How time flies when you're having fun.  We've had a wonderful summer here at Sparkhayes Farm camp site and want to thank all our wonderful campers for sharing their days with us, we've met so many interesting people and heard so many fascinating stories.  It's heart-warming to know that we have many loyal campers who return year after year; one such customer is George Giltrap, who has been coming to camp at Sparkhayes for 35 years no less!  He kindly sent us these great photos from his stay this year.  We'll look forward to seeing you again next summer George.  Thank you everyone - if you have photos from your stay at Sparkhayes and you're happy to share them, do send them to us at [email protected] :) 

Here’s a great video, two of our recent campers cycled up the indomitable Porlock Hill and proved it could be done, with enough grit and determination!  The route back down the Toll Road looked more fun!  Well done Neil and Shane and thanks for letting us share; good luck with The Wrong Way Back..!
 
We’re now anticipating Porlock Carnival and the streets are decked with colourful bunting.  The excitement starts at 6pm on Saturday 3 September; the carnival procession will leave the main car park, travel along the High Street and do a loop around Sparkhayes Lane before returning to the start, so those spectators who are watching from the High Street will see the floats pass twice.  If you haven’t witnessed this spectacle before, come along and support it, it’s great fun and funds are being raised for local charities.  Best of luck to those taking part!
 
Finally, please see the information to the right about a guided walk by the Exmoor Society, as mentioned before Culbone is a magical place to visit and we’re lucky to be adjacent to the fabulous Coleridge Way, find out more and follow Coleridge to Culbone!

So what is occurring as the season slides into Autumn?  The schools are back but there’s still plenty to entertain visitors to Porlock.  The ‘Discover Porlock’ guided walks continue to be available (for now!).  They start from the Visitor Centre at 10.30am, are free of charge (donations to Care Moor) and last approximately two hours.  Join one to discover the history and formation of the Porlock Bay landscape and how this has affected the village and surrounding area.  The final three dates for this season are: 11th, 21st and 25th September.

We’ve also got the Smuggler’s Run to look forward to this weekend, at 12 noon on Saturday 12 September.  Teams of smugglers will be trying to evade and outwit the excisemen while carrying barrels across Porlock Marsh.  The teams must race from the Top Ship at Porlock to the Bottom Ship at Porlock Weir, fancy dress being optional.  There are free drinks for all participants and, for the winners, five litre kegs of Tribute Ale (thanks to St Austell Brewery) and Smugglers Gold tea (thanks to Miles Tea & Coffee).   Lots of fun for spectators and the rather crazy participants; it’s not too late to get your team entry in. *** STOP PRESS***!  Smugglers Run sadly cancelled due to low number of entries - uh! :( 

On 19 and 20 September, from 2-6pm, Porlock opens its gardens to the public and lets us all in for a good snoop, the gardeners have been working hard and every year the reports are fantastic.  Tickets are available from the Visitor Centre or in the village for a cost of £5, which is donated to St Margaret’s Hospice.  No dogs please.

Finally on Sunday 20 September, we will be out to witness the Porlock Hill Climb cycle race.  This is a closed route time trial, covering 4.2 miles of the scenic Porlock Toll Road with an average gradient of 5%, which takes some grit and determination! The main race is followed by a two-mile junior’s version and then the road is opened to families and anyone wishing to enjoy the use of the road while it’s closed to normal traffic; the Porlock Pedal earns all participants a medal, which is kindly sponsored by Miles Tea and Coffee. More information is available at www.porlockhillclimb.co.uk.  Let’s hope for some pleasant weather and we’ll hope to see you there!