March Blog 2008

Earlier this month we welcomed a new family to Holwell, and it’s just as well we don’t have any near neighbours !!

Pictured above is our first litter of Wild Boar cross piglets at one day old. The parents are hybrids of Wild Boar that have been crossed with the Tamworth variety of pig to produce “Iron Age” pork; a rare delicacy. There were 7 in the first litter and all are this beautiful honey colour with the distinctive Wild Boar markings down their backs. They are very friendly; as are the rest of the family and quite playful too. Hopefully … they will remain in their “Wild Boar heaven” confines and will not end up “running a muck” as their more feral rivals have when released onto the northern part of the moor a year or so ago.

We need suggestions of names please for the Boar and Sow if you have any, please email them to us at; info@holwelldartmoor.co.uk

I have finally managed to get into our two new cottages here at Holwell long enough to take some photographs …

For regular “Bloggers”, you will be very sad to learn that poor old Aston the donkey who was in foal for what seemed like an eternity, finally went into labour at the top of the drive one afternoon a few weeks ago. She struggled for some time and the vet was called as soon as her waters broke, but it was apparent early on that there was a problem. The donkey foal had ended up with the cord round it’s neck and due to the length of time the foaling took, was unable to survive the birth. Martin her partner has been a great support to her as she has gradually come to terms with her loss and for the first time this morning they skipped out of their box like their old selves again.

Bookings for the cottages are looking very healthy this year and we are now busy through the Spring and Summer with the exception of May currently; which is surprising since it is by far the best month on Dartmoor – everything bursts into life from the new births of foals, lambs, calves to the flora of the prolific bluebells. We have a special offer on our website of 10% discount off the tariff for May bookings taken before the end of March; email us now to check availability info@holwelldartmoor.co.uk or call us on 01364 631471.

If you are unable to join us on Dartmoor this Easter, perhaps the next best thing is to order one of our special Easter Meat Boxes. 10 kgs of mixed, prime, free range beef, lamb and pork, delivered FREE to your door. Check out our order on line website at www.tortotor.co.uk There is something for everyone – even the dog now with our excellent Pet Mince at £1 a bag and bones too!

Here is Glen (short for Glenmorangie), the new Golden Eagle that joined the Holne Chase Falconry team late last year; he is now fully trained and ready for action … come and meet him next time you are down with us; he really is very friendly!

Glen will be off to Italy this Spring to feature in a display at an exhibition aimed at the Italian travel market, highlighting the increasingly popular sport/art of Falconry as part of a holiday. Villa Pallero in Tuscany will be promoted at the event alongside Holne Chase and Holwell too. Apparently the Italians have a great fondness for the classically English Country Life!

Look forward to seeing you soon …

March Newsletters:
Click here for our Holne Chase Newsletter
Click here for our Holwell Dartmoor Newsletter
Click here for our Pallero Newsletter
Click here for our Tor To Tor Newsletter

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