Ilex Cottage - Welcome File

Last updated 10/7/20

Network - BTHub6-X375

WIFI Code - RPy4iWKTPaMH

Welcome to Ilex Cottage

We really hope you enjoy your visit to Thornborough and to Ilex Cottage.

We’ve put together some guides, which we hope will be useful and can be found in the cupboard to the right of the fireplace.

Local Activities; maps; walks, places of interest & things to do

Instruction Manuals; for majority of the appliances

If you have any questions during your stay please do not hesitate to contact us.

Liz & Vince Julier

07788872717

thejuliers@btinternet.com

Hosting during COVID-19 - A Risk Assessment has been completed for Ilex Cottage and the Cleaning Protocols has been reviewed in light of COVID-19. In addition to both cleaning and sanitising the cottage the following measures have also been taken.

· Social Distancing - Ilex Cottage has a self-check-in and checkout smart lock keypad, and no routine maintenance will be completed during your stay.

· Decorative Items – Soft furnishings, books and games have been reduced in number & will be alternated between guest stays to help reduce risk of infection.

· Kitchen Items – guests will be asked for any specific requirements pre visit to ensure only essential items are available during the stay.

· Guest Cleaning Supplies - disposable paper towels in kitchen and bathroom, disposable gloves, disinfectant spray, hand sanitiser and hand soap are available.

The Risk Assessment, Cleaning Protocols and Detailed Cleaning Checklist are available in the hard copy Welcome File.

Guidance on hosting has been taken from; gov.uk, Airbnb, UK Hospitality

· AA Covid Confident Scheme – Ilex Cottage establishment CC338372

· Visit Britain – We’re Good to Go submission 111704

Living Room

The living room has a wonderful and very efficient log burning stove, you may need to turn the heating down when the log burner is on! There is a log store to the right of the stove with a supply of matches, firelighters & paper in the cupboard. There are additional logs in the shed, please help yourselves.

The best way to light the fire is to use one fire lighter, fist size piece of paper on top & some smaller bits of wood in a triangle above. When you first light the fire have the small silver handle at the bottom of the fire hard to the right, this will allow maximum airflow. Once the fire is roaring you can adjust the burn of the fire by sliding the silver handle to the left.

The Work Area is behind the doors to the left of the fire. There is a light switch above the top shelf. For seating please use a dining chair, these are stored inside the dining table. If you are planning to do a lot of deskwork then please give me a call & I’ll bring an office chair down.

The WIFI code is RPy4iWKTPaMH and the network BTHub6-X375. The fibre broadband is great, sadly the same can’t be said for the mobile phone signal that is patchy at best! Depending on your network try the main bedroom or walking along Bridge Street – sorry but this is the reality of village life.

If you are enjoying one of the books you are welcome to take it with you and either replace it or leave a donation to Thornbrough & Thornton Fundraising Committee #readabookreplaceabook

The foldaway dining table has 4 chairs stored inside the table and there are place mats & coasters available. The fourth chair is in the main bedroom.

All the windows are lockable and there are window lock keys in each of the rooms.

Kitchen

Covid-19 - A selection of cutlery, crockery and glasses will be left in the dishwasher, fully washed & sanitized and available for immediate use on arrival at Ilex Cottage.

Cutlery

The cutlery is in a small hidden drawer within the large crockery drawer to the right of the cooker. Open the pan drawer & you should see a second smaller drawer at the top, pull towards you & all will be revealed!

Recycling

Recycling is mixed so please rinse out & place bottles, cans, and plastics in the black bin in the cupboard to the right of the dishwasher. If that gets full there is a larger plastic box in the shed (number 4, black door).

Green Waste

Anything compostable can be placed in the cream bin in the cupboard under the sink. If this gets full there is a small green bin in the shed. There are spare caddy liners in the cupboard to the right of the DW.

Rubbish

The large black bin under the work surface can be used for anything non recyclable and non compostable. If its gets full there is a large green bin in the shed. There are spare bin liners in the cupboard to the right of the DW.

Coffee Machine

If you would like a cup of ‘real’ coffee the pod coffee machine is easy to use. Fill the water tank at the back of the machine. Put a coffee cup under the nozzle. Open the coffee compartment by lifting the handle and place a coffee pod (silver side forward) in the slot and close the compartment.

Choose either small /espresso cup or normal size cup (small buttons on top of machine) by pressing one of the buttons. Both buttons will flash green while the machine warms up. Once the buttons stop flashing (fixed green), press again either the small or normal size cup button. The coffee will filter through, if you want more water in the cup press the buttons on the top of the machine.

Cooker

Full instructions can be found in the Instruction Manuals file BUT you do need to leave the oven door open if you want to grill things!

Heating

Ilex Cottage has LPG gas central heating throughout. The heating is pre set & this can be adjusted using the thermostat positioned on the windowsill to the left of the fire. The heating is run using LPG gas stored in the green cupboards in the garden. As one bottle of gas runs low the system automatically swaps it to the next full bottle. If there are any problems at all please call (Liz 0778 8872717) I have spares!

The living room has a wonderful and very efficient log burning stove – you may need to turn the heating down when the log burner is on! There is a log store to the right of the stove with a supply of matches, firelighters & paper in the cupboard. There are additional logs in the shed, please help yourselves.

The best way to light the fire is to use one fire lighter, fist size piece of paper on top & some smaller bits of wood in a triangle above. When you first light the fire have the small silver handle at the bottom of the fire hard to the right, this will allow maximum airflow. Once the fire is roaring you can adjust the burn of the fire by sliding the silver handle to the left.

The kitchen and the bathroom have under floor heating, which have been set at a comfortable 18 degrees. Its an intelligent system and will adjust for internal and external temperatures so shouldn’t need to be adjusted.

The bathroom has a heated towel rail that has been set to ensure the bathroom is always comfortable.

Domestic stuff

Covid-19 – Hand sanitizer is available in the porch. Paper towels, disposable gloves, anti-bacterial spray and anti-bacterial soap are available in the kitchen and additional supplies of paper towels, anti-bacterial spray and anti-bacterial soap have been left in the bathroom.

The Ironing board, iron and hoover can be found in the cupboard in the main bedroom.

There are cleaning products & dust pan & brush under the sink in the kitchen and spare bin liners in the cupboard to the right of the DW.

Plentiful guest towels will be left on the beds.

Hairdryer can be found in a cupboard drawer in the main bedroom.

Garden

Courtyard cottage garden with table & chairs and please help yourself to any seasonal herbs you can find; rosemary, sage & chives are usually available.

Parking

On street parking is available along the length of Bridge Street and village custom dictates that you should park on the opposite side of the road to Ilex Cottage against the wall. Occasionally people park on the Ilex Cottage side of the road in which case please just choose a sensible parking option!

There is additional parking on the village green opposite the Two Brewers Pub.

Please keep the space in front of Brock Cottage clear (cottage on right of Ilex as you look from the road) as our neighbours need direct access to their front door at all times. Thank you.

Places to eat

Our wonderful local The Two Brewers pub is a one-minute walk from Ilex Cottage. They don’t serve food but a warm welcome awaits!

Howe & Co. has been serving fish & chips from a fleet of mobile vans since 1930. Van No.5 (07753 256929) visits Thornborough village around 8pm on a Friday night. If you are in The Two Brewers at fish & chip time you are welcome to eat in the pub, please ask for a beer mat to pop your food on & please take your rubbish home with you.

Visit https://howeandcofishandchips.co.uk and you can track the van. Usually van 5 covers Thornborough.

‘Through the Looking Glass’ – Secret Supper Club, Thornborough

Secret Supper Club serving three course set meals with seasonal local ingredients, prebooking is essential.

For more information contact Alice Woodyard; 07970 422194 / alicessupperclub.co.uk

Facebook - Through The Looking Glass

The Pumpkin Patch Shop

The Old Thatch Inn - Adstock

18th-century inn with period character offering a seasonal, locally sourced, British gastro pub menu.Adstock, MK18 2JN 01296 712584

The historic market towns of Buckingham, Stony Stratford and Winslow are 10/15 minutes away and all have a number of great cafes, restaurants and takeaway many who deliver to Thornborough.

Taxis

Trusted Cars

Specialize in airport transfers however they have a range of vehicles that can cope with pretty much any situation and request. It is always worth asking!

Email requests in advance if possible to office@trustedcars.co.uk or call the office 01280 811920 9am until 4.30

www.trustedcars.co.uk

Winslow Cars - 52 High St, Winslow, Buckingham MK18 3HB 01296 715222

Local Markets

Winslow

Winslow Farmers Market is held on the first Sunday of the month, from 10am to 1.30pm in the Market Square. Visit www.winslowtimes.com or follow winslowfarmersmarket on Facebook for more information. General market is held every Wednesday, 9am - 4pm

Buckingham

Buckingham Street Market has a variety of stalls and runs every Tuesday and Saturday between 8am - 4pm Market Hill, Buckingham, MK18 1JX. The Street Market is situated near the Buckingham Old Gaol, the Museum and Tourist Information Centre.

Stony Stratford

Stony Stratford Farmers’ Market has been held in the Market Square, Stony Stratford since 2005. Opens 9am – 1pm last Friday of each month.

Milton Keynes

Huge market which opens 5 days per week; Tuesday, Friday & Saturday is a General Market, Thursday is Antiques, 2nd hand & bric-a-brac and Sunday is small General Market. There is also a large Christmas Market during December.

Things to do

The Local Activities File has lots of flyers, maps and useful suggestions of things to do.

Thornborough is a great location for walking/cycling and many places of local interest are only a short drive away - Buckingham, 7 minutes, Milton Keynes & Silverstone are 20 minutes, Stowe and Waddesden Manor within easy reach as are Bicester Village, Silverstone, Towcester racecourse and Woburn safari park. ‪ Oxford 45 minutes drive and Bletchley (16 minutes) and Milton Keynes (20 minutes) stations within easy reach with regular trains to Euston taking 30 - 45 minutes.

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The home of British Motor Racing is situated just 12 miles away and new for 2020 is the Silverstone Experience visitor centre (https://silverstone-experience.co.uk/discover/)

Also on Silverstone Park is the Fully Charged eBike test ride centre where you can try an eBike of your choice (https://www.fullycharged.com/about-us/fullycharged-silverstone)

Please call ahead to book your time slot 01865 522 122

If you are a keen outdoors person you may want to visit Stork Workwear who have an extensive range of Country Clothing available at the newly opened local showroom along with some bespoke designs – perfect for gift ideas or to treat yourself.

Visit Stork Workwear at Unit 5A, Pilch Farm, Singleborough MK17 0NX - 5 minutes by car from Ilex Cottage

Open Monday – Wednesday 10am-3pm or any other time please just call us to arrange an appointment – 07875 136767.

Smoke Alarm & CO2 Alarm battery check / change

Date

Battery Change

Comment

11/2/20

All changed

Next change Feb 2021