Am off to Lancashire and the delightfully named Last Drop Village. This is a country hotel with some craft shops, a cafe and pub in the courtyard located just north of Bolton.
I have heard about this hotel but this is my first visit.
The tour has been arranged by Malcolm Harris from Haslemere, who has operated holidays and day excursions for many years now, although this is to be his last tour due to impending retirement! He will continue to be an agent for me and will travel on some of our own holidays and excursions.
I enjoy taking private groups away because all I have to do is steer and smile! Anything to do with passengers, hotels and destinations is all out of my hands and I can relax a lot more!
Not sure how much I can relax on this tour as I have to have the new summer holiday brochure to the printers in 3 days time and I haven't finished it yet! To tell the truth I have not long started it!
There is only one pick up point today with all the passengers being ferried in by Wheeldrive minibuses.
By 08:00 we are away and have a short toilet stop on the A3 at Wisley before proceeding to our coffee stop at Cherwell Valley Service area on the M40. Malcolm and Jill (Malcolm's wife) serve drinks and biscuits from the coach for those who don't want to go in the service area.
It is all motorway today with our lunch, and last, stop being at Stafford services. These are nice services to stop at because they have been landscaped very well with a small lake and seats outside. Ideal if you have brought your own lunch. And Malcolm has brought his own lunch!! He has brought crisps, sandwiches, kitkat and drinks for everybody! What a good idea and one that is well appreciated by the passengers.
Some of the pricing in our service areas is rather dear and the food/service is not always the best. They are convenient on long journeys and serve a purpose but with a choice I wouldn't use them.
I may have to pinch his sandwich idea!
We arrive at the hotel by 14:45 and I'm soon unloaded with the staff being very quick taking the cases. There is lots of parking space for the coach and we have the added bonus of seeing the bride of the wedding that is taking place today.
The hotel is like a small village with its courtyards and character.
I lock the bus, walk to reception for my key card and stroll up to my room.
I can't get in! Bloody keycard won't work!
Back down the stairs to reception for it to be reprogrammed and then back up the stairs to try again.
Still not working! Lucky I'm fit and slim (??!!) as I have another climb down the stairs to reception and back up again with my new card! It works!
A lovely room makes it all worthwhile! And I can access the internet.
Could do with a lie down but must work on the brochure.
At dinner I am the only one who didn't make a choice of meal on arrival!
Not a problem as I can have anything from the very tasty looking menu.
After dinner I spend another couple of hours working on the brochure before bed.
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