A funny little story

People quite often ask me, do you have any funny stories about running a B&B, and one that always springs to mind is....

One morning at the old Acorns of Lyndhurst  I was doing breakfast by myself and Izzy was still young enough to need a stair gate across our kitchen door to stop her getting through to the guests or up the stairs.  We only had one very nice couple in, so everything was relaxed and going well.  Izzy was playing nicely in the TV room and I had plated the 2 full english's up, then with a plate in each hand I headed to the stair gate. This particular gate was one where the middle part opens by lifting it up and out in one motion and when doing breakfast I always kept it unlocked but in the closed position so that I could pass through without too much trouble but it still deterred Izzy.  As I had done this route many times I had mastered a way to stand on one leg then using my other knee to squeeze in between the bars, lift the gate and open it all whilst holding a plate full of food in each hand - great when it works!

So going back to the plate in each hand, this particular morning I walked confidently up to the gate and just as I shifted my weight onto the one leg and started to lift the other I suddenly slipped.  
Time suddenly seemed to move in slow motion then (just like in the movies) and now with both legs in mid air I threw the 2 plates up in the air.  Eventually I obviously landed with a bump on the floor and had food falling all around me but my instant reaction was to catch the plates.  Sitting on the kitchen floor for a minute or two I was feeling a bit shaken and more than a bit stupid, but even more thankful that no one had actually seen any of it.  Realising that I was going to have to go in to the guests to appologise and explain what had happened, I got up, brushed the food off me, wiped my self down and composed myself the best I could.  They were so nice and understanding about it and  actually concerned about wether I had hurt myself, laughing with them I explained that I was fine, just feeling a bit foolish.  With that I went and cooked 2 more breakfasts, carefully walked them through (taking no chances this time) and successfully served them.  At that point the lady said quietly "Mel I just have to tell you that you've got some egg & baked beans in your hair"  Well, I went bright red - but we did have a really good laugh, and it still makes me chuckle now :)

Mel

One of the New Forest's hidden treasures

This is a fantastic place that we really enjoy and want to share with you all.

Last summer our friends Wendy & Stef from Little Hayes Guesthouse heard about a great little tea room tucked away in the middle of the forest that non of us had ever heard of, by some of their guests.  So on their recommendation we all decided to go off for a walk one weekend to explore and see if we could find it.

We drove up to Bolderwood car park and then from there walked past the deer viewing platform and sanctuary heading towards Burley.  It was approx a 3 mile walk on a clean gravel track which gently meandered through the trees.
As you may recall last summer was not the best and this particular day was rubbish, really.  When we set off the sun was shining but the forecast had warned of showers, so we had all got coats with us but not much else.  We had walked 1.5 miles when the sun disappeared and the rain came and it wasn't just a shower! Knowing that even if we turned back now it would still be about the same distance, so we all decided to soldier on (like you do) and find this hidden tea room, which by now we were beginning to doubt existed.  Absolutely soaked and starting to feel miserable we suddenly saw evidence of a building with smoke coming out the chimney, and our spirits were lifted.
At post 109 we saw the sign saying tea room - we had made it!  We were not the only crazy people either, there was another couple who had found it whilst out cycling.  The only seating area is outside as Tracy, the owner, runs this little business from her kitchen.  As the summer had been so wet they had erected some gazebo's in the garden to keep customers dry and in the middle they had lit a lovely big chiminea, it was great.
The setting of this place, I tell you - is idyllic, I was blown away with how beautiful and tranquil it is.  They are the only building around for miles and their garden appears to be endless, as on all sides it just seamlessly blends into the forest beyond.  The ponies and deer just wonder around, the birds sing and there is no other noise at all.
On our arrival Tracy came to take our order and she could clearly see how soaked we were.  Mine and Isabelle's coats were not waterproof and Tracy very kindly offered to put them in her tumble dryer for us while we had our cream tea - how lovely is that!
All the cakes that she serves are all home made and if she has ran out she will even make some fresh ones for you if you have time to wait.  Stef & I had the homemade scone and it was awesome.  She makes a big round one and you get 2 portions per person, it was scrummy.  The kids had hot chocolate which comes with marshmallows and home made biscuits, Fred and Wendy had the carrot cake which they both said was scrummy too.  Tracy is an amazing host who can not do enough for you while you are there, her and her husband even wanted to drive us back to our car so that we did not get wet again walking back.  We did eventually brave the weather and walk back and it didn't seem half as bad because we had had such a lovely  experience at Tracy's.
We were all so impressed that we have been back several times and I certainly would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
This truely is one of the hidden treasures of the New Forest.

The New Forest in winter

As residents of Lyndhurst my family and I do try to make the most of our free time by enjoying the things that the New Forest has to offer.  A lot of the time we try to experience new things and places, but also we have our favorites and also the close by things, that we tend do on a more regular basis.

The unpredictable thing about living here is that you never quite know what the weather is going to throw at you and the last two weekends sum that up nicely.
Friday 11th Jan 2013

The weather in Lyndhurst was absolutely gorgeous and almost warm enough to go out without a coat.  It appeared that spring had most definitely sprung.  I had seen snowdrops, primroses and violets all in bloom in my garden and the birds were singing away happily.  After I dropped my youngest off to Pre-school I had a sudden urge to go out and enjoy a few hours alone in the forest.  I decided that it was time for my bicycles first outing of the year.  Not really sure of how far I could go in the 2 hours that I had available I opted for the closest route.  I cycled from Acorns (Shrubbs Hill Gardens) to Beechen Lane and then picked up the cycle track 267 from there.  Following it along to I believe,  post 283, I then headed back towards Lyndhurst via Boltons Bench.  The whole journey took me about an hour and I was going slowly looking for wildlife and taking photo's.  It was so peaceful and refreshing to be out there in the sunshine and fresh air with hardly anyone else around.  Some areas were a little wet and muddy but in general it was ok.  
There was a slightly disappointing lack of wildlife, however I did pass a really cute horse and trap which involved a tiny Shetland pony.  
With this being the first cycle of the year, the hills were a bit hard work and I must admit I gave in extremely easily, but I felt so much better for doing the exercise.  I was rather pleased with myself. 
It was such a good experience that I dragged all the family out to do the same circuit on Sunday, as the weather was lovely again.  This time it involved Sophie trying out the Trailgator for the first time and also Isabelle cycling the entire route on her own, as she no longer had the option of the Trailgator.  Another very successful afternoon out.

Friday 18th Jan
Well, to say it was the other extreme was not an exaggeration. 

 Woke up to about 3" of snow!  It had been forecast but it still is a bit of a surprise when you wake up to it.  The schools were closed and Fred was at home, so the only thing to do was - go sledging.  
Off to Bolton's Bench the highest point in Lyndhurst and extremely popular in the snow.  The whole village and many more (even the tv camera's) turn out to make the most of the snow.  I have to say that my track record with sledging is not so good, it usually ends up with an injury.  This year has been no different!  My first run down the slope ended up with me flipping over backwards down the hill and hurting my back.  A little shook up from that I decided that maybe I should just watch while the others really enjoyed themselves.  After a lunch break we went back to the sledging and this time I did manage a few runs without getting hurt, and regained my confidence - ready for the next day.
Saturday was not actually as good for sledging as it had gone a bit thin through over use so we headed home and made a snowman in the garden. 

Sunday however, was fantastic.  There had been quite a hard frost over night so the layer of ice on top of the snow made for some fast runs down the hill.  Much more fun and a lot less people around.  All in all a great weekend had been had by all and we were all completely worn out.

You just can't beat winter in the New Forest.
Mel B