On the Farm
Our farming activities this year are going to quite different from any other. Come September, and we will begin field preperations, and the planting out of our winter crop. This year is going to be different because we will be growing some really special vegetables that we haven't grown before. All our vegetables are raised from traditional open polinated seed, some varieties dating back more than 200 years.

Some of the vegetables are truly exotic, and may not do well here, but everything is worth a try. If you decide to visit us this winter you will get to eat Chinese Green Noodle Beans, Speckled Lettuce, Cherokee Purple Tomatoes, Yellow Scallop Squash, Easter Egg Radish, Purple Jalapeno Peppers and so on.

We have a few new residents on the farm this month, Pekin ducks,Bronze Brested Turkeys, and Rhode Island Reds. In September we hope to add a truly beautiful bread of poultry called the Black Nicobari. And a relative is generouly giving us three more geese. All are welcome!

The Farm Shop
The Farm shop that we opened last season is still growing. We do have some special things for sale however. During the season all our farm produce is on sale including organic vegetables, fruits and herbs. Jams and Jellies, .pickles, dried chilly peppers, Turmeric, dried lima beans and so on. We also have on sale local crafts such as the village quilts seen in the pictures below. Traditionally made, the quilts or Cowans as they are called, are made of cotton and hand stitched. As quilts, counterpanes, or floor rugs, they look great

Super Deals
Greetings to all of you. The New Season at The Hermitage starts around the 18th of September 2006.We know this sounds rather ambiguous; but that's because our opening depends, like so much else on the monsoons! They begin to weaken around this time, and this gives us the opportunity to shake off the raindrops and remove the dust covers!

It is also that wonderful time of year when our new agricultural season starts, our winter vegetables will start to go into the fields by the third week of September. For those of you who would like to join us in celebration, we offer you the following packages:

For the months of September and October. The following packages apply only during weekdays, Monday to Friday. Weekends and festivals are excluded. The packages are for two adults on a twin-sharing basis, 2 children below 6 years of age are free. For children between the ages of 7 to 12 add Rs 1350.00 to package 1, and Rs 900.00 for package 2.

1.Three Days and Two Nights:

• Any three days and two nights during the week of your choice.
• The package includes transportation of guests from Khanapur to the Hermitage and back.
• The price covers accomodation and all meals.
• The meals include Breakfast on day 1 and a packed dinner on day three.
• The Tariff also includes walks, short treks and excursions.

1.Two Days and One Night:

• Any two days and one nightduring the week of your choice.
• The package includes transportation of guests from Khanapur to the Hermitage and back.
• The price covers accomodation and all meals.
• The meals include Breakfast on day 1 and a packed dinner on day two.
• The Tariff also includes walks, short treks and excursions.

The Weather
It is perfect monsoon weather at the moment and this is really good news. Plenty of rain, wind and electric power failures, we did without power for five days in mid July!