GOOD NEWS PENZANCE WILL BE 'TIC' KING AGAIN!

Excellent news @NTDevonCornwall ; Penzance will get its Tourist Information Centre back for the Summer.

The National Trust has combined forces with the Penzance District Tourism Association, with support from Cornwall Council, VisitCornwall and Penzance Town Council, to fund and relaunch the centre.

Ian Marsh, general manager of the National Trust in west Cornwall, said it is hoped that staff will be on hand to welcome visitors arriving into the town from the first to the last trains of the day.

He added that the lease had been completed on the Welcome to West Cornwall Centre and building work started last week, with everything still on track for an Easter opening.

"It is a very exciting time at the moment," he told Penzance Town Council.

And he promised that the venue would be very different from a traditional tourist centre, saying there would be interesting additions alongside the information and booking service.

"We want to really promote what west Cornwall has to offer with activities and participation through the centre," said Mr Marsh, adding that the centre would have a modern design concept.

Full story at thisiscornwall

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@CornwallNow or #CarolineQuentin ?

I'm with the people at Sideways Cornwall who produced this.



So lucky, so beautiful.

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That's How Rumours Get Started!

Back in August 2009, we were having a bit of a dull patch of weather and looming on the horizon, according to the synoptic charts, was the remants of Hurricane Bill. To cheer everyone up, I wrote a little ditty which I posted up on the various walls around the place, trying to steady the nerve of the campers and prepare them for the onslaught to come.

Here's the piece:

THE BALLAD OF HURRICANE BILL

Hurricane Bill, that ‘twas its name,
It brewed up dark and stormy,
And as he watched the weather charts
It put the wind up Normy.

‘Tie down your kids’ in vain he cried,
But not because of weather,
They were getting on his nerves,
Bikes racing hell for leather.

‘Advise your wives’ he shouted out,
To wear something less floating,
The wind will catch her fair and square,
And flight times we’ll be quoting.’

‘Take down your flags and lower your masts,
Whatever be their colour.
Turn off your fairy lights and lamps,
Sure life will be much duller.’

‘For we must ride this great storm out,
And all come through the weather,
Cause when you camp at Lower Treave,
We’re all in it together!’

‘But wait’ cried Norm, ‘the chart is wrong,
This weather’s for another,
This hurricane won’t come to us,
It’s going to Bill’s Mother!’

Hence the saying ‘It’s looking black over Bill’s Mother’s!

FAST FORWARD 2 1/2 YEARS...

I now find the piece being authoritavely quoted by Yahoo as the origin for the saying 'Black over Bill's mother's'!

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101116001256AAcr8dZ

...and that's how rumours get started!

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BARCLAYS, SAGE, WOES MANY and TIME!

Trying to give customers what they want...ease of booking, convenient payment methods, security of payment that sort of stuff. Sagepay is one of the options we'd like to offer our guests who want to book and pay on-line. The fly in the ointment occurs when you have to involve a bank in the process....you remember banks, those caring institutions of the community who are commited to supporting small business in these challenging times...they require me to open yet another account with them (we already have 4!) to process these payments. This involves a 10 minute telephone interview to 'check their details', hard copy form filling and a 3 week 'security' process. It will also take some of the activity from one of the existing accounts and transfer it to the new account with all the associated extra costs and charges.

Please be assured that you can still book on-line with us, there will be no extra charge for that service from us to you. No charge for using your Credit or Debit card, no administrative charge, no surcharge, no extra luggage charge, no charge for awnings or dogs, no bankers bonuses, no tourist tax....there...got that off my chest.

All in this together now...

Are you going to be very fair?

Barclays, Sage, woes many and time! 

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RE-SIGNED!

Recently got the wind up and left, but now re-instated. Thanks to @MillerComProp and @DulcieTudor for 'persuading' the return!

http://images.vebra.com/MillerCommercial/COMM/DETAILS/B35155.pdf

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BUGS - LOGGING IN!

...out of the office window this morning.

...a family of rabbits plays on the woodpile... 

...an army of workers plant in the field...

...a burst of camelia in the pale light...

I used to work in London...but it's not the same.

Ever fancied a change of view out of the office window?

LOWER TREAVE

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The Mortal Compass

Had a great night out with Cornwall Orienteering Club @CornwallOC on their Trelissick Night 'O'. A great bunch of people, a well organised course around the park (in the dark!) and a few beers to finish.

Nobody seemed to mind that they were all in lycra and racing snake footwear...and we were all in tweed and sensible shoes! Nobody seemed to mind that they all had the latest electronic communications devices and we had an Acme Boy Scouts whistle as used by Kate Middleton. Nobody seemed to mind that they had 1000 lumen lightweight headtorches and we had a novelty torch/pen combo from a Christmas cracker. That could have been our downfall as I made the oldest mistake in the book and tied the large old brass whistle and the torch on to the same string as my compass, also circa Baden-Powell. Result...significant deviation! Well thats my excuse for getting Mrs B tangled up on the barbed wire and I'm sticking to it!

A top night out and many thanks to the organisers, National Trust at Trelissick for hosting the event and the Club for making us so welcome. Next event at Lanhydrock and full details of all their activities here:

Cornwall Orienteering Club

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Piece At Last

Christmas #DowntonAbbey jigsaw finished. At last I can have my wife back. Edges first.

Lady Grantham: 'You are quite wonderful the way you see room for improvement wherever you look. I never knew such reforming zeal.

Mrs Crawley: 'I take that as a compliment.'

Lady Grantham: I must have said it wrong.

The Redoubtable Lady Grantham (Maggie Smith)!

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WHAT'S ON AT THE MINACK - 2012

Here's the latest info from 'Cornwall's Theatre Under The Stars'

MINACK PROGRAMME _ 2012

Looking forward to Atlantic Theatre Company's 'Titanic - The Musical' but until then some memories from last year.

Fisherman's Friends at The Minack

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TWELFTH NIGHT!

He's perched upon the campsite gate,

It couldn't be much sillier.

He moves around, we don't know how,

That cable tie's familiar!

He's got a little rusty friend,

Who's round and red and jolly.

I found him perched the other day,

Inside a prickly holly!

These crazy dudes of folded tin,

Are driving us quite barmy.

They only move when Paul's around,

They're Michelmore's Toy Army!

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SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!

Hurrah...I'm back on an NHS dental list! Thanks to MP Andrew George for getting his teeth into this one http://andrewgeorge.org.uk/featured-articles/george-calls-for-fair-nhs-dental-provision/

Next time you see me I'll be smiling...or it may just be wind!

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Twitterings!

If you can tweet,
It's really neat,
Follow the weave,
at http://twitter.com/LowerTreave

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bras monkey weather

Sorry to hear La Senza is struggling.

Annoyed by BBC News 24 Tim Willcox interview on chimp communication.

Dull, mild, breezy.

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ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS...

..my truelove made for me.

Five Turkey Pies!

Four pints of soup,

Three sloe gins,

Two bacon rolls,

And a small glass of Andrew's Liver Salts!

My favourite time of Christmas...leftovers!

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WEST CORNWALL - A BIRD'S EYE VIEW!

Great new aerial pictures from Visit Cornwall



...and more great shots of the rest of Cornwall here...

Cornwall - a bird's eye view

South Cornwall - a bird’s eye view

North Cornwall - a bird’s eye view

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A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Sennen Cove, Christmas Day, 2011

(Air Temp 11.8 deg C, Sea Temp 11.6 deg C, Wind Speed 27 Knots, Wave Height 2.9 Metres, No sharks)

Positively balmy (barmy?) !

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BOOK EARLY...BEAT THE BOXING DAY RUSH!

No...not another gloomy Euro prediction from Robert Peston!

Just had a look back through the stats for the website and saw this interesting trend. Once Christmas is over there is a mad rush to book up summer holidays! Even before the turkey has hit the soup pot, people are making their plans for the summer and predictions are that this is going to be a great one in Cornwall. We can't promise brilliant weather, but it will be pleasant enough. We can guarantee that the Cornish Pound won't be having a wobble on the markets...in fact you can even use your British Pounds. No queues at the airport and the border police are pretty relaxed about the whole passport thing.

We've still got a few places left for August....so go on, have a holiday in Cornwall this year....you know it makes sense.

Cornwall...just far enough away to be an adventure...close enough to feel like home!

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LOWER TREAVE - A YEAR IN PICTURES 2011

I will be putting together the annual review of the site in pictures and music soon (see last year's effort below, right). If you have got a favourite picture and you'd like to see it featured then please drop us an email...please bear in mind we are a 'family site'...but that said, here is my favourite of the year....look away now if you are easily discombobulated!

Don't ask...!

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SURF UP!

tripadviser has just surveyed travellers in the United Kingdom to find out which ammenities matter most and an amazing 80% said FREE WI-FI!

(PS...we have free wi-fi at Lower Treave)

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SENNEN COVE CHRISTMAS SWIM 2011 COULD BE CHALLENGING!

Killer whales have been seen off a headland in north Cornwall, a naturalist has reported. Dom Clarke, 25, saw what he believed was a mother and calf about 100m off Trevose Head, near Padstow.

Mr Clarke saw the whales on 26 November while walking his dog. He said he was "amazed" with his find.

A spokesperson from Cornwall Wildlife Trust said the species was an "occasional visitor" although it was not reported every year. They confirmed there had been a few reported sightings of killer whales off Cornwall this autumn.

Killer whales are also known as orcas, can grow up to 32ft (9.7m) in length and weigh up to nine tonnes. They are mainly found around Iceland, Norway and northern Scotland, but occasionally seen as far south as the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal.

Have you got an excuse for not swimming on Christmas Day yet?

An artists impression of what this year's swim could be like!

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WIDGETS...WIDGETS.....EVERYWHERE!

No, not a new species to be reported to David Bellamy.

Its something to do with the buttony things on the right....if you're under 40 you probably know what I'm talking about.... if you're over 40 just press one and lets see what happens!

There we go...now that wasn't too painful was it?

Be afraid....be very afraid! The widgets will get you!

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CHRISTMAS IS COMING...THE CHAINSAW'S GETTING HOT!

Coming round to the favourite time of year for me and Director Estates and Wildlife.

Next weekend we'll be off to the Portreath Garden Machinery Winter Opening Day.

Chance to get the chainsaws checked over and sharpened, grab a mince pie, drool over the latest tractor mowers....but more importantly get our wives the Christmas presents of their dreams.

Last year I bought her a powered scarifier, the year before a log splitter, and the year before that a chainsaw! You should have seen her little face on Christrmas Day morning when she opened her presents.

Can't wait for her birthday when I've got a new winch for the truck ordered up.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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They shall grow not old...

...we will remember them.

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Fungus...the bogeymen!

Anyone recognise them....?

If they're rare and valuable...I'm going to be very, very rich...

...or very, very poorly!

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1 DOWN (6,4,5,7)

Correspondence arrives biblical royal with beautiful short French-English aviatrix.

(Solution: Letter from David Bell(e)Amy)

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CHARGING AROUND!

A piece in the news recently caught my eye about the increasing number of electric vehicle charging points which are springing up around the country....and you may wonder why that has any relevance to Lower Treave!

Well, we have just had the electricity bill for the summer....and we buy all of our electricity from Ecotricity who are using their profits to install their charging points...and they are coming closer and closer to Cornwall.

Following the success of the first John O' Groats to Lands End run by the brilliant Tesla of Kevin Sharpe, Ecotricity founder Vince Dale, who plans to drive from Land's End to John O'Groats in his Nemesis electric sportscar using the points, explained that making it possible to drive between cities for the first time could spark increased demand for electric cars.

"It's often said that one of the reasons more people don't buy electric cars is because of a lack of charging facilities, while the reason more charging facilities aren't built is because not enough people are buying electric cars. Classic chicken and egg stuff," he said in a statement.

We have just returned from a few days in Cadiz....and guess what?...

...they're everywhere! Sorry about the photo...it was taken from a moving bus.

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2012 Dates and Tariff...a sneaky preview for Blogwall Bugle readers!

Later this week we'll be publishing our Tariff for 2012 ...but being loyal Blog readers you get a sneak preview. As with every year, we have to project forward into the unknown and try and second guess energy prices, rates increases, VAT changes, the cost of soap and toilet paper and a whole load of other stuff which factors into the price you pay for your holiday. Then we have to look around and make sure we are competitive in an increasingly tight market. And finally, we have to have a gut-feeling from seventeen years in the business that this is about the right price for what we are offering. The Retail Price Index (RPI) has sat at around 5.1% for a little while now and our prices generally reflect an increase of just under 5% on the year. This means that in high season, a family of four can get a large electric hook-up pitch for £29 a night...no charge for showers, free wi-fi and as much grass as your guinea pigs can eat (there is still no fee for guinea pigs, one family will be pleased to hear).

So here it is.....

Lower Treave Tariff 2012 -

Hope that's worked! You can expand to look at it by clicking the cross of arrows.

The on-line booking service will be down on Thursday morning whilst we upload all the dates and prices and then from the afternoon of 3 November you will be able to check availability, prices, make bookings and pay deposits on-line. The website will also be updated then.

Those of you that have provisional reservations with us for 2012 will be contacted next week asking you to confirm bookings and pay deposits.

Thank you for your custom in 2011, we hope to see you again in 2012.

LOWER TREAVE

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Going Bellamy!

'Dear BH&HPA Member,

We are delighted to advise you that Professor Bellamy has awarded Lower Treave Caravan & Camping Park the Gold accolade.'

Now that's worth shouting about. Many thanks to all of you who take an interest in the wildlife at Lower Treave and help us to look after this wonderful environment. Five years worth of gold!

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Going Batty!

Here's one I missed during the summer!

Dear Norman and Linda

I am a student at Writtle College in Essex, studying a BSc in Conservation and Environment.

I have recently returned from a Lower Treave camping holiday. During my time at your campsite I decided to test the bat detection equipment that I will be using for my dissertation project later this summer. Although my investigations on your campsite form no part of my dissertation I was intrigued by the density and flight patterns of the many bats overhead.

I am curious to know if the bat population over your park is typical of that in the area and did bats form part of any evaluation criteria for your receipt of the David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award?

Many thanks for a wonderful holiday. It was my second visit to your park and it definitely won't be the last.

Victoria Neveling

P.S. I enjoyed seeing your resident hedgehogs on two consecutive nights!

I replied to Victoria with as much as I knew about the bats....which didn't take long....and she informs me that they are Pipistrelles and she was using BatScan Software to track them. We let her have a copy of the Bellamy Award Scheme criteria and we will certainly be including this information in next years award. Thanks Victoria!

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SPUTNIK LANDS AT LOWER TREAVE!

Following the sudden and unexpected demise of our Wi-Fi providers (not sure exactly what happened to them...one day they were virtually there...next day they were virtually gone...sign of the times I suppose) we have moved over to the 'SPUTNIK' system to provide free wi-fi throughout the site. It's been running now for 4 days and guests seem to be making good use of it. There is increased bandwidth available to visitors and we have improved reception...particularly around the reception area funnily enough. This means you will be able to take your laptop into the laundry and watch the internet world go around whilst the washing does likewise.

Surf's up...!

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