration.  So last year it was removed and replaced with a rock ramp.  Without a doubt the fish arriving upstream of the new Head Weir Falls are in better condition than in previous years and as you can see from previous blogs, quite plentiful.  To check the most recent river report you can read another blog on: www.farsondigitalwatercams.com  Go to Southern England, choose River Mole and then Watertown.

The main tributary of the Mole is the River Bray, again this had a mill built about the same time and the weir here was deteriorating with age, likely to collapse and was a hindrance to migration.  This too is now undergoing renovation and the installation of an Eel and a Salmon pass.

Here are some photos of the weir nearly completed with a dipper checking out his new environment.

The Bray is the major spawning tributary on the River Taw system so now plenty more migratory fish will be able to get upstream either to spawn or to live out the growth stage of their life cycle such as the Eels.

Saturday 10^th September: Bideford Carnival - Carnival starts at 6:00pm. The massed pipes and drums will be parading on the quay after the Carnival at 7:45pm

Saturday 10^th & Sunday 11^th September: The Great Devon Dangle - The annual 180 foot abseil  in aid of North Devon Hospice. This year the abseil will be returning to Hartland, arguably one of the most beautiful spots in North Devon with spectacular views and bracing air.

The funds that are raised will go directly to North Devon Hospice.

During your stay at Highbullen there is plenty to do both within the hotel and outside the hotel. Here is a list of exciting activities that are going on within the local area:

Friday 2- Sun 4 September 2011: Sea Ilfracombe Maritime Festival at Ilfracombe Tourist Information Centre - Sea Ilfracombe, the North Devon harbour town's maritime festival, offers almost 50 maritime activities - many of them free - from Friday 2^nd - Sunday 4^th September with something for all the family.

Sunday 4^th September: Lobster & Crab Feast, in support of the National at Clovelly (Visitor Centre) - A tribute to Clovelly's famous lobsters and crabs with a day of folk music, quay kitchens, wine and beer tasting, local food stalls, prize draw, arts and crafts stalls. For children there's face painting, storytelling, walkabout magic, balloon modelling, street theatre, and N. Devon A.O.N.B's event- themed craft activities.

10^th September - 17^th October: 40 artists: 80 drawings. Burton Art Gallery, Bideford. An exhibition of new works by 40 leading and emerging contemporary British artists on loan from The Drawing Gallery.

10^th September: Meet The Pots - Heritage Open Days 2011. A collection of Ceramics  at . Burton Art Gallery, Bideford.

At any point of this journey when looking at the coast, binoculars will probably bring into view a wealth of coastal wildlife.

Peregrines are relatively common patrolling the cliffs.  Rafts of Guillemots and Razorbills hug the coast and often vaste flocks of Shearwaters are visible at this time of year.  Grey Seals can also be seen around Lynmouth and a small colony lives along this coast.

However, once over Countisbury Hill look South into the heart of the Moor to see the heather in full colour before the scenery changes on your descent into Porlock.

Porlock is on the North East side of Exmoor, the climate is kinder here, sheltered from the strong prevailing South Westerly winds.  Here the countryside takes on a softer appearance (the toll road to Porlock is an alternative to Porlock Hill and more enjoyable). The trees are more upright, grow bigger and there are many more species.

The view from the top of the toll road toward North Hill, Porlock bay and the pebble beach is unforgettable.

Some years ago maintenance of the sea defences were stopped and now the sea has started to encroach the arable land behind the pebble beach.  Although I have never done the walk, it may be of great interest to some to see the result of this 'managed retreat'.  Salt marsh is forming as the hedgerow trees and shrubs die as a result of the saltwater ingress.

It was now time to wend our way home after a very brief visit to Porlock Weir a small thatched hamlet tucked between the wooded cliffs and the sea.  This is an appropriate climax to the trip, a good pub and a couple of interesting shops will enable you to relax and get a small amount of 'retail therapy'.

So returning to near the top of Porlock Hill, take the turning to Exford and enjoy the open moorland.  Deer are plentiful, so too are the Exmoor Ponies and as autumn approaches there is always the chance of a Hen Harrier passing by.

From Exford following the signs to Withypool, South Molton and back to Highbullen this part of the journey is as good as any so, if you can, don't rush back.  Exmoor has plenty to offer everyone but you do need to stop the car to sample it all, especially the clean fresh air, the Skylarks in song and general peace and quiet away from the hum of modern mechanical life.

3 Hotel guests accounted for 2 Grilse over the weekend 4 & 6lbs respectively, even though the water was very high.

In general the River Mole has been fishing well over the weekend with one salmon, 16lbs approximately, being reported.

Large brass tube flies fished on sinking tippets seem to have accounted for most fish.

At the time of writing, the sun is streaming in the wide open window and the temperature is typical of any good August day.  Unfortunately this hasn't been the case in the recent past, especially immediately prior to this weekend.

Conditions overhead have been excellent for fishermen and poor for walkers and golfers alike.  Saturday was put aside to write up a favourite walk along the North Devon coastline but impending showers and a cold wind called for a review of this idea.

Rather than a walk, a drive circumnavigating the north and west side of Exmoor would at least take in some stunning views and places that would be of interest to our guests and easily achievable from Highbullen in a couple of hours.

There are numerous routes North to the dramatic Bristol Channel coastline.  On this occasion The Heddon Valley near Parracombe was the start of a gentle drive eastward along the coast.  With each bend in the road another scenic view unfolds, so a camera is essential and here are a few to enjoy.  At present the heather and gorse is in full flower and, at this time of year, the heather gives large areas of Exmoor a deep purple hew.

East of the Heddon Valley one passes Woody bay, this is well worth the walk to but a serious climb back to the car!  From Woody Bay to the Valley of the Rocks pay attention to the road, not the scenery, as there is scarcely a tree between the single track road and the waves some 800 feet below.

The rocky outcrops give the valley its name but it is also well known for its population of feral goats which are always a hit with the children, and gives them a break from any car boredom.

Next to Lynton and Lynmouth and where the journey should be broken.  There is something for everyone. A cliff railway powered by water, interesting maritime history viewed in the museum at Lynmouth and this includes much about the deadly flood of 1952.  Plus tearooms, pubs and the River Lyn, along which is a very easy and relaxing walk upstream.

Ascending up Contribury Hill stop in a layby for more unbelievable cliff scenery and on the clearest of days, spectacular views of Wales some 18 miles away and then onto Porlock.