“So you get a few months off now?” or “how long do you close for?”… two very common parting phrases from departing guests towards the end of October… if only!
From November to February we switch to our very popular ‘Bottom Bunk Club’ and sole use groups along with a few group Christmas Dinners thrown in, with a busy programme of maintenance in the gaps in between… there’s plenty to do!
This December we celebrate 10 years of Elterwater Independent Hostel. I’m sure someone else will fill you in on this in due course!
The rebuild of our staff accommodation rumbles on… literally! Today, 20th November, they’ve finally finished drilling the fifth borehole for the geothermal energy supply; a total of around 500 metres of holes! This is complimented by 1km of underfloor heating pipes being installed! Should be very cosy!
On a personal note 2023 has been quite a year. The very end of 2022 was marked by the award of an MBE for services to Mountain Rescue, and myself, my partner, and daughter and partner travelled to Windsor Castle in September to collect the award from The Princess Royal… a very grand day out, to quote a well-known film star: it occupies pride of place on my mantelpiece!
A three week west to east trip to Australia filled most of January and trips to Scotland and Norway were part of a celebration of turning 60. With my daughter turning 30 a few days apart, we hired the hostel and had a great time celebrating our joint 90th with friends and family. Other cultural highlights were trips to see the workings of the ‘old’ Mersey Tunnel, Gladstone’s Library, various bands (I do love a bit of live music!) and a very sweary Miriam Margolyes at the very proper Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Back on with the painting clothes, some leaf sweeping and my annual review of risk assessments awaits.
I hope you all had a great 2023 and are looking forward to 2024 as I am!
Nick
