A Week on the Estate: Long Grass, Portfolio Hiking & Garden Produce

Damian Furlong has been on a mission – to notch up the 18 walks needed to complete the South Ormsby Estate walking portfolio. This week, he had two to complete; one to Hagworthingham and one to Skendleby. He re-did the Hagworthingham walk having gone a little awry on his first attempt. He didn’t get a good GPS fix with his Garmin tracker, but at least it was one of his shorter routes. Damian was also rewarded with some moody skies – threatening but not delivering rain – and vibrant meadows that are havens for insect-life.

On his travels, Damian also spotted and photographed a red-legged partridge. Larger than a grey partridge and smaller than a pheasant, this handsome game bird was introduced to England from the continent for hunting in the late 17^th-century. Still used as game, the red-legged partridge also thrives in the wild and can be found as far north as the Scottish Highlands.

The Walled Garden is now a fully-fledged kitchen garden. Thanks to the hard work and green fingers of Kevin and Colin, we’re looking forward to an abundant and varied crop of vegetables and fruit, including peas, beans, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, swede, turnips, sweetcorn, onions, leek, garlic, marrow, strawberries and potatoes! There’s also quite a bounty in our greenhouse. Of the produce that demands warmer conditions, we’re looking forward to a fine crop of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries and melons.

As travel restrictions begin to ease, The Old Rectory has been re-opened as a luxury holiday home. Guests can stay in the estate’s elegant 19^th-century rectory for between three, four and seven nights, enjoying secluded splendour in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Daniel Perkins has done a fine job of preparing the building for new guests, ensuring that they can enjoy creature comforts including a games room, a beautiful garden, wood-burning stoves and the south-facing patio, safe in the knowledge that a deep and thorough clean is carried out between lets.