How many men to change a light bulb......

never mind the men how much scaffold? Greatstone has a fabulous light in the entrance hall, which involves 20 almost unreachable bulbs. Today we decided enough was enough and we needed to replace the blown ones. Simple enough usually but we needed to erect scaffold to reach them and whilst Simon was up there he took to dusting as well - very fetching! All done and now back to their blazing glory - anyone would think Christmas was coming.

There's a hole in my bucket...

well, in our road actually. Cold weather continues and the mains water pipe just outside our main gate burst this evening, flooding the road and causing mayhem. Fortunately the water ran down into the field opposite but with the fear of another frosty night, a team of good spirited workmen came out to fix it. I've just been out on the tea and biscuit run and whilst the road remains closed there is now a huge hole in the road, and I am assured it is being "sorted". We shall see......

Snow is falling....

.....and the pond has frozen over. Caught the heron sitting on the ice having a good hunt around to see if he could find something for supper. Guests have made it through the snow and ice and I see woodburners are all lit already. Christmas tree festival is on in Crediton and I think we shall wrap up warm and take a stroll to see them all tomorrow, just to get us all in the spirit.

Brrrrrr The big chill

Well, we've not actually had snow fall, but there's been the lightest of flurries in the air. Simon and Paul have been working outside and have had to layer up against the cold and it's been noted the demand for tea and coffee has risen sharply!

Great Gutton and Rugby

Great Gutton is thrilled to be sponsoring the Crediton under 10's rugby team and last Sunday saw the launch of their new kit. Whilst the team all looked totally shiny clean and fabulous and played brilliantly it wasn't quite enough in their match against Exeter Saracens and they were defeated by 5 tries to 1. I was just thrilled I didn't have to do the washing!

After the Sunshine...

came the rain and the wind and it was a case of batten down the hatches. Unfortunately we were in the middle of removing one of the walls of the barn and so Simon and Suzi made a mad dash to secure things. Paul the Electrician turned up and was able to offer practical help to Simon, while Suzi dashed back inside to put the kettle on!

Yurt comes home

Sun shining and with the clocks going back, it was time to get the Yurt dismantled and packed up for the winter

GG sunrise

Out with the dogs this morning to see sun rise over GG.

Party barn

Mid September saw the GG party barn used for Ali and George's wedding reception. Over 150 of us sat down for pies, mash and speeches. A great and very memorable day.

Apples safely gathered in

After two busy weekends picking, pressing and bottling Great Gutton apples the juice harvest is now complete. Friends, family and guests all chipped in to produce the juice which features in the welcome pack guests receive on arrival.

Warm winter evenings

This week saw the delivery of the winters logs. The three main cottages, alongside their central heating, have woodburning stoves and with free logs available most guests get the stoves going during their stay at GG. We try to keep things local so wood delivery is from local farmers using the fire wood business to manage their woodland.

Lesser Horseshoe Bats

Today we learned from the local batman (no silly jokes please) that we are lucky enough to have a colony of Lesser Horseshoe bats living in the attic of Great Gutton. Even more exciting is that it could be a breeding colony. The Lesser Horseshoe bat is very rare in the UK, although relatively common in southwest England and as a result is protected by law.
The batmen (yes there were two of them and no neither is called Robin) used bat detectors to listen to the bats ultrasound signals as they left their roost at dusk this evening. The twenty or so bats spotted and heard will apparently spend all night hunting insects in the hedges, woods and orchards at Great Gutton before returning to the attic at dawn for a well earned rest.

Harvest approaches

As August draws to a close it time to think about harvesting the various fruits at Great Gutton. The big job will be the collection of the apples from the three on farm orchards. The apples are pulped and pressed on the farm to produce the very popular Great Gutton Apple Juice which forms part of the welcome pack for our guests. The 150 or so apple trees have all be planted in the last 10 years as part of the farms Countryside Stewardship Scheme (more of which another time). Traditional Devon cider varieties have been mixed with desert apples in an attempt, over time, to reproduce the three old orchards that would have surrounded the house at the turn of the last century. Apple harvest takes place during October and November the challenge being to pick and mix apples from different trees to make a tasty blend of juice for us all to enjoy over the coming months. The next step is gather the necessary equipment and convince the guests, kids, friends and neighbours to help out! Some will no doubt be more persuadable that others!!

Time for a hair cut

Better late than never is probably what the Alpaca were thinking when today they were shawn at long last. Normally undertaken at the end of June shearing is arguably the most important event in the Alpaca year being that the wool is the reason most are kept. This very skilled job is only undertaken by a few folk who have the skill and courage to take on what are quite large beasts when you get up close. First off the animals are caught and then restrained, to protect them as much as the shearer. Once all is under control the shearer sets too with his clippers to remove the years growth of ultra fine wool which following cleaning and spinning is destined for high value clothing.

Keep you head down!

Friday is changeover day and with five cottages to sort out by far the busiest day of the week. The day to keep out of the way of the "team" which today numbers six. First off is John the gardener and odd job man who has just popped in to cast his eye over the allotment. Next up is Simon the builder who has started the mammoth task of removing the render from the bottom meter of each external house wall to let the walls "breath" as the surveyor puts it. Changeover also offers the opportunities to sort out problems within the cottage so the window men are in Drake this morning repairing the massive sash window that will hopefully now close as well as open. In addition we have the usual cleaning team of Bunk and Mandi who are hard at it getting everything just as is should be for folk. Oh, almost forgot the boss. Friday is always a stressful day for Suzi with meeting and greeting as well as adding that very special touch that only she can do. Keep you head down I say!

The Pond Just Got Bigger!

The rain has arrived at last and about time too. The wet stuff is not too good for guests but the local farmers are desperate for some moisture to get the crops and particularly the grass going again. No great desire for too much grass growth here as means lots more hours on the mower but will reduce the watering of the new tubs and pots that are now in place. Before the break in the weather our semi permanent strimmer man Paul took his chance to attack the banks of thee pond and did a great job. There seems to be almost twice as much water now the nettles and brambles have been cut back. I took the opportunity to take a few photo's which I hope you like.

New Arrival

Today saw our first birth at Great Gutton with the arrival of Eliza the Alpaca. Bessie, her mother, was not thought to be in calf, so when her Kria (baby Alpaca) arrived this morning there was great excitement. A full house of guests went to take a look at the very sweet new resident. All the excitement resulted in the need for some refreshment so it was out with the BBQ and home made Bothem Burgers (thanks Jamie). The young family in Hayloft joined us for some food and to watch Tipp and Dylan try and fail once again to round up the ducks on the pond. All the cottages full this weekend with three booked by one family for what has been a great reunion. Big family BBQ's and walks to the pub in great weather.

A mate for Tipp

Jack dog arrived today from the Blue Cross rescue kennels. Jack dog, named such so we do not get him confused with Jack our eldest son, seems to have settled in rather well and has already had a full tour of the grounds. A black and white setter x spaniel x pointer Jack is set to be a very full member of the family. He has yet to sit down and will certainly improve my fitness. Another arrival today was the final decorative cover for the Yurt or Gyr. A striking red with a nice new skirt the new cover certainly finishes a very special place off. The inside of the Yurt/Gyr has also been fitted out and looks so cosy I think Suzi and I are planning a night out to get a little of the magic under the full moon.

Catch up

A chance to catch up after a busy couple of months. Well the Yurt (Ger to be accurate) is up after a fashion although I suspect it needs to come down again before being settled for the summer. The site is great and the potential is clearly obvious the down side is the lopsided outlook and puddle of water in the centre. We also now have lots of new lives some of which are domesticated, to take charge of. The ten point of lay poulets have joined the original gang of four Chooks and egg production is in full flow. We also have ducklings and moorhen chicks on the pond. It is great to see them learning the ropes and not so great to see them being hunted by Tipp who cannot see the point of anything bar herself being alive at all! All good fun unless you are the individual who has to take down the yurt for the fourth time this coming weekend.

Suzi home from skiing with a rather bruised leg. She lasted two hours before being knocked over good an proper and spend the rest of the time in bed reading and sleeping. Three groups of very happy guests left this morning so all quiet before full house this coming weekend! Hope the water does not run short. Must remind kids to limit the baths! Front path step mended by John M who then moved on with bush cutter to tackle back of pool building.

House Warming +

6th February already and lots to write down. First up is house warming. Upwards of 200 turned up to truly warm Great Gutton on Saturday 30th January. What a night with the house really showing us what it was built for. One of the guest commented that the house is unlikely to have seen so many people inside it at any one time before. But in 400+ years who knows!. The organisation worked a treat with car parking, drink and food all "just" meeting requirements. The few cars that needed pushing out form the field left a mark but nothing that time will not heal. A full compliment of Hallets on show with my brother Andrew his wife Ali (aka the terrier) and Sister Sarah and husband Jonathan + kids also in attendance. The party was followed by a good catch up week with S and AJ with Suzi departing for four days skiing mid week (subsequently heard that she only managed two hours before being taken out by someone else and ending up in hospital with a damaged, but not broken, leg).

Meanwhile plans are taking shape for the development of the final wing of the house. It looks likely that Neil (the previous owner and architect of such a lot at GG) will take on the project. Plans include a couple more bathrooms as well as a new sitting room.

The Saturday of the party also saw the last of the Chilton Cross Syndicates shoots for the year. My day so I got to choose the guests (Simon and Dave Munday) Jim and John St Cyres also came along for what turned out to be a good day which both started and finished at the Lamb Inn. Not a big bag but it did include one Snipe.

Final thing to report is that Hurfie and I tackled the pruning in the second of the three orchards last Friday. A job I really love and it was great to share it with a friend of quite a few years now. She was surprised to hear of Barneys pruning policy that being to leave a central leader. Apparently the alternative method (more common for domestic trees) is to do the opposite. Proof of pudding will be in the summer when we do or do not I suppose get any apples.

Still feeling tired so early night after picking Molly up from final night of School show. She plays a poppy amongst other things.

Lull before storm

Can't believe its Wednesday evening already! In Kingsbridge all day then back to Great Gutton after picking up some diesel for the tractor. Set Ed off mowing the grass for the first time (a little wet but he had good fun!). Catch up with Margaret the accountant (why are companies so complicated) and then gave Simon D a tour of the house. All quite now at 10 pm perhaps the lull before what will be one hell of a storm this weekend. Saturday promises a great day with shoot followed by house warming. Wine arrived today and new fridge coming tomorrow!. Simon and Jane arrive tomorrow in preparation for weekend and in time to celebrate Peggy's seventh birthday. Hope they still like the place. Not sure when life will calm down but who not sure I want it too.

Monday night and about to head off upstairs. Good one although very little time outside as at work all day. Did venture out with Molly Peggy and Tipp this evening to retrive any eggs from chickens to make a cake with. Found one then managed to drop it on the Kitchen floor so back to square one.

Sunday evening and another good day. Very late night at the Pittmans meant a slow start. Finished pruning the back orchard with help of mum who is down for a few days. Molly and some school friends are in the pool and roast is in the oven. A little subdued as Monday nears but what the heck only a week until the big House warming.

Best day of the week

Saturday, the best day of the week with a whole day outside. First attempt at cutting some grass, There is lots to do but still a little too wet. Ed and I got the tractor going this afternoon for the first time. Lots of knobs and levers to work out but following a few false starts we had great fun driving it around the top paddock. Finally made a start with pruning the apple trees. 150 or so in total and all need pruning before the end of February. Am feeling a little more confident after a master class with Mr Sandford Orchards (Barney Butterfield) www.sandfordorchards.co.uk who called in yesterday to point me in the right direction. Oh and Peggy, Laura and Bronte (guests staying in Drake Cottage) cleaned out and rebedded the chickens.

Here goes

The recent move of the Morgan family to Great Gutton Farm in Mid Devon has prompted the creation of this blog. My simple aim is to record what goes on at at Great Gutton both in side our wonderful house and outside in the fields and orchards. Over time I will no doubt introduce all who live and visit here but at present all that need be said is that the Morgan family number six. Suzi the boss and hubby John plus the four children Jack (18 today!) Molly (16) Ed (13) and Peggy (6). Added to this number are the dog Tipp (from Ireland via the Blue Cross kennels) 6 chickens and numerous ducks on the pond. Great Gutton Farm is a 400 + year old thatched house and surrounding buildings with 22 acres of land. Over the last 10 years or so various traditional buildings have been converted into holiday homes.