Farm B&B
Hi
Im Christine Ryder
Contibutor to the Blog, which until a few weeks ago I didnt know what one was, and now Im apparently ‘posting’ on it!!
Ive had a problem, having been asked to do this, with knowing what to say, which actually isnt normal for me, however I decided just to go for it and tell you about what we do here on our Upland Hill Farm.
We farm around 600 acres in the beautiful Washburn Valley, just 9 miles west of Harrogate. The scenery is fantastic, its peaceful and tranquil, and the walks around here are really popular. Yorkshire Water do a lot of work in maintianing the pathways and car parks around the reservoirs of Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross Reservoirs ( see their website for much more info) and its great that so many people have access to this wonderful valley. However keeping on the theme of Food and Farming 4 REAL it has to be remembered that without all the farmers farming the land in the region the landscape would not look as it does. Loss of farmers round here would very quickly lead to a decline in the beauty of the countryside which attracts so many people and brings so much money into the rural ecomony.
We started to offer B&B accommodation just over 18 years ago. I dont kow where that time has gone, or the money, but it can be great fun and very rewarding, and I dont just mean financially!! Doing B&B is a totally full on commitment to looking after people, after all for many this is their main holiday of the year ( who needs a beach ) and so we take great pride in making sure everyone is well looked after. We are really into serving the best of local food, I feel there no need for food to be travelling half way round the world, causing pollution etc etc etc when I can get great products within the locality that I live.
We have some wonderful people coming to stay, although it has to be said i could write a book about some of the experiences Ive had over 18 years, I have friends who have done B&B for longer who could extend the book by many chapters. Some would make you laugh out loud and some would just make your hair curl!!! As mine does now!!!
Anyway I shant ramble anymore, its a brief introduction, there will be more and I hope you will feel free to comment or even ask questions. I look forward to it! …..
