Darnley Hotel Blog

A quick up-date on the bird that arrived in our Garden this week-we sent the picture to Devon Wildlife Trust who have told me that the bird is not native to our shores, but is a Harris Hawk from the USA – they wonder whether it had come from a local Falconry Centre – we have not heard that one has been lost so hopefully he has found his way home – Christmas Cake decorated and ready now – phew!!!!  Merry Christmas to all our Customers old and new and we look forward to seeing you next year.

On my way out this morning I was honoured to see this lovely bird who had dropped in for a drink!  He stayed in the garden for about an hour – we are not sure what he is, so if anyone knows please contact me.  He had a very white bottom, and a white end to his tail.  He was a deep brown and red colour.  What a treat.

Well, I have missed mentioning the above! Halloween started off with great gusto, lots of local children coming to the door demanding trick or treat – we were well stocked with treats but then down came the rain! Oh dear, all the children disappeared, so Peter has eaten all the treats!!.  November 5th came and went with out much of a do.  Now the fast track towards Christmas – Christmas Puds made, Christmas Cake made, marzipan sorted, icing design decided – phew.  Next stage of the replacement windows has gone well – as has the installation of all the new flat screen, lcd t.v’s, and the next stage of replacement carpets.  We are very lucky with the mild weather at present, long may it last.  We were treated the other night to our visiting owls bringing their young and hunting around the garden – what a noise, in a nice way.

We had just started getting ready for Autumn and now we are on Indian Summer Alert!  How typical is that.  A busy time picking the wonderful produce from our garden.  So far have made Quince Jam – the first time the Quince tree has produced fruit – Green Tomato Chutney made from our own Tomatoes, Apples and Onions and at the time of writing this blog the Crab Apple pulp is going ever so slowly through its sieve from which I will make Apple Jelly – delicious.  Thanks to everybody who has stayed with us over the Season – we have been very lucky this year.

Ilfracombe Town has now been officially judged in the national In Bloom Competition, and the town looked a credit to the In Bloom Committee. The results are given in September. Last year the town was awarded Silver Gilt. Now we are waiting for the local in bloom judging, we are as ready as we can be, so good luck Mum. The next cruise ship is on the horizon, wonder if it will dock this time. Now understand why the local Council are so up for it as some of them are going on board to have lunch with the captain! The baby birds have really grown, although some of their navigation skills are a bit off, and there is much ducking if you happen to find yourself on their flight path. The first of the tomatoes have now ripened and will be used at breakfast time. Ilfracombe has a new indoor market – have not had the chance to visit yet, but it sounds really good. There are new owners at the Old Corn Mill, and that seems to have been given a new lease of life as well. Thats all for now folks.

Well what’s new down here at the Darnley Hotel in Ilfracombe – we were unfortunate that the promised cruise ship could not dock due to the sea conditions! but at least it meant the town had a lot more going on than usual for the May Bank Holiday weekend which was great for guests actually staying in Ilfracombe. We are very lucky this year to have a Surf and Cycle Bus being introduced. It is a double decker bus with the bottom half fitted out to carry surf boards and cycles. It will travel around the local beaches. The garden seems to be full of baby Jackdaws hopping about trying to fly. Luckily the cat is now over 16 and just looks at them. There are lots of other baby birds. The North Devon Festival is now midway, and we are coming up to the end of Victorian Week here in Ilfracombe. Another bit of good news is that the old Collingwood Hotel site is going to start being demolished this year which will clear up an ugly spot on the Seafront. The Hotel frontage is now completely planted up and looking really good. We have a new water feature in the garden, so for any regular guests due to return, see if you can find it!! The Sweet Peas are now in abundance, and we are picking carrots, broad beans and courgettes in the garden. The tomatoes in the greenhouse are growing well and the first little green ones are beginning to grow as well.

Easter came and went in a flash, The Royal Wedding is over, and now the first of the May Bank Holidays has been and gone and Jack in the Green has been well and truly celebrated!  The Walking Festival in Ilfracombe has started, and the weather is still fine and sunny down here at the Darnley Hotel in Ilfracombe.  We are pleased to say we were once again successful in the Ilfracombe In Bloom again winning first prize.  Well done Mum and Dad.  The Sweet Peas are growing and we are all looking forward to first of them appearing in the Hotel.    Nothing could be finer than being at the Darnley Hotel in Devon when the weather is so good.  The Lundy Ferry has started and the Town has had is seasonal wash and brush up.  For any regular guests  of the Darnley Hotel (or those coming for the first time) the Garden Furniture is out in our lovely grounds just waiting to be used.  The wildlife is active, the hedgehog is making an appearance at night and the birds during the day are rushing about with twigs and other nesting material.  We have decided to leave one of the garden borders solely dedicated to the wildlife this year and much planting of fruit trees and other shrubs has taken place to try and encourage more bees and butterflies.  Our lovely private path has been made more private by the adding of the lock on the gate, but never fear guests are provided with a key!!

Spring has arrived down here at the Darnley Hotel in lovely Ilfracombe.  We are pleased to say that we have once again been awarded First Place for the In Bloom Competition for 2010 and we are working hard in the garden planting up the flowers and vegetables ready for the Summer.  The Sweet Peas are in and we can’t wait for them to grow and bloom so they can be cut and used in the Dining Room.  The fruit trees all have blossom, and the Magnolia Tree is a riot of colour.  Ilfracombe is coming to life and at the moment the beaches are tranquil and beautiful, just right for a quiet walk, exercising your dog, or for the more energetic, surfing.  Easter will soon be upon us, so don’t leave it to late to make your Easter Holiday Bookings, shortly afterwards there will be the Royal Wedding.  What a long Bank Holiday we will all have.