Great News – all 5 Star accommodation!
Following a refurbishment of Mellow Brook Cottage (our self-catering accommodation) here on the farm we have been awarded 5 Stars. We are all delighted and I wish I could come on holiday here! The kitchen has been handmade by David Lisle of Macclesfield and has a lovely granite worktop and fully integrated appliances – luxury!
New bathrooms have also been fitted and may be seen with all the changes on the self-catering page of the website.
Leah bought me a new copper jam pan which I am using this morning to make some fudge, only problem is that it is very tempting as it is cooling on the table – must not look at it or it will all be gone!
The swallows are all in residence now and today are swooping round the yard catching flies and I am sure they are bombing the poor cat to tease him. We have had a problem with the buzzards as we believe that they have taken all but 2 of the doves, I guess it is nature but it is such a shame. The 1 remaining pair seem to not want to leave the yard and spend their time flying from barn to barn but will not venture down the field.
Time to put the fudge away and catch up on the morning’s jobs.
Speak soon, Sue x
Arthur in the basket
- Cat in a basket
Spring has really sprung into Rainow, Harrop Fold Farm has enjoyed the most beautiful sunrises (I’ve been up early for breakfasts) and the most stunning sunsets…enjoyed with a glass of wine! Today Arthur the Cat has slept all day in the stone trough outside the window…it is certainly a Cat’s Life! Last night 1 swallow landed on the telephone wire and sang his return…where are his chums? One swallow does not make a summer, but this is certainly a fantastic start.
First Lambs are arriving
Beautifully sunny morning and David’s lambs are starting to arrive. I went out to pick the daffodils for today’s guests and heard the lovely bleating of the newborn. Alice is desperate for us to bring one in the house but I think we get too attached!
Going to hang the bedding out to dry and hopefully take Emmie for a walk before our new guests arrive.
Sue x
Blackberrys and a Nature Trail
Thanks for your messages and glad everyone is liking the Nature Trail. Our good friend Tracey coordinated these Nature Trails for the Stay on a Cheshire Farm group and our guests are really enjoying looking at them.
News about the pigs is that they have not yet farrowed but we are very anxious birth supporters! Any day now we think.
The Aberdeen Angus have settled in well and David has been giving them corn daily to help them to settle, the only thing is now whenever they see him they moo very loudly…’We want our snack!’, they are adorable with such beautiful gentle faces and the calves are very lively and growing very, very fast.
The fruits are being gathered now, David collected some greengages yesterday to make some jam and we were able to collect a number of damsons. The blackberries are becoming ready and I think this rain must be making them very plump. So need to go out today to buy some jam sugar.
Next job now is the silaging, we really need abit of dry weather to begin this, but Rachael and her tractor are ready for action.
Leah has Cupcakes Galore running today and has now released her Christmas dates, check them out on her website www.leahspantry.co.uk .
Dashing to peg out the bedding to catch today’s sun rays.
Catch up again shortly, Sue x
Visit Chester and Cheshire Tourism Awards… and the winner is…
Yes, you’ve guessed, Harrop Fold Farm is once again Cheshire’s Bed & Breakfast of the Year. Another fantastic night in the company of all four offspring and Dad, we were thrilled and delighted (actually more thrilled and delighted than you can imagine!) to be called up to receive our Award. VCC really know how to host a party and we all had a simply wonderful night. The rain held off and we were able to enjoy a tipple overlooking the Racecourse in Chester before tasting our delicious dinner of the very best produce Cheshire has to offer.
Busy weekend on the farm, the chickens have hatched…the dogs have been tempted, but we have now put the proud mother with her chicks in a pen for their safety! Our weekend guests have enjoyed feeding them and listendng to them cheep-chirping. The pigs are growing daily and are so friendly, biggest son is home for his birthday weekend and we have been entertained by him ‘dancing’ with the pigs…well not really but they do look like they are dancing – maybe it is the excitement of feeding time, but it is fun to watch.
And talking of big son, today we have been baking a Cupcake Tower for his birthday tea, lucky guests arrived at the all important candle blowing time and enjoyed sharing the cakes too! Usually we greet our guests with tea and cake but today’s very wet arrivals on a motorbiking tour were treated to cakes and a very deep hot bath in the new tub. I think it was the first time I have drawn a bath for our guests but poor lady was dripping. Roll on Summer and abit more sunshine.
Away now to stew some rhubarb for breakfast, we took the opportunity of a walk up to Arthur’s yesterday evening to pick some lovely looking rhubarb, we are making a delicious breakfast treat with our homemade yogurt and Arthur’s rhubarb, it is simply yummy. Whilst we were up there we called into The Highwayman for a quick beer. It is amazing how green everywhere now looks after this warmer weather and of course, the rain last week. The grass is growing quickly now and David is going off to market tomorrow hopefully to buy some more cows to eat the meadow down.
Speak again soon,
Love from a very happy Sue x
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