December diary

Dear Guests

One week until Father Christmas arrives with all my presents - I bet the reindeer will struggle to pull the sleigh (hope my son reads this!!!). Not long to wait and I will be trying my damson gin - Father Christmas is partial to some with his mince pie. I am looking forward to turkey with all the trimmings and lots of christmas pudding and rum sauce (I will think about dieting in 2013 sorry I meant 2012).

December has been a busy month for christmas buffets and quite a few moutain bikers have visited for brunch. Thanks to you all for your support.

We have got an two interesting additions to the farm - a legbar cockerel and one hen. They originated from Peru in the 1800s and lay blue eggs.

Today is a glorious cold crisp sunny day and all the mountains look really picturesque with the snow tipped tops - it is perfect walking or biking weather.

Anyway must dash as I have to feed the animals - I hope you all have a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.


Carole

PS - watch out for uploaded pictures on Christmas day.

PPS - Christmas lunch went well, there were no burnt offerings and even better my sister was here to do all the washing up (who needs a dishwasher). Looking forward to my turkey sandwiches later, and the Christmas pudding - surprisingly I could not manage to eat it before. Hope you have all had a good day and made the most of seeing your family and friends.

November Diary

Dear Guests

We have been very busy during the last month taking calves off the cows and selling them at the suckler calf sales in Kendal and Broughton. The lambs have been going to store sales in Ulverston. The ewes have gone back to the rams ready for the sheep to lamb in March/April.

We have been quite busy with bookings from walkers and moutain bikers for bacon/sausage/egg buns and fresh scones.

Bookings are also being taken for Christmas buffets and lunches. I have been busy making my own homemade apple chutney and I just had to sample some on a cheese sandwich - even though I say so myself - it was lovely - perfect for a Ploughman's lunch.

I have not had a day off for months, and as it was my birthday I was taken out to lunch at the Drunken Duck and then had a walk round Tarn Hows - I had a really good day. If you are visiting the area I can recommend both.

I hope to see you at the tea room soon.

Best wishes

Carole

SEPTEMBER DIARY

Dear Guests

August has come and gone and I did promise Mr Potts that I would mention him in my August blog - Mr Potts was walking the Furness Way. I have lived here all my life and did not know about it, but seemingly it runs near the campsite and Mr Potts did a de-tour from Stock Farm (of about 1/2 mile) to camp the night before heading for Coniston. I hope the rest of your journey went well Mr Potts and I hope to see you again.

I have met a lot of very interesting people during the last month and was really pleased to see a lot of people returning, and hearing that the children are asking if they can come back to the farm. Ellie sent me a lovely photo of her with the hens and two lovely little boys (Flyn and Aaron) who returned this week gave me a picture they had coloured in of goats (the two goats we have are a recent unexpected addition at the farm). And there was also the family with their unicycles who recently visited and they were really good!

It has not been very good weather but the hardy campers remain cheerful and take the rough with the smooth - last weekend with the thunder and lightening I would have been packing home and going home - but most people to their credit stuck it out. The swallows have now gone and Autumn is nearing, the nights are really drawing in.

I have had a slight mishap with the cooker and set it on fire - so the baking is rather scarce at the moment until I get the cooker repaired - it has been a bad month as I had problems with the washing machine as well!

Don't forget I can cook any meals for parties up to 10 people - Sunday roasts or anything you request as a prior booking.

Kind regards


Carole

July Diary Haymaking

Dear Guests

July has been a busy month on the farm. The sheep have all been clipped and last week we took advantage of the weather and did some hay timing. We had the hay baled in no time at all and with some willing helpers the bales were all nicely stacked before the wet weather kicked in. It took me back to my time as a youth when the process took considerably longer and we were not as lucky as we are today with all the modern machinery we have available. We finished the evening with a barbecue, there was not a morsel left and everyone appears to have survived the experience!

What a glorious weekend we are having this week - perfect for camping. A number of guests have only realised about our tea room as they are leaving so, just as a reminder, there is a tea room and we do provide breakfasts if required along with tea, cakes and scones. Packed lunches are also available.

Hope to see you soon,

Best regards

Carole

MAY DIARY

Dear Guests

May has been another busy month with the bank holidays. We have welcomed further campers to the campsite and one couple treated us to a traditional clog dance show in the tea room, which was really enjoyable. They are due to return for a repeat visit and breakfast show on the morning of 19 June. So anyone that would like to book in for a full English breakfast on that day may do so.

We were very pleased to welcome a large group of walkers to the tea room during the month, the group was led by Wendy a National Park Volunteer and they enjoyed tea and cakes.

Well I managed to squeeze into my wedding outfit and had a fantastic day at a friend's wedding the other week - I danced nearly all night and didn't want to come home! The venue was a perfect setting in the grounds of a country mansion along with large marque - I felt like Mrs Bouquet for the day.

Don't forget to make enquiries about the tea room when you visit. I must dash as I need to make another batch of cakes - the tins are empty, everything has been eaten.

Bye for now

Carole

APRIL DIARY

Dear Guests

I have had a really busy month, on the farm, with all the lambs being born. The swallows arrived on 2 April and I heard the cuckoo calling on 18 April so spring is well and truly here.

With the nice weather we have been experiencing recently we have welcomed new and past guests to the campsite. The tea room is also proving popular to both campsite and non-campsite guests, especially the large chocolate cupcakes with cadbury's mini eggs. The packed lunches are also proving a treat for campsite guests who still want some comforts of home (one gentleman was pleased that we serve real ham!).

Well the diet was going well (I have a wedding to go to in a few weeks - no it's not the Royal wedding - I was too busy that weekend so I had to politely decline), until I started making all the nice Easter cakes and of course I had to sample them. I just hope I can still get into my outfit.

Anyway must dash, more cakes to bake and more lunches to make. Don't forget to get in touch if fancy a quiet break away from it all, or you have any special requirements for a family tea party/other celebration.

Kind regards

Carole

MARCH DIARY

Dear Guests

I cannot believe that March has arrived already. I have been a bit lazy with the blog recently as the farm has been busy - cows have been calving and sheep lambing and I have been up during the night a lot, ensuring that everyone is alright.

We have received our first couple of campers at the campsite. It was quite exciting to find that Radio Cumbria wanted to interview one of the visitors to discuss the comparison between camping and yurts. Of course my visitor, who posesses true outdoor spirit, was able to share a view that hill camping is truely enjoyable and fun at this time of year as long as you have good quality clothing and camping equipment (and I am sure a sense of humour helps!).

We have also had a number of visitors who have been complimentary about the afternoon teas consisting of homemade scones and cakes they have enjoyed. One little boy (a huge tractor fan), who visited with this parents, sat and quietly enjoyed a number of chocolate cakes and not single crumb was to be found on his plate and his fingers were licked completely clean (which is always a good sign).

There are some beautiful walks around Abbot Park, so don't forget to call in next time you fancy a long walk followed by a non-guilty pleasure of cakes. Unfortunately, I don't get much time for the walking but I enjoy the cakes anyway.

Hope to see you soon.

Carole (Mrs Kipling)

JANUARY DIARY

Happy New Year everyone!

The tea room is completely finished and I must say what a fantastic job the builders have made. All the work has been completed by professional, traditional craftsmen and every stone has been lovingly placed to restore Abbot Park and the barns to their true glory.

I am pleased to advise that the craftsmen are available for dry stone walling courses so why not consider a camping weekend with a difference and undertake a course at the same time. They will be running from May onwards, please e-mail for more information.

This week as seen the birth of 'Ginger' a baby Limousine calf who was borne on 14 January at midnight. Mother and baby are doing fine.

Well the diet has started although I am not doing terribly well and I don't think I will be appearing as Slimmer of the Year any time soon.

Please do feel free to contact us for further information regarding camping, the tea room or the dry stone walling courses.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards

Carole