Updates and more....written by Caroline...
September 2023
Finally back! Oooh that was too long away from the house from March to Sept. 2 Weeks hols again, and boy did we sleep this time. We had had a very busy summer, and the sea air knocked us out! We enjoyed long walks on the beach, followed by long naps in the peaceful house, and we discovered yet more places to visit. We loved finding the Coppet Hall Beach Centre at Saundersfoot, where you can park up and enjoy a refreshment at their café, and then look for tide low times and an epic stroll on the beach with the dogs. There's a fab restaurant there called Coast, it was closed sadly for our visit, but looks epic.
Never a visit without some repairs after the summer season, so Patrick did his stuff in the garden and some painting in the house. I enjoyed replacing some broken crockery by mooching in charity shops (just love finding great gravy boats and vintage items!) and some new linen purchasing took place as per usual.
Finally back! Oooh that was too long away from the house from March to Sept. 2 Weeks hols again, and boy did we sleep this time. We had had a very busy summer, and the sea air knocked us out! We enjoyed long walks on the beach, followed by long naps in the peaceful house, and we discovered yet more places to visit. We loved finding the Coppet Hall Beach Centre at Saundersfoot, where you can park up and enjoy a refreshment at their café, and then look for tide low times and an epic stroll on the beach with the dogs. There's a fab restaurant there called Coast, it was closed sadly for our visit, but looks epic.
Never a visit without some repairs after the summer season, so Patrick did his stuff in the garden and some painting in the house. I enjoyed replacing some broken crockery by mooching in charity shops (just love finding great gravy boats and vintage items!) and some new linen purchasing took place as per usual.
March 2023
We were all down as a family for a big party we held in a mahoosive party house in Tenby for my 21st birthday + millions of months!
Never ones to stop, we organised our last big project for a while, which was a new retaining wall and fencing for the garden, and a new patio replacing the wooden deck that was rotting away each year.
We were all down as a family for a big party we held in a mahoosive party house in Tenby for my 21st birthday + millions of months!
Never ones to stop, we organised our last big project for a while, which was a new retaining wall and fencing for the garden, and a new patio replacing the wooden deck that was rotting away each year.
Jan 2023
Busy busy again! new flooring has arrived in the kitchen and downstairs shower room, and I enjoyed a whole 2 weeks there on my own lapping up the area and checking the linen etc., for the season ahead. It was lush. A new stair gate has been added too to keep our furry friends downstairs.
Busy busy again! new flooring has arrived in the kitchen and downstairs shower room, and I enjoyed a whole 2 weeks there on my own lapping up the area and checking the linen etc., for the season ahead. It was lush. A new stair gate has been added too to keep our furry friends downstairs.
December 2022
Love our visit to decorate the house for Xmas time. We also took delivery of the refurbished fabric sofas. Very soft and cushy.
Love our visit to decorate the house for Xmas time. We also took delivery of the refurbished fabric sofas. Very soft and cushy.
Sept 2022
We have had the BEST holiday in our little home as we had very little to do in it. Loads of eating, drinking, walking and exploring.
We finally did Barafundle Bay, and we also visited Marloes Sands. Oh my goodness what a beach! hell of a walk down hills and up again, but wowsers it was worth every bead of sweat. The dogs went crazy in the rock pools. Definitely doing this again next year!
We visited our upholsterer who is completely revamping two sofas we found in a local charity shop, so they will be like brand new and cannot wait for you to see the patterned one! We also booked in to have new flooring in the kitchen and downstairs bathroom in January. Always something!
We have had the BEST holiday in our little home as we had very little to do in it. Loads of eating, drinking, walking and exploring.
We finally did Barafundle Bay, and we also visited Marloes Sands. Oh my goodness what a beach! hell of a walk down hills and up again, but wowsers it was worth every bead of sweat. The dogs went crazy in the rock pools. Definitely doing this again next year!
We visited our upholsterer who is completely revamping two sofas we found in a local charity shop, so they will be like brand new and cannot wait for you to see the patterned one! We also booked in to have new flooring in the kitchen and downstairs bathroom in January. Always something!
April 2022
Just back from our holiday in the house, celebrating a family 'big' birthday and had a fantastic time with great weather mostly. The house packed us all in - six adults - and 2 dogs, and the beaches did not disappoint as usual. We went on our first boat trip around the Tenby islands and it was brilliant. Even a little rain did not dampen our spirits and both dogs enjoyed it too, and then a run around on Tenby beach afterwards (check when it closes for summer season on one side though).
Jacks at the Longhouse next door was fantastic for brunch, lunch and a dinner, and the Stackpole Inn (always book in advance) did us proud for the birthday dinner.
When the younger generation left after the weekend, hubby and I go into improvement mode, and purchased a new double bed, so now all the bedrooms have been updated with new beds. Sadly the week after we left someone let wet dogs upstairs again and our cleaning staff had to do their stuff and wave their wands! This means we are now getting a bottom gate fitted to the stairs so hopefully we can stop this happening. We really don't want to stop dogs visiting. It is the reason we purchased our home and let it out. To offer a safe lovely place for families and their dogs.
We also had a heater placed into the kitchen at last, and changed the towel rail in the downstairs loo to a taller one and more economically friendly as all heaters are electric. Now in a massive sulk as we cannot get into the house till September as fully booked!
Just back from our holiday in the house, celebrating a family 'big' birthday and had a fantastic time with great weather mostly. The house packed us all in - six adults - and 2 dogs, and the beaches did not disappoint as usual. We went on our first boat trip around the Tenby islands and it was brilliant. Even a little rain did not dampen our spirits and both dogs enjoyed it too, and then a run around on Tenby beach afterwards (check when it closes for summer season on one side though).
Jacks at the Longhouse next door was fantastic for brunch, lunch and a dinner, and the Stackpole Inn (always book in advance) did us proud for the birthday dinner.
When the younger generation left after the weekend, hubby and I go into improvement mode, and purchased a new double bed, so now all the bedrooms have been updated with new beds. Sadly the week after we left someone let wet dogs upstairs again and our cleaning staff had to do their stuff and wave their wands! This means we are now getting a bottom gate fitted to the stairs so hopefully we can stop this happening. We really don't want to stop dogs visiting. It is the reason we purchased our home and let it out. To offer a safe lovely place for families and their dogs.
We also had a heater placed into the kitchen at last, and changed the towel rail in the downstairs loo to a taller one and more economically friendly as all heaters are electric. Now in a massive sulk as we cannot get into the house till September as fully booked!
Jan 2022
Happy New Year! hope you all had a lovely one.
News - sadly, we had to take a difficult decision for Sept 22 onwards (as fully booked until then), and start to take the advice of the agency and charge for dogs and reduce from 4 to 2. We have had some damage last year from our visitors including damaged bedding, wet beds (that are brand new), and lack of respect from some visitors on letting their dogs go on the fabric furniture and damage it. Its very sad for us as we are dog lovers extreme but we can only plead so much. So the monies from this extra charge, will go towards any damages during the year, and if none occur, then we will be donating it to a dog rescue charity, or the balance thereof.
14th June 2021
Well, everything seems to be lovely and quiet and all running normally again. We have removed the signs internally asking you to not touch items in bookcases for 2 days etc., as we feel some normality has to come in for all. The cleaners are still doing a full swap out of duvets, pillows and protectors on each clean and the hand sanitizer is still in the hallway for you on the wall. Enjoy the summer!
Open for Easter!
Phew! only challenge we have is that we are not allowed in the house until 12th April, but our lovely cleaning team have it covered. We have had key workers in the house for all of March so at least its not lonely! We also have a new booking partner as Travel Chapter have purchased FBM holidays, so all change all round. We have had an amazing year already and are completely full for peak so our little house is going to be busy busy. Cannot wait until we visit again! Stay safe xx
Jan 2021
Locked out again! what a start to the year. Praying we see an opportunity to visit again. Bookings are great, with us nearly full from June to August hoping we can get some rest and relaxation in this fantastic place.
Updated 2nd November 2020
Our turn! just when I had booked for us to visit on 22nd Nov to Xmas decorate for our guests, then England is locked in again. So - stay safe one and all, do your bit, and we will hopefully visit in Dec to decorate and have some kind of normality before 2021!
Updated 19th October 2020
Well the Minister has spoken again and locked down for 2 weeks firebreaker. So sad for the families booked into us for half term and others over Wales but hope it makes things safe again.
Updated 15th September 2020
We had a lovely 2 weeks in the house. All seems to be working fine. Monday 14th September saw the introduction of face-masks in stores throughout Wales, which is fine as we have been used to this in England. We have had some lovely notes left from our guests. Please can we ask though - please do not use pillows from other beds. We used to have spares, but now we have to have full replacement sets for beds, this is not possible, we do give 2 per person. If you want more, please bring your own. If you take towels and pillows from the other beds you are not booked to use that week you are then mucking up the cleaners when they do their changeovers.
Updated 7th July 2020:
Yippee! we are in again. Busy getting the house ready for our first visitors again this weekend with LOTS of changes! our new world means:
Updated 23rd May... well now looking like all June bookings are being cancelled and refunded where required, so now hanging on for better news for July bookings! we are making use of the time given though by doing more gardening and decorating inside so it will be positively gleaming when we can finally let Visitors to the house. I cannot wait to see our little haven of tranquility again. Feeling sad today.
1st May 2020
The house is shut to visitors at the moment, and until June 6th we have cancelled all bookings, moving them to other dates or refunding if requested. After that, we suggest playing by ear as we are hoping lockdown will have eased by June, so people can finally get to go out and enjoy a well needed holiday.
So our advice is to sit tight. Your monies are safe with FBM (we dont get them until you have stayed in the house), and because we were fully booked from June to end of September, you would be advised to sit it out as we wont be able to place you again until next year otherwise unless you fancy an October getaway.
So, our gardener and handyman is working in isolation getting jobs done that we thought we were doing in October and we are reluctantly staying away from our home from home. Humph and double humph.
Keep safe and sane
Caroline and Mike x
Happy New Year! hope you all had a lovely one.
News - sadly, we had to take a difficult decision for Sept 22 onwards (as fully booked until then), and start to take the advice of the agency and charge for dogs and reduce from 4 to 2. We have had some damage last year from our visitors including damaged bedding, wet beds (that are brand new), and lack of respect from some visitors on letting their dogs go on the fabric furniture and damage it. Its very sad for us as we are dog lovers extreme but we can only plead so much. So the monies from this extra charge, will go towards any damages during the year, and if none occur, then we will be donating it to a dog rescue charity, or the balance thereof.
14th June 2021
Well, everything seems to be lovely and quiet and all running normally again. We have removed the signs internally asking you to not touch items in bookcases for 2 days etc., as we feel some normality has to come in for all. The cleaners are still doing a full swap out of duvets, pillows and protectors on each clean and the hand sanitizer is still in the hallway for you on the wall. Enjoy the summer!
Open for Easter!
Phew! only challenge we have is that we are not allowed in the house until 12th April, but our lovely cleaning team have it covered. We have had key workers in the house for all of March so at least its not lonely! We also have a new booking partner as Travel Chapter have purchased FBM holidays, so all change all round. We have had an amazing year already and are completely full for peak so our little house is going to be busy busy. Cannot wait until we visit again! Stay safe xx
Jan 2021
Locked out again! what a start to the year. Praying we see an opportunity to visit again. Bookings are great, with us nearly full from June to August hoping we can get some rest and relaxation in this fantastic place.
Updated 2nd November 2020
Our turn! just when I had booked for us to visit on 22nd Nov to Xmas decorate for our guests, then England is locked in again. So - stay safe one and all, do your bit, and we will hopefully visit in Dec to decorate and have some kind of normality before 2021!
Updated 19th October 2020
Well the Minister has spoken again and locked down for 2 weeks firebreaker. So sad for the families booked into us for half term and others over Wales but hope it makes things safe again.
Updated 15th September 2020
We had a lovely 2 weeks in the house. All seems to be working fine. Monday 14th September saw the introduction of face-masks in stores throughout Wales, which is fine as we have been used to this in England. We have had some lovely notes left from our guests. Please can we ask though - please do not use pillows from other beds. We used to have spares, but now we have to have full replacement sets for beds, this is not possible, we do give 2 per person. If you want more, please bring your own. If you take towels and pillows from the other beds you are not booked to use that week you are then mucking up the cleaners when they do their changeovers.
Updated 7th July 2020:
Yippee! we are in again. Busy getting the house ready for our first visitors again this weekend with LOTS of changes! our new world means:
- Hand sanitiser when you come into the house. We will fill it half way, then its over to you to have your own.
- Ornaments, leaflets, books and DVDs, cushions and throws have been reduced and placed into a swap box for the cleaning team to swap over each changeover, otherwise its going to look like we have moved out!
- Airing cupboard has been virtually emptied, and now limited to 1 bath sheet, and 1 hand towel per guest so bring your own too
- Downstairs cupboard locked, and turned into spare linen cupboard for our cleaning team, that also has to house swap over bed sets for all beds, Duvets, pillows and protectors.
- Hoover, Iron and Board, and mop now housed in downstairs shower room that thankfully is a big room, but I hate it :-(
- Signs on dresser, toys and bookcase asking you not to touch contents for 2 days when you arrive.
- Cleaning team now having to deep clean every time including door and drawer handles etc., so this will take alot longer to clean and change the beds as now all bedding swapped out every changeover.
- Guests now have to strip their beds, and place their bedding into the net bags provided (leaving protectors for the team to swap out).
- Guests to place all crockey and utensils used into the dishwasher when they leave as they can on a fast wash (Program 1) - we will leave you enough dishwasher tablets for your stay with us
- Guests now checking in at 5pm and out at 9am to allow the team to do the extra work required - hope that changes soon! not our wish
- Guests have to sign a document before visiting sent from FBM agreeing to their Covid-rules and stating they are not showing signs already.
Updated 23rd May... well now looking like all June bookings are being cancelled and refunded where required, so now hanging on for better news for July bookings! we are making use of the time given though by doing more gardening and decorating inside so it will be positively gleaming when we can finally let Visitors to the house. I cannot wait to see our little haven of tranquility again. Feeling sad today.
1st May 2020
The house is shut to visitors at the moment, and until June 6th we have cancelled all bookings, moving them to other dates or refunding if requested. After that, we suggest playing by ear as we are hoping lockdown will have eased by June, so people can finally get to go out and enjoy a well needed holiday.
So our advice is to sit tight. Your monies are safe with FBM (we dont get them until you have stayed in the house), and because we were fully booked from June to end of September, you would be advised to sit it out as we wont be able to place you again until next year otherwise unless you fancy an October getaway.
So, our gardener and handyman is working in isolation getting jobs done that we thought we were doing in October and we are reluctantly staying away from our home from home. Humph and double humph.
Keep safe and sane
Caroline and Mike x