April has been a month of shocks and surprises here in Lily's Cottage. The good or the bad news first?
My brother, who is in remission after throat cancer, casually sent me a photo of a Chopper bike he made using old car spares and scrap metal. Turns out that he is a metalwork sculptor, without even knowing it!
He's now hard at work looking for old car parts etc. has already made a second bike, the name is not coming to me now, but then I'm not into bikes!
He gave it to my younger brother, and it fits in perfectly with his decor, and it is taking pride of place on his bar counter-top.
I think these works of art will soon become sought after here in our midst.
The Chopper Bike - a real beaut!
I told you about my woes in The Day Kloof went to the Dogs with a leaking water pipe, kitchen sink mixer that needed replacement, and then the tyres.
As if that wasn't enough, I was scammed by a master at the game.
Seemingly the perfect guest; super-neat, polite, quiet, helpful, and easy-going. Said he does VIP protection overseas and was on his break. He paid for the first week, then extended his stay, but when that money did not come into my account, my requests for POP fell on deaf ears; he even 'faked' a call to his bank!
Turns out he is a big-time gambler, but I think his 'luck' will soon run out, as I reported him to various tourism organizations. We do have insurance for bilking, but I can kick myself for being so lenient and not insisting on payment upfront for the extended stay!
Belinda, an expat who now lives in Belgium with her young family, has been a regular guest since 2016 to visit her SA family.
She's a personal trainer, and made time to show me a couple of strengthening exercises and let me take a video of her doing it, hoping it will help those joints that stiffen up as the hairs start turning silver!
It's always sad to say goodbye to guests who have become like family, especially when they live so far away.
One of the best bookings is done by companies who usually book for a week or more. The company owner booked two nights in the cottage, really just doing a reconnaissance, as his staff were most unhappy at the establishment they were booked into. He requested a two-month booking, as they're doing work at our new shopping mall that is now ready for shop-fitting. They install refrigeration panels and their project will take time.
Of course, I initially did not want to accept such a long booking, as I do not want to lose my regulars, but most of the training centre guests had done their first stint of training, so will only be back later in the year.
Talk about perfect timing!
I've now extended their stay. These really are perfect guests, they're out all day, early to bed, and pay upfront!
As a result of this booking, I've been able to complete the pathway, which only needs some finishing touches, but it's already walkable, a big improvement as it is a much quicker route to our studio unit.
My spirits rose after this last booking, something that is visible with the quirky things I've been hanging here, there, and everywhere;)
April so far has brought showers of miseries, then a pleasant surprise, and an abundance of blessings!
I hope April which started with April Fool's Day, is treating you well!
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