Hello and goodness, have I experienced a time warp?!  We’re already half way through February half term..!  I’m not sure how that happened, though suspect it might have something to do with me being submerged in emulsion paint, masking tape and the heady satisfaction of getting the job done.  I have temporarily emerged, paint splattered, to wish you well and hope that you’re enjoying the start of Spring.  

There are all sorts of renovation works occurring here at Sparkhayes and regular visitors will notice (hopefully) some improvements to our facilities.  While we want to enhance what we offer, we still aim to provide traditional and some might say basic camping facilities, though our hot showers and various ‘extras’ continue to earn us brownie points in the wonderful reviews we receive.  

We are also planning improvements to the annual Duck Race, held here at Sparkhayes camp site, this year on Sunday 29 May.  As well as the usual hilarity (do I have to… the quacking good fun *groan*), the licensed bar and barbecue, this year we will also be offering the children donkey rides and a bouncy castle!  These latter ideas might help the parents among you to enjoy the bar and barbecue with a little more leisure.  There’s the added bonus of hopefully winning some money with your lucky duck!   Admission is free and proceeds go towards the fantastic Porlock Carnival (put that in your diary too, it’s on Saturday 3 September in 2016).

Returning to events that are closer at hand, Saturday 19 March will be a busy day in Porlock.  The keen horticulturalists among us will be up at dawn to put the finishing touches to our floral displays and deliver them to the village hall for the annual Porlock Vale Horticultural and Crafts Society Spring Show.  Then we can hop along to Porlock Visitor’s Centre where at 10am a group will head off to clean up the village and beach, equipped with bin bags and litter-pickers.  Finishing at 1pm, volunteers will at some point be aided with the welcome supply of coffee and cake.  

We have to be back at the village hall after that to witness the wonderful displays of Spring flowers and handicrafts, with prize-giving taking place between 4 and 4.30pm.  Having brought all our booty home, it will be time to collapse in front of the TV!  Entries for the Spring Show are open to all, not only locals, so check out the schedule to be found here and make sure you’re entries are in no later than Tuesday 15 March.  You’re equally welcome to join the volunteer group with our annual village clean-up, all help is most gratefully received.  

Right, where did I put that spirit level?!

Here in Porlock we are awash with daffodils!  Walkers are relishing the weather, even allowing bare arms to feel the sweetness of the sun as they tackle the South West Coast Path and other local paths and trails; which are all becoming more beautiful by the day with primroses and dog violets.  Spring seems to be tickling smiles out of everyone!

If you’re ready to unwind and are wondering how to spend your weekend, visit us for the West Somerset Railway’s annual Spring Steam Gala (26 – 29 March).  It’s a highlight of this wonderful heritage railway’s year, with six visiting engines pulling services alongside a further five resident engines – all letting off plenty of steam and allowing you to do the same!  A great weekend for the child in us to relish the sights, sounds and smells of a bygone era, to marvel at the machines that have been rescued from the scrapyard and restored to their full glory and, of course, to sit back and let them do the work while we contemplate a treat from the buffet car.  Retire to Sparkhayes in the evening to compare notes and have a nice hot shower.

If you’d prefer some quiet reflection and a chance to celebrate the season, the annual Porlock Spring Show happens to be this weekend (28 March) and provides a concentrated dose of spring.  Walking into the village hall on Saturday and witnessing the hundreds of spring flowers on show cannot fail to lift the spirits.  If it does there’s always the coffee, cake and a friendly chat to fall back on!  Local gardeners are grateful for this week’s sunshine as they prepare their exhibits – who will win a rosette or claim a trophy this year?!

For those who fancy being active, our friends at Exmoor Adventures are now taking bookings for white water kayaking, canoeing, climbing, mountain biking and more this Easter.  Available as one-day courses and at really good prices (for example £25 for a one-day guided mountain bike ride on Exmoor - all equipment included) – it’s the perfect opportunity to push the boundaries and learn something new perhaps?!

We would be delighted to welcome you to Sparkhayes.  The fields are fresh and inviting, ready to receive the enthusiastic groups, the families in need of family time, the worn-out workers, the adventure-seekers and those needing to retreat.  Speak to us for great local recommendations about where to visit for a memorable meal or an interesting day out.