Late afternoon we headed over to Faulkland, Somerset to the Lavender farm. It’s a place I have wanted to visit, ever since I heard about it. It certainly lived up to my expectations. It was beautiful and peaceful. The lavender is not blooming yet, but the leaves are so aromatic that the air was full of fragrance. It was so hot and beautiful that we could have been in the south of France.
They have bee hives that were buzzing and people bent over weeding the lines of lavender. The farm is planting up another 5 acres. It is so dry that the farmer had hitched up a water pipe, under the tractor, which was drenching the ground before the lady, at the back, planted the lavender. It was a hot day and they had planted thousands already.
The children had not been keen to visit the farm. A field of lavender. Boring. When we got there they were so excited. They lapped up the atmosphere like it was honey. A happy place to be. There was an area with rabbits, guinea pigs and a little bantam hen, that kept them occupied while I selected some lavender plants and chocolate and lavender fudge to bring home. They ran among the lavender beds.
There was also a willow tunnel, on the kind of scale that I would love to do at home, but really cannot justify the space.
The girls loved running through it. I’d love to go back and see it when it has leafed up. Oh, and that is a rare photo of me in the distance (unless you are viewing this through Google reader, in which case you’re probably missing the photo and wondering what I’m on about!).
I think we could have bought a cup of tea at the cafe and sat and watched them, because they would have carried on having fun for a long time. TF had another fascination. He could not take his eyes off the tractor.
It was the end of the day. The farmer was hot and tired, probably ready for a cup of tea, but he noticed little TF. As he was heading off to the farm yard, he stopped (and turned off the engine) and let TF climb on board and be a real tractor driver for a few minutes. TF was so overwhelmed!
I find the farmer’s kindness overwhelming. It would have been so easy for him just to wave and TF would have been pleased. I’m going to try and remember this next time I’m tired and feel like taking the easy route.
After stopping at a pub for a quick drink, playing in a play park, spotting scarecrows in another scarecrow trail, we finally made it home. I wanted to give the children one last lavender experience to ensure they had sweet dreams tonight. I cut up some muslin and grated some soap. The three children then put a spoonful of soap, oatmeal and lavender into the middle and we tied it up with ribbon.
I have never seen them get ready for a shower quite so quickly. They used these to scrub themselves. The smell of lavender was heavenly as I tucked them in to bed tonight. They were so tired that each of them was asleep by the time I went up 5 minutes later.
And this one is mine. So, I’m going to finish off this post (much longer than I meant to be, thanks for making it to the end) and head off for a shower. I wonder if I could take my tent to the lavender farm next time….
Hope you all had a lovely weekend.
I’m going to link this up to 5 Orange Potatoes Outdoor Challenge.
People can be very kind when you sometimes least expect it… it’s lovely isn’t it …and all you can do is pass it on at some other time to some one else.
Love the willow tunnel :0)
Never a truer word said, Val. I will be on the look out for my next opportunity to hand it on.
The whole farm was lovely. All they needed was a field of strawberries and I would never have left!
What a delightful post! Love the willow tunnel…how I wish we had more willow nearby!!! Oh…and your nose must have been in heaven sniffing in a field of lavender…I will have to do those little washbags with Ruby…she would love it!
Maureen
I am still in lavender bliss. I’ve sewed a few little muslin bags last night, which I can vouch worked even better. Hope Ruby enjoys her’s.
Those pics are lovely.
Those bags for washing are clever! xxx
The children loved using the wash bags. Once the soap has gone, I can put it straight in the compost, or just the contents, if I’m feeling frugal.
The tractors are getting bigger I see! The wash bags sound great, I think lavender is my favourite smell I use it in all my home made cleaning things. Can I ask what camera you use, your pictures are always so clear.
I use a lot of lavender around the house, too. My camera is a Canon G9. We’ve had it for a few years, but I still have so much to learn about this little camera.
That willow tunnel is awesome! So is lavender. I love growing it and cooking with it. Beautiful photos, btw.
I think the willow tunnel is good. I wish I had room to replicate it, but I think I could fit in the dome part.
Oh, a lavender farm! I love lavender and just bought a lavender plant this past weekend and planted in our garden. I so enjoy their scent and I’m planning to dry some this year. The willow tunnel is fantastic. They are so much fun when the leaves come out and children love it. I haven’t noticed them over here, though. I wonder if it’s a climate thing or tradition. Will try to find out.
Willow structures are so wonderful. I wonder if they are a British thing. I’ve not thought of them being grown in just this country.
looks like a wonderful place to visit, and I love your lavender washbags, I wonder if they would be as good in the bath?
I should think they would be brilliant in the bath. My lot always lose the soap in the bath. Lots of giggles. The advantage with the washbag is that it easier to see and doesn’t slip out of their hands.
Oh I love your lavender soap scrubs!! I am doing this tonight for sure!
What a lovely blog, thanks for sharing!
I hope you enjoy your soap scrubs. Thanks for dropping by.
lovely ideas I always enjoy reading about simple yet effective craft ideas
Thanks Gemma.