Alder's Tone

The blog database is giving me problems at the moment, some posts are "lost", but accessible from the archives. Hang in there while I fix it.

17:40 - Fixed, all should be OK again. Due to database issues with beta version of MT.

Posted by Lee at 09 September 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

We had our first family holiday at Holestone Moor Barns, with the Bowes family kindly coming along to help keep us on the straight and narrow.

So where did we go, and how was it? Was it suitable for us? With two young children in tow? And one of those just on his feet?

I can't remember how we got the Premier Cottages leaflet, it was probably one of MOTS' random leaflet collecting moments. She does insist on pillaging the earth's paper resources, and it does break the backs of our paper recycling collectors. But this one leaflet came up trumps.

A quick shufty on the website, and through the full brochure we'd sent for, and we stumbled across Holestone Moor Barns fairly early on. It was immediately ruled out. The big money picture just screamed out, it looked excellent. With the double-height lounge, massive gable end with open ceiling, it just said "too expensive for us". So we looked elsewhere.

After looking at a couple of alternatives, with disappointment and realisation that young kids aren't really catered for, we came back to Holestone Moor again, it just seemed to pop open on that page on the brochure. Possibly due to the previous thumbing it got. What the hell, let's give it a shot. MOTS got the availability and prices, and we were a little more relaxed about that "expensive" shot. After agreeing dates with the Bowes, the booking was made quite a way in advance. Which sort of made the BBQ for Junior's birthday date specific, had to be the weekend before as we would be on the road the weekend after.

Now the one thing that really surprised me was hearing from Vicki, the owner, that she gets phone calls from parents such as us asking about the floors, and them taking the answer as a reason not to book. Well, their loss is all I can say, which means more chance of availability for us, this year and next. For our "only just on his feet" 1 year old, and the Bowes "grease lightning" two and a half year old, the beautiful stone floors never caused a moments worry.

The family angle on the place:
Our cottage was The Stables, the 2-bed smaller of the two. And no, not the one with the big money shot gable end double height lounge with fantastic stone detailing above the fireplace. There was room enough for the travel cot (thanks for loan from Vicki & Steve) and an inflatable bed, which caught Vicki's eye as a possible future option (one thing we learned quickly is there's constant change and tinkering going on). What really struck us was the child-proofing we had to do. Nothing. There was a big glass vase in one full height window that Junior took a liking to, but with a distant eye cast over in that direction it was never an issue. The baskets on the hearth full of logs for the wood stove saw some action - our little monster dropping the toys of the Bowes' little monster in among the logs. And that was it, we only moved a table lamp onto a windowsill, the rest was just needing nothing more than a watchful eye.

The big money shot:
The lounge in the BarnSteve & Vicki pride themselves on their welcome, and the welcome we got was one to be proud of. It didn't just last the short time it took to show us round, but through the whole week. From the loan of a safety gate (handy for keeping them out as well as in), the massive fruit basket for us, the BBQ equipment (everything except food and drink - everything), big information file, the list goes on. Even with grouchy kids Vicki was there to let us into "Chickenopolis" to feed the chucks. And that was the one regret - the order of eggs from Tesco. Won't be making that faux pas next year. Vivki, if you read this, half a dozen eggs for arrival, please!

And that was the start of it. The facilities on site were fantastic. With a grassed area with picnic tables and a climbing frame, a games room with table football, pool, ping pong and a couple of TVs for good measure, the upstairs play room for the smaller children well stocked with toys, the pond, "Chickenopolis", the meadow, the woodland (with sunhouse in the middle), space for running about was certainly not missing. The only thing we never used was the fridge in the games room. We should have declared that the "beer fridge" for the boys.

The larger Barn, the one with the double height gable open ceiling big bay window huge money shot picture, has 5 bedrooms, all beautifully decorated to individual themes. With a double, 2 twins and 2 triples to sleep 12 this cries out for big families or groups of families and friends. We got a cheeky look around as it wasn't let the week we were there (ie we had all the facilities exclusively), and the whole bay window big money shot really does do the place justice. If only we had enough friends, we'd be in the barn like a shot.

Not recommended. Not until my booking's made at least.

In terms of location we couldn't have been better. Right on the edge of the Peak District National Park, with so much close by we never ventured more than 30 minutes away to get to anything. Of course, if shopping in major retailers cloned shops is your thing, Meadowhall at Sheffield isn't far off. But then you may as well stay in Manchester and go to the Trafford Centre. Or Bluewater in London. Or just go into Leeds city centre. I'm no fan of going away and going to big chain shops you have at home, what's the point? So this little bit of rural England is a great escape. Oh, and how dark at night?

OK, bottom line: Would we recommend it?

No, certainly not. Because we want to ensure availability when we come to book again (for 2009 that is, 2008's booking is already confirmed). So stay away from the place. Please....

Many thanks again to Steve & Vicki for truly 5* hopitality. It's easy to see the hard work that's been put into the place to get and keep that English Tourist Board's 5* rating. I am thrilled as I type to read the news on their website posted today about their last tourist board assessment.

Website: www.hmbarns.co.uk

Silver Rattle: For a place to have a holiday

==============================

Inspired by our stay, there's been a minor change to the site tonight. The new Alder's Tone banner:

A view from Crich Tramway Museum, taken with 7 pictures, stitched and cropped.

Posted by Lee at 07 September 2007 | Permalink | Comments (8)

The first family holiday has been booked for quite a while, and we'd invited the Bowes along for good measure, sanity, and a sneak peek into the life and times of a two-and-a-half year old. So what did we get up to, and more importantly did the little 'un enjoy it?

First holiday, first night away from home, first steps just before going, first time leaving the house without enough food packed to see us through 'til we get home. Surely it was a disaster?

The morning start wasn't particularly early as we couldn't get the cottage until 4ish, which wasn't a problem at all. What was more of a problem was my set of dangerously under-inflated tyres and one almost bald rear tyre. Thankfully, down to LOCAL traders, we got a new tyre first thing on Saturday morning to set us on our way. Oh, and the other three pumped up a touch too.

We tried to take a decent road to Newcastle, but ended up on a farm track behind caravan after caravan after caravan after tractor after caravan. I'm with Hammond on this one, Tina Turner and her Bunsen Burner rules!!

A stop for lunch at Junior's request came minutes away from Scotch Corner services, so in we went. We have used Little Chef before through choice, but this was absolutely bloody awful. The food was not pleasant at all, presentation points nil, no taste, dirty place, poor service, and Dick Turpin prices. Everything the motorway services used to be but are trying to leave behind. Perhaps they should get round to Scotch Corner sometime soon, because it has clearly been forgotten about.

After that the journey improved, with a stop at the Bowes mansion for a cuppa and a snack for Junior. Then the fun started again, with the tyre pressure warning coming on once we hit the M1 again. After a stop and check, it just needed a reset and we were off again, albeit gingerly.

Holestone Moor Barns - as we pulled into the courtyard outside the cottage there were two notable moments.
1) The engine being switched off and me sinking my head into my hands on the wheel
2) The fantastic reception we got from Steve & Vicki, the owners

So far that's Junior's longest journey by car, a trip we would normally have done with no stops. Alas, the days of non-stop travel are well and truly over. At least we don't have the "are we there yet" commentary from the back. That particular joy is yet to come.

The Sunday was a slow start, with a visit to a local farm park. Plenty of animals to see and feed, the baby ferrets being of particular interest to MOTS. Junior preferred the bigger species, from chucks upwards.

Bank Holiday Monday - we left the cottage (were we mad?). Crich is home to the National Tramway Museum, which also had a vintage vehicle day on as an added bonus on the Monday. Junior wasn't too happy on Monday, as we later worked out this was down to the jabs from the previous Friday. The two tram rides brought out the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in him - "ding ding, 'hold tight'" and we're bouncing at the front of the top deck, holding onto the front rail of the tram, happy as Larry. "This stop for ....." and we're at Hyde's stop, screaming, back stiff and arched. "Ding ding, 'hold tight'" and the Doctor's back.

We have a small number of old postcards and like to look through the ones on sale at stalls when we can. We had exactly that opportunity at Crich, mostly of trams funnily enough. There was one that caught the eye of MOTS, here was a real and distinct possibility that the pit pony, and more importantly the chap next to the pit pony, from 1909 was Junior's Great Great Grandfather. A call to Granddad (whose Granddad it would have been) resulted in a "not sure" answer. Do we buy the card? At £60 we'd better be more than "not sure". Anyway, as it turns out, there is doubt remaining to this day. We didn't fork out the £60 on a remote possibility, but wanted to get the contact details from the dealer in case it turned out to be a distinct possibility. He refused to give us anything. No name, no phone number, nothing. To me that means he thinks we could be Inland Revenue, so he's clearly in my mind a suspicious charlatan who doesn't pay his dues to Her Majesty's Treasury. I would like to think it was, and that Junior has seen a picture of so many generations past.

By Tuesday we're still not feeling 100%, still off the food a little. So the visit to Matlock and the Peak Railway went less than smoothly. He did have some of our fish & chips, and did enjoy the steam train. When it was moving of course. Daddy didn't like the climb up the temporary scaffolding steps put in place while a new road bridge is built. Secretly Mr Bowes wasn't struck on the idea of it either, but complained far less than I did.

Wednesday. Good God what a change. Having the most fantastic baker's lunch from Bakewell sat watching the fish in the river, the appetite came back with a vengeance. The cheese & onion pasty wasn't safe, nor the pork & apple or pork & tomato sausage rolls, his sandwiches, the fromage frais, all vanished without a trace. All this while I got the best photo of the week - Mr Bowes and the fruit of his loins walking peacefully along the banks of the river with the medieval bridge in the background, with other people in shot totalling none. Not happy with lunch Junior filled his load even more in the afternoon while we sat having afternoon tea at the Denby pottery. Very civilised, what what.

The best day for Junior was Friday, with a visit to the seaside resort of Matlock Bath. They have fish & chips in abundance, rock, amusements, promenade walks, illuminations, cable cars, everything a seaside town should have. Except the sea. Built up from the spa which provides water at a steady rate of 19 degrees Celsius, this is an inland Blackpool. Without the chavs. The aquarium caught Junior's attention the most. He was fascinated by all the fish, large and small. We think we have found his calling in life - he loves our cats, he loved Steve & Vicki's cat, the farm, the fish. That's it, we're having to save up now because vets courses are not the cheapest.

Just one little accident through the week, as he's now walking (yes walking) he mis-judged the distance to a chair and went down like a sack of spuds, getting a big egg on his forehead where he clashed with the bar across the chair. Not that he was bothered by it, and it was gone without trace by morning.

Totally uneventful trip home (apart from the rant coming up) with Junior getting bored 10 minutes from home. That's what I call a result! Right, the rant. Caravans. Why? For the bulk of the year they are static. This is no good for the tyres. They get hard, the pressure on them in one place leaves the bulge on one side of the tyre weaker, and liable to crack. And when the idiot at the wheel gets that tyre nice and warm on the motorway BANG - it's all over the carriageway. Sure enough we passed one on the M1 with bits of steel and rubber strewn all over. Rent a cottage instead, it's much more civilised. Or buy a static caravan. Tax them to pay for the policing and clean-up of the blow-outs, to offset the extra fuel the 30-mile tailback (I think ours was more like 80 on the way down) is burning. Tax them hard. For the love of God, ban the caravan.

Many thanks again for the input from the Bowes, it certainly would not have been the same had we been on our own.

Posted by Lee at 07 September 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a funny old couple of weeks, what with being off work but actually going back for a rest. There's been lots going on, and no doubt I'll lose plenty along the way, but here we go anyway. First up, the unique horror that was the first birthday party.

That's already been covered in this post. But worth bringing up again just to realise the horror is over. Until next year. Hmm, who mentioned 2nd birthday party? Not me, that's fur SURE..

Second up, the aftermath. I've not dared to venture into the dining room since, the standard "let it dry and it'll hoover" approach to mud on the carpet didn't work, so it's cleaning time. Minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. With Junior being less than 3 months into his attendance at nursery he wasn't allowed reduction in fees to be off until, coincidentally, his birthday. That gave us 2 days of paying full fees while off work. The solution? We need to clear up and get ready to go on holiday, so he may as well be in. OK, for those who know and love (some do) the Yorkshireman in me "we're paying for it, we may as well get it". Arrived late, picked up early, but still gave us some time to ourselves to get the house sorted.

Then the big day comes. Birthday boy! MOTS had this romantic notion about taking him to the beach on his birthday, but alas it was the typical 2007 summer's day and quite wet. What did we do instead? Take him to Clarks to buy his first set of shoes. Some birthday! Not quite that bad, we did mark the moment at 10:52 in the park on the swings, MOTS having just made it back in time from having her hair done. Then we went to Clarks. As it brightened up later we did make it to the beach after all, with MOTS getting some nice photos, one of which was akin to a children's catalogue. Hat by Boots, dungarees by JoJo Maman Bebe, toys by ELC.

Thursday - Anstruther. With the Gents off work we headed in convoy to get the UK's best fish and chips (no longer Scotland's, apparently). Marked by the neds revving up and down in their "unmodified" Corsas, Pug 107s and Puntos ("unmodified" when it comes to insurance quotes, of course), a lovely lunch sat burning happily in what was the one day of the Scottish summer this year. I was very disappointed in them, not getting a full portion. My only complaint being that my son nicked some of my fish, and with it some chips. I never signed up to sharing my fish and chips when we decided to have kids. I don't see that one in the contract at all. Thursday and Friday saw some big build up to a major event going on, not really quite sure what it was, but we didn't see the lad for dust once he was up on his feet and away. Fantastic timing, we just buy his cruiser shoes and the little git decides "nah, don't like that, I'm offski".

We managed a few feet across the carpet, stopped only by the change in height of the floor where his playmat sits on the rug. Thwarted by a bit of rug and a half inch of foam!

As it's jabs time again, ie third MenC at 12 months, we had an appointment through for his birthday. We couldn't do that to the poor lad, so rearranged it for the Friday. He was really good with the last jabs, so we thought he'd be fine with these too. As it turned out we were right, he was smiling again before leaving the surgery. Calpol? No thanks... The only side-effect being, as before, he was off his food a bit 3/4 days later but when his appetite came back, boy did it come back.

Next stop South Yorkshire...

Posted by Lee at 07 September 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0)