Strange things happen... prowling in the night
About 6 days ago I was talking with friends about the Big Cats; we were saying not a lot has been heard lately! Two days later I had a text from my nephew, who had been driving up the A39 past our place, and he and his wife saw a big cat, crossing the road from our land. He described it as puma or lynx like. Is this my telepathic skills calling one up!! We have lost a lot of ducks on our lake over the last 2 months, higher loss rate than previously. I am definitely shutting all my animals in earlier, before it gets too dark.
So they are still around and I have since heard that there have been sightings on the south of Bodmin Moor recently, and sounds of them calling.
Is there anyone else with recent stories or sightings of the cats, it would be fun to find out. Please let me know if you have any tales of the unexpected ...email me and I will put together a big cat report for the next newsletter. It really would be interesting to hear from any of you. I want to see one now! email - contact@mayrosefarmcottages.co.uk
I am all for camping in countries with a guaranteed supply of sunshine and a limited chance of rain, but somehow Cornwall doesn't match that criteria.
For this reason when I spotted the 'glampod' I decided it was the perfect way to embrace the great outdoors.
The glampod is essentially a large canvas tent housed inside a giant biome, which is actually more like a greenhouse.
It is situated in a large private field at Mayrose Farm, at Helstone near Camelford.
When I arrived I was greeted by the owner who built the glampod and runs the holiday cottages that are also for rent on the site.
He walked us to our glampod through fields with lambs, cows and a big fat friendly pig.
The spot was perfect, we felt completely away from everything and everyone else.
The glampod was quite large with a covered lawn area and a beautiful selection of plants and palms.
Outside the glampod were deckchairs and a picnic table and chairs, which we used when the sun came out.
Inside the canvas tent was a double bed, with a fluffy duvet that was needed during the cold night that we stayed. There was also a bunk bed in an adjoining room that my partner's children slept in on the second night that we stayed.
In the living area there was a wood burning stove, a sink with running water and all the crockery and tableware you could need. The nicest part was lighting all the candles they had put out for us and sitting in front of the stove as the sun went down.
Within the glampod, but outside the tent, was a large shower that was solar powered and had lovely warm water.
We had only planned to stay one night but we knew the kids would love it, so we stayed on an extra evening and drove home to pick them up.
The farm animals were so tame and the lambs came running up to us for attention. There were also guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and ducks which took a detour on their way to the pond to pay us a visit at our glampod.
I did wonder whether the kids would be bored as there was no television, computer or modern toys for them to play with. However there is a heated outdoor pool that we used and an entertainment room filled with books, games and DVDs. They were certainly not stuck for things to do.
Glamping was great as it took all of the pain out of camping, but kept the feeling that you were moving a bit closer to nature.
What a great way to spend Christmas with all your family or friends. Take 2 or 3 cottages and combine resources. Crowgy seated 14 for Xmas lunch. You can see who did the work....girls or boys??
Mayrose Farm is still seeing families and toddlers, perhaps in Wellies !Even Autumn hasn't stopped the visitors, lots of folk have been enjoying the mild weather, and such exciting seas on these windy days. There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes....
There have been lots of heads down holes here, digging for our new studuo unit and also a very exciting discovery...A very large well under our office floor, we are putting down a new floor. Next I see the builder in a harness 30ft down, he's a cliff rescue coastgauard in his spare time ! Tea and biscuits down the well! Glass top and lights will enable our visitors to have a look..
Free-range Kids
For most urban parents, the idea of allowing your children out into the street to play with their friends is an option that disappeared along with free school milk and the three day week. However at Mayrose Farm free-range kids are the norm. Here you can live the idyll not just of a pretty Cornish hamlet but one of 30 years ago.
While parents relax and enjoy the calm of one of our six pretty stone cottages their children can make friends and play outside the old fashioned way. Remember the joy of knocking for your pals? The sense of liberation as you wandered from house to house to your own timetable? Remember fishing for tadpoles and building a den? All still possible for the free-range kids at Mayrose Farm.
Children of all ages love feeding the ducks and lambs, exploring the farm or having a good old kick-about with jumpers for goalposts. Long-lasting friendships form in the fresh air and children sleep soundly; sun-kissed, wind-blown and content.
What a difference a bit of scrubbing can do.
