It's been a while since our last blog - primarily due to our having been run off our feet in September. Once hesitates to use hackneyed terms like "the green shoots of economic recovery" but certainly our September bookings indicated that perhaps the economy had turned the corner.
In many ways September proved unique. Two weekends ago we had a Feversham Lodge first with four couples celebrating their wedding anniversaries. We had a first, 10th,20th and 22nd.
To those couples we say a big thank you for allowing us to share your special day.
During the month we also managed to get to see the play "Sizwe Banzi is Dead". The play, a joint collabration of South Africans Atholl Fugard, John Kani And Winston Ntshona and written in 1972,deals with apartheid South Africa. The theme is however universal. Having studied it as well as having seen it many times in South Africa, I have to acknowledge that this British production was as good as any I have seen. It was superbly acted and tautly directed. Having lived through the excesses of apartheid there was a sense of surrealism in that we looked back and said "did these things really happen?" The answer sadly is yes. If you get the chance to see it "grab it".
During the month York put on its annual Food and Drink festival. Apart from demonstrations by celebrity chefs and any number of themed dinners, the Festival also has numerous wine tastings. New world wine makers from as far afield as Chile and Australia presented their latest vintages. Talking of wine, two whites which caught my fancy recently were Alamos Malbec from Argentina and Cantina Bartolomeo da Breganza Pinot Grigioa from Italy.
The former, is medium bodies and has plenty of berries on the nose. A long finish enhance the raisin fruit on the palate. Pinot Grigio is a favorite of mine. This one has a racy acidity which complements the floral nose. Hints of gooseberry and asparagus are apparent when tasted. Both are every day wines and ideal aperitifs, although the Malbec would complement roast lamb. Both are available at Majestic and very reasonably priced.
Last week we had our annual overnight grading assessment by Visit Britain. As a 4 Star, Silver Award, we have an assessor stay overnight and their reason for spending the night is only revealed when they pay. Thereafter we take the assessor through the other rooms to do the assessment.
We were gratified to again receive 4 Star Silver and having received the Visit Britain assessment yesterday thought we would share some comments with you.
Summary
Good to note continued commitment to very high standards of quality, comfort, service, cleanliness and excellent breakfasts means Feversham Lodge comfortably exceeds the 4 Star criteria.
Service and Hospitality
Mr. and Mrs. Geary are delightful hosts, exacting the highest levels of customer care, established procedures for booking, guest arrival, breakfast and departure. Obvious pride taken in the cleaning and presentation of the guest rooms with sparkling finishes.
Furniture and fittings.
Mix of high quality furniture provides plenty of storage space for clothing with good provision of easy seating. Good use of antique pieces noted.
Towels and Toiletries
Excellent quality with face cloths provided. Fine Scottish soap products of a very high standard, tissues and cotton wool make up removing pads also kindly provided. Great attention to fine detail in bathrooms most apparent.
Breakfast food choice, quality and presentation.
An appetizing range of fresh and tinned fruits, homemade muesli, four other cereals, yoghurts, full continental on request plus fish, vegetarian and traditional options.
Main dish (items sampled and quality).
Beautifully cooked scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and grilled tomatoes.
With that trumpet blow we are all but finished. Just a reminder however that York gets very busy in the run up to Christmas and whilst we do have a few weekend rooms available, these are likely to be booked in the next few weeks. If you are planning on doing some weekend Christmas shopping don't leave you accommodation booking to late. Till next time, take care.