STONEWORK COMPLETE!

All the stone facing has now been completed and we have another bird sanctuary in place at the top of the cottage, made by "the dream team"...who else!!... It seems like Ant and Andy live here!!..They might be glad of pastures new by the end of this...I am sure they have enjoyed it really!... There have been highs (getting out the ground) and lows (the slippery DPC and race against time with the block work in the rain and cold...oh and the retaining wall collapsing on Pete and Andy!!), and ups (Andy and Ants sense of humour and smiles)and downs (Andy and Ant poorly!! but they only had one day off...and they really should have had a lot longer, they worked through it and they were really poorly!!), but we couldn't have done it without them, they are so reliable and never let you down, and to be honest I am not sure we could have worked that closely with anyone else...nor would we have wanted to actually!... The snow, minus 8 and rain never stopped them, they never moan and they are always happy...highly recommended!!! I think the cottage looks great, cant wait to finish it now!!

ITS ONLY BEEN A WEEK!

Haven't signed in for a week, and it seems an absolute age...there have been so many developments but at present cant think of one!!! Now that's challenging!! (some may call it stress...but we don't use that word here...bad for moral and all that eh!!)

BEEN A HECTIC WEEK REALLY

Little Toms Cottage is coming along now, this week we have laid the drainage, put in the veranda and rolled the 803 into the car park area (the photo above looks like me and Mark are going head to head with our toys!!..Mark showed me how to use the roller (silly man!), and its not as easy as you might think...I think Mark would have liked a few more straight lines...but curves are fine!!!Ii am trying to get him to teach me how to drive the digger next...watch out you lot!), Alan the electrician is run off his feet so he didn't come till Saturday and still hasn't got the lights...I think there was a problem with deliveries and the snow...but we need it finished ..electric wise next week!!!! that'll please him!...Richard the plumber thought he could connect our gas..but turns out Shell have to do it..so a waiting list it is!!!!AAAHHHH...never mind...the tiles are down and the walls are painted, kitchen still not complete and the furniture isn't made, all the internal fixings need to be done and it needs a darn good clean!!!...But better wait till its finished a bit, the kitchen wall tiles need to go on next. So much to do ...so little time....and that's just the cottage, still got Purl design running full time and cottages to open fully by the end of the month...access statements to do, cleaning, etc...don't even want to think about it ..or I will never sleep!!!

OUR LITTLE RUBEN THE ROBIN

He comes everyday and sits on the bush or wood in front the conservatory, he is so cute, he loves cornflakes and a few seeds, I think he has even made friends with Hatty (the chicken!)...He seems to be extremely tame, be good to know how long they live for?...But for now hes our little Ruben...You must think I have flipped..I'm ok really...I'm just in my own little world..but its ok they know me here!!!!

A BIRD IN THE HAND!!!!

This little guy had been picked up by Buck (by the teeth..that's Bucks teeth..not the little birds!!!)...Lucky's boyfriend! he had injured his wing...A feisty little fellow, he didn't like being held much, but with a little chat and cuddle he seemed to calm down a bit. Think he might have been just in shock as we were able to release him later n the day once Buck had been captured!!!

THEY ARE GROWING FAST

The piglets are growing fast now, I called them out for tea...and this little guy looked at me as if to say...'you talking to me?'..They are really funny now, they are tumbling about and go mad for their milk, its as if they haven't eaten in a lifetime...When they have finished they just fall asleep one on top of the other in a pig mountain fashion!

HAPPY THOUGHTS FOR SYLVIA XXX

Well, if you have been reading my blog over the last year or so...you will know who Sylvia is...if not here's a quick reminder... Sylvia and Bill and of course their family used to own and treasure ~Woodmill Farm from 1980 - 2000, they got in touch with us and since we have been here they have visited us on a number of occasions and we keep in touch via the ol' Internet!!!...they even bought my book!!!...They used to breed goats and passed on the knowledge they had, so we could make sense of the goat keeping world, they even gave us the milking bucket!.... Anyway lots to say about Sylvia, Bill and the many treasured memories they shared with us.....however Sylvia is quite poorly at present, and I am just asking for happy thoughts and good wishes/prayers for a friend that treasured Woodmill..but at present she is not quite as bouncy as she should be!... So Get well soon Sylvia...you know its just a blip!...just got to get through this bit and you'll be just fine eh!!XXX

SID HAS LANDED!

Sid the bearded dragon is now residing at Woodmill Farm under the careful ownership of Laura!...It was a birthday pressy.....mmmm...another animal, at least he eats things we grow in the garden, so shouldn't be too expensive (hopefully!)..he is quite a character, just gone 3 months old and will probably double in size, he is so friendly and knows his name already. The kit you have to have with these animals, its like buying a second home!!!

OUT FOR OUR MEAL

Out in force...Me and Pete, Steven, Nanny and Grandad, Great Auntie Louise and Uncle Tim and of course Laura and Adam...cocktails at the ready...non alcoholic ones so everyone could have one as we drove to Lewannick Lodge in Newquay...plenty of time to drink in life ....if of course you choose to....Beautiful meal..highly recommend there!... We also had a cake made by Annie Webster who kindly delivered it and set it up, it was stunning, a bit over the top for an 18th ..but then what else would you expect from us eccentric, wacky people!

LAURA IS 18...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

The day has come and Laura is 18...it doesn't seem a minute since we were snowed in the hospital and she was just born...But 18 years have passed and I don't feel any older, just look it!...Laura had some lovely presents, some one to one surf lessons with a UK pro tutor, a Go ape day out, a diamond ring and a host of other goodies from us oh and a horse race space hopper game from Steven, which is great, can't wait till the weather clears and we can have a go on that!... we had to get her up early to see her open her pressies before college and off for a family meal tonight..can't wait....