J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AllyG

I have to admit it is rather cold and rainy here in West Wales at the moment. I have just lit the wood stove for our holidaymakers in the farmhouse. But they seem happy enough. One of the kids is on the internet already, and they have plenty of books and DVD's, and they have brought waterproof clothing.

Lets hope the British weather improves. Monday was a gorgeous day - sunny and roasting hot and I was on the beach, and I even got a bit sunburnt.

I hope you have a good time in Cornwall Nelly. It will be a while before we make enough money with our new holiday cottage to pay for the improvements we made, which cost about £20,000, so probably about 5 years.

So we will still be going on 'cheap' ski-ing holidays staying in squashy 2 star self-catering French apartments. But as long as the ski-ing is good I don't care about the accommodation. And I don't mind cleaning up after us, because I make my money cleaning anyway, and it's easier cleaning up our own mess than cleaning up someone else's.

Ally

Tony,
Why would 2 people want a 4 bedroomed farmhouse for 7 people?

It's not like one of those squashy French self-catering apartments. It's got 2 king size beds (one of which splits into 2 single 2 foot six beds), one ordinary double, and one ordinary single bed. And it's got a mahogany dining table that can seat 10 people (we use it at Christmas). Plus it has a huge bathroom with bath and shower, and another wet room on the ground floor with shower and toilet and washbasin.

We also have another cottage for 4 people, with only 2 bedrooms, and that costs £513 for one week high season.

But unfortunately for anyone thinking of staying in either of them this summer holiday, they've both been booked up for ages :lol:

We only get about 2/3 of what the holidaymakers pay, because our agents take 22 1/2 % plus VAT.

Ally

Well,
Our holiday cottage is much cheaper than £350 per person, even at this time of year.

It is just under £100 per person for one week, for 7 people. And it's four star, with 3 tellys, DVD's and books, free broadband, a huge enclosed garden with patio and picnic table, one mile from the beach, right next to a public footpath, and it's a fourteenth century traditional stone built farmhouse.

The only thing we can't promise is sunshine for the whole week. But people like driving about sightseeing, and shopping, which they can do even when it's raining. And when it's hot and sunny there are about 30 sandy beaches to choose from.

Ally

Rose,
I was supposed to do jury service once, and I asked my solicitor about it, and he said I'd have to be very careful or I'd get slung into gaol for contempt of court, for arguing with the judge, because I'm a very argumentative sort of person.

But for some unknown reason I never had to do it.

I agree you're too busy to do it, and I would think they'd let you off.

Ally

Please don't knock holidays in this country too hard, or I won't have any customers left for our holiday cottages :cry:

One thing we do quite well with is dogs. It's very difficult for people to take their dogs abroad and we live right next to a public footpath which connects with the coastal path, so people can walk 186 miles with their dogs if they like. And the national park do shuttle buses covering the coastal path, so you can walk one way and get the bus back, or vice versa.

And most people know that sometimes it rains, even in summer, and they bring wet gear and wellies so they can still go out walking even if it's raining.

But I agree our cottages aren't very cheap. The advantage is that people can drive here, and bring all their stuff, which saves all the hassle of getting to airports and catching flights etc.

Ally

Rose,
A friend of mine has recently done jury service and found it very interesting. I suppose it depends what sort of case you get.

Ally

Hi Nelly,
I'm glad your step-daughter is feeling better now.

Ally

I thought those free beginners lift passes only covered a couple of the easiest runs. I seem to remember reading about them somewhere - Val Thorens perhaps?

Ally