We STILL have snow…….

…….it’s been nearly a week now and we still get a little thrill of excitement every time we look out the window and see that it is “white”. We haven’t had much time to get out and amongst it. Our employers have been in residence for the last 4 days. The Manor is in the last months of a 2 year complete refurbishment of all buildings and gardens. The house has been totally gutted inside and rebuilt with all mod cons, but still retains centuries old integrity. Likewise the gardens are being completely redesigned but will still look as if they have always been here. We will now have a heated swimming pool and a brand new tennis court. It is the most glorious place to live and work. Once all the trades people have finished we will virtually have the place to ourselves for most of the year, except for gardeners etc. This will be our employer’s summer holiday home and any other time they can snatch a few days in their busy international schedule.
They are the most interesting, incredibly ‘real’ people to be with and we love them being here. It is full on and we end up exhausted, but they are warm,caring and fun to be with. Their guests and visitors are the same. We had a luncheon party yesterday, and although staff, we are spoken to and treated like people rather than servants and it is truly refreshing and most unusual in this role I can tell you! I was talking with a lady who had a lot of silver things like dog whistles around her neck – I asked her about them and she told me they lived in such a large house she had a different whistle for each of her family and when she wanted them she just “blew” and they came running!!!!!!
Our employers always travel with staff and once we get established we will probably have to travel with them to other destinations. This time they brought only one of their staff with them. You learn a lot about who you are working for when you spend time with someone who has worked for them for many years. We are astonished that we have been lucky enough to get this gig, not only is it like working in an art museum but we also work for people who care for and truly value their staff. Do come and visit, but don’t come when our employers are in residence as we wont even see you……we run from morning till night……but happily………xxxxxxxx