Spring is well and truly here. We have a blackbird nesting in the clematis that grows around our back door. Alan has fixed a tiny camera up so that we can watch the 'comings & goings' via our tv, ....its really fascinating. There appears to be two 'babies' who keep mum & dad very busy as they seem to need feeding constantly!
The new hens have settled in and are laying fairly well so our visitors can now enjoy a new laid egg for their breakfast.
Ron & Annie from Devon are here for their second visit and love the changes to the Dairy. Ron has doubled up as shepherd & poutry man already. We were away for a few days and the sheep managed to find their way out of the field and into the lane. Fortunately, Ron was just returning from a day trip to Windermere and was able to get them back into the field, then the hens decided that the grass was greener in our garden than in their pen so made their 'great escape'!...
I'm also entering the 'Race for Life' to raise funds for cancer research. If you would like to sponsor me you can do so online at www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/elainestubbs1 . I am hoping to raise around £500
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Wednesday April 29th 2009
The reaction to the refurbishment of the Dairy has been great. Everyone loves it and its so easy to keep clean & tidy.
With hindsight, my claim that our visitors would have new laid eggs in their welcome baskets was a bit rash, some would say 'tempting fate'! .....Our two lovely little hens are 'no more'. Don't think it was the fox that took them this time, Alan seems to think it may have been a sparrow hawk because all we found was their feathers. Anyway, we've now purchased five new brown hens which should start laying soon so, hopefully I will be able to fulfill my promise.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Monday 23rd March 2009
The refurbishment in the Dairy is finished at last and is really fab. Could live in there myself! Its been alot of hard work and expense but well worth it in the end
The lounge area looks much better since we removed the sofa bed and have pu
t in a nice comfortable setee and sideboard.
t in a nice comfortable setee and sideboard.The kitchen is a real triumph. Trying to fit everything into such a small space was really difficult and took ages to plan but I think, in the end, we have succeeded magnificently. I can't wait to see the reaction of our first guests this weekend. They have been coming here for the last 15 years so they will see a tremendous difference
We had our annual inspection on Thursday by the Tourist Board and passed with flying colours.
The hens are laying regularly now so our guests will be treated to a couple of newlaid eggs in their welcome basket!
Sunday, 18 January 2009
18th January 2009
Can't believe that I haven't posted a blog since NOVEMBER !! Where does the time go ??? Christmas was hectic with the Shippon and the Dairy both having families in from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day then more families from Boxing Day to New Years day. Couldn't ask Sue, my cleaner, to come on Boxing Day so had to do both cottages myself. Fortunately the Granary had the same family in right over the Christmas & New Year so that was great.
It was really nice having the boys home for a full week but, no sooner had they gone back to the big smoke than my youngest brother arrived with his family for a few days. I seemed to spend the whole holiday cooking & cleaning........I'm sure lots of you can relate to this !!
Work on the 'hide' has started again so, with a bit of luck, that should be up and running by next month.
We're also planning big alterations to the Dairy and intend to make a start in February. The kitchen area is to be completely re-fitted and we are going to put an oak floor down in the lounge as its impossible to keep a carpet clean. The Granary is due for re-carpeting....such a hassle as we have to take all the furniture out, but it will be well worth the trouble when its finished. There's actually nothing physically wrong with the carpet that's in there it just looks a little 'old fashioned' now. We will have to replace the cooker in the Granary as someone has been too vigorous with a Brillo pad and made a real mess of the top surface. I have tried re-painting it with special paint but it hasn't worked. Anyway, this should all be finished by March when we start to get busy again
It was really nice having the boys home for a full week but, no sooner had they gone back to the big smoke than my youngest brother arrived with his family for a few days. I seemed to spend the whole holiday cooking & cleaning........I'm sure lots of you can relate to this !!
Work on the 'hide' has started again so, with a bit of luck, that should be up and running by next month.
We're also planning big alterations to the Dairy and intend to make a start in February. The kitchen area is to be completely re-fitted and we are going to put an oak floor down in the lounge as its impossible to keep a carpet clean. The Granary is due for re-carpeting....such a hassle as we have to take all the furniture out, but it will be well worth the trouble when its finished. There's actually nothing physically wrong with the carpet that's in there it just looks a little 'old fashioned' now. We will have to replace the cooker in the Granary as someone has been too vigorous with a Brillo pad and made a real mess of the top surface. I have tried re-painting it with special paint but it hasn't worked. Anyway, this should all be finished by March when we start to get busy again
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Apologies for the absence of any news since October. We have been away on holiday to New Zealand and Australia. Had a great time but the weather was terrible everywhere we went. In the whole month we only had approx seven sunny/hot days, so I don't want to hear anyone ever complain about the British weather again!
Unfortunately, while we were away, that evil fox got into the compound and killed another 3 geese. We've only got 7 left now and we have had to start penning them up in a shed at night for their own safety.
There's lots of tidying up outside to do. Everywhere is thick with leaves which need sweeping up and all the tubs and baskets need replanting with winter flowers and foliage. We must get it done by next weekend as the Christmas lights will need putting up shortly.
No further progress on the hide yet but will keep you informed.
Went into Liverpool on Tuesday evening and walked around the new shopping precinct 'Liverpool One'. It's fab, even though the shops were shut it was really lively and energetic. There's loads of bistro's, bars etc and it was great fun.
Unfortunately, while we were away, that evil fox got into the compound and killed another 3 geese. We've only got 7 left now and we have had to start penning them up in a shed at night for their own safety.
There's lots of tidying up outside to do. Everywhere is thick with leaves which need sweeping up and all the tubs and baskets need replanting with winter flowers and foliage. We must get it done by next weekend as the Christmas lights will need putting up shortly.
No further progress on the hide yet but will keep you informed.
Went into Liverpool on Tuesday evening and walked around the new shopping precinct 'Liverpool One'. It's fab, even though the shops were shut it was really lively and energetic. There's loads of bistro's, bars etc and it was great fun.
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Saturday October 11th 2008
The great Firework Competition in Southport last weekend was disrupted a bit by the torrential rain but they managed to get the show completed eventually. It really is a spectacular show and can be seen from miles around but you need to be along marine gardens to get get the full effect of the music as well.
Sadly, a fox killed two of our geese this week. It's a shame that those people who think foxes are cuddly & cute and should be protected at all costs, couldn't see how they rip apart a poor defenceless goose. So, while foxes have the run of the countryside, the geese, who used to roam freely around the fields, now have to be penned up in order to save their lives.
Everywhere is looking very autumnal now and the garden hoover has been working overtime to clear the leaves. The Bramleys have all been picked and frozen but we still have a few tomatoes left in the greenhouse.
Sadly, a fox killed two of our geese this week. It's a shame that those people who think foxes are cuddly & cute and should be protected at all costs, couldn't see how they rip apart a poor defenceless goose. So, while foxes have the run of the countryside, the geese, who used to roam freely around the fields, now have to be penned up in order to save their lives.
Everywhere is looking very autumnal now and the garden hoover has been working overtime to clear the leaves. The Bramleys have all been picked and frozen but we still have a few tomatoes left in the greenhouse.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Tuesday 1st August 2008
Have had a very busy weekend. Our son was 30 so had a family BBQ in the garden. Fortunately the weather was great and so everyone stayed outdoors. Had a few braziers and the chimenea going so it was really quite warm and with all the fairy lights in the trees it was quite magical.
The difference a few days make. Today it is absolutely freezing and the wind is howling, feels like the deep midwinter!
Our guests this week are walkers and they don't seem to mind the weather at all. Of course they have all the right gear and so they just don't worry what the weather is like they just enjoy getting out and about.
Also have a visitor from Belfast so I took him into Liverpool yesterday to see all the various art installations for Capital of Culture year and then we drove to Crosby beach to see the 'Iron Men' as they are known locally. He was very impressed with it all.
Princess Anne was in Liverpool today opening the second phase of the 'Liverpool One' shopping centre. Unfortunately I didn'tt get a chance to go and see her.
The difference a few days make. Today it is absolutely freezing and the wind is howling, feels like the deep midwinter!
Our guests this week are walkers and they don't seem to mind the weather at all. Of course they have all the right gear and so they just don't worry what the weather is like they just enjoy getting out and about.
Also have a visitor from Belfast so I took him into Liverpool yesterday to see all the various art installations for Capital of Culture year and then we drove to Crosby beach to see the 'Iron Men' as they are known locally. He was very impressed with it all.
Princess Anne was in Liverpool today opening the second phase of the 'Liverpool One' shopping centre. Unfortunately I didn'tt get a chance to go and see her.
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