tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456106130670224442024-03-13T13:18:25.495-07:00Harptree Court Country House Blog Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-58157301783041857192015-11-13T08:43:00.000-08:002015-11-13T08:43:25.728-08:00Autumn 2015As I look out on the slowly reddening trees I reflect on the fantastic foresight our predecessors had when they laid out our parkland here. This house was designed and landscaped by Charles Harcourt Masters who also re landscaped <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park">Dryham Park</a> a National Trust property about 45 minutes from us and just north of Bath. I feel sure that he must have been familiar with <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead">Stourhead's</a> amazing gardens, again about 45 minutes from us.It is a favourite destination with many of our guests, as the gardens at Harptree reflect so many of its features albeit, in sub miniature. Walking around the grounds here I love the carpet of beech leaves.<br />
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Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-28145634716828347732015-07-01T06:06:00.000-07:002015-07-01T06:06:23.905-07:00Scandifeast 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow! We have just finished hosting the first Scandifeast - a midsummer celebration of all things Scandinavian.<br />
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Truly amazing to see some world class chefs in action here. Of particular note was <b>Niklas Ekstedt</b> recently seen on Masterchef working in his Michelin starred Stockholm Restaurant where everything is cooked over open fires. Deeply passionate about taking food back to basics, one feels his idea of perfection would be roasting fresh meat over an open fire at the mouth of a cave.<br />
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We were privileged to meet Trine Hahnemann an enthusiastic supporter of local and organic food who ran a couple of sessions one a smorrebrod (open sandwich) demonstration and one showing a Danish Cake Table for all to enjoy. She stayed with us for three nights and we were fascinated to watch her cooking in our kitchen. She carried on telling us about her life whilst turning out some incredible and delicious creations. Trine also introduced her sister Silla Bjerrum who ran a fantastic herring masterclass.She is the winner of 2015 MSC Chef of the Year.<br />
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Joe Wadsack from BBC's Food and Drink programme was great fun and seemed to embody the whole festival with his warm-hearted and generous approach, not only to his sessions on Scandinavian wine and spirits but also on being available to talk to anybody at any time. I must confess to being up late one night with him and his partner and just the odd glass of rather splendid wine.<br />
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Valentine Warner who has many television series under his belt both as a chef and good food enthusiast gave a session on flatbreads from Peters Yard, topped with many delicious fish toppings.<br />
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All in all we had two days of hard work, great food, great company, and a feast and celebration to remember. Gluttons for punishment that we are, we have agreed to host it again next year!<br />
Check out <a href="http://www.scandifeast.co.uk/">http://www.scandifeast.co.uk/</a> for the 2016 dates but note that most of the details are for the 2015 feast.<br />
<br />Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-5951537535863695292014-10-01T10:20:00.000-07:002014-10-01T10:20:31.227-07:00Engagements<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Congratulations to all the couples who have got engaged <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this year in the treehouse or yurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think that after last year’s record
number of proposals that we would <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>exceed
it this year but we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know
Harptree is an especially romantic place to come and stay and the treehouse
even more so but we are still happy that it seems to work its magic. No
refusals to date (that we know about). No pressure either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The treehouse has to be one of the nicest
places to get away from it all whatever the time of year.</span></div>
Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-16795958206706256282014-02-25T05:52:00.000-08:002014-02-26T08:49:04.497-08:00Wind and Rain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like the rest of the country we have been lashed by wind and rain this winter but although sadly we have lost a few mature trees, like this cedar, no real damage has been done as there are over a thousand more trees on the estate. </div>
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We are about a 40 minute drive away from the Somerset levels which have been so badly hit by flooding and we feel for them. The warm wet winter has meant that the snowdrops, crocus and daffodil display started early.<br />
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Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-14643546828554877192013-08-18T08:28:00.001-07:002013-08-18T08:28:34.032-07:00GBBO is backIt's that time of year again! As series 4 of GBBO is set to go out, we get a bit of a thrill seeing part of out garden or a flash of familiar wallpaper peeping out behind Paul, Mary or Mel and Sue in one of the many different.paper or magazine articles<br />
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While it is all going on we do have a few bemused and exited guests who can't quite believe what they are seeing but they all seem to take it in good spirits and enjoy people watching through the window over breakfast.<br />
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Thank you everybody for making the bake off experience a party - even if it is an exhausting one! We have completely enjoyed being a very small part of such a popular show.<br />
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I can't believe that nearly a year has passed by since I last blogged, Its not that nothing has happened - quite the reverse really which has meant that the time has flown by.<br />
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It has been another spectacular year for the Treehouse and the Yurt after a freezing start.<br />
The prolonged period of great weather has enabled our guests to make full use of the Yurt hammock and the new basket chair in the Treehouse.<br />
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The Pink room and the Yellow room have both benefited from a minor rearrangement of the furniture both rooms look more spacious as a result and we have added new coffee machines to all the rooms so our guests can make real coffee at any time. - And we still supply a proper teapot and a selection of tea for all tea lovers!<br />
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As the bake-off filming was just finishing, our grandson Arlo was born and moved in here with us for a few weeks with his lively sister and parents. The next week my mother tumbled from her mobility scooter and broke both wrists and some ribs. The next few weeks were interesting to say the least but my daughter and family are now in their new home and my mother is out of plaster and recovering well so we are back on an even keel. Until the next excitement anyway......<br />
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Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-71361947036795986112012-10-03T03:07:00.001-07:002012-10-03T03:23:20.873-07:00Autumn<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harptree Court drive in Autumn</td></tr>
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Don't know why really but Autumn always sneaks up on us. One minute the last few warm September days are beguiling you into believeing the weather is better than it really is. Then - Pow- October is here, the nights have a little bite to them and the trees suddenly start to show some colour.<br />
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I hope that this year autumn lingers a little, last year it seemed that as soon as the leaves turned they just fell off the trees. I much prefer it when our trees are a riot of different shades.<br />
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So we have just lit the hall fire for the first time, and played croquet for the last time this year, so that means guests will have to have tea and lemon cake in front of the fire and not outside. (Linda's Lemon cake is still world class).<br />
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It will very soon be time to pack the Yurt away for winter again, but our guests will be snug and warm in the treehouse all through the winter.<br />
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<br />Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-83279635519451733352012-10-03T02:23:00.000-07:002012-10-03T02:23:15.780-07:00Trolley disaster strikesFor anybody that has come to stay in the treehouse or yurt since February, my little luggage trolley will have been a familiar sight. For many of the Bake off Production team, it was all too familiar as I pulled it into shot on an almost daily basis. Thank goodness they managed to edit me out. <br />
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Alas, after only eight months use a trolley bearing seized and I am being told that it is not possible for it to be repaired under guarantee. So I have to claim a refund and get another or pay for a part to be sent from the States.<br />
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I fear that I'm ranting again but surely there is a more sensible and lest wasteful option? <br />
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Linda fears that I have got too attached to the trolley and I should just let go!<br />
Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-30745421799175256932012-08-26T09:39:00.003-07:002012-08-26T09:47:59.998-07:00Sheep<div align="right">
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Contented sheep grazing in front of <br />
The Great British Bake Off bridge</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less contented sheep being ushered into a field</td></tr>
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This week has been sheep week at Harptree. In spite of the grass in the fields we have had escaped sheep in our gardens morning and evening for the last three days. They would have done a lot more damage in the spring.<br />
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Luckily our dogs are sheep aware and seem totally indifferent, except when a sheep comes towards them; then they try to hide!<br />
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Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-49255992723315394402012-08-26T08:30:00.003-07:002012-08-26T09:04:33.624-07:00GBBO Again!Just watched episode 2 and the memories came flooding back - Mainly how did we manage to miss out on the Bagels? We did taste quite a lot of things, but not the bagels! We blamed the crew for weeks, but I think it was our fault; we were just too polite. (at least back then, The less said about Linda eating the directors specially selected baked delicacies the better.)!<br />Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-69241507501584860552012-08-15T00:02:00.003-07:002012-08-15T01:03:18.796-07:00Great British Bake OffAt last we can tell! After weeks of doing our best to keep the secret we can now admit that the whole of the third series of Great British Bake Off was filmed here. What a delightful group of people! Like a big family. Linda and her friends were delighted when Mary Berry used to come into our kitchen to warm herself next to our Aga, as it was so cold outside everyone needed a bit of thawing out. Harptree looked stunning on the first program last night. We held a small party to thank some of our friends who helped out during the 10 weeks that the crew were here. We continued to run the Bed and Breakfast and the treehouse and yurt while it was all going on and some of the guests were able to watch some of the filming. One lot of guests were quite surprised to be welcomed by Mel on arrival. <br />All in all we had great fun<br />Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-6746549738284261292012-07-05T05:32:00.004-07:002012-07-05T05:56:50.725-07:00First anniversary<div>The first anniversary for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Treehouse</span> and the yurt have come and gone and our guests all seem to be delighted whatever the time of year or the weather! Linda and I couldn't resist popping in to the Garden at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alnwick</span> recently and had a lovely meal in their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">treehouse</span> restaurant. We're still delighted with ours but it does show what a reputed budget some 15-20 times ours can bring you.</div><div>Still, we did make the July issue of Vogue as one of the 'Now' places so we must be doing something right. Our friends tell us that we are the least likely people to ever feature in Vogue!</div>Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-36066342621504556562012-05-01T13:23:00.001-07:002012-05-01T13:25:20.657-07:00Rain, rain and floodingToday was another day when East Harptree became world news. A sustained cloudburst after a period of rain caused a few houses to be flooded today, I was out helping our neighbour (from whom we get our very free range breakfast eggs) who, in spite of six inches of flooding in their house, have refused to move out while everything dries. East Harptree not only got on the ITN local news and Channel 4 news but we have just had an email from a regular guest from Swizerland who had seen it on the British news there. The world really is a small place these days. Glad to say that although both lakes overflowed, the roof didn't leak, the yurt and treehouse stayed snug and that all is well here.<br />
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see some pictures here: <a href="http://ruralchris.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/mayday/">http://ruralchris.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/mayday/</a>Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-58686086917493905742012-02-17T09:21:00.000-08:002012-02-17T10:12:19.053-08:00Spring is in the air - along with snow and hailI thought that January was so warm that all our spring bulbs were going to appear together and all be over before their proper time. However the icy blast delivered in late January and early February has corrected that. The large and spreading patches of crocus are all coming out now and look spectacular in the sunshine.<br /><br />The treehouse is proving to be <strong>the</strong> romantic spot for proposals. It has just notched up another one last weekend. Congratulations!<br /><br />Still a month to go before the Yurt goes back up. I have just been checking the base and preparing myself - why do I expect it to be raining just as I need to put the canvas back on?Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-32187960371795469582012-01-10T09:10:00.000-08:002012-01-10T13:30:03.009-08:00First six months of the treehouseWell, the first half year of operation has passed with our guests being wowed by the treehouse and the Yurt. The Yurt has long been put away for the winter but we were still having guests in November. We added a hot water bottle and then an electric blanket to ensure everyone stayed snug and warm. The only problem during the year was with squirrels! One day whilst we were away they ate our rubber gas connectors emptying the spare gas cylinders so the gas ran out. We had the gas back on within 12 hours but it was a worry. The gas pipes now have armour plating so unless the squirrels use weapons we should be alright. I cannot quite believe how booked up we are getting for 2012 now - the first half of the year is almost full in the treehouse.Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-29977299520680068002011-07-22T08:18:00.000-07:002011-08-08T14:23:11.179-07:00The papersWe seem to have attracted quite a bit of attention in the papers over the last month or so. Starting with <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/apr/03/cool-camping-glamping-united-kingdom">The Guardian </a> Then the yurt was in <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/campingholidays/8622670/Luxury-camping-in-Britain-Harptree-Court-Somerset.html">The Telegraph.</a><br/><br/>
<br />Then the treehouse was in the cool camping guide one Saturday in the Times, but to see that you have to be a Times subscriber I believe.<br/><br/>
<br />We have also had major articles about the treehouse in the Western Daily Press and the Bristol Evening Post. Not to mention a radio slot on BBC Somerset.
<br />Just recently the treehouse experience has had a proper review in <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/jul/29/luxury-somerset-harptree-court-treehouse?INTCMP=SRCH">The Guardian </a>
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<br />All the comment seems to be positive, with the exception of a chess player who noticed that the photographer had set the pieces incorrectly on the board!
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<br />All this has had an impact so book early!Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-76306992828668211252011-06-17T05:56:00.000-07:002011-06-17T06:28:47.040-07:00Linda's luscious lemon cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBJXcoMG7iI/TftSsDmq5MI/AAAAAAAAAGk/yAsdXk4Clmo/s1600/DSC_0222%2Bcropped.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBJXcoMG7iI/TftSsDmq5MI/AAAAAAAAAGk/yAsdXk4Clmo/s400/DSC_0222%2Bcropped.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619175876910048450" /></a><br />Everybody has been asking for the 'secret' recipe to Linda's lovely lemon cake that she gives to our guests on arrival. She even puts one in the Treehouse and Yurt for guests to enjoy during their stay. Yum Yum. So here we go: <br /><br />Into a bowl put 6oz sieved self raising flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 6oz caster sugar flavoured with vanilla, 4oz butter, 4 tbsp milk, 2 large free- range eggs (there is nothing nicer). <br /><br />Whisk for 2 mins, tip into a lined 8" baking tin and cook for 40 mins on 180oC in a fan oven. <br /><br />Take out of the oven, allow to cool in the tin and when just warm tip over the juice of 2 lemons mixed with 3oz of vanilla flavoured caster sugar. <br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />If anyone has any other cake recipes they think we should try, post it under this !Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-57541457654621065562011-06-03T13:29:00.000-07:002011-06-03T13:42:23.321-07:00Harptree Court wins an AwardLinda and Charles are very excited to have won the Bed and Breakfast/Guest Accommodation of the Year Award at The Bristol Tourism and Hospitality Awards last night. Just as well that there were no acceptance speeches though - our list of people to thank might have gone on for hours.Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-4207303101091384052011-05-06T13:06:00.000-07:002011-05-06T23:38:04.013-07:00Racing to the finish<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUMLsZRd3bo/TcRZtBlHNxI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Pw2pT3exDUE/s1600/DSC_0171r.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUMLsZRd3bo/TcRZtBlHNxI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Pw2pT3exDUE/s320/DSC_0171r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603702466408822546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vu-AshvigoY/TcRZszmCR6I/AAAAAAAAAEg/LQYf2BhBH0I/s1600/DSC_0178r.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vu-AshvigoY/TcRZszmCR6I/AAAAAAAAAEg/LQYf2BhBH0I/s320/DSC_0178r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603702462654597026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Va8lomVZiXk/TcRZs4LBzbI/AAAAAAAAAEY/cyEmS7Ue2RM/s1600/DSC_0202r.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Va8lomVZiXk/TcRZs4LBzbI/AAAAAAAAAEY/cyEmS7Ue2RM/s320/DSC_0202r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603702463883496882" /></a><br />It has been about 3 weeks since my last post, not so much because there is so little progress but because there has been so much!<br />Once the base was completed the sides went on.<br /><br /><br /><br />The roof was put on<br /><br /><br /><br />The cladding went on the outside and the roof was tiled.<br /><br />To match the exterior work the plumbing first fix is in, the electrical work nears completion and today the insulation was blown into the cavities in the walls, floors and the roof!Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-85022509868106884052011-04-14T02:30:00.000-07:002011-04-14T06:44:13.880-07:00Decking is now complete<p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">The stairs now have treads so that it is somewhat easier to get up</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFGrLgyEc28/TabA0zXicfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/XHifhZZ4OzI/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFGrLgyEc28/TabA0zXicfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/XHifhZZ4OzI/s320/DSC_0155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595371600429085170" /></a><br /><p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">The decking outside the treehouse is completed and you can see the base of the structure itself</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZVaKPViEXw/TabA0pH1w6I/AAAAAAAAAEI/pahtezVOCpc/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZVaKPViEXw/TabA0pH1w6I/AAAAAAAAAEI/pahtezVOCpc/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595371597678887842" /></a><br /><p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">the view of the walkway from the treehouse platform.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0ColHX462U/TabA0Tq4JMI/AAAAAAAAAEA/NWobr6ljkmM/s1600/DSC_0153.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T0ColHX462U/TabA0Tq4JMI/AAAAAAAAAEA/NWobr6ljkmM/s320/DSC_0153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595371591920264386" /></a><br /><p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">In a weeks time we hope to have the sides of the treehouse up and in position.</p>Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-25775847827672570732011-04-14T01:48:00.000-07:002011-04-14T06:35:59.743-07:00The Treehouse floor goes inSeeing the oversize timbers go in just makes everyone who sees it go Wow!<br />The platform seemed to start slowly, but this accelerated and once the sections of the floor arrived they went down almost straight away.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbwT-epQW5w/Taa2dCve_8I/AAAAAAAAADY/wivuGyVEguU/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbwT-epQW5w/Taa2dCve_8I/AAAAAAAAADY/wivuGyVEguU/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595360197122916290" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0thr5mWBzpY/Taa3Jyu4ZaI/AAAAAAAAADg/Gpj2bIJ7SDM/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0thr5mWBzpY/Taa3Jyu4ZaI/AAAAAAAAADg/Gpj2bIJ7SDM/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595360965919532450" /></a><br /><br /><p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">The walkway is made so that it can move with the oak tree. The ballistrade supports are delightfully wiggly</p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3ggHF2HTKE/Taa4PhLrDUI/AAAAAAAAADw/KejYgIjWFv8/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3ggHF2HTKE/Taa4PhLrDUI/AAAAAAAAADw/KejYgIjWFv8/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595362163799297346" /></a><br /><p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">The way in goes up these stairs and over a platform in the oak tree</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYcMG72r968/Taa3KI3eTwI/AAAAAAAAADo/8QAcdEbsHm8/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EYcMG72r968/Taa3KI3eTwI/AAAAAAAAADo/8QAcdEbsHm8/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595360971861151490" /></a><br /><p style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;">The base of the treehouse itself is now in position</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyDNp7Z1xBA/Taa4PxdTDUI/AAAAAAAAAD4/gjQoroMLMRY/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyDNp7Z1xBA/Taa4PxdTDUI/AAAAAAAAAD4/gjQoroMLMRY/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595362168168189250" /></a>Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-70005279076780650362011-03-15T13:29:00.000-07:002011-03-15T13:49:08.267-07:00Yo ho and up she rises<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asz2xWkrGZg/TX_Out25mfI/AAAAAAAAACw/EoMlmiuVdh0/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-asz2xWkrGZg/TX_Out25mfI/AAAAAAAAACw/EoMlmiuVdh0/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584409364941871602" /></a><br />Now the treehouse base is talking shape, One day nothing is visible and then suddenly we have the basic supporting structure in place.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfhjMqQiO2s/TX_OvNMZVeI/AAAAAAAAAC4/2tz6RFNxoV8/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfhjMqQiO2s/TX_OvNMZVeI/AAAAAAAAAC4/2tz6RFNxoV8/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584409373353530850" /></a><br />Standing underneath the legs you beginn to understand the scale of what we are doing!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSSscq337Ak/TX_Ov_GMo9I/AAAAAAAAADI/HyDdQDKfxV8/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSSscq337Ak/TX_Ov_GMo9I/AAAAAAAAADI/HyDdQDKfxV8/s320/DSC_0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584409386749305810" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrlQuWG8yoM/TX_OwPKxjjI/AAAAAAAAADQ/63CYfyKI21A/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NrlQuWG8yoM/TX_OwPKxjjI/AAAAAAAAADQ/63CYfyKI21A/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584409391063469618" /></a><br /><br />Meanwhile the yurt bases have also sprung up, waiting for the doors and windows now.Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-72678730793858068622011-02-11T03:34:00.000-08:002011-02-11T03:55:06.492-08:00The treehouse walkway underway<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCC-6lE_MVE/TVUhMCVM3gI/AAAAAAAAACg/ZIhAcOopCFs/s1600/DSC_0338a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iCC-6lE_MVE/TVUhMCVM3gI/AAAAAAAAACg/ZIhAcOopCFs/s320/DSC_0338a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572396604608798210" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YF4FQN37xcE/TVUhMUmMUJI/AAAAAAAAACo/Kg7-a1_FTds/s1600/DSC_0342a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YF4FQN37xcE/TVUhMUmMUJI/AAAAAAAAACo/Kg7-a1_FTds/s320/DSC_0342a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572396609511903378" /></a><br /><br />The first bit of the treehouse walkway is being put in place with the specially designed anchors minimising the impact on the oak tree. The way up to the treehouse will start with steps up to a platform in this mature oak tree. The platform support structure is now being added. As you can see one piece has been carefully shaped around one of the branches.Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-58277278061877650492011-01-23T07:21:00.000-08:002011-01-23T07:31:57.883-08:00The snowdrops are coming!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TTxIOe6woUI/AAAAAAAAACM/cWexA9mzYKw/s1600/DSC_0311r.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TTxIOe6woUI/AAAAAAAAACM/cWexA9mzYKw/s320/DSC_0311r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565402653177979202" /></a> The first snowdrops are appearing now to be rapidly followed by crocus and the daffodils. Another cold winter should mean that the bulbs appear in their proper order again. Spring is a geat time to visit us at Harptree as the quarter mile drive looks at its best from now to the spring.Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-35387510894724632592011-01-17T22:53:00.000-08:002011-01-18T01:41:30.677-08:00Marmalade WarThe box of Seville oranges arrived last week and have spent a few days in the fridge while I gird myself up for marmalade making. We split the box with a friend, who has been making marmalade for many years and start slicing.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TTVeSIfy6pI/AAAAAAAAAB0/LOxJg-hBPX8/s1600/Marmalade1r.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TTVeSIfy6pI/AAAAAAAAAB0/LOxJg-hBPX8/s200/Marmalade1r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563456580297616018" /></a><br /><br />Linda, who is an excellent cook but who has no patience soon abandons the kitchen to me, I fill the house with the sweet sticky smell of marmalade as I struggle with 8 double batches using Gary Rhodes' recipe (about 20kg in all)<br /><br />After a day and a half I end up with what I hope is a years supply of homemade marmalade. We do try to serve only homemade preserves at breakfast.!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TTVfki4QBnI/AAAAAAAAAB8/aIF6vjUZ7G8/s1600/Marmalade2r.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TTVfki4QBnI/AAAAAAAAAB8/aIF6vjUZ7G8/s200/Marmalade2r.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563457996128781938" /></a><br /><br /><br />I notice that this year the colour is lighter than last, a real golden glowing orange; I worry slightly and pop round to Diana's to see how she is doing.<br />Her marmalade is exactly the same colour so I haven't done anything wrong and better still she is only half way through her oranges so this year I'm claiming victory in the undeclared marmalade war.Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2245610613067022444.post-5840251410689624652011-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:002011-01-23T07:37:01.853-08:00Treehouse starts at last!Whoppee! After about a year of delays I can hardly believe that work is actually beginning on the treehouse.<br/><br/>Step 1 is to remove some sycamore trees and laurel to make room for the structure whilst retaining everything else so that the treehouse floats amongst the trees. We used <a href="http://www.adamclarkarborist.co.uk">Adam Clark</a> for all the high tree work.<br /><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;vertical-align: top;"> Before<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TSt_BMEgwdI/AAAAAAAAAAg/bu6ouh5IrAM/s1600/DSC_0278r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TSt_BMEgwdI/AAAAAAAAAAg/bu6ouh5IrAM/s320/DSC_0278r.jpg" width="214" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;vertical-align: top;">After<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TSt_FyRqL2I/AAAAAAAAAAk/XJgi8ogxDQw/s1600/DSC_0295r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Xi-R1miAOck/TSt_FyRqL2I/AAAAAAAAAAk/XJgi8ogxDQw/s320/DSC_0295r.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Thre isn't much more to see yet but over the next 3-4 weeks we should get up to Platform height, I can't wait....Harptree Courthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09307953780788657135noreply@blogger.com0