February 2012

February 10, 2012 Category :News 0

Well we seem to be getting the winter that they promised us now. We have had snow and ice for the last week and the roads have been pretty scary at times! Luckily we have managed to do a fair amount of the groundwork for our new entension over the last few weeks as the weather had until last week been fairly mild for this time of the year. We are so looking forward to being able to offer a choice of accomodation and I am sure that some of our regular guests will welcome a change too! We have decided to go with another Rayburn in there and not an Aga as we feel that a Rayburn will be better suited to the kitchen and we will be able to regulate it better too.

I have been closed since December but I am all set for re-opening and welcoming my first guests of 2012 on the 27th of this month. I am really excited that it will be all go again, especially as the last few months have been quite difficult. I very sadly lost my Mum in December, who braved awful illness for several years. Unfortunately her funeral was in the week leading up to Christmas so we had to jolly ourselves up a bit to try and make the most of the seasonal celebrations. It is a blessing that Mum is no longer in pain, but it makes me think even more about the fact that we must make the most of our lives and enjoy and cherish the time that we have on this earth. I want to continue to make my guests have the happiest time possible here at Howe Foot and then hope that they will go away with long-lasting happy memories of their well deserved break in the Lake District.

We are working on getting an internet connection for our existing holiday cottage at the moment. It should be up and running by the end of this month and I am sure that many of my guests will welcome this addition. I find that many people are forced to work whilst taking a break, which isn’t ideal for them, but at least they can work here in warmth and comfort. I hope will make up for having to work in the first place!

Well, that shall be all from me for now. I look forward to receiving enquiries and bookings from you and please feel free to either email or phone will no obligation to book. I am here to help.

Take care and stay well.

Sue x

Brand New Appartment planned at Howe Foot

December 8, 2011 Category :Uncategorized 0

Christmas is fast approaching but we never let holidays get in the way of our plans!! This year we were thrilled to get planning permission for an extension on the gable end of the cottage that we live in here at Howe Foot. We are building a little holiday appartment again “Just For Two” and the views will be stunning! It will be facing the beck that runs over the property and it will be as private as our other holiday cottage. There will be an Aga in there and a wood burning stove so it will be really cosy and you will look out over the beck from one side and accross the fields on the other. It is sure to be a “wow” factor so I do hope that after reading this you will decide to come and stay! We should have it built and ready for letting in around 10 to 12 months time as work has already begun. I shall keep you posted, so watch this space.

I hope that you have also checked out Sawday’s super dooper new website with lots of extra photo space. I have 17 photos showing on there so do take a look. I am already taking bookings for next year, so have a look at the availability calendar on my website if you are wanting to plan a break. Prices as this year will be carried through to next year and until further notice. I have decided to close for the rest of December and for January as the weather is awful and I want to get all sorts of jobs done in the cottage so that it is as super smart as always for you next year. In the meantime I would like to wish you all a really Happy Christmas and may you all have a Happy and Healthy 2012. I look forward to hopefully welcoming you to Howe Foot sometime in the New Year.

Guests Comments this Summer

October 6, 2011 Category :News 0

I have had some super guests to stay in my cottage this summer and I have really enjoyed the little chats that I have had with them. Most of all I have been so delighted that everyone has enjoyed their stay here. The following comments that I have copied out of the Visitors Book will show you what I mean.

“Beautiful cottage in a fantastic setting. A great place to relax. Thank you Sue” x
Danielle and Michael

“Thank you Sue for such a lovely stay. The cottage is beautiful and so well-equiped that it was a pleasure to cook in every night. You have thought of everything. Thank you too for all your tips on things to do in the area. We really appreciated everything and bought a super mug from Torver Show to remind us of our stay”……..
Rosie and Matthew – Twickenham

“After the winds of the North East took our tent, we decided a bit of luxury was in order and we really found it here in the Lakes. Thank you so much Sue for being a wonderful host. The cottage is stunning and we will be back soon!” x
Paul and Lucy – Chorlton-Cum-Hardy

“Dear Sue, thank you so much for welcoming us in to your beautiful cottage. We had a wonderful stay. All the best” xxx
Kerry and Guilhem – Clapham

“Thank you Sue for your care and attention and thank you both for your kindness and friendship. We have had a very comfortable and happy holiday”
June and Ian -Cornwall

“A beautifully kept rural retreat. Glorious views, peaceful and idyllic setting – Bliss”
Richard and Caroline

“The most beautiful cottage we have ever stayed in! We came from Bristol and Germany and did not want to leave. Many thanks”
Regine and Gisela

“This cottage is as perfect as ever. It’s my fifth stay in this secret hideaway. See you next year”
Molly – Wolverhampton

“When you live in such a wonderful place it is a treat to find there are others! Superb cottage and a real delight to be here. Outstanding geology and walking”
Martin and Helen – Cornwall

Fairy Magic!!

August 19, 2011 Category :Uncategorized 0

I cannot believe that it is over a month since I last wrote any blog! Time goes too fast these days, as I am sure you will agree. The cottage has been booked up for the last few weeks and my guests have all been lovely. I must enter a few more comments from the Visitors Book on my next blog so that you can see that I am still getting great reviews! My most recent guests told me how wonderful it was that I go in to the cottage everyday to assist with the daily management of the cottage……they were impressed that in five days they never saw me but that they were looked after so well.
I am that Magic Fairy who waves her wand over the place whilst you are out… all at no extra charge! The reason it all came about was because I used to do B&B and lots of my old guests said that although it was a terrible disappointment that they wouldn’t be getting my lovely breakfasts, it would be great if the housekeeping side of things could remain the same.Then they would still feel that they were getting a holiday and a break from routine. I was happy with that request and it has worked well over the years. So, if you fancy a self-catering break with a twist, why not come and stay here?? I would love to welcome you. Autumn is just around the corner and the trees in the Lake District in the fall are spectacular and well worth seeing. Have a look at the availability calendar and see if you can find a slot that would suit you and then emal or ring me for prices.

Independent Cottages

July 16, 2011 Category :News| Uncategorized 0

All the chicks from the blackbird and pied wagtail nests flew safely and I was lucky enough to see them all leave. I was thrilled and felt part of their lives before they went… I cannot wait till next year now! We have had masses of nests in the garden, but only those two and the blue tits have been in such close proximity.

I have recently joined a lovely advertising company called Independent Cottages.co.uk and now have a great advert and lots of information about Howe Foot on their site. If you look on my prices/availability page you will be able to follow the link and see Howe Foot on there. There are some lovely places to stay all over the country so if you haven’t seen the site before, have a browse and see what you think! Thanks to Sarah at Independent Cottages I now have an availability calendar on this site as well so at last you will be able to see which dates are free and which are already booked. I hope that this will help you, but as always, please feel free to email or ring if you need personal help from me. I would love to hear from you and hope that you will want to come and stay. There are still available dates in August and beyond.

All good wishes,

Sue

Cottage upgrade

June 19, 2011 Category :Uncategorized 0

I am always trying to improve the cottage and make it as comfortable and homely as possible. This month I have invested in a new 22″ Flat Screen Sony TV which has an inbuilt DVD player. I am going to have a hunt around for a few DVD’s to put in the cottage for my guests but please, if you visit, feel free to bring your own. Great to have there in case the weather isn’t too good, or if you want to curl up on the sofa and relax after a day out on the fells!!

Literally outside the cottage sitting room window, I have a Pied Wagtail busy feeding her chicks. She has her nest in between the wood which we have stacked in the wood store behind the cottage. Who needs a TV at the moment with her to watch?! You can see the hungry mouths opening in anticipation, and the mother is so sweet! She is so busy and just great to watch, and you don’t have to move from the sofa to see her. Outside our house, there is a blackbird sat on her eggs, just over our lounge window in the wisteria. It is wonderful to be surrounded by our many feathered friends. There are masses of fledglings busy feeding from the feeders we have hung up and in between all the smaller birds, we have a Greater Spotted Woodpecker and her young and a male Pheasant who comes at least twice a day to clean up whatever the birds have scattered on the ground!!

I have vacancies in July for anyone who would like to visit our nature ground!

Summer Madness!!

June 6, 2011 Category :News 0

I can hardly believe that we are already in June, but looking around the garden which is now so green and full of flowers and watching all the young fledglings is a constant reminder that summer is finally here after the harshest winter for a very long time. We have lost lots of shrubs which were until this last winter hardy evergreens, but alas they are no more. The only consolation being that after talking to the local nurseries, they too lost many of the same, so we are not alone.

Whether the weather be rain, shine, warm or cold, there is always a warm welcome at Howe Foot for my guests! The cottage remains snug and cosy throughout the seasons and offers its guests the peace and tranquility that they need after working hard for probably many months. This month here at Howe foot I am offering, subject to availability, a three night stay at a gift price of £210 all inclusive. I want people to experience the cottage in its idyllic surroundings so that they will, as many of my guests do already, return on a regular basis. I would love to hear from you so please do get in touch and we can arrange a stay for you. Please remember that it is just two guests at any one time. I have a double bedded room or there is a sofa bed for friends sharing.

Take care and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Susan