General News Flash (2)

We Say a Fond Farewell to Boots

By Marion F-S ⋅ January 28, 2013 ⋅ 6 comments

I know in the scheme of things the death of a cat is not very important, but as any pet lover will know, it is very big for the pet’s owners. Today we took Boots, our much-loved-by-many cat, to the vet, and he very kindly and very gently, put her to sleep. She sat there [...]

Valentine’s Day? Sorry, you’re too late

By Marion F-S ⋅ January 27, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment

…but we may have something even better…The St. Valentine’s short break/week has been booked in both barns, with no enticement needed, not surprisingly. But fear not! We’re just as keen on mothers as lovers (can and should be one and the same for heaven’s sake). We may have something just as romantic to offer you, [...]

Ski in Ski Out Douglas’s Barn?

By Marion F-S ⋅ January 23, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment

…Not exactly, but you need your snow boots…Last possible chance for a January treat for all you snow lovers out there – this coming weekend Friday 25 to Monday 28 in Douglas’s Barn £275. Having just spent midnight hours toiling over our accounts for our tax return I can reiterate that it would be cheaper [...]

Self-Catering Web Awards

By Marion F-S ⋅ January 19, 2013 ⋅ 7 comments

…Didn’t get a mention…No! We didn’t even make the short list, sorry! Obviously not everyone can win and we will try and learn from those that did. I must admit I thought the overall winners’ website – Mortons of Pitmilly – is super! I also particularly liked the Welsh winners’ website, East Jordeston Cottages. They’re [...]

A Facelift for Orchard Farm

By Marion F-S ⋅ January 12, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment

…And what a difference a bit of cosmetic surgery will make… What a transformation! And all in the day although no doubt things will quickly start to settle down and soon look a little less pristine. However tempted, I can’t imagine John and I will be out every morning with brooms, rakes and hoses but [...]

Last Minute Availability Offer

By Marion F-S ⋅ January 11, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment

…How quickly can you move for a treat? There’s been a lot going on recently, churning out marmalade, buying lots of new bits and bobs – radio/CD player/iPod dock in Tom’s Barn, electric handmixer in Douglas’s barns, the 2013 guides Good Food, Good Pubs, Good Beers, for both cottages, new ironing board in Tom’s Barn [...]

Happy New Year!

By Marion F-S ⋅ December 30, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

…May 2013 be good to us all…Our blog and our Facebook Page activity has been strangely static recently, which I really regret. It is nothing personal, nothing other than other excitements and responsibilities that can happen over Christmas with a happy houseful. We have never been less than seven and and recently nine in the [...]

Booking Glitches, Facts and Promises

By Marion F-S ⋅ December 22, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

…And we’re really sorry about the glitch…don’t forget that 2012 prices still hold until the last minute of 2012. As Auld Lang Syne starts up, so do our 2013 prices. There is so much to write about, and I have just been reminded (even perhaps gently reprimanded?) by John that anyone would think we spent [...]

Florence in a Week

By Marion F-S ⋅ December 13, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

…Starting with an introduction to Florentine Food…Ever hopeful I started this post in Florence but never got very far through laziness? Or greed perhaps (we spent a lot of time lingering over meals in the evening) or just sheer lack of time as we packed so much into every day. Now we are back at [...]

Leave of (Very Temporary) Absence

By Marion F-S ⋅ December 8, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment

…just for a while we’re going all Italian…This will really be a non-blog post, a rather negative explanation and warning of possible inaction or a surprising geographical shift. Just where is the Peak District? Are we talking Tuscany or Derbyshire? Who knows? The truth is we’re talking both, really. For the next week we will [...]

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