Then the rain came.

It's held off up to now but just as we started our pony ride the heavens opened. The children who were riding didn't really notice or mind but it was damp for the spectators. It was the fine rain that gets you really wet! Mr Hill managed to tag on feeding the lambs to the end of his farm jobs, yet again! It backfired when the lamb did it's business on him but that's animals for you ( the lamb not MR Hill).
We've all had a really busy day and were ready for our tea. Everyone ate their Shepherd's Pie so they got to eat a scrummy marbled chocolate sponge that Bradley and Abigail had helped to make. You could have forgiven us for thinking they might have been so full they would sit still for 10 minutes. Don't be silly! They are now running around again having been fully re-fueled.
We can't play on the field tonight so we are off to the woodland to design the ' The Spirits of the Forest" using anything we can find on the woodland floor. We'll take lots of photographs to show you when we get back. Fingers crossed that it will be dry tomorrow. Onwards and upwards. We are British and won't let the weather spoil our fun.

What a morning!

It was a ten o'clock start for the farm tour and we got there in plenty of time having already cleaned the house before we left. Mum's and dad's please note that we had a queue of children wanting to introduce themselves to Henry the Hoover. We had a great time looking at and learning all about the animals but the highlight had to be one of the student farmers, a girl, wrestling in the hay with a large ewe. The student won and the ewe went into a pen with her baby. Off horse riding now.

Day 2 for Y4H

 Everyone slept well eventually, no tears just chatter. The Barn children had an early riser in Katie who couldn't contain her excitement at going for a pony ride later in the day. The showers were very busy before breakfast in both houses. What good appetites these children have. They wolfed down  a hearty cooked breakfast to give them the energy they need for a very busy day ahead. We all have the farm tour to come, along with the farm jobs. We'll have to keep a beady eye on Mr Hill to make sure he doesn't smuggle a lamb away as he is quite taken with a little speckled faced baby. Mrs Ward is already up and off with her children doing farm jobs. It's all go!

1st night for Mr Hill's class

Well tea went down a storm. It has to be said that this year's children are the least fussy with their food. It just goes to show that if they are hungry enough they will eat what's on offer. After tea we had a rendezvous on the playing field where the children played football or just ran around and expelled all their energy. Next it was back to The Barn for refreshments and we all sat and watched Shrek 3 together. There were lots of belly laughs especially from the staff as they hadn't seen it before. The Barn then said their goodnights to The Farmhouse children who set off back across the field home. Next came supper, during which we had a circle time and all shared our thoughts on the day, before we cleaned our teeth and started to settle down to sleep.  Hope you all sleep well without us. Will post more in the morning. Goodnight.

Round 2

Here we go agin with round 2. The children have arrived safely and are very excited. The first group of children have just done their farm jobs and an extra treat when they got to feed the lambs. Bradley was, apparently, a natural. We are about to sit down to tea - pizza and garlic bread followed by jelly. Delicious!

Peace that won't last!

It's very quiet at The Barn without the children. They are on their way home and though some of them are ready to see mums and dads again I think they have all had a thoroughly enjoyable time. They have behaved impeccably with farm staff commenting on their politeness and manners as they have come into contact with them around the farm. You should be very proud of them and children, if you are reading this, you should be proud of yourselves. Mrs Ward and Mrs Mapplebeck at The Farmhouse and Mr Hill and Mrs Forshaw at The Barn have all enjoyed your company. Thank you.  I am sure Mr Hill's class will step up to the mark and make us proud too.

At last a photograph. Minibeast Magic