The Rural Voice, 1993-06, Page 21wallpaper favoured in parlours of
days gone by.
Upstairs the floors have been
carpeted and a new washroom
installed in a large old hall closet for
the convenience of guests. One
bedroom sports twin brass beds and
another a crib as well as the bed. All
the bedrooms are decorated simply,
Barb says, because guests like to
at Brimstock as part of bicycle tours.
It's important, Barb says, to ask
guests what they are looking for.
Most guests like to get back to
country traditions, the Markles say.
"The farm home epitomizes the
traditional feeling." Home comforts
and lots of food are the winning
combination. "People can have
micro -waved food at home," Barb
says. She never skimps
on portions. At
breakfast bowls filled
with fried eggs and
bacon are put on the
table. She'd never think
about portion servings
of two eggs and two
slices of bacon, she
says. Guests also like
touches like oatmeal
cooked on the wood
stove in the corner of
the modern kitchen.
"The more you can
have that's grown on
the farm or raised here,
the better. It's what
people are looking for; part of the
comfort package."
Guests at the farm generally come
from one of two sources, the OVFA
brochure that lists all members in
Ontario or the accommodation
service at the Stratford Festival.
Because Barb works three days a
week in an architect's office and
Brian has an off -farm job as a federal
meat inspector, they are unable to
offer full, week-long farm vacations.
Most of their business is on
weekends, but the house is full
almost all weekends in the summer.
Visitors at Brimstock get a real
farm vacation feel, however. Besides
the cattle, Brian keeps Suffolk/Dorset
crossbred sheep. They also have a
few goats, enough chickens to
provide fresh eggs for family and,
guests, and a pet donkey, Pepi who is
an attraction to visiting youngsters.
The Markles have also become
interested in the preservation of rare
breeds and are members of the
Joywinds Farm Rare Breeds
Conservancy. Brian has undertaken
to help preserve the White Park
bloodline by cross -breeding it to his
Limousins. There are only two White
Park cattle in Canada. The name
comes from the park in England
where the cattle were originally
raised. Brian would like to get
Guests like the values a farm home
epitomizes, the Markles find, like
home cooking in a farm kitchen.
have room to spread out their things.
The second floor gives some space to
the guests but elsewhere, it's share
and share alike for family and guests.
"Guests are like a member of the
family," Barb says. They use
whatever the family uses from the
kitchen to the TV to the stereo.
Part of the secret to success in
having guests is being able to read
personalities, Barb says. Some people
want to be everywhere with the
family while others just want the
peace of the country, want to unwind
as they sit in the livingroom and read
or listen to music.
Bed and breakfast and farm
vacation guests tend to be
adventurous, however. Those who
want a set plan for their vacation are
more likely to book into a hotel.
Those who seek a bed and breakfast
are more willing to go with the flow.
And different people want
different experiences, Brian says.
One woman wanted to know if there
were chickens from which her child
could collect the eggs (there are).
Some people just want open green
space so they can go for long walks.
Some university students have stayed
So you want
to host guests
The first thing to determine, if
you're thinking of taking guests
into your home, is whether it's
what you really want, Barb
Markle says.
"Do you want to open your
house to a stranger?" If you do,
then the next thing is to look at the
cleanliness and tidiness of your
home. Water quality must be
checked each year.
"You have to go through the
house and see if you'd like to stay
there if you were a stranger,"
Brian Markle says.
If you're planning on taking in
guests the first step is to have
good beds. "If your guest doesn't
have a good night's sleep he's not
going to be in a good mood in the
morning," Barb says. The first
step she made was to buy new
beds and mattresses.
When your guests arrive, be
generous with food and drink. The
Markles try to welcome guests
with an offer of a drink of lemon-
ade or some other homemade
drink. Homemade is the key for
all food.
Set high standards and main-
tain them. Members of the Ontario
Vacation Farm Association are
inspected each year to see if they
meet the standards and there are
guest cards that can be sent to the
OVFA to report complaints (or
compliments). One bad establish-
ment, Brian says, can reflect on all
the others. OVFA members must
also carry liability insurance to
cover injuries to guests.
Be prepared to promote your
business. "If you think you're
going to sit back and hope people
will come to you you'll be
disappointed," Barb says. "You
have to let people know what to
expect if they visit." Join a bed
and breakfast or farm vacation
association you' feel comfortable
with. Tell everyone you know
about your plans. You never know
what contact might pay off.
Look around your community
and see what other activities there
are for your guests to take part in
and promote those activities.0
JUNE 1993 17