To set the record straight, my instructions for arrival, have never said that there is a key hanging outside the back door. That would be foolish of me, certainly. My instructions have always said, “When you arrive in Ireland, please call the housekeeper for access instructions.” These travelers did not think to call her during the day, they waited until 10pm. She had fallen asleep waiting for the call. She picked up the message and couldn’t decipher it. The woman spoke too fast as her phone was running out of batteries. My housekeeper called me and I then tried to call the # left. It was the wrong #. I called the contact # provided to Homeaway, and that was an answering machine at a business in California. Not helpful contact info! I left messages there, on their email, and on the Homeaway app.
Our cottage is very clearly mapped out on the Homeaway site. My instructions to all renters include info about heating the cottage. Clearly stating that peat briquettes must be purchased. I do not charge for heat or electrics. The house heats up fine and maintains that warm mass, once the stoves are going. This is a hands on, traditional Irish cottage. The electrician was called. They never gave him a chance to show up. He did get to the bottom of it, it was the electric heater, being turned on full blast and tripping the fuse box. This can happen to anyone, in any house. As to the water. There had been a lot of heavy rain the week before. This stirs up the peat in our well. It always runs clear after maybe 10 mins. We have had it tested, and it is fine. The neighbors there love our water and comment on it. It tastes wonderful. One can always purchase water at the store.
I feel that this traveler did not read my instructions very carefully nor choose a cottage and location that suited their abilities and interest. They did not treat my housekeeper kindly. One should always come to a new country with a sense of humor,
wonder, and patience. We continue to feel lucky and blessed by our experiences in Ireland and the wonderful people we have come to know there.
