30/08/2026
People say to make a success of something you need three things- a clear vision, hard work and tenacity. But these days it feels like everything’s about racing up the ladder and getting instant results. The days of putting in the graft is seemingly shunned.
When Charlie was younger, he spent summers hand-raking golf courses. No machines, just hours and hours of sweat and blisters. At the time it probably looked and felt like a rubbish job but that daily slog built something in him that’s carried us through this year at Mount Pleasant Hideaway.
We never expected to do what we did here. We were just looking for a field to put Shirley Bussey and add a few tents in maybe. We never thought we’d be taking on two cottages, three log cabins as well as our school bus. However when we came here for the first time and saw the views and heard the peace, it was an absolute no brainer but it was a far bigger project than we had ever thought about (or budgeted for) and I can’t tell you how many people looked at us with fearful eyes and a crumpled mouth after we’d bought it and said, ‘there’s a lot to do isn’t there?’
Charlie’s done 14 hour days, six days a week for months, met endless surprises, knock backs, moments of doubt, illness and exhaustion. He’s barely seen the kids this summer but he’s kept going because something was planted in him years ago on those golf courses. And now, thanks to that grit, we are nearing the end. The painters are in The Farm Cottage and the carpets arrive next week. The cabins are open and our first guests have been happy. I feel like we are about to go over the crest of a wave in a once raging sea.
I know the next chapter of hosting will bring new challenges but I just want to take this moment to say thank you Charlie for all you’ve done. By golly you’ve thrown everything at this and the place looks stunning. I think I’ll stay with you for a bit longer. 😉
