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.....

Perfect Honeymoon spot for garden lovers.

So 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.

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 !"

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