Today saw the very best of Somerset. The beautiful small village of Mells held its annual Daffodil Festival. Sadly I think the daffodils have all gone, well certainly the ones in my garden, but it is an excuse for a great day out.

Its success can be marked by this year when we arrived we were diverted around the village to the over spill parking, it was closer to the action I think than the routine parking and certainly much closer than those who had opted to leave their cars on the very outskirts of the village. I suspect some are disappointed when they get to the village and find the parking is free anyway and it is an entrance fee that you pay to support the village projects.

Although cloudy the temperature was just right for a healthy stroll around. The burger stalls are in strong competition with vegan delicacies and Indian curry wraps and some culinary treat from Peru, I am sure it wasn’t guinea pigs but that is what they eat in Peru and marmalade if you believe in Paddington Bear.

In the main event field there was that quaint English tradition of ferret racing, no doubt later when much beer and cider has been consumed there can be competitions on how many you can get in your trousers with the legs tucked in your socks – not a challenge for the faint-hearted. There were jewelry stalls, hat stalls, Indian shawls, bric-a-brac and the good find was seeing two old friends; the lady from Wraxall Vineyard  where they produce an excellent set of Rosé wines and sparkling white and the lady from the herb stall found in Wells Saturday Market. We came away with some unusual herbs to add to the collection and an arranged call to return to the vineyard to top up with Rosé.

I can recommend both as purveyors of extremely good quality and good value products, but that is what friends are for.