Saturday the cattle and their calves got put out to grass, happily bounding around after being in for a couple of months to calf. It’s so nice to watch them enjoying themselves, especially the calves as it a the first time they have been on grass.
Sunday started off in rainy fashion with an early wake up in order to drive to Fairlight Stud, near Bristol, to pay a visit to the stunning Sir Shutterfly. The people and service from the stud were incredibly helpful and friendly, happily spending time chatting to us about how to help promote Carraig Donovan. A very educational trip indeed.
After a slightly quieter Monday we then headed off to Petley Wood showjumping on Tuesday morning, unfortunately the weather wasn’t too kind to us but the horses both jumped well. A quick turn around happened once back to the yard in order for Esther (Poppinghole Patchwork) to be picked up from the vets. Fingers crossed she’s in foal to Sir Shutterfly, we will find out in a couple of weeks time.
The puppies have grown so much in the past couple of weeks, they are now ready to go off to their new homes which will be both a sad and exciting time. There are still 3 little boys available for sale.
The sun finally came out for the latter half of the week, making everything feel much more summery. the horses have all been enjoying the sun too, as have the cows and the sheep. The holiday lets have been busy enjoying the fishing available in both of our lakes, a 20lb Mirror Carp recently being caught, the biggest catch we have had.
We had some very good news yesterday as the owner of one of the mares who have been covered by Donni had her scanned in foal. Looking forward to seeing all the foals due next year already!
Today we have all donned our party dresses and are making our way to Epson Derby day to watch Iseemist run.
Busy week at Poppinghole Farm
Lambing Season
All the sheep were brought in from the fields on New Years Day in preparation for the lambing season. We expect the first lambs this year to arrive from the beginning of February. It will mean long days and nights for everyone involved. Lambing should continue through to the middle of
March. We are all looking forward to seeing the lambs playing in the barn together before they can go out to the fields for the first time. Cottages are still available on the farm to enjoy the lambing experience.
New Year Arrivals
Mrs Pig came down from the woods before Christmas as we thought she was ready for a Christmas delivery. We were beginning to think she had made up a phantom pregnancy just to be under cover for the bad weather and have all her Christmas treats. Well just as we were thinking she needed to go back to the woods she delivered 17 piglets. The piglets were all born last week when it was snowing like crazy. Sadly we have lost two of the babes. Name suggestions are welcome the number of boys and girls to follow.
New arrivals at the farm
Ermitrude will be really proud of Zebedee and Dougall (the baby calves) who have just both learned to feed from buckets rather than the largest baby milk bottles you have ever seen. Visitors to the holiday cottages have enjoyed helping to feed the calves.
Winston the biggest boar ever who lives in the woods escaped today and went walk about the food bucket tempts him back to his pen.
Two new farm kittens have increased the family on the farm both are black and one has a white chest and paws and a striped tail, named Sooty and Sweep.
Poppinghole Farm Cottages
Special Offer
Book a break in the cottages between 15th November and 14th December 2012 and receive an Elemis Deep Tissue Back Massage for free. Only one massage per break.
Please call us tfor more details.
Poppinghole Farm
Two new arrivals at the farm, farm kittens!! One little black one who is a boy and a female black and white one. We are looking for some names so anyone with a suggestion please comment.
Poppinghole Farm
Well the Kent County Show is in full swing but quite soggy!! The Texels are doing well and on the first day have already gained a few prizes and are looking forward to gaining more in the next days’ classes. I just hope Naomi and Kelsey don’t get too soggy camping out and the weather becomes drier for everyone. The show runs until Sunday 15th July so come down and meet us at the show.
Poppinghole Farm
Still show season for the farm, and next week we are taking the Texel sheep to the Kent County Show. Lets hope they do really well and that Kelsey and Naomi will show them off to the very best! Wishing them all good luck and hope that they all have a very enjoyable show.
Poppinghole Farm Spa
Skin care workshop date for the diary is 26th July. Come and enjoy an evening of wine, nibbbles, taster facial and workshop on skincare from the Elemis range with experts at hand to help you through. anyone interested please give us a call on Tel: 01580 830622 to book the tickets are £5, which is redeemable on any purchases on the night. Current spa offer is for any new customers booking a treatment in July 2012 can get 10% off.
Poppinghole Farm Spa
Poppinghole Farm Cottages
The cottages are becoming booked up for July and August, hopefully we will see some warmer weather for our guests to enjoy. They have kept themselves busy by treating themselves to some lovely Elemis pamper treatments and using the indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. With the Olympics London 2012 fast approaching we do still have some availability, we are nicely positioned with a train journey to London making us within easy reach of London and the Olympic sites for a day trip but still far enough away for the peace and quiet of the english countryside.
Take a look at the cottages site for more information on our cottages and please view the gallery which showcases the cottages and the farm beautifully.
Poppinghole Farm – What’s going on this week?
The Farm is a hive of activity this week, the sheep are getting pampered and ready for the South of England Show at Ardingly next week, fingers crossed that the sheep doing well and we get more excellent results. The rest of the sheep are all having a well needed hair cut tomorrow….it’s shearing time so they will all feel alot cooler and lighter without their fleeces.
The new horses from Ireland are settling in very well and finding their new home most appealing. Shane is taking 2 of the experienced horses to a Jubilee Show Jumping Event this weekend; Nancy and Soli will be going to the show and hopefully jumping plenty of clears for the team.
The mares on the farm are being checked and scanned this week to see if they are ready for breeding, with the success of using Kevin63 for previous mares who have had beautiful foals, we are looking to continue using him as the sire. The two new foals to the farm this year are doing well and enjoying the sunshine and being able to have fun in the fields. Paige and her foal (Connie) are now back to full health and are doing very well, thankfully.
More new babies
The three little piglets!! Three baby piglets are the latest new arrivals to the farm this week, unfortunately their mother Rosie passed away when they were only 2 days old. The little ones are being very well cared for by everyone at the farm including Fi who has really taken to the squeakers! They are being bottled fed and they are greedy little fellows which is great news, and they are keeping nice and warm under the lamps. Fingers crossed they carry on doing well.
Poppinghole Farm – Spring has Sprung
It’s been a very busy week this week at the farm, spring babies are being born to a number of our expectant mothers. Both Naomi and Claudia have had their calves and are doing very well, both looking after their young calves. Violet is our most recent mother having had a female calf on Sunday, yet to be named – if you have any ideas on names then by all means let us know! Brian our nearest bull calf is doing very well, he is a very friendly and sweet youngster.
The lambing has ended with all ewes having given birth and the farm is now filled with loads of babies frolicking in the fields and springing around, a perfect spring scene in this lovely sunshine we have.
The last of the expectant mothers are the horses, Hilly is due tonight, she is all ready and waiting for the birth of her new foal. The cameras are set up in the stables to capture the impending action and ensure that someone is on hand to be on call. Paige our other broodmare is due in June and is tentatively watching the goings on and preparing herself!
Three new horses have arrived from Ireland, Magnum, Jigsaw and Katie, they are all in good health and excellent order. Shane will be looking to bring them on and get them in top form shortly.
Poppinghole Farm – New Arrivals!
The farm has seen it’s newest arrival, a lovely bull calf . He was born on Tuesday 6th March during the evening and is yet to be named.
Lambing is still continuing with another one born this morning.