Glorious sunshine!

What glorious weather!  This weekend we visited the famous caves at Cheddar Gorge and, as well as marveling at the incredible scenes underground we sampled some genuine cave-aged cheddar cheese. Unique and fantastically tasty, we had to bring some home with us, along with some of the sweetest strawberries.  A highly recommended day out for all the family, with lots to see and do (including sampling some of the 55 flavours of ice-cream on offer..!). 

What is there to do this week?  Well if the sunshine and blue skies make you feel like taking to the water, a lovely idea is to take a boat trip from Lynmouth.  This Wednesday, 11 June, Exmoor National Park are running a boat trip from 12 noon – 1.15pm, departing from Lynmouth harbour, to look for rare nesting sea birds along the dramatic coastline.  Tickets cost £15 for adults, £7.50 for children and include commentary from an Exmoor National Park Ranger. As it is an open boat waterproofs and warm clothes are adviseable. Booking is essential, contact the National Park Centre at Lynmouth on 01598 752509.

If you’re further afield but keen to be here, watch the latest installment of Johnny Kingdom’s Wild Exmoor.  Tonight’s episode focused on summer and included rare footage of badgers and a visit to Exford Show, plus Johnny’s judging of the Exmoor flag competition.  The programme is broadcast on Monday evenings at 8pm on ITV 1 but if you’ve missed the first two episodes you can catch up on ITV Player, just search for Johnny Kingdom’s Wild Exmoor.

While I’m here, here’s advance warning of traffic lights that will be in operation on the A39 on the weekends of 20/21 June and 27/28 June.  There may be hold ups and you might like to consider taking the scenic route ‘over the top’ to Porlock, via Raleighs Cross and Dunkery Beacon.