Well what a strange year this has been for everyone. it started out so promisingly for us – more bookings than any other year, so we had tentatively planned a few upgrades for when we would visit ourselves in May, August and October. But as they say, so much for the best laid plans of mice and men…
We have had to cancel so many bookings. the vast majority of our guests have been absolutely lovely about this – initially allowing us to retain some of the deposits made last year to at least pay for the electricity/water/Council Tax/TV/internet/gardener/insurance and everything else that has to continue to keep the cottage alive, even when there are no guests.
We did loads of research and spent most of the spare money on new cleaning materials for when we would be allowed to re-open, while still trying to retain our Green credentials – so we adopted a second otter and changed to Who Gives a Crap loo roll! Our super cleaner took all the extra cleaning in her stride and put up all the laminated notices I kept sending her, running a quarantine box for DVDs and games.
I learned a few more tech skills – our guest handbook is now available in electronic from which allows me to keep it up to date from home and to send the latest version out with the joining instructions. And our own holiday time came and went…
We did manage to get in in both September and October – using the earlier break to start work on the bothan in the bottom garden, rebuilding part of the drystone wall, and then used the October break as an actual holiday, going out kayaking and hill walking down to Camasunary and into the Cuillin
We visited a new café in Portree during our August/September visit – highly recommended in this strange new time – good social distancing but felt really comfortable: we will definitely be back to An Talla Mor 1820. We also visited our old favourites – Café Sia in Broadford , where the tables are currently separated by perspex screens and Amy’s Place in Torrin, which was operating as a carry out with the doors open when the weather allowed. I have to say I can’t wait until we can get back there for the delicious cakes (and cheese, and cheesecakes, and beautiful jewellery and gifts)
So we will be back when we are allowed in 2021. We have guests booked in, dependent on the situation changing before their due visits – if anyone has to cancel due to COVID now, we will refund everything, and keep our fingers crossed for a relaxation once thus virus is under control.
