Emma Richardson writes for the Journal.

I think May has to be one of my favourite months. First off, it’s nicely book-ended between two bank holidays and what’s not to love about that! Secondly, it’s usually the beginning of slightly nicer and drier weather. For those with school-age children May also has a half-term and normally with better weather it means we start to have lovely outdoor events to take part in.

Later this month coinciding with half-term and the late Bank Holiday, is one such event taking place in Exeter. Promenade Theatre Company ‘Burn The Curtain’ are putting on an incredible interactive theatre experience based at Exeter Quay, Saturday, May 25th 2024 to Monday 27th 2024. The production is called The Adventures of Don Quixote by bicycle and was featured on the BBC Spotlight programme a couple of weeks ago. Travelling together on bicycles, actors and audiences experience the colourful and misguided escapades of Don Quixote – self-styled Knight of La Mancha. This exciting piece of interactive family theatre involves actors riding custom designed bikes that even a medieval knight would be proud of. Tickets are available from www.burnthecurtain.co.uk so if you fancy a bike ride with a difference get yourself down there. With our beautiful cycle track from Exmouth, you could make it a really ‘green’ day out and leave the car at home.

For more outdoorsy fun, Exmouth beach will be home to the Beach Rugby and Netball Festival between 24th and 26th May. Whether wanting to take part or just spectate, this promises to be an action-packed event with teams both local and from further afield, a bar and live music. More details on the exmouthbeachrugbyfest.co.uk website.

And if balloons are your thing, the biggest hot-air balloon and music festival to come to Devon is taking place over 23rd and 24th May at Exeter Racecourse. With a circus tent, music and the all-important balloons it promises to be a real spectacle.

Plenty to keep us busy on the Bank Holiday, so let’s hope that lovely sunshine comes back again in time for all these events to be a roaring success. Devon looks best in the sunshine.