Anstey Mills Cottages

Newsletter 

Tel: 0044 (0)1398 341329  

June 2011

Another year flew by and again I have not done an update not to speak of Christmas cards... The harsh start to the winter may explain some of that - we were snowed in for the third time for Christmas and New Year ! Only thanks to Sheila, my cleaner, and her Tractor and my brilliant little 4x4 did we manage the changeovers and the transport of our visitors (who loved the adventure and of course sledging in our fields). Thereafter things got a bit easier. The beginning of the year was ever so quiet - time  to catch up on lots of jobs and general hibernating. And since the beginning of April we have been surprisingly busy. Some of that most likely due to the striking 360ºpanoramic view video clips, that show both cottages at its best. And the 4Star Gold Award for both cottages awarded by 'Quality in Tourism' in the autumn might have something to do with that as well. But most of all the weeks and weeks of beautiful sunshine and warm weather. Eating al fresco in the garden or on the decking (Thatched Cottage) just beats nearly any other holiday experience for me. I was on holiday myself in my garden and the icing on the cake was having Max' 18th birthday celebration outside the front of the house and in the garden in April!

July 2010

After a busy start to the year - renovation and refurbishment of the large cottage has been a major undertaking - things are slowing down now. There are still a few holiday weeks available and, as most of our summer guests are from Germany, it confirms the trend that especially visitors from England are finding it tough... Therefore I have been careful not to raise the prices for next year despite the improvements. The feedback so far has been very good and I can truly say I am looking forward to the visit of our Visit Britain inspector. Winning the Gold Award last time was a lovely surprise - so what will he say now?

I have not  updated the pictures, as I was going to give the whole website a good make-over, but you can find them/us on Facebook! Just experimenting with it - watch this space!

January 2010

A very Happy New Year to all our visitors. This time I have not managed any Christmas post - apologies - and being snowed in for the second time now,  I still am so busy getting everything organised - daily life as well as making sure the houses are winterproof for the temperatures we are experiencing right now. Any enthusiasts who'd  like to chop wood are very welcome!

The Thatched Cottage is snug and as long as we do not have a power cut - fingers crossed, South West Electricity has been brilliant in recent years - we only need some brave people with a 4x4, who don't fear a walk down the lane through nearly one foot of snow (it is pretty!!!).

The large cottage is awaiting major renovation and that has not been helped by the weather. But I am using the time at home for research, getting inspired by online catalogues etc.

Looking back to 2009 I am heartened by the steady increase of business despite the recession. A lot was last minute and quite a few visitors from the Continent, which was interesting, and of course many of our regulars! And if that does not show me that I must be doing something right, the Tourist Board inspector surprised me with a 'Gold Award'.  Enough said! (09.01.10)

October 2008

We have picked the winner out of the hat and her name is 'Candy Bright'. She and her husband came last for Valentines Day  and will now have a free weekend in the Thatched Cottage next spring.

September 2008

We were delighted with the response to our Anniversary Competition. If you didn't receive an email reminder this is because we do not have your current address or the new system has let us down!! Our apologies and please let us have your email address for the future.

December 2007 - July 2008

To all past and prospective visitors -                                                               

Greetings from Exmoor! Glorious sunshine and mild temperatures make us anticipate the summer. High time to send our news to entice you to come and stay with us.

I have continually been improving both cottages, the gardens and updated our website, where you will find our latest information and what has been happening here. So just a few highlights from the last couple of years for those of you  who missed out on it:

2006    put finishing touches to Thatched Cottage and decking             set out secluded garden behind Thatched Cottage             got Todd (alias Thug), a beautiful nearly black kitten             acquired our friendly playful 5 yr old Kelpie (Australian sheepdog) Bruce
2007    installed water purification plant for our spring water             progress on Thatched Cottage garden             down and feather duvets for both cottages             was left Tiger, the cheeky ginger cat, by Pauline and Sammy, who moved away.
2008    now tidying up the Devon Longhouse – going ‘Green’ and celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a COMPETITION with a prize of a FREE WEEK-END (between 25th October and 20th December) for 2 in our Thatched Cottage !!	To enter simply either e-mail or write to me with your name and address by the 31st August 2008 and the winner will be drawn out of a hat. Good Luck !

Kind regards,

Doris Braukmann-Pugsley

 

December 2006

Dear Visitors and Friends,

Late as usual I am trying to sum up the last year to send news and greetings for Christmas and the New Year. First of all I would like to thank all of you for your support and especially those who let us know how they appreciated Tim, it is still a great comfort to us to see how many people were touched by his generous spirit. Apologies to all who did not get a letter or even thank you from me - I am always struggling to catch up with things.

Both cottages have been doing well and I am delighted with the comments we had, especially on the Thatched Cottage.   It was a pleasure to meet new and old customers and I feel that we are still attracting just the finest people. Having now both cottages has given us a bit of an edge over competition in the area, as we can cater for bigger groups, which the big cottage’s large kitchen can easily accommodate. As well the Thatched cottage has proven to be a great gem, as the added luxury of heated floors, whirlpool bath and spacious decking area at the back are all perfectly spoiling our guests. Out of season there are  still the low price offers and our flexible approach to arrivals in the off-season has proven to be very much appreciated.

No need to say more - the pictures are speaking for themselves.

Max and Leo have been wonderful in helping me at times with changeovers and backup is there for that as well  as for jobs around the buildings, so that we have had few tricky situations. Having to install a new hot water tank between 11 and 4 on a Saturday has been a particular challenge, and it was done! So looking back I am confident that we are doing just fine.

I hope the same is true for all of you and finish by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Looking forward to seeing you in 2007

December 2005

Dear Friends and Visitors

This year’s Christmas Newsletter I am afraid is not good news, in effect it will come as a shock to most of you who know us and especially to those who have been lots of times.

Tim, my husband, died on the 30th October 2005, after having been diagnosed only in September with a malignant brain tumour and spending just about 6/7 weeks in hospital. We are only consoled by the knowledge that he fought this illness with never failing courage and positiv determination and did not suffer too much, but was spared harrowing treatment, which might only have given him little extra time of doubtable quality. He will always be with us, we have so much to remind us of him, and his many many friends will remember him in their hearts as will his family.

 

Further we have as his legacy the two fantastic cottages he built, that will hopefully provide lots of you with pleasure and a haven to rest and enjoy a wonderful holiday in the future.

So lets celebrate the new Thatched Cottage, finished this summer. It exceeds all our expectations and is truly Tim’s masterpiece. Our visitors have been delighted and enjoyed staying in this small and beautiful cottage. Saying small, it is never the less generously spaced for two, and even plus one or two children (sofa bed downstairs or two single futons upstairs). The galleried bedroom is enhancing this feeling of openness and brightness and to add to this we have created outside sitting areas in front of the house as well as a decking at the back (access from the bedroom) where we will create a private and secluded garden. And if you feel like crashing out, the whirlpool bath, heated tiles and oak floors will just add to that ambiance of comfort and luxury that we would like to spoil you with.

With love and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year