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.