Royal Bath and West Show

Last week we went with Ben, Claire, Thomas and Sophie to the Royal Bath and West Show, probably the biggest agricultural show in England. Hundreds of farmers, animal owners, cheese makers and florists had entered their cows, bulls, sheep, pigs, poultry, rabbits, goats, floral displays, cheeses and much more in the hope of winning the show medals. In addition there was a show jumping competition, military band displays, a parade of old vehicles and thousands of side stalls. We had a ride on the miniature railway (that's us behind the boy in the black top hat), watched the sheep judging, savoured the aroma of the cheese hall, watched the old tractor display and much more. After a long day we drove to the nearby Somerset town of Shepton Mallet for a fish and chip supper, then home to bed. What a lovely day.

Royal Bath and Werst

Sophie's wild flowers

Trees and flowers photos - I hope!

Trees and flowers

When I visited Ashley's Plantation, just outside our village, in April there were no leaves at all on the trees and the earth was bare. When I went a few days ago the trees were full of leaves and the ground was three feet high in stinging nettles and other wild plants. Using machetes, Ben, Thomas and I cleared a pathway through the plantation so that people can visit the woodland without being stung by the nettles. Whilst we were doing this Jenny and Sophie explored the hedgerows and came back with a bunch of wild flowers for the kitchen table. The photos for this blog will have to come later - I seem to have a glitch in the system!