Time once again to step back a few months; this time to look at some of our holiday snaps from Gladwins Farm in September. The holiday was so good that we've had to separate the photos into six albums, each one of which you can access by clicking on the pictures below. Bear with us as we take you through the holiday (or come back and view the photos one album at a time)!
The farm was absolutely perfect for our little family, and for Euan in particular. As well as being able to feed the pigs, sheep, goats and chickens (and collect eggs for breakfast), and take walks through the woods, he could play in the wooden wendy house, on the tractors or on the swings. For rainy days (we only had one) a stable had been converted into a playroom and there was an indoor swimming pool. Here we are, feeding the animals on our first morning on the farm.
The following day, we put Euan in the rucksack and took a walk from Dedham to Flatford Mill, across the Suffolk countryside of "Constable Country". Our reward at Flatford Mill was a National Trust museum dedicated to the artist, on the site where he painted The Hay Wain. We took the obligatory photo to match the painting (see whether you can tell the difference in the album below) and enjoyed a lovely National Trust cuppa and a stroll through the wildlife garden. We returned to Dedham for lunch by the river, watching cows climb into canoes, and serenaded by a Barry-White-A-Like (better than it sounds) who fascinated Euan!
The next part of the holiday saw Grandma and Granddad take the (relatively) short trip up to visit us at the farm. There was a little rain in the air, so we had a chance to try out the play area and build up our appetites with a few competitive games of table tennis before a pub lunch at The Anchor in Nayland. We took a walk through the woods, fed the sheep and played all afternoon on the swings.
Next up was a particular highlight for us all: Colchester Zoo! We weren't sure how long Euan would last, but we all had a nice long day at a brilliant zoo. As you can see from the photos below, we saw monkeys, cheetahs, elephants, penguins and seals (the list goes on), and brave Euan even fed the giraffes! He was eventually undone by a bee sting in the rabbit enclosure, and we made a sharp exit past the wolves and back to the farm for tea.
In all the excitement, we haven't shown you much of the Farm itself, so here are some pretty pictures. We can't recommend the place enough. Great location, friendly owners and animals, plenty to do nearby and even the chance to head to the seaside for tea and cake with the grannies amongst the beach huts of Frinton - the resort that time forgot. We're tempted to go back, get a bigger cottage (or two) and enjoy the private hot tubs!
Last album now, and this one is from Jimmy's Farm. Bored of animals? Not us! Jimmy's Farm has a menagerie of small and furry animals, including free-ranging goats, ducks, llamas, guinea pigs, ferrets and rare breed sheep, but specialises in rare breed pigs (and sausages) :( . Jimmy Doherty is something of a TV celebrity, being a friend of Jamie Oliver and the star of a couple of his own shows. Euan, not shy when it comes to celebrities, made friends with Jimmy's daughter whilst chasing ducks. As you can see, we really enjoyed the woodland walks too!
Jimmy also runs his own family-friendly music and comedy festival, "Harvest". Some of Tim's favourite acts performed in 2011 (Fat Freddy's Drop, The Feeling, Gilles Peterson, Mr Scruff...). Anyone fancy going in September 2012?
Enough? Phew. Sorry. It was just such a great holiday!
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