Jenkin Hill Cottage News

Following judging of gardens in late June we have been awarded a Commended!  Despite the indifferent weather at times and the chickens eating several plants this was a pleasant surprise.

Following a “secret” inspection by VistBritain in June we have once again been awarded a 4 Star grading plus a Silver Award. We are quite pleased, and are continuing our upgrade program. Hopefully new bedroom carpets in September.

It has been very wet over most of the UK this last couple of weeks, but here in the Lakes we have not seen those heavy storms. We have had some rain, though, but on few occasions has it been “heavy”. The main problem we have encountered is getting the lawns cut. The warm & wet has kept the grass growing just fine after the drought of the first part of this year, but the grass has been a little too wet for the mower.

The first of three eggs laid by the Ospreys hatched yeaterday, followed just a few hours later by the second egg. So now there are two chicks being sheltered from the heat of the sun under the mother birds’ wings. The third egg should hatch in a couple of days.

The hens produced their first egg today. Florrie ate it….. with a burger.

Following the loss of our old sheepdog, Kes, earlier this year Florrie has been missing having a pet around. In a moment of madness(?) Christine suggested that she could keep some chickens. This generated enormous enthusiasm and an Eglu was duly ordered. This is now the home of a pair of hens which should come into lay in 2-3 weeks. We do not have a Cockerel so there will no no early morning calls!

The female osprey who has successfully reared chicks in the nest overlooking Bass Lake for the last few years has not arrived this year. It is thought that she may have perished over winter or during the long journey back from Africa this spring - she was 12 years old. Mr Osprey (called No-ring because he is unringed) has successfully mated with a new, younger female (Ms no-ring, as she is also unringed). Three eggs have been laid, the first due to hatch around the first week in June.

The male osprey is now back beside Bassenthwaite Lake, about 2 weeks later than usual. The late arrival is reported to be due to adverse headwinds en-route. We now await the return of the female bird.

Stephen and Susan, who come to stay with us twice a year, were in the hide beside Bass Lake yesterday and were priviledged to see three otters, two adults and a juvenile playing and feeding. Although the otters are becoming well established there, not many people are lucky enough to see them!

We are now awaiting the arrival of the Ospreys, back from their winter holidays in North Africa.

We now have some new furntiture in the dining room, but as usual, a couple of the items we would like are “out of stock”. Our new chairs are very comfortable, though.