A note from the editor

I often find a short break in the UK just as rejuvenating as a full week’s holiday – you don’t have to cram in as much work or as many jobs around the house before heading off. Earlier this year, we escaped to south Pembrokeshire for a long weekend. On day two, we took a boat trip to the holy island of Caldey, just off the coast of Tenby. This peaceful and spiritual space is home to a community of Cistercian monks, who live in the magnificent abbey in the centre, along with a bounty of birds and wildlife. The disappointment of not seeing the reclusive monks, who live a cloistered life of strict prayer and routine, was quickly overshadowed by numerous sightings of black swans, French partridges and red squirrels, who thrive in the wooded areas surrounding the monastery.

Reading our interview with a National Trust squirrel ranger on page 210 made me realise how fortunate I was to have spotted these rare creatures and made me grateful to the people who dedicate their time to creating the best habitat for species in the wild. On page 121, we tell another story of a woman looking after the land in very different circumstances. Having faced two distressing floods at her home in Devon, Penny Kennedy is planting hundreds of hedgerows to restore the natural environment and protect her property for years to come. It is an incredibly moving and inspiring account, showing how each one of us can care for the land around us.

After my restorative break, I intended to get down to work until Christmas – and then

I read this month’s Weekenders section, on page 14, about Padstow in Cornwall. It made me think it might be the perfect destination out of season, when the town is less crowded and the atmosphere more relaxed. Just what we could all do with right now…