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It’s time to unwind - the millions of sparkling
stars on frosty West Country nights, the flickering
fires, the blustery but bracing moorland walks
or coast-path strolls tell us winter is truly here.
What a great autumn though - so many almost perfect
misty valley mornings and the woods in great colour.
But a puff from the Gulf Stream scattered the leaves last
week and with that we're settling in for the run up to
Christmas. Happily, it's not too late to find a good
place to get away for the Christmas holidays or New Year.
Have a look at this
stunning house sleeping 12 in the South Hams - great for a big family gathering - or
this
tiny cottage on Dartmoor; perhaps
this splendid apartment 20 yards from the delightful
beach at Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon would more suit your
gaggle or this
riverside cottage for four in Calstock, South Cornwall.
Whether you want to 'live it up' or hunker down,
we can really help find a place that's just right for
you - because we've visited and know each one. Start
your search here
or call our telephone team (01647 433593) and use their
considerable expertise to help you choose.
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| East Prawle |
Chagford |
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| Bigbury-on-Sea |
Calstock |
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… while you’re on holiday over Christmas and New
Year, slip across to the open-air ice rink in the
18th century courtyard of Exeter Castle, transformed
into an enchanting icy world complete with a 50ft
high Christmas tree and twinkling lights. Just a two minute
walk from the High Street, all ages are welcome –
see http://www.exeter.gov.uk/christmas
for opening times and booking details.
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| Also in Exeter, you’ll find street entertainers
and walkabouts in the newly-developed Princesshay
Quarter every Thursday (from 6pm to 9pm) and Sunday
(from 12pm to 3pm) from 25th November until 23rd December
– and of course, the shops are open late… go
to
http://www.princesshay.com/newsandevents/index.aspx
for all the latest news and events at Princesshay. |
…or why not strut your
stuff on one of the most spectacular rinks in the
country at the Eden Project? Open to the end of February
half term, please see http://www.edenproject.com/3102.html
for opening times - advance booking is strongly recommended.
Stay in the area, try:
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Air Southwest, the regional airline specialising
in air services to and from Devon and Cornwall, has
announced new routes for 2008. Five new routes to
and from Plymouth (Glasgow, Newcastle, Dublin, Cork and
Chambery) and three new routes to and from Newquay
(Glasgow, Newcastle and Chambery). Summer 2008 flights
on all routes are now on sale…and your surfboards are
welcome! See
http://www.airsouthwest.com/news for details.
Also take a look at http://www.flybe.com
for details of Flybe’s low cost fares to Exeter
and Newquay from a large number of UK cities. There
are flights to Exeter from Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh,
Norwich, Guernsey, Inverness, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle,
while Newquay is served from Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh,
Glasgow and Southampton.
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…and perhaps with that
in mind, if you’re running out of ideas for Christmas
presents, how about giving a Helpful Holidays gift
voucher towards a holiday or a short break next year
at one of our wide selection of West Country homes and
cottages. £10, £20 or £50 vouchers are available.
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Well what else would we say? - head west, of course, for
free world class scenery, great gardens, wonderful walking,
historic houses, hospitable natives, fantastic food and
numerous 'attractions'. Not convinced? – well, you might
enjoy the different pace of life, the tranquility, the freshness,
the gentleness - you might gain a different perspective.
You might find time to linger over a view, picnic on
a beach, lie down in a bluebell lagoon. I could go on, but
you get the point. We're blessed with wonderful countryside
and the towns are fun too, so make time for a short break
at least - you'll feel better.
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It may seem a long way off, but we’d LOVE to put the thought
in your mind of a cosy cottage for two to snuggle down in
after a delicious dinner in a renowned West Country restaurant.
Think about it soon if you want to be sure of that perfect
romantic location.
For that romantic retreat, take a look at:
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| Kingsbridge |
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| Penzance |
Chagford |
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If you’re in the Dorset/East Devon area with a
bit of time to spare over Christmas and New Year and perhaps
an inclination for some exercise and fresh air, you
could join one of a number of walks looking for fossils
(no smirking!) along this Heritage Coastline.
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| Lyme Regis |
Fossil walks with Dr Colin Dawes every Sunday
at 1pm. No need to book – meet at the Old Forge Fossil Shop,
Broad Street. Lasts approximately 2.5 hours. Adults £7,
children £3.
Fossil walks at Lyme Bay with Brandon Lennon take place
every Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Times vary according
to tide and start from The Anchor, Cobb Gate. Private bookings
available on other days. Tel. 07944 664757 for further details
and to book.
www.lymeregisfossilsforsale.co.uk/fossilwalks.htm
Fossil walks from Lyme Regis Museum. Walks last approximately
2 hours – adults £8, children £5, including entrance to
museum. Tel. 01297 443370 to book (essential) and for further
details.
Fossil walks from Lyme Regis Fossil Shop. Booking essential
on 01297 442088. |
| Charmouth |
Fossil hunting walks from the Heritage
Coast Centre, Charmouth. Walks last approximately 2 hours
and include a 20 minute talk on fossils. £7 adults, £3 children.
Booking essential. Tel. 01297 560772 or see www.charmouth.org. |
Amazingly, we have added another 7 holiday
properties to our portfolio since the last newsletter and
what a range! From converted barns and cottages
(A81, P41 and J16), to seaside locations (R51,
H14, P294 and Z27), all across Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.
These and others will appear in the first supplement
to our brochure in the New Year.
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| North Bovey |
Lesnewth |
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| Looe |
Mousehole |
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| Charmouth |
Tiverton |
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| Boscastle |
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We've had another happy and successful year and
Helpful Holidays goes from strength to strength. More
people than ever experienced our particular brand of holiday
helpfulness this year and 99.75% of those who gave us
feedback said they'd recommend the firm to a friend (96%
also gave both us and our owners full marks). Our mission:
to help our holidaymakers choose from a great and
varied range of unique places to stay, and provide
the comfort of knowing that the accommodation has
been checked out by us and is honestly presented, continues
unchanged. We hope you have a happy and enjoyable Christmas
and wish you all a great New Year. We look forward
to welcoming you back to one of our holiday homes
in 2008.
Best wishes and a very happy christmas
Moray Bowater
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