Calling all keen sleuths and chocoholics! We have organised an Easter Bunny Hunt on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. I have also heard that the Yeti may well be up in the woods on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday - it seems that the best time to spot it is in the afternoons between 2 - 4pm! Good Luck!

Firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who sent us kind messages following our appearance on Country House Rescue. We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the response and I apologise if I haven't managed to reply to you yet.

I have been reminded this week of the old television programme, 'Challenge Annika'. Short of jumping out a helicopter (probably not sensible anyway with only 3 weeks to go before baby no. 4 arrives!), I feel that we have done most of other things that Annika Rice had to do when trying to get a project completed in only a short period of time. I am so grateful for everyone's help - from the team of builders who were here until late last night finishing off the tea-room, to Simon our graphic designer and the printers who have put together our exciting new 'Unlocking the Stories' guide book. (This is not to mention the kind friends who have offered to look after the children, paint signs, erect tables and even walk the dog!)

Many people have asked how we are getting on with the new 'attractions'. We are hoping that both the children's play equipment and the maze should be operational by mid-May. The maze will initially be marked out using fencing and then we will add the yew trees in the Autumn which is a better time for planting. Ros, a local artist, has now completed her fantastic 'viewpoint panorama' and so, fingers crossed, that will be put on a lectern up by the 'Everest summit' in time for Easter. Most importantly, we hope that the car park will also be ready by the end of May. It will be such a relief when we finally have some hard-standing for visitors to park on - with only the old grass tennis courts to use at the moment we are praying for some fine weather!

The rest of the gardens will be open to visitors from tomorrow. We are starting to see the first hesitant signs of Spring but everything seems much further behind this year. If you are looking for riotous colour, I would definitely delay your visit by a few weeks! There have been no sightings of the Yeti yet this year but I am suspicious of some large footprints which Ed discovered up in the Bluebell woods.............

After a frustrating few months, we have finally been granted planning permission for our car park, hedge maze and children's play equipment. We are so excited to be able to make progress with our project and will start work on these areas as soon as possible - I will keep you posted!

With the gardens due to open in just 2 weeks, it is certainly a case of 'all hands to the pump'! Ed is busy constructing a new display stand for the plants which his grandmother has been carefully cultivating. I have been working on the new guide book and viewpoint sign and Ed's brother, Dan, has also been helping out cutting special wooden keys to hang around the garden. Jane is sorting out the refurbishment of the tea room and shop whilst young Arthur and Freddy have also been set to task, creating some excellent dens up in the bluebell woods.

Finally, excitement is mounting with our television debut this week on Channel 4's 'Country House Rescue' (Thursday 11th March, 8pm). I hope you enjoy it!