Come back Matthew… Come back Jen

“Mum, could you look after the Hostel for a couple of weeks?”
“Of course son!”

How hard could it be? I had seen the pictures and read the blogs, it sounded like fun. After packing my walking boots, cycling shorts, running shorts, crampons and finger tape, a trug to collect the flowers and wonderful crop of vegetables and an egg box. I only had to brush up on my bowling skills and remember my paintbrush and canvas.
My concern was whether Harry would get on with his cousins: Dylan, Morag, Penny, Anna, Mary, Lorna, and Lara…. thankfully all went well.

I then had to get to grips with my training. It was a total role reversal having my son tell me what he wanted me to do … how bizarre to be told the bedrooms were not tidy enough and the bed linen not straight, it took me back 20 years.

However, I soon realised how hard Matt and Jenny work to keep the Hostel running smoothly and that it is not all play. Well done to you both.

Thankfully, I am getting better at answering some of the many questions. I now know where the colander is kept and how far it is to the pub, but sadly still failing on questions like “When does the stalking season affect the Loch Quoich munros?"

What made the experience fascinating was the unexpected: Waiting for the bell to ring, the horrors of waking up at 6.30am with no power, stopping Dylan (the hostel’s 6 month old Labrador) from attempting to get up close and personal with 3 highland cows, and a guest’s car lodged in the ditch, blocking the entrance to the drive. Happily, these were all resolved in true hostel fashion.

But the highlight had to be, 8am Saturday morning, I had taken the dogs out and diligently checked that all was well in the hostel, some guests in bed, some in the dining room and others in the kitchen. So I took the opportunity to have a shower. There I was, happily in the shower thinking that the ringing in my ears was water… but no…. it was the fire alarm!!!!

The 2 weeks have been fun, I have been very fortunate in having some great guests and I thank them, especially a group of proficient walkers who came to my rescue on several occasions.

Well the honeymoon period is over and Harry and I are now returning to Yorkshire (and a rest), hopefully we will be back in charge in March for the real honeymoon (and the wedding).

Thank you for letting me look after your Hostel.

Sue (Matt's Mum) x