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Craigies Farm Shop and Cafe Newsletter
We're growing
August 2009
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in this issue
Sue Lawrence - Star of the Hour Show
Fruit - Update
We're Growing - again
Greetings!
 
Just made my blog before my end of month deadline! 
I expect that you will be expecting a good old moan from me about the weather in this blog.............the sun is shining this morning :-) 
It is the weather that makes farming so exciting, you try and make plans but someone somewhere can put a spanner in the works so easily.  It must be so boring being a 'Mr. Supermarket' when you can fly produce in from overseas when the local supply is held up with the weather.
 
Iain is still busy picking fruit, we are just getting started in our late tunnels which should give us strawberries through until early November! 
Willie, the contractor who cuts our grain, is tearing his hair out trying to cut bits and pieces between the showers.  He is hoping to be here to cut our barley in three dry days, that could be anytime from this weekend to the end of September!
 
Kirsteen and I are heading down to the big smoke (London) to the Speciality Food Fair in a couple of weeks time to see what is new and to speak to some of our suppliers, well OK its an excuse for a couple of days away!! 
Sue Lawrence - Star of the Hour Show 
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Sue has just launched her latest book, 'Taste ye Back', and we are delighted that Sue is coming to Craigie's this Sunday (30th Aug) at 2pm for an hour to sign copies of her latest book.  Do not forget to bring the exclusive offer attached to the foot of this email. 
 
If I am perfectly honest I am not a great fan of cook books, but Sue's books are far more than just a cook book, they are also great reads.  I picked up Sue's latest book when it came in and I have found it really hard to lay down, watch out Mr Rankin!
Fruit - Update
 
 
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 We have been saying that our late raspberries will be ready mid August for the last 6 weeks, unfortunately mid August has come and gone and the late rasps have not really got going yet!!  Hopefully we will get a few days sunshine and they will ripen up shortly.  Once they get going we will have rasps for a good 6 weeks.
 
Strawberries are still available ready picked and are as sweet tasting as ever!
 
Our Victoria Plums are either boom or bust, this is a boom year as there is a great crop of them. 
The hens have moved from the orchard to make way for picking.  The first ones are just ready and are available for PYO and ready picked.  Do not be surprised if you find any eggs 'growing' in the trees!
 
Check out the link below for upto date fruit news.
We're Growing - again
 
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I have been talking about it for a while now but it looks like the builder will be starting mid to late September, planning to be finished by November!  We are not planning to close during the building of our extension so fingers crossed it all goes smoothly!
 
There is a link to the outline of the plans below.  We are currently working on the internal layout so if you have any comments please let me know.  We will be posting a page on the website to keep you updated with progress once the building starts.
 
Our extension will give us a butchery counter (let me know if you know a good butcher looking for a new challenge!), a bigger deli and cheese counter and an improved cafe area. 
Quick Links...
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Forward to a Friend 
 
We always welcome new customers with a free cup of coffee or tea.  If you would like to recommend us to a friend please forward this email to them and suggest that they sign up for my newsletters, remember to get them to bring you along when they come in for their free drink!! 
Regards
John 
 
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phone: 0131-319 1048
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Save 

£2.00
On Sue Lawrence's new book, Taste Ye Back.
Come between 2pm and 3pm and get a copy signed by Sue as well! 
Offer Valid on Sunday 30th September 2009, whilst stocks last.
Valid only with this coupon.