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from Lesley and Mike
Another New Year, another ROYAL New Year!
We have bunting at the ready!!!
After a January dogged by winter colds, we`re full steam ahead on several fronts!
The Restaurant - Family functions in the restaurant started in January with a hot and cold
buffet for 40 plus, followed by an 80th birthday lunch.
Bookings have continued for those other significant birthdays, wedding anniversaries and other special
occasions.
Mothering Sunday was a great success even though the weather had an uncertain start - we started taking orders at 12 and finished at 6!
The Vegetable Garden - We are putting in more robust fencing this year which has given
us the opportunity to expand the area out to the pathway - previously we never quite seemed
to have enough room for the fresh produce we need for the restaurant.
We make our own soups, main courses and hot desserts and we will tell you what and when our own produce is being used.
New arrivals - two golden plum saplings were planted at either end of the small orchard last summer, courtesy of a friend in London, and have started to bud. We may have to be rather patient in our wait for them to fruit!
Accommodation - the last of the large bedrooms has undergone a major redesign and refurbishment.
The bathroom walls have been moved, en-suite replaced, new plumbing and electrics put in etc.
There are now 5 versatile `family/combination` rooms, along with a single room, 2 double bedrooms and the
medieval styled honeymoon suite (with Jacuzzi).
The TV film crew have stayed again this March filming at
Puzzle Wood
and
Clearwell Caves
, so expect more adventures of Merlin soon!!!
Together with
Perrygrove Narrow Gauge Railway,
all three are within walking distance of us,
and have ‘wet weather ‘ areas and cafes.
Front of House- '"The time has come" the Walrus said' -
to search for some chairs for the bar lounge.
The hallway to the rear of the restaurant with its large scale wall map, brochures and adjoining
toilets, have finally fought their way to the top of the `things that must be done again` list.
New wood flooring is to be laid and the toilets refurbished which should see the whole area freshened up for summer.
In the bar lounge, local artist Sarah King, continues to exhibit her
paintings,
specialising in scenes of the Royal Forest of Dean.
Grounds and Garden
- As always the work on the car park borders starts early, tidying up after the winter. The front of
hotel borders and tubs are weeded and full of bright primroses and dark blue scented hyacinths.
With the pond cleaned last summer, even the little fish that the heron didn`t want for breakfast, can see where they are swimming, and are safer as the pond is now netted!
And so we `keep calm and carry on` and look forward to the Jubilee celebrations .... .
Lesley and Mike
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