Happy Halloween

October was a relatively quiet month up here at Poachers Hideaway, we have however had quiet a few autumnal guests coming for fantastic walking in the Lincolnshire Wolds, and seeing what the area has to offer...

Flint (Pup) has been doing a quacking job of looking after the ducks we have staying up here at the moment, he is fascinated by them at feeding time. He just stands there looking at them occasionally licking his lips for some reason!

It's certainly the season for game, pheasants everywhere! Rather ironic them being guests of ours, good job they can't read I suppose.

Other birds flying about include many buzzards and a few Red Kites which are wonderful to watch in flight. There are lots all along the Bluestone Heath road.

"The Bluestone Heath Road runs along the ridge from Candlesby to Caistor.

From the Road are some great views across to the sea in the east and into the rolling countryside to the West.

It was used by the Ancient Britons long before the Romans came. In places the Romans followed the Bluestone Heath Road e.g.. 'Ulceby Long Lane' but in others the Romans cut through valleys e.g.. at Tetford while the old Celtic road followed the ridge."

This road is very near us here at Poachers Hideaway...

Lots of pumpkins to choose from at Uncle Henrys!

A wonderful Farm shop restaurant and rural activity place just of the A15 between Lincoln and Scunthorpe- www.unclehenrys.co.uk

Happy Lincolnshire Day!

Its Lincolnshire Day today, and its raining! So here is a rainbow to brighten up the day.

September proved an eventful month, we had the lincs BOx Event cycle through on the 15th...

A unique event that is something for everybody who enjoys getting their exercise in beautiful countryside. Walking, running and biking options. Different distances to suit all ages and levels of fitness.  Over 350 people came along and enjoyed the views, tracks and trails and the excellent food and conviviality.

All the courses were focused on the picturesque hills and valleys around Belchford and Oxcombe, in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

We use public roads and footpaths/bridle paths as little as possible, using instead areas that are normally off-limits to the general public. Private farm tracks and paths, created especially for the event and clearly way marked, will take participants into glorious areas. Running the event in September gives us the best ground conditions and access to stubble fields, maximising the areas available for our routes.

The event is run by Lincolnshire Rural Challenge,  a not-for-profit company all proceeds will be used to support projects for young people in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

There are pictures and chat about the event on the facebook page so have a look and, if you didn’t come this year, put it in your calendar when we announce the date for next year.

Up over the hill from Scamblesby they come.

The Shires offered a friendly welcome.

The white stallion was most intrigued

Up and over and taking in the wonderful Lincolnshire Wold view we are famous for.

Wizzing by our cottages

The boys from the Brown Cow cycling club in Louth not leaving one of their team behind as he fixes his puncture!

Showing some love

Another event attended by our team in September was the Wolds tourism meeting hosted at South Ormsby Estate, just up the road from us. We met lots of other accommodation providers and the like and discussed promotion of our wonderful wolds area of natural beauty...

Tanya at the Old Rectory B&B gave us a tour and a cuppa.

Much discussion at The Old Rectory...

New signs and very busy times!

Jane Haigh showing off her artwork, "Big Feller" is the new face of Flintwood Farm

We thought July was busy, wow, August was probably the busiest on record here at Poachers Hideaway.

The Top of The Wolds campsite is in full swing now since opening a couple of months ago, most weekends we are up to capacity, as with our holiday cottages.

Directing our guests here is now aided with our new signs! We commissioned Jane, pictured above, to provide us with one of her fantastic paintings of a Shire Horse. Jane is a local artist residing near Lincoln, you can peruse more of her work at www.janehaigh.uk.

Also a big shout out to Blue Apple signs of Louth for doing a sterling job in printing them.

As you may know we have lots of Shire Horses up here at Flintwood Farm and one of our flagship Poachers Hideaway cottages is named Shire Horse barn so a very appropriate illustration...

Big Feller by Jane Haigh

One very busy weekend was British Superbikes, with us being one of the nearest accommodation providers to Cadwell Park we are a first choice for many bike racing enthusiasts...

All the way from Scotland.

We had some great guests Cadwell weekend, some rode all the way from Scotland to spectate the British Superbikes a pilgrimage they embark on every year. They liked the fact they could go to the circuit enjoy the action then retire to the peace and tranquility in the evening and enjoy a BBQ and admire the view. Not only spectators enjoy our hidden gem, we accommodated a couple of racing teams and track marshals too...

Sidecars at Cadwell

We are celebrating!  Leah, one of our, Poachers resident photographers, has got an award for a book she has just had printed about a recent American road trip though a publisher called Bob Books www.bobbooks.co.uk
Well done Leah, book of the month!

Leah is a thirteen year old student who is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh Award and has chosen to challenge her photography skills to achieve this. Her grandfather and father are both photographers and have influenced her photography, which she hopes to develop her skills to a more professional level.

In her book “Wild Wyoming, A Road Trip”, Leah captured the wonderful wildlife and landscape of Wyoming from The Grand Tetons to Devils Tower.

On a final note from the management and staff at Poachers Hideaway, we are so grateful to all our guests for leaving our cottages in such good fettle when they leave! its often commented on after a busy week...

Oh and whoever left the ice creams we appreciate it!

What a busy July!

Our guests off to Forties weekend Woodhall Spa

July proved to be an exceptionally busy month for us up here at Poachers Hideaway, most cottages fully booked!
We have had guests from all over the world visit our little haven in the wolds.

Harvest is here and farmers are reporting a good year for barley. Our wild flower meadows have been baled up for hay, over 200 bales!

For the horses

We are renewing our signage!

We thought it was time to give Poachers Hideaway a fresh new look with something more appropriate and eye-catching. We have commissioned a local artist...

Here is a clue to the content, this is one of the beautiful residents of Poachers Hideaway.

Watch this space and the one down the end of the drive!

Walking up and down hills and mountains.

Darren & Sally

Massive congratulations to Darren & Sally from the Bluebell pub and restaurant in Belchford , our local!

They did the National Three Peak Challenge (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) in 23 hours and 53 mins!

They have raised over £4000 for St Barnabas Hospice Trust in memory of Darrens partner Natalie, who sadly lost her battle with cancer late last year.

Copy and paste link below for their story...

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bluebell-threepeaks?fbclid=IwAR3RvuZfagB_iLOusqtgRb339S1d4NIQ8foAqFs2DWaCJ-Tc6OnxDRLd0Iw

The start! Ben Nevis at 6am

It rained a little at Scafell Pike!

Coming down Snowdon at nearly nearly 6am, 7 minutes to spare!

Countryside Walks & Gardens members.

Also out for a walk a few days ago were the Countryside Walks and Gardens guys. A lovely bunch that meet up and amble around the countryside, all seem to have their specialist subjects on plants, one particular lady was very knowledgable on mushrooms and fungi, pointing out edible specimens along the way.

Andrew and Angela hosted this weeks wander up here at Poachers Hideaway. Andrews local knowledge proved invaluable as he lead them through the countryside over yonder to Fulletby and back- a seven mile loop...

Down the hill to the Viking Way.

Snaking through one of the many wild flower meadows we have up here at Poachers Hideaway.

Andrew giving a history lesson on our famous Juice Trump.

Spectacular wild flowers this year!

A bit of a climb to the highest point of Poachers Hideaway.

360 degree views of outstandingly beautiful countryside.

The Hosts

The walk down to the Pub

Oh its closed, Andrew timed that well!

Hidden pathways to Fulletby.

Scanning the landscape Lincoln Cathedral in the distance...

St Andrews Fulletby

A lovely little church at Fulletby was the picnic spot. Refreshments are available in this church, just donate a little money, they even have biscuits!

The homeward stretch around the lakes.

looking at wild orchids around one of the lakes.

Up the final hill for tea and cake!