Soar Legs Athletics Team was probably a name asking for trouble.

I did it! - The London Marathon

My Quads though hurt from the word go - seemed to be muscle pain memory from previous runs, it was as if they were saying, hang on I recognise this, not I think we should go home! Anyway I didn't let this stop me and I enjoyed every minute of it. I came in 4.20 which I was quite happy with, not my PB but given the 37500 people including the following ones I passed which included Hula Hoop girl, 3 legged men, pantomime horse, Womble and at least 2 nudes (both guys alas) I was quite delighted.

Now back at work and back in glorious sunny Soar Mill Cove.

A mention must be made however for the very sad loss of such a young person - Claire Squires 30y who died within the last mile or so of the finish.

We send her family our sincere good wishes and respect

Thanks to my darling family, Jenny, Becky Makepeace, Maria, Matthew, not forgetting Becky's great boyfriend Tom.

Thanks also to Shirley Marsh for my pre race massage and Soar Mill Cove's personal trainer Joey Rossi for my pre race training and the generous loan of him by his lovely girlfriend

I’m not entirely convinced that tomorrows post run massage from Shirley in The Ocean Spa is going to be completely painless however!

I apologise in advance to the guests in the nearby rooms for the screaming.

Images of The Ocean Views

Enjoy the latest images of our Luxury Self Catering Villas

Living & Dining

Master Suite

Kitchen

Twin or King 2nd Room

Interesting first week!

What makes our building projects unusual is that they were finished on time!

Credit goes directly to Dad - Keith snr, without his driving force this just would not have happened.

Of course behind every great man... etc etc.. So thanks Mum for putting up with us all!

Of course he led a team that were as committed to the project as the rest of us

Particular note goes to Martin Barlow and Co, Southern Trowels, Phil Laws Plumbing, Pritchards Electrical Supplies, Paul Barlow Electricians

This ethos was driven by our real belief in Devon been Best

We used local tradesmen, local stone masons, we quarried the stone oursleves on site from the ground that these therefore grow from, the duvets are made in Devon from Devon lambswool, the furniture comes from just across the border in Wiltshire and is supplied by Kingsbridge's own Peter Betteridge - furnishers of distinction http://www.peterbetteridge.co.uk/

What was particularly interesting for me and Jenny to learn however was just how our first guests would use The Ocean Views.

First off they were stunned by how beautiful they are, credit for the interior design goes entirely to Jenny - well done my darling you have done a phenomenal job.

Now we know that yes, they are self catering, but where there USP really became quite obvious was the flexibility they allowed guests to settle their children, make use of the telephone baby listening and enjoy a glass or two of Champagne from the comfort of our sun lounge while still been able to see the villas from their chair. This is of course great for business as it generates trade for the restaurant and is helping to create a very sustainable tourism which is at the very core of our vision to allow for future improvements to 4 star hotel and its facilities.

We are now developing the in-suite dining menu, so that we can take all the hard work out of self catering. No more will there be a need to rush back from the beach to cook tea, before everyone gets fractious, now we can deliver a delicious meal set up in your fridge, so you simply have to finish in the oven and lay out to enjoy in your dining room or even al fresco on your terrace.

Fruit de Mer

A simple Lasagne and Garlic Bread

Chocolate Fondant and Langage Vanilla Ice Cream

Of course where our guys excel is in offering caring service without too much pomp and Soar Mill Cove Hotel is delighted to welcome guests from The Ocean Views and our stunning 5 bedroom, 5 star private residence West Soar to enjoy delicious meals served in our restaurant, lounge and coffee shop, so whether its a delicious English Breakfast, a Clotted Cream Tea or a celebratory dinner, Soar   Mill Cove offers an unrivalled choice.

www.theoceanviews.co.uk

www.westsoar.co.uk

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Garmin Connect - Soar Running Map Overbecks Loop via East Soar

Garmin Connect - Soar Running Map Overbecks Loop via East Soar

Runners and Walkers might like the link to my favourite trails
Soar Mill is fantastic for circular routes for all abilities. This one could best be described as moderate to challenging, depending on your base, which if taken slowly brings it back to simply enjoyable!

Enjoyed a lovely run before breakfast yesterday, took my time and took photos of all the signposts en route as someone said my directions were rubbish!

I think the trouble is that the very helpful National Trust have added to the 30 signposts along the 5.5 mile length of walk. You see all you have to do is keep the sea on your right shoulder going towards Salcombe and the sea on your left shoulder coming back, so its a tad over engineered for my taste.

By the way my running partner is of course my faithful Labrador Farley, who actually prefers a walk when we have time to stop for a coffee and a delicious carrot cake at East Soar Farmyard
East Soar, great for a cuppa or to use the loo's on a walk

For those of you that feel that a human partner would be a greater motivator then I wholeheartedly recommend Joey Rossi our personal trainer. Joey is delighted to partner you for both running and guided walks and offers that extra confidence for guests overcoming injuries or post operation.
Joey's website
The hotel can of course organise this for you. but I think he is excellent value at £35 an hour, a pittance of the price one would find in Swanky London hotels and with our stunning coastline, what other motivation could one possibly want

                                     

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14 - Starehole Cove

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25 - East Soar Car Park

26 - Driveway into Soar Farm Units, follow lane down towards  Soar

27 - Sign through gateway at top of our lane

The photos are to be followed 1 to 27 for the round trip

An Exclusive Over 50's Discount

For guests who no longer have to holiday when the schools are out

Stroll through Devon Meadows

Take advantage of an exclusive 20% Discount for midweek breaks between now and Spring Bank Holiday. From just £299 per person for 3 nights dinner, bed and breakfast and of course a delicious Devonshire Clotted Cream Tea.

 You know you've earned it, now it's your turn to enjoy those extra short breaks when peace is the order of the day away from the family holiday periods when Devon is at its very best.

With ample room, superior accommodation and a spacious sun lounge to relax and enjoy the company of other like minded guests Soar Mill Cove could be your perfect haven.

A walkers paradise leading directly onto the South West coast path with gentle rolling meadows and sea fronting vistas, this is walking countryside for guests that prefer moderate and gentle slopes followed by delicious food and proper old school service that only a family owned hotel can offer.

With Springtime blanketing the valley side with Bluebells and The glorious Magnolia in full bloom at the nearby National Trust Gardens of Overbecks, when could be better for a short holiday?

Magnolia in Bloom at The National Trust Gardens of Overbecks

Springtime offers a time of tranquillity when the greatest of value can be enjoyed without compromising on quality, which is always at the heart of a Best of British Break at

The Soar Mill Cove Hotel.

The Bluebell Hills