July
I am now looking for a ram lamb so we can have lambs next spring.
The sheep are settling in nicely and the cows are going tomorrow. We have measured the pigs and they need a bit more growing on but they are such wonderful characters it will be a shame to see them go.
Here are two of the new girls
Tomorrow we are going to collect our Wiltshore Horned sheep and have moved the hens down to their lower pasture as Mr Fox got too interested and had one of them in the daytime as she went about her business.
The White Horse pub in Staunton has opened again and is only a short walk away. We went down there yesterday and had a lovely meal. Some of our guests have been eating there and agree the food is really delicious and the ale is good too!
June
We have moved the cows from the bottom field to the top one so they can enjoy lush grass and be amused by the hens.
We have been to see some Wlitshire Horned sheep at Wattles run by Helen Reynolds who also sells delicious apple juice and cider www.wattles.co.uk
We loved the sheep which are an old English breed that recently have been taken off the Rare breeds list and are going to buy 5 ewes to start a breeding flock here at Steep Meadow. They shed their fleece naturally so no shearing and the meat tastes wonderful. John has bought a young ram who is destined for the freezer! We collect them in a fortnight so watch this space.
We have again been awarded a Special breakfast Award from Visit Britain and plus a Silver Award -
"This award reflects a high level of quality, comfort and cleanliness in bedrooms and bathrooms with very good levels of customer care and food provision."
Beech room is proving very popular with its own little garden which has the hot tub in it, please let us know when you book if you wish to use the hot tub as then we can make sure it is up to temperature and not waste electricity if you do not wish to use it.
John has collected the honey from one of his hives and we now have 15lbs of delicious honey to serve at breakfast time - hopefully there will be more later.
The pigs have been moved to their new pen with fresh grass, docks and buttercups to dig up.
May
The oilseed rape is just going over and the yellow field which has been quite dazzling is fading but it attracts the deer in the evening who move among it almost invisibly, you can just catch a glimpse of their heads every now and then.
A couple of ducks keep visiting our pond which is not really sized for ducks but they seem quite happy swimming about and it is quite fun to look out of the window and see ducks on the pond.
More bluebells and wild garlic
11.30am 2.00pm 4.15pm with different birds for each time.
However I forgot to take my camera - a major oversight but means of course I shall have to go again! Oh and if you like black labradors you'll be in for a treat.The bluebells are out in force now - all the forest is carpeted with them - the above photo is taken in the woods just near Steep Meadow.
This is the pheasant who has been visiting us lately , drinking from the pond and perching on a nearby log
goats playing on the roof of their ark
John has been busy with his bees and we are hoping for a good honey harvest this year.
April
We can now take deposits and payments over the telephone and you can use your card to pay for your stay with us.
I hope you are enjoying this weather - it has been glorious and the grass is now busy growing. We got the cows a bale of silage for a treat and they obviously are enjoying it as they can lay in it and eat at the same time!
The bluebells are busy growing - there are a few already out in the sunny sheltered spots but most will be another week - so the beginning of May is a good time to visit if you want to enjoy the sight and smell of thousands of bluebells.
Canoeing on the River Wye is a marvellous way to spend a day or half a day, to find out more have a look at www.monmouthcanoeing.co.uk .
You can be as leisurely as you like and stop off at Symond's Yat for lunch or a break. The scenery is just lovely, trees right down to the riverbank and the gorge is seen at its grandest when viewed from the river.
March
The mild weather and rain is making the grass grow - which is good news for the cows, goats and chickens! The bluebells are starting to make a green carpet beneath the beech trees. When I was walking the dogs today I checked out the best way to go to see all our local bluebells and will do a map.
Part of John's Birthday present was to go on a Wild Yeast sourdough bread baking course - and this happened today. The courses are run in The Forest of Dean by Simon of Wild Yeast.
Here is the bread we made today - it was an excellent course and the bread was delicious!
February
We are now taking bookings for Beech Garden Room which will be open from the beginning of May. This will be an ideal place to holiday with your dog as it has its own little garden and a lobby for dogs that prefer not to sleep with their owners.It is also a perfect romantic getaway room with its own front door,the garden with seating to take in the panoramic views and fridge for keeping that champagne cool!
There should be some really good Severn Bores this year - we can tell you the best places to see it from and it really is worth seeing especially the 4 or 5 star ones.
The Severn Bore for more info on this click here.
We are on the Alastair Sawday's site Special Places to Stay 
I have been in and out of hospital and we are busy making seville orange marmalade with variations such as Cointreau and whisky added to some batches.
John has had some Bat boxes for his birthday so we have picked a tree well away from the house in which to put them.
January
December
Now the snow has decide to return - the chickens don't like the snow at all - they sit round all fluffed up.
John is busy filling up the log baskets as there is nothing better than sitting by a crackling warm fire when it is cold and grey outside.
We had a white Christmas here and then the snow went.
Beech room will be ready from May 2010 - it is a double room with kingsized bed and ensuite shower room. It also has a lobby with fridge and sink and coat drying facilities.
This room makes an ideal dog room if you are holidaying with your dog as it means they do not need to sleep in the same room as you - my dogs are surprisingly wriggly at night and always seem to be dreaming of chasing rabbits!
We are going to be in the new Sawday's "Special Places To Stay" Book and from February on their website.
And with it the first really white frost - all the animals water containers were frozen up and the pond had frozen over.
It doesn't seem possible that in 4 weeks Christmas will be over and that 2010 will be starting - time just flies.
The chickens have settled down now we have moved them to their new house in the top field and are still laying quite well.
November
We have received Visit England's Breakfast Award.
This recognises the fact that Steep Meadow offers guests a high quality and good choice of breakfast plus service and hospitality that exceeds our 4 star rating. We are very proud and pleased!
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