I rather like old photographs: black and white, or that faded Kodak camera look of the 1960s to ’80s. They bring back memories of childhood. There was one episode in particular that I remember well: it was of a tiny me, an even tinier sister clutched in the arms by our then maid, and my mother gazing down at semi-wild monkeys in the Singapore MacRitchie Reservoir grounds. Visitors to the park used to bring monkey nuts with them to feed the animals – and my family was no different.
Alas! I have no photographs of these outings to share with my readers. However, I do have a black and white image of our Bowness guest house, Blenheim Lodge, to share here. It was snapped by a former guest who had visited us in 2005.

The image above brings back good memories. We had just entered our third year at Blenheim Lodge: still rookies, but gaining in experience day by day. Running a B&B is not an occupation that stands still – there is always so much to learn. Including that of writing a BLOG! Anyway, the guest who took it, Vernon, was an amateur photographer and I think he might have taken this photograph on his second visit. I like the starkness of the Winter sky as it lends itself to the formality of this 19th century building, built three-quarters of the way into Queen Victoria’s reign. However, do let me assure you that our house is far from stuffy, and is in fact a wonderful place to relax and feel at home in!

Blenheim Lodge . . . panoramic Lake views, peace and tranquillity, nestled against acres of beautiful fields and woodlands, in the heart of the English Lake District National Park.’