The lodge is starting to look presentable – very presentable indeed, if I do say so myself. I mean, it ought to, after almost a year’s worth of restoration work and a small fortune out of my pocket. But it’s satisfying all the same. It should be open for business within a couple of months, by my calculations.
There are a couple of small things that I need to deal with before that happens. One is that a colony of wasps has taken up residence just outside the main entrance. They’ve really made themselves at home, which I can only assume is a credit to the hospitable ambience I’ve created. I swear it’s the biggest wasp nest I’ve ever seen here in Berwick. Pest control recommendations, anyone? There’s no way I’m dealing with that situation on my own – definitely a job for the professionals.
While I’m at it, I need to get that rear outhouse checked for termites. Everyone’s been on my back about that since I bought the place, but it just hasn’t seemed like the biggest priority, especially since the main building got the all clear. After doing all this work, though, I’m acutely aware of what a disaster it would be if termites got into it down the track, so I’ve conceded that I should do everything in my power to avoid that fate. I certainly don’t want to see what I’ve created destroyed by my inclination towards shoddy pest control planning. Mornington hoteliers, please advise me: is this kind of thing that I need to schedule routinely, or what?
At least mice shouldn’t be a problem, with the three cats on the team. A few people told me I couldn’t have resident cats at the property due to the prevalence of allergies, but they haven’t met my three sphynx buddies! Of course, there’s the argument that they’ll scare the pants off some of the guests, but that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it?
I’m going to need all the fun I can get once I start paying the annual maintenance bills on this place.