........ so to speak. Have you ever heard the phrase "it's not over until it's over" We have been renovating and decorating for so long, the last three years to be exact that you would think that we would have things well under control and totally completed.
We rented to our first ever guests in June (see their review below), I kid you not, I had a paint brush in one hand and a mop in the other. The floors were still wet as they arrived at the cottage. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.
My Dad, Mom, Husband and myself arrived very early the morning of our first guests arrival and if you could have seen the disaster zone (the tv shows have nothing on me) you would have said that there was absolutely no way we could be ready on time.
My husband had his table saw out in the middle of our lower deck, with wood and mess everywhere, (after pic above) my mom was frantically cleaning in the kitchen (we had a leak under the sink the night before and didn't have the parts to repair, so of course, everything was set back while this was attended to - murphy's law) my dad was outside, raking, weeding and generally try to organize and I was running around like a crazy women. The only regret that I have is that we were so pressed for time, we did not take a picture of the chaos.
As our first guests arrived, they had no idea of what had been, thank goodness we just made the deadline. Of course, I see a gazillion things that did not get completed, mostly cosmetic, the cottage still needs to be painted outside, we still need to do more landscaping, the outside shed never did get organized, minor things in comparison to what we did accomplish.
We must have done something right, our very first guests have already re-booked for two weeks next year despite an increase in the rental fee. They very generously wrote me a beautiful recommendation. It makes we want to rent my own cottage - only problem, I can't afford it :)
Our week at Roy's Retreat was phenominal. An escape from reality, we were able tolive in the midst of serenity and beauty.>From the visiting heron and tortoise, to the calming sounds of wildlife andwater, everything about this cottage is perfect. This cottage has everything you could look for. We spent nights roasting marshmellowsin the chimea. We ate and played cards by candlelight in the screened in porch, tothe sounds of the loons. We caught an abundance of fish (which we released ofcourse). The water is beautiful and warm. Waking in the morning, I would sit with mytea at the dock and watch the sunrise. Sunset at Roy's Retreat is the most beautifulthing I have ever seen. There is not shortage of supplies, as the owners made sure we would have nothing to worry about during our stay. I would recommend this cottage for those of you who ache to get away. It is so close to the city, yet private and still.We loved it so much that we requested two weeks NEXT year. You won't be sorry.T.D. and W.D.
Here is what the guests that have rented our cottage for the month of July had to say "... absolutely beautiful cottage, the view is spectacular...way beyond our expectations..the pics on the website do not do it justice, we absolutely made the right choice"
I hope that if you are searching thru the hundreds of cottage rentals to find the perfect summer/fall retreat, that you will give Roy's Retreat a chance. The cottage has openings as of August 30th. Please visit http://www.cottagesincanada.com/roysretreat
