Take advantage of current discounts

Jul 17, 2008

Availability 

Not yet booked your summer holiday and are worried that you have left it too late? Don't worry - we still have some availability at Throstlenest, and we are now offering a 10% discount on holiday bookings in our smaller cottages up to and including start dates of 22nd & 23rd August.

We also still have some availability for our Christmas and New Year breaks, so if you want to look ahead and would enjoy a lovely, rural location in which to celebrate the festive season, then get in touch.

Diary dates

23rd August 08 - The Wensleydale Agricultural Show (www.wensleydaleshow.org.uk). A great day out for all the family in Leyburn.

24th & 25th August - Medieval pageant at Richmond Castle. Ladies, knights and nobles will reveal what life was like in the royal court.

30th & 31st August 08 - 'Operation Dalesman'. Experience the sights, sounds and humour of wartime Britain in the beautiful setting of Wensleydale. Steam trains, military and civilian re-enactments, military vehicle displays, collectors' fair and much more (www.wensleydalerailway.com).

28th, 29th, 30th & 31st August - in conjunction with 'Operation Dalesman' the Picture House in Leyburn will be screening the fim 'Yanks' on the Thursday and Friday, and the classic 'Brief Encounter' on the Saturday and Sunday (www.picturehouseleyburn.org). The Picture House has a busy programme of films and events throughout the coming months, including constantly changing art exhibitions, Kate Adie in person, an Elvis tribute and Leyburn Amateur Dramatic Society's production of 'Murdered to Death', described as a classic whodunnit comedy-drama. Check out what is on during your visit to Leyburn, and support this community run venture.

27th August, Reeth Show and 3rd September, Muker Show - two of the annual, traditional agricultural shows which take place around the Dales. Farm displays, animals, competitions, sports and races, brass bands and lots of fun for all.

27th & 28th September - Masham Sheep Fair. A traditional gathering held in the huge, cobbled market place of this lovely town. Sheep, fun & games, morris dancing and traditional beers - what more could you want?

Throstlenest News

The weather has been that usual British summertime mix of sunshine and showers, but it hasn't stopped our visitors getting out and about and enjoying the beautiful Dales. Be prepared for all eventualities has to be message! The rain has meant that the countryside is at its most lush and green, and the hedgerows are thick with wild flowers. The joy of Throstlenest is that our view is stunning no matter what the weather, and constantly changes. We have had lots of gorgeous calm, clear evenings, when the setting sun has highlighted every tiny detail on the surrounding hills.

The farming cycle is proceeding. Most of the lambs are now big and solid, in some cases as big as their mothers, and the farmer is beginning to take a few at a time to market. The ewes have all been shorn, so look a little bit skinny at the moment. They are being moved around between the fields to take advantage of the growing grass.

Still plenty of bird activity around the cottages, although most of the young have now fledged. Yesterday saw a group of swallows swooping and circling around the eaves. The rooks have been feeding their noisy young in the field. A sparrow hawk sat on our fence for quite a while, surveying the field before flying off to the top of a tree. Some greenfinches visited recently - we don't see them very often. Our resident mallards have disappeared, but will no doubt be back when it suits them. Despite enthusiastic attention from more than one male, and despite laying a lot of eggs, the female never bothered to sit on her nest and hatch any, so we didn't get any ducklings.

The rabbits are still around, but the numbers have diminished. It is always a puzzle as to why the numbers rise and fall throughout the year. Presumably some fall prey to disease or predators. We certainly get visits from both foxes and stoats at Throstlenest. 

We're still involved as part of the team of volunteer projectionists at the Picture House, which needs all the support it can get. Lots of good films and events ahead (see 'Diary Dates'). On Sunday there is a car boot sale (next to Tennants Auction Centre) to raise funds for the cinema. Other things we have attended recently include a concert given by the pianist Phillip Dyson at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, and an outdoor performance of 'The Prisoner of Zenda' at Kiplin Hall. The latter was a very typical English summer event - picnic and entertainment in beautiful surroundings, with the threat of rain to add some spice to proceedings. In the event, it held off until the very end, and it was a great evening. It was a North Country Theatre production (led by the hugely talented Nobby Dimon) and, like everything they do, was not to be missed.