This week Mr Toad has splashed out on a Princess Yacht, after spending last Summer lounging about on Paris the Persian Cat’s gin palace, he was inspired to purchase his own. He christened the new shiny super yacht with a voyage to Perchwood House at Tuckenhay where Ratty and Mole were staying with their girlfriends Rabbit and Hare. The girls were so impressed that Mr Toad was able to moor at the Cottage, they put their best furs on and climbed aboard to toast Mr Toad’s new vessel with a bottle of Cornwall from Camel Valley vinyard. The bottle had been acquired after a splendid trip to the vinyard last Summer when he was staying at nearby Hay Cottage, Wadebridge.  Hay Cottage is a delightful period character building which has been carefully retained and features lots of beams and tasteful attractive soft furnishings. Located a mile south west of Wadebridge and set in a secluded wooded valley with peaceful views and surrounded by large completely enclosed landscaped gardens.  After his trip to Tuckenhay, Mr Toad took his yacht to a mooring at the Noss Marina, on the River Dart.

Mr Toad is planning on catching and cooking a meal for his mystery woman on Valentines’ weekend. Keen to impress Mr Toad has been having some secret fishing and cooking lessons from local Celebrity Chef Mitch Tonks. Mitch of the Seahorse Restaurant, Dartmouth and the Television programme ‘Mitch and Matt’s Big Fish’ knows a thing or two about filleting fish and catching chubs. On Thursday night Mitch was one of the Speakers at the fantastic Visit South Devon first anniversary evening. The evening was held at the stunning Riverford Field Kitchen and all the members including Toad Hall Cottages and supporters of Visit South Devon enjoyed a truly delicious meal and fabulous evening.

This weekend Mr Toad is hoping Kingsbridge Rugby Club stay on their winning streak and beat Withycombe in Exmouth. After Loddiswell AFC’s disappointing defeat against the Torbay Christians, Timmy the Turbot has floundered off with no comment.  Mr Toad was hoping to go up north with Pork Pie Pete to watch local football giants Plymouth Argyle beat Sheffield Wednesday, unfortunately the game clashes with an important Skittle match in Westward Ho! Where he will stay with Ratty, Mole and their ladies at 26 Armada Way. Perfectly placed to take advantage of all that the stunning North Devon coast has to offer. Down the hill are 2 miles of golden sands possibly some of the best surfing beaches in the UK, and Westward Ho! provides everything required for a great seaside holiday, including kayaking and kite surfing for the more adventurous. Not put off by the un-summery weather, Mr Toad and friends will be in surf in their drysuits on Sunday morning and no doubt will warm up afterwards with a few medicinal Otter Ales.

Next week find out how Mr Toad gets on when he plans to sail up to Dorset in a bid to get into the Olympic games and goes on a golf break with Mr Badger and Ratty.

After a disappointing weekend for local sport, Mr Toad consoled himself in his cottage with the Sunday papers, a pint of Otters Ale and a big bag of fudge from Choc Amour and was delighted to see that Toad Hall Cottages was mentioned in the Travel Section of the Sunday Times.

The snow didn’t stop Mr Toad driving down to Cornwall in his new Land Rover Defender to see Mr Badger and to stay at Rose Cottage, in Downderry.  This stunning property dates back to 1760 and reputedly is the oldest and most photographed cottage in the village. After a few more pints of Otter Ale Mr Toad and Mr Badger headed into nearby St.Germans for a skittles match against the Pirate Weasels.

Mr Toad then headed up to North Devon to check out the winter surf spots whilst stopping with Ratty at the fabulous Morwenna.  This superb property is situated on the outskirts of Welcombe, a small farming community with accessible beaches and beautiful cliff and valley walks.

Desperate to have a ride in Mr Toad’s new Land Rover, Ratty accompanied him down to Topsham to stay at the The Mede with it’s stunning views up and down the estuary. In a bid to get fit for their training of the London Marathon, they decided to brave the cold, hire bikes and go for a bike ride from the Quay in Exeter down to Turf locks for a spot of pie and Otter Ale.

Mr Toad is back in Kingsbridge and practising for his audition to Dartmouth’s Got Talent.  He is sure his version of Blue Moon will win him Amanda Holden’s heart and Britain’s Got Talent! With his appreciation of the ‘Arts’ Mr Toad is off to see Toad Hall Cottages’ sexy chippy Mike Wootton play one of the Ugly Sisters at Marlborough Village Hall. You too can enjoy this rare treat of Mike singing Dolly Parton’s famous hit ‘9 to 5′ whilst dressed in dollyesque clobber. Tickets are still available for Wednesday and Thursday’s performances and can be purchased from Kingsbridge Tourist Information Centre at £7 each.

Mr Toad is off for a game of Arrows, have a good weekend! And don’t forget to come back next week to read about Mr Toad’s night out in Torbados!

Happy New Year and here’s to an exciting 2010! Here’s a recap of Mr Toad’s activities over the festive period and plans for the new year!

At Christmas and New Year, Mr Toad enjoyed the festive period at 1 Toad Hall, Newton Ferrers, South Devon (please note; this property has a fantastic winter offer).  Whilst residing in Newton Ferrers, Mr Toad explored the equisite Burgh Island, stopping for a pint at the Pilchard Inn. Since returning Mr Toad has been hitting the January sales in his new red motorcar. He ventured into Salcombe on Monday and picked up a fantastic gilet in the Crew Sale, and some new tweed trousers from the legendary Jack Wills.

Yesterday he was royally slaughtered in the Slapton Snowball fight, and returned home for a well needed cup of tea and some of Totnes’ Roly Poly superb fudge. Mr Toad reckons its one of the best but does also recommend Choc Amour’s selection too.

This weekend sports mad Mr Toad is looking forward to watching his hometown rugby team Kingsbridge RFC ‘The Kings’ hopefully batter Bude Rugby Club at home. Whilst a die-hard Rugby fan he will be following local football teams Plymouth Argyle away at QPR and Totnes Town and Dartington play Axminster Town.

This Easter Mr Toad is hoping to have a massive meeting of the clan, and thinking of hiring Toad Hall Cottages new property ‘The Old Vicarage’ as it can sleep up to 34 people! Set in stunning Marlborough, which has boasted an appearance of Madonna in 2009.

Mr Toad will be dusting off his surfboard this Summer and looking at letting Badgers Sett, in Braunton. Perfectly placed for the surf spots of Putsborough Sands, Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe. Mr Toad recommends the Braunton newsagents, located near the carpark – it has the best selection of magazines in the area.

Next week Mr Toad is off for a jaunt to Cornwall! Make sure you log in to hear about his adventures! Guests who stayed in Toad Hall Cottages over the Winter break, don’t forget to send your photographic competition entries in!