Reading the Landscape & Touring the Wolds: Pete’s Story

“It’s been a very positive move. We have an allotment right across the road and it’s dead handy. We grow our own beans, garlic, potatoes, fruit and herbs. We’re taking a second stab at squash and the pigeons have stripped the kale so we’re learning all the time. The kids – three-year-old Rosa and one-year-old Violet – help with the weeding. Rosa loves to watch the worms, centipedes and tadpoles.

“The guiding job at South Ormsby Estate seemed tailor-made for me and I applied straight away. It combines being outdoors with walking and chatting about natural and local history. We’ve also been blessed with fine weather and lots of positive and enthusiastic guests. Many bring expertise in farming, history and botany and I learn a lot from them.

“A particular joy of the role is getting to see the character of the land change day by day as spring ebbs into summer. As Mark Vines tells guests, it’s a nice walk to Driby as long as you remember to keep looking up and around you. It’s part of my job to be alert and share the wonder.

“I’ve seen roe deer running away and lots of buzzards and red kites. On one tour, a red kite took a good look at the turkey paddock. The stag birds gave an alarm call, the flock bunched up and eventually they all retreated to the barn. I believe they have a specific alarm call for an aerial threat and it was fascinating to see them behave as their wild ancestors in the Americas would have done.

“The variety of plant-life is remarkable. There are lovely cowslips and wild gooseberries towards Furze Close. A guest found and identified stitchwort. In the ditches, margins and fields at rest, there’s a rich mixture of wildflowers. The organic, biodiverse ethos of the Estate is visibly paying dividends.

“I keep an eye out for natural ingredients that might appeal to Tristan or Mark. Ground ivy is doing very well all over the Estate and you can even find it behind your car at Sheepdip Paddock. Also known as alehoof, the Vikings used it as a preservative and flavouring for ale before hops were cultivated for that purpose. It was also a setting agent for cheese before rennet.

“There are many fungi to be seen, although picking or eating them without real expertise is dangerous. That said, an Italian guest told me he foraged for mushrooms at home and made sure they were safe to eat by testing them on his grandmother!

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed touring with South Ormsby Estate’s lovely guests. It’s been busy and it’ll keep being busy all the way through to half-term and the end of the Lincs Wolds Outdoor Festival. Having kids on the tour can add an element of fun. I like to point out the grasses that will stick nicely to their parents’ clothes.”

Come to our lovely corner of the Lincolnshire Wolds and meet Pete!

To celebrate the Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival, South Ormsby Estate is offering free, guided tours until 5^th June. Pre-booking is essential. If you’ve yet to book yours, click HERE.

The tour is FREE if you’re a Friend of South Ormsby Estate, or £5 per person if not. If you’d like to become a Friend of SOE, click ‘yes’ in the booking form and your tickets will be free.

For news of future tours and events, keep an eye on our social media HERE.