Joys of hosting

[Robin4]

Two years ago we had a young Frenchman named Emeric stay here with his parents, Carole & Eric. Emeric started off his review by saying, “Sometimes when you travel, you make beautiful encounters”!

How right he is, words can’t describe how nice some of my guests are.

Roxy stayed here two weeks ago and one morning she said, “I am so sorry, I just broke the bowl with the eggs in it”! I told her not to worry, it was only a cheap reject thing that we had around the place, there was no value in it. I said, “I have plenty of others Roxy, please don’t think anything more about it, I can assure you I won’t”!   But Roxy insisted on replacing this bowl.

Three days ago a parcel arrived with another bowl and lid, and inside it was a $50.00 note. I had a little tear when I saw it, how sweet and so unexpected.

I have just farewelled Donna and her mother Jan. I always feel a little bit uncertain when I know I am to host a host, particularly when the guest is a Superhost. They can either be entitled, expect discounts simply because they regard themselves as sort of ‘Brothers in arms’ and they expect favours ……or they can be spectacularly good. Donna and Jan fell into the latter category. Donna is one of the most thoughtful guests I have ever had anything to do with. We ‘chewed the fat’ about hosting delights and other issues, had a few wines, told a few stories, and Jan & Ade got on like a house on fire. They have exchanged phone numbers and intent to keep in touch.

Here is what they left on the bed for us and for Betts the dog when they departed.

These hosting experiences are some of the nicest one can have in life.

What makes them so special, they come from nowhere, but they leave a tiny beautiful corner in our brain for ever more!

Cheers.....Rob

[Susie111]

@Robin4 Beautifully told!

And that's exactly is what makes me want to continue to do this, the joy of fantastic human connections.

[Robin4]

@Susie111 

I sometimes wonder if I am trying too hard Suzie!

I was in K Mart today and I saw a snack and sandwich maker for the princely sum of $7.50.

Why would anyone want to purchase a snack and sandwich toaster for $7.50 .....but hey it came in a box, it works, it has a 12 month warranty and guests who have had a long drive might just not want to go out and search for a meal. They might just be satisfied with an egg, cheese, bacon and parsley toasty and finish it off with a bowl of fruit and cream from what I supply for each guest!

I am all the time thinking of what my guests might like.

Cheers......Rob

[Susie111]

@Robin4  What a great idea!

I'm going to Kmart today, and hopefully I will find one too 😉

Right now I have a nice couple from Manchester UK who will stay to Friday, maybe they would enjoy using it.

I think that's the key to this - you need to anticipate what the guest would like and enjoy while they are away from home. You are spot on Robin!

[David3267]

For all the horror stories one reads there are so many more nice (usually un told) stories such as this. I've just said good bye to a lovely guest, her smile and thanks for staying made my morning. Let's stay positive for all the good people out there!

[Kira32]

Hola @Robin4 

Omg Lindor chocolates😢If I would receive that............so yummie and sweet and within 5 Minutes gone😂 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Robin4 

and your doggy got schmackos 🙂 how sweet!

[Robin4]

@Branka-and-Silvia0 

All the guests just fall in love with the dog!

It's always a concern having dogs and strangers mix. Children from a young age are taught to not go near strange dogs, and we do take that 'hesitancy' through into our adult life. But just one look at Betts and everyone falls for her. There is nothing aggressive or threatening about her either in her looks or her manner. Little kids just want to run around the garden with her.

I have told the story a couple of years ago, you may remember Branka,.....

I had Nick and Hannah here from London for a week and in Nick's reservation request he asked how much interaction would they have to have with the dog as Hannah had been bitten as a child, and ever since had a life long canine fear. It told him the dog was part of the property but we had somewhere close by where we could leave the dog for the time they were here. It was agreed we would see how Hannah reacted to Betts  before taking any action.

Back there in 2016 a week long reservation was like a gold nugget and I would go to considerable lengths to fit in with guest requests!

Nick and Hannah arrived and Betts did not give her usual bark or try to get out and run up to meet the guests, she just sat at the glass door looking, and that was strange, not her normal manner. Over the next couple of days Betts kept a respectful distance, and on the third afternoon we were sitting around our outdoor table having our customary drinks and nibbles and Hannah gave a biscuit to Betts. That was it nothing more than that. On the fifth afternoon Hannah came out with me to throw the tennis ball for Betts (a daily activity she loves, retrieving the ball) and Hannah got a real thrill out of having Betts bring the ball back to her feet and you could see them both melting towards each other. 

When they finally departed on the Sunday, Hannah had to give Betts a big hug goodbye and for three days after that Betts would sit outside the cottage door each morning waiting for Hannah to come out! 

This was Nick's review.......

But the guests all do genuinely fall for her Branka, and it's not the first time a treat has been left behind. for her. 

In fact I think she gets more farewell gifts from guests than we do!

Cheers......Rob

[Silvia1163]

Each of out guest is a new and different experience and with very few exceptions we are always very glad to receive them and when the stay let us know better is a pity to say good bye and welcome for the next time. Will we be be easy??