Where learning is fun

We all know kids learn best when they are seeing and doing and not just listening in the classroom. Coombe Mill allows children the chance to learn so much from science to geography. The daily animal feed run is always packed with inquisative children asking farmer Nick one question after another as they help him on his morning chores.

Practical learning on holiday can also be supported by our education pages which cover many of the national curriculum topics 

http://www.coombemill.com/education.

William's Project

We were thrilled to hear that one of our young guests had chosen the River Camel for his school project. The river is a beautiful feature of Coombe Mill, enjoyed by our guests for fishing and play.  It clearly made an impression on William. We are delighted he has brought his project back with him on holiday to show us and agreed to share it here.

By William Age 8

I hope this is the first of many school projects we will be able to show case here on the blog. A huge thank you to William for sharing his good work. If anyone else has completed the education sheets, a Coombe Mill dairy or similar project to William and would be happy to share them please do let us know.

I am spoilt for choice for this week's Silent Sunday, so many happy memories from a wonderful half term, but here goes for one of my favourites:

Is it a sauce, a jam or a coulee?

I am renowned for just bunging ingredients in a pot and cooking. It sounds random but usually I have an idea at the back of my mind which just develops as I go. I hate waste and love to use fruit and veg in season, especially if it is local or better still from our farm. Naturally when a friend offered me the last of her defrosting redcurrants from the depths of her freezer I jumped at the chance. Fruit jams and chutneys are not my strength but I was determined not to waste anything. Already defrosting I had to act fast and simply dumped the huge bag of redcurrants in a large pan with a large 1kg bag of granulated sugar. Possibly not the correct sugar, but the one I had in the kitchen! It slowly bubbled away and began to thicken. The pith and bits were just too much so I sieved the entire pan full and bottled in old coffee jars. 2 months later I am thrilled to say I am still using my redcurrant goo as a coulee on deserts, as a jam on toast, a sauce with roast chicken or a topping to homemade ice cream! 

I am proud to say that nothing goes to waste in our house, even the pigs rarely get a look in!

An Afternoon with Friends

Half term and our boys had some old friends round for the day.  Fun and play for them and a lovely excuse for me to abandon work in favour of catching up on some mummy chat. On wondering out onto the farm to check on the boys, we found them just over the style from our deer field having a wonderful time in a grand tree climbing competition. I was mightily relieved they all made it down safely and very proud of myself for resisting the temptation to warn them off going EVEN higher, allowing them instead to trust their own judgement.  

<a href="http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/10/10" target="_blank" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Farm Holidays Cornwall"><img src="http://www.coombemill.com/images//blog/country_Kids/thumbs/th_Country_Kids_badge_transparent.png" border="0" alt="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" title="Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall" /></a>

Hope you can come and support healthy outdoor play for children. From the garden to the beach, I would love you to join in with your snaps or video this week. Read more about Country Kids here

http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/10/10/Country-Kids-from-Coombe-Mill.aspx

This weeks linky

Busy lives

Anyone with children has a busy life. Weather you have 1 or in my case 6, they are demanding and time consuming. We cherish and adore them and want to do everything we can to make their lives the best they can be. Sometimes that can leave little time for being ourselves.

Making time for myself

Not everyone will agree with this and not everyone may feel the need, but much as I love my children I need time away from them too. A night away with my husband or a day out with girl friends, even my working time is important to me. I know I need the break when I get snappy at small things and want them in bed before they are really ready to go. It's not that I love them any less than ever it's just that I need some time as Fiona and not Mummy.

My treat

This Sunday I spent a night away with friends on a girls SPA break. The Bay Hotel is Just half an hour away in Newquay. http://www.newquay-hotels.co.uk/the-bay.html This has become an annual treat for us and is bliss. Not too far away, this hotel specialises in wonderful treatments and yummy food right on the famous Fistral beach. Never thought I could pack in so much exercise, chat, pampering, food and alcohol into 24 hours! A great place for a girls retreat and 24 hours is just perfect to recharge the batteries and leaving me ready for some more "mummy please can we......" and "mummy what's for dinner?"

 Our treat captured on video

Anyone for the kids?

Next time your partner, the grandparents, a friend, nanny or anyone you trust offers to have the children for a day or a night, try and take them up on their offer. Coming home to hugs all rounds is as wonderful as being away for a few hours. If your children are very young and you don't feel ready to do this, just park the thought because as they grow older and more independent the time will one day feel right.