I visit again, and again and again - host article

Ian is English and Charlotte is Danish. They met at a wedding in Denmark. Charlotte’s friend and Ian’s best friend were getting married - and so were Ian and Charlotte - later - exactly on July 22, 2000 - Although they have now been together since 1997. They knew right away it was going to be the two of them. Charlotte grew up in Aarhus, Ian in Dover. But when Charlotte met Ian - she followed him around the world - as a soldier’s wife for more than 13 years. Slowly, Charlotte began to long for Denmark - she really wanted to move back. Ian was perhaps a little reticent. But during an Easter visit to a friend in Denmark, Ian experienced an Easter-decorated town square, where all the decorations were allowed to hang, without being destroyed. Then he said to Charlotte: I could live in at country as peaceful as Denmark.

Then together the couple began to look for the place where they would settle down. They turned their eyes to the west coast. There were many options open. But there was one condition. Ian and Charlotte wanted a close connection to the sea. Not necessarily sea views. But they wanted the sea close by. And they knew they wanted a guesthouse - renovate rooms or apartments - and rent it to guests both summer and winter.

We were looking for a house for more than three years, says Charlotte. And Ian found this place on the internet. Ian printed out the description of the farm, and showed it to me. I turned it down immediately. It was to be renovation everywhere. It was clear from the pictures that, among other things, a new thatched roof had to be laid on the entire farm. But Ian kept trying to persuade me. Lets drive down there and at least look at it. Only 5 km from the sea and fjord views...

We fell head over heels in love with the house and the surroundings at first glance. Ian was thrilled. I was more hesitant. Could we really handle all that work. And could we lift the finances required to implement the plans. The house had been for sale for more than 5 years. It was a huge task. But Ian started planning and making budgets. He’s really, really good at that. So in 2013 we bought the farm for the price it was now reduced to - minus 30%. Then there was money for the new thached roof.

Ian still fit his job for the Army in England. He traveled back and forth to Englad to work for 4 years. So I was very much alone here in the beginning. He was at home for long periods and then traveled again. When Ian was home, we worked on the renovation. Only in 2017 did he retire from the army and stayed here with me on the farm on a permanent basis. The farm was bought with private housing - and 3 apartments - which were located in the wings of the farm. Now - 8 years later - the couple is almost finished with the renovation. In 2016, the first 2 apartment was ready. Finally the third in 2019 was completely finished. Over the years, little by little, treasures have been found for the decor. Chairs, tables, and all the other hundreds of things that are needed to make the apartments function as independent units. Furnitures were reupholstered, painted, decorated to the high standard that West Coast Cottage Holiday Apartments offer today. Not only is the place beautiful. Everything is wellappointed in the tasteful, state-of-the-art apartments. And Charlotte and Ian are at the same time the sweetest, most hospitable and helpful hosts, you can think of. The large plot surrounding the old farm was one of the main reasons Charlotte and Ian bought the farm. And the garden has demanded an incredible amount of effort into the creating. With the most beautiful result. Charlotte and Ian are completely crazy about gardens. And you should pay a visit to see the garden they now have created. It is breathtakingly beautiful, despite the sometimes harsh westerly wind.

I have actually been following Charlotte and Ian’s giant project for the last 5 years. I visited them for the first time in 2016 - and was I think their first guest in the first completely finished apartment. I had the honour to teach Charlotte and Ian about what life as an innkeeper is like, about marketing and other things - as a consultant commissioned by Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality. .Since then, I have visited West Coast Cottage Holiday Apartments several times. I was allowed to name the farm. And created their trademark. So I actually feel that this beautiful, beautiful spot on the map of Denmark - is a little bit mine too - even though it only is on loan. And I visit again - and again - and again...