|
|
Our on site pub, The Haybarn, had fallen a bit in our estimation in the recent past. We started to get some critical comments in the Visitors’ books in all 3 of our lodges about the welcome and my own experiences were less than wonderful.
However, at the back end of last season a new couple arrived to manage it – Vic and Thurza. Their input into the pub has been excellent and the recent refurbishment which they helped to design has lifted it into a totally new dimension.
All of a sudden it’s as warm and welcoming as Vic and Thurza’s smiles and chat. Especially that log burning fire!
I haven’t yet tried the food but I’ve heard from other owners that it’s excellent pub grub type fare, so I will be giving it a go next time I’m up at Limefitt.
 The Haybarn at Limefitt Park Welcome to you both and thanks for transforming the place into something I can at last be really proud of offering to my guests!
        
Many years ago I read a science fiction story by Robert Heinlein called “The Door into Summer”. I was reminded of this today when I came across this gate which looked up at the perfect blue sky that made walking today such a perfect Lake District experience.
 The door into summer Somehow it seemed to promise something so positive after all of the stormy and freezing days of Winter.
(Yes, I know it’s a gate not a door but cut me a little slack here  )
Today really felt like the first day of spring and the snowdrops, those diffident heralds of the new green, were nodding everywhere as I walked with Suki past Dubbs and round back to Limefitt Park. It was a magical walk – silence broken only by birdsong, the sun on my face and a cooling breeze. Today was Suki’s 5th birthday and so I was especially appreciative of her company on this walk. She is my first ever dog and the 5 years of companionship that she has given me have been so special. Linda jokes that she is my “other woman” – a failing that I happily admit to. Here she is doing what flatcoats do best – retrieving a stick from some water.
 Happy Birthday Suki! It’s hard to explain the effect of a walk in the sunshine after months of Winter, but you’d have to have the imagination of a stone not to have your spirits lifted by the sights, sounds and smells of a walk around Troutbeck on a day like today! Doing it with a flatcoat was just too sinfully lovely to be fair
We saw another, older, flatcoat in The Mortal Man last night – there were so many dogs in there it was like Crufts but Suki had a special moment or two with the 8 year old “boy”. If you don’t know the breed then you are really missing out – they are the most amazing dogs you will ever meet.
So to my best friend Suki – thanks and I hope we have another 5 years like the last!
Just got this update from Markus at Surf The Turf!
Tom is mega excited about the developments
Happy New 2010 to you all, hope you all had a great Christmas and used all that lovely snow for the purpose it was designed for, sliding down hills fast!
Utilising the quad bike and the tow rope Surf the Turf became a ready made snow park this winter. Unfortunately we were having to much fun to remember to take many photos for the gallery.
Not only did the snow leave us with some great memories but it has also left us with a very well preserved hill, saved from the ravages of the winter weather.
So rather than leaving you guys with your boards and bikes gathering dust till April, Surf the Turf is going to be opening its doors early this year!
So from this coming weekend 6/2/10 we will be open every weekend from 12pm to 4.30pm and through the week for group bookings.(weather permitting… Always best to call 07740 861019 beforehand to double check).
Also we will be open everyday of half term 13th Feb to 21st Feb
We are hoping this early opening is going to help us have enough funds to:
1. Get the Four cross/ boarder cross race track finished, adding some new lines to open up the racing, making it more exciting/challenging and also making it more mountain board friendly.
2. Finish the start gate including steps.
3. To have a 4 Wheel drive and trailer lift continually ferrying boarders from the bottom of the hill back to the top.
4. To build a fun track for beginners and intermediate riders.
5. To build a foam pit.
6. To add a skate park section.
7. To build a jump park area.
8. New user friendly, more interactive website.
9. Build more freestyle features and a bigger quarter pipe.
Surf the Turf knows people are becoming more adventurous and there is a very high demand for a facility of this nature in this area.
However as Surf the Turf is self funding, we count heavily on peoples support not only from visiting us and riding but also by helping spread the word to friends and family about the great times they have had there and maybe encouraging the people who may not usually have a go, to have a go.
The Lake District is rightly promoting itself as the adventure capital of the UK, so please help us help towards making that a reality and also help us create the things you have been telling us you want to ride!
2010 is going to be as good as we make it ….. Which is means its going to be amazing!
Looking very much forward to seeing you all and many new faces back on the hill very soon.
Markus, Roo and Tom.
www.surf-the-turf.co.uk
Last week Heather Bayer, (AKA the Cottage Guru), cast her eye on our web site and wrote a review on her highly respected blog
For those of you who don’t know of Heather she lives in Canada and writes on the subject of self-catering holiday lets. She is a highly respected international expert in the field and her site is always full of challenging and exciting articles that help us owners improve the way we operate.
To have been singled out by Heather for a review is praise indeed! To have been described as one of her “Favourite Vacation Rental Sites” is a bit like having Sir Alex Ferguson say you are not a bad footballer
My Favourite Vacation Rental Sites – Windermere Lodge
by CottageGuru on January 30, 2010
Two years ago this March I presented a seminar at the Cottage Life Show in Toronto with the sub-title “Getting Your Message Across”. I talked about social media and the importance of creating more than just a listing to create a following of potential renters, and suggested using Wordpress to create a website using the blog function to open a conversation with visitors. There was some interest and a few searching questions at the end, but some attendees were skeptical of the approach saying it was a ‘fad’ and more of a method of keeping friends informed of the latest recipes. I guess I was a year or two ahead of the game and am thinking that this year’s presentation called “Key Strategies for Successful Vacation Rental” (one of which is social media marketing) will have much more impact.
I’ll be using some examples and the most powerful is John Hobson’s Windermere Lodge in the beautiful Lake District in northern England . John uses a combination of web sites, blogs and Twitter to get his message across and looking at his fast-filling availability calendars, it appears to be a very successful strategy. The website is the core of the mix so I’m basing my review primarily on that but will be exploring more of this strategy in later posts.
Winner of several awards for tourism and marketing, this comment from the judging panel at the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2008 says it all:
“They felt that the owners of Windermere Lodge had put their hearts into the creation of their site, which had huge quantities of information for visitors. There were “things to do on a rainy day”, ideas for walks, wildlife to see, gardens and houses to visit, a comprehensive events calendar and much more. In all sections there was imagination and impressive attention to detail. The site was also innovative in several ways. An up to date blog, a visitors’ on-line forum and two video tours, showing the area across the seasons completed this impressive package”
This is probably the most comprehensive vacation rental web site I’ve visited in my search for the best examples of holiday rental promotion, so with my “I’m a renter” hat on, I started to explore.
Like most potential rental guests looking for a holiday rental I wanted to make sure the accommodation and price met my criteria and was pleased to see a link to both availability and rates on the home page. Why some owners want to hide these away and make them difficult to find is quite beyond me, but they were easy to find here.
The photo galleries are great – nice sharp pictures showing everything I would want to see and vividly portraying the stunningly beautiful countryside, as well as the immaculate set-up of the lodge itself. A couple of touches in the photos that I particularly liked and are worth emulating are the laid-up dining table, and flowers on a coffee table. They show attention to detail as well as putting life into the pictures. Windermere Lodge is a small property so more attention is paid to the exterior and the surrounding landscape which is an attraction in itself.
It’s worth pointing out here that small doesn’t mean insignificant and packaged well, a smaller property can have as much impact visually as a 5 bedroom villa with all the bells and whistles.
What really blows me away about this site is the information packed into it. Let’s just start with the Our Location page Not just comprehensive directions but a map dotted with places of interest with a note on how to access Wikipedia descriptions. And…a really useful link to a live traffic information page. Then onto the section on The Local Area and Things to do which further breaks down into pages covering what to do on a rainy day, the local pub, local homes and gardens to visit, and Beatrix Potter.
I’m a walker and runner and wanted to know if I could find information on hiking trails in the area, and of course I found that in the Links section. I also located details on shopping locally and when I was just wondering about how I would stock up on the essentials if I arrived late at night after a long flight, there was a link to a page on ordering a Welcome Pack….mmmm…yes, I’ll substitute the toilet roll and bin bags for a bottle of wine I think!
Sticky Features
What kept me around this site was the wealth of information and the attention to detail, giving the feeling I wouldn’t be disappointed by the accommodation either. I think I am going to develop a ‘Sticky’ ratings system with a 5 star being ‘Can’t get away from it’ to the 1 star ‘Fell right off’. In this case Windermere Lodge definitely warrants a five star Sticky rating!
On the Downside
With the amount of information included, the site is very busy looking and could be overly so to those used to more simplistic efforts. I also got a little lost once I found the Blog page and then realized that Windermere Lodge was not the only one that John rents at Limefitt Park – there’s also Kingfisher Lodge and Otter Lodge, both of which accept pets. I looked for a site map which might have shown how the sites all fit together and the structure of each but couldn’t find one. I’m sure John will let me know if I missed it!
I like testimonials and they are often the first place I’ll visit on a site. Since the home page is quite practical and fact-filled, I would like to see a testimonial on there – perhaps even in the strap line. The Guest Book page has so much wonderful feedback that could be used to make the introduction a tad more welcoming.
Verdict
Information packed, feature filled, sticky, and overall a fun site to visit. I’m not that keen on the design but that didn’t detract from what was within. I’ve seen beautifully designed and presented sites that kept me enthralled for less than a minute because I’m looking for good content rather than a flashy look. Besides, the relatively plain look of the site is superseded by the great photos within. All in all, a great site with lots of learning points for owners interested in how to create more interest for their visitors.
Every year the Lake District just seems to get more and more popular, and every year people seem to book earlier and earlier. (Rory Magrath’s series on the Lakes currently airing in 12 episodes on ITV probably isn’t doing us any harm either!)
We think this is due to a combination of the fantastic scenery and tourism opportunities provided by the Lake District coupled with the comfort and freedom offered by a lodge holiday. It really is a winning combination as the number of repeat visitors we get shows.
Our forward bookings this year are way ahead of the last two years and we only have a few short breaks left until the Summer holidays, so don’t delay if you are thinking of that relaxing weekend roaming the fells or taking in the delights of or local pubs, shops and tourist attractions. The Lake District truly is a year round tourist destination and there is something here for everybody.
For availability information please click on the pictures of the lodge:
 Windermere Lodge  Kingfisher Lodge  Otter Lodge Don’t leave it too long!!
Now my Twitter friend Stewy (@stewyphoto) has a bit of a blind spot when it comes to the Troutbeck Valley. We very nearly tempted him over this way last weekend, but he allowed himself to be seduced by the charms of Blencathra and stayed near home. His pictures from the weekend were gorgeous – this is on twitpic and is quite simply the best Winter photograph I have ever seen.
 Icy Stream - Blencathra You can see more of Stewy’s award-winning photography over on his own website
Anyway – back to Troutbeck, even if that shot is truly an impossible act to follow!
I got to have a birthday treat in the shape of permission from the boss to go walking up the Garburn Pass with Steve, who was staying with us over the weekend.
I’ll get my own feeble attempt at a waterfall picture (just where the path from Limefitt Park meets the Garburn Road) out of the way first
So we headed up the Garburn Road, treading through that sort of thick and crunchy snow that just makes you laugh at the very thought of being alive and able to hear it and feel it under your boots.
 Snow on the Garburn Road The views of the valley cloaked in snow in the sunshine were jaw-droppingly beautiful. The valley looked as though it had been transported from Switzerland. I have never seen it look better.
 Looking West towards Troutbeck in the snow  Troutbeck Valley looking towards the Kirkstone Pass We romped up the Garburn Road, passing some intrepid mountain bikers at the top
 Mountain biker in the snow This guy didn’t even have snow tyres on his bike! I have no idea how he managed to ride all the way up from Kentmere. We also saw this little chap having the time of his young life in the snow at the top.
 Puppy in the snow - The Yoke, Troutbeck When we got to the top by the Yoke we had a panoramic view of the Kentmere Valley
 The Kentmere Valley from the Garburn pass We headed South and upwards to the top of Sallows from where we could see Windermere laid out before us and Morecambe Bay glistening in the distance. The air was sparkling as the ice crystals caught the sunlight, and it was only the biting wind that forced us on our way again (but not before we’d stopped long enough to eat a Cadbury’s creme egg as a reward for making it to the top)
 Sallows Off the Garburn Road we were often knee deep, and on occasion waist deep in snow. The silence was ethereal, broken only by the noise of our boots and our breathing, and the occasional passing 747 leaving con trails in the sky. The grins on our faces got wider and wider as we walked. I was a bit sad that we hadn’t brought Suki up with us but I wasn’t sure how she’s have coped in the deep snow. Probably better than me as it turned out.
I suppose it was inevitable that one of us would come a cropper at some stage and, true to form, it was me. Putting my right boot down on some ice my balance went without warning and I went straight down the fellside. Fortunately I was able to keep feet first and stopped myself before too long, but I think I might be buying some crampons before my next snow walk. The track left by my backside as I slipped down the fellside is a bit wider than I like to imagine it should be.
 Slide path The sun was getting lower in the Winter sky as we made our way downhill again, and we were treated to one of those tangerine sunsets that the snowy weather seems to bring with it.
 Sunset over Windermere Back home then for a quick shower and a birthday dinner at The Mortal Man. Whitebait followed by Lamb Henry and then a huge plate of Cheese, washed down with Timmy Taylors and a nice bottle (OK two bottles) of St Emilion.
Another twitter friend, @cragchris who runs the Craglands shop in Grasmere and has her own lovely blog , was kind enough to send me a scanned image of the pub sign as it was in the early 60s as a present, as she knows I am a big fan of the place.
 The Mortal Man A short stumble down the hill to Limefitt got us back into the lodge and then we finished the evening off with coffee, brandy and chocolates whilst Tom played his guitar to us.
Can you imagine a better way of spending a day anywhere in the world? I can’t
We were really pleased with the lovely review of Kingfisher Lodge that a recent guest Nick Peet wrote in the Liverpool Echo, published today.
 Kingfisher Lodge in the Snow
Beauty and peace on your doorstep
Jan 5 2010 by Nick Peet, Liverpool Echo
Lola the bulldog takes Nick Peet for a week of splashing about in the Lake District
THE stress and strain of holiday travel often leaves you needing another break, even before you’re back breathing Mersey air.
Hours queuing at foreign airport check-in desks can test the blood pressure of even the most patient of high flyers, while constant air traffic delays can spoil the most exciting of breaks in the sun.
And I am sure we’ve all suffered from outrageous early morning hotel check-out times, when you’re left to store your luggage with a dozen other families, in some unlocked reception room and forced to shower using the poolside garden tap!
Fortunately for me I’m a happy flyer, so the prospect of a couple of hours in the sky with nothing but dry air and steamed meals in plastic trays actually appeals, but you can see what I’m getting at here.
For all those reasons and for one other – our seductively salivating 12-month old bundle of bulldog – we ditched the flip-flops and sunglasses in favour of a delectably British break this year.
And who would’ve guessed that just 90 minutes from Liverpool lies the kind of picturesque and beautiful landscape that you won’t find on the Costa’s.
The Lake District is a place which I had associated with retired folk and cub scouts, but I found to be arguably one of the most relaxing holiday destinations I’ve ever been to.
Aside from the fact the door-to-door travel time is shorter than your average trip through passport control, the Lakes offer more adventure for your pennies than any sandy beach or desert island ever could.
So what if the sun shines only briefly through the summer months, this is rural England at its most enchanting.
We stayed in a privately owned, luxury pine lodge which hangs out over the Troutbeck River, on the established Limefitt Park complex.
The park is home to dozens of holiday homes and luxury cabins and boasts a range of facilities including a children’s play area, a swimming hole and even a dog park, which to Lola’s delight included an icy stream for splashing about in.
The lodge, one of three holiday homes owned by Mr and Mrs Hobson located on the park, was extremely cosy with a roaring gas fire and relaxing leather sofas rivalled only by the big comfy beds.
Perhaps surprisingly, for a lodge which welcomes pets, there was no sign of over the top pet-proofing either, which made our stay more welcoming.
From the Sky TV (at the Haybarn) through to the wireless internet connection, the amenities both inside the lodge and on the park itself – there is also on-site pub and newsagents – offer you the chance to either get away from it all or simply take a break in a home away from home.
For the active person the area is, naturally, one big fell-walk or run and so we wrapped Lola up in her harness and headed for the hills most mornings.
The location of the park means that it is ideally positioned to experience the very best of the Lakes.
From the well-developed and established shop-lined streets of Windermere, to the more basic but far more tranquil village of Glenridding at Ullswater, Limefitt Park is slap bang in the middle just a short drive in either direction.
The highlight of our stay was a day spent at Ullswater, first cheering home the hundreds of sportsmen and women taking part in the gruelling annual village triathlon, followed by getting stuck in a cloud while attempting to navigate our way back across the brilliant winding lanes of the Kirkstone Pass.
The landscape here is like something you would expect to find in New Zealand. I was half expecting a gang of Orcs carrying hobbits to rumble by while we were pulled over in the heavy rain munching on crisps and chocolate and peering out through steamy windows.
Another must during any stay is just a short five minute walk from the park in the form of the Mortal Man gastro pub, which has character and charm in abundance.
The old inn dates back to 1689 and welcomes dogs, which meant the Lola didn’t have to miss out on a five star meal, as she sat under the table eating her way through bread rolls and tit-bits.
And I can heartily recommend the house speciality, Sally Birkett’s Hotpot.
Back at the Kingfisher Lodge and Lola was splashing away in the streams, looking on bewildered at the fields of sheep and cows and chasing spiders across the decking.
She absolutely loved it, and so did we. Thoroughly relaxing and now most definitely a calendar event.
A five star stay in five star Britain and just 90 minutes from home. Brilliant.
Thanks Nick! - We’re glad you enjoyed it!!
|
|
Recent Comments