Magnificant though the carpets of bluebells are, I have to say, individually, the brighter, paler blue of the Spanish interloper, as seen in our garden, outshines its smaller, darker British cousin by a country mile.

Pear blossom:

Rhododendron:

Broom:

Gardener:

The newly named edifice is complete:

I was surprised to discover that Adam Hollioake had been declared bankrupt; and even more surprised to learn he had taken up a new sport:

www.adamhollioake.com.au/

First and second storey completed; third still to go.

Although this may look like a couple of pallets crudely nailed together, in reality it’s a complex structure akin to a medieval Siege Tower.

A great time was had by all, on our Saga “River Cottage Experience” mini break. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting my camera, so was unable to take shots of the Monkton Wylde bread making day, or the final evening River Cottage banquet, cooked by HFW’s right hand man, who everyone was clearly in awe of, from ogling him on the TV.

My favourite moment was seeing the kids from the Waldorf nursery returning from their ‘outdoor activity’ morning as we baked the bread we had made in an outdoor oven. The teachers and children were singing a slow, flowing song, and they were walking in slow motion, too, crossing the fields towards us as if in a trance. It was like watching the Pied Piper.

Butchery instruction at River Cottage:

Mixing chorizo:

Cookery school:

My belly of pork:

Michelle’s belly of pork:

My eclair:

Lyme Regis:

The Cobb:

Gardens:

Tea in Thomas Hardy’s conservatory