Harrop Fold Farm

Happy New Year to all and hoping you had the Merriest of Christmases. We had a lovely Christmas, for the first time ever, shared with bed & breakfast guests who were visiting the area from Europe. Never before have we enjoyed breakfast with our guests in our dressing gowns…but…it was Christmas morning and jolly relaxed and enjoyable it was too – maybe the Champagne helped! We closed for New Year and had a family break in colder climes. Mulled wine and snow was enjoyed by all.
Now, back home relaxed and ready to welcome our 2008 guests.

A little sadness just before Christmas when John, the cat, unexpectedly died. He had a great life and will be very sadly missed. Lottie did pine, looking everywhere for her pal. However, the children surprised me for Christmas, I was made to sit down and was blindfolded before this little fluffy ball was placed in my hand – on close inspection it was the most adorable tabby kitten and following our theme of King’s names, this tiny ball of trouble now answers to the big name of Arthur. Lottie once again has a chum, we think really she now imagines herself as Mum, but frequently forgets and is found rolling round the floor with the kitten attached to her long floppy ears!

Rain, rain, rain seems to be the weather for the present, we brought the cows in today for the first time this winter, really because the land is so wet and to rest the fields. For the cows it was just another adventure as they ran around the farmhouse with their tails in the air! The ponies were looking a little jealous at the attention lavished on the cows and began to charge around their field but it is amazing how a few carrots calm our boys – well the four-legged lot! The two-legged lot require much more food preparation, speaking of which, must go and put the pastry round a steak and kidney pie, our footballing school boy will be home very soon, and no doubt starving – as usual!

Speak again soon.