Claire's Blog
Quite an interesting month. Lots of interest in the sale of Roxbro House, but not really sure if the sale will proceed. Sadly the reason we were upsizing isn't at present relevant as my father now needs 24hour nursing care after his stroke, so a larger house to accommodate him is no longer a priority. He is however in a great local nursing home so i can visit him daily and take my beloved dogs to see him, which he looks forward to and enjoys.
I myself have just returned from a short break in Greece, where I joined my daughter and family while they were enjoying a lovely villa holiday in the mountains. I had such fun with my girls Samantha and Gabriella in the pool all day, then enjoyed leisurely evenings with the locals in the village square, while the girls played with local children. As ever my darling Stu held the whole show together single handidly while I was gone.x
What I didn't enjoy were the flights! After years as cabin crew myself, I was shocked to see that if you pay for a meal, then you get a paper bag with something that resembles food thrown at you!!! Call me old fashioned, but I served and indeed expect a tray with crockery, cutlery and edible food -- not plastic cups, rubbery food and picnic cutlery!!
Well, the summer season is upon us and we are so busy and happy we don't have time to catch our breath, so all is good!
Claire x
-----------------------
Roxbro House is For Sale!
Well I never thought I would see the day, but I am selling Roxbro House!
Due to a change in our family circumstances we now require larger accomodation. Whilst I will be very sad to leave Roxbro House, as I have lovingly restored every inch of the house and been very happy here, life changes and I am looking forward to the challenge and project of restoring another house and making it into another successful B&B and a family home. Poor Stu is now having to deal with me constantly looking at design books and going around with a tape measure permenantly in my pocket!!
I am trying not to get too excited as property sales do not always run to plan, but we must have dreams, ambition and goals in life if we want to progress !!
If anyone is interested please do not hesitate to contact me info@roxbrohouse.co.uk
PLEASE NOTE: - PRESENT AND FUTURE BOOKINGS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IN ANY WAY.
Claire x
-----------------------
MANY THANKS- ONCE AGAIN!
Yes, its true, for everyone who has either seen me or heard through the grapevine- YES I am yet again incapacitated!
A broken arm this time, courtesy of slipping on a wet floor whilst out shopping in a well known supermarket.
The saddest thing is that I was actually shopping for treats for my elderly father currently recovering in the Alnwick Infirmary after suffering an acute stroke and being in the Wansbeck Hospital for weeks.
So last Sunday, I ended up downstairs in A&E whilst Stu was upstairs explaining to my father why I couldn't visit him!!!
Can't drive, can't cook breakfast, can't do anything as its my right arm -- can't even go on my planned holiday next week with my family and granddaughters!
How frustrated am I?
As my good friend Renee, in the States has said "Just stay still, and don't move-ever again!" A nice thought-but not practical while running a B&B.
Once again, I must voice my undying love, thanks and respect for my husband Stu. He simply deals with everything calmly, practically and emotionally. After this accident I asked him if he regretted marrying an older woman? His response----- 'No, but I bet you're pleased you married a younger man"!! OH YES--I AM!!!
On a positive note, I am still receiving a great response from the programme on channel 4 and my new found darling friends from the programme------John and Kristian from "Hamilton Hall" in Bournemouth, have sent me the most fabulous TEDDY BEAR , in the Roxbro House colours! They promise to visit Warkworth, and take it by storm. GOD HELP THE VILLAGE!!
Again, I send my thanks to everyone who have taken the time to send me presents cards and good wishes when these things happen.
Best wishes
Claire xxxx
-----------------------
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Phew! The dreaded T.V. programme was shown on Wednesday 28th and I feel I can now breath a sigh of relief. I was actually pleased with the way it was edited. We watched it for the first time like everyone else with a few good friends and a few bottles of wine. We shrieked, laughed, gasped and cried at seeing ourselves on T.V. and some of our expressions caught on camera !
On a positive note, once it had been shown the phone rang constantly for the next 2 hours( and call waiting constantly beeping in my ear) with viewers wanting to make bookings. Our online booking system went into meltdown with 400 people trying to check availability and book at the same time. I received 72 e-mail's in the first 10 mins of the programme going out- I awoke to over 300 e-mails and there were 7,540 hits on my website the night the show went out, which rose to over 12,000 the next day and still counting. So as you can imagine I have been a very busy person answering everybody.
The e-mails we have received have been amazing. Apart from the tons of complimentary ones from total strangers and B&B owners far and wide, I have been asked about everything from wallpaper to jam pot stands, bath robes and bed linen. I have also had many e-mail's from couples in relationships with a large age difference, saying how good it was to see us so happy and wanting advice on how to deal with friends, relatives and gossip ! This has certainly been a fantastic experience, with feedback way above and beyond anything I had ever imagined. I have also had several local residents and B&B proprietors congratulating us and thanking us for showing the North East and Warkworth in such a good light and helping promote the tourist industry in the area !
I do however stand by my need to go on a diet regardless of the T.V. automatically putting pounds on you. Being house bound for so many months last year I just piled the pounds on and I still can't walk for any distance at present! I have however joined a slimming group with my daughter and have great fun each week seeing who has lost the most weight. I fear however she maybe winning, as my life is just so busy to commit myself to anything additional at present !
On a serious note I would like to thank EVERYONE who have sent me so many lovely e-mails, flowers and cards. When such overwhelming recognition is received you feel that regardless of the nerves and concerns beforehand-we may have actually GOT IT RIGHT!
Many thanks
Claire x
Click here if you would you like to take part in the next series of Three In A Bed, and showcase your B&B
-----------------------
APRIL 2010
I hope you all had a Happy Easter, and managed to enjoy the holiday weekend. We naturally worked all weekend within the B&B and with the opening of The Tea Room on Good Friday. I am glad to say it was a successful weekend despite the terrible weather. Like all new businesses it will take time to become established, but it is looking promising and already a few local "Ladies who Lunch" have enjoyed our menu washed down with a glass of wine!
I must also say a big Thank You to all the local business people who attended our preview afternoon, and for all their kind gifts and good wishes for our future.
My granddaughters are just great and are growing up so quickly. As anyone who knows me will know I am a great fan of Elaine Paige and have recently acquired her latest DVD. I hadn't had time to sit down and enjoy it, so took it to my daughters to watch whilst I was baby-sitting. The result---Samantha our 2 year old is now hooked, and does a vary good dance to "I get a kick out of you" much to my daughters frustration! I had great pleasure in relaying this story to Elaine, as I am lucky enough to be in contact with her after attending a Champagne reception with her earlier last year after one of her concerts.
On the subject of show business (I joke!) we finally have the date for the airing of our programme. 28th April, 8pm, Channel 4. The programme makers in their wisdom have decided to rename the show and it will now be called "Three in a Bed" It is evidently a play on word with 3 different B&B's taking part in each episode. I can't tell you how nervous I feel, not knowing how we will appear of the screen and how they have edited it. The producer tells me we have nothing to worry about and that our episode is very entertaining, she also showed me a review in last weeks Sunday Telegraph, where I am described as a "Jolly Woman" with a Toy Boy husband!!
Not sure about the "Jolly Woman", to me this conjures up pictures of a large, apron clad older woman!! Well, I did say I should have gone on a diet!!
Well, take care everyone and I hope you enjoy the programme, if you get the chance to watch it.
Bye for now
Claire x
-----------------------
MARCH 2010
Hello everyone and a very belated Happy New Year to you all!
I have just been so busy running Roxbro House, baby sitting and getting everything ready to open our Tea Room in April, this is the first opportunity I have had to update the blog!
My granddaughter's continue to be an absolute delight and I can't believe it but Samantha is 2 this weekend, so my daughter Hayley and I are flat out organising a party for her-the theme being PINK!!!
I am delighted to report that Roxbro House has had its most successful winter to date, being kept pretty busy all over this normally quieter season, and we were delightfully surprised and pleased to receive an award for our breakfasts from Enjoy England / Visit Britain- who carry out our inspections annually
As you may have read we are opening our Tea Room to non-residents this year. We made this decision because our traditional afternoon teas were so popular last year with guests, and I really enjoy offering the whole experience. Ever since I was a little girl (and before you start doing the maths-yes we had electricity)! I have loved the whole Afternoon Tea tradition. White table linen, bone china crockery and silver tableware are such a joy at tea time and when I lived in London, every opportunity I had, i would go to places like Claridges, The Ritz and The Goring to enjoy the whole experience- and pinch ideas-although not the prices!!
I really am looking forward to offering this wonderful tradition here in Warkworth, although it has been pretty hard work setting up. Menu's, new tables, more cutlery, crockery, cake stands, etc., etc. The list is endless, but great fun.
Stu will initially partner and support me with this new venture, mostly behind the scenes. A man of very few words, he is and continues to be my rock who constantly supports and helps me in everything I do and who kept Roxbro House going last year while I was out of action for months.
The T.V. show? Well, lots of you ask when it is to be aired! The production team constantly keep in touch and advise us as we still get lots of requests to give interviews, but as it stands it will be shown the week beginning 21st April on Channel 4 at 8pm-however this is subject to change. As the time approaches I do panic and wonder why on earth I didn't go on a diet!!!!! Oh dear, its to late now and the deed is done!
Well, I must close now and get back to the kitchen and keep experimenting with cake recipes!!!
Take care and best wishes to everyone.
Claire x
-----------------------
DECEMBER 2009
My goodness what a year!
Whilst I have had some wonderful times during 2009, on the other hand to borrow a quote from HRH Queen Elizabeth 2nd it was an "Anus Horribilis "
My highlights were my darling daughter Hayley marrying her beloved Kev and the birth of my second granddaughter Gabriella. She along with my first granddaughter Samantha are absolute dreams and complete our family perfectly.
My accident in August leaving me in plaster after surgery and unable to do anything for months was a low, but my wonderful husband Stu took over the whole show and held it all together, and for that alone he has my undying love and respect. I am happy to say I am back on my feet and after weeks of physiotherapy I have at last been able to drive! I also want to mention the support of friends, family and local villagers who have offered support and friendship in abundance-thank you, this has meant so much to me. My mother and Father in law have been simply fantastic, walking my boys (3 dogs) on the beach most days.
We gave up our pub The Masons Arms in Warkworth village in June.It was simply impossible to trade at a profit due to the overheads and rent, despite it being a busy, local and popular pub. I am now informed by the brewery concerned that the rent has now been significantly reduced for the new tenants! What a shame that they didn't listen to all the previous tenants who have suffered significantly as a result of the overheads associated with running this pub!
Another high of my year was an invitation from Channel 4 to feature in a new programme for 2010 about B&B's in Britain. Stu and I had the most amazing and interesting 2 weeks filming both here in Warkworth and on location. We have made some super friends, both in front of and behind the camera. The programme is due to be aired in March or April 2010 and I live in fear of seeing myself on TV. Having not being able to exercise for months, coupled with the fact that the camera puts pounds on you, I think I will look like a member of the "Rolly Polly's"
On a serious note, whilst we were obviously highlighting Roxbro House, we also highlighted Northumberland, and hope we did a good job!
I did ask the camera crew to cut all the shots of Stu and I with a glass of wine in our hands not wanting to look too much like alcohol dependant people-but they said that if they did that, they wouldn't have much to work with!!!! How very dare they -- I will get you back Will and John!! Watch this space!!
We are off to Edinburgh this week to stay in our beloved Prestonfield for our 2nd wedding anniversary, where we will be joined later in the week to celebrate with our great friends. Whilst Roxbro House will be closed to guests durig this time, my family will be in residence getting the place ready for Christmas.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all guests, past, present and future for your support and good wishes through what has been a rather difficult year. I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous and Healthy New Year.
Claire x
|
