Spring is here!!

The lambs are hopping and skipping in the fields and we have Tymsboro in the cheese counter...two sure signs that spring is in the air!
We have been making the most of the recent fabulous weather..Our new gorgeous garden is open! Ok, so regular customers will know that we have always had a little courtyard with rickety chairs and miss match tables (and the odd slug)..this year we decided the time has come to give the outside space the full Teahee treatment.
Our friend Judy Wright from The Plantsmiths in Crayke created a contemporary cottage design for us with clamp brick raised beds (built by the infamous Big Al). Judy took into consideration the fact that the garden is north(ish) facing and chose plants that will flourish in their slightly shady positions, many of the plants Judy has grown herself from seed. Long suffering Smitey (that's the husband) came up trumps building the new hefty oak tables and benches, one of which is two and a half metres long....perfect for large parties or making new chums in a caring, sharing moment(!) The lovely Steve Cariss from Coxwold has today extended the fence (and boxed in the nasty air con doo daas) which has helped make the garden more private and tranquil...Hurrah!
Also new....and we are slightly giddy about this...Freshly squished orange juice! Ok, so we know the concept isn't exactly new...but up until now we have served wonderful freshly ground coffee, fabulous leaf tea, beautiful refreshing soft drinks.....and tropicana orange (shudder). This bothered us...a lot. Our new super duper zummo machine was installed last week and we LOVE it, pure theatre to watch and it tastes pretty darn good!
A couple of 'hellos and goodbyes'....Hello to Emma who has joined our kitchen team...and brought with her a recipe for the finest cinnamon buns we have ever tasted! Hello to Angela who is our new 'Early Shirley', providing coffee and bacon buffers for bleary eyed 7am-ers...Goodbye to Jane, our old (no, not old...very young and beautiful) Early Shirley now enjoying an extra hour in bed and breakfast with Jeremy Kyle (eeek!). Also bye bye to Jo Campbell. After many years at Mount St John in Felixkirk growing the most amazing fruit, vegetables and flowers, Jo has been poached by Raymond Blanc to be the head vegetable gardener at Le Manoir in Oxfordshire...we are SO going to visit!