Torquay Builders lend a hand
So it has been more than busy this last month! As well as doing all the Yurt & Tent Preparation, all the farming activities have had to be taken care of as well. Mark a Builder from Torquay (budgetalltrades to give him a proper plug!) Came and sorted out the decking for the Yurt while I got on with Farming duties. Nice one Mark, the floor looks great. Off he went with a load of eggs and a promise to come and stay once the Snow is gone!
Start of a New Year in South Devon
Here we are at the start of the new year and after a relatively quiet christmas it’s all systems go to get everything ready for guests coming to stay. There always seems to be more to do than you expect especially with strong winds recently having blown down a few trees around the ponds, also there is a possibility a mink is killing and eating some of the carp in the ponds, I’ve found two dead so far which is very upsetting as these were lovely 5-6lb fish in perfect condition. We have been collecting and preparing logs for the
Autumn is finally here!
The thing I love about this country is the ever changing seasons, as we go into autumn and the weather turns wet and windy it’s quite a nice change from those long hot summer days. The only problem is the days get shorter, and with so little daylight if the day doesn’t start well then before you know it you’ve lost the whole day and get very little done. At the moment I am clearing the cattle shed ready for them to come in for the winter, I like to keep them outside for as long as possible because although
Belltents at the ready!
We managed to get the bell tents ready in time for the middle of the school summer holidays and I was amazed at how many bookings and enquiries we received last minute. Things have gone well and we have had very good feedback from people staying with just a few bits and pieces of cutlery that we had overlooked. The first people that stayed came down by train from London with their bikes and rode to us from Newton Abbot Train station. A really nice idea – and environmentally friendly. We are now working to get the new shepherds hut
Busy on the Farm
The farm has been very busy, all the cows calved on time in April and may apart from one straggler that calved in August! We had 10 bull calves and 12 heifer calves by the end and they are growing very fast as they stay with their mums for between 6 and 9 months. Most of the work with them during the summer involves moving them from one field to another so they have plenty of grass to eat. At the same time we need to make silage and hay in round bales for them to eat during the winter.
Canada Geese
During the early part of May the Canada geese have managed to hatch 6 goslings on the island on the top pond and have now moved across to the river. The yellow wild iris have started to flower around the ponds and several ducklings are enjoying the sun. We now have 10 calves in total – all looking healthy outside in the fields which are looking a bit dry – although the spring barley is growing well. One of the bell tents is up , the rest of the site will soon be ready. Finally, take a look at Shaldon
Spring has Sprung
Hi, I am Peter, I farm Springfields farm and run Rocombe valley retreat. Nestling down here in Devon the Rocombe Valley is looking amazing this April the sun is shining some days without a cloud in the sky ,and its suprisingly warm for April as we are down under the wind. Spring is here at last after a cold and frosty winter and the wild flowers are out all over the farm , with some spectacular displays of daisys in some fields and primroses all around the hedgerows.Also, the hedges are white in many places with the hawthorn, blackthorn and cherry
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