Signs of Recovery

Arriving back in Parkham will not be the same until The Bell is restored to it former glory rather than the burnt out shell we saw as drove up in March.  However, the mood of those involved is now much more positive and, as we left, the signs of recovery are appearing with the scaffolding being erected to protect the building and facilitate the repairs.  It was also good to hear that the grandfather clock, very much a feature of the pub, had been saved.

WIthout The Bell it is harder to maintain contact with our friends in the village but we still managed to see most in the 10 or so days that we were 'in residence'.  We are looking forward to a temporary bar being available in the village hall some time each week which will give us a chance to catch up with others on our next visit.

Some close friends moved this month from Parkham to Somerset and saturday morning was spent helping them to dismantle and load their substantial summer house into a van.  The summer house had been very well erected less than a year ago and was not prepared to go quietly!  There was some serious weight in the roof panels particuarly and I have to admit to being glad that I would not be on receiving end when the van arrived in Somerset.

Whilst daffodils and primroses are in bloom in the hedgerows, spring has not fully arrived and on some days there was a bitter cold wind to go along with the heavy rain.  We did however have some sunshine and made the most of it with walks on the beach.

Appledore from Instow

A few jobs were completed on The Granary including replacing an old rusted halogen floodlight with an LED fixture which now illuminates the whole garden.