Fallbarrow Owners

Well the 2009 Season is rapidly coming to a close. It literally does not seem like 5 minutes since I was speculating on what kind of season we would be in for.

So how has the 2009 season been?

Well the answer depends on the context. From a weather point of view, the summer itself can only be described as wet and disappointing. We probably only got out in our boat 3 times all year. Although that is only partly due to the weather, more due to the fact that we were booked up for most of the summer so very little usage opportunity.

On a positive weather front, spring was really nice and Autumn so far has been really surprisingly good.

In terms of rentals, 2009 has been excellent in terms of bookings but the downside to that is the restricted opportunity to use the lodge ourselves. Next year is looking to be even better with several advance (some repeat) bookings already. We have decided to not take weekend bookings next year as they are so difficult to organise the changeover for (we do the changeover ourselves). Not only that, weekend bookings restrict the week long bookings you can take.

The relationship with SLP seems to be quite good, although we are still pushing for a new contract. The decision by SLP to freeze site fees (although they should really have reduced them due to negative inflation) seems to have reduced discontent amongst owners judging by the lack of activity on the forum.

FB

I have it on good authority that the site fees for 2009 will be frozen at 2008 levels. Furthermore, with the VAT rate going down to 15% (from 17.5%) owners should see a net reduction.

This is a far cry from the days of old when SLP would increase site fees and then tell us what a good deal we were getting.

There is still a way to go with SLP in terms of getting a new contract that will formalise how site fees are set in a fair and equitabe way. However, the freezing of fees is a good start for future discussions.

FB

This is our first weekend up at our a lodge for what seems like a very long while. Just our luck that we have dropped on a rainy weekend after all the recent good weather. Still the sun is trying to break through and it has stopped raining.

We managed to get out on the boat last weekend (we came up for just for the day) so here is my verdict on the new jetties. If you have a larger boat that sits quite high in the water then the jetties I am sure are fine. However, my boat is only 17' long and quite low so just getting on and off is quite an interesting challenge. Reversing the boat into the berth is also a challenge but one that I sure will become easier with practice. I would like to see some better facilities for the smaller boat, perhaps covered dry storage and a launching and recovery service. This would potentially free up some of the berths for larger boats.

Hopefully, the next time we get up for a weekend, the weather will be a little better.
Regards
FB

Recently some friends of ours gave us a gift voucher for our 30th wedding anniversary. The voucher was to attend a demo and dine event at a place called Lucy Cooks in Staveley just outside of Kendal. Like I guess lots of people, we tend to speed right past the turnoff for Staveley (it is the about one mile before Ings heading towards Windermere).

I must admit we did have some trepidations about this demo and dine event. The idea is that you all sit round a table and a chef cooks your meal, all the time demonstrating the cooking. The demo bit was ok, we just were not that keen on the idea of sitting dinner party style and having to make conversations with complete strangers.

We needn't have worried as it turned out. The other guests were really friendly and everbody got on fine.

So to the food. The chef for starter cooked monkfish and tiger prawn risotto. We had to wait whilst he prepapred and cooked it ever so slowly, all the while getting hungrier and hungrier. The wait was worth it - deliceous. The main course was beef wellington. Luckily he had pre prepared this but did demonstrate how to make beef wellington. Once again deliceous with mashed and parmentier potatoes with wild garlic. The sweet was hazlenut parfait with crushed pistachio nuts - wonderful.

All in all it was a great night. You need to book and check the website for other themed evenings.

www.lucycooks.co.uk

Regards
FB

Made a quick dash up to Fallbarrow today to do a changeover. The journey up was quick as there was little or no traffic. Wish the same could have been said about the trip back. I guess the poor Bank Holiday weather persuaded many Lake District visitors to head home early. Certainly the traffic from Lancaster to Preston on the M6 south at lunchtime was really bad.

Well my boat finally has finally made it back into the water. Unfortunately, due to the weather I was not able to go out today. I also still have some concerns about the new moorings at Fallbarrow. As my boat is only 17' long, it seems far too small for the mooring posts. Still, time will tell as to how easy it is to get in and out of the new berths. Regardless of any issues there may be with the new jetties and berths, it seems that they are really popular and have now all been taken up. The attached pictures were

Regards
FB

Just got back from a week up at the lodge. Was not as relaxing as I would have hoped but that is another story. It was just nice to get up in a morning without having to worry about going to work. We were very lucky with the weather, only seeing a drop of rain, even managed a bbq on the decking.

I was hoping to go an see Peter (the sales guy) at Fallbarrow. Rental demand has been very good for my lodge. So much so that I would like to see how the finances could work for getting a second unit. Unfortunately, I just did not get the time, even over a week up at the lodge. Still, perhaps next time. I guess the issue is (as with most property investment) is the finance in these times. Even with BOE rates at 0.5% the actual cost of borrowing money bears no relation to this. I got a letter from my bank offering to loan me £25,000 at 9.9% interest - ouch!

Still no sign of my boat. I have heard some rumblings of discontent over the new jetties. I can understand why this might be so. The mooring posts are too wide for most boats (including mine). Also, it seems that the whole structure is too high, it will be some descent to get into my boat over the summer when the lake levels get low.

So, apart from the jetties, most things seem to be ok down at Fallbarrow. Just need some movement on the new contract.

Regards
FB

Well today has been another beautiful sunny day. Let us all hope this bodes well for the summer. I just wish I had got my boat on the water but that is another story. Spent most of today just catching the sun on the decking and watching the Windermere world go by. We are up here for the rest of the week so lets hope the weather holds.

FB

Well lets hope the rest of the Easter holidays live up to Easter Saturday. Great weather, a good game of golf with my son (even though he did beat me) and to finish the day off a bbq. Just a pity the mighty whites could not snatch a point at Chelski.

We have all our family up with us this weekend which makes the time even more special. This is what "lodge life" is all about. Relaxing with family and just enjoying the weather and the views.

There was an owners bbq at the sales office today. Kind of ironic that we decide to have a bbq on the same day when there was a free one put on by SLP, free drink as well. Still, much prefer spending time on our decking with family.

FB

Well I have finally taken the plunge and decided to pay for a website. Well actually just the hosting of the site and the name:

www.fallbarrowlodge.co.uk

I did all the work on the design and content myself. I still don't want to pay for a professional web site just yet. I shall see how this one goes.

Regards
FB

Just a flying visit up to the lodge this weekend. We travelled up Saturday night after watching Bolton beat the Smoggies 4 -1. The only reason for going up was to get the lodge ready for guests arriving on Tuesday.

This is our first full season of renting out the Lodge. So far bookings have been very good. Not that we are looking for lots of renters every week, just enough to cover the costs. It is always a difficult balance between renting out and using for ones own pleasure. We plan to be up over Easter with our grown up kids. Looking forward to that.

I will hopefully get the boat on the water and moored on the new jetties over this time as well. There were a few more boats moored there this weekend.

I am really looking forward to this new season now that the weather seems to be getting better (fingers crossed). Still waiting for news on the new contract, but apart from that, everything is 100% better than this time last year.

FB