Over the following years we learnt a lot, both about the business and about ourselves. We learnt new skills and on the whole probably came out of the whole exercise better and more accomplished people. With a lot of hard work we moved the hotel (and as a result, the clientele) upmarket. We made friends amongst our guests, local business people and the restaurant clientele and, so we're told, we were very good at what we did. One of Patti's recipes even found it's way into the New York "Gourmet" magazine and the Hotel was voted runner up in Discover Britain's "Hotel of the Year". For some hilarious stories see the link above.
Of course we weren't getting any younger and 12 years of ridiculous hours were beginning to take their toll, so we put the hotel on the market and sold it in early 2000, the start of a new century, and a new life for us.
Fortunately we were of an age where we could start drawing our airline pensions, so we rented a flat in nearby Marazion with beautiful views of St Michael's Mount and took time to catch our breath! During this time Patti, who had been making all the soft furnishings for the hotel for some years, took a professional curtain making course and an Interior Design course. Before too long, we bought a house - or the Gothic Pile as we call it. A rather run down late Victorian pile, which we commenced renovating ourselves, or rather Julian did all the hard work and Patti fiddled about making curtains. A rather formidable task as it happened.... and we still haven't entirely finished it! Patti got offered a commission doing the interior design of a hotel in St Ives, a job that was to take over two years. However, it was successful and subsequently voted one of the Sunday Telegraph's "15 favourite hotels in the world". See Blue Hayes Hotel. In addition to doing the interior design she made the curtains for over 50 windows and all the cushions and blinds.
Then one day.... as the fairytales say, a knock came on the front door and Lo and Behold.... Julian got offered a job with our erstwhile accountants, where he is still working. Patti felt lonely working at home and subsequently, when the Blue Hayes job finished, decided to go temping. Her third assignment was at Sure Start Lescudjack (now The Lescudjack Centre) where she's done every job from Reception to being deputy to the Project Director and is now Administrator. 5 years ago Patti became diabetic. In January 2008, Patti and a fellow diabetic Terry Gault launched a new website www.diabetes-support.org.uk which also incorporates a forum where diabetics can get help, advice and emotional support. In addition she helps out in another Diabetic forum and a Diabetic chat room
So.... that's our life up to now. We love going on holidays, socialising with friends, entertaining and being entertained, walking on the cliffs, and just generally having fun! So really, we're back where we started, sightseeing, partying and shopping! |
