ROMANCE SPECIAL What’s the secret to a long-term relationship/marriage? My grandad always told me “girls are for spoiling”. It also helps that Charlie has unlimited patience!
ZOË AND KATHARINE HARRIS The couple live in a hamlet near East Budleigh, with their daughter Lucy (another baby is on the way), two labradors and a cat.
How long have you two been together? Six years, says Zoë, and we got married in July 2014.
What are your favourite places locally for a date night? A walk on the beach with our dogs is great in all weathers. Walking from Exmouth to Budleigh over the cliffs soon warms you up nicely for a sea swim. Fish and chips and a beer on the beach follows nicely. If we are off out, then Pebblebed Cellar in Topsham is a favourite – relaxed and delicious. Or, for a treat, it’s lovely to get the boat out to the River Exe cafe while the sun is setting. What’s the most romantic thing each of you has ever done? Zoë: I organised a surprise trip to Pembrokeshire
PHOTO BY REBECCA ROUNDHILL
And how did you meet? We had both worked for the same company for years, though our paths never crossed until we were both transferred to head office. I had heard great things about Katharine; Katharine, however, was totally uninformed, giving me the advantage. We met... I suggested we go for dinner that evening and Katharine bartered that we went for a run first. Despite being incredibly unfit at the time and only making it halfway round, Katharine didn’t appear to be put off. She is very polite like that. We had a wonderful dinner, found a great gin bar and the rest is history!
Above: Dan and Emma Solley Below: Zoë and Katharine Harris
where I proposed. Not sure how romantic it was, it’s next to impossible for me to keep a secret from Katharine – so I think I lasted all of an hour from when we arrived to popping the question. Katharine: As Zoe pipped me to the post by proposing first, I feel as though the opportunity for big romantic chances are few and far between now but it’s the little things, the romance each and every day, that really matter. I’ll always support her and even go to the lengths of occasionally watching reality TV with her, despite being bored out of my mind, or cycling a little slower than I might like to, so we can be together – that’s daily romance. What’s the secret to a long-term relationship/marriage? Always make the time to enjoy who and what you love. There’s a story about what you can fit into a large, empty pickle jar (life): put the small pebbles (work, cleaning, gardening) in first and there is not enough room for your stones (what you love –family, friends, holidays). Let the sand (food shopping, cooking, ironing) fill the gaps and remember there is always room for a drink with a friend.
EMMA AND DAN SOLLEY
Cornish pasties brought local photographer Emma Solley and her carpenter and general builder chap Dan together as teenagers. They now live on Dartmoor with their nine-year-old daughter and still think swanky restaurants are overrated… 20 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk