Despite the storms…………….

The weather hasn’t been particularly good of late, but we have had spells of glorious sunshine and blue skies, only this morning even. I’ve been out doing my homework for my camera course so thought I’d share a few shots of Boscrowan with you.

 

buff cockerel

 

daphne

The wonderful perfume of Daphne Odora fills the air beside Ring and Thimble back door.

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The hardy Camellia Donation.

 

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A beautiful iris I planted 2 years ago on the garden wall.

Then there’s my panning practice in a daffodil field – I had a patient subject!

Huckleberry in the daffodils Huckleberry in the daffodils 3

Let’s see if I progress over the weeks to come……………………..

Behind the scenes running a self catering business

We aim to give our guests a truly enjoyable and memorable holiday experience  so it’s not an occasional once over every few years with safe magnolia paint throughout because it’s cheaper and easy to touch up but it’s Farrow and Ball in colours that we think appropriate to each cottage and its surroundings. So, at this time of year it’s busy with painting and decorating and ensuring the cottages are all spick and span for the year ahead.

Ring and Thimble has had a bathroom makeover – I’ve always loved the green blue wall colour in there but now we have changed a shade or two to card  room green and popped in an enormous new mirror. A lovely relaxing colour for a restful bath. The massive pine A frames are now a lovely soft white colour and blend beautifully with the vaulted ceiling.

 

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Peace and Plenty twin room has new curtains, fresh out of the workroom here and a change of headboard colour. I’ve kept to the lime white walls as I think it keeps it light and airy.

Peace and Plenty twin bedroom steaming and dressing

The curtains are steamed and dressed after hanging to help them hang well. The ties are removed after about 24 hours but are often a talking point for the uninitiated! They will be whipped off before our next guests later this week. The heading is hand gathered – much smarter than curtain heading tape.

David has been busy splitting logs for the year after next in one of the daffodil fields. We like to burn well seasoned logs and he has four woodburners to feed plus it seems one belonging to our younger daughter who is often spotted refilling her bags!

 

splitting logs

This is just the tip of the iceberg – there is such a variety of tasks that ultimately link to our holiday cottage business. Tonight I’ve been on the first session of a photography course to hopefully help me to take better pictures for our website and social media etc – we’ll see if there’s an improvement – but it’s rather fun for a change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

New Year’s Eve – a lovely day and I walked around Boscrowan with my new camera. A present from David to take wonderful photos for our website and facebook page.

Buff orpington cockerel in the daffodil field

One of our 2 buff Orpington cockerels in the daffodil field

Yes the two Boscrowan daffodil fields are beginning to flower already – the earliest in the area we hear!

daffodils New Years Eve

New Years Eve in Cornwall – well it rained and also on New Years Day. We seem to be alternating – one day wet, then one day dry. Unbelievable how many plants are in flower here – primroses, daphne almost, camellias almost, Kaphir lilies and the bees are loving my mahonia which is looking wonderful at the moment.

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My New Years resolution for 2014 is to spend more time on the garden – to grow even more flowers in the cutting garden for the cottages and more vegetables for our guests too so that we can all eat with the seasons! No to imported flowers and vegetables – we managed years ago without this so perhaps we might try again?!