Covid, Uncategorized

Goodbye to ‘Good to Go’

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Way back in 2020 when we were first emerging from lockdown, and looking forward to welcoming guests again ‘Good to Go’ became the watchword. We signed up to the scheme and were pleased to display the logo. Now after two more years of living with Covid restrictions and adapting our service the scheme has ended.

excerpt from visitscotland communication

This year we’re going to open both rooms again, so you may meet other guests during your stay. But don’t worry, we are dedicated to keeping our guests safe while offering them a warm and welcoming experience. Some of the changes we introduced will stay but we are gradually reintroducing books and soft furnishings to our rooms. And of course we’ll be keeping everything clean for you.

Looking forward to welcoming our first guests of the season next month. Here’s to new friends and old.

Caroline & George xx

Covid, Seil, Tourism

October and on

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Autumn is most definitely here, the leaves have changed colour (and started to fall) and the storms have arrived. At the moment we’re probably at the peak of colour before we tip into the faded palette of winter.

My walk reminded me of one back in the spring, also a damp day. Then the colours were beginning to develop.

Opposite sides of the seasonal spectrum.

This year more than most spring brought signs of hope; infection rates fell and we were able to meet our friends again.

Summer, well it wasn’t normal but it was freer, and we were able to welcome guests.

Now we have the prospect of winter, and a retreat back to our homes*. We’ve adapted, there’s no guising** for the children this year but windows and gardens have been filled with pumpkins and spooks for a hallowe’en treasure hunt ***.

As the nights and our lives draw in, I’m getting the sparkly lights out early to brighten up the dark evenings.

Christmas won’t be a big family gathering, whatever the governments decide. There won’t be carols at the pub, nor our panto in January. But I’m just hoping that winter won’t be too long and dark, and I’ll be watching the spring flowers in the rain in 2021, planning the season for our guests.

Stay safe. Stay well. Hope to meet you soon.

*As I was writing this Argyll and Bute was put into tier two restrictions, which means we can meet friends outdoors or in cafes, but not at home.

** dressing up and visiting houses

***Parents take their children around the island spotting the pumpkins, the children earn a treat for each they spot

Covid, Seil, Tourism

That’s all folks, ……………. until next year.

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Way back in March, even before we went into lockdown I started to doubt that we’d be welcoming guests this year. And I was worried because we already had a good number of bookings which I thought might have to cancel. When lockdown came I had to decide how far ahead to cancel bookings and luckily, made the right call. Also we have the nicest guests, so everyone was understanding about their bookings being cancelled.

Bramble enjoying the spring daffs

We could have reopened mid July but wanted to spend the time planning our approach. And of course to have family visitors. So we delayed our reopening until 1st August, when we were please to welcome some return guests.

Daffs replaced by daisies

Now the leaves are turning, mornings are much darker and we’ve closed our doors for the season.

Autumn colour

We’re now thinking ahead to 2021….

We are going to retain the two night minimum stay, I haven’t liked refusing bookings but it’s more rewarding when guests stay and explore the area. Even without some of our local attractions we’ve found visitors have found plenty to enjoy on Seil and its surrounding area.

Boats in Balvicar bay

We’re going to concentrate on booking out one room. This year it was Nancy. Next year we’re going to use Flora, though we’ll book both rooms to an extended group.

  • Flora sitting room

That will mean guests will have exclusive use of a bedroom, bathroom, sitting room, and the dining room. Like a small apartment. Except we cook your breakfast.

Other breakfast dishes available

And as it seems unlikely that this virus will disappear any time soon we’ll continue to avoid back to back bookings.

But most of all, whether like this

Or this

Maybe without the shades?

We’ll be welcoming you with a smile

Stay safe and we hope to meet you(again) next year.

Caroline, George, and not forgetting Bramble xxx

Covid, Seil, Tourism

September

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September when, in the words of the song* “….the days grow short…”. Usually marking the end of our season, birthdays, stone skimming, and plans for travel. But in this strange skewed year that’s all changed. Our season only started in August so we’re continuing through, until October at least. We’ll have the new challenge of dark mornings, the stove has already been lit at breakfast time. There’s no stone skimming championships this year, but you’re welcome to have a go yourself, and when the tide’s right you can even try from the garden. Travel, well after months at home every day out is an adventure, and lockdown easing permitting, we might manage some trips to other parts of Scotland. Birthdays, well that’s one thing that still goes on.

*”September Song” by Kurt Weill, and sung here by Lotte Lenya.

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Covid, Tourism

Making plans

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How long is it now? Lockdown? I’ve lost count,  but we should be at least six weeks into our season. It’s not likely that we’ll be open very soon but we are making plans for when we can welcome visitors again.

We’ve always prided ourselves on our high standards of hygiene but we’re going to be extra vigilant.  Because of that we’ve decided on a few changes for the immediate post Covid period.

We’re only going to open one set of rooms at a time*.  So once we know when booking can start I will open up Nancy. We’re also going to leave a day between bookings. Unfortunately  we won’t be able to provide all the usual books and magazines. But we’ll be happy to email you any local information you need and I’ll put more information on here.

You can rest assured that you’ll still find a comfy bed, delicious breakfast and a warm welcome.

Just from slightly further away!

Looking forward to meeting guests again, meanwhile stay home and stay safe.

IMG_4780

 

Caroline, George and Bramble x