AMONG the recent visitors to the Gold-Wood’s ‘Number Ten,' was a chap who told me of his friendship with Gordon Brown. He and his wife imparted details of their visits to the real ‘Number Ten.’ I gathered it was a good deal posher than my ‘Number Ten.’ He and his wife had the full tour, bedrooms, kitchens and gardens, where within all the splendour stood a small trampoline for Gordon’s two little lads. I do so enjoy my B&B - in what other job can you meet so many interesting people. It never fails to surprise Keith and I when opening our front door we find someone standing there who has travelled all the way from, say Argentina, Texas, or perhaps Preston. Quite often we play host to our colonial cousins usually from Australia or America; they are always good company. Also in what other job could you have Chinese and Russians sitting down to breakfast together without them being there under pressure from their country’s foreign office. It always makes me chuckle when guests who’s first language is not English come down in the morning and say “good evening,” with such confidence.

We had a group of lovely guys from Zimbabwe one night and as they steadily made their way through a fridge full of beer we tried not to worry. We need not have, the evening was a delight. Keith of course played our harmonium, which put them in the mood for music. Out came their guitars and they sang for us. Among the songs was the quintessentially British, Onward Christians Soldiers.

I always enjoy this hymn but I’d never heard it sung in Zulu before.

There are many lovely people who return to time and again and of course we have made many friends collecting a range of invitations to come and stay from Hong Kong to Bognor. There are also times when I feel I should put up a sign which reads, ‘counseling extra.’ I can always tell if someone wishes to tell me their troubles as they always hang on after finishing breakfast. It soon becomes obvious that they have a heartache to share, so I put the kettle on and prepare to listen.