News from the village..for the friends & guests of Hillfield's.
South Devon is "odds on for a barbecue summer", with no repeat of the washouts of the last two years, according to Met Office forecasters. Temperatures are likely to be warmer than average across the UK, topping 30C at times. Rainfall should be "near or below average" for the three months of summer, the forecasters say. However, they warn that heavy downpours cannot be ruled out. Summer fun starts here! Enjoy some quality time away with the family, friends and loved ones. The South Hams is an idyllic playground in which to base yourself for a holiday full of family days out.
Check out the "Special Offers and Availability" on the Hillfield Web Site or View the Visitors Book
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The Classic Channel Regatta 2009 will follow a similar format to the highly successful previous regattas, calling at three of the finest ports in the Channel. There will be two days of racing at Dartmouth, before the Classic Channel Race sails to Paimpol where the regatta will be hosted by the Ville de Paimpol and the racing will be organized with the Cercle Nautique de Paimpol. It will then sail on to St Peter Port, where we are also assured of a very warm welcome by our joint organizers there, the Guernsey Yacht Club. Dartmouth Classics will be held over the weekend of Saturday July 4th - Sunday 5th, kicking off with a welcome do on Friday evening. There will be racing in Start Bay off Dartmouth on Saturday and Sunday before the start of the Classic Channel Race to Paimpol on Monday July 6th. The weekend will again be hosted by the Royal Dart Yacht Club and a full programme of social events is planned at both the RDYC clubhouse and the Old Market Square in Dartmouth. The Dart Harbour Authority are very kindly waiving mooring fees for two nights over the weekend for competitors. The Classic Channel Regatta 2009
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Dartmouth Higher Ferry is now open for business Full service resumes from 2nd July Mon – Sat 6.30am - 10.45pm and Sun 8.00am - 10.45pm. Built by super yacht builder Pendennis, of Falmouth in Cornwall, the ferry is one of a kind in the world and boasts advanced engineering that will be open to view for the first and last time. Tony Tucker from Dartmouth Higher Ferry comments: “The arrival of the new Higher Ferry marked the end of a journey that started in 2007, and we have been extremely heartened by the interest in this project. We are inviting the local community to come along and take the opportunity to see how their new ferry works and to see the massive bull wheels which move the vessel across the water.” |
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Guest Recommended. The Laughing Monk Restaurant has received much praise from our Guests this year. Owned by Ben and Jackie Handley since March 2008 - set in the beautiful village of Strete on the main costal road between Dartmouth (5miles) and Kingsbridge. The South West coastal path runs practically past the door. Food at the laughing monk restaurant is all about the wonderful local produce. We really are blessed in this part of the country to have such an abundance of high quality ingredients. All the fish and shell fish arrives straight from the local fisherman whether it be Start Bay lobsters, scallops or crab, line caught sea-bass or mackerel - one things for sure you can’t get any fresher!!! All the meats come from Local Devon Farmers; char grilled rib-eye steaks, 8 hour braised shoulder of lamb, free-range chickens and crispy belly pork can be found on the menu. Ben and Jackie's philosophy is keep it simple and let the produce be the star. They stock fantastic local beers from Quercus Brewery in Kingsbridge, organic cider from Heron Valley and Wines from around the world including the local Sharpham Reserve. On the recommendation of their Guest's Caroline recently treated Michael to an early supper at the Laughing Monk on the occasion of his Birthday. Caroline said the food was wonderful and they had a very enjoyable if short break from the Village. This is the first of what will be a regular feature, intended to pass on the Hillfield Village Guests recommendations on where to go and what to do. We would welcome features from any of our guests reporting on the excellent service you received from local business's in the area. E-mail to bob@hillfieldcottages.com |
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Update on the New Arrivals at Hillfields Village Our guests have been fascinated by the pair of House Martin's that built their nest in the eaves of the swimming pool pump room. Prior to breeding the pair would spend their evenings sitting on on a beam near the hot tub in Vantage Point for the lucky guests to view. The chicks are doing well and the picture shows Dad bringing food to the nest. This is the second brood that this pair have produced. The house martin is a small bird with glossy blue-black upper parts and pure white under parts. It has a distinctive white rump with a forked tail and, on close inspection, white feathers covering its legs and toes. It spends much of its time on the wing collecting insect prey. The bird's mud nest is usually sites below the eaves of buildings. They are summer migrants and spend their winters in Africa. Although still numerous and widespread, recent moderate declines earn them a place on the Amber List. They return to the UK in April, often feeding over wetlands for a while before returning to their traditional nest sites, remaining here until September and October before migrating south. Wildlife Note; Our landscape gardeners have planted numerous shrubs to attract Butterflies to the Village. Butterflies have reduced in number enormously since the 1950’s, this is thought to be a direct result of the reduction in wild flower meadows, the intensification of farming, the destruction of ancient woodland, peat bogs, hedgerows and field boundaries full of wild flowers. These are all vital habitats to both butterflies and moths. |
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My Favorite Cottage by Jess How wonderful to find a self-contained, self-catering holiday Cottage in such marvellous surroundings and which has been designed to assist those of us with disabilities! Gardener's Cottage is just what you would imagine of a country cottage - from the pine furniture and stone feature wall to the fantastic views, and the bonuses are the wide wheel-chair friendly doorways and the one-level, ground floor lay out. My husband and I had a fantastic holiday at Hillfield - comfortable, friendly, aesthetically pleasing and - safe! If it sounds too good to be true, then I recommend you try it for yourself, then you too can join me in thanking the Team at Hillfield Cottages & Country House. Well done to them all! Jess. Hoping you can join us soon! Michael & Caroline The Hillfield Village Team. |
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