We have had a busy few months despite the lockdown and have been able to get on with some jobs that were being planned for the winter.
A major project completed has been the repointing of the outside granite walls, removing all of the concrete pointing and replacing it with traditional lime mortar. We are thrilled with the result but to be fair it wont make a lot of difference to your stay, other than to the look of the cottage when you approach it. For us, it was a project made much more pleasant, completing it in the early summer as opposed to the planned winter months when the cold wind would have been whistling down the street.
There have been lots of other things done that you might not notice but all add to the resilience of the cottage and ultimately the comfort during your stay.
On a more relevant note; we have spent the time ensuring that we have kept abreast of advice from the government and the self catering trade bodies and associations to ensure our changeover and cleaning protocols are as good as they can be. We have completed changeover risk assessments and have purchased the relevant cleaning solutions and products. We have protocols in place which will be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure we stay in line with current government and scientific advice.
For those that have been worried that developing Covid-19 symptoms or being told to self isolate by the new track and trace facility whilst on holiday with us would be a massively expensive occurrence, for both yourselves (and us), rest assured that reasonable and fair procedures are now in place across the islands. These ensure that if you, or someone in your party are unlucky enough to develop symptoms a test will be give. If that proves positive the party will be repatriated to the mainland by private transport paid for by a grant, so that you can isolate at home in accordance to government advice without incurring massive fees. Please see Council of the Isles of Scilly
Your holiday will be a little different this year. This will not involve anything that you will not have become accustomed to in recent weeks on the mainland. You will have to wear masks getting to the islands and on the inter island boats. You may have to queue for a short while to enter a shop and once inside you will have to observe social distancing. There may be fewer pubs and restaurants open but there are plenty of takeaway options springing up. Our cottage is geared up for communal eating, inside or out and the nearby greens and beaches are perfect for alfresco eating.
What Scilly will be able to provide is uncrowded outside spaces, with the absolute ability to enjoy a beach or other outside space with social distancing well beyond the minimum requirements set out by government. Even in the height of the season it is easy to find a beach or space completely to yourselves, unlike some of the beaches seen recently on the news channels. All of this in a place of outstanding natural beauty.
We are confident that you will be able to travel to Scilly and enjoy a great holiday in our lovely cottage in these strange and uncertain times. We look forward to welcoming you back to our idilic islands,