January Update

After a relaxing few days over Christmas and New Year period, we hit the ground running as we headed into 2011. Our project for refurbishment has been Eleighwater - a corner, double-aspect window room with great character and views over the beer garden to the stream. We took out the 1970's style fitted wardrobes and painted cupboards and took down the frilly floral out-dated curtains. The plasterer arrived at 9am on the dot on the 4th January and began pulling down the ceiling - we were not disappointed, behind the woodchip paper and boxing-in was a beautiful original oak beam in great condition. The old pendant light was dismantled and the electrician spent many an hour up in the attic feeding through wires and cables for the new spotlights. The mullion window has been returned to its former glory after the removal of several built-up layers of old gloss paint. The painters came in and transformed the tired walls and paintwork and we were ready to get on with putting the room back together. Rebuilding the 4-poster bed was somewhat of a challenge, and the wonderful new mahogany wardrobe needed an extra block screwed to the front legs to keep it stable. Moving the table from one side of the door to the other presented its own dilemma, solved by screwing a 2" extension block to the front leg to counteract the wave in the floor. Don't you just love the quirkiness of old buildings? The main delight has been the new drapes, lovingly sewn (mainly by hand) by our very own Auntie Curtains! Black background with huge red floral design perfectly complimenting the bed throw and cushions - a stunning, comfy room to welcome you (photo to follow).

Mummy swan and her 3 now very large babies came back for a visit and we all got excited. Being fed twice a day we hoped they would stay. The cygnets spent three days running up and down the drive rustling their wings. On Sunday morning, just like a cumbersome 747 they gained momentum, flapped their wings madly and took off over the bridge and over the fields to pastures new. Daddy swan is nowhere to be seen but the experts say he may return.

As we head into spring George, the peacock, is preparing to woo his mate. His tail feathers, which have been a bit scraggy over the winter months are now in full colour and a sight to melt the heart of any peahen. The chicks are nearly as big as Mum and one is probably a boy - he has been trying out his vocal cords, but sadly sounds as if he has a sore throat.

January is nearly over and we are getting excited about Valentines Day a couple of rooms are still available and the menu sounds scrumptious.

Plans are afoot for the Open Day on 26th March.....all details later.

Meanwhile we are ready for the first wedding of the year and wish the Bride and Groom the best of luck on this their special day - let's hope the snow stays away!

January Weddings

We are now open for the New Year! Our first wedding is a week Saturday and we are really looking forward to it, Good Luck to the Bride & Groom!
So many things to look forward to this year, starting with Valentines Day on February 14th. Chris has come up with an amazing menu for this special night, we still have some rooms available if you wanted to make it a mini break! Hopefully we will see you then, if not before!

Chloe
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One of Chris's dishes... yum yum!

let it snow let it snow let it snow......

Loving the snow at the mill, the swans were walking on ice on Boxing Day!

Chloe
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