Monday, 18 April 2011
Easter is available
Sadly our Easter guests have had to cancel due to personal circumstances. If anyone's interested we now have availability, please contact Sarah on 01823 681605 or 07521 363081. Thankyou.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Artistic touches
One of the most exciting parts of Luggs Barn being almost finished is the chance to have local artwork on the walls which guests will be able to purchase if they wish. We met with artist and curator Tim Martin today who showed us just a couple of his works which will be among those hung next week. They're absolutely beautiful - I just wish we could have them in the main house as well!
Outside, the cobbled yard has been unearthed from piles of concrete and mud and is looking beautiful. The original edging stones have been exposed and the curve continued, and the tarmac which had previously covered them will be bevelled up to them later in the week. There are still some repairs to do to one area where drainage ditches had to be dug, but even before the planned jetwash it's a stunning feature.
Having spent months sourcing and buying furnishings and equipment for Luggs Barn, it's a joy to be able to start unwrapping and positioning everything! Almost all of the kitchen equipment is now in place and the beds are awaiting their linen. The curtains are almost all up, and the blinds will hopefully be up this time tomorrow. The final flourish next week will be the hanging of all the artwork which will enhance the wonderful spaces even further.
Check back next week for photos of the finished article!
Outside, the cobbled yard has been unearthed from piles of concrete and mud and is looking beautiful. The original edging stones have been exposed and the curve continued, and the tarmac which had previously covered them will be bevelled up to them later in the week. There are still some repairs to do to one area where drainage ditches had to be dug, but even before the planned jetwash it's a stunning feature.
Having spent months sourcing and buying furnishings and equipment for Luggs Barn, it's a joy to be able to start unwrapping and positioning everything! Almost all of the kitchen equipment is now in place and the beds are awaiting their linen. The curtains are almost all up, and the blinds will hopefully be up this time tomorrow. The final flourish next week will be the hanging of all the artwork which will enhance the wonderful spaces even further.
Check back next week for photos of the finished article!
Telephone message!
A lady left a message earlier today wanting a weekend break in September for her sister's wedding. Trouble is, she only left half her telephone number - there's no area code so I have no idea how to contact her! The number she gave begins with 6594 which apparently is an Edinburgh prefix but I've tried dialling with 0131 in front and no joy. Just in case you're reading this, please get in touch!
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Spring has sprung!
Spring is finally here - this morning the field in front of Luggs Barn was full of sheep and their tiny lambs. Our own sheep are much happier now their field is growing but still glare at the new additions in their lush pasture occasionally! The two rams who had been due to move on last month aren't fat enough, so are going to enjoy a few more months on fresh new grass. We don't have any lambs of our own this year but are planning to adopt a couple of orphans later in the season as the children enjoyed bottle feeding Lily and Lucy so much.
The wisteria and lilac are just coming into flower and the bluebells in the wood are beginning to grow in earnest. The orchard's covered in primroses and is a spectacular sight and the warm weather combined with the odd spring shower has made everything grow almost overnight. The new turf has taken well and is ready for its first haircut already. One of the hens is broody and rarely seen outside her nest box, but the others are becoming increasingly tame - they have to be shooed out of the barn on a regular basis and are frequently found perched in unlikely places. When one of us is outside, they follow us like little dogs but have plenty of food and water so are obviously just being affectionate! Following intensive chicken training, Ted the terrier is practising lofty disregard - we'll see how long it lasts! Monty the golden retriever is oblivious to anything that doesn't roll over and play as soon as he looks at it, so the hens are safe from him - they're so confident of this that their new favourite perch is his back; they're often found pecking his fur and he seems to enjoy it too!
We're receiving lots of enquiries every week from all over the country and even a few international calls. A few weeks in June and July are still available at the time of writing, though. The largest furniture order is due to arrive this week so photos will follow later in the week! The countdown to our first guests arriving has begun!
The wisteria and lilac are just coming into flower and the bluebells in the wood are beginning to grow in earnest. The orchard's covered in primroses and is a spectacular sight and the warm weather combined with the odd spring shower has made everything grow almost overnight. The new turf has taken well and is ready for its first haircut already. One of the hens is broody and rarely seen outside her nest box, but the others are becoming increasingly tame - they have to be shooed out of the barn on a regular basis and are frequently found perched in unlikely places. When one of us is outside, they follow us like little dogs but have plenty of food and water so are obviously just being affectionate! Following intensive chicken training, Ted the terrier is practising lofty disregard - we'll see how long it lasts! Monty the golden retriever is oblivious to anything that doesn't roll over and play as soon as he looks at it, so the hens are safe from him - they're so confident of this that their new favourite perch is his back; they're often found pecking his fur and he seems to enjoy it too!
We're receiving lots of enquiries every week from all over the country and even a few international calls. A few weeks in June and July are still available at the time of writing, though. The largest furniture order is due to arrive this week so photos will follow later in the week! The countdown to our first guests arriving has begun!
Monday, 21 March 2011
Little Bo Peep...
...has found her sheep!
A farmer from several miles away has just roared down the drive on his quad to ask if his visitors came from here! So they're being collected this afternoon and brought back to the substandard grass here. We have loads of hay and grass nuts, though, so they'll be spoilt for a while until the fields start growing properly.
So hopefully we can still go ahead with D-day for two of them tomorrow...feeling a bit guilty for bringing them back now, but if they'd stayed with the other flock their days would have been numbered anyway!
Looks like lamb's back on the menu for Easter!
A farmer from several miles away has just roared down the drive on his quad to ask if his visitors came from here! So they're being collected this afternoon and brought back to the substandard grass here. We have loads of hay and grass nuts, though, so they'll be spoilt for a while until the fields start growing properly.
So hopefully we can still go ahead with D-day for two of them tomorrow...feeling a bit guilty for bringing them back now, but if they'd stayed with the other flock their days would have been numbered anyway!
Looks like lamb's back on the menu for Easter!
Saturday, 19 March 2011
March
The grounds of Luggs Barn are looking beautiful as the daffodils are now in full bloom, with primroses and bluebells already starting to show as well. We've had some glorious spring days recently with a real warmth to the air, so everything's starting to grow - the hedges and trees are now sporting that wonderful green haze!
This morning we spotted a stag in one of the neighbouring fields and are hoping that one of the many photos we took will show him clearly. We'll upload the pictures very soon; keep checking back! There are also more prosaic signs of spring, with birdsong getting earlier and louder by the day, and baby rabbits abounding in the garden. These are proving a great irritation to the hens, who guard their food jealously!
The garden will be treated to new turf this week; all the building work has taken its toll on the grass and despite the beautiful sunshine, we're still seeing frosty mornings so seeding may not have time to work before guests start arriving.
Furniture for every room is constantly arriving and in a couple of weeks time we'll have more photos as the various rooms become finished. We've also taken lots more bookings this month which is very exciting - there are still some summer holiday weeks left, though! Short breaks are also proving very popular; these are available October-Spring excluding school holidays and offer a cost-effective chance to experience all Luggs Barn has to offer for a short getaway from the working week.
As well as all this positive news, there's been an upsetting development too. This morning we noticed that there were no sheep in the field. Somehow they must have escaped and, we presume, gone in search of greener grass. However, having spent all morning driving round the lanes and shaking buckets of grass nuts, we've had no luck. We can't believe they can have gone far; they're all pretty tame and will do anything for food, so we're at a loss to know where they could be. There's no sign of any vehicle movement and we didn't hear anything so we're as certain as we can be that there's no foul play, but it's still a worry. We'll keep up the search and have told all the neighbouring farms, so fingers crossed they come home once they realise the grass isn't always greener!
We'll post a sheep update when there's any news but for now we'll continue with the fun part - furnishing and finishing off Luggs Barn ready for its very first guests! The countdown is on...
This morning we spotted a stag in one of the neighbouring fields and are hoping that one of the many photos we took will show him clearly. We'll upload the pictures very soon; keep checking back! There are also more prosaic signs of spring, with birdsong getting earlier and louder by the day, and baby rabbits abounding in the garden. These are proving a great irritation to the hens, who guard their food jealously!
The garden will be treated to new turf this week; all the building work has taken its toll on the grass and despite the beautiful sunshine, we're still seeing frosty mornings so seeding may not have time to work before guests start arriving.
Furniture for every room is constantly arriving and in a couple of weeks time we'll have more photos as the various rooms become finished. We've also taken lots more bookings this month which is very exciting - there are still some summer holiday weeks left, though! Short breaks are also proving very popular; these are available October-Spring excluding school holidays and offer a cost-effective chance to experience all Luggs Barn has to offer for a short getaway from the working week.
As well as all this positive news, there's been an upsetting development too. This morning we noticed that there were no sheep in the field. Somehow they must have escaped and, we presume, gone in search of greener grass. However, having spent all morning driving round the lanes and shaking buckets of grass nuts, we've had no luck. We can't believe they can have gone far; they're all pretty tame and will do anything for food, so we're at a loss to know where they could be. There's no sign of any vehicle movement and we didn't hear anything so we're as certain as we can be that there's no foul play, but it's still a worry. We'll keep up the search and have told all the neighbouring farms, so fingers crossed they come home once they realise the grass isn't always greener!
We'll post a sheep update when there's any news but for now we'll continue with the fun part - furnishing and finishing off Luggs Barn ready for its very first guests! The countdown is on...
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Early spring
Spring is finally in the air and we now have a few brave crocuses joining the drifts of snowdrops to cheer us all up! The days are lengthening, the lilac hedges are beginning to bud and the Luggs chickens are looking much happier now the sunshine brings a little more warmth to their lives! They're celebrating by increasing their laying and most are becoming very fond of being hand fed thanks to the attentions of our girls! Daisy and Willow are looking forward to showing visiting children around this summer and sharing the enjoyment of looking after the animals.
Luggs' fields are beginning to look more lush as spring approaches, but for now our sheep remain unimpressed with the length of the grass in their fields. Led by ringleader Lily - who can be seen looking innocent as a young lamb on the main website - they're becoming ever more inventive in finding ways to escape the fields and wander around the gardens nibbling expensive roses...even the expensive provision of grass nuts isn't deterring this small but intrepid flock!
The level of enquiries we're receiving even at this early stage in the year is very exciting. Bookings are now coming in throughout 2011 and Luggs Barn's very first holiday season looks set to be a great success. If you haven't yet booked, call or email now to check availability for your preferred dates - by booking early you can ensure you and your family are able to enjoy the anticipation of a much needed holiday as well as the week itself!
Check back next month for more news as we approach our official opening and the last of the furniture and equipment arrives. We're also looking forward to the hanging of all the local artwork by curator Tim Martin of BHAAM; this will give an extra dimension to the rooms and provide a wonderful opportunity for guests to enjoy the diverse work produced in the Blackdown Hills. See you in March!
Luggs' fields are beginning to look more lush as spring approaches, but for now our sheep remain unimpressed with the length of the grass in their fields. Led by ringleader Lily - who can be seen looking innocent as a young lamb on the main website - they're becoming ever more inventive in finding ways to escape the fields and wander around the gardens nibbling expensive roses...even the expensive provision of grass nuts isn't deterring this small but intrepid flock!
The level of enquiries we're receiving even at this early stage in the year is very exciting. Bookings are now coming in throughout 2011 and Luggs Barn's very first holiday season looks set to be a great success. If you haven't yet booked, call or email now to check availability for your preferred dates - by booking early you can ensure you and your family are able to enjoy the anticipation of a much needed holiday as well as the week itself!
Check back next month for more news as we approach our official opening and the last of the furniture and equipment arrives. We're also looking forward to the hanging of all the local artwork by curator Tim Martin of BHAAM; this will give an extra dimension to the rooms and provide a wonderful opportunity for guests to enjoy the diverse work produced in the Blackdown Hills. See you in March!
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