Autumn has definitely arrived here at Holly Lodge, the leaves on the lawn are a bit of a giveaway! During the summer, we constructed a rose arbour in the middle of the garden, surprisingly a “Triffid” type shoot appeared...
Autumn has definitely arrived here at Holly Lodge, the leaves on the lawn are a bit of a giveaway!
During the summer, we constructed a rose arbour in the middle of the garden, surprisingly a “Triffid” type shoot appeared from the bottom of the plant and has produced the most stunning display of roses in late October!
Andrew has made the decision to take early retirement this year and YES… run a Bed and Breakfast!
This move has caused much merriment amongst friends, leaving a job that entailed staying in hotels as a living!
He was away for up to 5 months of the year and now can concentrate his efforts in looking after our guests. After a lifetime working in the hospitality industry it is the right time to hang up his “hotel inspecting” boots.
The Bed and Breakfast operation has been brisk this year, in fact we cooked breakfast every morning throughout the months of July and August, other than those three unbearably hot days we endured during July with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees; we took the decision to close down as it would be unbearable for our guests staying, as one guest pointed out “our houses in this country are designed to keep the heat in!”
As a result we have provided a “water” cooled, air blower for the bedroom. It’s one step away from air-conditioning, but the cost of an air-conditioning unit really didn’t justify the expense for a couple of days during our British summers.
We are extremely proud to have retained our airbnb Superhost status now for a whole year; we continue to meet some delightful guests from all over the world. In-fact, our most recent guests live in Queensland, Australia!
We continue to receive some amazingly positive reviews from guests we have hosted here at Holly Lodge; if we are honest it is a rather humbling process, we are from a time reviews weren’t invented, but never the less it never ceases to amaze us how really kind people are and the wonderful comments our guests make about their experience staying with us.
Campaign to Reduce the Speed Limit in Swaffham to 20 MPH
In our last Blog, “Spring/Summer catch up”, I reported we had a major incident here in Swaffham. In July 2022, sadly the end wall of a historic home on London Street (A1065) collapsed, prompting the Police to close the road and implement a temporary ban on HGV’s passing through our historic Norfolk market town.
Whether this damage can be attributed to the HGV’s using London Street as a rat run north to south, south to north, is in itself, a controversial statement, but common sense would suggest it certainly can’t be doing them any good – Holly Lodge was built in 1796 around the same time as Australia was discovered!
You would not believe the resulting abuse and law breaking we all witnessed from both HGV drivers and the travelling members of the public!
The local community have rallied around; creating a community campaign with an aim of setting 20 mph as the default speed limit throughout the town.
A small step to start with and an eventual aim of having a relief road built, removing the HGV’s from the middle of Swaffham; it is unlikely to be built in our lifetime, but what a wonderful legacy for the people of Swaffham.
swaffham@20splentyforus.org.uk
And so, to much lighter news, but equally just as special, we were thrilled to witness our oldest son Daniel marry Camille, the setting was a hillside Lakeland village church, with the wedding breakfast served on the shores of Lake Windermere in a huge Tepee! A wonderfully beautiful day was had by all those who attended.
Camille and Daniel… The happy couple on their special day, and the sun was shining!
Three generations of Walker boys. Jack (our grandson) wondering what this is all about!
Lyn and Florence both had a wonderful time!
And Simon, a wonderful 55 year friendship!
I guess this blog has been a little indulgent, however, when you retire from an industry that you really have thoroughly enjoyed, met some amazing hoteliers, bed and breakfasts proprietors & self-catering operators.
I have been lucky enough to have stayed in some the very best operations nationally and have everlasting memories of these properties whose wonderful practises I have tried to implement here at Holly Lodge.
I was also lucky enough and privileged to work with an amazing team of colleagues at “Quality in Tourism”.
After some 27 years working in an industry I have incredibly relished, “WELL YOU” can afford to be a little indulgent!
We look forward to welcoming both past and future guests here at Holly Lodge, and this is our first mention of the quickly approaching Yuletide Season!
So a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everybody…
Andrew, Lyn and Florence
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