Idyllic mature gardens and ponds
Welcome to our blog
Posted: 7/3/2008 20:23:09 PM
It's been a while since my last up-date and I really wanted the blog to be a weekly affair - fat chance! What's going to happen when we're really busy? I suppose Devon Time will kick in once and for all and I'll calmly type away with updates when I can and it won't even bother me! "There's always tomorrow" will become our most regular remark I'm sure, this life-style change has done us the world of good.
We've had a steady stream of guests since I last wrote and everyone has been lovely. Our guests seem to love Sammy B's as much as we do and all vow to return. A few weeks ago, we attended the "Discover North Devon Day" which gave us the opportunity to meet people who are associated with the tourism industry and who run a wide range of visitor attractions in North Devon. We picked up lots of ideas and information, so when you come to stay we'll be abe to recommend loads of things to do and see, hopefully we'll get to experience a few of them ourselves too and will be able to give first hand knowledge on lots of different activities and places to visit. Neil is putting some links on the website so go and have a look.
We had great excitement last Saturday when it was "Potato Day" at Eggesford Garden Centre. We picked up lots of spuds, help and advice and a lot more besides. We bought vegetable and herb seeds, which I've planted today, vases, plants and a watering can! Neil was mithering for a lemon tree and a weather vein but fortunatley we didn't have any room left in the car. We're going back in 2 weeks for "Vegetable Day" I'll let you know if Neil's dreams come true!!
The hens continue to be a great source of comfort to us and have become very special members of our family, much to the amusement of the local farmers! We had a "bit of a doo" with Henrietta last week. She was a bit bunged up and waddling round like a duck! We gave her a Radox bath and she is now back to normal, running round like a spring chicken once again and greedier than ever.
During January's blog, we encountered a flood outside in the garden, well last Wednesday we had another set-back - a burst pipe. This time it was in an upstairs bathroom; unbeknown to us, water was gathering in a huge pocket in the dining room ceiling and just as Jeannie was walking through, the bubble burst! Fortunately, no-one was dining at the time but it was just an hour before our next guests were arriving.
To end on a good note, a local photographer, Martin Pailthorpe came to see us on Sunday. He is going to put up canvas prints of local hot spots all over the place - well it saves us having to buy any! Go check his artistic work here and don't forget, we're on commission!!!!
Posted: 15/1/2008 1:32:09 PM
Hello one and all (let's hope it's more than just two of you!) Thought I'd better make use of our wonderful, new blog as Neil has been up all night getting it ready (on his Xbox more like!) As I sit here typing this I am wearing my coat, woolly hat and gloves as we have a gas leak and have had to turn off the heating! Neil discovered the leak this morning when he was opening the gate to let "The Royster" out. No, not one of our hens but the one and only Roy "The Royster" Williams who has very quickly become our regular guest and very good friend. He has now stayed four times, so Thanks Roy and we look forward to seeing you again soon. The gas leak isn't the first mis-hap we have encountered. We had the misfortune of a burst water pipe in the kitchen right in the middle of service of the Kings Nympton Ladies Christmas Lunch! We don't think any of the 25 noticed though, even though we were all wearing flippers and Jeannie's swooshing of the mop was rather loud! Our third mini disaster was the flooding of our luscious,landscaped gardens. The infamous babbling brook very swiftly became the "White Water Rapids of Kings Nympton". Not one to miss out on a sales opportunity, I was straight on the phone to the local Outdoor Pursuits Centre asking if they wanted to book in for the afternoon! Despite all this, we are having a ball and love everything Sammy B's has to offer. All our guests so far, have been really lovely and our first Christmas here was very special,thanks to King John and all his loyal subjects! I could go on and on and ....., well, you know me, but I have to go as I can hear the fire engine coming up the lane. I'll be back soon with a few more stories to tell, no doubt, and hope that none of this will put you off but have you chomping at the bit to come and join in the fun! Cheers then. Bev x
