What a lovely May Day at The Whtie House here in Dulcote. After waving farewell to our guests this morning we decided to walk down to Wells with Bob. I couldn’t resist taking a couple of photos along the way with this stunning view from our Dulcote footpath into Wells and once we arrived, the nine new signets of the Bishop Palace Swans.
The market was humming so after a bit of a treat buying two lovely woollen capes, we sat and ate an ice cream before returning home.
I found out this morning that the Bishop’s Palace in Wells is planning an outdoor activity area designed for pre-school and primary children. It will be called the Dragon’s Lair and will introduce children to the legend of the dragon slayed by Bishop Jocelyn in 1200 as well as Wells water and pools.
It sounds fun; with story telling areas for children and community events and lots of imagination in its design. Plans show it will be ready this summer and I have to say that I’m sorely tempted to go and see it myself……..
We all know the importance of bees to sustain and protect our environment and so it was good to read in The Wells Journal this week that Micheal Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury festival, is planning to introduce three colonies of Black Honey Bees to Worthy Farm.
The dangers of colony collapse has been in the news for some time now; we have already lost 3 of our 27 bee species here in the UK and more are under threat; and so its up to all of us to do all we can to help protect and nurture these lovely little pollinators. We’ve done our bit here at The White House by planting lots of flowers and plants known to attract bees and our new orchard will also do a little bit more to attract and sustain them. Unfortunately we can’t host a colony as Rod has been stung one too many times and is now allergic.
The Wells Journal puts the estimated value of Europe’s insect pllinators at £14.2 billion a year, and so colony collapse is economically significant in a county dependent on agricultural crops.
So – think about what you can do to help, if we all do a little then we can perhaps reverse the collapse.
The Royal Bath and West Show returns between 1st and 4th June. It’s the only four day royal show in the country and its history goes right back to 1852.
As well as the chance to sample and buy some of Somerset’s best produce (including my favorites cheese and cider) there are opportunities to view some of the finest livestock in the country
There are art exhibitions, showgrounds and a chance to experience canoeing of all things, the most exciting part is a new music area, with Michael Eavis, founder of the Glastonbury Festival, sourcing acts. Music will take place right throughout the day and early evening, and given his experience of Glastonbury, that means there will be a real festival feel to the showground.
Tickets are on sale now at https://bathandwest.yourticketbooking.com/events/royalbathandwestshow
And with The White House Bed and Breakfast so close, why not book yourself an early June treat?
My last post was focused on the garden here at The White House and at the risk of being boring……..
We spent the majority of the weekend in the garden, planting new shrubs and plants and finishing off the digging in the vegetable garden. May is such a stunning month and shows the garden off to its very best advantage – the blossom is everywhere and it really is my favorite time of the year. 
We had lovely guests staying at The White House last weekend and it was even nicer to receive text messages from them all to let me know they had arrived home safely having relaxed and enjoyed their time with us.
One of our guests, John Barrow, took the time to upload some of the photographs he took of the area and kindly gave me permission to add them to The Whtie House website.
Thanks John, and I thought everyone would enjoy them so please see below:
A weekend full of sunshine and memories that will last a very long time……
Our daughter Lucy had a sleepover party at her friends house, fabulous views over the Mendips and a starlit disco with huge bonfire followed by a very large number of girls sleeping (if that’s the right word!) over in tents
Meanwhile Rod and I made our way to a Tramps party with our son Edward. Again, deep in the Mendips with a band in a huge barn. Edward was in charge of taking donations for the beer and cider and I have a lovely picture in my mind of him sitting on the top of a tractor trailer, eating his hog roast, and surrounded by kegs. Stacks of money raised for charity, and a good Tim had by everyone
Sunday was hot and sunny, we waived farewell to all of our guests and after changeovers sat in the garden with a glass of wine and a book.
Couldn’t even imagine such a weekend when we lived in London and although we loved it there, never in a million years would we change what we have here.
The sun has finally decided to come out and stay out here in Dulcote with the weather set fair for the next few days. With all of our bed and breakfast suites and both of our holiday lets full (we are due to welcome our first guests to Park View tomorrow) we are all ready to enjoy this glorious weather. Temparatures are due to rise to 24 degrees on Sunday – residants of The White House can’t wait!
We have been extremely busy at The White House over the May Bank Holiday, welcoming lots of guests and also our daughter Mel and her partner Sam to celebrate our son Eddie’s 14th birthday.
The weather has been mixed but much better than the forecast with the sun shining for the majority of the weekend.
Despite the rain today, The Wells Lions organised another great traditional May Day Celebration in Wells Market place today with Maypole Dancing, Stalls, vintage cars and buses (one of which drove in a circit via Dulcote throughout the day), games, music and traditional dancing.
Yet another of those “I just can’t believe the bed and breakfast has been open for a full year” moments!
This weekend we are celebrating the first anniversary of opening The White House bed and breakfast.
We can’t believe this has come around so quickly and we are delighted to use this occasion to announce our new holiday let in the centre of Wells.
2 Park View is in a quiet and peaceful no through road in the centre of Wells and is in the same street as the property we stayed in for two weeks when we first came to live in Somerset.
It’s a beautiful quirky and intimate cottage and ideal to complete our offering to guests.
Take a look at http://www.thewhitehousedulcote.co.uk/the-white-house-in-wells-park-view/