With the ‘R’ number going in the right direction, the government gave the green light for the re-opening of holiday accommodation. From a standing start, pretty soon, the bookings were flowing again and we are sold out for the whole of July and August. Great news for us, for our guests who are loving the change of scene and, looking at the reviews we are getting, are also loving staying at the Farm!
If you haven’t ventured out for a ‘staycation’ yet, we have availability in September and October – why not fit in a quick break before the days get too short. Here’s a link to check availability and pricing and if you have any questions, just ask!
If it is a bit of tranquillity you are looking for, it is never busy in Compton Bassett! Lots of things to see and do in Wiltshire. If you are a walker, find your way to a White Horse or just quietly potter along leafy lanes. Or if seeing the sights is your thing, there’s always Stonehenge Had you heard, they have solved the mystery of the origin of the stones? From just up the road from the farm apparently! Or maybe a walk to Avebury or even a day trip to see the wonders of Bath.
Everyone is enjoying the good weather – a little rain from time to time just to keep things interesting but overall, no complaints. The pigs spend a LOT of time in their wallows – the theory is that the water cools them and the mud prevents sunburn – however, they wallow a lot even on cool days so I think they just enjoy it!
The Mangalitza moult continues – they are looking seriously scruffy at the moment – great handfuls of hair have come out leaving them looking very patchy. Combined with a healthy smothering of mud from the wallow, I think it is fair to say they are not looking their finest just at the moment!
The guinea fowl that hatched out last month have now transferred into the big coop in the barn. Because Guinea Fowl originated in Africa, the youngsters are not well equipped to cope with British weather – even summer weather – until they are fully feathered. From around 8 weeks old, we will start letting them out during the day – they fly remarkably well from the get-go but landing is a different matter – that takes a bit of practice. Once they show that they know how to fly up to the roosting bars, they go fully free range.
The mixed weather has brought lots of new blooms to the fields – wild flowers and planted ones. We had a fabulous display of poppies, mixed with cornflower – stunning. Even the weeds have done us proud – found a beautiful white thistle growing in a corner of a field – very unusual and stunning, even for a week! I wish I could say the same about the sunflower display – seriously disappointing!
Our baby barn owls showed themselves mid-month – only two this year we think after 4 last year, but 2 raised to maturity is still good and it was wonderful watching them grow. The parents work so hard delivering food in the final weeks before the babies fledge – they must be mighty relieved the day the youngsters move out.
And last but not least, our first batch of baby swallows who were nesting in the archway outside our bedroom window have fledged and we think the parents are now incubating a second brood which is excellent news – their numbers are definitely down this year so the more, the merrier.