I recently returned to Dean's Place Hotel in Alfriston, as it had not been available over the summer - market forces and all that. On the first night I arrived late, wearing 'civvies' and spectacles, and left to go offshore to the Rampion WInd Farm at 0530, so never really saw anyone other than the receptionist that first night.
When I returned about 1830, I was wearing my yellow hi-vis, work clothes and contact lenses. The receptionist was the same lady but didn't recognise me. She asked me if I was checking in, but her colleague said,"This s Mr Chilcott, back from the wind farm", and gave me a lovely smile. So that made me feel good. Later on, when I was having my dinner, that same lady went past to go home but as she did so, she said, "Goodnight, Peter, enjoy your dinner." Reinforced warm feeling.
Next morning, I walked into breakfast, and the first person I saw and who I recognised, (James) said, "Good morning, Mr Chilcott." I was surprised but quite chuffed. And just as he had taken my breakfast order, another of the staff, hurried over saying it was lovely seeing me again and called me by name. This was Lydia and we started chatting. I found out that she was once a professional clarinetist and as we chatted, the love for her instrument and its music became quite apparent.
This is all a bit of a ramble (are most of my infrequent blogs) but what I'm trying to say is that I'm not used to being so warmly greeted by folks after such an interval, and I reallly did have that warm feeling inside, and it didn't come from Ready Brek.
Thank you, Michelle, James, Lydia and Alex. See you in a couple of weeks
