october at rose cottage farm

well the weather is definately getting cooler. we have gathered in all the fruit, and sloes, and starting to make the sloe gin ready for christmas.

we have 3 beautiful siberian kittens and 4 birmans, they are entertaining us with their antics.

my two kittens entered at the cumberland show both won 1st in their open classes and well placed in their side classes, a very proud day for me.

we have both cottages booked out for christmas and the new year enquiries are now coming in.

brrr, getting those winter woollies out today!!

we collect our new herdwick tup from cumbria tomorrow so a long trip ahead!!

SUMMER IN HERRIOTS COUNTRY

hi ,AGAIN, WELL WE HAVE BEEN BUSY. THE COTTAGES HAVE BEEN HUNTED , BUT FOR ALL THEN SAME FEW WEEKS, WE DO HAVE VACANCIES IN SEPTEMBER AND ALL THE INTER MONTHS, SO PLEASE GIVE US A CALL 01845 597309

WE HAVE DONE CHARITY GALS WITH OUT PONIES, LOTS OF HERDWICK LAMBS GROWING ON,.. AND NEXT WEEK BORROWBY SHOW, LETS SEE HOW OUR GIRLS PERFORM THEN! THE RUNNER DUCKS ARE RUNNING, AND THE SILKIE HENS FINALLY REPRODUCING.... JUST NEED SOME LATE SUMMER BOOKINGS TO KEEP US COMPANY THROUGH THE FALL?

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

AUDREY

march lambs at rose cottage farm

well they are here at last those spring lambs... not an easy start to the year, two of our ewes had prolapses, causing massive vet bills, far outweighing the lambs worth, but little lives have to be saved.

we have a set of twins and two singles at present with 12 more ewes to lamb.

According to lambing live, the herdwicks do it all themselves, well not so, here they have needed help.

we have had other new life too, two runner ducklings hatched and 4 exchequer chicks, so its all hands to the feed bins!!

we have few cottage bookings for the easter weekend, but the easter week still has some vacancies left.

We are looking forward to the drier weather and carriage rides with the horses.

The elderberry wine bottled from 2009 is going down well with us and guests alike, a firm favourite!! watch this space for more lambs arriving!!

February & St Valentines Day

Well, February has arrived and still we are getting more snow...St Valentines Day is just a few days away, My birthday and hopefully some bookings for the cottages, they are a cosy place for lovers.

The lambs are due to arrive from the 19th, we just hope the weather improves as its a harsh start to a new life, even if they are born with wool. We keep the lambs in for 48 hours before their little world becomes one of harsh elements and mud...as well as a few blades of grass. It has been a harsh winter for the sheep and the horses. We have had to supplement feeds for them all as well as lots of hay. Easter is late this year so hopefully it will be warm and welcoming when it arrives.

We have some indian runner ducklings, they and a couple of the extra drakes we have, will be going to the auction mart this saturday morning at about 6am.

The Egyptian Mau kittens are getting more mischievous by the day, just two left to find willing slaves and new homes, they are such fun cats, we will miss them.

Watch this space for the new arrivals from the 19th!!!

January and snow snow snow

Well here we are in January, just 4 weeks off lambing and such dreadful weather. The sheep are spending most of their time in the field shelter munching their way throughy lots of hay and sheep nuts. The horses are bored and as ready as we are to get back on the road. This year we are hoping to organise insurances to let us offer trips around the villages for our gusts on the carriages.

We have 4 indian runner ducklings and 3 egyptian mau kittens. The egyptian mau's are the original domestic spotted cat. We have just 3 beautiful bronze boy kittens and are expecting lots of interest when the adverts go public. They are really fun cats full of life and very agile.

In December we had a new kitchen fitted in the farmhouse, so January has sen lots of hot casseroles and home baking in the new ovens.. and some tried and trusted recipes in the faithul old 1952 AGA... still chugging away and keeping us warm.

Happy New Year to you all..

audrey

JULY AT ROSE COTTAGE FARM

Well here we are halfway into July... the holiday cottages are doing well now, after a really slow start to the season.

we have a beautiful litter of chunky siberian kittens that are thriving really well.

Sadly our chestnut mare lost her foal after a difficult birth and is starting to recover and get ready to bring back into work.

The latest creation at the farm, is my very popular Elderflower champage.. excellent refreshing drink with low alcohol content. I have made 3 gallons and have bottled and given several away to friends. This simple to make drink requires no skill other than a few elderflower heads,chopped lemons, sugar,cider vinegar and plenty of water. just combine the elderflower and lemons in a fermentation bucket with the water, approx 8 heads,2 lemons per gallon. after 36 hours strain onto 1 1/2 lbs sugar and tablespoon cider vinegar. bottle in screw top bottles...DO NOT TIGHTEN THEM!!! Chill and drink within 3 months,enjoy....

JUNE AT ROSE COTTAGE FARM

Well here are at last in the beautiful June sunshine.

We have been getting out and about carriage driving with the horses. The photo here shows Jeannie our norwegian fjord pony and bramble my little speed machine of a welsh!!I think they are whispering about the camera man!!

The lambs are growing fast now and starting to change colour from the all black wool to a lighter shade, slightly brown, and the faces are whitening all the time. The ram lambs are developing horns, and attitude to match!!
Our holiday cottages are getting booked up, and from visitors from overseas. We are meeting some really interesting people as the year progresses.

We have had a lot of other births on the farm, ducklings, chicks and kittens...Scarlet the chestnut mare is due to foal at the beginning of July so watch this space!!