Parkham in May

While we arrived in Parkham to drizzle again, the weather soon

picked up and we were able to enjoy warm, mostly sunny weather

for the whole of our visit.

Since we had last been in the village the King had been crowned

and there had been a number of celebrations which we sadly

missed.  We did however attend a Coronation lunch in Knutsford

but there was no street party where we live.

We were delighted that, since our last visit, work had been

completed on our kitchen/diner and we now have a bespoke meter

cupboard along with new kitchen worktops and a new hob.  Not

being sure when the work would be done we hadn't prepared the

room in advance, which meant that we had to do a fair

bit of tidying up and removing of sawdust from the most unlikely

places, before the cottage was back to normal.  However we are

delighted with the finished job and so pleased to be able to use

local skilled craftsmen.

We ventured out to Hole Farm, which is a couple of miles south

of Woolsery.  The SatNav took us along some extremely narrow

lanes from Narracott but we eventually arrived at the farm.  The

gardens and the bluebell walk were open to the public under the

National Garden Scheme. We were amazed at the size

and beauty of the very natural garden and there was a wonderful

walk along the bank of the Torridge then, back into the gardens

across the top of a bank of bluebells which were at their best.

There was also the incentive of excellent tea and cakes in one

of the farm barns. We took a slightly longer route home but on

more substantial roads and it actually seemed a shorter journey.

The River Torridge at Hole Farm

With lovely weather for the whole of our trip we took the

opportunity to visit a number of local attractions.  The  tides

were perfect for a visit to Sandymouth beach followed by a

coffee in the cafe.  On two other occasions we walked from

Skern along the beach to Pebbleridge Cafe before returning

along the perimeter of the golf course to the car park.

The Beach at Sandymouth

It was a few months since we had visited Rosemoor and we

enjoyed seeing the fruit and vegetable gardens although

some of the beds near the entrance were empty, as the spring

flowers had finished and the summer bedding was about to

be planted. We were also too early for the roses but will visit

again next time we are down.

Whilst we enjoyed visiting the gardens at Hole Farm and

Rosemoor, we took even more pleasure from our walks along

the village lanes seeing the wild flowers in all their glory. 

Walking along the track past Bocombe Mill the trees were

also showing a range of colours from light green through

to shades of red. We just stood quietly  in the dappled

sunshine to enjoy the peacefulness of the babbling stream

and the bird song.

We did, of course, also do our usual social rounds including

spending time in The Bell and visiting friends and neighbours

in the village.  

As we plan our return to Cheshire we realise just how much

we have done over

the past 10 days or so and whilst we are returning for our

grandson’s birthday party  we are very much looking forward

to our next visit to the village.