The Dartmoor Journal: Countdown To Summer…

Its all go as usual down on the farm …

Latest foal count is 12, so that's a full strike rate from our clever stallion once again – well done Starfighter. There are just two full pedigree Dartmoor fillies left from the 2006 stock now.

Our baby donkey DB7 has also now fled the stable and has gone to a nice new home with another Dartmoor foal from here on Bodmin Moor. Parents Aston and Martin were very miserable for a few weeks but seem to be back to normal again now.

They were certainly up their mischievous selves yesterday and gave us all a shock. One of our regular guests arrived to park his car in the yard and was surprised to see above his head in the Linhay parking area, a couple of hooves sticking through the ceiling!

The alarm was raised; i.e. me running frantically round the farm mustering up all the "muscle" I could find and upon closer inspection we discovered that Aston had fallen through a hole in the barn when she and Martin were "exploring" after the sand-blaster had been in preparing the buildings for conversion.

We all lifted her gently out and thankfully she was unhurt, but very shocked. So was the guest who can now add "Donkey Rescuer" to his CV.

Hope you managed to catch our falconer George's "moment of glory" on Channel 4's "F Word". Albeit short and sweet, Glenfiddich the Golden Steppe Eagle performed to perfection by taking out a hare for Gordon Ramsay on first attempt.

Basking in his new found fame, Fiddich decided to take a little "detour" when he was out for a bit of training at the hotel the other day and was found the next day up at Princetown. Even the local radio stations had helpfully put out a request to keep an eye out for him and several sightings later he was spotted having a bit of fun with the rabbits up near the Prison.

Evie the Sea Eagle was centre stage yesterday down at Plymouth with the popular "Springwatch" TV series. Thankfully she had been fed before she went so there was no untimely "snacking" on small dogs or children!

One accident waiting to happen that did was Sebastian getting flattened by yet another cow. This time he was trying to re-unite a calf with its anxious mother who had temporarily "mislaid" it and instead of saying a grateful "moo", decided to charge instead and pushed him backwards into a wall. A broken ankle, finger and 2 ribs later; ouch!, he staggered away and eventually (about a week later) off to casualty.

Batty Two came to the rescue at the hotel last week when a distraught couple staying in the stable suites rang up to reception to advise that their beloved old Labrador dog had collapsed and was in urgent need of a Vet. Sebastian limped down to find a very sad scene as the owners of the dog tried to comfort the lifeless form in front of them.

A few moments later her ladyship sashayed down the drive towards them and as she approached in her usual provocative manner, the Labrador miraculously recovered, had a good sniff and padded off happily after her. His stunned owners looked on in amazement as Sebastian quipped "That will be £80.00 please!"

Tor to Tor has been busy on the farm developing a new range of sausages and BBQ specials. We now have a "Summer Sizzler" Box full of chops, steaks, sausages, burgers etc from £75.00. To order yours, just email us at info@holwelldartmoor.co.uk or ring on 07976 535078.

Coming soon … "Hound Tor to Tor" - Delicicious "Jumbo Sausages" that you can boil up for your dogs and slice as required. Full of 100% Dartmoor meat and goodness; we'll even throw in a few marrow bones too.

Also coming up next month we have the "Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust" Pony Sale at Holwell on 21st July. Everyone welcome and Johnny Kingdom's TV crew will be there to film him handling the wild ponies with expert Vanessa Bee.

Apart from a few gaps this month, we are then fully booked through the Summer, but if you want to catch the Rowan Berries and fabulous show of heather and the Pony Drift, then book now for Autumn. Widecombe Fair is Tuesday 11th September. Ring now to book on 01364 631471 or email us at info@holwelldartmoor.co.uk

See you soon !