Pictured below: Shy Willie in his woodland camoflage.
Willie dashes in and out of the cottage between visitors with grace and speed only a Woodland Cleaning Elf possesses. While Willie is speedy and thorough, he can get a little testy if we don't follow his special cleaning rules. They are as follows:
Check in time is 3:00 pm
Check out time is 11:00 am
This gives Willie sufficient time to clean up after our guests.
Willie's rules are the same as with most cottages:
Willie's most important rule: No smoking in the cottage ever!!! (Woodland elves are very allergic. So are we!)
If you are a smoker, there is an ashtray on the porch outside.
When smoking, make sure the doors to the house are closed and smoke is not drifting into the windows or doors.
And use the ashtray for all your ashes and butts. Please don't drop them on the ground.
Wipe out the ash tray well; wipe up all ashes. Basically make it look like no one has ever smoked in Willie's domain. Otherwise, no telling what our little elf will do. We, on the other hand, have to charge a fee if we find ashes and butts.
Do not use the cottage quilts and blankets in the yard or let pets lay on them.
Willie's Laundry Room Tips:
The bottom of the dryer has a little button/latch on the right front which latches the washer lid while you work. Just push it up to release the lid.
The lint trap is that kidney shaped basket in the back wall of the dryer, with two holes for you to grab hold of. Pull it out and remove the lint between each use.
The washer and dryer work well and hold a good amount of clothes (four of those white towels plus dish and hand towels), but try not to overload. They work best with regular sized loads.
Make sure their shots are up to date and they have been treated for fleas before you come.
They're going to get wet, either in the grass or the river. They need to be clean and dry before coming into the house.
The multi-colored striped towels can be used for the dogs, and are located in the hall bathroom linen closet. Please wash the towels before you leave.
There is also doggie shampoo for them in the same closet.There's a kennel and blankets for dogs in the master bedroom closet; please use them for the dogs to lay on if they will...I realize they are dogs, and may not always cooperate. That's okay, but use the dog blanket under them where ever they choose to lay.
Keep an eye on your dog when outside. Though we haven't seen them (other than Willie), there are wild animals out there somewhere. Lions and tigers and bears, Oh my!
Pictured above right: A wild mountain 'possum, dressed for school.
Before you leave:1. Dishes - Load the dishwasher, and wash and put away all pots and pans.
2. Strip bed sheets, and put the master laundry in the laundry basket from the master bath closet. The basket for the blue bedroom is in the bedroom closet. Put only wet laundry in the tub in the hall bathroom where the laundry is. Please do not put blankets or quilts in the tub.
3. Make sure everything is out of the refrigerator and any spills wiped up.
4. Double bag the trash, and put all trash in the garbage can outside, with the bungie cords secured across the top, and a weight on top. There should be a rock beside or on top of it for this.
5. Turn off air conditioner and lights and gas logs. Don't leave with the dishwasher running. Make sure the heat is turned down to 55 degrees.
6. Leave any comments in the little book in the oak writing table by the side door. Be sure to email or leave your address on the desk, just in case you leave anything. We will send your security deposit refund as soon as possible.
7. Lock the door and leave the keys in the lock box. Since the main door is hard to lock using the key, you may want to lock the front door with the thumb latch, and leave using the French door, again turning the thumb latch.
8. Make sure to leave your email so we can return your security deposit as soon as possible.
Pictured below:
Willie resting in his natural habitat after a hard day's work.
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I know how strange all this elf business may seem to you. Most people never get to see a woodland cleaning elf other than in obscure Olde English zoos and the occasional fairy tale, but they are still spotted in the woods along the river here. Keep your eyes peeled, my friend, for this once-upon-a-lifetime opportunity.Deborah
