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.