]]>
.jpg)
Miss Freebie is due to have her pups next week (23rd September) at Bowerland. We are making preparation for her litter and need lots of old newspapers. If you have any and are passing this way, please drop them in. Or pass them to Lauren at Newhalls.
As soon as the pups are born, we will let you know the details.
]]>
My name is Angie Miles. I am 66 years of age and have a 16 month old chocolate Labrador named Alice. I have happily holidayed at Bowerland Cottages with my late husband, and old pooch, many times over the past 10 years. When the previous owners moved on, I thought that Bowerland Cottages was going to be the end of an era, but no. I entered a competition set up by the new owners on their new website, and was highly delighted to be informed that I have won first prize. I have just returned from spending a lovely week in the Old Dairy with my pal Janet, and of course, Alice. They say you should never go back, but oh no, that is so not so!We arrived on the Saturday afternoon to a warm welcome by Carole and Alan. The accommodation is superb. I particularly like the Old Dairy for the enclosed garden and the delightful conservatory: wonderful if you are human, but doubly appealing if you have four legs! Lots of doggie throws and towels provided for wet pets and the conservatory makes a first class bedroom. Alice certainly woke up early with the birdsong, which suited us fine. We were able to get out for early walkies, as the surrounding countryside in literally on your doorstep. Back to the 'digs' for breakfast and a read of the papers in the wonderful garden.
We had some great doggy days out, all very close and not having to spend loads of time in the car. Bude and Instow are a must, with great dog friendly beaches. Fab walks over the Moors and we loved walking along the Granite Way. Everyone around seems to be dog-kind and the local pubs welcome the dogs, and usually provide a treat too! Back home (yes, home!) to Bowerland Cottages to enjoy a relaxing evening and a last little walk before settling down in the dreamy cottage.
We had a fab week, and would recommend anyone with a dog to try out Bowerland?s friendly place, nothing too much trouble, and the owners do not impose, which I really appreciate, after an awful experience with interfering owners at another venue once. Carole and Alan are great; they are simply there if you want them. I felt totally relaxed.
Carole and Alan, thank you so much for making me realise that Bowerland Cottages will always be there. I wish you and your family all the best, and keep up the good work. If you doubt what I say - ask Alice, she had a ball!
We will see you again next year.
Susan Garrett is recognized world-wide as a leading educator of dog trainers. She has won 14 National Agility Championships, numerous obedience High In Trials and been a member of multiple world record holding flyball teams. She has also published many of the most respected books and DVDs on dog training: Shaping Success and 2x2 Weaves to name just two.
Susan, her husband John and their gorgeous red border collies Encore and Feature have been staying in the Old Dairy at Bowerland, along with fellow Canadians Lynda and John Hill. They have all had a fantastic time; running seminars for Devon Dogs, doing some personal training and enjoying a well earned break amongst famous Devon hospitality.
Have a look at our latest developments at Bowerland. We realised that the Hayloft needed a safe enclosure for our doggy customers and went about designing and building a suitable construction which we have fondly called the OK Corral!
The construction went smoothly, and we had a few doggy guests to test it out. For our smaller doggy friends, we added an extra precaution by fixing a wire mesh to the five bar gate. We will be adding more wire mesh to the rest of the surrounds in due course.
Whilst working on the Corral, we also noticed that the front of the farmhouse needed a bit of a freshen up (as you do!). We decided to change the front area of the farmhouse and took out the old shrubs and found a lovely crazy paved area underneath all that undergrowth. So we are now in the process of cleaning that up and re-designing that area.
So, come along and have a look at what we are doing. You can now bring your pooch to stay in the Hayloft, safe in the knowledge that they have an outside space of their very own. Once you have parked and are safely behind the gate, your dogs will be safe and secure. Don?t forget there is also the large paddock adjacent to the drive, designated for cottage use only. We are also having a barbeque area put in, for those lovely sunny Devon days.
But watch this space as more developments to come!
]]>
Everyone is looking for something a little different from their holiday. Some people just want a break from the commute to work and daily grind. Others look on a week away as a reward for doing something that was a real chore - like filling out their tax returns. My holiday priority is quality time with my dogs and Bowerland hits the spot! I stayed in The Old Dairy where it was easy to unwind. Bowerland proprietors, Carole and Alan Langman, make sure of that! In the mornings, I would open the front door and step straight out onto woodland walks. The dogs were in heaven - plenty of open spaces and olfactory trails. In the evenings, we cuddled in front of the wood burning stove - I with a good book and the dogs with their favourite toys.
The highlight of each day was a one-to-one agility lesson with Lauren Langman. Dog training in my house often has to takes a back seat to meeting commission deadlines, doing laundry, or mowing the grass. And more recently, agility has been pushed farther and farther to the end of the queue as my heelwork to music commitments increased. But my fourteen month old collie has made his preference clear. Running and jumping are his things and this was his holiday, too. He is young, keen and enthusiastic - at a critical time in his development. I wanted thoughtful instruction that would deliver the building blocks for his continuing education in the sport. I wanted to learn training techniques that would help polish his performance on the obstacles and the spaces in between. Most of all, I wanted us to have fun together. I confess that for me the biggest attraction of Bowerland Cottages was the promise of expert and up-to-date agility tuition for my youngster.
I had high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. Not all successful agility handlers know the theory behind the practical exercises or can communicate their thoughts clearly. Lauren does and can. A natural teacher, I'm so glad that she has opted for dog people rather than a classroom of children! Each session was customized for me and my dog and that made the learning process easy and addictive - not frustrating or hard work. Lauren's passion and enthusiasm for good agility training is contagious. My holiday is over, but I've continued the work she has started. Agility is making its way to the front of the queue. And I've booked another Bowerland holiday!
It's 20 years since I started writing, and 10 since I gave up the day job as a veterinary anaesthetist and took to writing full time. In all that time, I've never had a holiday when I wasn't planning the next book, writing the current one, or editing the last one; often all three - until now. Yes, I did bring the laptop and yes, I did plan to work - but I didn't want to, which is a first and in any case, I didn't have time; there was simply too much to do that was too interesting.
From the start, Carole and Alan made the cottages a place of welcome; truly, you could live here and not miss home. And then Lauren opens up the world of dog training - proper dog training, based on a genuine understanding of what's going on; that magical mix of art and science that makes sense at last. It's like having someone open the door to colour after a lifetime of black and white and shades of grey - and it all makes sense. At last! You can read the books until the words flow out of your ears, but nothing makes up for years of experience, years of attending workshops, and years of applying what she's learned to her own dogs. This is the real thing and I can't tell you what a relief it is finally to meet someone who can see what needs to happen and knows the steps to get there - and can teach them in a way that goes in and stays in.
As far as I can tell, Lauren works a fourteen hour day and a seven day week and her clients would like her to work longer and harder if she could only clone herself and give them a copy each. She has apparently boundless energy and stamina - but more importantly if you're planning to go there, she has the ability to compartmentalise: to give each person her apparent undivided attention, to assess your dog on the day, to see what's there and to help you onto the next stage. She doesn't work with what 'should' be (your dog should be able to do 12 weave poles by now if you've spent two months on 2x2s) or how you think you'd like it to be (I truly did think our start line stays were solid - they're not) - she works with what is, warts and all - and offers hope of improvement.
The proof is in her own dogs, in the care with which she breeds and keeps them, and the high-level success that she gains for herself and her clients. And in the meantime, you'll learn what makes a dog tick, so that not only this one, but the next and the next and the next (let's face it, this is addictive) will be the better for it.
Make time in your life, and be prepared to go home to a new world!
]]>
Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer help the Langman Family to find Bowerland, an 11th Century farmhouse in the heart of Dartmoor.
Programme airs on Channel 4 at 8pm on January 13th 2011
When Carole and Alan Langman decided to go into business with their daughter Lauren, they approached the Relocation, Relocation team for help. They'd been searching for some time for the ideal property from which to run dog-friendly self-catering holidays in Devon. With the help of Kirstie Allsopp and the Relocation, Relocation team, they found Bowerland. Known in 1254 as 'Borland', by 1578 (when it changed hands for £52 12s and 6d!) it had become Bowerlande. The property has had a long and varied history; it is believed that it was used as a POW transit camp in the Napoleonic War. When the Relocation team arrived in Dartmoor, Bowerland was already an established holiday-cottage business with a character farmhouse and two luxurious courtyard cottages.
Carole says, "Our daughter, Lauren, runs a highly successful dog agility training business nearby so we decided that it would be a great idea to accommodate those people who travel long distances to take part in her training courses and programmes. Agility competitors often have multiple dogs so we have no restriction on numbers. Of course, holiday-makers without dogs are equally welcome!"
The Relocation, Relocation programme that features the Langman family's journey to their new home can be seen on Channel 4 at 8pm on 13th January 2011.
Photocaption: Kirstie Allsopp of Relocation, Relocation pictured with Lauren Langman.
For further information:
Carole Langman
East Bowerland Farm
Okehampton
Devon
EX20 4LZ
Tel: +44 (0)1837 55979 Email: carole@devondogs.co.uk
www.bowerlandcottageholidays.co.uk
We were thrown in at the deep end arriving at Bowerland so close to Christmas as there was great demand for our cottages during this period. We expect an equally high demand for this period in 2011, so if you would like to spend Christmas in the heart of the Devon countryside, with or without your dogs, please book early to avoid disappointment.
So what can you expect? You will arrive to a warm and festive welcome, a thoughtfully decorated cottage, and a Christmas hamper. Bowerland offers very private and quiet accommodation with uninterrupted scenery and local walks from right outside your door. You could have a week without even moving your vehicle if that is the type of break you are looking for.
On the other hand if you want an active break, or want to explore the local hostelries, then take a look at our Local Activities page, or ask us for help. Bowerland is in a great position for walking, cycling and many other activities. We want you to enjoy your stay so will do all within our power to help you.
Christmas 2010 brought with it the snow. Luckily Bowerland is so close to the A30 and main roads that everyone was able to get in and out with very little disruption.
When you come to Bowerland over the Christmas period, here are some of the things that you can enjoy:
1. Walking off your festive fare with a leisurely walk along our local bridlepath and into the woods, which can be accessed through the fields at Bowerland.
2. Brushing up your dog's agility skills in the 60m x 20m outdoor school or the small indoor barn.
3. A therapeutic massage from Christina who visits Bowerland regularly.
4. A glass of wine in front of the fire. You will find a bottle of wine in your cottage with our compliments.
5. A visit to one of the many market towns with their friendly taverns throughout the area.
6. A rally through the local farm land in the 4x4 to find a pheasant or two, a duck and a Christmas Tree, subject to availability.
Come to Bowerland at Christmas for a relaxing festive break.
Four legs good, two legs, ok, at Location B&B
Well-behaved humans are welcome to stay - and go walkies - at a new holiday centre, that provides dogs with activity breaks.
Carole, Alan and daughter Lauren Langman not only offer self-catering accommodation at their Okehampton farmhouse, but agility courses for active dogs and owners.
They also plan to launch fun - and less intensive - "summer-camps" for mutts.
The family business came together under one roof, following a property search that has been followed on Channel 4's Location, Location, to be broadcast in January.
Read the full story here
Lauren runs a successful parallel Exeter based business called Devon Dogs Ltd, teaching dog agility and obedience, and competes with her own dogs at National and World Championship level. Lauren has also reached Olympia each year and has competed at grade 7 with both of her Border collies Popi and Reef and aspires to with her younger and upcoming dogs Tiki, Coast and hopefully a new pup in 2011. Alongside this she also has a breed line Devongem Border Collies and the family have recently brought in a new foundation bitch 'Laetare Curtain Call' aka Free to continue this gorgeous line of worky border collies.
Mathew Rouse also teaches alongside Devon Dogs Ltd and can be available for invaluable advice on handling, spatial awareness, skills based training and improving individual equipment performances. He is also passionate about agility, dog training, improving knowledge and developing partnerships.
