Our phone has been red hot with calls from Canada telling us that The Old Rectory on the lake is featured on the front page of last Thursday’s Globe and Mail! An article written by the newspaper’s London correspondent has highlighted that we are the first bed and breakfast in Wales to gain a prestigious World Host Award. On page 17 Ricky is pictured and quoted talking about service within the hospitality industry. The Globe and Mail is Canada’s biggest selling national, printed in six cities, it has a circulation of over one million. The article is proving quite contentious with at the time of this posting nearly fifty on line readers have commented on line about its content.

To see the article on line go to
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadas-last-untapped-export-politeness/article2428214/

To read the newspaper articles, see the FRONT PAGE and PAGE 17.

To see our World Host Profile go to  www.worldhost.uk.com/case_studies/19

]]> http://www.rectoryonthelake.co.uk/cms/2012/05/the-old-rectory-on-the-lake-makes-the-front-page-of-canadas-national-newspaper/feed/ 0 http://www.rectoryonthelake.co.uk/cms/2012/04/our-marian-gets-an-extra-layer/ http://www.rectoryonthelake.co.uk/cms/2012/04/our-marian-gets-an-extra-layer/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:18:16 +0000 theoldrectory http://www.rectoryonthelake.co.uk/cms/?p=1866

In the summer most sheep lose their coats to the shearer but Marian The Old Rectory on the lake’s latest helper now boats an extra one. It was made to measure by Di Grenyer at Llugwy Farm at Llanbister Road over the border in Powys who has turned out many others for the fashion conscious sheep about town and country. The snazzy cotton drill coat was then sent to Genesis Uk who are just down the valley in Tywyn, for printing. Said Mike Stevens, owner of Genesis: “This was a rather unusual printing request but we were pleased that we were able to do it and the staff here were very pleased when Marian herself visited our studios to model it!”

Now there will be no mistaking Marian when she is out and about representing The Old Rectory on the lake!

If you need a sheep, goat or horse coat go to http://www.llugwyfarm.co.uk/tackroom/show_coats.asp. For all your printing needs go to http://www.genesis-uk.com/ and just mention Marians name!

Pat and Stuart Davies of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands get the somewhat dubious honour of being our 200th guest to leave a review on Tripadvisor! Since we appeared on this travel website back in December 2008 we have been amazed that so many kind folk have taken the time and effort to post a review commenting on their stay with us – mercifully most favourable! So, as we are about to start our new season, we really thank the Davies’ for their encouraging words (reproduced below) and thank in advance anyone else who feels completed to put finger to computer keyboard and leave a review about their time at The Old Rectory on the lake. We also post here some of Pat and Stuart’s pictures taken on their phone as they cycled along the Mawddach Trail and across the wooden bridge to Barmouth.

“We found this gem through a Tripadvisor search for B and B in Snowdonia. The location is stunning and the house welcoming and cosy. Our room overlooked the lake and was very comfortable. A bonus was the large adjoining bathroom with large roll top bath. I had the best night’s sleep I can remember for a long time. The unexpected highlight was the food. Our evening meal was as good (if not better) as that enjoyed in many of the two rosette restaurants we have visited. The wine selection was reasonable and good value. Our breakfast was one of the best we have eaten. We hope to visit again.“

We too hope to see you both again – John and Ricky.

We now have an additional member to The Old Rectory team here at Talyllyn. Yesterday a Welsh mountain sheep came to live with us. This hardy breed has survived for centuries on the slopes in Wales where high rainfall and freezing winter temperatures make it impossible for anything other than the hardiest and fittest to survive. After long discussions we have named our new arrival Marian Fleece and we just hope that she will not pull the wool over the eyes of any of our guests and be a model pet. Hopefully Marian will have many an adventure which no doubt will be reported here!

Our telephone has been red hot with many guests ringing to see if we had seen Talyllyn on the small screen – we had many calls from local folk and from Bristol, Stafford, Liverpool, Oswestry and even one from the south of France! On Tuesday March 13 BBC 2 transmitted an hour long programme called ‘Rugged Wales’ where wildlife presenter, Iolo Williams, visited some amazing parts of Wales. He said that if he was asked to chose the best natural lake in Wales Talyllyn would be the top of his list adding that it was a fantastic location and one of the best fishing lakes. The BBC cameras captured wildlife both above and below the waters here. They filmed a pair of goosanders, diving ducks, whose love of salmon has often brought it into conflict with fishermen! Head Talyllyn Ghillie, Phil Wood, was interviewed and Iolo used an underwater camera to film some rather large bread eating trout.

The section featuring Talyllyn runs from about 13.30 to 15.30 and can be viewed on BBC I player until March 20th at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01dn7s0/Rugged_Wales_Episode_1/.

Here at The Old Rectory on the lake we hope are hosting skills are up to scratch but we recognise there is always room for improvement and we must not rest on our laurels. So that’s why we have undergone World Host training to make sure we are better equipped. The WorldHost customer service programme has a proven track record worldwide and was used to train nearly 40,000 staff for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.  The programme was brought to the UK by People 1st and has been adapted to meet the needs of the local hospitality and tourism industry. Their course allowed us to re-identify what was necessary to ensure good-quality service.  This included the importance of a good welcome, the value of good listening skills while learning of how to tackle potentially inflammatory situations through role-play and gaining an understanding of the importance of the tourism industry to the strength of the Welsh economy. The Old Rectory on the lake is now being featured as one of the case studies which can read by going to www.worldhost.uk.com/case_studies/19. Recently a photographer spent a morning with us for People 1st  who have kindly let us use his images here.

For more information visit: www.worldhost.uk.com/wales.

“The amazing skill of chef Ricky was an utter joy to watch and thank you for letting me sample some of the food in between work – it was a real treat! You undoubtedly have all the ingredients to make an incredible business which I am sure your guests will want to experience time and time again.”

Ricky was quoted in the paper saying:-

“When we were asked to take part in this laudable initiative by Barclays we were slightly sceptical and we never thought for one moment Adrian would get so involved.  From the moment he walked up our drive he was so enthusiastic, tackled every task we threw at him cheerfully and above all he was so personable with our guests. No-one suspected that he was not part of The Old Rectory on the lake team and for that he should be applauded. We hope it gave you a useful insight into our hospitality operation and if Adrian ever feels the need to leave his day job he knows where we are!”

We reproduce below Adrian’s diary of his day with us together with images of his memorable time with us.

0808hrs. Despite getting up at 5am and leaving his Shropshire home at 6am Adrian is eight minutes late he had promised his new bosses that he would arrive dead on 8am but having punched into his sat nav the most scenic route the machine took him 20 miles out his way via Lake Vyrnwy another beautiful Welsh lake but the wrong one!

0815hrs. After having gulped back a much needed coffee Adrian starts putting out the fresh fruit ready for the eight guests.

0830hrs. The first guests arrive in The Old Rectory Orangery. Adrian takes their cooked breakfast orders and is soon quickly cooking their bacon and eggs on The Old Rectorys Aga – luckily past teenage skills working in a fish and chip shop comes quickly back to him and the bacon together with the rest of the full traditional breakfast is done to a turn. No-one at the tables knows his true identity!

1000hrs. By now all guests have eaten and have left bound either for the coast or the nearby mountain of Cadair Idris and Adrian has a mound of washing up to do. If only his wife and three children could see him with an apron on!

1100hrs. Adrian manages to stop for a while to have a hurried breakfast.

1115hrs. It is time to make up one of The Old Rectory bedrooms this one has stunning views across the lake to the mountain opposite but Adrian hasnt got time to stand and stare as the double bed needs to be changed with crisp Egyptian cotton sheets and the carpets need to be vacuumed.

1200hrs. Adrian goes to the outdoor hot tub and after checking chemical levels he tops it up with some chlorine. Many of Old Rectory on the lake guests enjoy wallowing in it under the stars after supper and Adrian makes a mental note to order champagne when he next visits with his wife he has already decided that this is the place to come and stay for a romantic break away from his young family!

1230 to 1500hrs. Adrian enjoys some welcome time off. He decides to walk around the 222 acre lake it takes about an hour or so and he is just amazed by the ever changing views and the silence. As a Barclays area director he clocks up 20,000 miles a year and he feels he now envies the owners of this amazing bed and breakfast who can get to work under a minute without even leaving their home!

1500hrs. As it is Bonfire Night the owners of The Old Rectory on the lake have bought many a firework for the evenings display. Adrian sorts them out and places them in mounds of sand in the garden and by the lake.

1600hrs. Ten guests are due to dine later at The Old Rectory and Adrian helps lay up the tables and fold the linen napkins. Todays napkins are in the shape of a bird of paradise and Adrian has many a go before he finally gets it right he hopes he can just remember all the folds so he can impress his three young children when he gets back home.

 1700hrs. Its time to change into more formal clothes and start preparing the four course meal evening meal. Everything is freshly made in The Old Rectorys kitchens and soon chef and joint owner, Ricky, is showing Adrian how to put together the starters.

 1900hrs. Adrian serves pre dinner drinks in the lounge while guests enjoy videos which show the resident otters playing in the waters and Talyllyn in its ever changing moods.

 1930hrs. The evening service begins in earnest and Adrians feet barely touch the ground as he goes back and forwards carrying plates full of mouth watering delights and then returning with empty dishes. In between courses he stacks the dish washer and then reveals to the surprise of all that he is even enjoying washing up the large saucepans.

 2045hrs. One of chefs Rickys signature desserts is his dark chocolate fondant surprise and tonight six are ordered. As he served them Adrian said the aroma of chocolate was just so tantalising -  so it seemed only fair that he should try one himself – his verdict? Absolutely superb!

2115hrs. Time to light up the Talyllyn skies and Adrian sets to with great enthusiasm setting off the many fireworks and static displays. All enjoy the spectacle of the reflections in the lake and the sound of the deafening mortars echoing off the surrounding mountains.

2200hrs. Back in the warm over a late night drink Adrian’s true identity is revealed much to the surprise of some of the guests two instantly ask for loans and one cheekily enquired as to how large his bonus was last year! Adrian just smiled wearily and pretended this was the first time he had ever been asked this! However all agreed that he had been a great addition to their Old Rectory on the lake holiday experience.

Images by Adam Dorogdi.

We thank them all for allowing the cameras to follow them during their time with us.

“I find Tal-y-llyn an inspirational place,” said Helen. “The moody ridge, the elusive presence of Cader Idris, the ever changing colours in the lake. Some of my best ideas have come to me when I have been sitting by the water waiting for an otter to appear!”

Here at The Old Rectory we wish Helen all the best with her latestest publication.

To see an animated slide film look at http://is.gd/TqqynO .
For more information about Helen’s writing visit www.helencareybooks.co.uk .