...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!
Monday, 21 March 2011
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!
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Interior photos
A few more interior photographs which hopefully show the standard to which Luggs Barn has been converted. Let us know what you think...
Interiors!
Although not quite finished everywhere, we've now got a few interior photos which we'll upload to the website as soon as possible. In the meantime, here are a few of the best ones! Feedback very welcome. As the snag list is finished off, and more items are delivered and brought out of storage, more and more interior photos will be available. For now, though, we hope these give a good idea of the standard of the conversion of Luggs Barn.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Competition winner!
The Luggs Barn competition has now closed, and we're delighted to announce that the winner of a half price low season short break is Ms N Blake of Horley, Surrey. The winning entry was drawn at random from all correct entries; we look forward to welcoming Ms Blake and her party to Luggs Barn later this year.
Thankyou to all who entered. If you weren't successful this time, you can still enjoy a holiday here at Luggs Barn - all off season bookings (short break and week-long) confirmed before Easter 2011 will enjoy a 10% discount off the published prices. Mention this blog when making your booking and we'll adjust the price for you.
Meanwhile, the first Luggs snowdrops have been spotted this week just breaking through the ground; a particularly cheering sight given the severe weather we've all endured over the winter. Check back for regular updates as spring approaches and look out for our special offers throughout the year!
Thankyou to all who entered. If you weren't successful this time, you can still enjoy a holiday here at Luggs Barn - all off season bookings (short break and week-long) confirmed before Easter 2011 will enjoy a 10% discount off the published prices. Mention this blog when making your booking and we'll adjust the price for you.
Meanwhile, the first Luggs snowdrops have been spotted this week just breaking through the ground; a particularly cheering sight given the severe weather we've all endured over the winter. Check back for regular updates as spring approaches and look out for our special offers throughout the year!
Saturday, 8 January 2011
January 2011
Happy New Year! After weeks of snow - and the emergency purchase of a Land Rover! - Luggs Barn is finished. A small snag list is being worked through by the plumber and decorators but basically everything's in place and it's all looking fantastic. The Land Rover meant that we could ferry the snowbound tradesmen to and from work and keep everything on track. Plumber Darren Kirk, who worked until midnight one night to get the heating on during the worst of the cold weather - which in turn meant the carpets could be finished, as they'd frozen and been unable to be stretched - has won the award for biggest hero of the hour!
Now for the shopping! Over the next couple of months we'll be making sure that Luggs Barn is kitted out for every eventuality, so any ideas that you'd like to see here - within reason! - please let us know.
We've already got enquiries coming in for all of 2011 which is wonderful and a great relief after a year of hard work on site.
If anyone hasn't already entered our competition to win a half price short break at Luggs Barn, please click on the purple competition logo on the website and send us your entry. Closing date is 16th January and the winner will be announced here on the blog so keep your eyes peeled - good luck and see you next month!
Now for the shopping! Over the next couple of months we'll be making sure that Luggs Barn is kitted out for every eventuality, so any ideas that you'd like to see here - within reason! - please let us know.
We've already got enquiries coming in for all of 2011 which is wonderful and a great relief after a year of hard work on site.
If anyone hasn't already entered our competition to win a half price short break at Luggs Barn, please click on the purple competition logo on the website and send us your entry. Closing date is 16th January and the winner will be announced here on the blog so keep your eyes peeled - good luck and see you next month!
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