In the week that we open our doors again with government restrictions having been lifted, I have to say we’re looking forward to the rest! Lock-down has clearly been a difficult time for many, but at The Old Quarry it seems to have been a very busy time too. As we look back over the last few months, it’s actually amazing to see how much we have done this year already.
Some of the changes won’t be tangibly visible. We spent considerable time sourcing new blankets, cushions and other items, so that we could double-up on items and swap them in during changeovers to help keep our next guests as safe as possible during this COVID-19 time. At the same time we had to research and purchase cleaning equipment and materials to help combat the virus.
We’ve also organised safety checks on our gas, electrical system and log burner; sorted out our new website, bought new award-winning mattresses for each bed with new bedding to go with them. Most of the changes, however, have been outside. It actually started in January, as we redressed the driveway.
Being in a wooded area, it’s only natural that, over the years, decaying leaves and other organic material are going to get added to the area and, unfortunately, the driveway was not exempt and had become more mud than driveway in places.
First stage was to scrap away the top layer of mud, grass, leaves and so forth. With over 40 metres of driveway and an ample parking area to cover, there was quite a mound of material to dispose of by the end of this stage.
Then the material that was going to be put down instead arrived (just managing to back in through the gate!). The more permanent solution would have been to put down a hard surface such as tarmac or block paving, but we felt that this would detract from the natural feel of The Old Quarry, so we opted instead to redress the driveway with gravel – twelve tonnes of it!
Before this could go down, however, the base had to be prepared by levelling and compacting it as much as possible.
Only then could we start adding the gravel on top. Unfortunately, with the delivery lorry only just managing to make it through the gate, the materials were all at the wrong end of the cabin and over those three long days a wheel-barrow sure got a lot of use moving the stone to where it needed to be and it felt like my arms had probably grown half an inch in length by the end of it! And then we had the job of raking it into place and making sure it was evenly spread in all areas.
Still, when you step back and look at the difference, I hope you agree it was worth the effort.
This was only stage one of the changes we’ve made during 2020.
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