Saturday 29 June 2013

Open Farm Sunday – A Great Time Spent with the Family

Sometimes I’m in awe of how fast time flies by and also how hard it can be to write a blog post. Life and more to the point life with kids can get in the way of many best laid plans. I’m not grumbling really but I can’t believe it’s taken me 3 weeks to write this post and link it to Coombe Mill’s Country Kids. And although 3 weeks have passed, I really want to share it with you because we had such a lovely day out as a family. We even got to go to the beach afterwards too ! It was one of those rare sunny days we aren't getting much of these days.

So what did we do? Well, every year the farming industry have an open day called, Open Farm Sunday. This is a day when hundreds of farms, all over the country open their gates to showcase what they do to produce our food and care for our countryside. You get the chance to find out how your food gets from the field to your plate, to know the farmers who grow it and how they look after the environment and wildlife living there.

We've been to our local Open Farm Sunday before when Belle was a bit younger and she loved it. This year as Tink is 2½ her interest in animals and this type of thing is at its height so we made use of this and popped down to our local farm to share in the fun. We are lucky that our local farm has a fabulous farm shop. We shop there regularly and the girls love choosing fruit and veggies, learning what everything is and being a part of the process. I really believe it engages their interest in food; they start to make that connection between choosing the food to then cooking and eating it. The girls love to be involved in baking and cooking where possible and I notice that they are less fussy about eating certain things IF they've been involved in the whole process. I suppose it’s all about giving them choice and making them feel that their input is as important as our own.


The first thing we watched were some of the sheep being sheared. It really is quite a skill and although I’m sure the sheep aren't all that enthralled by the experience, they must feel so much cooler afterwards. Although I do know that baby/toddler sleep bags and duvets made from wool are supposed to be great a regulating the body’s temperature so perhaps one could argue that they could quite happily keep their coats after all.

Both the girls thoroughly enjoyed watching the sheep shearing. I did feel for one poor sheep who had his skin nicked ! Ouch ! It’s like cutting yourself whilst shaving but someone else doing it. Not fun. Poor little love took it very well under the circumstances. I’m sure a soothing, healing balm was applied later on – I hope so anyway.


We then moved on to look at the piggies, chicks, and made our way to the poly tunnels to look at all the veggies, and salad based items growing away. The girls thought this would be a great time to break away and run amok, little tinkers ! There’s seems to be something quite appealing about running in and out of other people’s veggies. Fun was definitely had until Mummy asked them nicely to stop terrorising the plants and to check out something else. You always fear that they’ll end up falling on the lovely uniform rows of produce and you’ll get chucked out for bad behaviour. I’m pleased to report that all was fine and we herded them out and across to the play area to let off some kiddie fuelled steam.

Since our last visit the play area has been added to and the girls loved playing on the swings, slide and train. It was busy but not overwhelming. The girls managed to play on what they wanted to before the tractor and trailer arrived to take visitors around the whole farm.


Daddy joined the girls on the trailer and afterwards he said how much more he’d learnt about how they farm everything and the ethics behind what they do. As a farm they went up in our estimation further. We now know that the meat is from grass fed animals, and that the whole farm’s water is supplied from a natural spring. They try to be as self sufficient as possible.

We were lucky enough to have my aunt with us for the weekend, so whilst the girls and Daddy had their ride on the tractor, my aunt and I were able to chat over a cuppa and some cake. Bliss ! I make the most of those moments now. They are few and far between.


After all our excitement on the farm, we decided after lunch to head out to our local beach for a stroll and an ice cream. The weather was fabulous so we sat on the beach, collected stones and shells, watched the girls paddle in the chilly sea and made friends with the many doggies we met along the way too. The girls would so love a dog of their own. Maybe one day. Once we’d revived ourselves with the wonderful sea air, we headed to the beach cafe for a well deserved ice cream. It truly was a fabulous family day out together made all the more special by the beautiful sunshine. Let’s hope that sun keeps making appearances especially as we head towards the summer holidays. Kids outdoors = happy kids. Wouldn't you agree?

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Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

16 comments:

  1. Oh no I missed Open farm Sunday :(
    Sounds a great experience seeing the sheep being sheared - and I do hope it was ok. Nothing like s stroll along the beach and ice-cream either - sounds like a perfect day.

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    1. Oh no indeed ! We've managed to miss it in the past too but his year I was on the ball ! Hurrah ! The sheep shearing fascinates me. That hold they put them in looks so uncomfortable and sheep aren't small things ;0) Fingers crossed the one who was nicked is ok - poor love. And yes the beach, the sea.... bliss. Important for the soul. Thanks for stopping by xx

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  2. What a great day out! I am just learning about open farm sunday and will be looking out for it next year! We LOVE animals. The perfect end of course with ice cream.

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    1. Hi Sabrina xx You must try out a Open Farm Sunday. They're great for kids to find out more about where their food comes from and so much fun too. As an adult you learn lots too. It comes highly recommended :0)

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  3. Well worth waiting for! What a fab family day out, I'm sure the girls slept very well that night - farm, beach AND with sunshine too. You have some lovely photos of all the family, thanks for sharing your outdoor adventures with Country Kids.

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    1. Hi Fiona xx So glad it was worth waiting for. The girls did sleep well and seeing as they're not the best sleepers this is a really good thing ! Glad you like the piccies too. A fun time had by all xx

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  4. We've never heard of one of these either. It sounds like a brilliant day out. My boys in particular are so much happier outdoors, running around, getting dirty. They just love it.
    Will make sure not to miss it next year.

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    1. It's a must. I'm sure your boys would love it :0) It's lovely to hear someone else saying their kids are at their happiest when outside, running around getting dirty :0) Just how it should be x

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  5. What a wonderful play area, that train is quite fabulous.

    Nipping over from County Kids.

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    1. The girls loved it and yes, the train was pretty fab ! Little Tink loved it. I have several piccies of her having fun on it. That was one of the new additions and a good one me thinks x Thanks for popping across from Country Kids :0)

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  6. You are so right - our children need to be engaged with the outdoors, with the land and where our food and all resources come from. When they have connections to these things - especially happy days like yours - they are more likely to understand the need to take care of the planet which is a pressing responsibility for us all! Lovely post. x

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    1. Hi Ross - So lovely to have you stop by :0) I feel it's really important that kids know where their food comes from, how it is produced and that we need to give back to the planet too. As you say we have a real responsibility to look after her, now more than ever xxx

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  7. I always mean to go to Open Farm Sunday but somehow never make it! My eldest is still mad keen on animals (of any kind) and she's 13....such great fun for kids of any age. Great pics :)

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    1. Hi Suzanne :0) I hope my girls will still be enthralled by animals when they are in their teens. I used to horse ride and my love of horses and animals in general has never waned. Thanks for popping by and glad you like the piccies xx

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  8. its great how these open days help to shape their future and educate their views on where certain foods come from etc. I see it has lots to appeal to the children, the tractor/train ride, playparks, places to run and seeing where their food grows. catching up from ~countrykids

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    1. Hi Elaine - Thanks for stopping by from Country Kids xx I so agree with you. We are very lucky living where we do so close to nature and how it all links together. Every child should experience one of these days. They're great fun xx

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