We’re all facing uncertainty and difficulties that vary in nature during the current outbreak of Covid-19.  However, what we’re also seeing is communities pulling together to support each other – both on a personal level and at a local business level.

At Rhydgaled, we’re feeling the impact as bookings for our farmstay, dog-friendly bed & breakfast are very low – and we’ve suffered the necessary cancellations from visitors who were travelling from Italy and Germany.

There is little we can do about this, other than keep our bookings fully flexible. We can take bookings up to 24 hours in advance and cancellations due to coronavirus can be made without loss of payments via both Airbnb and Booking.com, as well as any bookings made directly with us.

We are open for business and offer self-contained accommodation on our smallholding. There are some great local eateries that offer evening meals – or basic self-catering as the living/breakfast room has a microwave, fridge, kettle and toaster, as well as plates, glasses and cutlery etc.

We’re due to start lambing at the end of the month, and with the weather improving, it’s a great time to visit.

Our farm produce remains available, with free-range pork and home-grown lamb available from the freezer, as well as fresh produce available on certain weekends throughout the year – contact us to find out more. Farmhouse cakes and bakes, including gluten-free options, can be made to order.

In the meantime, life goes on and we’re definitely seeing the signs of spring here at Rhydgaled. Our ponds that have been full of frogspawn are now wriggling with tadpoles. The daffodils and snowdrops are in flower and the primroses that can be found across our land are beginning to bloom.

 

And – we’ve welcomed two new members to our Saddleback pig family to keep up with demand for our free-range, outdoor reared pork, sausages and bacon products.

   

As mentioned above, lambing is expected to start at the end of the month and so our mums to be are now getting extra feed and being watched closely.

It’s also time to get going with the veg garden – and the time has come to replace the polytunnel cover as the storms we’ve seen over the last few months have made the small tears somewhat bigger. Still a work in progress – with the old cover removed but the new one still in it’s box – but hopefully it will be ready for action very soon.

And today the sun is shining – let’s take that as a positive and keep smiling.