Well a week has flown by and I am working hard at disciplining myself to update this blog more frequently than before.
Its been all go go go here at the hotel and although there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done its really great to be in the season with lots of visitors and a thriving hotel. Despite the ‘fickle’ weather the guests are seeming to make the best of it, by the sounds of things The Eden Project and Lanhydrock house and gardens are benefitting from the squally showers more than most.
The Tea Garden is opening on sunny afternoons and I am sorely tempted to grab an hour and escape with a good book and a big pot of tea… There truly is no better place on earth and that’s not just me saying this, many of the guests I am speaking to say the same.
We also received some exciting news from Tyrian this afternoon, Tyrian is one of our longest serving waitresses here at the hotel and in her spare time she is a pretty good darts player. At the tender age of just 19 she has been picked for the Senior squad in the Cornwall Darts Super League! Being that The Richardson Group sponsor Tyrian, I thought it apt that her efforts are recognised. It’s a real pity that Tyrians’ job doesn’t involve maths because she could beat us all hands down with her quick head for figures. Hmmmm note to self…. Perhaps Tyrian can help me with the budgets for next year???? Congratulations Tyrian and GOOD LUCK with the new season, do us proud!!!
We made it!!
There were three of us that braved the open water yesterday and thankfully all three of us made it safely to the other side, although at one point I was sorely tempted to raise my arm (this being the safety boat sign to “come and get me!”). As always it was a real challenge, however I am now pleased that I kept going. Andrew (Metropole General Manager) AKA Mr Fit even managed to break his personal best and came in under 30 minutes, I suggested he enter into the ‘Elite’ group next year – go on Andrew…..?!
It was a brilliant atmosphere again this year, with live music, hot chocolate and pasties for the swimmers (secretly I think it was that that coaxed me across). The current was at its strongest in the middle of the estuary, and it was at this point that I felt that I had ‘hit the wall’. With every stroke forward I felt as though I was being pulled 2 back, it was very exhausting as then you have to ‘dig deep’ into the energy reserves to get you through. I’m not aching too bad today but it will be tomorrow that I will feel it – could be very interesting in the morning, however one of the hotels housekeepers is also a trained physiotherapist so I may need to call on her services if I’m in trouble ….
I know I rarely write a blog entry without (at some point) mentioning the weather, and today is no different. Considering it is the middle of July I am very disappointed with the dismal start to the summer, with grey skies and drizzly showers I feel the need to write to someone to complain – so I’m afraid you (dear readers) are it.
A lot of work has been carried out in and around the hotel over the last few months and it is really lovely to see certain fiddly jobs completed ready for the busy season. As I have said before in the past that this building is very much like the Forth Bridge, no sooner has Ray finished the list of jobs then he is starting it all over again – painting being the ‘never-ending’ task. Thankfully we will be welcoming a new Restaurant carpet at the beginning of August. Those of you who regularly visit the hotel will be only too aware that this will be a big improvement and will make a huge difference to our beautiful dining room, roll on August…..
