The warmth of the fire had filled the cottage and provided a welcoming atmosphere. Unpacking was hurried. Bedrooms chosen for their views. Provisions stored and refrigerated. It was time to explore the village.
Rain fell but it did not daunt the eager tourist. The rental was parked and my companion and I dodged the first drops of rain. Village pubs have their own unique charm and this was the case with the Highlander. Polished timber floors, subtle overhead light fixtures with lamps placed in strategic locations.
Chairs and lounges designated conversation hubs for guests. A log fire set to divide the room understood its dual role. Quietly and efficiently its glow and flickering flames ensured the traveller that they were invited to take their time and enjoy this space.
Stools lined the bar but none were occupied for guests had already begun to reserve the comfy lounges. Drink orders taken and filled; the friendly wait staff ensured that nothing intruded on the harmony. Each group relaxed, unwound, were prepared to linger over their pre-dinner drinks.
Somewhere Chef was prepping for the soon to be sought restaurant orders. No need to rush as one surveyed the seated guests, none pressed for menus or dinner orders yet. The wait staff had read guests well and appreciated that no diners were impatient for dinner.
One gentleman read his paper by a lamp near the window while his wife completed her crossword. No conversation or banter disrupted each from their task. White wine was sipped and beer savoured.
Another couple seated themselves at the far end of the bar away from the door. The male had chosen a beer. The woman seated beside him was distracted from her glass of red while she sat attending to an electronic device dressed in its leather jacket. She tapped icons and screen opened in rapid succession before the red wallet passed between them.
In the exchange, the outside world returned. Upon entry to the pub it had been raining.
A delighted cry, "I think it is snowing!"
Roused, the companion looked up from the on screen text to check the snow claim. He had been too quick to judge, for a flurry of flakes had indeed passed the windows.
Interest piqued, the last of the red wine was finished hurriedly. The couple rose to leave. Snow was an obvious highlight as afternoon slipped towards evening. As warm and cosy was the pub it could not compete with the draw of the snow.
Outside, flurries of snowflakes landed on scarves and wraps. The pair excited by the prospect of snow now determined to partake of its character. The flakes were unexpectedly large and clearly visible against the background of the blue jacket. Not offended by the arrival of snow they seemed to share a common need to celebrate its appearance. Oblivious to the temperature they walked slowly to the car savouring the event.
With few streets or roads to pass the cottage option was chosen with vistas in mind. However, the snow had provided a new dimension to the stay. Vistas would be replaced and lost in the snow's blanket.
Within the cottage the lounge area had been positioned appropriately. Large expanses of glass windows allowed the couple to watch the snow. Snow that they had just walked in as they made their way to the parked car and then from the pub, back to the rented cottage.
It was a cottage of generous proportions for it housed two master bedrooms and another, a single room off the sun verandah. A dining room and full kitchen facilities ensured that guests could choose between restaurant and home style meals as desired.
An outside picnic table dominated the yard's attention but it was not required on this occasion for the snow had diverted guests inside. Banter suggested the likelihood of further overnight falls.
One guest woke to crystal clear skies. Orion's belt steadfast in the sky above, momentarily disappointed, one guest in particular. She had woken and crept to the lounge to capture a secret viewing of the much anticipated snow falls.
She had not fully understood the pattern of nature in this area. For has she known she would have realised that the stars were only brief visitors throughout the night.
The lounge's log fire insisted on further refuelling. It was restocked and the guest sat to wait and to watch. Large pillows cushioned the wait and soon the voyeur slept unaware that more snow was falling. Snow fell across the valley. In another room, her companion slept heavily. His pattern of snoring indicated that he could slumber knowing that he would see the snow later. There was still time to sleep.
Morning light brought solver white clouds sweeping across the valley. Peaks disappeared and reappeared. At times the hillside was draped in curtains of snow. Silhouetted sun struggled to banish the flakes that had gathered on the lawns. Lawns that were dotted and edged with brilliant, yellow daffodils.
Village pavements were damp but accustomed to the changeable weather so an easy stroll to the Teez Cafe was deemed fit but first a wonder up past the lodge before circling back to partake of breakfast.
Others had already eaten or ordered breakfast as my companion and I entered. A fireside table beckoned.
From the table diners scrutinised the newly hung pictures. Pictures that claimed wall space reflected local history and someone's sense of humour.A personal favourite, a lady clad in fashions from times past, studying closely, a manual, explaining unfamiliar technology.
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