To say this season has started in an odd way, is definitely an understatement, we are still waiting the go ahead from the government to allow us to have our guests on site (now we know its from the 4th July). Meanwhile we have carried on making improvements to the yard to ensure it is at the best and safest it can be.
We have changed the pull cords in the quirky houseboats to chain pull ones so they can be sanitised, we feel this will work better than the old rope ones. Following our staycations on the houseboats, we have changed some of the placemats, cistern handles and added shelves where we felt they were needed. If you have been following our you tube channel, you will have seen I have also been adding to the soft furnishings aboard some of the accommodation. If you want to see, just follow the link. https://youtu.be/jo486Y88wQo
Around the yard, Simon has been cutting the grass weekly and Nate has been helping, part of his home learning has meant he is now getting quite good on the ride on mower. We have also been trying our hand at growing vegetables, and after three attempts at propagating seeds we now have 1 tomato plant. The pumpkin seeds definitely worked better first time, so Halloween should see some really good lanterns at Hippersons.
Emotions have been very mixed for all of us, at times frustrated, sometimes we feel angry and other times we are just content. We have talked about our feelings together, and this has been really therapeutic to get them out, rather than bottling them up inside.
What I have realised is to start with I felt quite annoyed at being told what I could and could not do with my own business. One of the qualities Simon loves in me is my inner strength and the fact that I am an independent person; but this means I can, at times, find it difficult to follow others instructions and I really hate not being in control of my life. The government were telling me not to open our business and make a living and I was annoyed. We are very grateful for the support they put in place, but as an independent person I am not great at accepting help and have had to learn to do this. This has been a time where the help has been vital to keep the business viable.
Through our discussions we have realised, that although we are not very good at being told what to do, the government aren’t telling us what to do to be annoying, they are trying to ensure our lives are safe and we keep well. Like the rest of us, they want the economy back on its feet again and they want us to be able to trade, but only when it is safe and we won’t put anyone at risk by being open.
We have been working on the steps we need to take to ensure the business is safe for our guests once we are able to open. We are exploring ways our guests can sign the hire agreements on their own devices so there will be no need for paper and pens. We are going to make videos that explain the rules of the river and e mail them out with bookings. All of these measures, and more, we hope will help everyone of our staff and guests keep safe social distances.
Look forward to seeing more of you when we are allowed too, and happy to wait (sort of 😀).