for two lady guests who visited us earlier this month, Robbie and Carolyn from Seattle, a bespoke trip ended up overlapping with news of The Queen’s death. Theirs was a tailor-made holiday which began with a Liberty Trails collection from the RAC Club in London and took them to Devon via Stonehenge and Wells Cathedral. They stayed at Bovey Castle initially, then a chocolate-box pretty cottage we booked for them in one of our favourite Dartmoor hamlets which we furnished with a hamper and a few other personal touches.

Having found Liberty Trails through a friend’s personal recommendation, Robbie had switched from western to English riding especially for this trip. Carolyn was less experienced on horseback but, carefully paired with the ideal mount, she gained so much confidence through her trip, ultimately yowling with pleasure as we cantered up some favourite tracks. We therefore put a great deal of care and thought into planning the ideal routes for them so both had an absolute ball.

Our routes took in Grimspound with its supremely fine bronze age ruins, standing stones and stone circles — these ladies are keen historians — and they were rather awestruck to be in Britain as our dear Queen died — a very special time to be here. After leaving us they visited London and Windsor and saw the flowers people had left for her.. Their parting message to us is wonderful:

‘We must say, this was the trip of a lifetime. Thank you for sharing yourself and your world so beautifully with us.. we shall treasure you and this trip forever… you have been etched on our hearts.’

Thank you ladies.. you definitely arrived as guests and left as friends! Come and ride with us again soon!