However we've not been sitting around twiddling our thumbs. In the first few days we both wrote out a long list of 'things to do' that we usually have to fit in around and between bookings, and over the last 11 weeks we've worked our way through this list. The weather has been very kind to us so we've been able to complete most of our outside jobs.
We've emptied out, cleaned and refilled the ponds by the patio and in the fruit garden.
Mike has painted most of the outside of the windows (some inside as well) - a huge job!
6 garden gates painted.
Vegetable garden dug over and planted up.
Fruit garden cleared of ivy and brambles.
Drive powerwashed.
Gutters cleared.
All flower beds dug over and weeded.
Ivy removed from walls.
The lawns treated and regularly cut.
Hedges regularly trimmed.
Vanity cabinets in en suite rooms varnished.
Table tennis room floor repainted.
Etc ., etc.
What a shame guests weren't able to see our fantastic displays of daffodils then bluebells. They were particularly stunning this year.
Last year we were unfortunate to lose 3 out of 4 of our bee colonies to wasps so we were reduced to one hive. However in the last three weeks we've been alerted to 5 swarms in the village. We managed to collect 4 (the 5th ended up in a chimney so not accessible). We were able to rehouse 3 swarms and gave the 4th to a neighbour who had an empty hive ready and waiting.
We're so lucky to be locked down in such a beautiful area and be able to take exercise by walking from our own front door. We've managed to explore footpaths and parts of the Wales Coast Path in and around Llwyngwril that we've never walked before. The views from above the village range to Snowdon in the north and the Bardsey Island in the west.
Now we're beginning to think about what we need to do to be able to welcome back guests when we're safely allowed to do so.
We will possibly have to ask guests to arrive a little later on arrival day and leave a little earlier on departure day to allow us more time to do a deep clean of all surfaces that can be touched. Certain items such as games will be removed and guests will be asked to put any books that they touch in a box to be kept separate for a period of time afterwards.
The table tennis room will only be able to be used when we have a single family group.
There are many more aspects that we'll have to consider over the next few weeks before we can open our doors again but we do hope that guests will be able to come back in the not too distant future to enjoy a stay at beautiful Pentre Bach.
