Malston Mill Farm Diary

A Happy New Year to you all.

26 years at Maston Mill Farm, seems like yesterday!! The annual Tourist Board inspection, I am very pleased to say, we have yet again being awarded 4 stars. The report commended us for an excellent standard in cleanliness with 100% score. Also highlighted was that we 'offer the ideal rural location as a convenient base to explore the local area' and what most of our regular guests already know 'the cottages benefit from an enviable setting.' If you have not already visited Malston Mill Farm please do come, you will not be disappointed.

I am delighted to introduce you to our new puppy, Mozart, yes another Great Dane. They are gentle giants with such a lovely personality and so friendly with the guests. I am sure Mozart will be as popular as Hugo was. I did say at 9 weeks that he was cute but now at 6 months and 47 kilos not so cute, but still adoreable. He really enjoys his visits to Bantham Beach. Was not too sure about the sea at first but soon got the hang of it. Joyce (who has become very popular with Mozart and who has visited Malston Mill regularly over the last 20 years) has learn't she needs longer wellies when walking with Mozart in the sea.

The 2012 tariff is online and bookings are already looking healthy, hope you will be able to join us too during 2012. You can call us to make a reservation or book online which ever option is easiest for you. Online availability calenders are up to date.

For the winter months, our cosy cottages with their log fires, 4 poster beds make an ideal base for a winter break along with the many leisure facilties, which include fishing, outdoor Jacuzzi, tennis, games areas, snooker/pool room, sauna, exercise room, to keep you entertained. (The indoor pool, however, will be closed from 18th November 2011 and reopen on the 2nd March 2012. We have made this decision due to the very high energy costs) cottage rates have accordingly been greatly reduced.

To ensure your holiday is special ALL guests receive a complimentary bottle of champagne so why not surprise your loved one with a short break to celebrate an anniversary, birthday or whatever occassion you wish to remember.

Malston Mill Farm is also on facebook, why not visit and if you have stayed with us before leave your comments. I must admit it is still very new to me but I am learning!!

The new wild meadow was a great success and we are now giving it its first cut, a little late but we usually get there in the end. This amazing picture of a fox cub peering through the flowers, was taken by Peter from Swindon. Such a lovely picture that we had it printed in the local Kingsbridge Gazette. Thank you Peter for letting me use it.

I never seem to stop sowing seeds and am now growing on for Spring 2012 bedding. Have sown plenty of different coloured wall flowers, sweet william, forget me knots and many more. Seedlings of the above have now grown in to healthy plants and have been planted out. Tulips have now been planted amongst them, should look good next spring.

Tubs in the Courtyard are being cleared and bulbs planted. Always hate removing summer bedding especially when still in flower but the daffodils need their growing season to perform well for next year.

The circular garden with its spectrum of colours has looked pretty fantastic this year. The hot bed complete with banana plants and ginger have also performed well, see picture to right of banana plant taken in October. I am impressed to have grown such a specimen. The Banana has now been cut down and wrapped up for the winter, fingers crossed it survives.

New for 2012 is a tree house complete with zip slide (now that is in writing Tony and Derek will really have to get a move on). We are busy clearing a corner overgrown with conifers, my job is the bark chipping. I do believe the children in the family (including older members who are still children at heart) will love it. Many of the ideas are still at planning stage but it will be an area where the whole family can spend some time, complete with picnic bench and BBQ area. Will keep you informed of its progress.

Have included a few pictures from throughout the seasons as a reminder of how lovely the gardens have been and how stunning Malston Mill Farm is. Do come and see for yourselves.

Fishing was good during 2011 with many of our regulars trying to beat their previous records. Largest was far has been 25lb caught with floating bread.

All our fish are in beautiful condition. 70% of the carp (Mirror, common and leather) are over 10lbs. Smaller carp are 3 to 5lbs. There are rudd & roach which keeps the children engrossed.

The 30lb carp is still out there (must find a name), may even be a little larger now. Wonder if we will see him/her out of the water during 2012. Not been seen during 2011, shy maybe!!

During 2011 Greg caught some lovely fish in early May with his colleagues. Brian this week also enjoyed some double figured carp. Richard and Peter have already booked in again for 2012, whilst they fished the rest of the family enjoyed the swimming pools, a good time was had by all. Kenneth caught 40 fish and was delighted with his catch. Dick and Jill are back, I am sure it must be Jills perfume because 2nd cast in and she has a fish on. Dick swears it is the local bread!! Martin was down in October and had a good weeks fishing.

2012 New year and Andrew is enjoying a good fishing break and along with Ian (who last fished with us a lad 20 years ago - makes you feel old) is also trying his luck.

Have a few new pictures taken of father and daughter in February. Charlottes fish may look little but what quality. Dads fish won on size.

Do not worry if the big one frightens you there are plenty of 3 -5lb carp for the novice, as well as rudd and tench. Many children have caught their first ever fish at Malston Mill too.

Whatever your experience I cannot think of a more beautiful location to just sit and relax whilst waiting for that line to go.

November to end of February sees our rates at there best. Why not come and have an inexpensive fishing break

The heron is still trying his luck by the lake and we are now regualarly visited by this pheasant. There are quite a few around this year, you can hear them in the woods opposite and see them flying out across the lake.

Dick kindly agreed to be oarsman and take the DUCK HOTEL, with new anchor, out into the middle of the lake. Next morning the Heron was making good use of it. Now the moor hens have moved in.

There has been quite a few programmes on T.V regarding the universe which has brought my attention to how lucky we are to live in an area with hardly any light pollution. The skies at night are quite stunning, I have tuned into The plough (Ursa Major) and Orion but other than that the stars are clusters of pure beauty. Steve bought his telescope on holiday with him and I was shown Saturn, quite amazing.

This could be you feeding the ducks or having a row across the lake, why not come and enjoy the tranquillity. Which reminds me of the following:-

Read this in a newspaper and thought yes this applies to Malston Mill. What they say are the top 10 signs of tranquillity. We offer nine of them.

1. Seeing a natural landscape,

2. Hearing birdsong,

3. Hearing peace and quiet,

4. Seeing the stars at night,

5. Seeing streams,

6. Hearing natural sounds,

7. Hearing wildlife,

8. Hearing running water,

9. Seeing natural woodland.

The one we are missing is seeing the sea and we are not far away from doing that.

Do come and visit us we would love to share it with you.