Now that we really have had a taste of summer, well at least over the last few days, has summer really truly arrived?
After all, I am sure many of us will be a various colour of red especially if the all important sun cream hasn’t been applied to protect us from the sun’s rays, but it has been a long waited welcome to see the sun shining again in all its glory. No doubt you will remember the previous two summers were a complete wash out and many of us escaped to the Continent to search out dryer and warmer climates.
In answer to my opening remarks I believe that the answer is a resounding yes. Summer has arrived and the first signs have been spotted around the coast of Cornwall especially here in Falmouth over the last three weeks. Basking sharks are back and if you keep your eyes peeled you could see one too.
Many locals and visitors recommend the headland by Pendennis Castle to spot Basking sharks, which are the second biggest fish in the world! If you really want to get closer to these amazing fish Orca Sea Safaris, based in Falmouth and only a five minute walk away from the hotel, offers wildlife watching and coastal boat trips in their 10.6 metre RIB. Some of the team, including myself were delighted to have the opportunity to take a 2 hour trip and venture out on the RIB, it was fascinating and so much wildlife you couldn’t begin to imagine!
So next time your basking in the sun just remember you’re not the only one.
Mystery here again. Here I am, working to make sure that my bed is left untouched, that the staff have the radiator on so it is nice and warm, my food is where it should be, when it should be - why can humans be as organised or as smart? I mean, the hotel is going through some pretty radical refurbishment and they are making the bedrooms look really smart. At least that’s what is supposed to be happening but when I go up to have a look what do I find? Some nutter has only hung all the wallpaper upside down! I mean even I could see it was the wrong way round. I ask you!
There is a new bloke in charge of the bar now at the hotel. The cool cat (lady) that was there before has moved to Bulgaria (where the Wombles’ great uncle comes from I think..). I haven’t a clue why she would want to move there. She took her cat with her and drove all the way - must be some dedicated cat as I sure wouldn’t go. Bad enough trying to get me to go outside! Anyway, the new bloke is called Phil and as yet I can’t say much about him as each time he starts to talk before I know it my eyes have closed and I have dozed off!
Mind you my level of concentration isn’t quite what it should be. I get quite dizzy watching everyone tearing about. Greg, (the big boss) is going to turn into butter one day I swear! He is in, out, up and down like a yo-yo. He is multi-talented though as he is in the restarant serving, then checking in guests, master of ceremonies at weddings, dealing with the horrid officials that sometimes have to visit us - he should be much thinner than he is by rights! Just thinking about it makes me want to go and curl up on the radiator so for now, adios my friends. xoxo
I was just having my afternoon cat nap when I overheard one of the receptionists discussing some interesting news. You’ll never guess where two of the restaurant team are going in October….Brazil of all places, how exciting! I am so jealous of Leonie and Tabby who have just booked their holiday. How lucky are those girls lapping up the sunshine and experiencing a different culture in October while the rest of us work hard looking after all our guests. You may well think that just being a cat I sprawl out on the window ledge keeping myself clean or having the odd snooze but I do take a keen interest in the staff and guests at the hotel.
Mind you, I did have a chuckle to myself when I discovered that they would have several injections before they go. Reminds me of the sorry occasion I was dragged to the vets for my check up by Sue the housekeeper and before I knew it ouch! The man at the vets had stuck a huge needle into me - so I really don’t know how Leonie and Tabby will cope, especially without having any fur to protect them, but I am sure it will all be worth while.
Did you know that Leonie and Tabby both have a sister who works at the hotel. Leonie’s sister is Sam who is the bars supervisor and she is getting married at the hotel in September to Chris our Sous Chef, I think I might have to buy a new hat for that special occasion. Tabby’s sister is Hannah and together they both work in the restaurant. They never used to get on with each other until they worked here at the hotel, funny how different situations and circumstances can bring people together. (Mind you, no situation or circumstances will ever bring the vet and I happily together, let me make that clear right now!)
Some other great news about Michelle who works in reception, she is expecting her first baby in February next year. I could never understand why you humans only have one baby at a time. As for us cats we just have a litter and get it all over and done with, but Michelle is so excited!
So it’s all holidays, weddings and babies! Need to dash my non furry friends and I will catch up with you soon.
Mistery xo xo
My name is Mistery and I live at The Falmouth hotel. Before I took up residence I was homless, sleeping in the middle of the traffic island outside the hotel until a grumpy Night Porter at the hotel took pity on me and invited me in for a meal.
By the way, before I tell you any more I ought to mention that I have four legs, am black, white and furry - in other words, a feline (cat for those of you not in the know). In fact, I may be the first cat to have a blog! Now that I’ve got that out the way, let’s get back to my story.
The grumpy night porter does have a name - it’s Nick and he rapidly became my best friend on the planet. Not only did he take to feeding me but he also let me sleep in the hotel in the office. That was four years ago and now it is fair to say I have allowed the hotel to take ownership of me - at least in as far as we cats allow people to take ownership of us.
Life here is really cool. I have my own bed in the form of a cushion on the window sill in the back office but as we cats do, I often find other places to take naps. One day I might snooze in a box (if the photocopier has just been filled) or above the radiator by Emma’s desk if it’s cold or the invoice in-tray in Jenny’s office.
Jenny and Emma are two of a team of girls who work in the Front Office of the hotel. They’re lovely girls but my favourites are the two Sues. One Sue is Reception manager and the other is the Housekeeper - she’s my absolute favourite as she makes sure I get regular check-ups at the vet, gets rid of any knots in my coat and generally makes sure I am always looking my best. The girls have a rota up on the wall that details my feeding times and whose turn it is so as you can imagine, I am steadily starting to gain weight. Not that I mind as I just make sure I take a bit more exercise when I go for my daily strolls. The hotel has 5 acres of garden so there’s plenty to keep me amused.
Having a lot of freedom means I get to mosey around the hotel and you would be amazed at some of the things I have come across and I can’t wait to let the cat out of the bag to coin a well-known phrase!!
So do stay tuned for the chapter and verse though it will have to wait a bit as I feel a fur ball coming on - must dash!!
The story continues… An irate gentleman arrived at reception demanding to speak to the Duty Manager. Apparently he was disgusted that the hotel had replaced his wife during the middle of the night for another woman. Well, you can imagine the complex and delicate situation that our duty manager faced whilst listening to this particular complaint - not an easy one to handle! It turned out that our dear guest suffered from Alzheimer’s. Being in the hospitality industry naturally we apologised for our error, contacted his wife and informed her what had happened. He was delighted that had found his wife and that we quickly rectified the situation. So a simple story of how we go that extra mile for our guests.
I had the pleasure of an invite to a Naming and Dedication of a new tug for A&P Falmouth Docks today and being St Piran’s Day, the tug was aptly named St. Piran. All the usual dignatories were there (not that I am one of them) and the naming ceremony was carried out by Ann Trudgen, Consort to the Mayor of Falmouth who christened the tug with our very own Cornish Camel Valley Sparkling Wine. It’s amazing that when you accidentally drop a bottle of alcohol it smashes but when you want it to smash intentionally it never does and on the fourth attempt St Piran was christened!
Tune in next time and see the hotel from a cat’s point of view - yes our very own house cat Mystery.
Falmouth hotel and a Falmouth blog at long last! Those people in high places have eventually allowed me to have a blog on the Falmouth Hotel website and about time I say!
After all, our sister hotels (Fowey, Grand, Idle Rocks and the Metropole) all have a blog so you can imagine my delight when the powers that be said that I can have one too. I say delight, after all that was my first reaction, but shortly afterwards fear and nerves replaced the large grin that was on my face. Why? The realisation of writing a blog quickly took centre stage. What on earth will I write about? Will it be funny? Will you find it interesting enough? Yes, all these questions filled my mind!
Hopefully throughout the blog I can tell you some funny stories about the hotels I have worked at as well as The Falmouth. Let me see, I think I’ll start my next blog with the one about the time a guest woke up in the morning to find that he was with the wrong wife!
That’s all for now!
