Devon in the sticks - mid to north. Anybody out there?

[SuePurblybiltByElves]

See I know there must be Mnetters around but it seems to be a NM Mafia controlled area . I'm about 30 mins north of Okehampton, equal distances from Exeter and Barnstaple. Middle of nowhere but surrounded by villages full of mummies. Some of you must be Mnetters surely?

I do this thread once a year or so and forget it when it drops out of active so do PM me if you're local and willing to out yourself

Morning Devonies!

Jeffily, I used to live near Barnstaple about 6 years ago. I seem to remember the traffic being a complete nightmare! But then we were always trying to get through to Braunton/Croyde etc, and they've built the bridge now, so it might be better. We lived out near Torrington at the time, it was beautiful!

Twentieth, yep, giving our address to anyone local is very embarrassing at the moment! Although everyone knows where it is! I know no-one wants another new development, but it seems that most of the residents are Oke locals anyway. Especially in the row of social housing opposite my house! (no further comment).

Crystylline you're 39+5! I'd be nervous to go out at that point! We should meet up though. I visited the lovely Dovecote tea rooms yesterday for the first time. Think I need to keep surveying nice cafe's though !

Just found out an old friend has moved to N Tawton - saw her and her DD yesterday, it was fantastic!

hiya.

if i didn't go out, i'd go mad! there's only so many times i can clean the house in a day

i usually head in to oke for shopping in the week, so let me know when is good, and we could go for a coffee.

jeffily traffic isn't so bad round barnstaple now, but yes, petalouda is right the croyde/braunton side can be a bit blocked up especially in the summmer. there are some wonderful villages near barnstaple though - swimbridge being a favourite. very active community there, as well as being only ten mins into town and just off the link road.

if you want any local tips for places to consider, please let me know as i work in all the villages around the region doing community development.

re cafes in Oke
Don't bother trying teh Victorian pantry next to museum, rather odd , not particularly good value. Church court cafe is a nice basic modestly priced cafe, good with kids.

I quite like the cafe in the park with little ones since you can sit outside while they play. Better in the warmer months though! I haven't really gone to a cafe solo since having DC2, bit scared of wrangling them both. Would definitely love a meet up though, am happy to host things at my house but it might be easier to meet in town for the first time at least?

Petalouda - ah, you're not where I thought you might be then. Don't worry about the new estates, I don't think many people really mind. Tbh, I'd have thought Okehampton was a fairly good place for expansion but then we live on one of the new estates as well so a bit biased!

Devon is a lovely place to grow up - I grew up in Broadclyst on the other side of Exeter and loved it.

Devon is great! I was born in sidmouth, but brought up on salisbury plain from age 3. Moved back to devon at 23 and have lived in most of the regions since then!

We wanted somewhere where we could get to the moor & the beaches, as well as work! And we're lucky enough to have bought a house near countryside (albeit farmers fields) where LOs can play. Although I wonder if I'll let him/them go that far?!

Friend and I went to Dovecote cafe and "tea rooms" last weekend. Don't think we'll be going back. My idea of a Tea Rooms is Tea On The Green in Westward Ho! which is amazing. So Dovecote didn't quite match up.

6 weeks till I start mat leave! 8 till due date. Can't wait to get this baby out of me and into a pram - much more manageable up the hills!

Hi all, I guess Crystylline must have had her baby by now, hope all's OK :) If you need anything then give us a shout.

Petalouda- I used to live near farmer's fields growing up and spent hours in them. Hope you're feeling well. I love having a pram, so handy for all the shopping. Don't know what I'll do when mine outgrow it.

hello!

I had my wonderful baby boy last week on the 8th weighing 6lb 11oz.

he's scrummy and gorgeous and i'm besotted!

feeling almost ready to be out and about in the world, but very much enjoying all the cuddles at home and pyjama days at the moment!

Congratulations Crystyclear! Where are you? If you're near Oke, I'll look forward to seeing you at some of the baby groups (as advertised in the latest issue of "Good Neighbours"!) over the next few months.

I'm now down to 3 weeks 2 days till maternity leave! I so can't wait. Fortunately it's half term next week.

Got our first antenatal class tomorrow night - hope to meet lots of similar people!

Congratulations Crysty :) Glad you're enjoying it all, it's such a wonderful time.

Petalouda - hope antenatal class went well :)

It's good to know there will be some MN mummies around in town now, not sure if anyone else uses MN, think a lot of people use Netmums instead.

Antenatal was good actually! Glad to see my midwife is as hippy as I'd like to be!

Glad you enjoyed it :) Who's your midwife? I met almost all of them over the course of my pregnancies (had to go up weekly throughout for BP monitoring!).

Hello!

My midwife is Marion, although I've seen Vivien and Gwynneth too. They all seem lovely, although Gwynneth scares me a little bit!

Hi ladies - I live in Barnstaple and would be keen to meet some more locals and find some good toddler groups etc in the area.

I have a 14 month DS. Currently contending with 5am starts, so having very long days of toddler entertaining - help!

Hi Becksworth :)

This is TwentiethCenturyHeffa, I namechanged.

Don't know much about what's on in Barnstaple I'm afraid, have you checked out your Children's Centre? Sorry about the 5am starts, that's awful. My DD used to get up around 4-4.30am It's horrible, so much sympathy!

Petalouda - ah, I only met Marion a couple of times but she seemed nice. Vivien is absolutely lovely. Don't remember Gwynneth. A couple of them are a bit scary but really fab.

hello, im in mid Devon, near Exeter, got 3 under 4

Hi OnEdge :) Good to have another!

Hello!! I'm from Bideford with two boys 6 and 3.

Can I join?

I've killed it!

Hi Toiletrollcover :) I love Bideford. We go up to Northam Burrows sometimes, you have a lovely park as well!

Hello!!

You've not killed it, toiletroll, there's just not a lot going on - which is, I believe, how we like it in devon, is it not?!

I've got antenatal tonight in okehampton, I wonder if last week's labouring woman had her baby, or if she'll be with us again tonight?!

Hello all, how is everyone?

Hope your antenatal was good Petalouda - had the woman had her baby? I missed my final antenatal class because I was having DD. I was getting really upset in labour because I hadn't called them to say I wouldn't be there and the midwife was pointing out that they would probably understand

How are you getting on Crysty?

Hello Alma,

Well, the labouring lady wasn't back in the subsequent classes - so it looks like she might've had her baby!

Had the breastfeeding session today, down at the childrens centre. Very helpful & lovely to see where I can meet people when this baby arrives!

Hello

A newbie in Holsworthy - so a longway from anywhere!

I'm and older mummy who's expecting number two in May, and look forward to getting to know you all.

Jane

Hi Jane, welcome to the thread :)

Petalouda - the breastfeeding group is great. I don't tend to go much because DD runs riot but they're very useful. I know a lot of the peer supporters who are all fab.

hi all.

going well here. have made a few trips out with my LO now... he's 4 weeks old! [eek]

going to try and get to the BF group tomorrow - just to meet a few people hopefully.

also i've just begun trying to find a childminder... but the thought of going back to work is quite soul destroying

welcome jane