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

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 been an up and down week!

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?

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