A cafe with no electric for the day

Last week we got a letter from Scottish Power saying that they were doing work in the powerlines today between 9am and 4pm. The result - no power. Following a telephone call to Scottish Power, and almost been sent around in circles, the result was a conversation with someone who obviously did not understand the implications of running a cafe which relies on electricity for its function. The suggestions included closing!!!, cold buffets and filling thermos flasks with hot water for teas and coffee!!!

What did we do today - we stayed open. Three generators (begged, stolen & borrowed - not realy) , paper cups, polystyrene plates, soup (in proper bowels), sandwiches, teas, coffee & ice cream along with many understanding customers.

Thanks to our customers, thanks to Gordon Webster for the loan of the extra generator and thank you Scottish Power who were only 3/4 hour late with switching back on the electric.

Webcam Picture

I logged into the webcam this afternoon and saw a sight so beautiful I felt I had to share it. This was the view from the Glen Cafe showing the Loch of the Lowes and surrounding hills in all it beauty. I hope you enjoy it as much as me

Burns at the Loch

Last Friday (25th Jan) we had another of our "Not Another Burns Supper" and once again despite the very wet and windy weather it was a great sucess. Our thanks go to the usual suspects John Nichol, Hilary Bell (Vocals, guitar & dancing witch) & Lucy Cowan (Fiddle & dancing witch) who were ably supported by Judy Dinning (vocals & guitar) and Matt Seattle (lowland pipes)
Although this is a unique event the team are currently undertaking a "Bard on the Borders" tour of which there 2 dates left.
Sam braved the elements to build the Church!

Why are we not playing music in the cafe

Some of you may have noticed the quieter atmosphere in the cafe recently. Barbara would say it is because I am not talking as much but the reality is that we are no longer playing music. We to play the music of local artists that we sold in the cafe giving them an outlet for their CD's and an income. Unfortunatly we decided that we were no longer willing to pay the PRS and the PPL the total of £400 per year for the privalige of doing this.

To play music in a public place you need licences from 2 bodies the PRS and the PPL. These are the bodies which ensure that the performers & recorders get money when their CD's are sold or played. Fair enough. How much of it gets down to the lower levels? Not much we belive. Due to the high cost of the licence these local artists have lost another opportunity to make some money as we will not not sell as many CD's.

Kate & Bart return home

Well the day had to come when Kate & Bart had to return to Poland. We took them to the airport last Wednesday. It was a pleasure to have them working with us through the summer, although I think that they would have been a bit happier if the weather had been a bit warmer.

They both got stuck into the work and Bart even managed to catch a few pike.

Fingers crossed they will both be returning next year for 6 months

Thank you both and see you next year.

Different Tastes

How do you react when someone walks back to the counter and says they cannot eat the soup because they do not like it and they expect a refund or a replacement dish. This comes shortly after someone else said that the same soup was lovely and they really enjoyed it!

This is not an every day happening at the Glen Cafe and tends to take us by surprise (obviously not that someone enjoyed their food - by the way did you see the write up in the Guardian last week!)

We have no issues giving replacements or refunds if there is a problem with the food that we put out although we pride ourselves in not sending anything to the tables which is of a quality which we would not eat ourselves. In the above scenario with the soup there was nothing inherently wrong with the soup it was just not to the taste of the individual concerned.

The type of food that people are used to vary. Our soups are not made using artificial colouring or flavours or lots of salt. What it says on the board it what you get! Salt can be added to taste by the individual. Some people are just used to eating highly seasoned food

Pat of the Back

Its always nice whatever you do to get a pat on the back. We always get positive feedback from customers but this week has been good other ways. We have been nominated for best cafe in the "Best Eating Place in the Scottish Borders Competition 2007" a big thank you to whoever recommended us for that. Also today we are listed in the Guardian newspaper as one of 30 great roadside cafes.