Tregathenan Round-Up January 2023

As we write, it is hard to believe that only a few months ago, we were in the middle of a heatwave and the worst drought we can remember since moving to Cornwall.  The grass in the fields was burnt and brown, and the trees were losing their leaves in the middle of summer.  We were lucky not to have suffered the extreme heat that some of our city-based visitors experienced in August.  Our thermometer topped out at about 32 degrees.  Cornwall’s reservoirs were down to below 20% and we have been on a hosepipe ban ever since.  Yet today, we have our 29^th day of rain out of the last 32!

Tregathenan is so perfectly placed to enjoy these summer excesses – the sea breezes cooled the land and morning and evening dips in the sea were a joy.  The hardest decision was which beach to swim at!

This year was our first full year without Covid restrictions and in April we were delighted to be able to reopen the Playroom for guests.  During the pandemic the Playroom had been used as our Covid storeroom, so it had a good clear-out, a lick of paint, new and old toys and games and we found the table football!  Once again this facility has been much used and enjoyed by our visitors, young and old.

It was also lovely to welcome back overseas visitors this year– including regulars from Holland, and visitors from Germany, US, South Africa and Australia.

It felt like we had only just got back on an even keel when Bird flu struck.  It was a serious outbreak and heart breaking to see so many dead seabirds washed up on the beaches.  With an outbreak only 3 miles away, Defra imposed restrictions on our chickens, geese and ducks to ensure they were kept separate from wild birds, and to ensure no contamination from visitors.  For us this meant keeping them under netting in areas smaller than they were used to and sadly keeping them separate from our guests.  As a protest, they haven’t laid an egg since!

Alpaca Trekking – we introduced a free Wednesday afternoon walk with the alpacas for our guests this year for the first time since Covid.  This has proven very popular.  Although we do receive enquiries from the general public, Tregathenan alpaca trekking is currently only open to guests actually staying at Tregathenan.  Some of the boys are better at trekking than others.  Eric, who is otherwise a complete hooligan, has surprised us with his enthusiasm.  Barliman, on the other hand stoutly refuses to budge out of the field!

Perhaps as a reward for their trekking work this year, or more likely because their old one blew down in the autumn gales, the alpacas are having a new shed built.  This will have a separate store for straw and hay, and an inside isolation pen for if they are poorly, or when they need individual attention.  Work started last month, but has stalled because of the weather.

Other animal news:  It seems to have been a good year for wildlife at Tregathenan.  In particular, we have been delighted by the number of hedgehogs and their families that we have seen.  Mr and Mrs Wren repurposed an old swallows nest in our front porch, adding an intricate circular house of moss to the mud platform the swallows had left behind.  In June, four ridiculously small hatchlings were born – they seemed very vulnerable running across the garden, but soon took cover among the shrubs and we are pretty certain all survived. 

Napoleon and Josephine hatched two goslings this year, but they were sadly predated by, we think, a weasel entering the goose house at night – not such a welcome addition to the wildlife at Tregathenan.  We also had to say goodbye to our dear 19 year old alpaca, Paco.  Ben, our lovely ginger cat and a frequent visitor to the back door of Tregathenan House, had a (very expensive) eye operation to mend his cornea, and Sam took part in a research project with the RCVS looking at the relationship between epilepsy and behaviour in dogs.

Like most of our guests, we have enjoyed our post-Covid freedoms, reconnecting with family and friends and ‘Going Out’!  We saw and joined in with the Cornish Oggiemen (above) on a warm summer evening at Poldhu Cove; visited Bochym Manor in July with its beautiful agapanthus as part of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Open Gardens season; we went on a wonderful safari feast at Trebah Gardens in June to celebrate Ian’s birthday, and had a great day out at the Royal Cornwall Show.

Liz briefly traded bike for kayak one sunny day in July, completing a full day’s sea kayak trip with Vertical Blue https://www.verticalblue.co.uk/ around Mounts Bay from Porthleven.  It was amazing to experience that stretch of coastline from the water, to explore sea caves and stacks; to lunch on a beach only accessible from the water, and to get up close to many of our local sea birds.  And all just a few minutes from Tregathenan!

Holidays – In March, Liz was lucky enough to bag herself a short trip to the Isles of Scilly.  Staying on a daffodil Farm on the island of St Martins, it was before the Scilly tourist season starts – so little was open – just the scenery and the wildlife – perfect and so easy to get to from Tregathenan – just 20 minutes by helicopter or a little longer by boat from Penzance, or fly fixed wing from Lands End,  for a day trip or longer!. https://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/

Liz and Ian managed a week across the border in Devon in November.  We thought we’d picked the holiday property really carefully – away from traffic and people to make it as relaxing as possible for Sam-dog, and for us,  – only to discover on opening the curtains on the first morning – at least 30 pheasants in the garden from the neighbouring pheasant farm! Sam did however manage to de-stress on some lovely beach walks (not quite so lovely as those in Cornwall – obviously!)

We couldn’t complete a round-up of the year without mentioning the death of HM The Queen in September.  She was much loved and respected far and wide and will be sadly missed.  And so we have the excitement of a coronation in May (and an extra bank holiday!).

As we reach the end of our 20^th year at Tregathenan, wondering where all the time has gone, we wish all of you a very happy, peaceful and healthy 2023.

Liz and Ian

Covid-19 Risk Assessment Update

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News from Tregathenan – January 2021

January 2020 – The year was shaping up to be a good one at Tregathenan.  We had lots of early bookings, and Tregathenan House in particular was already fully booked for the summer.  The potholes in the lane were filled, and the lane was re-surfaced – the new surface was so smooth that the neighbour’s children all got their roller skates out and we had to impose a speed limit for delivery vans!

We entered into a new contract with Octopus Energy to supply all the electric we are not able to generate ourselves.  Octopus electric is generated from 100% renewable sources.  This move, alongside our solar panels, solar boost facility and our electric car, has meant that our business has now achieved its target of being carbon neutral.  A fantastic milestone for us and for the environment!

February – we installed a new more efficient boiler for the Granary, and a lovely smart new kitchen, cleverly designed to provide more working space as well as more storage space.

Then March arrived.  The coronavirus was in China, and spreading fast across the world.  Bookings dried up as the pandemic took hold and a national lockdown looked inevitable.  And so on 23^rd March, the Government announced we were all to stay at home.  We waved off our last guests and shut the gates.

The first few weeks were spent looking for advice and business support.  As with every other business out there, we had never experienced, or planned for anything like this! So we consoled disappointed, frustrated and anxious guests; we transferred and cancelled bookings, provided refunds and spent many hours on Zoom conferences and webinars with the wonderfully supportive Visit Cornwall.  We freed up the holiday cottages for NHS and care workers who were shielding loved ones.

Then we sat back and appreciated what a beautiful place Tregathenan is.  We listened to spring birdsong and insects buzzing; we watched plants, vegetables and fruit grow, we watched flowers blossom.  We spent days in the garden and the fields, spending time with the animals.  We walked Sam off his feet, and Liz cycled on near empty Cornish roads, through quiet villages to deserted beaches.

We grew and ate a lot of fruit and veg; Liz discovered that you could make more than just scones in the kitchen; and we celebrated when the once/week trip to the shops turned up toilet roll or rice.

We clapped and rattled saucepans for the wonderful NHS staff, support workers and carers – not sure whether they heard us, but we were there and we continue to thank and bless them for all they do.

In April, Josephine supplied the material for the Tregathenan Easter painted goose egg competition.  In all there were 12 online entrants.  Who knew we had such artistic (and competitive) neighbours

During the first lockdown, we also managed to enjoy socially distanced VE Day anniversary celebrations with our neighbours.

By June, the restrictions were starting to ease.  Guest accommodation was to be one of the last businesses to re-open.  We spent the month on seemingly endless Zoom conferences with Visit Cornwall, Cornwall Public Health, Professional Association of Self-Caterers as we learnt how to operate our business safely in a new Covid world.   We developed risk assessments, new cleaning protocols, purchased gallons of anti-viral cleaning products, hand sanitiser, PPE.  We achieved the Visit Britain ‘Good to Go’ kite mark.  We purchased enough spare pillows, duvets and bedding to sleep a small army.  The playroom was transformed into Ian’s Covid Cave – a place for storing and quarantining bedding, soft furnishings, etc.  Alas, for now, no longer in use for play.

We re-opened on 4^th July 2020.  For us, it was a cautious re-opening as we found our way.  Changeovers were now taking twice as long and we wanted to make sure we could make everything clean and safe in the time available.  We were determined no-one was going to catch the virus through a stay at Tregathenan. Our guests were tremendously understanding – we asked them to do a lot more tidying and bagging up before departure and to leave by 9am.  This meant many of our guests were up before us on their last day!

By August, we were full on with hardly a spare night.  We received some lovely reviews from guests who felt safe at Tregathenan – many enjoying our beautiful Cornwall for the first time in many years.  We really hope they’ll be back!

September and October passed in a blur.  Sometime during this period we managed to re-home last year’s gosling, Solo, (2 ganders at Tregathenan was 1 gander too many!)  Eric, the alpaca with the most ridiculous ears arrived.

We rescued 4 battery hens.  Doracell, Eva Ready, Tor Chee and Twelve Volt turned up with barely a feather between them.  Liz found them some very smart knitted jackets and they soon thrived.

On a sad note, we had to say goodbye to Billy-boy who developed an auto-immune condition and deteriorated very quickly.  He was a beautiful boy and we really miss our cuddles.

November arrived and on the 4^th the country went into lockdown number 2.  We shut the gate again.

In December we managed a meet up with Liz’s brother and sister-in-law, and with Ian’s sister and husband.  It was the first time we had seen family all year, and both were very special times.  The ever changing Tier system meant that we gradually saw all but one of our Christmas and New Year bookings disappear, and now we are all back in lockdown again!

And so to January 2021.  Once again we have care workers from a local care home isolating from their families in our cottages.  Ian is working extra shifts at the Bass Point NCI lookout as their volunteer workforce has halved due to Covid, and Liz is volunteering as an NHS Covid vaccination steward.

With the vaccine now a reality, we are very much hoping for a return to some sort of normality in 2021, and we wish the same for all of you too.  We remain closed until it is safe and right to open again.  We are taking bookings for 2021 and beyond, and all bookings taken will benefit from the protection of our Covid Cancellation Promise.

Please stay safe and well and we hope to see you all very soon.

With our very best wishes

Liz and Ian

COVID Cancellation Promise

If your holiday cannot go ahead because we cannot provide the holiday cottage – either because the UK Government will not let us open, or for other COVID-related reasons, then we will refund any payments you have made for that holiday, or you can move your payment to another holiday at Tregathenan within a 12 month period – your choice.

If we are open, but you are unable to come because of a COVID-related reason (illness of yourselves or family, or local lockdown), then we will move your payment to another holiday at Tregathenan within a 12 month period. In the case of illness, we would just need a copy of a positive test result.

If we are open, but you are unable to come for any other reason, or have changed your mind, then we will not refund any payments made.

If you have COVID Symptoms during your stay, you must go home immediately, get tested and self-isolate. If you have to self-isolate at Tregathenan, you will be responsible for all affected bookings at Tregathenan.

Covid-19 Risk Assessment

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Covid Re-Opening Information

We have just heard that we will be able to welcome guests back to Tregathenan from Saturday 4^th July 2020!

To ensure that we are able to reopen and operate safely, we have been working with Cornwall Council’s public protection team and with Visit Cornwall, to ensure we are COVID-safe and to keep you, our future guests, our staff, us and our local community safe.  This means following Government guidelines with respect to social distancing, health and hygiene.  We have carried out a risk assessment and developed new cleaning protocols.  There will be some changes to our normal operations to ensure social distancing, along with enhanced hygiene measures.

Prior to your arrival we ask you to confirm that neither you nor anyone in your party has any Covid symptoms (the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of a new continuous cough or a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell – see also www.gov.uk).  If in any doubt, you should not travel.  If you develop Covid symptoms during your stay, you must tell us, and you must go home.  Cornwall has very limited healthcare facilities and these are routinely overwhelmed even in a normal summer.

A self-catering holiday at Tregathenan naturally lends itself to social-distancing and there is no issue with guests having plenty of their own space.  We do ask guests to be mindful around potential pinch-points such as the carpark and gateways, and to respect the space of other guests, us, our staff and our neighbours.

Arrival/Departure Times

So that we have enough time to carry out the additional cleaning and sanitising between lets, you will need to vacate your cottage by 9am on the day of departure.  Arrival time is 5pm.  Between these times the site will be closed. 

Cleaning

Details of our new cleaning protocols and our Covid risk assessment will be available on our website shortly.

Non-essential items – high touch non-essential items such as games, books, DVDs and beach items will be temporarily removed from the cottage, so you might want to think about bringing your own this time.  For now, we will also be removing some of the non-essential soft furnishings such as cushions. Cots and high chairs will also be removed for now, so please bring your own if needed.

Playroom

The playroom will be closed for the time being as we work out how we can make this area safe for you.

 What to Do/What’s Open?

Cornwall’s attractions are starting to re-open for business.  For many, it is not quite business as usual as we all try to operate within the new rules.  Here’s a couple of useful links:

https://cornwall365.com/re-opening-news

www.visitcornwall.com

Visit Cornwall has stressed the need to plan ahead this year.  Pre-book restaurants, buy advanced tickets for attractions, activities, etc.  Use local shops and farm shops to avoid supermarket queues – you might want to think about bringing some essentials with you.  Be kind and patient.  Many of these businesses will be just opening up after months of enforced closure.  It’s a new normal for everyone.

Cornwall’s lovely beaches are open, as are the footpaths and the Coast Path.  All we suggest is that if the beach or the area looks busy/crowded – try somewhere else.  There is no shortage of outdoor spaces in Cornwall!

When out and about, do follow the guidance on face coverings and social distancing, and be considerate of those who live and work here.  This way, everyone can have a great holiday, and we can all stay safe together.

We have tried to address some of the questions you may have about a stay at Tregathenan this year, but if there is anything we haven’t covered, or anything you would like to discuss with us, then we are here for you.

Finally, a reminder that for all guests with bookings starting in the next 6 weeks, that the balance for your holiday is now due!

Liz and Ian

BOOKINGS FROM 4^th JULY 2020 – LATEST UPDATE

We are anticipating being allowed to re-open our self-catering accommodation from 4th July 2020 subject to Government advice.

We still have some availability for this summer and we are currently accepting bookings for holidays starting from 4th July 2020. Any deposits paid for holidays which are not able to go-ahead due to any extension of the current Government COVID restrictions will be transferred another holiday here at Tregathenan within a 12 month period, free of charge (subject to availability).

The safety and well-being of our guests, staff and suppliers is our top priority. As long standing members of Visit Cornwall we are well placed to receive the latest advice, guidance and practices relating to safety, cleaning and social distancing, and we will be implementing these measures prior to re-opening. This will result in operational changes and we will be contacting all guests prior to your visit to communicate what these are.

We thank all our guests for your patience and understanding at this difficult time and we sincerely hope to see you all herein Cornwall before too long.

Changes to your booking due to Coronavirus

The wellbeing of our guests is our top priority. In light of the UK government’s latest advice and due to the ever changing circumstances surrounding the coronavirus and the uncertainties that come with it, we understand that our guests may need to make changes to their travel plans because of it.

For bookings with an arrival date on or before 23rd May 2020, guests may move the start date of their booking to any of our cottages by up to 12 months, subject to availability and subject to any difference in rental. Please contact us prior to your arrival date.

We will be reviewing the situation on a weekly basis and in line with Government advice.

For guests with arrival dates after 21st May 2020, please be patient.

Keep well and keep safe.

Ian and Liz

News from Tregathenan  January 2020

Happy New Year!

In 2019, following the GreenCheck assessment in May from Green Tourism, we were delighted to have our Gold level confirmed for the 11th year, achieving Excellent in the categories of Management, Energy Saving, Purchasing, Waste Minimisation, Travel & Transport and Nature & Culture, and Outstanding in the area of Innovation!

Solar Panels

Our solar panels have now generated over 28,000 kWh and our solar iBoost system installed last year ensures that we maximise the use of the solar energy generated.  As of this year, we have moved to a 100% green energy tariff, meaning that ALL electric used at Tregathenan is now generated from renewable sources, saving roughly 700kg of CO2 every year.

New Arrivals

Lots of New Arrivals to report.  Our 16 year old drake, Basil, proved that there’s life in the old bird yet, as his younger mate, Sybil, produced 2 ducklings, Eric and Hattie, with the help of our neighbour’s broody chicken.

Rehoming

In February, we re-homed a pair of very handsome Toulouse Dewlap geese, Napoleon and Josephine. Josephine started laying from 14 February, and in late spring, we left her sitting on 12 beautiful enormous white eggs.  Liz did a bit of research and discovered that this breed of goose commands quite a high price. Whilst Liz was planning her next exotic holiday on the proceeds, Josephine continued to sit patiently.  After 35 exhausting days and just one hatchling, we had to take Josephine off her eggs.  The youngster – our first ever gosling at Tregathenan – we called Solo.  Needless to say, Liz didn’t get her holiday and we have another cantankerous gander!……oh well, there’s always next year!  There’s some proverb about not counting your eggs….

Welsummers

The Welsummers arrived in June.  3 young bantams, who integrated happily with our existing Black Rocks, but acted like grungy teenagers for the first few weeks as they wouldn’t get out of bed until gone 11!  It’s taken a while, but they have just started laying some beautiful eggs.

We had to say good-bye to our dear old Frodo this year.  He was much loved and left a big space in the field.

Alpacas

In September, Saruman, Boromir, Faramir, Barliman arrived to fill the gap.  Saruman is our first Suri alpaca in the Tregathenan herd (the type with dreadlocks!).  The other 3 are hucaya alpacas and have the sweetest teddy bear faces!

Sam continues to loves his obedience training and this year achieved his silver obedience award.  The sad news is that he has just been diagnosed with epilepsy and will have to be on medication for the rest of his life.  Every day we have with him now will be that much more special.

Cats!

NO increase in the cat population this year – thankfully!  Bill, Ben and Bluebell continue to tolerate Storm.  Storm enjoyed Christmas immensely, especially all the decorations which were put up for her exclusive use and play (obviously!).  She and Sam had great fun with the tree – she would swipe the decorations off the tree onto the floor where Sam was waiting to receive and chew whatever came his way!

Projects – Some of our planned projects have had to be deferred as we realised at the end of the year that the condition of the lane would not last another winter of mud and rain, and so at the end of this month, the whole of the lane will be resurfaced.  Those regulars to Tregathenan will be delighted with the new smooth racetrack surface, although we will be incorporating a couple of speed bumps to try to slow the postman down!

A new, super-efficient boiler has been installed in the Granary, and a new kitchen is planned for early in the New Year.  Exciting for Granary regulars!

Internet

In February, after many, many months canvassing BT over our poor internet access, High speed broadband – FTTP (fibre to the premises) – was delivered to Tregathenan.  We data cabled all of the cottages and Tregathenan House and can now offer high broadband speeds to all our guests, enabling them to stream and download to their hearts content!  I overheard one guest comment – “this is better than we get at home and we live in the middle of a city!”

Cycling

Liz cycled in 2 major events this year – the Velo Birmingham in June was a fantastic 100 mile closed road ride starting and finishing in the middle of the city after taking in many Midlands’ towns, villages and countryside – old haunts before our move down to Cornwall.  This was followed by a rather more hair-raising 100k Ride the Night cycling event in Edinburgh, raising money for the Women v Cancer charity.  It was a very dark, damp night and the ride was made trickier with tram lines, Edinburgh’s’ pitted roads and cobbles.  A big thank you to Liz’s long suffering friends and family for their help and hospitality.

Ian has fully recovered from his hernia(s) operation earlier in the year.  It turned out there were 2 hernias; just one op. So two for the price of one, which appealed to Ian – always an eye for a bargain!

Isles of Scilly

No major holidays for us this year (see above re goose eggs!).  We had a wonderful 3 day trip to the Isles of Scilly in late April, staying with some lovely friends on Tresco.  Some lovely walks, beautiful scenery, flowers and wildlife and great company.  We even had calm crossings both ways, with dolphins for company.  The Scillies are indeed a very special place.

We had a visit to Edinburgh in September (Liz’s second of the year!) to help celebrate Liz’s cousin’s 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years ago, Liz had been their bridesmaid!

Coastal Walks

Along with all our other activities, we have managed numerous coastal walks, with Sam, with friends, or with Liz’s HF Walking groups  We are so lucky to have such stunning coastline on our doorstep and it is no surprise to us that Cornwall was voted the best UK Holiday County by the British Travel Awards

So that’s about it for this year, except to remind any cycling enthusiasts out there that the 2020 Tour of Britain starts right here in West Cornwall on 6^th Sept 2020!  We’ll be there!

Wishing you all a happy and peaceful 2020!

Liz and Ian

News from Tregathenan January 2019

Happy New Year to all our family, friends, and to those friends we’ve yet to meet!

Well, 2018 was quite a year of extremes for everyone, starting with the Beast from the East, followed by the most stunning hot and sunny summer.

The Re-Opening of Tregathenan House

We couldn’t have chosen a worse winter to carry out the conversions to Tregathenan House. The building works were severely delayed due to the cold and wet. We were without heating and hot water until February, but luckily our wonderful builders, Nigel and Cal, and the plumbers got our new heating system installed just days before the Beast from the East arrived. Tregathenan House has a smart brand new kitchen and utility room, and we have a huge new space comprising a laundry area, room to dry Sam, and space for our new heating system, hot water cylinder and solar boost system, which optimises the use of our PV generated electric. Tregathenan House opened to its first self-catering guests in June and we have had some lovely reviews from our first years’ visitors.

Many people have asked whether we missed running the B&B. Of course, we have mixed feelings, and we miss the daily banter over breakfasts, but it has freed us up a little to do some of the things we haven’t been able to do for many years. So in June we spent a lovely day at the Royal Cornwall Show; in July, we pottered around the Stithians Show, and in September we enjoyed our first overseas holiday for many years, visiting Ian’s grandchildren in Canada, exploring Nova Scotia with them and spending some time at their home in Fredericton, New Brunswick

September saw the closure of one of our local pubs, the Crown Inn at Crowntown. The “Crown” had provided a focal point for our small spread out community, and we made many friends and invaluable contacts there over the years. It was sad to say goodbye, but it has of course given us the opportunity (excuse) to go out and sample lots of other local pubs in the area, and there are some super ones!

Animal News

Storm

With one of the first big storms of the winter just hours away, Liz discovered a tiny kitten hiding under a bush in our courtyard. She coaxed her out with a bowl of food, caught her and brought her inside to see out the storm……and the rest is history! We have no idea where she came from, or how she got here, but it seems she is here to stay. Initially named Callum, after the storm, but upon discovering she was in fact a girl, she became Storm – as it turns out the name is very suited – she is a whirling dervish of energy and naughtiness!

Sam

This summer, Sam started dog training classes with the ladies at BOWOW Dog Training Club www.bowowdtc.co.uk. He is a quick learner, and after just 4 lessons achieved his Bronze Award for obedience. (not sure who was more proud in this picture – Liz or Sam!) He has now started on agility classes and is enjoying learning to use all the equipment.

Other Animals

After surviving the TB scare at the start of the year, the alpacas have had an uneventful year. They were pleased to lose their coats just before the hot and beautiful summer arrived. We are looking forward to the imminent arrival of a pair of Toulouse geese in need of a new home and we have plans to introduce some new webbed footed friends for Basil and Sybil after Liz’s efforts to incubate a clutch of Sybil’s eggs was unsuccessful. We are blaming Basil, who is now 12, which we think is pretty ancient in duck terms and possibly he is not still quite in his prime….

New Website: www.tregathenan.co.uk

Our new website was launched in April. We are delighted with the new look and feel – with lots of super pictures to help showcase Tregathenan. Special thanks to our friends at Sharkfin Media www.sharkfinmedia.com for their expertise and patience! We have had some great feedback, and hope you like it too. Please take a look for everything from availability and prices, toi the latest ‘green’ projects and ideas for your holiday. If you are a Facebook user, please like/share/follow us there as we post here from time to time. We also love getting reviews – either on Facebook, Google, or Trip Advisor – (Note, currently the Hayloft is listed under Holiday Rentals on TripAdvisor; Tregathenan House and Cottages are listed under B&B for now).

Tregathenan Christmas Light Switch-On

Cornish villages take great pride in their Christmas light displays, and none less than at Tregathenan! This year we invited our close neighbours to enjoy some hot jacket potatoes and chilli and to experience our very own Christmas light switch on! The lights take many hours to put up, but it’s worth it – they bring cheer to the dark December evenings and are enjoyed by our Christmas and New Year visitors.

‘Refill Tregathenan’

Along with many of our friends and guests, we were deeply disturbed by the heart-breaking BBC documentary ‘Drowning in Plastic’. Our guests are generally pretty good at recycling, and our plastic recycling bin is often full to overflowing. Whilst it is great to recycle, it is better to eliminate our use of plastics altogether. We noticed that the main contents of the plastic recycling bin was single-use plastic water bottles, so we have introduced the Refill Tregathenan re-useable bottle. Every guest is given one to use and take home. Whilst here, the bottle can be refilled (for free!) with lovely great-tasting Tregathenan tap water, and the bottle can be taken home and continue to be used as a reminder of your holiday here!

Guest Benefits

The change in use of Tregathenan House from B&B to self-catering prompted a small change in our branding from Tregathenan Country Cottages to Tregathenan House and Cottages, which was also an excuse for replacing all our signs. We also took the opportunity to review some of our policies, so you will notice that towels are now included as standard (not beach towels) and the time period for paying balances has been shortened to 6 weeks. All good news for our guests!

Plans for 2019

We are planning to data cable all the cottages this year and to provide each cottage with its own router, so that together with the fibre BT has run up the lane, this should considerably improve WiFi throughout Tregathenan. Also on the job sheet is the usual decorating, maintenance and grounds improvement. New carpeting is planned for the Long Barn; a new kitchen for the Granary, and a make-over for the main bedroom in the Hayloft. So that should keep us out of mischief!

We hope 2019 is a happy and peaceful one for all of you, and we look forward to seeing many of you down here again sometime soon.

With our very best wishes

Liz and Ian