Mexico here we come

One thing we miss about running The Waverley is our summer holidays to Italy. To get the sun now we need to travel further and Mel (Julie's daughter) asked us to go with her and her family to Mexico. We couldn't turn down the opportunity of 10 days with 3 grandchildren (Lucy, Jacob and Charlie) and sun as well. Photo uploaded later. After 9 solid months 10 days isn't enough holiday so we are going out via Washington for 6 days and back via Philadelphia for 5 days.

Off with the woodchip

James and Mark arrived today, James still complaining about stripping the woodchip!! When they started it wasn't half as bad as they anticipated because it came off in sheets like cardboard. Surprise surprise it didn't rip half of the Victorian plaster off either. It appears that the paper was originally put on in 1955 (before Julie was born) and has had so many layers of paint applied in the last 53 years that it just pulled off in stiff sheets - a nightmare to bag up though.

We've done it!!

Just had email from Billy at GTBS to let us know that we have got GOLD!!
We're really chuffed, particularly as we are not only the first (and currently only) accredited business in Whitby, but that we have gone straight in at their highest grading of gold.

Feet up time - ha ha!!

The last guests have gone home today and we are now closed until New Year brunch. We're off on holiday in 3 weeks and the decorators and plumbers are coming 10th Nov to refurb 2 bedrooms and decorate the hall, stairs and landings. James, the decorator has been moaning since last year because he has 3 floors of woodchip paper to remove.

Whitby Goth Weekend

Just had another good weekend, don't know why Ian and Adrienne weren't happy to have Goths here. I don't suppose we get many though, mainly spectators. I will have to go out with my camera next time, but here are some pictures on You Tube. Goth Weekend photos

GTBS Audit

We're hoping that we can change our GTBS logo very soon. From the conversations with Billy, the GTBS inspector, we're hopeful of getting a high grading. Would like to think that we can get gold but not certain until reviewed by the GTBS team back in Scotland. Watch this space!!

New fire alarm

The fire officer came earlier this year and suggested that we should consider upgrading the alarm system. Daft as it sounds, it has been cheaper to put in an entirely new system than have the old one upgraded - something to do with the wiring. Got a few quotes and settled on Matt who owns Botham Fire and Security Ltd. He has done a first class job - if you need an alarm try contacting him in Scarborough.

Soul Music Weekend

Just had another good Soul Music Weekend with a good group of people.

Chill out

Melanie and Jessica, Julie's and my respective daughters have said that the blog is too "formal" - probably comes of over 30 years working in large companies where formality was the norm. I need to chill and write in a more relaxed manner, all I can say is that I will try.

Country Music & Heritage Open Weekend

Heritage Open Weekend is a great opportunity to see the parts of Whitby not normally seen. It is one weekend a year where historic buildings are opened for everyone to see, for a flavour of what it is about click on the link above. It's also Country Music Weekend, usually another good crowd.