Sunny day pics

We asked Conrad who stayed at the farm recently to send us a pic representing his stay in the sunshine... and he sent us this.  Beer in the sunshine, now that's what I call a holiday!

Swinging centre

One of the things we've done this year is to hang loads of tyres on the trees in the camping field creating a swing city. In our egocentric way we imagine that everyone's dream weekend is to sit in the sun reading the papers, eating freshly made scrambled eggs from eggs laid five minutes before, drinking freshly ground hot coffee and hearing the sounds of the children playing happily somewhere.  Somewhere.  Somewhere, over there.  Not here.  Somewhere where you know they're going to be relatively safe (as long as they don't fall off... or get knocked over).  Just an hour of peace and country quiet, that's the dream.  Well our dream anyway, don't know about anyone else... but we've made the swing centre in the hope.

Into the woods

the joy of the sunny weather is seeing the tents open to let the sunshine into the tents.  As well as the front flaps opening up the entire sides of the front can be rolled up.  This tent, number five of the five we have, is at the top of the field, it's a longer walk to the shower but is so private it's my favourite.

Wash time

Mopping out the shower room has become a quite therapeutic activity.  Mop mop mop.  We didn't scrimp when we 'did up' the old farm shower room and the showers are better than the ones in our house.  How did I let that happen!

Abi and the lamb

Here's a sweet pic of Abi who stayed on the farm last week.  I loved her cute as a button outfit and headscarf, she looks quite the shepherdess here feeding one of the lambs.

Abi wants to be a farmer when she goes up!

Safari so goodie

Big hit of the season so far has been the farm safari.  Children pile into the mini trailer and are sped around the fields by the quad bike.  They get to see the animals close up without being too feared of those great big Highland cattle horns and there is something quite exciting about being trailed across a field.  I get thrown in the back quiet often, and it still brings a smile to my face.  Next safari tonight!  And the sun is shining, there will be some happy little faces later to shoot I'll wager.

Little red tractor

It's amazing that there's nothing like sitting on a tractor to bring a smile to anyone's face, man, woman or child.  Apart from Dave that is for whom it is just... work... spoilsport!

Ginger biscuits or squeaks?

As you can see from the rather blurred image the new piglets are fast movers.  On the left is Mighty and the fellow on the right is called either Squeaks or Ginger Biscuits depending on which way the wind is blowing.

Some people don't name the animals that will end up in the pot, however, our children now completely understand the process and have lost their sentimentality.  They still have a lump in the throat when the animal takes its final journey, but when the smell of sausages is wafting across the yard from the BBQ they soon come running.

ANOTHER glorious sunny day in Devon today.  All the tents are full and we have a lot of happy people heading off to the beach today.  Some checking out the surf, some the sand, and some who don't care as long as there is a loo close by... mmm wonder which are parents of toddlers?

Loafing around

Cooking in an outdoor wood fired oven takes some getting used to.  In order to tell people how long to cook things for I'm trying my best not to just fling things and play it by ear, but to actually clock watch and, deep breath, take notes.

Last night made seed buns of varying sizes (cooked in 15 to 20 mins) and mini loaves (15 mins).

The oven is fired up next on Saturday night.  This time I'll put the rolls directly onto the stone of the oven, they'll start cooking from beneath straight away - and not keep the oven door open while I faff around taking pictures.  Think the small rolls in a high heat should cook in ten.  That's the plan anyway!

Little lamb

When you have a tiny little three day old lamb on the farm being bottle fed what do you call him?  Well for this adorable little chap there was only one name, Micro! 

We've been open four days now and have had SUN, with cloud and rain too of course, but the bright blue sky and sun was a joy to see.  Campers wrapped up warm and headed to the beach (and pub!) while we gardened, let the buffalo out of the barn to enjoy the spring sunshine.

We held out first farm safari of the year, with Dave pulling the mini trailer packed with children across the muddy fields to see the cattle and sheep in close up.  Lots of muddy ruddy faces at the end of that!

Today is changeover day!  Right now where is my mop...