Love this community. We will be having stall outside our house too. 😁

The loo roll has arrived..... Oh Cxxx now I need to store it somewhere!!

I don't normally advertise for others on this site, but I have always been environmentally aware however it is clear that we must take greater steps to solve problems of waste and pollution. We owe it to our children and we must recognise that human health depends up the heath of the environment. We are an integrated part of the environment, not removed, we can not afford to destroy it. Therefore both in our house and in the Bakehouse I am taking steps to be more environmentally aware. I have discovered that vinegar is much better than the chemicals on the shelves to get rid of limescale, and for those of you who have stayed with us Coggeshall is a very hard water area. Vinegar also does not have a whole load of chemicals for you and I to breath in. So I am trying to change my cleaning methods and products. I have also just ordered a load of toilet and kitchen roll, all 100% recycled from these people who also give a donation to charity. www.uk.whogivesacrap.org And I like the name. I will keep you posted on the next steps.

Yesterday, I was gardening in a T shirt, today the daffodils are feeling chilly...?!? So if you would like to experience 4 seasons in 1 week Firmin's Bakehouse is the place to stay!

Firmin's has a connection with Chappel Chocolate House. We bought this house from its owner! I have tasted their chocolates and boy if you want a special, special treat these are simply divine. Go and visit Sarah at the Chappel Chocolate House at the Poplar Nursery, then try not to buy any!!

What a difference a night makes! Ziggy turned into a little snow plough. He then had to sit next to the Aga to melt the snow balls! The photos in the dark were taken at 5am and as you can see Pecal stayed in bed today!!! Even had to give her breakfast bed!

Ziggy, just checking the outside temperature before venturing out! Sadly, in Coggeshall this was about as good as it got snow wise. Even London has snow! Hmmmm.

I thought I would check Trip Advisors top 10 places to eat in Coggeshall and on the whole I agree! However, I would add the Eastern View and advise that the Kings arms is in the Parish but not in the village. The Halfway, recently changed hands and apparently very good is between Cogg and Kelvedon. If you want a hot chocolate without the guilt try Lone Wolf Organics and their super food hot chocolate. Delicious! https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g635911-Coggeshall_Essex_England.html

Excited....! Its snowing again!

I went for my daily walk round the mill this morning. Ziggy helped to clean the path with his stomach as per. However, its beautiful. Just love the smattering of snow and the snowdrops now emerging. The only hard weeks of winter are from the 7th of Jan to the 21st. Then spring appears again.

Last week we lost Sylvie. Don't know what happened, she's a chicken and they do just drop dead sometimes... Perhaps it was the stress of her jail term last year in the run up to open gardens in June to prevent her decimating the garden. She was however, lovely. enjoyed a stroke. A great character. She popped next door a couple of times in her youth to have a cup of tea with their builders. She was happy to explore the kitchen given half a chance and a fantastic layer. We have her last egg waiting to be ceremonially boiled, or poached, or scrambled for breakfast in the morning. RIP Sylvie.

2018 is off to a flying start for us with a fab review on Trip Advisor. Thank you Rita! Happy New Year to everyone. x “Stunning Cottage” Reviewed 4 days ago for a stay in December 2017 We will return! This is a beautiful cottage/ contemporary home that succeeds in combining modern comfortable living with a sense of the past. I seriously think the bed is the most comfortable one I have ever slept in! Set in a picturesque garden in the pretty village of Coggeshall, it really is the perfect place to stay. The attention to detail and wonderful kindness shown by the owners is simply second to none... you will have to travel far and wide to find such lovely accommodation. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentals-g635911-Reviews-Coggeshall_Essex_England-Vacation_Rentals.html