Summer time...

...and we have a fox to outwit.

We've had a spate of losses lately and after a good run for a few years are now convinced we need to fence the hens and ducks in. We're still concerned that being in an enclosure might make them more vulnerable as they can't get away if he does get in, but we're giving it a try.

We sadly lost a chick last weekend - it didn't wake up one morning, despite having been pecking happily around the previous day - but the other 4 are doing well. They regularly frighten us by disappearing into the undergrowth and squeezing through fences into the fox's territory, but so far always make it back of the safety of Mum. They're growing feathers and already look slightly gangly, we think 3 are cockerels and one is a hen, so fingers crossed she makes it through the hurdles of the next few months.

Finally, after a long wait in the cold and wet, our vegetable garden is looking superb. There are lots of weeds, as there are never enough hours in the day, but loads of wonderful veg too - we've seen a courgette, the potatoes are struggling but tasty when we find them, the broad and runner beans are well on their way, lettuces have been providing salads most evenings for several weeks, and tonight we picked our first ever peas and tasted a few straight from the pod. They were just as delicious as we'd hoped and will probably never make it to the cooker, I think fresh in salads will be the best way to enjoy them.

Autumn bookings are starting to come in now - once the children are off school and the pace of life slows slightly, why not plan ahead for an autumn break? Contact us for availability and prices and make the most of what's promised to be an Indian summer this year...

New arrivals at Luggs!

We have 5 new chicks! Can't tell just yet how many are cockerels...but for now they're gorgeous and fluffy and doing well.

Bill had to help the youngest one out of its shell as Mum had lost interest and was busy with the others. He kept it warm in his hands all evening until it started cheeping, and now she's looking after them all beautifully. At the moment we don't feel we can let them out though, as the buzzards usually start circling in minutes!

We had a beautiful hot sunny day yesterday (Sunday) which improved everyone's spirits after so much rain. We cooked brunch on a camp fire in the field, helped by the dogs. Ted burnt his nose getting too close to the bacon fat! He's now back in his favourite sentry spot at the top of the stone stairs outside Luggs Barn...

Thinking ahead...autumn/winter 2012!

Delighted to announce that Christmas 2012 is now booked! New Year has been booked for several months. If anyone can bear to think ahead to autumn half term, perhaps now's the time...special holidays get booked up very quickly!

Here's a picture of the apples in the orchard last autumn to get you in the mood...

New email!

We've been having trouble with our existing email address lately - it's a forwarding address to an old email account and is proving unreliable. We now have another email address which will hopefully work in tandem with the old one for now:

luggsbarn@gmail.com

You are welcome to use any of the email addresses on our literature but hopefully this one will mean that anyone currently having trouble contacting us will find it easier!

Don't tell the fox...

...but we've booked to collect 10 ex-battery hens in a few weeks' time! Very pleased to have arranged it, the last lot were ex-battery and were very happy and great layers once they settled in.

Here's a picture of our last intake when they first arrived - all we need to do now is try to create a more fox-proof environment. The geese proved useless as a deterrent, despite their great ferocity to toddlers and dogs, so fingers crossed our new arrivals last longer than a year...

Hopefully it won't be long before we're well supplied with eggs for our regular customers at Hemyock Preschool and Primary School! Luckily the ducks are still laying well so none of our regulars have had to resort to Waitrose just yet!

Garden update

A few photos of progress in the garden so far! Roses and irises are coming out, and the lilac and wisteria have been glorious for the past couple of weeks. All the beds around Luggs Barn, and the one in front of the main house, have been planted up and already we can see a huge difference as the plants begin to flourish. 

The moment the plants arrived! Big - and expensive - day for us, but well worth it!

Child labour in the kitchen garden!

Main house viewed from courtyard. New planting on the left and just behind the front wall.

The main veg bed after 3 weeks of sunshine!

Spot the ducks...and we're so thrilled to see the pink roses again

May/June last minute deals!

The woodland is carpeted with bluebells and wild orchids

After a madly busy early Spring and Easter period, we have a few spaces in the diary before the summer season is upon us. At the time of writing the following periods are available, and the later the booking, the better the deal. Contact us for more details but some dates are half price!

21-25 May
25-28 May
28-31 May
11-15 June
15-18 June
18-22 June

3, 4 or 7 night stays are available. Even at our normal rates it's cheaper per person per night than some Travelodges! So by booking late you'll get a top class holiday in some of this country's most beautiful scenery for a ridiculously low price...and if you're quick, you'll see the bluebells!

Late bookings may be less flexible on bed configuration depending on our linen suppliers, but 8 people can be accommodated with ease in 4 bedrooms. There's also a single folding bed and ample space for ready beds and cots.