broadgatefarmcottages.co.uk

No sooner was the last post written than Steve spotted the Pied Wagtail and he also saw a Kestral. we will keep you updated!

Steve is more of the outdoor type and this week he has been counting the numbers of species of birds we have in the gardens and surrounding paddocks.

He has spotted 3 prs Jenny Wrens, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Hedge Sparrows (dunnock), House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Gold Finches, Chaffinch, Green Finches, Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle thrush, Black Birds (3 prs), Collared Doves, Wood Pigeon & Magpies.

We occasionally have Carrion Crows, Sparrow Hawks and as yet we have not seen any Pied Wagtails, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers or Tawny Owls this year.

Pheasants roost in the conifers down the side of the driveway, English partridge are rather fond of our vegetable garden and Barn Owl can be seen covering the paddock in front of the cottages late evenings and early morning.

We love living here and try to attract birds  by providing nesting boxes and creating the right habitat to encourage good feeding for wild birds.

I have always loved shopping but fitting out two house at once from scratch is starting to test even my love of retail therapy!

I have just found the most wonderful leather headboards for the zip and link beds from a local company called www.loveleather.co.uk. Wonderful quality, I almost wish we needed them in the house!

My shopping list is still very long, I am determined to get lovely quality items and not buy the first thing I see just because it puts a tick on the list! The house is starting to bulge at the seams with everything I have bought, still it won’t be long before it will all be in the cottages and ready for our guests.

It’s a sad day for us here at Broadgate Farm, Jack our springer spaniel has died from old age. He will be sadly missed by all of us, it just won’t be the same without him……

We are looking for staff to start work in August/September – we will need a part time gardener, casual cleaning staff and an ironing supremo!

If anyone lives locally and is interested you can email us on broadgatefarm@btinternet.com

Welcome to our newest resident – Carmen has had her pony who has been named Sky. Photos to follow!