News

During the quiet period we are always very busy updating the facilities within and surrounding the cottage for your enjoyment. We hope the changes are to your liking. As well as decorating throughout (in the same colours), we have provided the updated/new facilities listed below.

2012

I guess the first change you will notice is the revamped website. We are really pleased with it and hope our visitors like it too.
We plan to add web Booking and on-line payments at a later stage.

So far this year, we have replaced the red carpet in the front/main bedroom with one of better quality. The new one is gold coloured as we wanted something with a more neutral colour.

When funds allow, we need to replace the kitchen cupboard doors. During the removal of the old fridge/freezer one of the doors sustained a small amount of damage. This may not sound drastic enough to replace all doors but the range is now obsolete and we are unable to replace just the damaged door.

2011

Several pieces of equipment failed during the year and have been replaced or repaired. It seemed the size of equipment grew with each failure.

First a small kitchen appliance, the kettle, replaced with a new one.
This was followed by the handle on the vacuum cracking. In fairness, we were considering an upgrade on the vacuum anyway. There is now a bagless, Dyson (cylinder type) vacuum for use in the cottage. Personally, I do not think the price difference for a Dyson is reflected in the performance improvement - it would have to improve suction/collection by five times and it just doesn't.

Next came the breakdown of the fridge/freezer. Why is it you have to pay for an engineer to tell you to buy a replacement? Last time we bought AEG, thinking it was a quality product so the extra cost was worth it. Needless to say, we are not falling for that one again. The new fridge/freezer is a Hotpoint frost free - a company with a history as long as theirs must be getting something right.

Okay, the next breakdown was not bigger but comparing size and value, inches to pound it was much more expensive. This time the engineer brought good news. A faulty door catch was preventing the microwave operating correctly. As the door on this 'AEG' product has failed in other ways with normal use, it was good news to find we could economically replace the door and have a fully functional combination oven again.

Not a necessity, but we have turfed the area under the trees and the bank beyond, to the left of the drive. We were really pleased with how this transformed the approach to the cottage.

2010

We have installed a Telephone and Secure Internet Router for guests who find it hard to leave work at home!!

The installation was completed in July 2010.

While this may sound a simple process it turned out to be an extremely difficult, lengthy and stressful process. We first approached BT in Feb. 2010. Although it should only take a month they hadn't managed to install a phone line by April 2010. So we moved the order to Plus.Net who promised us a phone line in a week! As they use the same installation company as BT I found this unbelievable. Turns out it was, and as the song goes, "words are all I have".
It took until 1st July to get the line and a week for me to get the router and Internet configured for Plus.Net while trying not to disturb inhabitant guests during the process.
Despite the trials and tribulations, it is up and running with good signal strength, so all boffin's are now free to work and surf freely.

Kitchen

Some features in the kitchen area have changed to enhance the total holiday experience of our guests, others just upgrade previously existing facilities.

Small tool improvements: Hands-free soap dispenser, Hands-free can opener.

Hamper: The hamper has been extended and now incorporates:
Home-made Bread, Home-made biscuits, Tea, Coffee, Cafeteria Coffee, Sugar, Milk, Yorkshire Butter, local Cheese.

Bedrooms

Folding Luggage Racks make it easier to unpack and thick Egyptian Cotton Dressing Gowns provide a little evening luxury after a tiring day out and about.

Bathroom

Achieving grade M1 disability Quality Assessment required us to provide additional facilities for our guests.

In addition to the shower mat & stool, we can now supply:
Grab Rails, a Step for shower access and a raised Toilet Seat.

Lounge/Diner

The dining chairs have been changed to provide two Carver chairs for the less able guest and the M1 mobility rating.

We have added a fine china dinner service, crystal wine glasses and a quality cutlery set, in keeping with the Gold Standard award obtained last year.
During the summer we did experience a spell of very warm weather. An electric fan now helps circulate a little cool air and make things a more comfortable.

External

The winter snow and late frosts killed many plants and bushes, both in Walnut Garth garden and the owner's garden. Many of these have been replaced with new plants. New shrubs have been added to the front of Walnut Garth to enhance the external appearance and add a bit of colour at certain times of year.

We have had the wall to the rear of the cottage cleared of weeds and am looking at what (if anything) would provide good cover and restrict the growth of more weeds.

Any suggestions welcomed.

2009

We have opened a Mini Gym for guest who like to exercise or keep fit.

The basic installation was completed in March 2009.
Owner trials were conducted throughout April, May and June 2009.
Beginner programs have been documented during the trials and are now displayed in the gym.
Regular users are able to define their own work-out but we will develop an advanced program if requested.
Operating instructions are visible near each piece of equipment.
The Gym contains four pieces of equipment as detailed below.
There is also some wrist weights, one dumbbell and an Abs roller.
The wall mounted TV can be set to your favourite soap, a music video channel or a radio station for entertainment while you exercise.
For more personal listening there is a digital pocket radio and earphones.
A water dispenser has been installed for refreshment.
Towels are provided for use within the Gym.


Two people can train comfortably, on a rotation of equipment.

Guests under 18 years of age are not allowed in the Gym unsupervised.

Bathroom

We installed a heated towel rail and roller blind

Bedroom

Both have new roller blinds and bed linen.
The master bedroom has a new digital radio clock alarm

Lounge

A slim-line, Digital, HD ready TV replaces the analogue TV.
A new DVD/Hard Drive Recorder and Video Player have been installed.
The stereo system has been removed as the digital systems provide the same facilities but better quality.

Kitchen

The kettle and toaster have been upgraded

Internal

Electrical testing has been performed on all equipment

External

Recycle bins have been installed for paper/cardboard, Tins/bottles and plastics.
The garden has been fully fenced, to prevent wandering pets straying.
A rear wall and gate have been constructed to complete the garden enclosure.
A paved patio area has been constructed on the right of the cottage with a surrounding wall (just at the right height for seating). The area contains some children's toys but can be used for a multitude of activities.