Open season

SUMMER has suddenly arrived on Herm, with temperatures reaching as high as 20C over the weekend.

As the weather starts to warm and more and more little boats are seen chugging around off the coast, the island begins the preparations for the new season.

There are always several signs that summer is approaching. First, flowers start to pop up and fill the air with their scent. Then we see a more frequent number of cargo boats as departments start to stock up for opening week. In the courtyards and gardens, benches and barbecues begin to appear. Finally, staff rooms are made up and kitchens put together for the influx of seasonal staff that swells the island's population to almost three times its usual size.

To be fair, a lot of the preparation work is done over the winter. All the accommodation is spring cleaned and painted, although the holiday cottages are still available to rent through the colder months.

Lots of bathrooms and bedrooms have been refurbished at the White House Hotel and the Mermaid Tavern's top deck has a beautiful new floor. Some of the holiday cottages have been updated with new soft furnishings too.

The reservations team has been kept busy, with many guests already having rebooked for 2012.

The service team and gardeners have the island looking lovely for the start of the summer season.

It all begins as this column goes to print on Friday. The White House opens with a flourish and a murder mystery weekend, and Shell Beach cafe will be open for snacks and ice creams. The Mermaid Tavern is now open every day.

As if by magic, once the staff begin to appear, so does the sunshine. The clocks have changed, the nights are warm and light and we are ready for a fantastic summer.