Summer is truly spectacular in England this year. We've had weeks of hot, dry weather and it looks to continue well into August. We've been out and about a lot and the time has finally come for our short trip to Paris. See you on the other side!
Photos are of the Eynsford Riverside on a hot summer day and the nearby St Martin's Church.
Summer has finally arrived in England and it's lavender season! As temperatures eased towards 30°c this weekend, we took advantage of the blue skies and sunshine and headed out to Castle Farm in Kent.
Castle Farm, a family-run farm near Shoreham, hosts its annual lavender season each year from mid-June to late July. The first time I visited Castle Farm, I took the guided tour and learned all about the distillery process and the difference between lavender and lavandin.
On this occasion, we opted to simply explore the lavender fields and lose ourselves in their tranquility.
I certainly needed it! May was a very difficult month for us here in Kent. My 18-month old cat Poppy went missing for 21 days and it was only after a relentless campaign of posters and leafleting that I managed to track her down again. Thank goodness for my local community who kept me updated with sightings of her!
It's strange how mental health works though. I seemed to cope just fine while Poppy was missing, only to fall apart when I got her back. She was very thin after losing a third of her bodyweight but a visit to the vet told us she was miraculously okay otherwise.
Visiting the lavender fields and taking a moment to breathe it all in really helped.
There is nothing quite like connecting with nature to soothe the soul and heal our hearts.
That feeling of breathing in deeply and taking a long, controlled breath out is like nothing else.
And relax...
The scent of the lavender is so heady. It is not overpowering, unless you're a drunken bumblebee in which case it certainly is!
Poppies for my Poppy.
After pottering about in the field and gazing into the distance, we headed back to the Castle Farm shop to buy a lavender gin and tonic. We also bought some lavender products to take home including lavender cookies, lemonade and sleepy time tea.
Having worked up an appetite, we drove through to Eynsford for lunch at the Plough restaurant. Being such a lovely day, it was no surprise that the Eynsford riverside was full of families enjoyed picnics and paddling in the ford.
In the mood for more Bloom Scrolling? You might also enjoy reading about my first visit to Castle Farm.
Did you know that Poppy and her pack are on Instagram? You can follow Pebbles & the Chaos Kittens for cuteness and feline escapades!
I’m delighted to tell you about one of my favourite experiences ever, the day I spent with Billy and the kids at Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats in Kent.
Nestled in the picturesque countryside of Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone, the sanctuary spans over 40 acres of ancient parkland.
This idyllic setting provides a peaceful retreat for over 140 resident goats, with an additional 120 cared for in foster homes.
The first thing you realise when you enter the enclosure is that goats are not shy! They come barrelling right up to you which can be slightly daunting at first. After the initial surprise, you learn that these confident, friendly creatures just want a good ear scritch and maybe some special goat-friendly treats.
The sanctuary's name, "Buttercups," is inspired by the golden flowers that carpet the fields each May.
We visited the sanctuary as part of the “Buttercups and Daisies” walk for the Heart of Kent Walking Festival. This was my second year joining the festival, following last year's Augustine Camino walk. I love that this festival combines three of my favourite things: Kent, walking and nature.
How majestic are these creatures?
Buttercups Sanctuary began in 1989 when Bob and Valerie Hitch agreed to care for two unwanted goats from the RSPCA. This compassionate act soon blossomed into a full-fledged sanctuary as more goats in need found their way to the couple. By 2003, the sanctuary had grown significantly and was granted charitable status, becoming the UK's only registered charity dedicated solely to goat welfare .
Buttercups steps in and rescues goats for a number of reasons, including abandonment, neglect, and situations where they need a more spacious environment or the company of other goats.
There are so many ways to get involved in the sanctuary. You can adopt a goat for £25 year and contribute to the care of a chosen goat. Alternatively, for £25 a month, you can become a guardian and have the opportunity to visit and bond with your chosen goat throughout the year.
Buttercups also accepts applications from carefully vetted foster homes in the nearby area.
The sanctuary welcomes visitors on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, with opening hours varying by season. From May to October, it's open from 11am to 4pm, and from November to April, from 11am to 3pm. Visitors can enjoy feeding the goats (feed available for £1 per bag), relaxing in the tea room, and exploring the serene surroundings.
Our walk leader for the day was Michael Harden of Walk Wild, a passionate advocate for inclusive outdoor experiences. As co-director of Wild With Wheels, he leads accessible nature walks across Kent, ensuring that individuals with disabilities and impairments can enjoy the beauty of the countryside. My mum would have loved that!
Did you know that female goats, also known as does or nannies, can have horns? Their horns are often smaller or thinner than those of their male counterparts.
Conversely, some goats (or breeds of goats) are born without horns, a condition known as being “polled”.
Depending on their collars, you could tell which goats were available for adoption and which were a bit spiky and therefore to be avoided. Imagine my surprise when a to-be-avoided goat demanded a neck scratch!
Speaking to staff at the sanctuary, we learned that they really suffered during lockdown. Not only did they not receive visitors, but people weren’t able to buy manure from them which is a vital service in cleaning up the site. While I often avoid activities that bring you in contact with animals (due to concerns for their welfare) I really appreciated that at Buttercups, it’s the goats who seek you out. Visitors play a vital role in keeping the sanctuary going, and there’s a lovely sense of connection between the sanctuary and the local community. It’s a brilliant day out for little ones too!
Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats
Wierton Park, Wierton Road,
Boughton Monchelsea,
Kent, ME17 4JW
We spent four days in Windermere in March and it was a lovely, relaxed visit. We pottered about a lot, ate more than I would have ever thought possible, and explored the surrounding countryside. It was our second visit to the Lake District and I almost want to say that the weather was better in Spring than in June, mainly because we expected it to be soggy and bitterly cold. We stayed in a little B&B in Bowness-on-Windermere and took long walks into the village each day.
Take a walk with me through winding streets and alongside the marina for a tiny bit of Cumbrian charm. I’ll be back soon to tell you all about what we got up to in our four days in the Lake District.
On our whirlwind, 36-hour visit to Edinburgh, we realised at one point that we needed to somehow slowdown and take a moment to collect ourselves. We took a walk in East Princes Street Gardens, past the Scott Monument, and spotted the National (formerly known as the Scottish National Gallery). With free entry, we quickly agreed that this was a perfect place to while away some time.
The National boasts an impressive collection of fine art, featuring masterpieces from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, all housed within a grand neoclassical building. These were my favourite pieces in the gallery.
Robert Burns (1869-1941), The Hunt (previously known as Diana and Her Nymphs)
Not to be confused with the poet Robert Burns!
First to catch my eye was this vibrant 1920s panel which depicts the Roman goddess Diana in an exotic, jungle-like setting filled with wild animals and rhythmic energy, highlighting her role as the goddess of hunting.
William Johnstone (1897-1981), A Point in Time
Next was this abstract painting which features natural, light-infused forms and mysterious cavernous spaces, possibly inspired by the landscapes of the Scottish Borders. If you look closely, you can spot me in the reflection (I did not realise at the time that I captured more reflection than artwork!).
William Crozier (1893-1930), Edinburgh (from Salisbury Crags)
I liked this Edinburgh cityscape by Crozier which reflects his Cubist influences, using geometric forms and dramatic lighting inspired by his travels to Italy and studies with André Lhote in Paris.
Waller Hugh Paton (1828-1895), Entrance to the Cuiraing, Skye
Painted from memory with the aid of a pencil sketch, this dramatic landscape by Paton captures the awe-inspiring Quiraing on Skye, dominated by 'The Needle' and vast natural elements. The lone, kilted figure is dwarfed by the scene, reflecting the artist’s 1866 visit and his sense of the site’s sublime power. Can you spot the figure?
The view from inside the National – looking towards the Scott Monument and the Balmoral Clock Tower
John Duncan (1866-1945), Saint Bride
Next to catch my eye was this depiction of Saint Bride’s journey to Bethlehem, with angels carrying her across a seascape inspired by the Outer Hebrides. It is believed that the tiny clown (or holy fool) on the leading angel's robe was a self-portrait of the artist.
William Dyce (1806-1864), Francesca da Rimini
I loved this painting of the doomed lovers Francesca and Paolo from Dante’s Inferno, with its lingering hint of their tragic fate symbolised by the disembodied hand of Francesca’s murderous husband, Gianciotto. (Can you see the hand?)
Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-1873), The Monarch of the Glen
This beautiful painting caught my eye from across the room, with its striking portrayal of a majestic twelve-point stag standing proudly in the Scottish Highlands. Landseer’s The Monarch of the Glen, one of the most iconic Scottish works of the 19th century, became a symbol of Scotland’s natural grandeur and has been reproduced on everything from whisky bottles to biscuit tins.
Arthur Melville (1855-1904), Egyptian Interior & George Henry (1858-1943), Geisha
By this time, we'd worked up quite an appetite for a cup of tea and some cake. My final stop was these two paintings with their beautiful detail.
On the left, is Melville's Egyptian Interior, a serene composition inspired by his 1881 Cairo sketches. Intricate mashrabiyya woodwork and subtle light effects highlight his fascination with decorative detail, balanced by the calm presence of a seated figure.
On the right is George Henry's Geisha, where the rich patterns and sparkling details of the geisha’s attire, hair, and fan are set against a stylized Mount Fuji and patterned screen. These elements reflect his deft brushwork and the influence of an 1882 Glasgow exhibition of Oriental art.
The National
National Galleries of Scotland
The Mound
Edinburgh
EH2 2EL
Open daily, 10am–5pm
Free admission | Charges for some exhibitions