SPECIAL OFFER – 10% off if you come to stay with your dog!

I am happy to accept well-behaved dogs at Lea House, and often have more than one party of guests with one.  It is so easy, with a large field opposite and a million walks all around the area.  I can’t think of anywhere your dog would enjoy more.

So ….  I have decided to offer any couples that would like to come to stay with their dog, a 10% discount until the end of June.  Just quote FBDOG – and you will be welcome – provided I have availability of course.

See you soon – c

ps – My JR – Jelly Bean – can’t wait to say Hi to your dog.  Lilli and Cracker (my cats) may be more reticent

James Gourmet Coffee

I had very appreciative coffee drinkers in this weekend!  With the horrible weather outside, they all lingered over steaming cafetieres of excellent coffee, roasted and ground for me locally in Ross-on-Wye by James Gourmet Coffee.

talk soon – c

ps- Let’s all think positive thoughts about the weather for next weekend!

Bluebells in the Forest of Dean

It is the time of year – once again the bluebells are spectacular but so is the size of the hailstones that have been raining down in the area.  Come and see them before they are too battered about.

talk soon – c

Bread-Making at Lea House

Just made some scrummy bread for my guests to enjoy –  Granary, Organic White with Buckwheat and Wholemeal with Caraway Seeds.   Hope there is some left for me after breakfast!

Oh, by the way, the flour comes from Shipton Flour Mills.  I drive to Frampton-on-Severn to buy it in sacks.  It is fantastic flour. I also use fresh yeast, bought from the local bakery – it is getting very hard to find anywhere that you can buy it from these days.

talk soon – c

Crufts and the Cheltenham Festival Meeting

I have had a really nice group of visitors this week – and very interesting.   Firstly I had a group of 5 Americans who turned out all to be dachshund breeders and one of them was the judge for dachsies at Crufts!!  I was suitably impressed as you can imagine.   Then, on Tuesday, my usual two guys arrived for the Cheltenham Festival.   They have been coming for 6 years now and although they owned a horse up till last year, nothing good enough to run in the Festival meeting.   This year they have a new horse.  They showed me video of its last 3 races over hurdles but didn’t think it was ready to win the Triumph Hurdle on Friday, even though it is for novice hurdlers.   They were wrong!!!   It was just so exciting watching the race.  Towards the end it looked like it was fading and then on the run in up the hill – well it stayed and stayed and I really couldn’t believe my eyes when it won!  Countrywide Flame, remember that name.  On Friday it was 33/1 – but I didn’t have a bet!!  I am a notoriously unlucky gambler and I certainly wouldn’t have wanted to jinx his chances.   But I was a bit galled when Rob (my guest) told me that Betfair had actually had it at 90/1.  That would have made my £5 bet look pretty healthy!!  Oh, well.   Never mind.   I am still excited about it all.   It is really nice to see a horse owned by half a dozen enthusiastic punters win and beat some of the big boys for a change.

talk soon – c

ps – Rob always has my fruit platter and then a bowl of oatmeal porridge before he goes off to the races.   Says his wife wouldn’t believe he has such a healthy breakfast while he is staying at Lea House!

Lambs and Daffodils

Couldn’t believe, a couple of weeks ago when the weather was really bitter, the local farmer had put what were obviously newborn lambs out in the fields with their mums.  They were so tiny and huddled up on the ground.  But they survived and so quickly are beginning to grow and jump about in the field.

 

Then, with all this now mild weather I was put in mind of daffodils and the local famous Daffodil Walks at Kempley and Dimmock.  Everyone tells me the walks are so pretty and enjoyable, I really must try to go on one this year.

talk soon – c

 

Cycling along the River Wye

Just thought I would mention – great mention in the Guardian today.  One of “10 Things to do on Half Term” -

River Wye cycle ride, Monmouthshire

I’ve finally got my three kids cycling. They’re still a bit wobbly on the narrow lanes where I live in the Black Mountains, but an excellent way to build their confidence is riding on traffic-free paths, many of which are part of Sustrans’ National Cycle Network. There are several good routes in south-east Wales, but my current favourite is along the River Wye, from Monmouth to Symonds Yat, following part of the Peregrine Path. It’s actually best in winter – there are no leaves on the trees and the views of the river are wonderful. The ride is 5km each way and flat. It’s a breeze for the kids. Oh, and did I mention there’s a pub halfway?
• sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/midlands/herefordshire, bike hire from pedalabikeaway.co.uk/monmouth.html, adult trail bike £16 a day, child’s bike from £9 a day