Back in August 2013 we reported on the progress of Owen the Red Deer calf which we had rescued from fencing and which had subsequently been abandoned by his mother. From his initial bottle feeding Owen has grown over the intervening months and has gradually become more independent (at least he doesn’t follow everyone around the place anymore!). He was a huge hit with holidaymakers in his youth and still remains much less shy than others of his species, coming to those he knows when called. He’s growing in to a fine young animal as the photographs show and it will be interesting to see how he changes as the rut approaches in Autumn. 

We can’t believe that summer is coming to an end and what a summer it’s been, some gloriously hot long summer days with just enough rain to keep everything green but not enough to need waders. The end of summer always heralds our annual beaters’ barbecue an event designed to thank the team for their efforts last year and to introduce new recruits to the old timers. This year all were fed on a home reared pig and some wonderful puds made by Joanna our new shoot cook all washed down with a selection of booze and copious amounts of Pimms and lemonade. 

Finally, it’s complete! Today saw the official handover of the swimming pool and sauna building. The 13metre pool, enclosed within a new stone and timber clad building carefully designed to match the existing buildings at Mornacott, will be a welcome addition for holiday guests providing a wonderful new facility to enjoy whatever the weather. The pool will be open to our guests throughout the year.

Spring is definitely in full bloom here at Mornacott and our holiday guests have been taking full advantage of our signposted walks and going 'bluebell spotting'. This really is one of the most beautiful times of year with the bluebells forming a carpet of blue across the floor of our woodland areas and populating the hedgrows. The only downside seems to be that they never last very long, meaning we have to fully appreciate them while they are here!

The roof is on, the windows go in next week and then the final internal fit out tasks begin for the new indoor pool. Our builders have kept up the pace despite the harrowing weather experienced late last year and early this and we’re looking forward to seeing the finished article in just over seven weeks from now.

As can be seen from the picture the stonework has been completed to match the surrounding buildings and it has been a delight to see the stone masons plying their trade in such style. The natural slate roof also closely matches the other dwellings at Mornacott and we look forward to continued sunshine which will help to “grey” the rather bright cedar cladding which currently looks rather yellow! 

Today saw the dawning of the annual Exmoor Keepers' Challenge. Each year all of the keepers on Exmoor are invited to the event to see who will emerge victorious.

This year it was held on an estate just outside Dulverton. Typically the challenge consists of four events, each designed to test the mettle of the participants, a rile shoot, a clay pigeon shoot and a quiz with the fourth event usually a surprise and at the discretion of the host shoot. This year's surprise event was trying to 'shoot-down' a remote controlled Aeroplane. The Mornacott team joined up with the head keeper and under keeper from Portledge Estate to undertake the challenge.

This union proved very fortuitous with our combined forces proving their worth and being crowned the overall victors after the final event.. The team are now all looking forward to next year's event which will be held at Portledge.