The last few weeks have been ridiculously busy at Mowbarton, and we have been blessed with some excellent sunshine. That meant more time spent up in the vineyard clipping away new shoots (vines grow like nobody's business) and watching the grapes maturing into fat, round and, in some cases, wonderfully purple 'berries'. We've now started testing them for sugar content prior to harvest; the plan is for sparkling wine eventually. Talking of Sparkling Wine, we have recently welcomed our first full wedding party at Mowbarton. The bride, plus a large party of family and friends, booked the Barn for preparation and a long weekend - and then the new Mr and Mrs spent their first night of wedded bliss in our wonderful romantic secluded Shepherd's Hut ! And the second for that matter - the whole party stayed on for post wedding-day festivities. A good time was had by all, and we wish the happy couple the very best for the future - and look forward to welcoming them back for their anniversary celebrations.

In another first we had a group of energetic young things staying who discovered the Strawberry Line which starts in nearby Cheddar. They hired bikes at Cheddar Cycle Store and off they went! The Strawberry Line is also national cycle route No. 26, and apparently there's a great pub on the route...