Happy New Year Blog
We finally took out the last Christmas Tree from the cottages after a very busy Christmas and New Year with all cottages being fully booked throughout.
Despite the rather damp weather conditions over the festive period everyone really enjoyed their stays and we are looking forward to seeing them back again soon.
Some fantastic news to start the New Year on the right note was reading yesterday in the Sunday Times “Top 100 Holiday Destinations on the Planet for 2007” that Holwell was in at number 19 !! They praised the “working farm” element of their selection and highlighted the variety of activities that we offered.
The weather is really challenging us this Winter; in contrast to last winter when we had snow and frost to contend with, this year we are plagued with warm rain. The grass hasn’t really stopped growing throughout the Winter so far, but oh the mess;
We have had to bring the majority of the animals in to stop them “poaching” the fields but this has increased our daily workload considerably in the “mucking out” department. I was rather glad the cameras weren’t with us the other day to witness me struggling up the ramp to the muck trailer with an “over-full” barrow load when my wellies didn’t quite grip the slippery surface and my legs disappeared from under me. I emerged a few moments later from under the contents of the barrow.
At least Sebastian is pleased that his calculations last year on the increased demand for small bale straw and hay seems to be working.
The first batch of pigs of the New Year went in today. Just as well; we sold out of all the meat we had prepared for the Christmas period and had an excellent response to the increased festive range including our home-cured Gammons and wonderful free range turkeys from Frenchbeer near Chagford. This year will see more additions to the range as our Butcher Derek starts to develop a line of smoked and cured meats. Don’t forget, you can still enjoy our Dartmoor meat selection by ordering a regular Meat Box; 10kgs made up to order from £80 inc. delivery to anywhere in the UK. Phone us on 07976 535078 to place yours.
Despite the rather damp weather conditions over the festive period everyone really enjoyed their stays and we are looking forward to seeing them back again soon.
Some fantastic news to start the New Year on the right note was reading yesterday in the Sunday Times “Top 100 Holiday Destinations on the Planet for 2007” that Holwell was in at number 19 !! They praised the “working farm” element of their selection and highlighted the variety of activities that we offered.
The weather is really challenging us this Winter; in contrast to last winter when we had snow and frost to contend with, this year we are plagued with warm rain. The grass hasn’t really stopped growing throughout the Winter so far, but oh the mess;
We have had to bring the majority of the animals in to stop them “poaching” the fields but this has increased our daily workload considerably in the “mucking out” department. I was rather glad the cameras weren’t with us the other day to witness me struggling up the ramp to the muck trailer with an “over-full” barrow load when my wellies didn’t quite grip the slippery surface and my legs disappeared from under me. I emerged a few moments later from under the contents of the barrow.
At least Sebastian is pleased that his calculations last year on the increased demand for small bale straw and hay seems to be working.
The first batch of pigs of the New Year went in today. Just as well; we sold out of all the meat we had prepared for the Christmas period and had an excellent response to the increased festive range including our home-cured Gammons and wonderful free range turkeys from Frenchbeer near Chagford. This year will see more additions to the range as our Butcher Derek starts to develop a line of smoked and cured meats. Don’t forget, you can still enjoy our Dartmoor meat selection by ordering a regular Meat Box; 10kgs made up to order from £80 inc. delivery to anywhere in the UK. Phone us on 07976 535078 to place yours.
“It’s a bit soggy out here boys”
At the hotel we are getting ready for our forthcoming “Burns Night” celebrations on 21st January. This is usually a super night that helps see us through what is often a fairly mundane month recovering from Christmas excess. Our head chef Joe has again produced a super themed menu with the staring role being afforded to the Haggis. This is ceremoniously “Piped in” to the restaurant by our visiting Piper clad in full Scottish attire. We then “address the haggis” Burn’s style with a recital of his poem and toast it in Whisky before bracing ourselves for a gastronomic experience followed by some energetic “reel” dances. If you want to join us, check out the website; we still have some space left – http://www.holne-chase.co.uk/
With the pressure to reduce stock on the farm due to the prolonged wet weather, I have been reluctantly preparing my pedigree 2006 Dartmoor foals for private sale. There are about half a dozen; mainly fillies now ready to be taken on and will make superb children’s first ponies. They are all an almost “orange” bay with black mane, tail and points and are very pretty with lovely kind natures. Prices are from £750 each, so if you are interested, please give me a call; 01647 221335.
Our little Donkey DB7 is growing nicely and is a real character. He will be weaned shortly and as we will not be able to keep him as well as Martin the stallion, we will also be looking for a suitable home for DB in the early Spring. I suspect Aston is already pregnant again as Martin is nothing if not persistent !
Hopefully I have now found someone to develop our “equine” facilities here at Holwell. It is amazing that the most popular attraction that guests would like to see when they return to stay with us is to have the option of riding from the farm itself. This Spring will therefore see us phase in a small number of appropriate mounts to satisfy this demand.
We are starting to see more bookings from guests who will also be bringing their own horses and even have a visiting contingent from the Atherstone Hunt who we are looking forward to welcoming to Dartmoor.
With the pressure to reduce stock on the farm due to the prolonged wet weather, I have been reluctantly preparing my pedigree 2006 Dartmoor foals for private sale. There are about half a dozen; mainly fillies now ready to be taken on and will make superb children’s first ponies. They are all an almost “orange” bay with black mane, tail and points and are very pretty with lovely kind natures. Prices are from £750 each, so if you are interested, please give me a call; 01647 221335.
Our little Donkey DB7 is growing nicely and is a real character. He will be weaned shortly and as we will not be able to keep him as well as Martin the stallion, we will also be looking for a suitable home for DB in the early Spring. I suspect Aston is already pregnant again as Martin is nothing if not persistent !
Hopefully I have now found someone to develop our “equine” facilities here at Holwell. It is amazing that the most popular attraction that guests would like to see when they return to stay with us is to have the option of riding from the farm itself. This Spring will therefore see us phase in a small number of appropriate mounts to satisfy this demand.
We are starting to see more bookings from guests who will also be bringing their own horses and even have a visiting contingent from the Atherstone Hunt who we are looking forward to welcoming to Dartmoor.
“Snowdrops” emerging by the lych gate over the grave of dear old Batty One
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