Annexe

Snowdrop Visitor Guide

• Hot Water
  We have an instant system, although it takes initially a few minutes to warm, turn on the switch behind the microwave, and hot water will be ready to go, the boiler system is in the lower cupboard left-hand side of the kitchen, it has a thermostatic control should you wish to turn it down slightly.
• Electric Shower
  Turn on the switch located behind the microwave, exercise caution its hot! when your using it, we would be delighted if you could turn on the bathroom fan switch above the bathroom light switch and put a mat on the floor. Towels are in the lower cupboard
• Fuse Box
  Located in kitchen to the left of the window, you shouldn’t need in here, however, it’s a modern sensitive system if something trips then please reset, if the problems continues please give us a call.
• Sink Cupboard
  The kitchen sink is in the cupboard next to the bathroom, the light switch is behind the door next to the bathroom switch, hot water is on the left. We use the space at the bottom to store our shoes and boots to keeps them out the way. Cleaning products are on the middle shelf.
• Kitchen / Microwave
  press the big button and it goes for 30 seconds, press twice for a minute etc. A cup of milk for a Latte for example takes 90 seconds or an average-sized sweet potato is ready in 5 minutes. Hob, it’s a single portable induction unit, it lives in the right-hand cupboard above the fridge, feel free to take it outside if the Islay sun comes out, just plug it in and it’s ready to go, hold the lock button for a few seconds until it beeps press the on button then press the + or – to get heat, all pots and pans are suitable for use with the hob, when you’re finished, give it a wipe when it’s cool.
• Gas Fuelled Barbecue
  Just turn it on and its ready to cook in two minutes, it makes a great oven (we regularly wrap a chicken in foil, give it 80 minutes then rest for 10 perfect roast chicken) or use the griddle for searing your steaks. Please clean it after use, there is a scraper and wire brush with the BBQ tongues and fish slice. The pots and pans are not suitable for use on the BBQ please use the induction hob if you need a pan.
• Coffee Machine
  Coffee machine is a Nespresso, please feel free to bring your own pods if you have a favourite, we will leave a sleeve to get you going (there is also instant on the shelf).
• Kettle & Toaster
  Kettle & Toaster are there for your use, please use them.
• Fridge
  Fridge is half size and lives under the worktop in the right-hand cupboard, it has a small freezer compartment and an ice tray.
• Dirt Buster
  lives in the sink cupboard, should be fully charged and empty, pine needles get everywhere so please use if required.
• Knives
  Watch your fingers, we both come from a catering background and hate blunt knives. (Plasters in first aid kit)
• First aid kit
  it’s in the right-hand drawer in the chest of drawers near the window, there are plasters and anti-histamine cream if the midgies have a nibble, we don’t mind you using what you need but please let us know so we can replace what’s missing. (You can leave us a note in the kitchen).
• Sewing Kit
  thread needle and buttons, we know what it’s like to lose a button or tear a favourite t-shirt go ahead and have a bash at fixing it, just let us know so we can replace what’s missing. (You can leave us a note in the kitchen)
• Thermal Cups
  one of our favourite things to do is a walk to the beach, singing sands or the lighthouse, we would love it if you used the thermal cups to take a coffee or a cuppa with you, it’s an awesome place to just sit and watch the world.
• Stove
  the heart of our Bluebell cabin, there are firelighters kindling and matches in the sink cupboard top shelf, 1 firelighter and 5 or 6 bits of kindling is all you need to get it going, there is a supply of logs in the basket and some coal in the scuttle, 6 or so lumps of coal and a log or two will keep you warm for hours. Please don’t go out and leave the fire stoked. And remember heat rises so the bed mezzanine will heat up!
• Lights
  All our lights are led, most are on a dimmer switch, so you can create your own ambiance, please remember to turn off when you leave or go out. Outside approach lights or all on sensors.
• Smoking
  Only permitted inside if you’re on fire, otherwise it’s a no, smoke outside, there is an ashtray on the shelf in the sink cupboard, remember and empty it, we don’t smoke and don’t want to touch yours, there will be a cleaning charge if this is not done or we find cigarette ends around the cabin, the area is inspected for cleanliness between guests. In case of fire, there is a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher, Both are located in the kitchen, blanket on the windowsill, extinguisher on the wall at the end of the worktop the cabin has a heat and a carbon monoxide sensor if ether goes off evacuate, if you see fire and feel able and it’s safe to do so use the equipment and call 999 ask for the fire brigade.
• Music
  We have a rechargeable blue tooth speaker turn on your Bluetooth, press sync on the speaker wait for the chime and you’re ready to go, the speaker should be charged, feel free to take it outside if you’re in the tub, remember it’s not waterproof. If there are other visitors on site we ask you to keep the volume down.
• TV / DVD
  This is in the corner the remote control is below it. DVD’s go in the side there are a few to watch feel free to bring your own, we have a free view package that gives you the main channels if you need it, we think the changing view out the front window is significantly better than anything that’s broadcast! The tv also has radio stations a great background to the view.
• Bed Mezzanine
  Make sure the ladder is located in the hooks. When not in use we leave it against the railings out of the way, there is a bedside light and plenty of socket space for charging your phone or plugging in an alarm if you really need to bring one. The mezzanine area gets warm especially if the fire is on, go up and try it before bedtime you might need to open the window, it’s a great location to wake up to the birds chirping or listening to the breeze in the trees. If your not happy up high, the sofa is a pull-out bed please use it.
• Hot Tub
  We have a wood fired hot tub, it will be cleaned and full of cold clean water for your arrival, all you need to do is remove the lid (don’t worry about the odd pine needle they get everywhere) and light the fire, it’s much the same as the stove to light and the logs for it are under the BBQ shelf. You need to keep a good fire burning, don’t let it die down but don’t overfill it. It takes around 2 and a half hours to be hot, we usually get in around 35 degrees, there is a thermometer. Caution the chimney is hot so please don’t touch, the water tank also gets hot so again please don’t touch and once you’re in the tub the water will continue to get hot if the fire is still burning, use the tap to cool it down. We wouldn’t advise drinking alcohol to excess or sleeping in the tub, you will potentially cook yourself. The water in the tub is good for two or three days, if you’re staying for longer we can let you know how to drain the tub and refill.
• Sewage / Waste
  The water system, Bluebell cabin has a septic system, it’s off-grid, we have a tank that encourages good bacteria to eat your waste, good bacteria don’t eat, nappies, sanitary products, cotton buds, dental floss, clothes or anything else other than what you produce or loo roll.
• Shopping
  There are a variety of shops on the island for General groceries, there is a spar and a small coop in Port Ellen and a bigger store with more variety in Bowmore. Also, in Bowmore you can buy speciality soaps and there plenty of unique shops to visit across the island.
• Checking Out
  Ideally you will be away by 10am, if this is problematic get in touch we will do what we can to help. Please leave Bluebell cabin as you found it, we don’t mind stripping the bed, but we don’t even like doing our own dishes, guests who leave the cabin in what we deem a mess will be charged for cleaning. Please leave the key in the door on the inside. Other stuff, there are spare loo rolls and kitchen roll, bin and refuse sacks along with cleaning stuff in the top bathroom cabinet.
• Security and Keys
  There are a spare padlock and chain should you wish to lock a bike, lock the door when you go out, there will be a key on the inside of the door, you need to pull the door shut before lifting the handle or the key won’t turn.