Four paws cooling off in the bottom pond!
Mid September and we are still experiencing warm sunny days – it must be one of the best Summers I can remember – hopefully it’s circulating around the Country and all are enjoying this phenomenon even with the transition into Autumn this weekend!
July turned into a hectic month, personally, as we enjoyed a holiday with our daughter after she’d finished a long year of college and exams, and, then a family gathering in the Hereford area to celebrate my father’s 90th birthday. It seemed we had just returned home and were off again. In the middle of it all we also found ourselves with a 3 month old Cocker Spaniel pup, Merlin – a friend for Frodo I told myself and secretly for me too! He has been a fabulous addition to the family – and as we all said “we’ve always had two dogs”.
The cottages have been full throughout the Summer and are still busy to the end of September. The wonderful weather gave everyone a much welcomed boost and added to the pleasure of a real Summer holiday.
We had a rather exotic visitor in early September. While gardening at The Lodge, David observed a Terrapin sunning itself on a rock in the middle of the top pond. After frantic calls to the RSPCA and a local pet supplier we were reliably informed that it would be fine and enjoy living at Darrynane. After the excitement, of the younger members of our family, had calmed down we received a telephone call from Christine at St Breward Stores to say that “our” Terrapin had been seen on the road outside a local house. This was quite a distance from us so for little legs, it obviously travels light and covers distance. A shame, it could have made a nice attraction – who knows it may decide to return to Darrynane for a yearly short break!
The freezer is full of bramble and apple crumbles. The blackberries have been abundant this year and our apples too. I’ve just been into the woods and picked another bowl full -amazing. The dogs love them and grab the ones at floor level while I pick higher up. One of our bellringers asked, “does this signify a harsh winter?” Bill,our tower captain and St Breward local, replied, “No just a damned good Summer!”
Sweet and juicy – ready for picking!
The bottom pond looks like a jungle as the Gunneras, with their large umbrella leaves, have grown even bigger this year.
The Gunnera towers above the bottom pond.
If you are considering a late break we have cottages available from October and next year’s bookings are coming in too so if you are thinking ahead just call or email or go on line and book.
Happy Autumn to one and all.
Angela & David Clark
