I’m writing this at the kitchen table whilst Zola sleeps by the Aga – snoring quite loudly for a small 4 month old labradoodle, and not very ladylike. But she’s had a busy few days – and just back from the ‘hairdresser’ actually! The dog I mean – and actually it’s me that needs a haircut (rather urgently) but I am trying to be a good dog person and give her loads of different experiences and training now which I hope will pay off with a calm and chilled little dog – eventually. I may end up looking very odd if I don’t find time to do something about my appearance…..She came with me to the station to meet Mr F and as he was late we had a bit of lurking- around -time watching amazing things like people with HUGE rucksacks going through weird automatic doors, kids screaming etc  - all part of the learning curve for Zola’s education.

Meanwhile, looking back over the last few weeks, I can report on a successful day in aid of NGS.(charities including Macmillan and so on). We were steadily busy in the tea room and people seemed genuinely to like the garden – which is so encouraging for us. The Coach Hall where we bake the cakes and serve teas in the summer, is looking very colourful as it is decorated with dragon pictures by Class 2 from Thorverton school. I always put a log fire on if it’s a dull day – it looks so cheerful and folk love it! If its sunny we have some outside tables now.We also had a local fund raising evening  for  Cadbury Church  - the Strawberry Fair!  We had hot dogs,skittles, a coconut shy, plant  and cake stalls  - and of course mountains of local strawberries and dollops of clotted cream. So very traditional and a great way to see neighbours and friends – with no pub we have to arrange to meet up like this every so often. Next event at the Coach Hall will be the annual Fun Run  - well most people  including me, walk  - it’s about 4 miles over hills and fields and through woods on the estate. We have held this for over 20 years and its a brilliant social and (keep fit) event. It’s on  Saturday 10 September  - and this year it’s in aid of ShelterBox – more detail will follow.

We’ve  had a visit from Devon Gardens Trust and two groups for  evening garden tours. One group were so long in the Meadow Garden that I was just about to go and rescue them only to discover they’d been having a meeting down by the pond because it was so peaceful!

Thanks to some very generous friends we now have a wonderfully restored long case clock in the hall. It has never worked since we came here in 1979 and although the face showing the phases of the moon and high water times at Topsham, was charming, the case had been covered in a dark lacquer – probably in Victorian times. So not only does it now tick tock it also chimes – and the original oak with inlaid mahogony has been revealed. So we are very grateful and very happy about the clock- restored by a small firm in Crediton.

There have been lots of lovely guests staying in the two apartments; some for family holidays and others for weddings and currently graduation from Exeter Uni. We welcomed our first Finnish visitors and and we had a German family for 10 days. It’s good to have a mixture of new guests and of course always great when people come back again (and again). We are going to a wedding in Suffolk in September -of ‘children’ who have been coming here for 22 years!! Actually that suddenly makes me feel old so I wish I hadn’t said that.

I have just put the kettle on to make tea for the chaps who are cutting the creeper back at the front of the house -it takes over and needs to be kept back from the parapet and the windows. The wisteria was actually growing inside my bedroom recently – so on changeover day when there was no one in the Park Wing I went out on the parapet and cut it back.

We’ re having a Big Meeting with the builders tomorrow to see where we are in the repair schedule – it’s a constantly shifting thing – slightly reminding me of Churchill’s black dog actually! The list includes: the drainage and pot holes on the lane at Upcott, the  ongoing major repair to the farm buildings by the CoachHall, the repointing of the very tall chimney at Fursdon Barton,the re tiling of the cob wall around the Fox Garden and the overhaul of the Cottage ready to re let asap. The latter is a big ‘clerk of works’ job for me to coordinate all the repairs with the decorating, flooring etc. Decorating and repairs in the holiday accommodation is always a winter job so that we’re ready for spring holidays. The quality inspection is coming up soon – one of those important things that we do to reassure guests that standards aren’t falling. (As if)

I remember the boys’ “saying I wish our bedrooms were as nice as the ones for the holiday visitors……”. Oh dear  - the guilt!

Well the tea is getting cold….

This morning was so uplifting and looking out of my bedroom window and seeing that tell tale mist in the valley something told me it would be a good one. I’d planned to go for a ride with a friend and I haven’t had time to ride Ruby for ages so that was good too. First, our new addition Zola – a black labradoodle puppy, had to go to the vet for a jab. I’ve been doing short drives with her so that the winding road to town wouldn’t be too much of a shock to her delicate little tummy. All went well – and she has lots of fans at the surgery  – always a good insurance policy for the future.

Ruby and I had a fab zoom around the fields and woods and thro the village, timing it badly and coinciding with ‘schools out’! but all was well. Came back thro’ The Park and up Pond Meadow looking into the Meadow Garden, which reminds me I haven’t done any work there since Zola arrived. It is supposed to be a Wild Garden I say out loud to no one in particular. Ruby knows anyway because she cantered off Today  turned into a day-off, by mistake  – which makes up for yesterday when everything went pear shaped in the telecommunications department making internet access even worse than normal. I won’t go on about it – and the good news is that the smiley BT engineer actually managed to find a fault and sort it! Brilliant – the wifi is no faster but at least it lasts for more than two consecutive minutes. Office work is not my natural forte(!) and what with the excuse of still being in a whirl after our BigFamilyWedding  – combined with Zola’s puppyish demands – I have no trouble not darkening the door of the office. It does mean however that the kitchen table is covered in papers, laptop, lists of things to do, puppy toys, ironing, and more lists of things to do…… Am trying to use new Ivor iphone for the endless list so they don’t get lost……

On my ride I saw Laurie Steen taking photos of her work to update the art on her website – take a look. I think she’s brilliant – I would fill Fursdon with her work but that would be selfish. www.lauriesteen.com

Quick overview of what’s happening – the farm building project is coming on slowly but surely. Its now been agreed that we will have old tiles on the roof instead of fibre cement sheets so we’re all pleased about that. We are having a meeting with English Nature to finalise our HLS application – sorry for the jargon but it’s an environmental stewardship scheme which will (hopefully) allow us to give more access to Cadbury Castle, increase field margins for wild life, maintain the traditional pastures and so on. The house is due for some serious roof repairs (gulp) – the valley between the library and drawing room has been in a sad and soggy way for a while; tenders are now coming in. The guys today said the work would take 9weeks. Sounds expensive – I didn’t ask! I’ll find out soon enough.

We had an absolute wash out in every sense of the word on Sunday – it was one of our National Gardens Scheme days – where the gardens are open for the charity. We did loads of baking, madly weeded the bits that serious gardeners notice, and I lined up lots of helpers.Last time there had been more than 100 visitors. This time we had 2 visitors for the house – and 2 for the garden.Yes no typo there. We were completely overstaffed with Helen, Judi, Jane, Gabbi and me all ‘hangin’aroond’ (sorry quote from Scottish gap year job) waiting for the rush. It didn’t come. Deeply depressing – EXCEPT the garden so badly needed the rain that we had to look at the big picture.

Big Picture – yep that’s what being custodians of Fursdon is all about!

Having started Twittering recently I thought I’d investigate Linkedin too but the first hurdle was to categorise myself for the profile that you provide. I hate that multiple choice thing – and Fursdon never fits into boxes. I ended up ticking ‘Hospitality’ -as the nearest right answer – but where was the category for gardening or horticulture, land management, domestic cleaning, amatuer clerk of works, costume conservator  – oh well you get the gist. Running a small country house and estate means that I have become a ‘jack of all ……’ and master of absolutely nothing. Except multi tasking (usually fine until one of the multis becomes something to do with numbers and then it has to be a solo task). But coming full circle (in a ramling way), maybe ‘Hospitality’ is right after all – holiday accommodation and house opening are all about being welcoming and looking after people. There is also a community responsibility that goes with living here – or at least an expectation of responsibility…….. mmm this is all getting a bit heavy for a Friday morning!

Today, it’s changeover day for the Park Wing and the Garden Wing. The lovely couple from Canada just leaving, would like to return for a month next time, so that’s great and its like having old friends to stay. No ageism intended – it’s a compliment! Jane will come to clean the appartments – no mean feat – so we all admire her energy and skill.

The garden is having its weekly overhaul by Derek – he has been working for us for about 3 years now and the difference to the garden is fantastic. He has also just imparted lots of chicken keeping advice too.

And now Judi has arrived. She is a breath of fresh air in the office – great with visitors and can also do a good house tour if needs must! Yesterday she sent out about 60 packs of house leaflets to local tourist information offices, hotels, caravan clubs and so on. She keeps things running smoothly in the admin department and tries to make sure David is in the right place at the right time……

Perhaps then my main task is just to keep everyone else busy!

The house and garden are open on Monday -  usually we are quite busy on a Bank Holiday. So I need to make sure we have lots of lovely scones ready in the Coach Hall. How much cream shall I buy? I must remember to put fresh flowers in the Library

Finally today I’ve sifted a pile of post that’s been building up and apart from the bills (which I won’t bore you with) there were lots of really cheering thankyous from people who’ve come on group visits during the last few weeks. I’m always amazed when people take the time to do this but I love it! Lots of correspondence from The Furniture Society. Speaking frankly, the visit didn’t have a very auspicious start -the main entrance looked odd and not at all country house-ish, because Mrs Fezzy, sittting on her eggs in the flower tub was roped off (more on her later) and I had a massive black eye sustained the day before while chatting to Buffy our very small (fat) pony. ….. things were not boding well for a tour of experts.But, judging from the letters, they loved their time here though! I learned lots from them, for example, some five feather silver crests that we have, I now know are ‘head plates’  from the Fursdon State Coach. Lots of enthusiasm for their cream tea too.

Here’s a picture of one of the gorgeous stripey pheasant chicks that hatched. I am so sorry to report that they only survived for 24 hours before a marauding rook took them, one by one. Horrible but I suppose Mrs Rook had a family to feed too……so no more talk of Mrs Fez except to say that Mr Fezzy is hanging around again. Oh well…..life goes on!

We’ve been really busy with groups this past week or so – some coming for coffee and a morning tour and others having lunch too. In between, I’ve been to talk to a local history society.  Selecting pictures to put on power point took me forever as I kept side tracking myself. One day I must scan  some of ye old original 1979 ‘just arrived’ pictures so that it’s easier to explain what we’ve been doing for the last 3o or so years….People sometimes say ‘It must be  difficult having to open your house to the public!’ But it isn’t really -partly because we’ve always done it – well since 1986, so I’m used to it. Also it certainly makes me get on and do stuff – there is nothing quite like knowing that the ‘public’ are about, to motivate ‘one’……..And another thing is that when we get lovely positive things said about the garden or the house it’s so rewarding and it makes me feel that it’s all worthwhile. Usually.

I’ve sneaked a quick trip up to the North East to help to chose Grandmother’s wedding outfit; overnighted with little sister in Newcastle; popped in to the lovely church where eldest son is to be married very soon, and zoomed to London to try to ‘get something done with’ my hair(!). Another bonus was a whistle stop night in a pub with some friends and then to see Rohan McCullough in My Darling Clemmie – so brilliantly performed and very moving.

Meanwhile back in Devon, failure to make it to the Devon County Show this year was a disappointment but I’m grateful to my holiday guests from Cambridge who did some research into different  sheep breeds for me and came back with lots of info and contacts. It’s nearly time to have my own flock again. I loved my Black Welsh Mountain girls but I probably should have a local breed. Favourites are Grey Faced Dartmoors at the moment. The fencing is good and I’ve still got hurdles, foot trimmers etc so that’s the basics……but have I got time?

Just took a quick break from all this writing to see that last night’s rain has made no difference to the state of anything in the garden so I’ll have to do some watering (instead of the ironing?) again this evening.

This is the view from the drive across the park.

It’s rather chilly today but I think this image of the primulas down by the pond in the Meadow Garden is bright and cheery – they match the rhodie on the other side which is one of those happy accidents that happen in gardening….

We had so many visitors yesterday for our first NGS day of the season (3 more to go  – one in June, July and finally August) – it was brilliant, if a little on the hectic side…. I wanted to nip down to the house to see if one of the boys was around to help but I didn’t have time…. so the ‘girls’ and I managed and we worked out a System in the end. We did lots of smiling, directing and serving of teas  – and washing up. I had a mega bake-a-thon on Saturday so there was no chance of running out of grub. We keep teas simple but delicious and everything is really fresh. Heather made a huge chocolate cake as a thankyou for me lending her a table – so that was a bonus for visitors ‘cos I can only make tray bakes and scones. This though, includes Prince William’s favourite chocolate fridge cake – which has always been my favourite too. Makes me think we would bond pretty well, the prince and me. I couldn’t believe it – a man complained that his piece of choccy cake was too big! This is a strange concept in my family so I found this puzzling. There weren’t very many scones left over for Martha, Mary, Myrtle and Mable Maran.(Actually their name should be hyphened really Blue-Maran, but they like to keep things simple).These as you will have guessed are our new hens – so beautiful and very chatty, already laying just a few tempting little eggs. They have two friends arriving next week – Wilma and Wendy Welsummer.

The only trouble with having quite so many visitors here yesterday was that I missed the opportunity to chat about the garden with more than just a few. (Note to self to engage an extra helper next time.)

I was thrilled with the new information stands for the garden though – custom built in record time by film star Roy (Victoriam Farm fame) – they enable me to explain the significance of planting schemes and what I am trying to achieve (where its not immediately obvious!) This sort of stuff makes the garden so much more personal. Grace Fursdon, who lived here  in the 17th century and judging from her portrait and the stories about her, was a formidable lady – has inspired the new border in the Fox Garden. You’ll have to come and see – I hope the colour scheme works as well in reality, as it does in my head. So far there are only a few unusual verbascums, some nepeta and geraniums flowering – I check everyday. It was a relief to have some rain and not to have to water for hours and hours at the weekend. The new garden and grounds maps are brilliant too and rather stylish -thanks to Clive.

Other things going on? Lots of lovely guests staying in the Park Wing and Garden Wing who enjoyed their complimentary tour of the house yesterday. I roped off Mrs Fezzy – still sitting tightly on her eggs in the flower tub at the front door. Worried that she would be disturbed by people suddenly spotting her – I did a Shhhh…. sign and explained why. It worked and she is as happy as… well Larry I suppose….

The repairs to the farm buildings continue as the big A frames have gone up and Fursdon oak is in place for the big uprights. Ruby is already thinking that she will have a stable warming party – so hurry up lads and get the roof on please.

We also had a tenant changeover in one of the cottages at the weekend. House moving is so stressful for people; I am so lucky not to have done it in the last thirty or so years. But, it must make you sort stuff out and get rid of things instead of doing what I do  – I’ll just put this in a box in the attic etc. Mind you that’s what Fursdons have been doing for centuries so maybe I’ve got that bug.

Just to prove that my lads did help a bit (although not  around for washing up.) They ‘arranged’ all the flowers for the tables in the Coach Hall -one example here of some that got away.

I’d rather hoped today would dawn clear and bright but alas it was one of those ‘other’ days when the mist hung around looking photogenic and mystical (ha!) – equally beautiful though if a little on the chilly side. No question, the fire in the Coach Hall had to be lit – and the wood burner in the office too. For Judi – anything! I was up at the crack of dawn as there were rather a lot of last minute sprucing jobs to be done in the snooker room (aka museum). I should have done it all last night but when you have a special niece staying plus a very old (well about the same age as me) friend from uni days, you need to stop and have a glass of wine or two and cook supper. So we had a fun evening. I totally surprised Ruby (Little Red Horse) as breakfast was delivered to her before 6.30am. She doesn’t really need breakfast but it helps to ease the fact that she is then going to spend the day in her Summer Palace away from the flies and – more relevant at the moment – the spring grass. One of her small friends Buffy also is indoors and on a strict diet too. But I digress……. I toasted cummin and coriander seeds for the spicey coleslaw for the lovely group from Cornwall who were booked for a group visit, arriving for coffee, touring the house and then having lunch. They duly arrived in the large coach (aren’t the drivers amazing?) I met them and gave them a brief intro to Fursdon – you know the sort of thing….David and I arrived in 1979 all bright eyed and bushy tailed to take on an ailing country house and estate…….. and so on. My two house guides excelled because they hadn’t seen the new display in the said  Snooker Room/Museum as I only just completed it! The hundred year old pancake (see previous blog) features plus some of our best 18th century silk patchwork and Christening mantles – and the all-time favourites – King  Charles’ letter to Grace Fursdon during the Civil War in the 17th Century asking to borrow some money!!!And the photos of the boys.

Everyone arrived for lunch, beaming, saying how much they had enjoyed their tour, they loved the house and thought it had a lovely atmosphere. Jessica made the delectable Tunisian orange cake for pud and so all was well with the world. Off they went to Crediton Church and we got on with the washing up. But- or should I say And – the house is ready for Easter!

All I will need to do is make sure I have some lovely stems (with those ridiculously bright green leaves that spring produces) in jugs in the Library and some last minute polishing and the season will be away…….There are, however about a million gardening tasks to be tackled…..

Problem. What do I do about Mrs Fezzy who has made a nest and laid 9 eggs in the tub outside the front door? It has a rhodie in it and she thinks she is really safe because if she keeps her eyes shut nobody can see her.

New concrete came for the stables – the good news was that the lorry didn’t meet the coach on the lane.

Either I am becoming slow and doddery or I am much busier than I used to be! I have just retired (temporarily) from the Meadow Garden – shaken and stirred by run away wheel barrow experience and alarming inability to keep my balance working on the really steep slopes of Rickerby Ridge (I will explain one day…) So a cup of coffee, a bit of a moan to the BFD about enormity of task in the afore mentioned garden and I will go back there to plant the snowdrops… Or I could chase the rabbit out of the Library Terrace (previously rabbit fenced at vast expense) or do some ironing or even…make Sunday Lunch.

More excitingly I will need to practice telling the story of the Dragon in preparation for a visit from Class 2 Thorverton School next week who are having a day here. Starting with a walk (long way for 6 year olds?) up to the Castle then back to the Coach Hall for a picnic lunch and then lots of art with Laurie Steen (what lucky children to have a brilliant artist to inspire them!) I’ll tell the story up at the Castle if the weather is lovely so that they can really feel the atmosphere. Someone said it will rain on Wednesay and Thursday  – we need it really but if it could rain at night that would be good.

We need rain for the new little wood planted two  weeks ago -  it’s called Wedding Wood to mark a really important day this summer ( no, not that wedding!) – about 50 native trees and several metres of hedgerow too. I go and check it when out riding Ruby (small red horse).  So if the Dragon story has to be told indoors ‘cos its pouring, I will still be happy for Wedding Wood.

Next week BFD is away lots – and I have an important visitor from The Borders so I might try to spend less time in the office and take a trip into the metropolis of Exeter with my visitor – if I can find my way there. Funny, how I could spend all the time at Fursdon keeping busy and out of everyone’s way without ever going anywhere. Thinking of the outside world……  when my experiement of stopping the daily newspaper was rumbled and it was noticed that I still had a copy of ‘Garden’ and something like ‘Horse and Rider’ lurking on the kitchen table – I was told not very politely to ‘get a life’.Maybe it will be a Good Thing to visit the city – very soon!

What a lovely day and spring is definitely on the way!

I digress. It’s too busy here to dwell on the weather today. In the house there is feverish activity as Catriona serves lunch to a party of NADFAS members on a study day. Thankfully the meringues made it to the table – but that’s another story best left untold. Both the holiday apartments are full – one family are glued to the World Cup cricket, England versus Ireland. I hope it’s going well – they are Irish so best not to show any interest in England today (fairly useful innings!!) In the other apartment a small group of academics are staying and having research meetings. Today they are strolling in the meadow garden to clear their thoughts. How sensible. While all that activity is going on in and around the house it’s busy here in the office, too. Online holiday bookings keep taking me by surprise but I think it’s going to work well for our customers. I’m trying to take a booking from a lovely german gentleman. We have a little way to go yet, by fax! You see how important it is to stay flexible about booking methods.  Now I have to get on with the rota for our summer guides but hoping to hear back from all the people I phoned earlier. The thatcher, builder, electrician, insurance company and gamekeeper. Never a dull moment. Still, glad to see the sun.

I was just thinking…… that I haven’t managed to do half the things I had planned for this week.There just aren’t enough hours in the day. Sorry, not very original?). I have not, for example, started to write the History Leaflet which will replace our Guide Book for house opening visitors – I want to do a Time Line to show what was happening here at Fursdon in relation to the Big Wide World but this takes…..time…to sort out……Neither have I started my search for Things to Display in the house and we do have a tour booked before Easter! Oh… I am making myself feel worseby acknowledging all this. But – what I have achieved  is chasing the sheep out of the Meadow Garden (twice), delagating the tree planting in the new wood to a strong looking young man called Dan who knows what he’s doing i.e professional. I have selected a new carpet for Upcott, a new gas hob for a flat, and identified why there are leaks in the stable and elsewhere. I have forgotten to go to my water colour class but I have agreed the detail for the new (fantastic) map to show visitors how to find the garden etc. I have written the agenda for a Big Meeting tomorrow (all the boys at home) and I have hilarious Clare from London staying who has been coming to Fursdon for more than 30years and keeps reminding us how hard we work and that we are achieving….. Then I remember that I have also had time to ride Ruby (only once this week) but we had a good sprint round the lanes – its such fun looking over the hedges and seeeing catkins, roe deer and a few brave primroses. And now I’ve looked out of the office window and its dark so I better go and put Ruby to bed in her leaky stable (she wears her outdoor rug in case you are worried). Farm building repairs start very soon – oh yes and I talked to the builders about that and more…… Sorry no time for a new photo. I must read the instructions for my new camera…….

Fursdon fog. It could be the name for a dodgy local cider or the way my brain feels when I try to understand VAT calculations or complicated computery things. But can fog be beautiful? I think so, as long as its moving about and there are gaps in it! While digging holes and  planting trees in the Meadow Garden this afternoon was such a day – everytime I looked up the whole scene had changed from my last backstraightening – catch my breath – stretch -  and look around. This picture is not from today though – my hands were far too muddy to use a camera or phone – so I’ve cheated. This was last year! But it shows just how stunning it can be up at Fursdon – even in the mist.