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!

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.

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!

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!

December

Winter's here! We have several inches of snow and the lanes around Luggs Barn are only passable in a 4 wheel drive. The sight is extremely picturesque, although frustrating as it's slowing work down at this crucial stage! We've managed to get the interior cleaned up though, and are awaiting the granite worktops and long awaited carpets next week.

Don't forget to enter the competition to win a half price short break at Luggs Barn - click on the purple competition logo on the website to find out more!

November

This month has seen huge strides in the barn. The landscaping is now almost complete, and once the plumbers are finished we'll have a final tidy up outside. The parking and turning area to the rear of the barn is gravelled and fenced, and the little gate leading to the huge garden has been fitted. The outside seating area has been gravelled and the remaining garden area has had new top soil and is about to be grass seeded.

Inside, the chandelier has been fitted and looks superb. We now have almost all the sanitaryware fitted and working, and the kitchen is fitted and awaiting its granite worktops. The woodburning stove is already in daily use and much enjoyed by the builders! The bedroom carpets are due to be fitted in a couple of weeks and that day will be much celebrated after nearly a year of the building site stage!

We're also delighted to announce that the website is finally live! Visit http://www.luggsbarn.co.uk/ and tell us what you think! As the interior becomes finished we'll add lots more photos so potential guests can see the quality of the accommodation at Luggs Barn for themselves.

We're already advertising on several online directories, including I-Know Devon and Devon Online, and are looking forward to receiving entries for our competition to win a half price short break. Just click on the competition button on the website for information on how to enter.