The Cottage
We had stayed at the same place last year. We liked its location, right in the Waterville Valley. Close to many places where we liked to climb, to hike. Not to mention its fair proximity to a number of antique shops where we could satisfy our curiosity about what would be available to us this year. The cottage was a fair size, as such little places go, with a working kitchen (full refrigerator, stove/oven), eating nook, living room, two bedrooms, three-piece bathroom. Utility was the order of the day; functionality not luxury. It would do. It was clean, and that is of utmost importance to us. We had asked last year if we might keep one of their electric brooms in the cottage so I could vacuum the rooms as required and they were agreeable; same thing this year. The proprietors are very nice people, hard-working and conscientious.
- That's all on the plus side. On the negative side was the odour that assailed our nostrils as we opened the door; mould. Same thing last year, only last year it had cleared out entirely in a few hours' time. Not so this year, the odour remained throughout our stay, impregnating all of our possessions with its noxious smell.
- There was a paved two-lane country road only a few hundred feet before the cottage, cause for worry for our little dogs' welfare. Clearly, they could not be allowed outside without us in attendance.
- On the other hand, the opposite side of the road held a pasture for what appeared to be a riding school and we enjoyed the sight of the horses rolling in the grass, frolicking, racing one another toward the barn. We liked hearing them neigh, hearing them galloping from one pasture to another.
- The bed in the cottage, while a reasonable full-size, was, alas, too small for comfort when we had to share it with our two little dogs. Small they may be, but great is their vision for their creature comfort. While we lay lengthwise on a bed, for some obscure reason, they pefer to lay widthwise, thus taking up far more of their share than might be anticipated. Besides which, any time I might be foolish enough to draw closer to Irving on the bed, thus innocently freeing up more space, they would crowd right in hard beside me, making it well-nigh impossible to then roll back in comfort, little beasts.
- We did receive fresh towels, washcloths, hand towels, dish towel on a daily basis. Um, it would have been nice, regardless, to have the benefit of larger, thirstier towels. Small cavil.
- Back again to the odour. Much could be forgiven had we not had to deal with its implacable incursions into our sensitivities. Impossible to overlook.
- The 'sofa' in the living room was a futon, and a more uncomfortable device upon which humans are meant to relieve the pressure on their spines is impossible to imagine. Incredibly uncomfortable.
It's clear we will not be returning to this site, alas, next year. On the plus side, we have a really good alternative. It will cost us somewhat more, likely, but be well worth it.
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, September 21, 2005
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