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Pancake Day

Pancake day is a firm favourite with all the family at Beeson Farm holiday cottages- especially the dog who waits expectantly for any failed flips and pancakes falling from the heavens! Although we love a good fluffy American style pancake for breakfast we think for pancake day you’ve got to go traditional. Guests are very welcome to go down to the chicken coop and collect fresh eggs for the recipe!

Here is our foolproof Beeson Farm Pancake Recipe (just make sure you have a really good flat bottomed pancake pan)

Ingredients

  • 100g plain flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 300ml milk
  • 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
  • lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
  • caster sugar, to serve (optional)
  • Put the flour, eggs, milk, 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter. Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.Set a medium frying/crepe pan over a medium heat and lightly wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper. When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden, keeping them warm in a low oven as you go.Serve with lemon wedges and sugar, or your favourite filling.

For all your pancake day ingredients (including delicious fillings) head down to Stokeley Farm Shop (between Stokenham and Torcross).

For a savoury twist check out the recipes on the Riverford Organic website here https://www.riverford.co.uk/blog/2018/02/09/live-life-veg-pancake-day/

If you prefer to go out for pancakes we can recommend The Seabreeze Cafe at Torcross for big American fluffy style pancakes or head to the Cricket Inn at Beesands for their hugely popular seafood pancake!

Pancake Day

Pancake day is a firm favourite with our family- especially the dog who waits expectantly for any failed flips and pancakes falling from the heavens! Although we love a good fluffy American style pancake for breakfast we think for pancake day you’ve got to go traditional.

Here is our foolproof Beeson Farm Pancake Recipe (just make sure you have a really good flat bottomed pancake pan)

Ingredients

  • 100g plain flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 300ml milk
  • 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
  • lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
  • caster sugar, to serve (optional)Put the flour, eggs, milk, 1 tbsp oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter. Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.Set a medium frying/crepe pan over a medium heat and lightly wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper. When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden, keeping them warm in a low oven as you go.

    Serve with lemon wedges and sugar, or your favourite filling.

     

For all your pancake day ingredients (including delicious fillings) head down to Stokeley Farm Shop (between Stokenham and Torcross).

For a savoury twist check out the recipes on the Riverford Organic website here https://www.riverford.co.uk/blog/2018/02/09/live-life-veg-pancake-day/

If you prefer to go out for pancakes we can recommend The Seabreeze Cafe at Torcross for big American fluffy style pancakes, The Tower Inn at Slapton (Kids all you can eat pancakes for £5) and Valley View Cafe at Aune Valley near Loddiswell

The Tale of the Whale

February 23rd may have brought Storm Doris to the UK, however in South Devon we were blessed with a sunny day (although windy) that brought an unusual visitor to our coastline.

By midday there were reports that a whale had been spotted off the shore of Slapton Sands (a 10 minute drive from Beeson Farm). It was initially thought to be a Minke, but has since been confirmed by Brixham Seawatch as a Humpback- a rare sighting for the South Coast of Devon which initially lead to concerns that it may be in trouble since it should be much further North out in the Atlantic.

In the early morning sun on the 24th Feb we spotted the whale at Slapton Sands, where it was close enough into the shore to see it spouting water and breaching the waves. The children were beyond excited as they watched with their classmates before school in the morning and again in the twilight as the lighthouse beamed across the bay. Once again we marvelled at how blessed they are to grow up in natures playground where they have the chance to run free on the beach where they have previously spotted seals, dolphins and porpoises.

Over two weeks later the whale is swimming strongly up and down the coastline and appears to be feeding on the glut of sprats, accompanied by porpoises, seals and gannets.  Quite the wildlife show every day!  The British Divers Marine Life Rescue have stated that it is healthy and is feeding in the shallow waters on shoaling fish. They also state that “in recent years there has been an increase in sightings around the UK.  Most of these have been in Scotland where they would be expected, but humpbacks have also been recently spotted off the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Northumberland and the North West.  This may be due to a good supply of prey, but also may indicate a recovery of the population since the whaling moratorium in the 1980s, with animals returning to feeding haunts of old”.

The whole local community are enjoying the spectacle of this living nature documentary! The memory of the day the whale came will stay with our awestruck children for the rest of their lives, reminding us all to love and protect our beautiful coast and marine environment.

Humpback whales range in length from 12 metres to 16 metres and weigh about 36,000 kg. Sadly, there are very few Humpback Whales left, with scientists estimating that there can’t be more than 15,000 of them in the world.

Photo credit to our friends at Forest and Beach http://www.forestandbeach.co.uk/– an outdoor education centre and forest school provider in our village of Beeson.

A romantic retreat for Valentines Day

We love Devon and with Valentines Day approaching we thought we’d share our top romantic ideas with you!
1. Beach strolls
There are plenty of beaches, sheltered coves or romantic clifftop walks to choose from. Walk along the sandy shore of Bigbury on Sea and head over to Burgh Island at low tide. Follow the coast path from Mill Bay to Gara Rock, where you can settle down in the relaxed ambience of Gara Rock, kick back and enjoy a drink or bite to eat while soaking up the panoramic views across the sea. Try a bit of beachcombing at Lannacombe (great for sea glass) or Blackpool Sandsspring-2009-290
2. Natural Beauty
South Devon is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Get out and explore the coast, Dartmoor, strolls along the Dart or the River Avon
3. Time to Feast
There is so much choice when it comes to dining out in South Devon. Book a table at Wild Artichokes in Kingsbridge where chef Jane Baxter and her team will cook up a generous feast of flavours and dishes for you (please note this is served at sharing tables with fellow diners). We would also recommend The Beachhouse at South Milton, The Laughing Monk in Strete, The Milbrook Inn at South Pool, Rockfish in Dartmouth or The Cricket Inn at Beesands.
4. Take the train
Step back in time and hop on the steam railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. The seven mile route runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart to the historic town of Totnes.
5. Visit Greenway House
Take the little ferry from Dittisham or travel up the river from Dartmouth to Greenway House, home of author Agatha Christie. A fascinating family home with extensive woodland walks in the grounds and along the river.
6. Explore the towns
Wander around the towns of Salcombe or Dartmouth. Both have a mix of unique shops, boutiques and cafes, and offer lovely views across the water. Head to Kingsbridge to explore the mix of antique and shops selling quirky vintage bits and bobs.
7. Sunset at Start Point
We cant think of anywhere more romantic to watch the sunset go down than over Start Point lighthouse as it beams out over Start Bay. (photo below courtesy of Timmy Vowles Photography http://www.timmyvowles.com/)

start-point-at-night

The Trap House and Linhay at Beeson Farm both have log burners for you to snuggle up in front of. The Linhay also has a four poster bed and whirlpool bath.
Check out our special offers or get in touch- we would love to welcome you to Beeson Farm.

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