Diane at Healey Mill

Where Does Time Go?

2011-07-12T02:48:00.000-07:00

This is a question many of us ask ourselves quite often, and it always amazes me at how fast the weeks fly by here at Healey Mill.
Since last "blogging", the Morrison family have been and gone in The Mistal, as have first time guests Trevor and Deney and now this week, we have Maurice and Maureen returning to us. It's great when they arrive, because once they have unpacked and prepared tea, Maureen comes trotting down to us with fresh strawberries and she always prepares and washes them for us, so all we have to do is eat them - scrummy!!
She doesn't provide the cream or ice cream though - must drop a big hint!
In The Barn we have had first time guests James, Mariam and their 4 month old daughter Sophia - what a great place and area for baby's first holiday. They were also joined for a couple of nights by proud grandparents. The following week saw new guests again with Lyn, her Mum, Auntie and Friend and not forgetting Megan the Lhaso Apso. Unfortunately Megan was a little bit poorly whilst here, so Tim took them off to the vets and hopefully all is well - get well soon Megan. This week, once again, new guests have arrived in the form of Jeff and his family. Exciting day today for them as they go off to How Stean Gorge. Chatting with Jeff last night, we gave him lots of ideas of what to do and where to go, but I think they will have to return as they will never fit it all in this week.
It's a bit overcast today, but a nice temperature - just right for gardening - so off I go!!

Lots of First Time Visitors at Healey Mill

2011-06-23T01:50:00.000-07:00

Since Spring Bank Holiday week, we are welcoming first time visitors to Healey Mill on a regular basis. In The Barn we have had the Cockbill family, the Fittall family with Mack the GSD and this week the Allsop's with Gussy the dog. Two of the guests this week are artists and it has been great seeing them paint and sketch. Malcolm runs a company selling DVD's teaching people to sketch and paint - check out the website at http://www.townhousefilms.co.uk/. Next week we again have a new family coming to stay in The Barn. We look forward to welcoming them on Saturday.
In The Mistal we have welcomed Katie and her partner who attended a wedding at Swinton Park and then came on to stay with us for a few days. This week we have Sandra and Stan back for their second visit. Although they only live in Wakefield, an hour and fifteen minutes away, they love to visit the Yorkshire Dales.
Today it is raining, so unfortunately there won't be any grass cutting or gardening being done, just hope tomorrow is better so we can play catch up!
Next week the Morrison family from Scotland return to visit us. I'm sure there will be much football playing in the field.

Pesky Rabbits!!

2011-06-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

After spending quite a bit of time planting bedding plants and a new trough of herbs, the rabbits (cute as they are) have eaten the marigolds and the parsley!!
Lovely day today to be out in the garden with the hoe. Dogs have been basking in the sunshine whilst I work; Archie dropping his ball in front of my feet every two minutes for me to throw; sheep bleating in the background and the birds singing - absolute bliss.

First Time Visitors and Returning Guests

2011-05-31T05:13:00.000-07:00

Since our last blog, we have welcomed both first time visitors and returning guests who have now become friends. The Barn has seen new visitors, the Kay family and the Surrey family. The Kay family had two young children who loved interacting with our dogs and also the chickens and ducks. It was great excitement to collect the eggs and eat them for breakfast the following day. The Mistal has seen new and returning guests, Alison and Brian were first time visitors, whilst Harry, Chris and Heather and Jean, Ord and Molly are returning guests. Jean and Ord were here for their second time this year and celebrated Ord's birthday whilst staying.
This week being Spring Bank Holiday week sees the return of the Drysdale family in The Barn and The Chisholms in The Mistal. No doubt a game of rounders in the playing field will be arranged during the week with us as the hosts captaining each team. It becomes quite competitive, but great fun with Grandpa John acting as referee.
The weather has changed today and we are having beautiful blue skies and warm sunshine. Long may it last.

Welcome to New Guests

2011-05-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Last week saw returning guests in both cottages, with the Fisher family in The Barn (not forgetting Bobby the dog) and the Tozer family on their sixth visit to The Mistal. Great to see both families again and catch up with all their news.
This week we see first time guests in both cottages. A first for us is a family in The Barn over from Germany. In The Mistal we have Barry and Judith from closer to home near Morecombe. Judith has been researching her family history and it is thought that some of her descendants lived in the Mill near Swinton. It is very interesting to try and help her fill in some missing gaps.
The sun is still shining and everyone seems to be enjoying some great days out. Visits to Fountains Abbey and Hackfall Woods are proving popular at the moment. Particularly picturesque is Hackfall Woods as the bluebells are out at the moment.

Jemima Broody

2011-04-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

When I went to let the ducks out this morning, Jemima wouldn't leave the house. My first thought was "oh no, she's poorly" but upon checking her she was sitting on the two eggs laid overnight. I immediately fetched another six eggs, put some fresh sawdust and water in the house and also a bit of straw in case she wanted to make a nest. I stood back and watched for a while and she soon gathered the eggs under her and sat again. Amazingly, one of the muscovies then went and stood at the door and had a "chat" and then when he left the house the other muscovey did the same, so hopefully they will watch over her and she will hatch the eggs. Watch this space, I will be counting the days!!

Ducklings in the Garden

2011-04-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

Great surprise today when I heard a duck quacking in the garden. Upon further investigation I found a duck with at least 10 ducklings in the garden.

Where Does Time Go?

2011-04-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

Three weeks have passed by since my last blog - I really don't know where time goes. Everyone says as you get older it goes faster - how old am I??? time is flying by.
John & Elizabeth enjoyed a lovely week in The Mistal and are returning to stay in The Barn at the end of May with family. Since then we have had Jean, Ord and Molly the golden retriever, and last week Trevor and Jean with family joining them for the weekend with grandson Johnathan who was a great joy.
Today sees some first time guests arriving Claire and family for a short break until Thursday.
In The Barn we have Susan, Jim, Keiron and Kimmy the dog, who have also been joined for their second week here by Brenda & John.
Keiron has experienced horse riding at Masham Riding Centre (http://www.mashamridingcentre.com/) for the first time, he has been twice already and is going again on Thursday. Keiron loves it, but Susan is thinking this may become expensive; what the heck, we may have the next Frankie Dettori - my money would definately be on him!!
The family have done lots of things over the past week - Hawes, Ripley Castle, Skipton, York, Whitby to name but a few and on Wednesday are paying another visit to The Forbidden Corner as Keiron loved it so much last year he couldn't stop talking about it.

The gardens here are looking beautiful. Gorgeous spring colours and lovely green grass. Grass cutting is once a week at the moment, but I'm sure it will soon be twice. Although we don't want the rain, the ground does need it. Perhaps we could order the rain to come during the night, with the sunshine during the day?

Archie had a birthday on Saturday - he was 12 - but still likes to chase the ball.

Tomorrow evening, weather permitting we are having a bonfire to get rid of all the garden rubbish. What better to combine it with hot dogs and mushy peas. The guests from The Barn are joining us so should be a fun night. I'm sure there will be a game of football thrown in for good measure.

A week in the life of.............

2011-04-18T06:24:00.000-07:00

It's Saturday 12th March and our day starts early, letting the ducks and chickens out to free range for the day, feeding the dogs and exercising them ready to start our busy changeover day.
10.00am and Carole and Gemma arrive ready to start the cleaning.
Guests who have been staying in The Mistal for the week are preparing to leave. Returning guests Barbara and Paul have had a lovely relaxing week, just the ticket for Paul's 70th birthday. Barbara and Paul brought along their new (but old, well 8 years) dog, a Beagle named Melody, a very quiet and unassuming dog. Goodbyes were said with the promise of Barbara and Paul returning in 2 years time for Barbara's 65th birthday. As it is in April and could possibly be Easter they have booked the week already to be sure.
Back into The Barn to remove the dirty laundry and take the girls a cup of tea. Washing machines are on but as yet the weather is not good enough to peg the laundry on the line.
Next job, sort the recycling out (by these guests know how to enjoy themselves!) and empty the dustbins.
Then it's onto sweeping the patios and steps. Normally the patio furniture would be washed down but the weather isn't quite good enough for sitting out yet.
The guests in The Barn are here for another three weeks yet but the guests due to arrive in The Mistal are first time visitors. The welcome basket containing local produce is prepared and put in the cottage along with fresh flowers - it has to be daffodils at this time of year.
Lunch time is looming, so it's back on with the kettle and the girls have a cup of tea and a piece of cake. We have our lunch and then as the weather is fine, go out into the garden for the afternoon to do some more cutting back. The dogs are outside with us all afternoon and come in absolutely shattered.
When the girls have finished the cottages, it is time for a final check over before the guests arrive.
Roger & Heather arrive from Norfolk, unfortunately to a sprinkling of rain. They are shown around the grounds and the cottage and left to settle in for the evening.
Just time to shut the ducks and hens away before it gets dark and of course to collect the eggs.
Whilst out seeing to the poultry, we meet up with our new guests and spend half an hour having a chat.

Sunday 13th March and we have a bit of a lie in, not too late as we have the poultry and dogs to see to. Once this is done, it's back in for bacon sandwiches and coffee.
Day off today and we decide to have a trip out to Helmsley. Don't miss the bakery there - the bread is delicious and so are the cakes. The Black Swan also have a lovely tea shop.
Back home to walk the dogs and as dusk falls shut the ducks and hens away.

Monday 14th March and after seeing to the animals, it's time to get down to some computer work. Emails are checked and dealt with, websites are updated accordingly and of course, the bills are paid. After lunch, with the weather being so nice, it's time to get back out into the garden. We are currently cutting back the path around the mill pond to give visitors more room to walk and also cutting down any low level branches in the way. The dogs are out in the field all afternoon and Meg decides to do some swimming. Wesley is very interested in the ducks flapping about and wants to join in the fun.
After clearing up, it's time for Diane's piano lesson, just enough time for a cup of tea beforehand.
Back home, ducks and hens away and another day done.

Tuesday 15th March sees Diane on a "web marketing" course at Richmond. A very interesting, informative and inspiring day. Can't wait to put into practice what has been learnt. The weather has been very misty all day today, so a good day to be inside. Home in time for walking the dogs and seeing to the poultry.

Wednesday 16th March and today we are meeting up with some friends (who are also guests of ours) in Hawes. They are staying in the Lake District (how very dare they?) so we decide to meet half way at The Wensleydale Cremery (www.wensleydale.co.uk) for yes, you've guessed it, coffee and cake! Once suitably refreshed, we go off to Aysgarth Falls for a walk with the dogs. The weather again is very misty and although we can see the waterfalls the scenery is a bit obscure. After a lovely late lunch in Hawes and plenty of chatting and catching up we leave to head for home.

Thursday 17th March and it's time for a trip to Nottingham to visit relatives. We are there all day catching up with news and by the time we are home it is dark and the hens have to be shut up by torchlight.

Friday 18th March and it is time to start preparing for Saturday changeover. The laundry is ironed and the shopping is done. Another lovely day (is Spring really here?) and the afternoon is spent once again in the garden. The bonfire is getting bigger by the day and will have to be burnt some day soon. The dogs have spent the afternoon outside with us again and Meg has spent quite a bit of time swimming in the mill pond. Ducks and hens are shut away and then it is back inside for a huge cup of tea. After dinner the fruit cake is put in the oven ready for the welcome basket again tomorrow.

Where has the week gone? So much done and so much still to do, there is always a job to be done!

A Busy Time

2011-04-18T06:20:00.001-07:00

Saturday changeover saw Barbara and Paul leaving with the promise of being back in 2013 for Barbara's special birthday (not mentioning which one).
A busy Saturday with plenty of gardening being done - the gardens are looking neat and tidy.
4.30pm and John and Moria arrive to stay in The Mistal. It is a couple of years since they have been as they are unable to book their holidays too far in advance and each time they have tried to book, we have been full. It is lovely to see them again and catch up - they haven't changed a bit. Apart from John's car - as it was a lovely sunny evening they arrived with the top down!
John and Moira had left home early and enjoyed a fabulous walk in Muker before coming onto us. During the week they also enjoyed a great walk around Coverdale and stopped off for a coffee at the White Swan in Middleham. The weather has been great and they were able to sit outside for their coffee and watch the racehorses going to the gallops to train.
We have a dry stone wall in the garden which is leaning very badly and about ready for collapsing. Paul Blyth is going to take it down next week (before it falls down) and rebuild it. Paul has started working for himself and is excellent at stone walling. Hopefully I will be able to post some photographs soon.
As John and Moira leave on Saturday, John and Elizabeth are coming to stay for the week. John and Elizabeth have stayed with us some 12 times and keep on returning. On Sunday the family consisting of four adults and four children and the new dog Lucy, come to see them for the day and of course they have to go to Brymor Ice Cream Parlour http://www.brymordairy.co.uk/ for the obligatory ice cream. The children also visit Bah Humbugs http://www.bahhumbugs.com/ in Masham for some old fashioned sweets.
The day is lovely again and we spend much time sitting at the side of the millpond chatting to the family and catching up.
Tim diverts the water into the millpond on Monday and we have a bit of a panic as we have sprung a leak! With the help of Paul a trench is quickly dug to divert the water and the offending broken pipe is exposed. Repairs are carried out and all is well - panic over!
The first episode of a new program about The Dales, surprising enough it is called "The Dales" is on ITV1 this evening at 8.00pm. Don't forget to watch it and remind yourselves of how beautiful The Yorkshire Dales are, or if you have never been - what are you waiting for? To read more about the series and forthcoming episodes visit www.yorkshire.com/yorkshire-dales.
If you are thinking of a break, why not check out the availability calendar on our website http://www.healeymill.co.uk/ and come along and stay with us - you will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

Ducklings on the Millpond

2011-04-18T06:19:00.003-07:00

Jean, Ord and Molly the retriever arrived on Saturday to stay in The Mistal. They went up to the millpond yesterday to feed our ducks and greeted us with great excitement as one of the wild ducks was swimming on the pond with at least 12 ducklings. As soon as I can get a photograph I will post it.

Update - I think the duck has taken her brood down to the river as we no longer see them about - so unfortunately no photographs

Trip Advisor

2011-04-18T06:19:00.001-07:00

We are now pleased to say we are on Trip Advisor - if you have stayed with us and would like to post a review, please feel free to do so.
Follow this link to see a slideshow http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/vr-001f-9f9a-5a40?ln

The Dales

2011-04-18T06:18:00.001-07:00

Don't forget to watch The Dales on ITV1 at 8.00pm on Monday nights