Is it really a dream job?

Disney v. Yorkshire

2011-06-23T21:47:00.000+01:00

216 million visits to Yorkshire are made every year, equivalent to the total number of visitors to Walt Disney Attraction Theme Parks worldwide.

(Top 10 Amusement/Theme Park Attraction Chains - World (2008)).

Having listened to Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, use a similar quote to the one above at an event at Scarborough Spa I started the think of the comparisons between Yorkshire and Walt Disney World Parks.

The first comparison is that our family love both! We are all very proud Yorkshire folk but are huge Disney fans – as Twitter followers will know – and it has been described as our second home.

So where is Yorkshire’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios and Animal Kingdom? We don’t have the weather that WDW Florida has but I’m sure that Disneyland Paris has very similar weather to us – it was absolutely freezing when we went that’s for sure.

There are no theme parks in this country that come close to the magic of Disney yet Flamingoland, 15 minutes drive away from us, has Mumbo Jumbo so those wanting the thrills of fast rides etc can still find them in Yorkshire. Flamingoland still needs an "Its a Small World" ride but if you go close to Little Monster's Den of Mischief you will hear a tune equally as irritable and one which will stay in your head all day.

Epcot's World Showcase shows the diversity of different countries around the world - Yorkshire has just as much diversity within one county - who needs to go right around the world! We have the Dales, the Moors, the Coast, the Cities and alot closer to home, the Howardian Hills - this county has something for everyone.

Free entry into the National Media Museum makes it alot cheaper than Disney Studios and you don't need an aeroplane to get there. And with so many film and television locations dotted around Yorkshire you really could become part of the action. Check out this you-tube clip if you don't believe me!

Yorkshire Wildlife Park doesn't have quite the same "Tree of Life" as Disney's Animal Kingdom has but I'm sure if you looked in some of our forestry's you may find something that comes close.

All Yorkshire needs is Minnie, Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, Donald and some more of the Disney characters........but I'm sure that Gary Verity and his team could slot themselves into some of those roles.

Tiring Week

2011-04-15T16:41:00.000+01:00

It started so well with a day at the Welcome to Yorkshire Tourism Conference. I met up with 6/7 twitterers on Malton Station platform - purely by chance - and they were a great bunch of people to travel through to Leeds with. Once at Leeds Station we then caught a shuttle bus up to the Theatre - it was really did feel like we were on a school outing with so much giggling going on - I was almost disappointed there wasn't a lollipop man to escort us across the road.

Y11 was fascinating with some great speakers. I'm not going to tell you anything that was mentioned - just keep an eye out so see exactly how far the brand will go around the world this year.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent at Jasmine Park - a great couple of days at the park that my brother manages with the help of two wardens. It was just exhausting getting up at 6am to complete 3 hours of work on Robin Hood work and then a full day at Jasmine before working until 10pm getting things uptodate here. I look forward to spending time there again but may manage my time a little differently.

Yesterday was VAT, today was running around alot and now I just want to curl up in bed and sleep alot - instead I'll be sorting bedding, cleaning equipment etc for tomorrows check-ins - when the week will start again!

Award Winners

2011-04-02T16:02:00.001+01:00

I seem to have lost a week with my blogs - maybe its because I was a little hungover this time last week after a fantastic evening at The Old Lodge Hotel in Malton where we were named winners in the Pride Of Malton and Norton Awards for Customer Service.

The other nominees in our category were Malton Tourist Information Office and Ian Brown Tyres so we feel very lucky to have won.

The evening hadn't started too well as all our arrivals were late so we were both trying to get ready at the same time as serving in reception. I must warn those guests that I'm not normally so smartly dressed and I never work with such high heels.

We were given a lift to the awards evening and I did feel like I was arriving at the Oscars when the driver opened the door for me and I proceeded to walk up the red carpet. It wasn't quite champagne on arrival but the Bucks Fizz was just as gratefully received. We were then escorted through the hotel to a marquee in the grounds of the hotel. This is when I really did believe the evening was going to be a total disaster as we were on a table in the very back corner. Noone ever wins when seated in the back corner!

A three-course meal was served and then it was down to the awards evening proper. Luckily our award was first so we didn't have to wait too long. This is what was said about us:

Nominated for the genuine care and attention that they give each and every person that stays with them and always going the extra mile for their customers. Rebecca and Damian Palmer-Bunting, the owners of Robin Hood Caravan Park, Slingsby, are described as "kind, caring people" whose business is a way of life for them and whose primary concern is the needs of their visitors – whatever those may be and are always willing to provide extra support to families and those experiencing problems during their stay in the area. The passion they have for their business and their customers is described as ‘’exceptional.”

I couldn't say anything more other than "Thank-You!" as we were named winners in our category. I actually had to ask one of the organisers what was said about us as I was just too nervous to listen properly when it was said and then when our names were read out I shot up onto cloud nine and didn't really hear what was said then either.

After all the awards had been given out it was time for the raffle and we won in that as well. Dinner, Bed and Breakfast at the Old Lodge in Malton so thats my wedding anniversary gift sorted.

As for the bad luck table in the back corner - it turned out not to be! Another couple on the table won an award in their category and between us all we won three raffle prizes so it was actually quite a lucky table.

Another finalist placing!

2011-03-16T10:31:00.000Z

What a week it has been! Firstly the downs - its accounts time again and with two other parks to take in as well its a long process!

However, the huge up of the week came yesterday when we found out we were finalists in the Pride of Malton & Norton Awards for Customer Service - we have improved our customer service procedures massively over the last 12 months and the changes are obviously paying off. Firstly with a nomination in the Visit York Awards and now this, in our local awards. The finalist placings are certainly spurring us into thinking about entering this years White Rose Awards - the elite of the awards for tourism in our county.

Over the winter both of us took a course with Welcome to Yorkshire called Yorkshire Pride. Susie Brindley and Kim Broderick led the course all about welcoming our guests, how we could help ensure our guests had a great time and discussed ways of building lasting relationships with our guests - it was great, superbly delivered and it was great to meet other people within our industry.

The other bonus from the course is that we both received our little green Y badges. The larger Y badges which you may have seen are reserved for the Yorkshire Patrons - a group of approx. 300 influential business leaders and celebrities taking the Yorkshire message to a global audience. We are both immensely proud of being "Yorkshire Folk" so to be able to wear our little badges is a great honour.

2011-03-11T14:42:00.000Z

What a couple of weeks it has been since my last blog and so much to tell you about!

The site is, of course, now open and we are currently waiting for our first guest to come into one of the static caravans. There is a definite buzz in the air as Damian and I get ready for the first set of guests. We have added a few new things into the static caravans this year so it was nice to be putting ideas into practise and we look forward to getting feedback from them.

The really exciting news is that once again we have been shortlisted as “Self-Catering/Caravan Park of the Year” in the Visit York awards. Sadly, the two categories have been combined once again this year – hoping that one year we can shine in our own category.

We have also been shortlisted in the “Outstanding Customer Service” category which to me is the one that would mean the most. Keep an eye on our twitter feed on the night of 6th April as that is where we will be breaking the news – whether positive or not our followers will find out first.

This blog isn’t going to be as long as I’d hoped as another car has come into view which means I’m needed in reception once again!

Its nearly here!

2011-02-25T10:33:00.000Z

Just 4 days before we open for a new season! Attraction leaflets are being delivered, the plumber is here ready to put water back onto the site, and the new welcome books are just about ready to go into the caravans so it is all systems go!

Even the kids are looking forward to opening the gates again – opening up always affects them more than we thought it would. We often have tears because they feel like we are abandoning them after having us all to themselves during the winter. I think they are old enough now to see the benefits of living on the park – they can whizz round on their bikes, meet new friends and they know exactly which guests to visit when they are on the lookout for biscuits (in several caravans they know exactly where they are kept!)

They also know the little traditions we have for them based around the park, particularly opening and closing. Immediately after those gates shut on the first Sunday in November we go to the cinema and have Frankie and Benny’s afterwards and we do exactly the same just before we open.

Although my Dad ran a park it didn’t affect us in the same way – for a start we didn’t live there. It was somewhere to go to see Nanna and Grandpa as they lived in a house on the park but we didn’t have anyone knocking on our door at all times of the night needing our Mummy and Daddy.

I am also very aware that I want our kids to remember us as doing things with them during their childhood rather than working all the time. So, some people do get upset that we have a couple of hours off on a Sunday afternoon when they are wanting to buy ice cream from the shop but I hope that they appreciate there are times we need to be selfish and put our kids first – ice creams have to wait until we re-open the shop in the evening.

Don't forget our new hashtag!

2011-02-23T11:22:00.001Z

We want to be able to help our guests plan things to do or at least have some ideas about what to do in the area - particularly things that maybe don't get the coverage that our larger attractions have.

So, we've come up with a new hashtag for twitter - simply search for #family2follow and it will give some details about what previous guests have been upto.

Its been a fun day!

2011-02-22T20:43:00.000Z

Its school holiday time and despite opening in less than 7 days we have been spending some time with the kids before the site opens. We've been playing "guests" and have found loads of things to do that we can recommed to our guests in the summer.

Having attended a marketing course with Visit York a couple of weeks ago I met Chris and Tamsyn from Treasure Trails - York and Humber. They have created several trails around the region with three specific to York. I loved the sound of these trails and quickly ordered the three with a view to selling them on the site during the season.

The girls (aged 5 and 8) chose the one that they wanted to do first - Murder Mystery and off we went. We always advise our guests use the park and ride facility in York. It costs £2.30 per adult and upto two children travel free with each paying adult. Its much cheaper that the carparks in the city centre and saves the hassle of having to find a space.

We walked from the bus stop to the Minster picking up a hot chocolate and some treats along the way. I can't tell you much about the trail because I don't want to spoil it when you have a go but it took us all over - places that we have never been before.

The trail states that it will take 2 hours but I would advise that this is a minimum - we had a break for lunch but we could have had numerous other breaks at the various attractions that we passed along the way - some that we didn't know existed.

And, did we solve the murder? Yes we did - we found out who the murderer was and the weapon! The girls were very proud of themselves - when we came home we logged onto the treasure trails website to confirm our answer.

The trails are suitable for all ages. We took our 5 year old and she only whined a couple of times - which is usual - if we'd had a younger child we could have used the pushchair/pram with no problems whatsover and the same could be said for wheelchair users - the Shambles is a cobbled street as are many of the old streets around the city so it could be a bumpy ride in a few areas but well worth it.

And the cost of this fab day out? £5 for the trail - not many places you can take a family of 4/5/6 (as many as you like) for only £5. We enjoyed it so much we are doing another one on Thursday!

Its nearly here!!

2011-02-18T12:26:00.000Z

Can't believe that we are so close to the start of another season with a very long list of things to do before March 1st - eeek!

A previous comment asked for funny customer stories and I have several but the one that comes to mind happened about 10-15 years ago (and yes - I still remember it). I was working on our other park which has a huge reception (imagine ours and times by 8) and it was packed with people. Someone was dealing with the guests whilst I was on the phone to a customer.

Sadly, this phone customer had felt the need to leave the park during the night and felt it necessary to complain. Obviously, I put my best "phone voice" on and explained I was sorry that he felt like that but if he could tell me what happened I would ensure the same thing didn't happen twice.

"It was the noise"

It was a Bank Holiday weekend so there was a possibility that this could be a genuine reason so I explained that we do have security staff on the park throughout the night and had the gentlemen mentioned the disturbance to the security staff they would have happily sorted the situation for him. Obviously we want the noisemakers to be the ones that have to leave not the quiet guests.

"It was the wind - it was too noisy" said the customer

Struggling to keep a serious face on I continued the conversation with the gentleman.

"The noise you are complaining about was coming from the wind, sir?" This caught the attention of the person I was working with and the first few guests that were checking in.

"Yes, the wind was far too noisy, kept us awake, we've had to leave so I want my money back!"

"I'm very sorry sir, there is nothing I can do about the volume of the wind" I managed to say as by this time everyone in reception was starting to smile and giggle "If it was something I could control I would have turned the volume down for you but sadly I can't so it doesn't warrant a refund - maybe you could try your insurance company"

Well, luckily the gentlman put the phone down on me at this point because my sides were hurting with trying to stop myself laughing. How would you have handled that?

How has the first week back been?

2011-01-07T14:36:00.000Z

It’s gone quite well actually! We have both restarted work again after a nice 8 week break in November and December. Had some fun times together as a family – saw Lion King in London, the real Father Christmas in Lapland and JLS in Manchester (guess which was Mummy’s fave) but now the girls are back in school after the Xmas hols it’s time to start focusing on 2011.

Beki recently completed a Welcome Host Gold course and got some great ideas for little extras we can put into the caravans to help our guests get the most out of their time with us – so she has spent time sourcing new products as well as bringing all the databases up to date, printing all the envelopes ready for a brochure drop and keeping our facebook/twitter pages up to date.

And Damian – well he has been stuffing those envelopes with the new prices – the tent/touring prices are exactly the same as they were in 2010 despite the rise in VAT – with a little help from the girls.

New Years “work” resolution is to keep this blog a little more up-to-date. Let’s see how long it lasts!

Out of the mouth of babes.........

2011-01-05T21:22:00.000Z

I don't normally write about personal stuff on here - in fact its a while since I've written anything on here but I have just had one of those conversations with my 8 year old that I want to remember for ever! Where better place to log it.

I was happily driving along with her in the front next to me and her friend in the back when she suddenly said "There's a bar around here". Now anyone local will know that the back roads from Malton to Castle Howard through Easthorpe and Coneysthorpe do not have a bar on so I didn't have a clue where this information had come from:

Mummy: What makes you say that?
Child: There was a road sign back there like one of Daddy's birthday card and it is for a bar.
Mummy: There aren't any bars around here - I don't think you did
Child: It said it was a bar on Daddy's card. The sign with 2 hills on it means that there is a drunk woman on the road in front of us

At this point Mummy nearly crashes the car into the nearest ditch at the same time as thinking that I need to put a warning out to people not to send Daddy those cards!

Back to driving along the dark, country roads when another random thought is mentioned:

Child: When I have a baby I'm going to call it Stephanie or Bethany - anything with thanie on the end of it really
Mummy: Thats nice but not something you really need to be worried about just yet
Child: I've already found my husband. "Child C has asked me to be more than friends"
Mummy, nearly crashing the car, asked when this happened
Child: In my bedroom on Xmas Eve - he asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend and I said yes
Mummy: Aww thats nice but you should be a bit older.
Child: We are going to be boyfriend and girlfriend, then husband and wife, then mummy and daddy, then Grandma and Grandad, then we'll die
Mummy is now rapidly trying to change the subject!

We safely drop her friend off and I quickly go through what my child has said just in case her child mentions any of it.

Of course on the way home she starts again:

Child: I'll have to think of some other names Mummy
Mummy: Why?
Child: Well if I call her Bethany someone at school might call her Better Knees and I don't want her to be teased
Mummy: Very thoughtful of you and you will have lots of time to think about it.
Child: You know "Child X" from school - you told me I have to be nice to him/her so he/she will be nice back
Mummy: Yes (now wondering if i'm having to chat to the head in the morning)
Child: Well, i don't like him/her and don't think I'll ever like him/her so i'm not going to bother.

Moral of the Tale: Daddy can do the Brownie run next week!

Is it any quieter now?

2010-11-02T17:05:00.000Z

YES!!!

Finally, although we haven’t quite got to the official end of the season, things are definitely a lot quieter. The phone has quietened down and it doesn’t take more than half an hour to do the mail/emails on a morning.

So what are we doing?

Damian’s job is still as busy as ever – it just includes different things now – leaves mainly! They are all over!!

Damian has also got the mammoth job of making sure that all the caravans are drained down properly over the winter. We were snowed in for almost 5 weeks last year so you can imagine just how cold it got and that can mean lots of burst pipes once the spring arrives (although just one in 2010). He can also start working on the list of “house” jobs that have built up over the summer.

What will I be doing?

Over the last couple of weeks I have been sorting the end of year paperwork, making sure that price lists are printed for next year and updating our website so it is ready to take bookings for 2011. I’ve started relaxing as well – the adrenelin has slowed down now and i’ve been catching up on the “Mum” jobs – helping organise the PTA Halloween party, typing up the PTA recipe book, sorting xmas plans and with two little girls having birthdays between now and January I have birthday parties to plan :-) We also have a dance show to prepare for so things are all go!

For the first time in many years we won’t be heading for the sun this winter – my little brother is getting married this winter and as Damian is a Groomsman and the girls are Bridesmaids it hasn’t been possible. We can make up for it another time.

There are courses that I will be going on in marketing and customer care etc - just making sure that we don't get complacent in what we do.

We have no huge plans for anything new on the park eg. buildings, roads and parks as has been the norm for the last few years so I'll be looking at other "new" things that we can implement.

Our #family2follow on Twitter was launched quietly over the half term holidays and we will continue to work on that - helping to create itinerary ideas for our guests and I have a special surprise up my sleeve for the kids that come to stay - more details to follow.

More importantly, I will have more time to spend on this blog - making sure it works and making sure I prove my friend wrong!

Things must be quieter now.......

2010-09-13T12:12:00.000+01:00

No!

I have lost count of the amount of people saying things must be quieter now the kids have gone back to school. The park itself is quieter – we don’t have the same amount of campers but all the static caravans are still full and will be until the beginning of October.

However, my little office (about the third of the size of reception) feels very, very busy. Electric bills have to be prepared for our static caravan owners, seasonal invoices need calculating and sending out and Xmas cards have to be chosen!

Ooooh – 2011 prices to sort out, get to the printers and uploaded onto our webpage. I may as well be writing a list than a blog – things keep coming to me. We also send out a brochure and updated price list to everyone that has booked with us in 2010 – that’s alot of stamps to stick onto envelopes!

I’ve also got some blog posts to catch up on. The girls and I were tourists for the last week of the holidays and we are sharing our days out with our guests so they know some of the great attractions we have in the area.

Enough procrastinating – I really must start on the list of things to do – boil the kettle was first on the list, right?

2010-07-29T15:31:00.000+01:00

The kids have done a bit to help the blog but now the tables have turned and its the guests turn to ask the manager!

Why buy another site? Why not continue working at Crow’s Nest?

Oooh tough one to start with! I was in the final year of a European Languages and Business degree at Leeds Met. Uni. I don’t remember the details of how dad approached the subject and I don’t know how long he was thinking about buying another park. My Grandpa passed away about 18 months earlier and he founded Crow’s Nest so maybe my dad was thinking of the things he had achieved and his legacy. Dad also likes “a project” and at the time there was nothing to knock down and rebuild at Crow’s Nest so maybe he just wanted to play with mini-diggers so much he needed another park.

I loved working at Crow’s Nest. Firstly, I worked in the shop, then in the snack bar and swimming pool before finally going into reception with some shifts in the bar. I enjoyed meeting the different people and the challenges they each brought. I grew up with some many people at Crow’s Nest and still see many of them when I go up there. And, Of course, I met Damian at Crow’s Nest – sure my Dad was horrified at me marrying a guest! Note to my children – don’t even think about it!!

When did you take over Robin Hood Caravan Park?

We moved into Robin Hood on 6th November 1999 – the first anniversary of my Grandpa’s death. I often wonder if he would be proud of what we’ve achieved but I know Nanna and Grandpa will have a smile on their face as we carry on their legacy. Indeed, the day we got our 5 stars I just sobbed with the inspector because I knew they, and my dad, would be so proud of us.

What was it like managing a park at 22?

I loved it – and still do! It was nice to get my teeth into something new. Some guests didn’t like it – if they had a problem they would ask to speak to my mum and dad. I would say “I am really sorry but my Mum and Dad don’t live here.” Then they would ask to speak to the manager – their face was always a picture when I explained I was the boss.

What has been the worst moment?

Waking up to see gas bottles floating in the Autumn 2000 wasn’t great but we learnt from it. We were in the middle of developing the site so we were able to build everything higher than the water table – which was the problem – and we’ve put loads of extra drainage in so it won’t happen again.

Foot and Mouth hit the tourism industry hard the following year so our opening two years weren’t great.

What has been the best moment?

Apart from closing day each year? Hahaha. Seriously, I have had loads of great moments. The day we got five stars for the first time was a very special day. The day I sold my first caravan was great especially since those people are still here. The awards we have won and others we have been nominated for are always great particularly the ones which are down to guest nominations. I have loads of best moments – and although it’s really cheesy to say so I love meeting the guests – particularly the ones that come back year after year. They have watched us grow up, they have watched our kids grow up and they pull me out of any bad times we’ve had. Can I go now before I get tearful please?

Ok, but tell us what you will be doing immediately after we've finished?

I'll be checking the answerphone and then sorting out our new environmental board so guests are aware of things around them and how they can help us conserve those things.

Thank-you
If you have any other questions that you want answering leave us a message!

Why should we blog?

2010-07-24T16:02:00.000+01:00

It’s been so long since I’ve sat down and wrote a blog piece – I’m sorry! A customer came in earlier and said he enjoyed reading it and was looking forward to the next bit. Our chat got me thinking about what it should be about so I asked him why he had read it:

“To find out what the people are like” said the customer.

“Which people?” I replied (in my defence of asking a silly question I was hungover).

“The people that run it” By this stage I must have looked a tad confused as he went on to explain. “When we look at the various sites we read all the reviews we can to make sure it’s a nice site and if there is a blog attached you can work out the personality of the wardens/owners to see if it’s going to be a war-camp regime with loads of rules or if we can just relax”

I’m hoping that we come across as a friendly, relaxed park where our main rules are to use a bit of common sense and respect the people staying around you. I wouldn’t like to go on holiday and be told what I should and shouldn’t be doing and hopefully that comes across to our guests. That customer hopefully thought that – I’m sure a message will be left if that isn’t the case.

Through the other child's eyes.....

2010-07-21T16:58:00.000+01:00

I'm sure every family is the same - one child is a lot different to the other? What one child gets the other one wants? Ours is the same. Our youngest child wanted to answer the same questions as her older sister but answers are a little shorter(!)

Do you like living in a house in the middle of a caravan park?

Yes

Why?

Because I do

Is it nice meeting lots of new people?

Yes

Whats the best bit about living here?

Playing on the park

Whats the worst thing about living here?

Don’t know

Do Mummy and Daddy let you work with them?

No

Is it good having Mummy and Daddy to yourselves in the winter?

No

Do you want to run a caravan park when you are older?

Yeah. Is that is now because Peppa Pig is starting?

First Time Campers....

2010-06-16T10:04:00.001+01:00

May I just say a huge thank you to Gail for writing this blogpost for us:

Last time I slept in a tent I was around 13 and in the Girl Guides. The tent was ready assembled and apart from a rather unpleasant incident with a toilet tent during a stormy night found the whole experience very exhilarating.

So when our youngest son, aged 7 became a member of the local Sea Scout troop, we decided to join in the fun and get into the outdoorsy scene. Beavers unfortunately aren’t allowed to camp overnight with the Cubs and Scouts but are able to do so at the annual ‘Family Camp’ – the perfect excuse to buy a tent and get out there.

After a little research into tents and other paraphernalia we descended on a local store and bit the bullet. Stuffing the car boot with a large tent (with carpet) and a few extra’s to ensure we were reasonably well equipped. We decided to test it all out the following weekend and decided on an attractive looking site with good facilities (reviews from a couple of websites spoke of friendly staff, very clean shower/toilets and great play area – all of which was true!) Oh and the weather was supposed to be hot and sunny.

We arrived at Robin Hood Caravan Park late Friday afternoon a little nervous of assembling the tent for the first time on a proper site. We had done a quick practice run a couple of days earlier but had lost the will to live when we failed to see how the ‘ring and pin’ system worked. Yes, it is very simple now we know, but wasn’t at the time. So, we checked in and were told to pitch up wherever we liked in the tent field which was great because we found a large space to spread out all our ‘bits’ of tent before the complicated bit.

This is when you truly appreciate those little pop-up beach tents that once let out of their bag, leap into the air, pirouette beautifully and land perfectly formed and ready to use. Not this baby! Oh no, this one had coloured poles that resembled magicians wands and had to be inserted in a specific order. Once in, ‘someone’ then had to scramble through the mountain of tent fabric like an army assault course to be able to support the centre of the tent while the ringy pin thingy’s were forcibly manoeuvred into place. Stupidly, I thought doing the assault course was the better option until I realised that on a hot, humid sunny day, the centre of a zipped up tent wasn’t exactly the best place to spend fifteen minutes, unless you wanted to do the Indian Sweat Lodge thing.

Only a few harsh words were uttered, probably because we were in earshot of other campers but eventually the thing looked like a proper tent. A very big tent! A lovely, spacious, marquee of a tent with carpet. Hubby set off to blow the airbeds up. Now, as we all know, airbeds have a valve to put the air in and it’s usually the very same valve used to squash the air out too. Ha, not our one. Who knew there was a second hole in the thing and a little plug that should be fitted when inflating it. Strangely, it was some time before hubby, sweating like a pig on a spit complained that it was taking ages to blow up. I managed to stifle my laughter (it wasn’t the time or place for a sense of humour!) and suggested he put the second plug in.

Two and a half hours after arriving we were sitting with a cold alcoholic drink outside our new home watching the children play and enjoying the sunshine. It was a beautiful evening especially when at around 10pm and children were still running around squealing, the heavens opened and forced them all into their tents and bed. No need to play ‘hunt the child’ that night!

The only thing wrong with our first camping trip was that it wasn’t long enough. Thank you Robin Hood staff!

Through the kids eyes........

2010-06-11T10:55:00.000+01:00

Who are you?

My name is Sophie, I am 7 years old and we live in the house on the caravan park

Do you like living in the middle of a caravan park?

Sometimes I do. Its good because people come and talk to me and my sister. But I don’t like it when Mummy and Daddy have to keep going to reception when I need them in the house and people ring up in the middle of the night to ask if we have room for them to come and stay – it wakes me up. We have movie nights on Friday nights and people keep knocking on our door and interrupting.

There must be some good things - isn’t it nice meeting lots of new people?

Yes because we get to play with other people. Trev and Sue make me laugh and Andy is helping me with my gardening homework. We get lots of Easter eggs from our customers. We can ride our bikes round and round the caravan park.

What is the best bit about living here?

In the holidays we get to go to the park with my grandma and play with the other boys and girls staying here. I helped Grandpa pick the park out of the book. I get very cross when children drop litter on it.

I also like sleeping in the caravans when we are allowed. We get to choose a different one each time and I am hoping that one day we are allowed to sleep in a tent.

I also like it when we can all close the gates.

Whats the worst thing about living here?

I miss my Mummy and Daddy when they are busy. Its also unfair that some children are allowed to stay up because they are on their holidays and I’m not allowed because I live here and have to go to school.

Do Mummy and Daddy let you work with them?

Me and my sister have our work uniforms so we can look like them when we help. We get to do the inventories with Mummy which helps with our counting and me and my sister see who can get the most rubbish in our sacks when we do a litter pick with my Daddy.

I told Mummy we should do an activity pack for the other children like we get when we go to restaurants. She thinks it is a really god idea so I am helping her with that at the moment.

Is it good having Mummy and Daddy to yourselves in the winter?

Yes because we get to go sledging in the tent fields – they can play with us. We can go on our own holidays in the winter. Mummy won’t let me go in a tent though because its too cold in the winter.

Do you want to run a caravan park when you are older?

No I want to be a dancer – but then I can put dance shows on for our guests and I can go on the stage when we go to Grandpas. Amelia can run the caravan park.

Question of the week

Who should be the next person to be questioned and what would you ask?

If I were the owners........

2010-06-08T16:46:00.003+01:00

Love reading that comment in the reviews people leave about the park on various websites. To be fair, we do learn alot from reading them but the latest one states “ If I were the owners I would also offer vacant electrical pitches whether for one or two nights, not just the minimum three” presumably referring to the three night minimum stay we have over the Bank Holidays. However, we have been fully booked for all three nights of all Bank Holidays since we implemented the restrictions into our terms and conditions so I’m not really sure that we will be putting this reviewer’s ideas into practise.

We do have some guests that will book, and pay, for all three nights yet only stay for 2 - so as the owner of the park we will be keeping our 3 night minimum booking policy for Bank Holidays. Oooooh and just a little reminder we’ve only got one pitch available for the Summer Bank Holiday in 2010 and have already taken bookings for Spring Bank Holiday in 2011.

The only other minimum stay restriction we have for tents with electric is for the Castle Howard Proms weekend – its 2 nights then and we have already filled those 2 nights. We don’t have restrictions on tents using electric hook-ups at any other times.

A Holiday at Home

2010-06-06T21:35:00.002+01:00

Living on a caravan park, it’s inevitable that our kids are going to want to stay in one of our caravans at some point. They see everyone come and spend their holidays here – but it’s their home – not their holiday.

It’s the final Saturday of the school half-term holidays and everyone was going home – we had one of our brand new caravans available so we promised they could sleep in one.

Excitement was an understatement – they were up early Saturday morning packing their bags ready for their “holiday”. Naturally packing by a four year old isn’t a good thing – but we went with it – if she hadn’t packed something she needed it wasn’t going to be a problem – we were at home afterall!! So, Troy the Teddy Bear and a Curly Wurly were all she really needed!?! The bags stayed at the front door while we got on with the Saturday routine – changeover day, ballet lessons etc.

After tea they turned into “guests” – they trundled off to reception with their suitcases and sleeping bag – I wandered after them with the things they really needed (and a bottle of wine for myself). Daddy continued his job in reception, giving the girls their key and the map of how to get to the caravan. Sophie (aged 7) was in charge of the key and Amelia (aged 4) was in charge of the map and getting them to the right caravan – didn’t take too long and soon they were choosing their beds, unpacking their bags and relaxing in the front of the TV.

They were having the time of their lives and I was making notes about how we could improve our services for the guests – now I was one. Fans are at the top of the list – I was always worried about being too cold in the caravans and last night we were all sweating buckets so now I’m finding ways of keeping the guests cool.

The midnight feast was eaten by 9pm, we texted Daddy to bring us more supplies – the things we’d forgotten (not a service available to all guests – sorry) and he joined us on our holiday. Getting the kids to sleep was a nightmare – too hot and too excited. They played Musical Beds for about an hour and were threatened with going home once or twice but they fell asleep........eventually.

A few more rounds of musical beds went on during the night so when I woke up at 7.30am (had to turn back into Park Manager at 9am) there was no one in the bedroom with me. Have a look where I found them..............Note to caravan manufacturers - who needs bedrooms!

We didn't take breakfast with us - we had that back at home - its only 30 seconds away so it didn't take long to get back. Not sure that any of the guests saw us while we were on our holidays - goodness knows what they would have thought. The kids had a great time - after a really busy half term holiday for Mummy and Daddy it was really nice for us all to spend some precious family time together. And secretly, I had a lovely night - despite a lack of sleep - and I've got some really positive ideas that I plan to make reality over the coming weeks. Then we'll do it all again......

Friday, 4th June - Quick Update - Introducing Question of the Week

2010-06-04T08:19:00.002+01:00

Up with birds this morning – well not quite – up with whoever wanted to book a tent pitch at 6.30am and managed to wake the whole house up by doing so. Someone was obviously keen to book their pitch (we’re full – oops)
I haven’t kept up with this blog as often as I’d hoped because things have been busy. The phone hasn’t stopped, internet bookings are coming in thick and fast and we have been ensuring we keep the park looking as fab as always but now I know people actually read it I’ll try a bit harder to keep you up to date.

In recent weeks we have had 2 fantastic Bank Holiday weekends – so the weather wasn’t fantastic but everyone seemed to have a great time while they were here. We got some really good comments in reception and people seemed really keen to tell us what they would do with the park if they ran it – some of them absolutely ludicrous but others were really constructive and we will definitely take some of them on board – keep those comments coming in.

We have also received our grading from Visit England – proud to announce we are still 5 stars. As soon as that car pulls up and I recognise the inspector my stomach does a back flip. I know that we are worth everyone of our stars but every year is the same – I find it so stressful. Our guests reassure us of what a great job we do but it’s only the inspector that can confirm it for me.

I don’t want to be the only one that writes this blog and currently have one guest writing an article for it and my little girl wants a turn but we want feedback from you as well so, here is my:

Question of the Week

My one question to you would be, if you have a really bad time somewhere – feel as though you need to complain you would probably put it in writing? Yes? Well I would. But, if you have had a really enjoyable time somewhere – are you as quick to put it in writing? I’m not. Every year, when looking at the awards we can be nominated for we are always asked for customer letters/emails. Don’t get me wrong – I have loved receiving bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, bottles of wine and even a Dutch fruit loaf from some Dutch customers we helped but we need emails, letters and cards and I’m not sure how we can do that. Any ideas?

Its time for the awards

2010-04-24T18:52:00.001+01:00

Chauffer driven cars were pulling up, the band was serenading the guests, we were walking the red carpet and the champagne was flowing – you would have thought we were at the Oscars. Well we were, just not the Oscars you were thinking of – we were at the Visit York Award ceremony.

As a finalist in the Self-Catering/Caravan Park of the Year Award nerves were high but there was also a sense of excitement as we entered the Great Hall of the National Railway Museum. Men wearing tuxedos and ladies in their gorgeous dresses and highest heels were looking around the trains. Helping ourselves to champagne we wandered around the turntable with huge steam trains all around us mingling with 400 guests from across the tourism and hospitality industry.

We were then called to “follow the band” through to the station hall where the awards ceremony was to take place. I’d only ever taken that walk in trainers – never imagined to be doing it in three inch heels! Note to guests – easier to do it in trainers.

Trains from the bygone era were all around us – very surreal to be enjoying the occasion surrounded by trains. The tables were set out over the platform with giant screens at the front. Its not a good sign to be seated at the back of an awards ceremony – do you ever see the Academy Award winners walking from the back of the theatre?

Its time to settle down, get the wine open, browse through the menu and grab the freebie pens. The evening was hosted by Gervase Phinn, writer and poet, and he soon put everyone at their ease.

We didn’t have to wait long – we were the third award to be given. The Dovecote Barns and Jollydays Luxury Camping Ltd were our competition. I couldn’t tell you what was said about the category, I couldn’t even tell you which of our pictures was used in the film reel – could be the amount of wine consumed but probably the nerves – I can say that thanks to the guys at York Marriott I did hear a huge cheer when our name was read out as one of the nominees. Nick was opposite me ready with the camera to take a picture of the “look of joy/disappointment” as the winner was announced. I haven’t seen that picture but I’m sure I kept smiling as The Dovecote Barns’ had their name read out. To be fair, we didn’t expect to win in our first year of entering – we were just proud to be in the top three out of eighty other candidates.

Once the other awards were out of the way we tucked into a lovely meal. Warm tart of asparagus and Shepherds Purse Yorkshire Blue Cheese followed by Roast Rump of Dales lamb – yummy - all washed down with equally lovely wine.

After the meal we hit the casino – all for charity with no real money changing hands – shame really we would have come home with a fortune. We didn’t go home completely empty handed – Dad won the magnum of champagne in the prize draw in aid of Marie Currie York and I was allowed to take some balloons home to our daughters. A good night was had by all and we'll try again next year

Click here for photos

More courses - but a good week!

2010-03-19T12:27:00.000Z

Its been a really hectic week - Damian had 2 days helping out at our sister park at the beginning of the week Crows Nest Caravan Park but hopefully all the trees have been planted now. Beki has been on more training courses - a couple in customer service and one in marketing so she is busy building on her ideas - its just finding the time. With two small children it is vital to find the right work/home balance particularly when working from home.

We are being inspected for the awards tomorrow so nerves are building. Both Beki and Damian know the site is looking its best - just hoping for a bit of sunshine now. We aren't sure how the lady is going to judge us in the same category as luxury houses, apartments. Only in these awards are the two sectors (self-catering and caravan parks) put together but we feel confident in our abilities. It will just be an agonising wait until the winners are announced.

Its been an up and down week!

2010-03-12T10:19:00.002Z

Its been one of those weeks where neither of us have stopped yet don't seem to have anything to show for it. I console myself with the knowledge that had we not done this weeks jobs the guests would have been able to tell - thats the most important thing. It can be quite frustrating when a seasonal or owner tells us we don't seem to have done much while they have been away but if the grass hadn't been cut, the weeds not dealt with, the facilities not been clean, lighting not maintained - they would have been the first to complain.

The freezing temperatures meant bursts this week - can't be helped - we've had to put the water onto some of our pitches for our guests but temperatures of -5 at night have lead to frozen pipes. I don't know how people cope on parks that are open during the winter months. The bursts have been on outside pipes so luckily haven't led to any damage - just frustration! Lets hope the night time temperatures are going to start climbing.

The "up" of the week happened on Wednesday when we received a letter from Visit York to say we had been shortlisted for the Self Catering/Caravan Park of the Year award. So exciting - we still have a mystery phone call and site inspection to go through but to get onto the shortlist is an honour in itself. We have been to a number of award dinners to celebrate the success of our sister site Jasmine Park so we are thrilled that its our turn now.

What will she think of next?

2010-03-05T00:02:00.002Z

We are now dreading the next course the boss goes on as she comes back with some many ideas! Here is the latest - youtube!

Do we or don't we?

2010-03-03T18:20:00.000Z

Do we or don’t we? That is THE question. Beki has been on a couple of search engine optimisation courses lately and one of the suggestions was blogging. She is no good at creative writing – never has been and was told by a friend not to try it! Maybe he knows her too well – she’ll witter on about absolutely anything and probably do more harm than good – so this blog is being written by everyone connected with Robin Hood Caravan Park – managers of the park and of our sister sites Crows Nest Caravan Park and Jasmine Caravan Park, suppliers, fellow accommodation supplier, reps and most importantly the guests – we’ll give it a whirl – if it works then woohoo and if not – that friend would be right!