July and August are always a bit of a curious time of year for us. The rhythm of regulars – our familiar faces and faithful supporters – gives way to the ebb and flow of day-trippers, holidaymakers, and curious wanderers discovering our little corner of the countryside for the first time. It’s a lovely reminder of just how special this place is – but it does bring its own set of challenges.
With much of the team (myself included!) taking well-earned breaks over the summer, it’s a bit of a juggling act keeping everything running smoothly. Our kind of business doesn’t lend itself to things being left ‘until later’ – customers are here in the moment and rightly expect great food and great service, every single time. That means holiday cover takes a bit more orchestration than most, and it’s no small task for the team.
This summer has had an added curveball with the B3108 closed at the bottom of Winsley Hill. No sugar-coating it – that closure has knocked us for six.
We’d put time, effort and love into launching our new afternoon tea menu – a little treat to tempt passing tourists off the beaten track. But when the main road between Bath and Winsley was abruptly cut off, all that planning seemed to disappear in a puff of exhaust fumes and diverted traffic signs. Sometimes, you just have to grit your teeth, dig in, and keep going. This summer has definitely felt like one of those times.
Meanwhile, out in the fields, things haven’t been much easier. The grass has turned to straw and the soil to dust – our usual green pastures scorched into shades of beige. Like so many other farmers, we’re looking at a winter ahead with limited feed. A brief spell of rain, bookended by two fierce heatwaves, simply hasn’t been enough to keep the grass growing. It’s becoming clear this may well be the pattern of summers to come – and our farming methods will have to change with it.
We did manage a little break though – a family trip to Menorca. True to form, I couldn’t help peering over every dry-stone wall to see how the local farmers were getting on. Despite the heat and drought, the island’s small farms seem to be thriving – beef and cheese proudly made and sold locally, stocked on the shelves of every supermarket. Proof, I suppose, that resilience and good food can still go hand-in-hand – no matter the climate.
Back home, although the road has brought quieter days, we’ve been lifted by a flurry of five-star reviews – kind words from customers who did make it in, and who reminded us why we do what we do. These reviews matter more than most people realise. They bring in new visitors, boost our visibility online, and – more than anything – give the team a well-deserved boost.
We also had a spot check from our local Environmental Health Officer this week, and I’m proud to say we were awarded top marks once again. So on Wednesday, we closed a little earlier than usual and took the team down to our brilliant local, The Seven Stars, for a well-earned drink. They’ve also been feeling the effects of the road closure, so it’s a good excuse to support each other – and say cheers to our hard-working crew.
Times like these remind me how important community is – and how lucky we are to be part of such a strong one. It’s not always easy running a business like ours, especially when the odds are stacked against you – but the support we get, from both near and far, keeps us going. So thank you – whether you’ve popped in recently, made a detour around the road closures to get here, left us a kind review, or simply told a friend to visit. It means more than you know.
Here’s to the next season – whatever it may bring.
All the best,
