The Changing Seasons at Parnacott
Parnacott changes month by month as the year unfolds. Each month brings its own joys and revelations. Read on and let us share them with you.
January
Happy New Year!
February
I look upon February as the month of the snowdrop during which our camellias start to flower, daffodils begin to delight us and bluebell shoots gain height and strength. February is the month of the Spring half-term school holiday and for me, an ex-teacher, this was when the mornings weren't quite so dark and the afternoons gave us some daylight after work - so very welcome! Yes, there will be wind and rain, there will be, as today bitter nor-easterlies and sometimes snow but overall a corner has been turned and we really begin to head into the full glory of Spring at Parnacott.
March
March winds and April showers, as I recall. Chaucer's pilgrims are thinking about April, and are gathering at the Tabbard Inn in Southwark, but first they have to get through March. Here at Parnacott that is not difficult! More camellias and more daffodils delight us and the mature rhododendrons get their act together. Primroses delight us along with the blue of periwinkle. It is a glorious month of renewal - a perfect time to get together with friends and family and celebrate life here at Parnacott.
April
April has come in with full sun and promises to be a lovely month. This year, 2025, it will host Easter - chocolate, egg hunts in the garden, barbecues and trips to the coast.
'Oh to be in England now that April's there' wrote Robert Browning in 'Home Thoughts from Abroad' and how right he was. As well as the rhododendrons - stunning this year - daffodils, primroses and camellias, the first bluebells are in flower. The scent of newly cut grass perfumes the air and the sky is a vivid blue. One of my favourite months.
May
Sunshine for a whole week and it really felt like summer! Now we have rain and sun. Nevertheless, it is very beautiful here and the hot tub is up and looking good.
Our half-term family is very excited about their forthcoming holiday - understandably so.
Walls are being power washed and repainted. Everything is looking brighter. It's all good, very good!
Stop Press
Crooklets and Summerleaze, both beaches in Bude, have just been awarded Blue Flag status for water quality. This is the highest possible award for water quality. (Blue Flag is the international quality mark for beaches.) Widemouth, just down the coast from Bude, has also been awarded Blue Flag status.
Seaside Awards have gone to Crackington Haven, Widemouth Bay, Crooklets and Summerleaze.
All these beaches are within easy driving distance of Parnacott.
June
As we approach this beautiful month, we learn that the weather will get warmer. At Parnacott it is the time of roses and even more hydrangeas.
The traditional charcoal BBQ is already in action. Next will be croquet on the lawn, Pimm's and, of course, strawberries and clotted Cornish cream.
Half way through June now and we are enjoying sun and some showers. The roses are coming into flower and the American Pillar is putting on a good show.
Our woodpeckers are stocking up on the peanuts - a lovely sight.
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July
July came to us in at least two very different parts! From rain and wind via sunny intervals and more wind to full summer days. The swallows arrived, very unexpectedly, fed their brood and then we saw them fledge. Now they have gone but how we hope they will return next year! Our bird population is growing and we can hear at least one barn owlet hissing away of an evening in one of our barns.
A badger has been spotted down the lane but, sadly, not by me.
August
Our busiest month at Parnacott and one that is rich in children and adults alike all having fun outside on the spacious front lawns. This year exploring the Wilderness Garden has also been on the agenda and camps have been set up. Our visiting dogs have really enjoyed the space and the smells outside and since we lost our much beloved Wilfie in June and our hearts broke, I've loved being able to make a fuss of holidaymakers' dogs. It's worth noting that the whole area is definitely dog friendly.
Croquet and Badminton well into the summer evenings allowed friendly rivalry to blossom, and the hot tub was also well used.
As expected the coast has been extremely popular and Sandy Mouth seems to be the favourite beach with Black rock Beach down at Widemouth Bay coming second. Parents with very young children have found the Sea Pool on Bude's Summerleaze Beach a firm favourite.
