We were a bit despondent about the forecast, which turned from glorious sunshine to rain last week.  But actually, it’s turned out to be not half as bad as we’d imagined.  This morning’s walk around part of the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate (not half a mile from the camp site) was beautifully sunny and memorable for the incredible farming activity going on (do these farmers ever rest?!) and the variety of wildlife.  The photo shows one of my favourite rolling fields, looking towards Minehead.

Will the going be good for the first Point to Point of the season?! For those who aren’t sure what a Point to Point is, it’s an amateur horse race, much more relaxed than a big race meeting, where the public can get really close to the action and maybe have a flutter, in what is a wonderfully sociable day out.  We are lucky enough to have a fantastic course here at Holnicote.  The horses are trying to qualify for bigger races and there’s always a real mix of talent; some will go on to be champions (but which?!) and this makes the betting all the more interesting, backing an outsider might net you some serious cash if you’re brave enough to put some cash on it.  Either way, it’s a fun experience and takes place this Sunday, 3 May, from 1 or 2pm (you’re advised to get there early to get a parking spot with a good view).  Take a picnic or make use of the refreshments and beer tent.  If you can’t get to this one, there’s another Point to Point here on Saturday 9 May..!

Looking further ahead, Sunday 24 May is the date of our annual Duck Race.  Held here at Sparkhayes Campsite, it’s a much-loved family event that is held to raise funds for the village Carnival.  There’s the chance to name your duck and watch it race in a whole series of races along our carefully built course in the stream, with the hope of winning a small cash prize.  Goodness, I’ve just realized that it means more gambling… oops!

On Thursday 28 May, head to the Bottom Ship at pictureseque Porlock Weir for an evening of traditional sea shanties, a fitting location for such revelry and a pretty walk from the campsite (though you’d certainly need a torch on the way back).  

And if you’re still feeling competitive despite the chance to lose your money at two Point to Points and then the Duck Race, come along to Exmoor’s World Champion Crabbing Competition, again at our pretty harbor, on Sunday 30 May.  All ages are welcome (which is lucky, since I’m itching to have a go), bring your own bucket, line and bait (all available in Porlock and at the Weir) for the chance to win the coveted trophy, which was handmade by Bristol Blue Glass - whose studio at Porlock Weir is well worth a visit. 

Phew, you’ll need to relax in the peaceful surroundings of Sparkhayes after all that excitement.

It’s all go in West Somerset!  Phil is firmly out of winter hibernation and back in the seat of his ride-on mower (if you call the camp site during daylight hours you will likely catch him on it).  We also have a very smart new sign, which we hope you will agree reflects the professionalism we strive for – see the photos.  The One Show have been in Porlock, filming life in our lovely village.  There’s been Celtic reenactment at Wimbleball Lake and a great new event, the Allerford Open Day, during which we all got to have a good nosey around the delights of this pretty little village, including the prestigious Allerford Forge, which was commissioned for work in Kensington Palace no less.  The camp site has been busy with visitors returning and new and it was such a lovely Easter (thank you weather!). 

The glorious weather looks set to remain for a little while at least and we have all sorts of fun things coming up, to entice you to Porlock!  On Saturday the village will be alive with the sound of rally cars, as we host part of the Somerset Stages Rally.  If you’re a rally fan or just curious, the sight, sound and smell of these machines travelling at incredible speeds up our twisty, wooded toll road is quite something, not to mention the other stages including the spectator’s stage - Kennisham Forest.  Here you can watch all 165 cars compete twice (morning and afternoon) with the luxury of live commentary, toilets and refreshments.

If the rally really doesn’t appeal or you are travelling with a rally fan and need a break, head to Taunton this weekend for the Crystal Clear Holistic and Craft Fair, held in the sumptuous Castle Hotel in the centre of Taunton, 10am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Entry is only £2.50 and there are some brilliant free workshops and talks.  Apart from enjoying the atmosphere, refreshments and stalls, you might like to pamper yourself with a relaxing treatment. 

Next week, the inaugural meeting of the Porlock Bay Shellfish Project takes place.  We’re all rather excited as this trial project aims to see whether growing local oysters is feasible.  Just a few weeks ago, it was awarded the highest hygiene rating by the Food Standards Agency.  The Grade A food rating means that the oysters do not need to be cleaned before eating and can therefore be sent directly to local restaurants.  Watch this space…

There’s a lot more going on besides this tiny sample, get in touch if you’d like help to decide which is the best week to visit or just come on over to Porlock now, there’s always something fascinating to discover!

Welcome to Porlock if you’re with us for the Easter weekend – and a lot of people are! We are blessed with brilliant weather (see the pics for a forecast for Bank Holiday Monday, Sunday’s not at all bad either!). 

It’s been an interesting weekend so far; I took the family to Dunster Castle today where the annual Easter egg hunt was as egg-citing as ever (sorry), I especially liked the Alice in Wonderland theme (and the prizes always seem so generous for the £1.50 entry fee).  

There was also the added bonus of archery and pistol shooting, which meant fun for the grown-ups (who were not at all competitive, ha!).  Plus a wedding took place at the sunny Castle today and we, along with a few hundred tourists, were able to ahhh at the romance of it all.   A perfect day out and one that you can replicate by checking out Dunster Castle events on the National Trust website.

Looking ahead, it’s not long until the #supbikerun ‘ultimate triathlon’ at nearby Wimbleball Lake.  This exhausting but no doubt intensely satisfying event takes place on 17 May 2015 and the organizers say that with the terrain’s steep valleys and rolling heather, this event could be one of the toughest this year. Instead of the usual triathlon disciplines, participants face 3k on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), 30k of mountain biking and 5k of trail running.  

That’s one way to work off those Easter eggs…!