Vince was also met great approval and he soon formed a very friendly liaison with the Inspector!  Our Lovely swimming pool is now ready for our guests and we are hoping that the summer weather is also ready!

Vince is enjoying walks with guests in our Bluebell woods.

A very happy Guide Dog…..

He can take me out to lunch on Tuesday and then he will have to have a party with the guests here who are his great friends! Photos to follow!

Spring is really here – we are having glorious weather and daffodils and primroses are everywhere.  We have finished the refurbishment of our lovely garden rooms and guests really appreciate being able to stay here to eat in the evenings.  Easter will soon be here, we still have some space (4 nights for 3) and Vince is ready to greet everyone and hopes he can be taken for walks in our woods – amongst the daffodils and bluebells.

The pool opens in May and we hope to keep the current glorious weather.

Back at Tor Cottage work on our newly enhanced Hospitality areas in our 3 Garden Rooms has been completed by ‘Dynamic’ Dave and our guests can enjoy the very convenient and tasty suppers for two available in most supermarkets now.

We will photograph the new Hospitality areas soon for our website.  In the meantime Spring is arriving. The  daffodills are lovely and the Bluebell plants are full of promise.

Vince has a spring in his step – especially as he is on a diet & has lost 1kg – he has to lose another 1kg !  Guide Dogs must be maintained at a good working , energetic weight and he put on 2kg over the winter and Christmas – too many treats!!

After all this work Vince and I are having a trip to London this weekend.  He is such a good boy on the train and our trip is arranged by my family for my Birthday, so Vince and I will see most of the family.  I’ve had to pack his favourite toy and fleece blanket and we are hoping all the cold weather has gone by then.

That is what the Tourist Board Inspectors like to see – but more importantly to me it is what our guests look forward to receiving at Tor Cottage.

Last year we improved our pool house cabin facilities with a Fridge, Freezer, Microwave and Tea & Coffee.  So guests can stay home all day and eat & drink at no extra cost.

This year guests in our garden rooms will find that their Hospitality areas have been enhanced to provide a Kitchenette area containing Fridge, Microwave (with grill) and more spacious worktop & cupboard areas.  So now if guests wish to stay home in the evening it will be so easy, and cost effective, to use ready meals, or jacket potatoes in the newly supplied equipment.  So there is no need to go out in the evenings and you can make the most of your beautiful rooms, log-fires or private gardens,  This is real”add on value”.

Vince has been quite intrigued by all the extra work going on but he doesn’t go in the rooms he is content to watch from outside.

We are soon to re-open for our Spring Breaks (3 nights for 2) and it is beginning to feel like spring.  Primroses are appearing and daffodil shoots are peeping through in the lovely sunny weather this week but there is sparkling frost across our valley in the mornings.  Vince loves the crispy frosted grass and doesn’t seem to be affected by cold feet!

We had some guests stay recently on our special “room only” break  and they took some lovely photos of Vince.  As usual he wondered if he could put 2 paws in the conservatory.  He decided if he lay down in the doorway he could get 2 paws & his nose in.  Our guest took these lovely photos:

In the meantime its spring cleaning and get ready time for our guests.

Vince had a lovely time at Christmas, he had a young puppy to play with, as well as his friend Honey.  Both Honey & puppy belong to my daughter.  Vince had too many extra treats, presents from our guests.  He has put on 2 kilos. - serious as Guide Dogs are not allowed to put weight on so he is now on a diet!!!  But he did love all his extra treats.

Here are some lovely photos of him in his Christmas hat – plus with puppy Max.  They have just gone home so he is alone again now. His highlights are the arrival of our guests. Now we look forward to spring in our valley, snowdrops, then daffodils, the bluebell, then our pool opening in May.

The Holly Berries are abundant in our woods at the moment and it looks very pretty and seasonal.  Vince, who loves to eat the Blackberries straight from the bushes decided to try the Holly Berries but soon spat them out!  I know they are not poisonous as when the frost arrives the birds will eat them!

Vince and II went on a long train journey to see elder daughter recently and he is allowed a seat (for the floor space!!) and is so good.  He lies down for 7 hours.  No food, water or toilet  – he refuses.  So on arrioval he gets a special dog treat.

We are now starting a very special December and January offer – which is room only and a real bargain.  Vince is missing the guests company so would be very pleased.