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.