This is our New Year’s resolution; for 2010 we are hoping to keep a blog to keep you up-to-date with what is happening at Swineshead Hall. If there is anything that you think we have missed, please let us know. We thought it might be best to write the current month first – what do you think? 

August 2010

April, May, June & July have passed by in a whirl of activity.  A lot of tree work in the garden has provided us with a lot more jobs to do and, like everyone this year, we are struggling to keep on top of the weeds the weeds. Once again we were very lucky with the weather for the Church fete in June, which was another sucessful event. We are trialling the Tearoom being open on a Wednesday, Thursday & Friday for two weeks this month (11th – 13th & 18th – 20th August). We will trial it again in mid September when we hope the weather will be looking better than it has recently.

 

 

All photos were taken from the top of the largest cherry picker in Lincolnshire (that’s why we had to wait a long time for it to be available) used for treework in Spring 2010.

 

 

March 2010

The last two days have certainly begun to look like Spring is on its way in the garden. The aconites and snowdrops are in full bloom (I will try and upload a photo soon) and the birds are tweeting a lot more. One of the owls (the tawny owl) is out of hibernation and is out hunting most nights. The squirrels seem to be multiplying and getting very cheeky about coming near the house – we are keeping a close eye on them! Our tree work has been delayed due to circumstances beyond our control and now Darren is committed elsewhere. Hopefully, this will now take place towards the middle of this month – at least we are still well clear of the nesting season. Sian is packed up and ready to leave for another season working in Northern Brittany. Hannah and Joelle are still based with us and Rob appears on a regular basis. New to the website is our page featuring our mobile home (caravan) in France – many of the photos are courtesy of Hannah from the time that she spent there last year and they are well worth a look as there are some stunning views.

February 2010

We are hoping to do some much needed tree work this month. If you have visited us, you will know how dense and close to the house some of our trees are and we are hoping to give them some breathing space to grow and develop as they should by clearing out weaker specimens and allowing some light in for them to grow as well as ensuring safety and maintaining access down the drive and along paths. We are forever grateful to Darren and his guys from Greenscape Tree Care for all their hard work in helping us to maintain and improve the trees here. It never ceases to surprise us how many people, who have lived in the village a long time, have never been in the garden (or the house). We are only too happy for you to pay us a visit but it’s a good idea to call first – we aren’t always as tidy as we would like to be and it will give us the chance to throw a few things into cupboards! I am hoping to sort a Pamper Day Package with Clipz hairdressers and Anne the beautician soon (for those who don’t know, they are 2 minutes from us in the centre of the village)  and will keep you up-to-date with what’s happening when I have details. My Mum thinks they are the best hairdressers and beautician she has ever been to (that really is a compliment as she has been to a lot in her 78 years and worked in the industry!)

I am having a go at Tweeting as I am told this is the thing to do and I am certainly in the right surroundings for doing it.

For up-to-date information about what’s going on at the moment have a look at  http://twitter.com/SwinesheadHall

 

 January 2010

Happy New Year. Lots of snow and the garden looked beautiful – don’t think the birds and squirrels were very impressed. My Mum and Dad came to stay for a fortnight and entered into the spirit of things by clearing litter from the garden (thrown in by passers by – we would be only too happy to put it in our bins if they knocked on the door); sweeping leaves that had been buried under the snow; dusting and vacuuming – they, as you can imagine, are welcome to come back any time! Still three girls based at home: Joelle is teaching; Sian now has 2 jobs and Hannah is trying really hard to get a break in the film and TV make-up industry – if you need a fully qualified make-up artist, please let us know. Rob our son and not the Rob Pattinson in the films) continues to work for The Evening Chronicle in Newcastle. I really enjoyed my evening with Swineshead WI – what a lovely group of ladies. If you have ever thought about going along to meetings, you will be made most welcome and have the opportunity to meet some really interesting people. I will find out the best way of contacting them and include it with our information if you are interested.