Snow

After heavy snowfall last night Blubberhouses was looking stunning today in the warm sunshine and with a fabulous blue sky. I decided to go for a walk up the land and take some pictures. I think the sheep probably thought I was mad. The cows seemed totally unconcerned !! Chris has a busy time ahead of him now getting hay and silage out to all the sheep.

How to keep warm! Not....

Last night we had some snow showers, the scenery this morning was beautiful. The day has been bitterly cold but with the most brilliant of blue skies and sunshine. As Ive got a busy weekend with guests Ive been busy outside chopping logs and filling coal buckets for the fires and whilst out there I could hear voices. At first I thought it was the people here taking part in the Sheep dog trial but I then realised it was coming from the direction of the river. So I went for a walk with my camera and there , with the River Washburn in full spate, were the canoeists!! Can you just imagine how cold the water must be?? I though it was bad enough for those watching the dogs but at least they can sit in their vehicles with flasks of hot tea and packed lunches!!
However I decided of all of them I was probably the warmest having been walking but then I came back inside to the roaring fires and my own brew of hot tea. Lovely.

Honey from busy bees!!

One of the Beekeepers who bring their hives onto Hanging Moor, Peter Gudgoen, arrived yesterday afternoon bearing gifts. Peter came to pay his 'pot rent' which basically means that we get paid in pots of honey which is great.
This picture shows Heather Honey on the left which Peter had great success with at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show winning First prize in his class. So any guests now having Honey on their porridge or toast arent just having any old Honey, its Prize winning Honey too!!.
Another of our regular Beekepers, Janice, also had great success at Harrogate this Autumn with her Honey from our Moor winning 'Best in Show' and we also have some of that too. So this is fantastic news for them both, and for you if you come and try some !

My new Pigs!

Ive wanted some pigs for ages, Chris has taken a bit of persuading but today was the day!! We set off this morning to Craven Cattle Mart at Skipton as we/I had seen some weaners advertised. We got there just in time and although there was a penful of pigs I was able to pick the Gilts (females) out of them and managed to get all 3. So here they are now living next door to my hens at Scaife Hall farm! Happy days!!

These pigs are a cross breed and have a Middle White Mother and a Pietrain father. The Pietrain is a breed originating in Belgium and known for its high yields of lean meat.
The Middle White is a rare but distinctive breed and has been described as a "beautifully ugly" pig . Japan has paid tribute to the breed by erecting a monument to the Middle White "for its outstanding eating qualities"and it is still popular in that country.

These little pigs were born on August Bank Holiday at Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey so are very used to being with and near people so they seem quiet and relaxed. Ive been and bought them some food, they've had dinner, theres a large bed of straw to sleep in, what more could they want? Except perhaps some table manners but as they seem to want to stand in their food I dont think this is something they are going to learn any time soon!! What a life !

A Beautiful Autumn morning

This morning was absolutely glorious. Whilst waiting to cook breakfast for my guests I couldnt resist nipping outside and taking some pictures. Im not sure they really show the beautiful colours in the trees around us right now but the Autumn colours this year are amazing. The sun was just coming up over neighbour Kevins fields and its a 'good to be alive' day!!

Now Im supposed to be catching up on office work but as I hate doing accounts I keep finding other things to do.....like writing this blog!!! However must get back to it...... or maybe theres some ironing I could be doing......

Out to lunch at Middlethorpe Hall !!

Yesterday I had a day off and I went to Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and Spa just outside York to meet friends for lunch. I met up with two fellow Farm Stay members, Katrina from The Wold Cottage on the Yorkshire Wolds and Anna Lupton of Carr House Farm Ampleforth.
I hadnt been there before but I have to say its a beautiful place. Middlethorpe Hall is a William III country house set in 20 acres of its own gardens and parkland. Built in 1699, it was once the home of the famous diarist, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.
The house is decorated with antiques and fine pictures and the gardens and parkland have been restored and include ha ha's, a white garden, a walled garden, a small lake and some beautiful specimen trees.
The panelled dining room that we sat in overlooked the gardens . The food looked like a picture on a plate and tasted wonderful. I started with a Chicken and Mushroom terrine with pickled girolles ( had to ask what they were, small mushrooms in case you didnt know either!!) and toasted Brioche, and then a main course of Baked Chicken breast on a bed of lentils with baby onions. I wasnt going to have dessert but then couldnt resist the home made ice cream!! A lovely young man from Cannes was our waiter and the whole time we sat there, which was quite a long time, too much talking I suppose, was very relaxed. Middlethorpe Hall has been awarded two Rosettes by the AA, and much deserved.
We said we should do this more often and we proposed to meet in the spring before we get busy again with B&B and so that I can escape the lambing sheds for a while!! Not sure what Chris will think to that one!! All in all a good day