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.

What a fantastic half term it’s been in Porlock Vale!  There has been SO. MUCH. TO. DO. We’ll all be needing a break during June, right?! Think again, there’s a lot to entice campers both active and restful during the coming month.  Thanks so much to all those who came along to our duck race, it was as usual a really fun day for all ages, with lots of friends meeting up to dream up pun-tastic names for the ducks..!  A great day, during which we raised funds for Porlock Carnival; a highlight of village life to look forward to in September!  We also enjoyed the World Crabbing Championship, held at our pretty harbor of Porlock Weir.  The winners scooped the trophy with around 180 crabs, what an incredible feat. These brilliant photos were taken by MnD Photography, thanks guys!

Looking ahead then we have great news for readers wherever they are in the UK; our beautiful moors, wildlife and customs are to be featured in a four-part series - Johnny Kingdom’s Wild Exmoor.  Starting on Monday, 1 June, at 8.00pm on ITV, these half hour programmes illustrate each of the four seasons.  By the time we reach winter (on 22 June!) Johnny will have reached Porlock and will be joining in with our annual wassail.  It’ll be interesting to see whether the cameras managed to film anything at all, since it was very dark while they were here!  If you don’t know what wassailing is, it’s time to find out… but we’ll save that for another update.

The Porlock Pantomime and Drama Society are planning to delight us on 4-6 June with ‘Are You Being Served’.  The standard of these performances is always second to none and if you’re staying in Porlock this week we urge you to come along, the show starts at 7.30pm on each of the above dates, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.  From what we’ve heard about the rehearsals, it’s going to be a hilarious experience! The doors and bar open half an hour beforehand and tickets (available from Porlock Hardware) are £8 per adult and £5 per under 16.

If you’re staying with us during July, don’t forget Weirfest – the real ale festival at Porlock Weir that showcases extraordinary musical talent from 3-5 July.  A minibus service is available between Porlock village and the Weir, with no admission prices and an all-day barbeque, it’s an event that the locals are looking forward to as much as the visitors.  

Finally (for now) – check out our smart new sign..!