Poor Little Lamb!

To keep all informed who are interested, Carpet (one of our elderly ewes who resembles a sheepskin carpet) eventually delivered 2 lambs with the aid of the vet on Easter Sunday.  Sadly, the ram lamb died, but the ewe lamb survived.  Christened "Rug" by Phil ("as she is a little piece of carpet") we started to bottle feed her as Carpet didn't have any milk.  We reluctantly decided that it would not be fair to keep Rug without any company, and as we just don't have the time to take on any more sheep, we advertised her on the Lamb Bank (a website which puts farmers and smallholders who have surplus orphan lambs in touch with each other) A new owner came forward within 24 hours and she is now living on a smallholding in South Devon with another motherless lamb!

 The rest of the sheep continue to produce lambs on a regular (ish) basis - more photos soon!

Mid-Devon for Foodies - Food to Buy

Mid-Devon, the part of Devon stretching from Okehampton in the west, up to South Molton and down to Tiverton, can be wonderfully tourist free!  But can also offer some delightful experiences to the discerning foodie, from delis, artisan bakeries and farm shops specialising in local produce, to cafes and pubs to Michelin starred restaurants.

Whilst we can supply grass fed lamb and beef direct to guests from our own farm, together with venison sausages, pork sausages, apple juice and cider, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite shops and suppliers to be found in my particular part of Devon, close to Crediton and Tiverton. (they also get top marks from the guests that stay in my holiday cottages)

Thornes Farm Shop - Near Cheriton Fitzpaine

Our local farm shop, selling home grown vegetables (including my favourites - asparagus and purple sprouting broccoli when in season) and offering pick-your-own soft fruit throughout the summer.  They also sell a range of devon produce, have a butcher (who makes our sausages for us) and a small cafe.

Exe Valley Farm shop - near Thorverton

Another nearly local farm shop, selling organic vegetables and chicken from the Ark Chicken Company.  Also sells dried organic goods.

Quickes Cheese - Newton St Cyres

Family run award-winning cheese makers.  I buy direct from their own shop on the A377 Crediton to Exeter Road in Newton St Cyres where they have a terrific selection of their own cheeses (try the oak smoked cheddar and the hard goats cheese) and a selection of other Devon and Cornwall cheeses.

The Cheese Cafe - High Street, Crediton

Another fantastic cheese shop, this one sells a huge variety of British and continental cheeses (the only place where I can buy good pecorino!!) and sometimes some great sourdough bread - my current fave!  There's also a lovely cafe (Penny's Pantry).

Stevie B's Bakery - High Street, Crediton

A proper artisan bakery selling a huge variety of bread (including sourdough and spelt) made from organic ingredient's.

Crediton Coffee Company - Market Square, Crediton

A rather lovely shop selling fresh coffee beans (which they roast themselves, daily!) together with all sorts of other coffee related stuff.

Crediton Farmer's Market - Market Square, Crediton

Last, but by no means least, this award winning farmers market takes place on the first and third Saturday of every month between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm - well worth a visit to sample and buy a diverse range of products sourced from within a 30 mile radius.

 Jolly Vintner - Westexe, Tiverton

A crackingly good wine merchant in Tiverton.  Full of speciality wines and drinks and always good value, with friendly and knowledgeable service.


Happy shopping all!

Early January - getting ready for 2012 guests

We're in the process of spring cleaning The Barton Granary and Brimbles in readiness for our 2012 guests.  You would not believe where we have found cobwebs!

I'm also in the process of updating our guest information folders.  Anyone who has visited us before knows that we are very keen to promote local food suppliers and restaurants and we have, on previous experience, a huge amount of foodie guests.

Phil and I spend an exhaustive amount of time researching and sampling local restuarants and pubs in order to make recommendations to our guests.  I know it's a horrible job, but we just about manage to endure it!

Sadly, of the 25 local (including Tiverton, Crediton, Exeter,  South Molton and surrounding areas) restaurants that I have contacted for further information about opening hours, menus, etc.  Only 1 has bothered to reply to me.  How sad.

I would have thought that in the current economic climate that local eateries would embrace tourists with open arms. 

Watch this space - hopefully some of them will reply soon.

Belated Happy New Year to all my followers and all our past and future guests!

Welcome to Louis

Louis on the Prowl!

Louis - our posh new Hampshire Down ram arrived last week.  

He set to work with his new ladies almost immediately and we await our new arrivals (due at the end of March) with eager anticipation.

Otherwise, life goes on at the usual hectic pace here at The Barton.  Autumn has certainly made itself felt in Devon, and we've had a huge amount of rain.  But between the showers, it's still beautiful on the farm.

We have produced our own apple juice (with the help of the kind people at Westlake Farm, who produce wonderful award-winning Perry from our perry pear tree).  It's available to order in advance for £2.75 per bottle, and we also have a limited amount of delicious Westlake Cider available.

We've already started to take bookings for 2012 for The Barton Granary and Brimbles and have even taken a booking for 2013 - now that's what I call planning ahead! 

I'm looking forward to welcoming the remainder of our 2011 guests and to getting the cottages ready for Christmas and New Year.  

Where has the summer gone?

I can't believe that we are almost at the end of October!  We've had a great summer here at The Barton, despite the terrible August weather.  I have enjoyed meeting new guests and have taken great pleasure in welcoming our many guests who returned for a second (or in one case fifth) time!   I'm really looking forward to welcoming our winter weekend guests.

I've enjoyed cooking for several visitors this summer who all said they enjoyed the experience - I do hope they were not just being polite!!!!  Favourite dishes so far this year are - chicken liver pate, posh sausage & mash (with pork, venison and lamb merguez sausages), beef daube, and the ever popular lemon posset pots!  Our menu is always changing and reflects the seasons - the majority of our ingredients come from within six miles of us and reflect the slow food ethics of many of our local farms and suppliers.  If you'd like me to cook for you, just let me know and I'll send you our up-to-date menu.

If you are considering coming to stay at Brimbles or The Barton Granary please do consider ordering our produce or taking our advice about locally available produce.  Contact us for an up to date price list of our own produce (we now sell our own apple juice and cider as well as our own beef and lamb and our locally produced pork,  wild venison and lamb merguez sausages) or for details of other local food producers.

Happy Autumn!

Tiverton Food Festival

I had a great time visiting The Tiverton Food Festival on Sunday.  Pity it wasn't better publicised!
There were some great stands (just great for a foodie like me) but the highlights of my visit were Devon Smokehouse - loving the Smoked Devon Sea Salt and the Coconut & Lime infused Salt - and I absolutely loved  Janice Voce's (AKA Fancy That! Outside Catering) amazing take-away Caribbean Food (Salt Fish & Ackee and Goat Curry - Yummy!).

May - Special offers for The Granary

The Granary (sleeping 8 in 2 double and 2 twin bedrooms) is currently available for 7 nights commencing Friday 13th May at the reduced rate of £475.00, which includes linen, bath towels and bathrobes, cot/highchair (s) and free wifi (subject to terms and conditions of use).  Short breaks are also available, starting at £330 for 3 nights.

Contact us for more details