No holiday – and no sign of recession

Like many hoteliers and restaurateurs, we usually go on holiday in January, but for a whole host of reasons we missed this year - and we're regretting it already.

However, the snowdrops are out, the daffodils are pushing through, and spring is on the way. We had about six inches of snow in mid-February, and the usual road chaos ensued, but we did have one room booking because of it, albeit via a telephone call at 3am one morning from a gentleman whose car had skidded into a snow-filled ditch.

Bookings are coming in thick and fast for the coming year, and at the moment there is no hint of a recession - fingers crossed! Some of the local golf courses have been marketing strongly, and we have several bookings from golfing parties who can see the benefits of coming to Lincolnshire for a short break.

February has been a very busy month, with a whole range of events and functions, including a 60th birthday party, the local chamber of business spring function and quiz, another quiz with the Rotary Club, a supermarket training day (the third booking) and the local car club meeting.

One of our current guests has been having problems with his car, and he has spent some time under the bonnet with the usual request to borrow spanners, etc. But then he came in yesterday and asked for an egg. This was to put in his radiator which had been leaking badly. At least it makes a change from the breakfast request for the poached, fried or scrambled variety.

I am getting tired of the continual requests for entries in so-called "international directories". The latest one to go in the bin was from Budapest. A mere £450 would get our name across Europe - some hope.

Another source of annoyance is the deregulation of electricity supplies. We have been deluged with all sorts of offers in the post, all followed up by a string of telephone calls that take up valuable time.

We are now finalising arrangements for our fifth classic car show in May, and a few days ago we had a fax from a gentleman in Germany who runs the Frankfurt Morris Minor Owners Club. Our fame must be spreading.

We have now decided not to open for a millennium party but to have "open house" for friends and family. Everybody will put some money in the kitty, and take their share of washing up and other chores. n

Colin Hillyard is proprietor of the Priory hotel, Louth, Lincolnshire

Next diary from Colin Hillyard:

8 April