COMING SOON!
Staying in Minty
In the heart of the idyllic North Devon countryside, under six miles from South Molton, and half an hour from Tiverton and the M5,
Ducks Paddle is off the beaten track, unspoilt and secluded, but still easily accessible.
The pace of life here is as relaxed as you want it to be, situated on an oak lined lane that was the old route from East Worlington, over Meshaw Moor, to South Molton for centuries, with no near neighbours, and only Minty and Colbourne's Hut on the one acre site, Ducks' is the most peaceful of settings.
With breathtaking views of Exmoor and rolling Devon hills, it is a very special place that works its' magic on all who visit.
You can easily while away time in and around Minty, enjoy an evening sat beside the brazier, cozy up inside with a fire in the stove if it's cold outside, cook up a scrumptious meal in the fabulous camp kitchen.
Or venture out; less than a 1/4 of a mile away is Meshaw Moor Nature Reserve, and then pop over to the simply sublime inn, The Grove in Kings Nympton, which is less than ten minutes drive away.
For the more adventurous there is always something going on.
Our position midway between the North Devon and South Devon coasts makes us an excellent base to explore the stunning Devon countryside. Exmoor, Lynton & Lynmouth to the north, the vibrant City of Exeter and seaside town Exmouth to the east, the ancient port of Bideford and the North Cornish town of Bude, as well as the super beaches of Woolacombe and Saunton Sands to the west, and the glowering Dartmoor and the market town of Okehampton to the south.
Because of the sparsely populated nature of the area all the towns, and several villages and hamlets, host myriad events, such as fairs and festivals; music, food & drink are always to the fore and showcase local makers and producers and artists as well as those from further afield.
The evolution of Minty
Minty is a Spanish military Pegaso 4 x 4 general purpose truck, originally having a flat bed rear with a canvas covered hooped roof.
The top parts of the cab were also canvas, with side windows and windscreen hinged, designed to be folded down to lower the overall height of the vehicle, allowing it to fit into a transporter.
A later owner removed the flat bed and added the radio/command unit, from a Russian Gaz66, being Russian, it is very well insulated.
He also fabricated the hard top for the cab, making it much more weatherproof. He did an excellent job, the roof looks like it was meant to be there.
We got him from James in 2021, already partly converted into an overland camper.
Minty is so named as James' friend, and part owner of the truck, sadly died,
we thought it fitting to call him (as Minty is always referred to as him) after his nickname, Minty, as everything he owned was in "mint condition".
We have done our best to make Minty as comfortable as possible, whilst keeping his historical knocks and blemishes of life and battles won to the fore.
We finished the conversion for letting accommodation, with two single beds which can be pushed together, the mattresses are designed to zip into a king size double if required.
We have added a Little Lenny stove from Little Burners, small but powerful, and fabricated the access steps and platform.
In the cab we have re-covered the seats, repaired and repainted the floor and engine covers, and generally made it a more comfortable place to sit in and enjoy the view,
the engine cover makes a super table; we were considering adding cup holders...
With phone charging points (punto de carga del teléfono) run from the solar panels, added into the original dashboard.
The top parts of the cab were also canvas, with side windows and windscreen hinged, designed to be folded down to lower the overall height of the vehicle, allowing it to fit into a transporter.
A later owner removed the flat bed and added the radio/command unit, from a Russian Gaz66, being Russian, it is very well insulated.
He also fabricated the hard top for the cab, making it much more weatherproof. He did an excellent job, the roof looks like it was meant to be there.
We got him from James in 2021, already partly converted into an overland camper.
Minty is so named as James' friend, and part owner of the truck, sadly died,
we thought it fitting to call him (as Minty is always referred to as him) after his nickname, Minty, as everything he owned was in "mint condition".
We have done our best to make Minty as comfortable as possible, whilst keeping his historical knocks and blemishes of life and battles won to the fore.
We finished the conversion for letting accommodation, with two single beds which can be pushed together, the mattresses are designed to zip into a king size double if required.
We have added a Little Lenny stove from Little Burners, small but powerful, and fabricated the access steps and platform.
In the cab we have re-covered the seats, repaired and repainted the floor and engine covers, and generally made it a more comfortable place to sit in and enjoy the view,
the engine cover makes a super table; we were considering adding cup holders...
With phone charging points (punto de carga del teléfono) run from the solar panels, added into the original dashboard.
The horsebox kitchen is close by, which has a single ring gas burner, sink, and all cutlery and crockery,
as well as a small stove which came with it when we acquired it,
the old owner used it as both his trailer to ferry his stationary engine about to steam fairs around Dorset and Somerset,
we believe it was his sleeping accommodation while he was at the fairs.
The horse brasses and ephemera were inside when we got it, so we kept them as part of its' history.
as well as a small stove which came with it when we acquired it,
the old owner used it as both his trailer to ferry his stationary engine about to steam fairs around Dorset and Somerset,
we believe it was his sleeping accommodation while he was at the fairs.
The horse brasses and ephemera were inside when we got it, so we kept them as part of its' history.
An authentic oil-drum incinerator takes care of any outside evening heating.
A shower and compost toilet are a short distance away and are exclusively for use by guests staying in Minty.
Minty sleeps two people, and when we open the glampsite later in the year he will be available throughout the year to book
via ourselves and through Airbnb.
via ourselves and through Airbnb.
We are planning to install two electric car charging points, one at the cottage and one at the old workshop.
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