Life's A Picnic

It happened...

What should I be saying..Katanga, Hang Ten,  Surf's Up?? I'm here, I've done it. I've moved to Newquay and I know all of...wait for it...2 people.

Yesterday was the big day and although I wasn't leaving Picnic Cottage for good, I was leaving and I did feel a little emotional about it obviously. I mean it was my very first 'pad' on my own, it was my married home, my office and later Picnic Cottage B & B (which it still is by the way). So, yes a bit wierd, leaving it furnished, looking lovely and Flack's Man and Van from Brixham sorting everything else out with you know...'stuff', which is what it is isn't it...just 'stuff'.

Anyhow, on arrival, after feeling a bit 'odd' leaving I felt fine arriving. The flat was left spotless and all I seem to have done is every few minutes go to the top floor lean over the balcony and breath in my sea view. I can see right across to Watergate Bay and as far as Trovose Head. Sweeping, blue sea and white surf. I love it!

I don't love...

For The Love of The Housebuying Process

Hmmm, a week before completion on Newquay, deposit with the solicitor, quite a few possesions packed and away in storage then wallop...mortgage offer withdrawn! Stress levels can I guess be prevented by deciding not even to own a house and buy a boat to live on. Then, you see your bills will waver council tax, you won't be able to arry too many possessions (no point buying too much stuff therefore), you will only be able to shop for food every other day or so and you know...to me..it's quite an appealing option!!

Something sensible in me (or should I say boring) compells me to think that bricks and mortar will help in the long run and prevent in creaking old age from wondering from bench to bench with newspaper for blankets like a bag lady. Part of me also thinks that reaching old age, as I am sadly constantly reminded by friends and loved ones, doesn't always knock at the door. So perhaps a rock and roll lifestyle, no worries or possesions whilst rockin and rollin around on a yacht??

Rent or buy Picnic Cottage

Good day to you, whoever, however you got to reading this blog.

Notice

For sale or rent

If you are looking to re locate by the sea, love Dartmouth, love boats, love the river, then why not enquire about renting Picnic Cottage for a 6 to 12 month agreement whilst you wait for the right property and price to come along?

Picnic Cottage is a beautiful, cute, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, all newly re furbed cosy pad within a minutes walk to the river and ferries across to Dartmouth. Wood floor and open plan living room and kitchen, lovely double oven range,original working fireplace, sunny courtyard garden and a fab room on the top floor with space for a double bed and extra single and or cot/ office.

The house was totally re plastered, painted, new carpets, re wired, new combi bolier and so on. It's all finished off with a New England style look, cream kitchen units, beach wood top, lovely hints of blues throughout the house and a cute nautical, kath Kidson sort of style to the place, although rent it unfurnished and you an create your own look.

To rent I'm looking for £1000 per month plus bills. Do consider however, you could possibly run it as Picnic cottage B & B and earn back rental from £90 per night, so depending on how good you are at bringing in business, you could almost live rent free, try out your new lifestyle, al whilst deciding how best to start your own business in Dartmouth.

Call Lizzie now to discuss on 07929b048386

Number 10

www.deskwithaview.com ok..it's out there but not the idea I'm thinking of, so how about...The Drive Desk?

Now, why is it that when ever I have thought of an idea and then think about what to call it, the name is already highlighted? I didn't spend more than 2 minutes thinking up the name, but the idea I had whilst in 'Bug' this afternoon, sat with the roof down, overlooking the beach and the deep blue sea whilst paying Picnic Boat invoices!

If you can devise a desk that slots over the wheel of your car, van, truck whatever so that you can slide your seat back and instantly create a work area. Something light weight, maybe it can fold away?

Then, you see, all you reps out there or anyone that has an adversaty to being inside for too long can get the paperwork, drive to your favourite port of call with a view and make it your movable office.

Am liking this idea and think it could make you rich.

One Fine April Morning

Hmmm, good afternoon. Well, it was the morning when I started working, just I didn't realise whilst sat at my desk it had just merged into the afternoon...just like that, quick as a flash. So much to do, my head is like a washing machine on super fast spin mode! By the end of the month, I might look like a banana...or a nut, as in going bananas, or nuts, for any slow readers. Do not fear. I can hold it all together and it's all exciting stuff anyhow.

Re: The Bug and my naming quandary...thank you 'Miss' Hailey for your suggestion and to 'Rally' Rob too. Appreciated, although not taken up as yet. No prizes Rob, sorry! Bloody hell, where is this gorgeous man who is going to be sending the fresh flower for me each week? He's being a bit bloody slow on the uptake. I mean I thought all you readers out there would be telling him to get in touch. Damn! You're all sacked.

(Ha, ha).

Onto other real stuff. picnic Boat trip today and the sun is blazing. I am training up new skipper Anna this week. She is studying hard downstairs as I write. Frank and Constance are already showing their efficiency with taking over the boat bookings (much better than me!). All this whilst I negotiate buying my new pad in Newquay, selling my house here and the transfers of all business dealing, banking, direct debits, email systems, database, safety systems..bla, bla,bla.

Am I yellow yet??

Hayley and Rob, keep up the thinking!

x

Common As Muck

Bugger. I must be a wally. I didn't think every Tom, Dick and Harry would call their VW Beetle Bug, but it seems that they do. Of course. Thinking of a name change. Blue? Any ideas? Will post some photo's soon and perhaps you can help with such a terribly important dilemma.

April Snow Showers...(well, it's a title)

Done! Well almost. My Picnic Boat sim card and the booking diary is now with Frank and Constance. Does it feel like a weight off my shoulder? Not quite. Not yet anyhow! Still plenty to be doing. The Picnic Boat goes back in the water tommorrow. Trips start on Wednesday of which i will be skippering and also training up Anna, new skipper and hostess.

To let you know that I now have a new mobile number. B & B inquiries can go to the old 07968 752625 but better to catch me on 01803 752625 for that. Do carry on booking. The house hasn't sold yet, but I know it will, so will carry on until that point.

Meanwhile, Newquay I can't wait. Looking forward to a fresh start and whatever it brings....

It's A New Relationship I'm In

I'm dying to tell you a bit more about Herbert the Bug, my new VW Beetle convertable, cos I seem to have started a whole new relationship and already it's cracking me up, as in the laughing side of cracking me up.

First of all, if you didn't know already, you buy one of these cars and you get.....

THE FLOWER.

Wow, the flower. Honest God's truth in the showroom out comes your salesman (hello Gavin at Mann Egerton, Exeter) holding about 8 different flower choices to choose from to go in the special little in built vase next to the steering wheel. No word of a lie. Here I was, purchasing (well leasing) a £21k car and being offered a bloody fake flower. What a laugh, almost too cheesy for words. Now dear readers, I quite like a bit of deliberate cheese..and if I can have this flower and have a giggle whilst having this said fake as fake flower, then sod it, I'll jolly well have it. Oh, but yet again, what colour does one have? Do I get a contrasting pink perhaps, or a vibrant yellow? Nope, I go for the blue to match the car!

Quick request. I am looking for a handsome man to send me a fresh flower once a week to replace the fake.Don't get if you don't ask!!

The cheesy fake flower does act very nicely for very silly moments with my newphews or any other kids I look after as a wicked fake microphone...and so now, we can do karioke from the back of the Bug to any song we like. Fab.

Further into the bargain are the heated leather seats. OOH la la. Number 1, can't really feel it, no. 2 ..it's def there. No. 3..now you're chattin, no. 4 EXTREME hot arse. My mate Fi from new York said it was a strange sort of almost feel like you've wet yourself feeling of warmness. Hmmm, well! I've tested the waters with Millie in the front seat, but can't bring myself to turn the heat setting to 3 as yet. She seems to settle at no. 2, but God only knows what she thinks of it all. Oh, shes a dog. Is she really?!

The boot just seems to amaze me any time I put anything in and get anything out, such a small entrance. Imagine a dog giving birth to a cow, well actually don't, cos thats warped, but now you've already thought that, you catch my drift about the boot and my delight in it.

Now, what else to  tell you about the Bug. The colour. Ladies, some of you may understand this, but you fella's will think I'm nuts, but I've started sub conciously buying clothes that will suit the Bug...colour wise. I mean, this summer, the whole Riviera look is in and I found myself with 2 girlfirends in Bath shopping, lookings in Hobbs and noting this factor and now I have a red and white scarf and a cool new jacket. What a twat!!!!

Not a 'Plug In' But A 'Plug'

www.millionairemum.co.uk get signed in if you are a Mum and get booked in for the conference. www.mothers_angels.co.uk for Mum's in Torbay that want a helping hand after giving birth. Give Racheee my oldest friend a call on that on 01803 752376.

www.judithmorgan.com for the best business advice around.

www.businessblogangel.com speak with Claire Raikes..she did my blog!

www.greenoakliving.co.uk to improve the look and the value of your home in and around London and Surrey...it's my bro and he's doing such a good job.

www.dartmouthyachtcharters.co.uk speak with Sue or Jody about chartering from this here River Dart.

Plugs...over and out. Good night. That's it. Honest. Apart from hi to Charlie in the BVI, hi to Rosie in Switzerland, Rob in Kingskerwell, Fiona in New York! Bon nuit.

I've Got...The Bug

Did I tell you what a dreamboard was...is?

Well, when my life was a bit shitty after the 'best, worst friend, husband thingy stuff going on, my brother bought me a bit of white board about 3 ft by 2 ft. He told me to stick up cuttings of stuff that I wished, liked, wanted on there. Try it yourself, if you're ever feeling a bit low or want to feel inspired. So, off I went to the supermarket and bought the following magazines: Classic Car, Yachting World, Country Living, A Place In The Sun, GQ and Men's Health. I picked out all sorts of stuff and began my collage. ranging from tropical shores, an Oyster Yacht, Jaguar XK150 'S' 3.8 litre Roadster (cream with red leather seats), 1958 2220S Ponton Cabrilolet (silver with red leather seats), a hammock between 2 palm trees, a log cabin, bunting, cool wedding cake, a families legs and shoes in a line on the beach, cool kids in funky, shabby chic clothes playing in the woods, a wall display of family framed photos, an indoor swimming pool, a luxurious bath, some poetic quotes, some stripy and dotty cutlery, a picture of Uma Thurman and a pic of a Great White shark. Hmmm....now...

Picnic Cottage for you

I am folks, did I tell you? Moving to Newquay. I have an offer of a 3 bedroom 2 storey flat going through as I write (well, not as I write cos there is no way on this earth any soliciter would be working on my house purchase whilst the moon is up..unfortunately). I have found out that I cannot do B & B from there, of which I'm not surprised, but thats ok. More importantly...Millie can come..just as well, as I wouldn't leave without her.

So, I have been playing with the numbers on Picnic Cottage. Can I rent and cover the mortgage, or holiday let? I think the answer is no, sadly. So! This is what i would like to put out to the Universe.

Would anyone like to buy a share in Picnic Cottage and have it as your holiday home or holiday let? Or, would you like to buy the cottage for £359,950 as your own home by the sea? Or perhaps, you would like to rent it for a sum of £1500 plus bills per month for one year and run it as Picnic Cottage B & B and take all the income from that to offset against your rental. Why? a chance to try your hand at B & B in one of most beautiful parts of Great Britain...Kingswear and The River Dart.

If no one grabs these offers, then I might be selling I'm afraid, giving me a change to take on a project of some kind in Cornwall. How about a Bonsai version of The Eden Project? Just joking! Buy the house now and you get to choose the coulour of the cottage and how you want the garden, all in the price...and I'm offering the new stainless steel cooking range with house. Note to self (as in Bridget Jones diaries). Get some photo's of the house here on the blog asap. Will you remind me!

Picnic Cottage B & B will be running as to such point as all is in place, so don't worry there, book in as usual.Spring is springing, sprung, sprong, so come along.....