Let me admit it now: I have a pathological fear of Bed and Breakfasts (B&B)
For our non UK native friends (who may not be sure of what a B&B is) it’s a place for travellers to rest their heads and get food in the morning (as the name suggests – strangely). But these places are essentially people’s houses that are opened up. And in my experience (until last weekend!) they are run by insane matriarchs that rule the house with a iron fist.
This is what a B&B owner looks like?
The great Bill Bryson spoke about B&Bs and their owners in a way I can only dream of:
“I don’t remember its name, I but I well recall the proprietress, a formidable creature of late middle years called Mrs Smegma, who showed me to a room, then gave me a tour of the facilities and outlined the many complicated rules for residing there – when breakfast was served, how to turn on the heater for bath, which hours of the day I would have to vacate the premises and during which brief period a bath was permitted (these seemed, oddly to coincide), how much notice I should give if I intended to receive a phone call or remain out after 10pm, how to flush the loo and use the loo brush, which materials were permitted in the bedroom waste basket and which had to be conveyed to the dustbin…”
Mr Bryson said it better than me
You may have paid for your room, and possibly breakfast, but you bloody well better heed the rules otherwise you’ll be on the streets. I’ve been in places in the UK as diverse as Wales and Wotton (in Norfolk) and have always shuddered at the fear of doing a number 2 in the family’s toilet or not being at breakfast at the correct time (some of these places are stricter than McDonalds).
Which means I have to admit I was dubious when, on a jaunt up to Edinburgh last weekend, my canny and wonderful other half said, “I’ve booked us a Bed and Breakfast – that ok?”
As a struggling blogger, the Raddison was beyond us, so this place was reviewed as being excellent and owned by an architect – ok – let’s have a crack then. Here it is
Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith, and this place was without a doubt the nicest places I’ve ever been to. After a stressful drive through Edinburgh town centre (my mistake was to ignore both my other half’s directions and the Sat Nav) we arrived in a leafy part of the city. Looking good so far.
It looks even better on the inside
We then met the owner, the lovely Sue Thompson and were directed to our room.
Can I gush about it?
Well, it had a king size bed, Sky TV and a wait….wet room?!? Is this a B&B or is this a slice of heaven? Oh and coffee and home made flap jacks were made by Sue for us when we arrived. She was too nice and only complemented by the lovely surroundings.
The breakfasts and the bed were remarkable – truly amazing, and Sue managed to treat us with privacy but in a way that made you completely happy. I don’t think the trip could’ve been better. In fact I know the trip couldn’t be better.
More importantly, it has got me over my fear of B&Bs, so I will now try and get to them more often, although I perhaps won’t be staying in the one in Wotton (although that story is worth telling. Maybe next time!).
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a great experience. I must admit I have spent years trying, and have so far succeeded, to avoid staying in a B & B. But maybe there’s hope, based on this experience.
I am totally with you Mike, but this was just amazing, I recommend it to everyone!!