G OODNESS ME! Christmas looming yet again. Yes, beautiful I know but it seems to appear in the shops earlier and earlier each year. Anyway, why worry?

Enjoy it how you will as long as one remembers the true meaning and celebrate based on that. Which, of course, brings to mind Christmas presents given to loved ones with no thought about receiving. So, yer 'tiz me dears, a little competition with a prize, to while away cold winter nights with your feet up. 'Ansome!

Question is a bit local and

North Devon Journal-ly

. There is one estuary in the North Devon Journal catchment area, fed by two rivers. How is that estuary usually referred to? I have decided what the answer is in case of argument, so there 'tis. Send your answers in to me at 38 Park Avenue, Barnstaple, EX31 2ES by the end of November to win two of my books, different of course, published by Halsgrove, Wellington in Somerset. I really care about my readers so if you have insomnia don't go to the doctors, read my books instead. Twill evee off to sleep in no time. But you'll feel better for it me dears.

Talking about Halsgrove Publishers, their new catalogue of books is available, filled with every subject under the sun. And I'm talking about a 68-page catalogue of books, hundreds of 'em. To have one sent to you telephone 01823 653777. I am confident there will be books galore you will be interested in. Strewth, where did that silly word boredom come from? Some twerp with an addled brain I reckon. I nearly said MP, but our chap "Bristol Cream" is one of the best and I know he cares about wildlife because he's helped me out a few times when important sites have been threatened. 'Ansome!

But back to books. Lovely things. You can pick 'em up and put 'em down. Can't do that with a TV set. Read at leisure, 'tis the way forward. And they look good on a bookshelf. Of course, wildlife books are the best, we are all part of nature and North Devon is the perfect area for wildlife. If there is anywhere better I have not found it yet and I'm a North Devonian, a true Derby boy, so I should know.

So dear readers, I do hope you'll have a go at the competition. 'Tis a bit of fun and proceeds from my books go to wildlife conservation and ongoing projects benefiting our native flora and fauna.

Trevor Beer will answer your natural history & countryside questions.

Drop him a line at 38 Park Avenue, Barnstaple, EX31 2ES