A Cariad Life

Today, I’m getting back to my blog, after almost a month away and I’ve missed it (it has been super busy)…today, also marks our 6 month anniversary of starting the B&B! So I thought I would start with catching you up on our progress and how we’re doing. Just six months ago, we welcomed our first guest, a last minute one who booked over the phone late on a Saturday night. Since then we have welcomed over 400 guests and rented out 348 nights in our four rooms. In the winter, we averaged about 40% of our 4 rooms being full and now we average about 68% of them being full each week. It is always easier when guests stay with us for more than one night (less turn-over of rooms), and we enjoy the opportunity to get to know them more when they stay longer. So far, our longest staying guests were with us for 9 nights, and we absolutely fell in love with them (we each had a few tears when they left.) Sometimes, especially those coming in for a wedding, we rarely see guests as they check-in quickly to drop off their things, return very late, and wake up just before check-out time. For the most part though, Darrell and I find ways to connect with all of our guests one way or another.

This week, we also opened up our fifth room, the Bergerac Suite. It is a one bedroom apartment with ensuite bath/laundry, living room, and fully equipped kitchen, located on the other side of our courtyard in the building that formerly served as the stables. When we purchased the property, the previous owners had already secured a tenant–a dentist who lives in Bordeaux but works in Riberac a few days each week. As he is a great tenant, we finished the rental agreement with him and he moved out last week. He will be staying with us a couple of days each week in the fall though, in one of our B&B rooms. For the last five to six days, Darrell and I have been cleaning, shopping for, and stocking the suite for the upcoming rental (they check-in tonight). As this space has a two night minimum stay, we look forward to connecting with these guests as well. I’ve added some pictures of the space if you’re interested. (It is also posted on Booking.com and AirBnB or you can visit our website)

This summer, we’ve also had the opportunity to host some family and friends. Our first guests from “home” were my brother and sister-in-law who came to see us for two nights on their honeymoon in France and Italy. We also had a family of friends join us for a couple of nights from Bainbridge, and a co-worker from Kent who happened to be staying in SW France came to Riberac for the day with her son and took us out to lunch. Seeing people we know and love, chatting freely in English about our experiences, and introducing them to our village was so encouraging. I don’t think I have ever been homesick before coming to France, but I certainly have felt it in these last few months and their visits in June came at just the right time. At the beginning of August, Caleb will join us for a couple of weeks and then in October my mom will be here with us for the first part of the month. We also have good friends planning visits in September and October–so excited to connect with all of them!

Our long-standing relationships with family and friends from back in the US are important for grounding us and reminding us of our roots. At the same time, we continue to try to build relationship here. We had a French couple stay with us last week who have invited us to stay in their village in an apartment they have available–it’s near the mountains and appears to be a beautiful place. Other guests have invited us to stay with them too or come to see their town. We are meeting people from all over the world, and I continue to be reminded that overall people are kind. Many have been so generous with their encouragement, curious and engaging about our story, and invested in our success. And even so, this job can be tiring, monotonous, and tedious (and hot in the summer)…we all need things to refill our buckets.

When I was working in the classroom and then in HR, I kept a file called “Happy Folder;” in it, I would keep every kind note, thank you email, or written praise that I received from students, employees, parents, co-workers, and bosses, while doing my job. During tough times, when I wasn’t sure I was making a difference, I would open it and read a few items–it helped. I still have it by the way, packed in storage. I know I have shared one of the tough pieces of feedback we received in our early days of the B&B, but I thought I would share a few of the really encouraging ones as it is how I continue to refill my bucket (a little peek into my “Repos Happy Folder”)–thanks for indulging me…

Breakfast was awesome, the best we had all week It was an example of how it should be done. We were truly spoilt. Our hosts were very friendly and informative, our room was very comfortable, lovely touches including chocolates and beautiful toiletries as well as amazing bedding- a true treat.

The owners are very attentive -The rooms are really spacious and tastefully furnished The breakfast is exquisite Go there with your eyes closed (This one was in French, “Allez y les yeux fermés” literally translated it is “go there with your eyes closed.” It is a French expression that means “you can go there with confidence”–one of my new favorite expressions:)

Fantastic, travelled around France by bicycle extensively. Probably the best place I’ve stayed, “home from home”.

All is perfect! What more can be said ? Otherwise thanks to Moriah and Darrell for their kindness and refinement in everything (see their website). Are you tired of these soulless places? Rest is where you need to go. (translated from French)

Enthusiastic couple that makes you happy and at home. (translated from Dutch)

I am learning to take each day and refill my bucket for this work–greeting and welcoming each new guest, enthusiastically giving them my time and attention, requires that I remember who I am, my relationships and the people who have and continue to feed into me, and my connection with Darrell. I try to have an open hand to accept new challenges and opportunities, and above all, to be grateful for these experiences I’ve had here.