SIlverbacks, social media and traction engines...

​This weekend the camp site is busy with people attending Weirfest – a brilliant small music and real ale festival held at our little harbour of Porlock Weir.  There’s always a great line up of live music and it’s a very pleasant place to sit and while away an hour, or two, or three with refreshments and good company.  Phil has had a rare break from his mower and been down there himself, he was impressed with the Silverbacks (I don’t like to admit I haven’t heard of them).
 
If you happen to be on Facebook, you can now look up Sparkhayes Campsite and check out the photos that Phil has posted there, among other things.  I truly never thought I’d see him on Facebook but I’ve been proved wrong!  The official Sparkhayes Facebook page is still in its infancy and doesn’t have a lot of content, but please add your own photos, etc if you like. We’ve had lots of campers ‘checking in’ on Facebook, which is pleasing, though they must be using their own 3G / 4G because we have always stuck by our ‘no wifi’ rule at Sparkhayes and tried to encourage our guests to unplug and unwind.  It’s such a peaceful, relaxing place to be and free wifi is available in the local pubs and cafes.  Some say our site is too basic, others love it because it is basic and in an era of having every need met before you even know it’s a need, it seems refreshing to stick to traditional camping at its best.
 
Talking of traditional, we’ve had a rare phenomenon happening this week – traction engines steaming up Porlock Hill!  If I can find a photo for you I will add it here asap.  But I have no idea where they were heading or if there was any purpose to the excursion other than the fun of finding out if they could get up the longest, steepest A-road in the country.  And did they get back down?  Were there brakes sufficient?!  If anyone has any further information I’d be glad to know ([email protected]), otherwise I’ll keep my ear to the ground.
 
The ground is unseasonably damp and it’s very frustrating but we thank all the campers (and determined Weirfest attendees) for putting up with it and we’re all keeping our fingers crossed that the sun will soon put his hat on and come back out to play!