Springfield House Luxury Bed & Breakfast

14/11/2017

Hello everyone.....I do hope you are enjoying watching Four in a Bed this week. Springfields turn is on Thursday.......laughter and tears.......!!!

25/02/2017

I've been given professional help.....not that kind of help, although the Fat Controller may say it's what I need....but in the terms of business help. It's free to help small businesses in rural communities and its fab! I was ask "what is Springfield Houses brand?"

At first I had no idea what he was talking about, but then on reflecting, it's all about, firstly, the ever changing view of the ebbing and flowing tides in the Torridge estuary, the North Devon Yacht Club and all its boats, watching people learn to sail, (that's a laugh, especially from land!), the migratory birds and how the water can look so different from one day to the next, just because of the weather.

Instow itself, although a little bigger than it was 50 years ago, but not much, retains its community spirit and we are very lucky to have such good pubs and restaurants, not to mention our glorious sandy beach. It is the home of the North Devon Cricket club and they have to be careful about hitting a 6 too vigorously, in case it plops into the sea!!

Secondly, I think, is the house itself. I feel it's a very happy house, especially with lots of people in it. The F.C. and I live in just two rooms in the winter and when I go into the main house, it feels sad because it's being ignored.

Lastly I think it is the F.C and I, we are both friendly, gregarious people who love nothing better than to meet new people and hear their experiences. We are both very relaxed and you would never see me in twin set and pearls....I'm usually coming to greet people straight from the garden, wiping my hands on my jeans and the F.C. is just a scruff bucket...he says the holes in his jeans are designer!!

So that's what I think is our 'brand'. The views, Instow, Springfield House and us!! We are one big package!!!

05/04/2016

Monty Don has a writing hut in his 'White Garden'......it looks divine and I expect it's terribly comfortable with a desk, chair, lamp etc., looking out onto his fabulous garden where a w**d doesn't dare show its face!? I on the other hand , having thought this was quite a good idea to get away from the distractions of the house, but having no shed to speak of, thought I would write in my greenhouse, on my lap! Today it is lovely, the sun is shinning on the back of my neck, birds are singing madly, and thousands of flies are buzzing around the roof of the greenhouse...(not so lovely), huge din, with the occasional high pitched buzz when one is caught in the amazing webs and the spiders come racing out to weave yet more web around them. Fascinating stuff. Not so good when it's one of my bees, then I have to leap up to try and rescue it!!

The greenhouse is full of seedlings, flowers, herbs and veg alike. I started early this year as the days seem to whip away and I've bought so many packets......got carried away by my imagination of what my garden is going to look like and I'm planning a new venture of offering guests that come to stay in the Cottage and Apartment, home cooked ready meals , using the veg and fruit from the garden, so they can enjoy themselves even more without thinking or even hearing from their loved ones...."what's for supper?"!! I dread that phrase coming out of the Fat Controllers' mouth...!! Speaking of which, I'd better go, first to feed the chickens their afternoon tea, then dogs, then himself!

10/03/2015

Have just returned from Crufts where I was helping my dear friend Mouse, sell her Equafleece dog jumpers. Oh my goodness, it was manic......all those doggies, smelling beautiful and groomed up to the eyeballs.....so different from my smelly mutts that can't understand why I don't want to kiss them when they have Eau de cologne de Badger or Fox!!!!! What would those Cruft dogs make of running along the sandy beaches at Instow and diving into the sea???!! Love it I'm sure!!

To aid Tulip becoming a Supermodel dog we are off to our village shop, Johns of Instow. I spy the owner and proprietor Anthony Johns, from hereafter to be known as Mr Big. (He's Instow's answer to Harrods Food Hall, his village shop and delicatessen has won numerous awards, beating opposition from the rest of the country!!) We are very proud and confident to recommend our guests to go there for a gander and come away with delicious locally made provisions. Anyway I digress, Tulip and I catch him eating one of his chocolate brownies...when tackled, he says he must keep checking that high standards of taste are maintained!! Ha, he doesn't suggest Tulip and I to act as guinea pigs.....but as he's skiing in the next few weeks, I suppose he feels the need to gain more gravity to go faster down the slopes!!! We'll see Mr Big, I'll race you!!

04/03/2015

It is the most beautiful day today. The wind has dropped and the sun is shining. Cold, but a good excuse to wear one of my fab thick jumpers, that I usually end up taking off because I'm too hot! We had excitement here this morning in the estuary....those amazing 'special forces' or Royal Marines, (can't tell because they're all dressed in black, just like James Bond and just as easy on the eye!) got their ribs stuck on the sand banks right in the middle between Instow and Appledore. They must have misread the tide.....men in the water, 2 ribs stuck and a third had to come along and rescue them!! Yes, as I look outside the dining room window, 2 ribs perched neatly in the middle of the estuary!!! Oh dear.......I bet there's some swearing and shouting going on back at camp....Oppps!?!

Oh well, excitement over, I must put down the binoculars and stop ogling the handsome men and get back to the ironing.........

28/02/2015

As I walk, Tulip and I (both being candidates for WW) waddle around the 'block' in Instow. I start to notice that North Devon is really starting to emerge from Winter. The little crocus, snowdrop and daffodil bulbs that were planted by Instow in Bloom, a voluntary group that set out to make Instow even more beautiful than it already is, are there flowering in full bloom, brightening up even the dullest of days. We have however, had the most amazing weather, sunny and cold, despite Carol on BBC Breakfast programme saying we were going to have rain all day!! I have come to realise that Instow seems to be in some sort of micro climate, it can be pouring with rain in Barnstaple then when you almost reach Instow, it's as dry as a bone!

We keep being passed by runners, some of them not looking terribly well at all....huffing and puffing along. Tulip looks at me and we agree that it all looks like far too much like hard work. I suddenly realise that it's the Bideford half marathon on the 8th March. I make a mental note to keep off the Tarka Trail that day or else run the risk of being run over, or worse, urged to join in!!! I do admire people for running, it's just not my cup of tea!

We're nearing Springfield House and I can feel a cup of tea calling me, Tulip's dreaming of lying by the wood burner after her strenuous activity, really she has no idea...and I notice that the bulbs I planted this winter are starting to poke their heads up, quite a bit behind the more established ones, but still offering a great promise of colour and beauty. Now where's that tea??

03/04/2014

Springfield is going to look blooming lovely this year. Have just been to the garden centre and spent a small fortune on plants!! They all looked so lovely, I couldn't resist!!

02/04/2014

Summer is on the way, come and enjoy the wonderful beaches at Instow.http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g551680-d2090447-Reviews-Springfield_House-
Instow_Bideford_Devon_England.html

Ranked #1 of 3 Bed and Breakfasts in Instow. Been here too? Add it to your map!

06/01/2014

The Linwood room all ready for the return of our Australian guests after their dinner out in Instow. Electric blanket and heater definitely on to combat the howling wind outside....!!!

15/10/2013

View from the Walnut & Linwood rooms this morning.

15/10/2013

Uh oh...red sky in the morning...shepherds warning....question is, do I put my wet sheets out???! Still beautiful at Springfield though..

09/10/2013

Rendezvous We have just returned from our fantastic holiday, the B & B has now re-opened, almost the same, just not 93 degrees!!!