A temporary diversion, from a couple of weeks ago in Cornwall (eight posts done, three to go) to yesterday in Somerset.
This eponymous company grows and makes lavender products in the village of Faulkland, near the former coal-mining town of Radstock. The interesting history of the farm, which links miners and dairy farming to the current crop, is here. They invite the public in to wander in their fields, to buy their plants (not only lavender), to visit their gift shop, and to partake of sweet and other things in their café. I did all those things yesterday.
The thousands of bees, both honey and bumble of that ilk, and the occasional butterfly, were far too busy to pose for a decent photograph.
There were large patches of oil seed rape at the edges of the two fields of lavender. I have not been able to find out their purpose, as they were not extensive enough to be a crop.
Beyond one lavender field was a large one of pale mauve phacelia,
which I have learned since has many uses including green manure. So perhaps lavender (or sunflowers, for the farm grows these as well, and you may also wander among those, the time come) will be planted there next year.
There were also some beautiful flowerbeds near the entrance.
I ended up at the gift shop and café. I did purchase, a wheat and lavender warmer.
And an ice cream, of which for me there could only be one flavour. It was delicious, though perhaps that had something to do also with the oodles of double cream that went into making it.
All five senses pleased in a couple of hours. Sight in the fields and garden; hearing from the bees; smell from the delicate scent coming off the lavender plants; taste from that gorgeous icecream; and touch from the lovely velvet covering of the warmer.
Musiewild's blog 