A fabulous post from Joy Lennick about life as a hotelier with unusual guests and mysterious scientists… a delight that I am sure you will enjoy.
After the ‘Doctor Clouseau’ incident (see December’s post), and having sold our successful green-grocery business for several, valid reasons, we bought a very mock-Tudor house in Ilford and lived there for ten good years. During that period, I worked part-time in my most exciting job EVER, for an old established publishing house, based in the City of London, called Kaye & Ward Ltd., As secretary to the two female editors of the ‘Childrens’ and ‘Adults’ books, it was an education and delight. Hooked on words, to make up a ‘mock children’s book’ and meet artists, occasionally writers and illustrators was a treasured bonus. But another ‘life curve’ was on its way when, seduced by the tantalizing idea of running a ‘Tea Rooms’ – for my other half and I both enjoyed cooking and people – we sold our house and bought a business in Bournemouth.
We were to discover that, seemingly, half the population also wanted to run Tea Rooms, and so any decent establishments were very expensive and sought after. PLAN B was then considered. We decided on the hotel business. Bournemouth and surrounds were vetted and combed, and we found “Broughton Hotel,” a splendid Edwardian house, covering three floors with a manageable garden and reasonable parking area. Eleven bedrooms sounded just about right. A genial bank manager was successfully courted and papers duly signed. We were HOTELIERS!!
Our enthusiasm and optimism overcame a few blips…and I soon had an enviable waist-line again… (and muscles where women don’t usually have many…). But, hey, onwards and upwards.
Follow the link to read the complete post.
via Another chapter from my life book: Prostitutes, Ms. Groves & ‘Dr. Strangeglove’
Ooh, no interest in running a hotel, B&B, etc. I like my privacy. So happy, however, that there are others out there who do–how else would I find places to stay that weren’t weekly rentals for getaways!
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Quite John.. I did in my 20s and 30s and now rather amused when people say that when they retire they are going to run a bar or a hotel… 24/7…. and demanding.. x
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Heading over to read the rest. This promises to be entertaining. 🙂
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It is Jan.. quite the life Joy and Eric have had…xxx
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I love this and all of Joy’s real-life stories. I have the advantage of seeing her for coffee and hearing these stories first hand. Thanks for sharing, Sally.
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Certainly a life well lived and still going strong.. thanks Darlene.. hugsx
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