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| … but what a year! A late and snowy
spring, a roaring hot ‘remember it
forever’ summer and a mild and gentle
autumn that’s drifted on and on. As dark December
days and the turn of the year approach, it’s hard
to resist looking back at the things that have made
us happy. Sorry if you hate blogs… |
Magnificent Max… our sponsorship
of Max blazed off the line in February
and he’s ‘done us proud’.
Here are some photos of Max blasting his
way round the Dunkerswell track in August. Despite mixed
fortunes, Max is hell-bent on finishing in
the top ten of the Southwest Championships.
He is currently lying 4th out of 38 with
just two rounds to go, so there’s everything to play
for. Come on Max!
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Marine Conservation…
for years the MCS has been producing one of the
best
beach guides around AND doing good work helping
to keep our beaches clean and protect
the marine environment. Our sponsorship of them this year
and next gives them something back for all this good work.
Mary’s return … Mary left
England for New Zealand in 2004 and via
the wonders of the internet continued
to help our customers over the phone and via email from
her lovely new home. In June she and Mike came back for
a trip, bringing Hayden. It was great to see them.
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Our beautiful brochure… arrived
early in September and we are very proud of it. Bigger,
better, more pictures – but just as detailed
as ever. People tell us they take it on holiday
with them as a guide, even if they book through another
firm! If you’d like a copy –
just
ask.
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We were radiant at the Millennium Mayfair Hotel…
for the finals of the Unysis/Management Today
Customer Service Awards. Our first ever entry
found us in the top three nationally!
Sadly no trophy this time – beaten by
Firebox.com
(who?) – but we had a fab evening
and will try again next year.
Farms
for City Children... now here’s an
organisation to warm the heart and lift
the spirit. Michael and Clare Morpurgo founded
the charity in 1976 with the aim of giving children the
opportunity to live and work on a farm for a week. The
children have unforgettable experiences
and get the opportunity to make an authentic connection
with the wondrous natural countryside of England. We’ve
sponsored their Christmas card this year – please
buy them
here.
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David’s do… turned into quite
a reunion when we took over ‘The
Buller’s’ for a little lunchtime merriment
to mark his 60th. Only Mary was missing from the
impressive assembly of recent HH mums.
One of David’s (many) usual tasks is to draft this
newsletter and a great job he does. His finest hour? - maybe
his inquiry and report into the imminent
Blackawton
worm charming festival in March this year –
Reuters would be proud.
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So there we are … a jolly year.
Of course, we’ve also worked hard to find more good
places for happy holidays in the
West Country and our portfolio has grown to over 550. Once
again, feedback from you, our customers,
looks very good and we continue to hold
fast to the guiding
principles which have helped make our firm
a success. We look forward to next year
with hope and confidence that, with the
support of customers, our particular brand of holiday helpfulness
will continue to grow more popular every year.
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| If you’d like to get away to a
cosy cottage or magnificent manor
over the Christmas break and enjoy the pleasures of a
real fire, we still have places available for weeks
or short breaks over Christmas or New
Year. Call us and we’ll be happy to discuss
any one of our holiday homes, give you our honest
opinion about it and whether it’s the one
for you. As always, all
carefully inspected by us and star
rated for quality. |
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R25:
Antony is hidden in the depths of the narrow Cornish lanes.
A detached, early Victorian manor house
with large gardens, this is the perfect Christmas
get-away, with high beamed ceiling and an oil-fired
Aga. R25 sleeps up to eight people,
so there is room for all the family and even a snug for
children to spread themselves.
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L25:
A peaceful New Year escape in a 'roses round the
door', Grade II listed, detached cottage (once
the carpenter's cottage) in Curtisknowle. L25 sleeps up
to 6 people across three bedrooms, one of which has a stunning
four-poster bed. Cosy up by the inglenook fireplace
and welcome the New Year with a bottle of bubbly.
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A111:
A Dartmoor retreat, sleeping up to four people in a conversion
of an ancient granite barn into a spacious cottage.
The property is situated in Manaton and is only 400 yards
from the local pub and about 3/4 mile walk through woods
from Lustleigh Cleave/River Bovey - great
base for walking off those Christmas mince pies!!
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F27:
A contemporary home in the valleys of Exmoor,
F27 has been decorated to a very high standard
and sleeps up to six people, across four bedrooms,
one with 5’ bed and another with 6’ bed.
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| ... and afterwards, if you need to compensate for over-indulgence
and enjoy a gentle adventure, join The
Fur Tor Pilgrimage on New Year’s
Day. A round-trip of 10 miles to the ‘Queen
of the Moor’ in one of the most remote areas of Dartmoor;
walkers gather in the car park by the tourist information
point at Postbridge at 10.30am.
At 10.30am on Boxing Day, you can join
a little less daunting stroll starting at Haytor
lower carpark and lasting for an hour and a half.
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Our 2006 photo competition
received over 200 entries and after much deliberation and
judging, we are delighted to announce the winner: Mrs.
Donna Cary from New Romney, Kent. Well
done her – she wins a £400 holiday
voucher.
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Well done and thank you for the overwhelming
number of photos you sent us. They ranged from spectacular
to touching – testimony to the sort
of holidays we sincerely hope you have
in the wonderful West Country.
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Four new ones joining
us as the year closes.Three are in South Devon
and the fourth in South Cornwall. These
and others will appear in our first brochure supplement
which we'll be sending out in the New Year, but until then
just follow the links below to find out
more.
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| Go west, of course, and let us help to
find you a place that’s perfect for you.
Look early, book early for the best
located and best value places.
Make time to spend at least one week or
weekend in our wonderful part of the world,
enjoy the numerous attractions the West
Country has to offer and find a different pace
for a while.
Best wishes and Happy Christmas
Moray Bowater
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