What goes on in closed season? Read on to find out!
Like many holiday businesses we use closed season to take stock and make improvements
Closed season of 2023/24 was no different to most closed seasons for us and we set about making some small, and some big, changes and improvements to our barns.
The biggest changes this year were made to Sea View where we added a sympathetic porch to the front door and as a result the outside shower area (& dog washing) gained a sweet little sheltered area with some pretty festoon lights. We are quite chuffed with how it turned out and hope our guests love it as much as we do.
I have to admit I was a little nervous when the suggestion was made to add a porch - will it spoil the barn? will it look like it had been stuck on? However, I put my trust in my Husband (Guy) and as always he did an amazing job - along with his son Charlie and friend Ian. We also got rid of the chipping and paved the path and seating area, along with replacing the table and chairs.
Our plans for next closed season will be to work on the seating areas for The Stable and Swallows Nest, and hopefully replace the table and chairs. For now we are feeling confident that these improvements to Sea View will make ours guests stay far more enjoyable and comfortable.
For those that wonder what I do over the closed season (given building work isn't in my job description) I take stock in the Laundry Room, sort all the linen out - replace/add to and generally order various things to stock up before the next season, along with clear out cupboards, striping down and cleaning the washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers etc., Plus I update/amend the website and other booking portals - bored reading yet?!? I could go on as there is always masses to be done behind the scenes. This year I was also lucky enough to spend some precious time with my very talented Mother (Felicity) making new patchwork cushions for all the barns from all the shrunken cushion covers - now that is upcycling.
I, along with our gardener Adam (Garden Nurture) set about making use of what I felt was a wasted grassed area to make it into a 'Secret Rustic Garden' with seating area which can be used by all guests but especially by those staying in The Stable and Swallows Nest. More on this in another Blog!
Fingers crossed for a gloriously hot Summer with lots of magical sunsets! You might even get to see the North Lights!
