Going Gong Going

Part of the fun as well as challenge of running Eriska is being able to develop and evolve all that we do however at all times we try to insure that changes are improvments and this is where the challenge comes as what we see as an imporovement can be a detraction in others eyes. Fortuneately one of the overriding ethoses behind Eriska is trying to create a stay whihc is in line with how we would wish to find the place and stay were we the guests on holiday. Fortuneatly to date we have been blessed with guests who seem to like the same sort of things and if they don't they are polite enough not to mention it|!

Over the course of the last month I have been aware of the strain on both the kitchen and diningroom as soon as the gong is run at 8.00 as everybody rushes in and in an attempt to keep everyone happy we create bottlenecks waiting for the carving trolley and cheese trolley so last week I decided we had to try and resolve the issue. We looked at suggestions such as setting times for dinner, simplyfying the first courses and guarding the door from unwelcome intruders, to extending the dining hours and try to let guests spread themselves out. Then Robert hit the nail on the head when he remarked that it was only when the gong went that everybody rushed in.

After a wideranging consultation with guests it became apparent that the gong seemed like a starting gun and instinctively everyone rushed for the door as sson as it was sounded so for the last few nights we have not rung the gong but have invited guests to the diningroom when they were ready. In truth few have noticed the absence of the gong and in reality it is still there both for effect and we can always reintroduce it if we need to. So for now it is still on view but maybe it will be surplus to requirements in the future, one never knows!