Oh good grief – I knew I hadn’t done an update for a long time but I didn’t realise quite how long, huge apologies avid readers of the Sparkhayes blog…!  I think the summer holidays took their toll, having the children about the house and trying to keep up with them was a formidable task and it’s taken me until now to find all my marbles again..! 
 
It was a very pleasant summer in Porlock and we all enjoyed the annual Carnival, the walking festival, the events organised by our wonderful visitor’s centre and the host of additional activities organised by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park.  Even a visit from the Flying Scotsman.  We waved a sad goodbye to our wonderful road sweeper, Eric, who has always had a cheery word for us while doing an outstanding job at keeping the village tidy, but we’re assured he won’t be abandoning Porlock. 
 
In the immediate future, we’re looking forward to the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival, which runs from 19-29 October.  There are various events happening here in Porlock and many more across the moor, in celebration of our Dark Skies Reserve status, it really is a stunning place to see the stars (and everything else in the night sky!).  Find out more here http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/enjoying/stargazing/dark-skies-festival. 
 
As we move comfortably into Autumn, there is also the Apple Day events to look forward to, firstly the display of the apple press and rural crafts, which is held at Porlock Visitor’s Centre on Saturday 21st October and then Porlock Apple Day, which is organised by the custodians of the community orchard on Saturday 28 October.  At both events there will be pressing, merriment and delicious appley-refreshments.
 
I dare not mention Christmas at this stage (my brain is still somewhere in mid-June) but if you’re tempted to have an autumn break, do come and explore our glorious corner of Exmoor, where the woods are looking their very best in all their vibrant hues.  The camp site is open and the local hostelries ready to welcome the weary walker, so come and have a rest from the daily grind and refresh yourself before winter sets in.  We have some really glorious sunsets to enjoy.
 
Until next year… (only joking..!).

Well, if you watch the news, it would be easy to believe that 2017 has been a pretty crazy year already and we’re only a month into it.  If it’s all a bit too depressing for you, put down the paper, turn the TV off and start planning a holiday to pretty Porlock this Spring.  We are fortunate enough to be quite isolated from national and international affairs and have a wonderfully relaxed pace known locally as ‘Porlock Time’…!  Holiday-makers are already starting to fill their diaries and make bookings with us, so think ahead and let us welcome you for a relaxing break.  We have our usual booking of a large group arriving on 2 July and departing on 7 July, so maybe avoid those dates if you can, and for bank holidays the advice is to book early if you’d like an electric hook up! 
 
While you’re filling in the diary, you might like to note various Porlock events; there’s the Charity Duck Race here at Sparkhayes on Sunday 28 May, our annual Weirfest from Thursday 29 June until Sunday 2 July and of course Porlock Carnival on Saturday 2 September to name a few..!  We’re also anticipating the second Samphire Festival, held within sight of the camp site, on Friday 7 – Sunday 9 July.  Voted best small festival of 2016, take a look at the video on the right if you’re curious!  If camping at the festival itself is a bit too much for you (and the family) come down to the village and rest your heads at Sparkhayes instead.
 
We’re sure you’ll be delighted to know that our prices are being held AGAIN!  So the 2015 prices remain for 2016 and 2017.  Hopefully that’s a refreshingly positive piece of news, among so many worrying ones.  Have you been to stay at Sparkhayes in the past twelve months?  Would you like to share some photos on our blog?  Send them to us at [email protected] and we’ll be glad to put them here. 
 
Looking forward to welcoming you, campers old and new, for a fantastic 2017 season.  

Wishing all our friends a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.  Thanks to you all for your custom and cheerful support during the past twelve months.  We hope you enjoy the festive season and we look forward to welcoming you to Sparkhayes in 2017.  

Well well, November already!  Bonfire Night in fact, as I write this.  Where does the time go?  We’re in the midst of crunchy leaves and poppy sales here in Porlock.  It really is a wonderful time of year to go for a walk, the plentiful woodlands look gloriously colourful and it’s still possible to find enough sunshine to light up the view.  Having said this, we thought we might be forced to walk, when it was recently announced that funding for the local bus service had been cut and that it was to be cancelled at the end of October..!  We were all incredulous, as there had seemed to be very little notice, there seemed very little room for negotiation and of course a large percentage of the population in West Somerset rely heavily on the buses.  Thankfully, a reprieve was given; temporary for now but with hopes to make it permanent.  Here’s the low-down from the Free Press:
 
“First Bus subsidiary Buses of Somerset was set to cancel its number 10 Minehead-Porlock service and the Minehead 101 town service before a compromise was thrashed out at a private meeting with the company and county and local councils on Monday.  As a result, Buses of Somerset has agreed to operate a reduced joint 10 and 101 service for two months at their own financial risk while Minehead Town Council, Porlock, and Selworthy and Minehead Without parish councils seek funding to support a permanent replacement bus service.  Hailing the scheme as “ground-breaking” and the first of its kind in Somerset, a county council spokesman said the new partnership should secure the future of a key local service.”
 
So, now that we’re all mobile again (for the time being at least), we can make it to some wonderful local events!  Much anticipated is the Exmoor Christmas Gift Fair, held in Porlock Village Hall on the 19th and 20th November. It’s a great opportunity to gather some locally-crafted gifts and catch up with the news over a lovely lunch. 
 
Looking further ahead (dare I mention it’s not long til Christmas?!) there is Porlock Late Night Shopping on Saturday 10 December, a date that many people travel to Porlock for.  Another tradition is the Carol Service at Stoke Pero church, 4pm on Sunday 27 November, and some enjoy walking there (I am reassured there are usually plenty of offers of a lift back to Porlock afterwards..!). 
 
Enjoy November everyone and don’t forget to buy a 2017 diary soon if you haven’t already, you’ll need to start planning your next visit to Sparkhayes camp site soon..!

Ooo, I nearly forgot - Porlock Bay Oysters have new stocks of oysters available for sale in Costcutters, among other places - hooray!