I can't keep saying "4th April" when people ask when we're reopening.
Today I realised that I have to say "next week".
Cue panic.
To do list includes:
Cleaning, moving furniture, arranging for bin collections to restart, putting up new notice board (still waiting for it to arrive). I could go on.
But for this evening I'm off to a party to celebrate 20 years of Radio 5live with lots of former BBC colleagues.
I've packed the business cards...
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Monday, 17 March 2014
Cupid?
Less than 3 weeks to go and I have finally made a start on signage.
I've made some small arrows to reassure those making their way up a long farm track. I've ordered a new sign for the end of it and asked for a quote for three more for the main road. And I've cleaned and repainted the fingerpost.
None of these things is particularly arduous. So why does it take me so long to get around to them?
Monday, 10 March 2014
Bath buns
Once a year, before the tea rooms reopen for the season, all the people who work there go out together for Afternoon Tea. We taste other people's scones and cakes, scan their menu and look ahead to what we'll be doing for the following seven months.
This year we're going to Bath.
Our trip is on Saturday.
Two of our number are students in Bristol so the venue makes it easier for them. Plus they'd go anywherefor free food to see us again.
This year we're going to Bath.
Our trip is on Saturday.
Two of our number are students in Bristol so the venue makes it easier for them. Plus they'd go anywhere
Sunday, 9 March 2014
25 Days
It's just under four weeks until we reopen and today Spring arrived.
We are basking in sunshine.
Time was I would have worried that we should be open today but I have far too much to do before reopening and we're having a patio put down at the entrance so that's that.
The new cake display fridge was delivered on Monday which was one of the many things on my "to do list". Other times include: signage (yep. Again.), new menus, a notice board, preparation for a photographic exhibition, cleaning, more cleaning and carpet cleaning.
Tomorrow we're having the tea rooms pegboarded so that we can more easily display pictures and photographs. I'll then have to paint it.
On Saturday it's our staff Afternoon Tea outing. Sixteen of us are going on a jolly to Bath.
I think I might have to have a rota sorted by then....
We are basking in sunshine.
Time was I would have worried that we should be open today but I have far too much to do before reopening and we're having a patio put down at the entrance so that's that.
The new cake display fridge was delivered on Monday which was one of the many things on my "to do list". Other times include: signage (yep. Again.), new menus, a notice board, preparation for a photographic exhibition, cleaning, more cleaning and carpet cleaning.
Tomorrow we're having the tea rooms pegboarded so that we can more easily display pictures and photographs. I'll then have to paint it.
On Saturday it's our staff Afternoon Tea outing. Sixteen of us are going on a jolly to Bath.
I think I might have to have a rota sorted by then....
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Programme of Events
On Sunday evening Witley Court & Church featured on the BBC's Countryfile programme.
A lot.
Matt Baker had been filming there 9 days earlier.
(I know this because I had provided his, and the rest of the team's, lunch)
The Court & grounds & church all looked stunning despite the bloomin' awful weather we've been having.
There was even sunshine.
It wasn't photoshopped.
Well.
On Monday I took a call from a man in Cardiff who wants to bring a group of gardeners to see us. Then today an email from a lady who was already considering a coach trip but was spurred on by the programme to sort it out.
Plus a call from a gentleman who, despite not living too far away, had never heard of the place. He wants to give his wife a visit to see us as a Valentine. He must love her very much.
Thank you Countryfile.
You may prove even better than Popmaster.
A lot.
Matt Baker had been filming there 9 days earlier.
(I know this because I had provided his, and the rest of the team's, lunch)
The Court & grounds & church all looked stunning despite the bloomin' awful weather we've been having.
There was even sunshine.
It wasn't photoshopped.
Well.
On Monday I took a call from a man in Cardiff who wants to bring a group of gardeners to see us. Then today an email from a lady who was already considering a coach trip but was spurred on by the programme to sort it out.
Plus a call from a gentleman who, despite not living too far away, had never heard of the place. He wants to give his wife a visit to see us as a Valentine. He must love her very much.
Thank you Countryfile.
You may prove even better than Popmaster.
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Shaking things up
A new season has to bring something different.
Last winter we extended the kitchen, bought a second panini machine, expanded our range of fillings for panini and sandwiches. We (re)vamped the conservatory with painted chairs and new table coverings. We put teepees in the garden for the children, introduced a few new cakes and tried out picnic boxes.
This season will see us turn our hand to milk shakes. We're periodically asked if we do them (mostly during the school holidays) so it's surely time to give it a try.
I haven't decided how to do it yet but I reckon we'll start small & obvious (vanilla, choc, strawb) and see how they go.
There'll have to be a few home trials of course.
Last winter we extended the kitchen, bought a second panini machine, expanded our range of fillings for panini and sandwiches. We (re)vamped the conservatory with painted chairs and new table coverings. We put teepees in the garden for the children, introduced a few new cakes and tried out picnic boxes.
This season will see us turn our hand to milk shakes. We're periodically asked if we do them (mostly during the school holidays) so it's surely time to give it a try.
I haven't decided how to do it yet but I reckon we'll start small & obvious (vanilla, choc, strawb) and see how they go.
There'll have to be a few home trials of course.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Sign of the Times
It's 2014. My fifth season approaches.
On my list (yet again) is signage. There's not enough of it anywhere. I need to reassure people who are trundling up a farm track they've never used before that they are going the right way, and that delights await at the end of their journey.
I need to do this without upsetting people who live along said farm track.
So, no neon.
What I'm thinking of is some small but noticeable arrows bearing the words: TEA ROOMS which I can hang from branches and fencing along the route.
I have a history of thinking about it and not doing anything about it.
This post is a statement of intent.
However.
I am currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and am finding it difficult to put down...
On my list (yet again) is signage. There's not enough of it anywhere. I need to reassure people who are trundling up a farm track they've never used before that they are going the right way, and that delights await at the end of their journey.
I need to do this without upsetting people who live along said farm track.
So, no neon.
What I'm thinking of is some small but noticeable arrows bearing the words: TEA ROOMS which I can hang from branches and fencing along the route.
I have a history of thinking about it and not doing anything about it.
This post is a statement of intent.
However.
I am currently reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and am finding it difficult to put down...
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