On Friday we held a coffee morning as part of the MacMillan Worlds Biggest coffee morning. Cakes were made and donated by guests and staff, bunting and balloons were put up, we donned our green t-shirts and served. Overall we made £374.10 with which we were pleased for a first attempt !

This week sees the build up to the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival held at the market in town, well worth a visit for all the ‘foodies’. I’ll be there on the Melton Promotions stand on the Sunday. 

This week we are carrying on with the refurbishament programme. Room 5 the four poster overlooking the garden has been gutted. the new bathroom suite and furnishings have arrived, it will be out for a few weeks as there is a lot to do.

New curtains and bedding have also arrived for 14, 15, 26 and 29 as well as some extra runners and bits and bobs for other rooms. Rooms 15 and 26 have been redecorated as well. It seems never ending the refurbishment but i do feel we are making progress.

Last weekend was especially busy with the ‘Rare Breeds’ show a BBQ and Sysonby Harvest Supper. It seemed a good idea at the time to get it all done in one weekend ! The BBQ was the one delayed from June due to the awful weather, on this occassion we were blessed, weather and atmosphere great -  the ‘do’ went on until midnight when they had to come in to avoid keeping the residents and neighbours up !

Sysonby Church harvest supper also occurred this weekend. We transported the food down after the service and  produce auction. With ticket sales, produce auction and collection a grand total nearly £100 was raised for chuch funds. Thanks to all those who donated produce.

Last weekend saw the annual ‘Rare Breeds’ animal show in Melton. Farmers across the country bring their rare breed sheep and cattle-  show and then sell them over a 2 day period. We saw a lot of regular returning guests and it is always a weekend i really enjoy. This year saw the added bonus of BBC countryfile filming at the event. Adam Henson (Adams Farm) and his parents brougt some sheep to sell and they also judged. We (especially the kids) were very pleased that they stayed with us. Zoe waited for Adam at breakfast and was rewarded with a signed picture and card. James presented Adam with a jar of his own honey and both had their picture taken. Zoe and I visited the show on sale day and are looking forward to seeing the episode on TV late September.

It was looking increasingly likely as time progressed and yes it happened on Thursday the CLA Game Fair was cancelled. A huge loss to the area and of course to us. Many thanks to those guests booked who have said they are coming anyway ! We as a family were going with friends - kids very disappointed. Today was also the day booked for Sysonby Church fund raising afternoon tea, but like many events we have had to postpone due a waterlogged lawn and unreliable weather.

We all have to keep hopeful that the sun will pop its head out shortly and console ourselves that it’s nice weather for ducks (as the kids keep telling me!)

On the upside the dry weather yesterday saw the bees covering our borage crop in the field (that is in full flower). Walking past you could hear the crop buzzing- amazing. Bees are not having a good year, but with Borage on their doorstep hopefully they will go up a gear in honey production with a few non rainy days.