Play Area & Wellies!

As I mentioned way back last year, we now have a small play area on the farm, fenced and turfed and suitable for children up to the age of 14.

Phil's had a bit of a challenging time trying to stop the chickens from marauding over the lovely new grass and bark chippings, but he thinks he's cracked it now!

The Carriage House is now up and running - we've a stock of maps, guidebooks and some excellent local circular walks on easy to follow laminated sheets (researched and written by my good friend and intrepid walking partner - Jill).   There's also a DVD library and some outdoor toys for guests to borrow, plus a wellie bank (just in case you forget yours!).

Local Food and Businesses

I've just spent a very enjoyable morning at a local produce market and table top sale in the nearby village of Morchard Bishop.  This is a regular event that takes place once a month (usually on the second Saturday) in the car park of The London Inn

It's so lovely to see both small and larger local producers and suppliers of food selling their wares directly to the public.  I met some delightful people and purchased some lovely food:

Ann Pollard from Riverside Goats Cheese provided me with some delicious cheddar style goats cheese and a pot of truly divine soft creamy goats cheese with wild garlic.  She is based just down the road from us in Woolfardisworthy (pronounced Woolsery!) and is just about to launch a new website, which we will link to.  She is very happy to sell direct to our guests, providing they phone ahead!

I also met Sarah Flower and her mother Christine who have just launched The Crafty Pantry.  Sarah is a writer and truly terrific cake baker!  She supplies puddings to The London Inn and is able to bake cakes for any occasion.  If you are planning to come to us for a celebration, she is more than happy to bake a cake for you (so much better than my boring old victoria sponges!)

Amaryllis is a lovely little shop that has recently opened in Morchard Bishop.  The owner, Claire Houghton Ward specialises in wedding flowers, but also sells beautiful gifts and cards and has a small studio/gallery where she sells the work of local artists and photographers.  She has limited opening hours at the moment (Sundays 11 - 4 and to coincide with the Morchard Bishop Market) but is really happy to open by appointment.

New Sheep.

We've got a few additions to our small flock of lawnmowers.  Bob, Lambkin and the Wyrd Sisters (and their lambs) have been joined by three rather posh pedigree Hampshire Down sheep together with their lambs.

We've no names for the new girls yet, or their lambs, so any suggestions?????

Safari in Devon?

Phil and I are planning our first child-free holiday for 18 years!  We're off to Kenya later in the year to spend some time with some friends and, the highlight of our trip, to head out on a camping Safari to the Masai Mara and Nakuru.

The idea of safari got me thinking about what we have right on our doorstep here in Devon.  Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks are blessed with dramatic scenery and a huge diversity of wildlife.  I've been doing a bit of research and have come up with a couple of interesting ideas for guests.

On Dartmoor, Dartmoor Nature Tours offer guided walks, at a lesiurely pace, including butterfly walks,  bird tours and funghi forays  with a guide who has lived and worked in the area for twenty years.

On Exmoor, Exmoor Wildlife Safaris can offer something slightly different.  They drive guests through old green lanes and tracks over moorland and through woodland in the heart of Exmoor (in long wheelbase Landrovers) where you may see ponies and deer in their natural environment.  The drivers have good knowledge of the wildlife on Exmoor.  The trip lasts about 3 hours and is suitable for all age groups - perfect for non-walkers!

For those who prefer something a little less strenous, why not try Exmoor Zoo, Dartmoor Zoological Park or Paignton Zoo - all within easy driving distance from The Barton and always popular with our guests, particularly those with younger children.

Winter ... Brrrrrrr (part 2)

Well, what can I say.  Brrrrr.....!

We've had the most amazing wintery weather here in deepest Devon - admittedly along with most of the rest of the country.  We've had frozen pipes and water troughs, impassable roads and no post or newspapers for several days,  but I have to say that everywhere looks truly beautiful - almost like Narnia!

We've had some snowed-in guests, who eventually got home safely, and we're looking forward to welcoming our Christmas and New Year guests.  Hopefully things will be a bit less icy in the next few days.  But, it is lovely looking at the cottages decorated with snow:

A very Happy Christmas to all our Guests, past and present!

Another Celebration

We've certainly had our share of celebrations at The Barton Granary & Brimbles this year!  We were particularly honoured that the Copas family chose to celebrate Monte and Doreen's Diamond Wedding Anniversary with a family party at the Granary.  Our heartiest congratulations go Monte and Doreen on their fantastic achievement of 60 happy years of marriage!

Divine Lemon Posset Pots

The most requested desert from guests that I cook for is Divine Lemon Posset Pots.

Almost all of the recipes I cook for guests are my own, but I'm ashamed to say that this recipe first came to my attention whilst reading a Mary Berry cookery book (anyone who knows me knows that I devour cookery books as bedtime reading), but I have adapted the recipe for my own use.  Here goes:

To serve 4


300ml of double cream
75g of unrefined caster sugar
The grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
2 tablespoons of kirsch (or brandy)

Heat the cream, sugar and lemon zest in a large pan (a skillet or non-stick frying pan) over a very low heat until simmering.  Once simmering point has been reached, stir continuously for a couple of minutes.


Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool until lukewarm


Mix the lemon juice and kirsch (or brandy) with the lukewarm mixture and stir until smooth

Pour into ramekins or wine glasses, transfer to the fridge or a very cool place and allow to set


Serve with biscotti or almond biscuits, and maybe with some raspberries or strawberries on the side.

So, now I've shared the recipe, it will disappear from my menu unless requested!!!!!