Well we survived the fitting of the new bathroom floors but it was close. The replacement fitters arrived at 8.50 on Fridat morning - right in the middle of serving breakfast - this after we had expressly asked that the arrive no earlier that 9.30.
As we had a full house for the weekend we had said that the job must be completed by 14.00. However with a sense of rising panic I realised that at the speed they were working at - they had two speeds dead slow and stationary - that we hadn't a cat in hells chance to be finished by the time our first guests arrived. What subsequently followed could not of been pretty. I was incandesent and when one threaten to pack his tools I said I'd do it for him. I stormed in and told Elaine in real Basil Fawlty style that the were going. She of course had a fit - if they had gone it might have been a nervous breakdown.
I think however they suddenly saw their payment disappearring and decided to pull finger and surprise, surprise they were finished by 14.45.
As fate would have it they had just left when one of our potential guests (who had booked three rooms) phoned to say that as the York races had been cancelled due to the rain, they were not coming.
Fortunately we did manage to re-let two of the rooms.
Talking of the rain, it was more like the biblical flood. In 24 hours we had the equivalent of the total average rainfall for the month of June. Great for the gardens and perhaps the ducks but not much fun if you were looking to spend a weekend away from home. Still there is much to do in York even if the weather isn't playing ball.
York happenings this weekend are:
The York Bike Fair - the largest cycle show in the country - at the Racecourse.
Classic Wings and Wheels Show at the Air Museum at Elvington
Flower and Garden Festival at Castle Howard.
Also on is the Falklands War Exhibition (until October) at the Air Museum at Elvington.
Must run as the doorbell is ringing - guests arriving - so until next time, take care.
David Geary.

At last after much anticipation we have got Feversham Fever,our
Feversham Lodge blog, online. For those not yet in the know Feversham Lodge is the Guest House Elaine and I have in York.
We hope our blog will be informative and humourous, we do have our Fawlty Towers moments, and most of all of use to those contemplating a visit to our historic city.
To set the scene think guest house not of our taste; think 6 bedrooms to redecorate; think dining room, stair well and hall to paint; think new kitchen and THINK ALL THIS TO BE JUGGLED WHILST KEEPING OUR GUESTS HAPPY.
The trauma of all this is not something you wish to impose upon your worst enemy and certainly not your spouse. However we survived and even managed to win the coveted York Tourism Bureau award "Guest House of the Year" for the past two years. The first guest house in York to have scooped the award for two consecutive years.
The past seven days have certainly had their ups and downs. Last Friday we celebrated Elaine's 60th birthday and our daughter Sarah, son in law Tim and new grandaughter came up from London. Sadly our younger daughter Carolynne, who is currently working in Bangkok, could not be with us. On Saturday Elaine's Yorkshire family joined us for a super birthday supper at an Italian Restaurant in York. On Sunday the youngsters returned to London. That was the end of the up's.
On Monday the plumbers moved in and we went into a down phase. We have been ungrading our bathrooms and the final push has now started.
Not a problem if the merchants deliver the goods as scheduled. I won't bore you with the details other than to suggest that I could almost understand why some see inebriation as a life alternative.
Amidst it all we have had a few ups. On Monday evening I was on the local BBC News articulating what I hoped was a Guest House owners consensus on "hen and stag parties" and the same day we had a call from the publishers on the GNER magazine. For the uninitated Great North Eastern Railways in the mainline train from London to York and Edinburgh and they have a quaterly "mag". This quarter they are featuring York and Feversham Lodge is one of three of their "where to stay" recommendations. The call came at just the right time as I was losing equilibrium fast - you don't need drink, just home repairs and maintenance.
Still on a positive note the bathrooms look stunning, the champers is on ice and we praying that the fitter doing the new flooring has no mishaps. Till next time, take care.
David Geary.
PS You won't believe it. We've just had a call to let us know that our fitter has cut his hand and the new fitter can only come on Friday and we have a house full from 3pm. Keep calm David, take a deep breath, oh to hell with it, let me go and grab a beer.