09 March 2010
Spring really has arrived I have seen my first lamb over the weekend.The Weather continues to be absolutely fantastic clear blue skies,mirror like Lakes and snow capped mountains.I managed to get a good day fell walking yesterday to take advantage of the weather.I managed to drag Julie my partner and reluctant fell walker up Red Screes '3000 feet'.The views from the top were breathtaking and I was quickly forgiven as the climb up was quite tortuous!
We went for a drink on the way home and met a guest who used to stay with us years ago from London.A few years ago they bought a bed and breakfast in Windermere and eventually sold that and bought one in Ambleside late last year.They seem really happy enjoying the slower pace of Lakeland life.
Adam my youngest Son has his 12th Birthday this week,doesn't have a clue what he wants - a suprise Dad please!By chance on Saturday a guest whilst feeding the Ducks a Waterhead got talking the a lad on a trike ( a 3 wheeled motorcycle) who had just set a business up taking people on tours around the Lakes. So I've booked him in for next Sunday along with his cousin Charlie who's Birthday is the following week.So Job done and hopefully two very happy/terrified boys!
When the weathers this good I have the easiest job in the world! So this week is pleasure to be at the Regent everyone even the staff are happy, spring really must be in the air!
Hope to see you soon.
By Andrew Hewitt, 09 March 2010 –
13 February 2010
Thank Heavens for St Valentine I know some of us are a little cynical about it all but there is enough romantic couples out there to make it one of our busiest weekends of the whole year!
Finally we are back to normal, we chased the last builder away at lunchtime yesterday 1 hour before check-in.The Garden Suites look really good and we have made a few changes to improve them further.
Next week is half term hopefully the kids will get some good weather for a change. I am taking an extra day off to spend come quality time with them and hopefully do some walking or probably cycling as 2 of them got new bikes for Christmas. We love the cycling in Lancaster and Morecambe as there are no hills and the local council has really gone to town on creating safe off road cycle ways with great variety, such as canal paths, sea prommenade and country bridleways.
Jason chased his builders away from Lakes Lodge yesterday they didn't leave until 3pm I believe one of the builders was helping guests with luggage! He has opened four new themed rooms with daffodils and boats etc They look really modern and exiting!
Spring is literally around the corner my favourite time of year when the Lakes really come to life with all the daffodils and Spring Lambs.
See you soon
By Andrew Hewitt, 13 February 2010 –
27 January 2010
January is finally coming to an end ,what a long month it has been!Finally we are getting back to normal the garden suites are only 2 weeks away from being ready the workmen have really pulled out all the stops for us. The swimming pool got damaged as well without us realizing it was losing water like a bucket with a hole in it so we had to close it and plug it! by the time February comes the hotel will be virtually rebuilt.
The Reception staff are always busy but at the moment we are having a reorganisation.They have pinched the bar store and are moving the computer and telephones to free some space on the front desk so they can meet and greet you freely without the interruption of the telephone every few seconds. Karen is having sleepless nights getting us ready for our own online booking system that is going live very soon!
Lakes Lodge in the town has 4 New rooms coming on very soon,they are in the basement all having ground floor access and have been designed by the designer and owner of `Britain Best House!`so I can't wait to see them finished.
Up at Lake House Hotel,Hideaway House has been let for Self Catering Holidays and next week work is starting on converting it into 7 luxury bedrooms including a disabled room plus 5 will have Lake views.These are due to open in June.
Its all go at the moment and business is slowly picking up so hopefully by Easter we will be somewhere near back to normal and this hard Winter will be a distant memory.
Hope to see you soon!
By Andrew Hewitt, 27 January 2010 –
09 January 2010
We are still open and for those of you able to get here, it looks absolutely breathtaking, I have never seen the Lakes looking more magical. I try to get out whenever I can just to take in the atmosphere of this Winter Wonder. The Hotels are really quiet at the moment, having this on top of the flooding in November, but its great news for all Ambleside Anorak Shops!.
We are busy doing bits of refurb at the moment and repairing the flood damage getting ready for the Spring bounce!
I hope you are all well and you are coping with the weather, as at appears non of us have escaped, infact I think we in the Southlakes have got off lightly so far!
I will post some more Winter Wonderland pictures shortly,
See you soon
By Andrew Hewitt, 09 January 2010 –
01 January 2010
Happy New Year to you all. Writing this 9am on the 1st after a really great New Years party, I had to drive home so I feel fine this morning, ready and charged up for the year ahead but the staff don't look as enthusiastic!
The New Year break finishes tomorrow, tonight we have a magician and an impossible hotel quiz kindly donated to us by Mr James from the Colwyn Bay Rotary Club, they must be really clever in Colwyn Bay. Its a fun evening then back to normal Saturday.
We have had such a busy festive period I might take some time out next week, there's a big football game in Manchester on Wednesday night so I will try a combine that with some shopping in the Manchester Sales! With Dad and Jason - should be interesting!
January hosts Amblesides ' Bond ' a Gentleman's evening to celebrate the Prosecution of Fellons in the Ambleside district. What you might ask? - basically before the Police, local communities took law enforcement upon themselves, upstanding members of the local community dealt with Law and Order, our Ambleside Bond is 189 years old, one of only a very few surviving the country. To Celebrate the Bond we have a Bond Night when all the Ambleside Bonds men get together on the last Wednesday in January to have a dinner and be entertained by two speakers, a local person usually a Bonds man to talk about Town, trade and Farming and an invited dignitary ie; the Chief Constable to talk about Cumbria. It's a really good social night and is a tradition that Ambleside is very proud of.
I hope to see you all soon
Have a great New Year!
By Andrew Hewitt, 01 January 2010 –