It was with some trepidation that the team at Mornacott prepared for the high winds and heavy rain forecast for the last hours of Sunday night and carrying through into Monday. Barns doors were checked and secured, stable yards cleared of all tools and horsey possessions, gates shut tight and anchored closed and a fervent prayer sent up that all fencing would remain intact!

On waking up on the Monday morning we were all pleasantly surprised to find that the storm had mostly abated and was not as bad as we had feared. Apart from a few tree branches down Mornacott had escaped storm 'Jude' relatively unscathed. This time the prayer from the team is that we can contine in this vein for the rest of the Autumn and Winter season because as the current weather is showing, these seasons are most definitely upon us!  

Here at Mornacott we're getting ready for the start of our shooting season. The tweeds are being brought out, dusted down ad dry cleaned ready to look our best for the first day. Menus have revised and tweaked and the drinks' cabinet well stocked!

Behind the scenes the team have been working flat out to ensure that everything will be done in time, the gun rides have been cut, the grass topped and the vehicles serviced to ensure that everything goes smoothly and of course the most important thing, making sure the pheasants are in top condition and ready for flight.

Our shoot lodges are now all complete and entering into their second season of use and we are looking forward to welcoming both teams of new guns and our returning teams for the start of a new and exciting season. 

We recently welcomed a new addition to the Mornacott family in the shape of a baby red deer.

'Owen' as he has been christened by the team was found caught in a hedge in one of our cattle pastures, and had subsequently been abandoned by mum. After he was freed from the brambles and moved to safety we were hoping that his mother would return for him. Sadly this was not the case and Owen is now being hand-reared by the Mornacott team. He has quickly endeared himself to everyone and enthusiastically greets whoever may have his bottle at the time! 

Here at Mornacott we're all enjoying the hot sunny weather and we're currently welcoming visitors to our three holiday cottages. Work on the farm continues apace and we are literally 'making hay while the sun shines', with our team working around the clock to cut and bale hay and silage for the stock and horses' Winter forage. As ungrateful as it sounds we are all hoping for a little rain now! which will help with the growth of grass and crops. The stock is all out in the fields and enjoying the sunshine. 

Holiday time is here again at Mornacott with both of our converted barns Orchard Cottage and Barn Cottage occupied for the summer season. We have recently added a new addition in 'The Old Stables.

'The Old Stables' has been converted from the old stable block following the same methods of restoration used in the conversion of Orchard Cottage and Barn Cottage, and so boasts a locally sourced slate roof, beautiful oak beams and furniture and of course stunning views over the Devon countryside.

We look forward to welcoming all of our holiday guests over the summer season and hope that they enjoy their time with us. 

As May continues so does the calving season here at Mornacott. The current standings are fifty-five calves in total with approximately thirty cows left to calf. Fortunately the weather continues to co-operate, although not terribly warm the grass has now started to grow meaning that our expectant mums can be turned out in one of the fields adjacent to the sheds and then brought in at night. The dry weather also means that as soon as the new babies are on their feet and feeding well they can then be turned out with mum.