An unseasonable February

We returned to the Midlands from Parkham over a week ago and I have just realised I have not yet got down to writing my blog for our visit at the end of February.

We were so lucky to be in Parkham for the unseasonably warm February weather where at times we were able to go around without coats and even sit outside reading on sunny afternoons.  Whilst we knew that there would be worse weather weather to come, it was a very welcome break from the cold dreary weather of January and gave everyone a real boost.

In the hedgerows around the village the snowdrops were joined by daffodils and primroses which we enjoyed on our walks with the dog.

The gardens at RHS Rosemoor were also coming into life again and there was a fantastic display of purple crocuses at the entrance.  Purple crocuses have been planted by Rotary clubs throughout the country to promote the campaign to eradicate polio worldwide.  It now only exists in very small numbers in 3 countries.  We have planted crocuses  here in the Midlands on the verge of the  local ring road, not quite such a picturesque site.

We took advantage of the lovely sunny days and walked in all the  local beaches.  Bucks Mill is our nearest beach but is just pebbles until an hour or so either side of low tide.   There are some beautiful views as you take the path down to the beach and although well surfaced, it is very steep towards the end, but well worth the effort.

The beach at Bucks Mill, close to low tide.

The beach at Instow looked like a summer's day except for the lack of people and Appledore was so peaceful with still water and beautiful reflections from the clouds right across the estuary.

Instow beach

Appledore

After owning The Granary for five years we have become acclimatised to life in this very rural part of England.  For example a short car journey can take much longer than anticipated when a major item of farm machinery is being moved or when sheep are being transferred from one field to another.  Somehow it doesn't seem to matter and we and other motorists sit quite happily waiting whereas, in the Midlands,  there would be  much revving of engines and tooting of horns.  Of course it is not always like this and you come across the occasional van driver who has his deliveries to do.

As we made our journey home we soon got back to reality as Google Maps warned us of major delays with the motorway shut near Weston Super Mare.  We followed Google's instructions and managed to avoid most of the hold up arriving back in the Midlands only 40 minutes later than planned, it could have been much worse!