how lucky I am

to live in a place like this. I woke up this morning and pulled the curtains back as usual. Then I took a look out of the window and suddenly realised, like a pinch in the arm, just how lucky I am. Colyton is a little town (really a large village) where every turn of the tiny lanes reveals a beautiful historic house or a secret walled garden; it's surrounded by lovely, lush Devon hillsides and all within 3 miles of the sea. The white thatched cottage in the shot dates from 1610, as does the huge stone wall which surrounds its garden.

Judge Jeffereys held his court in another historic house opposite us which is where he sentenced to death several rebels, who were supporters of the Duke of Monmouth, in the 1680s. He is still remembered as "The Hanging Judge" for his harsh treatment of peasants who were rebelling against James II.

The worst we suffer now is the occasional noisy street singer staggering home on a Saturday night or the local 3 legged tabby serenading our 3 legged tabby (he sings better than he walks). Oh, and too many large lorries failing to negotiate tiny, crooked streets.

So, on the whole, very lucky.