Wednesday 28 December 2011

Sunday Carvery at Whiddon Down - a treat.


What did I think of our Sunday Carvery lunch at the Post Inn, Whiddon Down just before Christmas?
Click my food review page to find out and see lots more photos.....

Monday 19 December 2011

Perfect Honeymoon spot for garden lovers.

LinkSo glad I found time to go along and see one of
our sleeps two self catering lets.
Super quality. Read my full review

and see lots more photos.

Tuesday 13 December 2011

home made Christmas cards for the last time maybe....


If you usually get a home made Christmas card from me, don't be too sure of one this year.
We are both suffering with coughs and colds and everything that requires effort or thought is taking roughly three times as long as usual to carry out.
I've been making my own cards for over 20 years now, and for at least 19 of those I have bleated out "Never again" and "Why do I bother?" "No-one appreciates them do they?" and this year what with the sniffs and the blinking gold pen running out on day two, I'm a prime candidate for that Grumpy Old Women show on the telly.
But then the postman brings a dear little home made card from our youngest nephew full of glue and glitter that we know is largely put together by his Mummy, someone sends a card saying "looking forward to this year's card" and my elderly neighbour asks "have you got the cards made yet ?" and I set off with firm resolve.
You will see from the row above that there is a special in the line-up because Nancy told me that she wanted a snowman with a red hat on her card, so there he is the little beauty, with his arms made of dead lavender stems.
Everyone else, this is what you'll be getting, just as soon as I manage to purchase a new gold pen.
If I can't find one in Chagford tonight on the late night shopping night, then it might have to wait until we make it into Exeter in the New Year.
In the meantime.... season's best all round.
Jill
"What do you mean the Christmas tree lights don't work ? Rob you can build rallye cars. Surely a few little skimpy bulbs can't defeat you ?"
"No thanks, I don't want to ******* well try it myself !"

Tuesday 6 December 2011

booking your holiday online - don't !!

Take a look at this.
This is what shows at the head of a home page of a good hotel in Plymouth.
The hotel is prepared to offer you a completely FREE STAY if they book you in and you could have paid less if booking by other means.
I'm delighted to see this. And it backs up what I have been saying all along.
IF YOU SEE A STARTLING OFFER ON ONE OF THE LAST MINUTE/lLATE DEAL/TRIP OR SIMILAR WEBSITES.....Then jot the price down and give the hotel a quick ring to make the booking with the hotel and not through a third party.
WHY ?
Because the poor old hotel has enough overheads without having to pay commission on your holiday to a booking company who may look friendly and bright.
But what the customer sometimes forgets is that all last minute, advisor, late room websites are effectively travel agents who make the hotel or bed and breakfast provider a charge for each and every booking placed.
Unlike my website which simply gives you an unhindered link to the hotel etc.
I was recently advised by a hotel staff member that I should become an affiliate for one of these late room type websites and make myself some money by sharing commission from any visitors I send to them.
That is not my way at all.
Much rather I make the accommodation providers who come onto my website a sensible charge to advertise with me and let the holidaymaker get in touch directly with the overnight bed provider.
Nowadays, the Internet surfer is a lot more web savvy and he/she can read a lot more from the accommodation provider's website than from any standardised list of hotels and B&B's on show in these huge global websites.
I urge you to always visit the actual hotel website rather than plunge in and make an impulse booking, and if you like what you see, then drop the hotel/b&b an e-mail request saying something along the lines of "I have just seen on the ******** late/lastminute/trip website that you are offering a room on Friday for 2 with breakfast at just £25 (or what is on offer) Can I book that with you by credit card if I telephone you direct ?"
Chances are, that just like the hotel shown at the top of this post, they will be MORE than happy to book you in.
Because the less money they have to fork out in commission, the more they can spend on the things that make an impact on the quality of your holiday - staffing etc.
Now you might come back to me and say, hang on a minute. You charge the hotels to be on your website ...... yes I do, and the proof is in the pudding. Every year they renew their listing, because they get a good return for their money by using my website.
They don't have to advertise with me. BUT when the vast majority of visitors unthinkingly make bookings through the familiar bookings websites without realising the financial implications, then the hotel owner is forced to use them as a means to stay in the game.
I would advise any hotel or bed and breakfast provider, like our friend above, to claim loudly on their websites, that they would prefer to take bookings directly.
It's as bad as paying an extra £1.60 for the privilege of booking 2 £21 tickets at the theatre recently. For a play that lasted just 1 hour and 20 minutes ... when I .... and then..
No, don't get me started .... you know how I can rant !
Time for bed.
G'night folks

Tuesday 29 November 2011

I was right about that Cormorant !

Oh yes.... I was right about that cormorant (see yesterday's blog) the bad weather is here in force today. Gusty winds and rain, rain, rain.
Time to catch up on writing up that outstanding food review of lunch at the Edgemoor hotel

and my recent visit to the Old Dairy at Yelverton.

See what you think !

Monday 28 November 2011

Google analytics, hit rates and why I'm crowing....

A quick note to tell you that I have just checked out Dartmoor Accommodation's google analytics for the past 12 months and compared them to the previous 12 months and they are up by 48.63% which is pretty good going ....
Over 50 thousand visits from all over the world including such far flung places as Ecuador, Zambia, Afganistan (maybe soldiers planning romantic trips for their sweethearts I like to think) Venezuela, Surinam and Japan. Even 36 visits from South Korea !
So if you are someone reading this from one of these locations.... hello from me and thanks for looking ! We hope to see you here some day.Right now it's sunny, with a forecast of rain to come later on in the day.

I can believe this because I spotted a cormorant in our local river this morning when I was out with the dog, and they only come so far inland (about 20 miles) when the weather is rough at the coast. The weatherman tells of storm force winds in the north of the country, but here at the moment there is just the slightest of breezes.

Perfect growing weather for the multitude of fungus in the area.
Take a look through my website and consider coming here in 2012. You won't be disappointed.
Bye for now !

Friday 25 November 2011

Solar power, useless yesterday, brilliant today.



My life has changed dramatically since the 28th of July when we had solar panels fitted to the roof.

Years ago I read or heard an article that told us to use all heavy appliances in the night whenever possible, so as my washing machine is far enough from our bedroom for us not to hear it, I have steadfastly done the laundry at bedtime wherever possible to help offset the demand on power stations - less power at peak periods means fewer calls for more power stations to be built being the thinking.
BUT this year on a baking hot few days in Summer all that changed for me. And I seem to spend a good part of my life, now that the shorter days are here checking out the monitor that shows the power status and bemoaning the fact that on dull days we make as little as 12 pence in a day. HOWEVER on sunny days like today when the sky is that lovely clear blue colour, and the green light glows on our fuses board, I switch the old washer on with impunity.
If anyone knows of how we could store the power produced on days like this without buying huge storage batteries, then let us know. We have discussed night storage radiators, but himself is not too keen.
Lucky for us, we had the system installed before the Government changed their minds about the tariffs paid to us solar panel owners. At the time it seemed like a good place to put our life savings, as there was little else to do with it. Time will tell if it has been a good investment or not. -----
Sad to say we didn't feature too much in the Kirstie Allsopp show about Chagford Show. There was a good shot of Rob installing the scarecrow, but my interview with Madam herself did not feature. Local opinion is that she must have been too peeved at coming second in class....
Not to worry, life's too short to worry about things that didn't happen.
The sun's still shining.... so I think I'll do a spot of free hoovering now!!
You'd be surprised at how it cheers one up once you know that you are not paying for the pleasure. Look out for clean carpets if you visit !

Wednesday 23 November 2011

Suggest you don't watch tv tonight....

Tonight's the night.... you will recall that I told you Kirstie Allsopp was being filmed at Chagford Show last year and that my scarecrow came first beating hers into second place in the Horticultural tent ? Well tonight is the night that Chagford Show features on Channel4 at 8p.m.
But you know what these things are like don't you? You let all and sundry know that you are going to get shown large and when you have coerced 2 thousand people to take a look, you are only seen as a shady blur in the background.
We shall see.

Nigel Fortnam's website done and dusted. And receiving praise all round from his mates.
Most of whom are suggesting - rudely, that I have done an expert job of the photos !
I was surprised to learn that it costs less than I imagined to have him be the master of ceremonies at your event.

Saturday 5 November 2011

A cauli to brag about and posh rooms for staycations


Never two weeks the same ! Meet Nigel, toastmaster from Lyme Regis.
He saw the new website that I built for the Talbot Arms and gave me a ring to talk money.
So in no time, he came over for me to take some pics and find out all I need to know to build him a website too.
This shot is taken at a kind neighbour's house, and shortly after we went the the Mill End Hotel for him to meet Sue Davies and use the hotel dining room for more shots. Quite useful as they are about to offer wedding packages. Networking in essence.
Sue's not daft ... Would you like to see the latest rooms to receive a makeover in the hotel Jill?

Well done Sue. She is slowly making her way through the hotel and bringing the bedrooms well up to scratch. This one above overlooks the front garden. Sumptuous new carpets, a top class bathroom. Warm as toast and squeaky clean.

This one is at the rear of the hotel, and what it doesn't have in view from the window it more than makes up for in pzzazz. I think I shall be adding it to my honeymoon pages, as it has enormous mirrored doors on the wardrobes, which newleyweds might well enjoy ! that and it's great new bathroom (below)

This really is the time to take a 'Staycation' Dartmoor is looking superbly beautiful as I type.

We had Nancy to stay overnight on Tuesday, so we took her down to the River with Topsy and the colours are stunning at the moment. Autumn on Dartmoor is a delight.

Later on Wednesday we drove Nancy back and had some quality cuddles with Elsie who is now getting around at speed with a sideways arm crawl. Both girls are a total joy to us.
Rob took Nancy to the toilet at home, insisting that she must need a wee by now ....
I had to smile, as I heard her, three years old telling him "Normally Grandad, I go to the toilet on my own, but you can come with me if you really want to " !!!!!!!

Something else cheering me up at the moment is my fine results in the veg garden with some Romanesque cauliflowers. Take a look. Not bad eh ? Surely it's time for me to give all this up so that I can spend my time ordering seeds and enjoying picnics in my greenhouse ?
Click a photo to see them all in full

Thursday 27 October 2011

Why the missing blogs ?


Well one of the things that has kept me busy is the new website for the Talbot Arms that Tom and I built last week... take a look, see what you think .
And I am trying to get round to the few B&B providers who are on my website that I have not yet visited. Last week I went along to Brook Farmhouse near to Tedburn St. Mary and was well impressed. Read my review.
Back soon Jill

Thursday 13 October 2011

Multi tasking Granny that's me !


It's been a crazy few weeks. Jennifer, Nancy and Elsie have moved in whilst builders are in their house, so they have been with us for the last month, which has turned our domestic orderliness into complete disarray., Well I say domestic orderliness, but anyone who knows us well, knows that any portrayal of tidy household logic is only apparent for about 20 minutes in any given 2 days. The office is in a shameful state, and never ever gets a proper sort out, as the 6 computer screens are always in need of attention, and any fresh post is sorted into 3 possible landing spots, in the kitchen at Rob's place on the table if it need absolute attention; on the monitor pedestal at my desk (as close to the screen as is possible) if it needs me to file, pay, answer; or on the ever mounting pile of stuff that grows as fast as warm yeast on the desk to my left. This mountain bulges with leaflets, brochures and articles that people send to me; it has intermittant out of date newspapers, each with a turned down page of something that I should pay attention to, and somewhere in that mound is the calendar and our personal telephone book which is sorely in need of an update, as the first entry is for my Mum (Austin) who died in 2004.

But hey, it's autumn and the girls are here and isn't it better for us all to go off for a walk to find some shiny conkers ? They are only little for 5 minutes, so we need to make the most of them don't we? Who cares if there are 3 cheques that need to be entered into the paying in book?
Lets take some of those ginger biscuits that Nancy and I made yesterday, then when we get back we can let them play in the washing baskets with the pegs in again. That kept them busy for a good half an hour.
Do click on the pic of the girls in the baskets and see Elsie's happy little face. She is such a smiler.
Oh well, I had better get off, I'm half way through building a new website for a pub near to Lyme Regis, there is some pork fat rendering down on the aga, the washer has just finished the latest load of nappies, so I had better get them out on the line before Jennifer brings the girls back from pre-school and we tackle peeling, cooking and freezing some of the bucketful of gorgeous cooking apples a kind neighbour gave me yesterday when she came in to cadge a jugful of milk.
I'm off to the theatre tonight with one of my pals to see Top Hat in Plymouth. Just as well it is a lively show that will keep me awake. Will report back on that - if I have any time soon.
Plus I will report on why I have turned into the Princess in the Princess and the pea story !
By the way the ginger biscuit in the G shape is for Grandad not Granny !!!!
Cheerio for now. Jilly

Wednesday 5 October 2011

The latest bed and breakfast comes on board.

Back in harness and I nip off to Postbridge to say

Hello to the new people at Beechwood.
Encountering galloping sheep en-route!

I'm so glad that Lynette Lloyd rang me to ask

if they can come on board. They have owned the place for a year and a day, and have made great strides in bringing the building up to scratch. The falling down conservatory has been revamped with double glazing and heating for guests to enjoy their breakfasts in comfort, the bedrooms are slowly being 'made over' and much improved and Lynette and Adam have got a refreshingly positive attitude about welcoming visitors.
Evening meals with home cooking are on offer with 2 courses £17.50 and 3 courses £22 (but let Lynette have some notice please) they welcome families with all ages of children, are happy to take holidaymakers with a dog, and I was very pleased to hear that they actively find beds in other accommodation for people who turn up at the door when they are full.
Only recently I was sitting in a bar of a good class hotel and overheard the receptionist take a call for overnight accommodation. The conversation went ....
"No, sorry we're full tonight, can't take you"
"Thank you, goodbye" !!!!!
How crazy is this ? Why ever didn't she offer a couple of telephone numbers in the area for them to try ?
What goes around comes around. When we had a bed and breakfast we always suggested alternatives, and if we were full at a busy time, say Friday night, one of us would ring around to see what else was on offer as soon as we were full. But sad to say we did know from guests who arrived, this service was not quite so much on offer with our neighbouring outlets, which used to really disappoint us.
In the current economic climate, it is vitally important to keep guests staying locally, so that the shops and tea rooms, adventure parks and historic houses all do well and the community stays buoyant. But as usual people are immensely selfish and not willing to put themselves out. "I'm ok why should I bother about anyone else ?"
What a sad attitude?
However, I detected none of this at the Beechwood household.
Adam and Lynette are keen to work hard and strive for guests to have a good time.
The free range hens are happily pecking away in the paddock, maps are on offer, help yourself to a book to read whilst you are here, everything is spotless, afternoon cream teas are on offer and I just know that they will do well. Welcome aboard Beechwood. Find them on my price range 2 page.

Monday 3 October 2011

I'm a new Railcard holder - yippee !


Just home from a mammoth cross country journey to see Elizabeth in Norfolk for 4 nights.
We travelled on the train, which involved changing at Paddington then underground to Kings Cross. With 50 minutes to wait we strolled outside and I took a pic of Rob in front of some of the impressive building work.

What you can't see behind his shoulder is a small shed sized space which is behind the barrier.
It's platform 9 3/4 from one of the Harry Potter books, and whilst we were there in the blistering sunshine watching the great Metropolitan community rush by, foreign tourists kept arriving to pose for photos in front of this 'shrine'. Sad to say they never gave a sideways glance to the fabulous architechture adjacent.

Here's the Holmes family from Melbourne, happy to pose for a group shot.
Drop me a line Holmeses and I will send you the file if you would like it.
Luckily for us we chose to go away in the freak sunny weather, so we had a brilliant time taking a look at King's Lynn and returning to the rivers that we cruised on our narrowboat in 2005.
With our newly acquired Senior Railcards we managed to get an incredible price for the return journey on the train of £39 each, which competes very favourably with filling the petrol tank one and half times had we taken the car. We got to see the countryside, upgraded to first class for only £20 each, whole route, for which we were very grateful on the return trip home from Paddington to Exeter, as the poor travellers not in first class seemed to be packed in like sardines in their carriages with shrieking kids, litter and sweaty atmosphere, whilst we reclined on generous leather seats and enjoyed 2 goes at the free drinks trolley and free cake in our air conditioned section.
I ticked the box on the Senior Railcard form that offered e-mail alerts for more wonderful offers, so be prepared for the next dispatch to come from other far flung destinations.... I've got the travel bug (at least for as long as the ticket is valid)

Tuesday 20 September 2011


We were well impressed by an evening party at the Mill End Hotel last week.
Sue the hotel owner had asked us to come and take some photos at the birthday party of Wendy from North Bovey.
With my 'other hat' on, I came home and wrote a food review.
Check it out .....

Monday 5 September 2011

Punch and Judy, my all time favourites at Lustleigh Show


How wonderful to see Mr. Punch at
Lustleigh Show on Bank Holiday Monday.
Not only the kids, but dozens of attention
rapt adults absolutely adored the whole
performance of mayhem and cruelty. 
 Listening, I found myself back in my memory
to Scarborough in the early 50's when we stayed
on holiday with relatives and we kids were
allowed to just go off to the beach every day
to enjoy ourselves without any parents.
 I was the youngest and only girl in a tribe of boy 
cousins, my brother being 5 years older
than me and the others Alan and Colin of 
similar ages to him. It was only natural that they
would want to offload me wasn't it?


 
So they would plonk me on the sand in front of the Punch and Judy man and I would sit transfixed as Mr. Punch  beat the hell out of everyone including his loyal wife Judy, the poor damaged baby, the dog and the crocodile
whilst all the while crying  "That's the way to do it !"
in his strange swazzlestick voice.

 
I must have watched the antics over and over again. 

In those days you weren't charged an entrance fee, you just enjoyed the show and towards the end of each performance a young girl came around with a red velvet bag attached to a handle, like the one in church, and the grown ups were encouraged to pay up.  I used to nurse the idea that I should like my Dad to run a Punch and Judy outfit, so that I could walk around with that bag.

There's a great deal of actual cruelty in the show, as Mr. Punch lets fly with a great stick, and the Policeman is fairly inept as he entreats the children to shout out loudly if they see the old reprobate up to his nasty tricks again. The kids get well and truly wound up just a few seconds later as Punch gets hold of the baby yet once more and administers a few hefty whacks, all the while chortling with laughter and triumph.

I find it rather comforting that some of the very young children watching get up from the floor in their urgency to call the policeman back in order to stop such unfair treatment. They simply can't wait for this unfair behaviour to be sorted out and peace and calm to be restored.
  
Maybe the youths in the recent riots missed out on seeing Punch (aptly named) and Judy, and they weren't taught the rules of fair play? It's good that even very young children can watch the whole story unfold. Mr. P is portrayed as a baddie. Of course he gets his comeuppance in the end and the audience leaves feeling that they played a part in restoring order.

If I had my way I would show it on the telly in place of these softly spoken, pastel shaded cartoon figures with their unbelievably friendly butterflies, talking flowers, spinoff comics, cd's, toys and Nanny knows best notions. 

Rock on Mr. Punch !  That's the way to do it !

Friday 19 August 2011

Kirstie Allsopp, my man's made of better stuff than yours!


Kirstie Allsopp came to Chagford Show yesterday, filming for her new series ‘Crafty Britain’.
Sadly her home made scarecrow came in second out of 8 entries, but her visit to the show caused much excitement as the camera crew followed her with hairy microphone aloft and a string of young film crew watching her every move. I asked if I could take her photo with her scarecrow and she duly obliged with a cheery smile from her and the 8 young children who accompanied her.


After the picture, she suggested that they all take a look at the winning entry to compare it, and I owned up to being the owner. We all made our way to the far end of the marquee and she kindly warned the children that they should bear in mind that I was the person who had built the scarecrow, then she encouraged the kids to make comparisons. It was all in good spirit, but I think she was a mite put out that my entry beat hers, even to the point of suggesting that it had all been an 'inside job' !!
Now, I ask you. Click on this photo of me with my scarecrow.
Anyone can see that this is the worthy winner. Her specimen had no outstretched hands and it looks as if the first blast of Devonshire downpour would knock that sweet little home made carrot right off his overstuffed face.
It was lovely meeting you Kirstie, but you must know that Liz the Horticultural Section Secretary would die rather than allow a judge to know who had submitted any entry. The mere suggestion that there was any bias in play does you no credit whatsoever....

When it comes to building a scarecrow ... yup .....I think I have the edge....

Saturday 6 August 2011

One or two courgettes

It's that time of year. I'm having trouble keeping pace with the crop of courgettes in the patch. Each year I grow far too many. Same old story. I sow the seeds and then too many germinate. I offer them to anyone and everyone and while I'm trying to offload them they grow into fine young plants and I end up planting them all out.
Mind you there is some motive to my plan. This year I have sent in my entry form for Chagford Show and entered 3 classes. Build a Scarecrow, 3 courgettes and best pot plant.
.. and with plenty of courgettes to choose from, surely I stand a chance of beating this chap

who each year shows the most amazing array of fine vegetables we see at the show. Massive onions, fine cabbages without lacey holes in the leaves, leeks as long as his legs, ruler straight runner beans and piles of other beautiful produce.
The year before last I swapped him my first prize Victoria Sponge sandwich for some onions and a red cabbage at the close of the show. We were both delighted.
I'm paying attention to a fine busy Lizzie in the greenhouse as my best pot plant. I repotted it this morning so that it can settle into the pot and make the most of the new compost. From now on in it will be getting a dose of Miracle Grow every other day, and I don't care who knows it.
The show will be on the 18th of this month. It's always the third Thursday in August.
I'll let you know how I get on.

Friday 29 July 2011

Short of time for blogging

No idea where time is going at the moment. Every day is full to the brim. With Chagford Show just under 3 weeks away, information needs updating as well as the usual day to day admin on Dartmoor Accommodation. The stats for both are rewarding, showing that compared to the same June to July dates for last year, 56per cent more visitors have looked at the DA site and that the average time they spend on the site is over two and a half minutes. This is the latest website that Tom and I have built. It's a new bed and breakfast not far from Widecombe or Manaton and the day I visited was overcast and dull as ditchwater, but the pics have not let me down.
I promised the owners Colette and Martin that I would come over to take some sunny shots as soon as I am able; an attractive inducement being that they run a tearoom in the garden in the Summer months. So yet another entry for my tearooms page no doubt.
Will keep you posted as and when I manage it.

Friday 15 July 2011

My latest write up - Sparrowhawks Backpackers at Moretonhampstead.


Who would think that this sunny courtyard sits behind the Sparrowhawk Backpackers house in Moretonhampstead? I was very pleasantly surprised by my visit...
See the bedroom that sleeps 14 and read more.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Our website figures just keep climbing.

Looking at the Google analytics page this morning, I'm delighted to report that my website Dartmoor Accommodation just keeps getting better and better.
For the period from January to now, just over 5 months, the figures show that the number of visits is up 73.31% and pageviews is up 25.83%. Over 21 thousand UNIQUE visitors have visited the site since January the 1st this year, they have stayed on the website for an average of just under 3 minutes and they look at an average of 2.38 pages per visit.
I receive lots of heartening compliments about the site, and each week another accommodation provider or two wants to come on board.
I try to keep it all fresh and up to date, and that task has become much easier since Tom my young techy chap came on board with me. He is currently adding all kinds of map information on the listings and he has installed a brilliant database that we shall be expanding over the next year or so.


From time to time I will add a review of one of the accommodation addresses. Yesterday I added a review for Ash Tree Cottage, a 3 bedroom self catering on the South of the Moor. The owners are very eco-minded and the one thing I do like about Audrey is that she is very happy to welcome families with special children to her home. She herself has 2 autistic grandchildren, so she is fully aware of the needs of such children, so should you be looking for a sympathetic landlady who will go out of her way to make your holiday a good one, then look no further than Ash Tree Cottage. To read my review click here.

Thursday 16 June 2011

Honeycomb Barn, my latest self catering on board www.dartmooraccommodation.co.uk





Thought you might like to see the latest website that Tom and I have created.


(find it in self catering sleeps 3 to 4)


Nice people, nice place, everything a holiday let should be.


Add to that a 5 acre field that they invite you to share that's a wildlife haven with foxes, badgers, butterflies and a stream.... well, maybe I will book Rob and self in for a week.

Friday 27 May 2011

Our latest wedding, Catherine and Will


Yes our very own Kate and Will wedding...
One of the prettiest weddings that Rob and I have covered...

In Chagford last Saturday. With Reverend Noel Walter officiating.

We took the chance of nipping to our house with bride and groom to take some private photos on the way from church to the reception at Monks Withecombe. Will has an old 1986 Chevrolet bright green Pennsylvania State Police car, which is his pride and joy, and naturally it came in very handy as a wedding car.

This is the first year as a wedding venue at Monks, and I can report that it was every bit as good as I thought it would be. The garden is perfect for special gatherings. Nicky and Simon have large gardens, pretty buildings and space for an any size marquee. There were almost 200 people enjoying the venue, and there was easily room for more.

Catherine chose local girl Sara Mears as the caterer, and Sara certainly came up with the goods.

Now all we have to do is to choose the best 500 shots to give to the happy couple out of over 1,000 in the can. I will shortly be uploading a slide show of pictures that we took on the day.

Thursday 19 May 2011

New reviews and discount vouchers.




It's all go now that the warmer weather is here and the office is manic.


Tom is busy adding further Google analytic facilities, so the we can see how visitors navigate around each page. We already know things like which are the most visited pages, and which ones of our accommodation providers get the most hits, but Tom is hell bent on knowing which bit of each page is working best for us.


It's all very interesting, but I would rather be tripping around the Moor and saying hello to folks. My most recent review is one on the Prince Hall Hotel at Two Bridges. Just look at the view from the top floor. Beautiful.
No chance for us to take time off right now though. We are covering a wedding this weekend, so Rob is checking the cameras as I type. Plus we have the white umbrella already packed into the car. so far, whenever we've taken it, the weather's been fine, so maybe it does have lucky charm properties. Hope so.
Pics next week for you no doubt. Bye for now.... I'm off to polish my wide angle lens.

Wednesday 11 May 2011