It’s cold outside, but the hens are laying
Hello again from Vallum in what’s been a very frosty month. Our gardener Caroline made the journey over a few weeks ago to start preparing for spring planting, only to find it exasperatingly frozen solid, even by 2pm, despite a beautiful winter sun doing its best.
Her broad beans and garlic which she planted last year are coming through well and the flower bulbs she planted are 90% damage free so all in all that’s a good start! Caroline has suggested we take down some of the poly tunnels to open up the views from the soon-to-be refurbished tea room. We have also been debating a straw build – just something dinky to sit in and enjoy the view so we can make tea and shelter from the elements, but I have been trying to persuade my husband Peter for a few years now, so don’t hold your breath.
The hens are on great form! We have seven laying hens, six of which our daughter Phoebe, seven, hatched from her original hen and (due to legislation) we are only allowed to sell them for cash into a ‘Phoebe pot’ in our Patisserie & Deli – we’re not allowed to put them on our breakfasts, which is complete lunacy – we would have to become a registered packing plant apparently. Anyway, Phoebe is chuffed to bits and coining it in. She says she’s taking us to see her sister poppy in Australia!
Vicky Moffitt and her husband Peter own Vallum, the food destination and wedding venue on Hadrian’s Wall, eight miles west of Newcastle. Vallum Restaurant & Chef’s Room and Vallum Tea Room serve the vegetables and herbs grown at the Kitchen Garden, and Vallum Patisserie & Deli sells some of its produce. The Patisserie & Deli, Tea Room, and Restaurant & Chef’s Room are all located just yards from the Kitchen Garden, where the team, and Luna the dog, will all be pleased to see you, should you wish to drop by for a visit (and a day’s gardening, should the fancy take you…).Vallum, Military Road, Newcastle, NE18 0LL tel 01434 672 652, www.vallumfarm.co.uk
