[gilliedew]

Originally Posted by Pedro

They probably make a good team in the right setting. They are not physically or mentally suited to the hospitality industry.

They really are The Odd Couple, I must admit, but I wish them all the best as they are really hard workers and as you say not really suited for the industry. It takes a bit of imagination but behind all that simmering indignation they might be a couple of real good time girls..........................or perhaps not

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by Pedro

They probably make a good team in the right setting. They are not physically or mentally suited to the hospitality industry.

I think they'd be fine in a restuarant. Their problem is they seem to have lumbered themselves with a place thats too large to run and, I'd hazard a guess, they overpaid for. Sadly I doubt it'll get better and if they really can't get Saida's kids over to help they should take the hit and sell before the losses get even larger.

[tally]

Originally Posted by Ondine

Yay the kids won!!

Veronica is a total biatch. £6.20 is disgraceful but it what you would expect from someone with her character. She should not be in the hospitality industry.

Originally Posted by BirthdayGirl

God no. Their place didnt appeal to me at all and I'd quite happily tell her!

Me too. With relish.

So pleased with that result except I'd have preferred Vinegar tits and Lemon Lebonese to come bottom. And there wasn't enough drama! I should have taken a tip from you BG and opened the vino.

I spent an enjoyable hour or so late last night reading Graham 's blog from Wellhouse in Melksham. Thanks to whoever posted the link, even if I did get led off at a tangent by the unforgettable Julian. They may not have won, but I'd stay there just because he and Lisa came across and seem to be lovely people. Just like the kids this week.

Why don't these people realise what a fantastic advertising opportunity this is? I was at the increase traffic Graham got after his week aired. Although the faded dilapidated hotel that our jovial oldies ran couldn't be further away from the pristine Wellhouse.

Better to shut up and be gracious a la blondes, who earned my respect today, than show you have zero public relations skills.

They should have taken a leaf out of my book, when, living in a real tourist trap I decided to put my school holidays ( the day job was as a teacher, while hubby ran fishing trips round the bay) to good use and rent out a couple of rooms for some extra dosh. Oh god, I hated it! I resented every single set of visitors we had and could be heard drowning out profuse profanities with the sound of the hoover thwacking away in the rooms. By mid August I was ringing the Tourist Board telling them to fill other places and only using me if they were desperate for accommodation! I think they thought it was better to avoid me all together as I was obviously nuts.
But my home was my castle, my retreat and, no, I didn't want people trekking through it. Pity I didn't make a penny profit as I'd spent out on new bedding, towels etc so made a humungous loss.( Actually 20 years later some of those sheets and pillow cases are being used as the others wear out). B & B and hospitality is a vocation and just like V & L I hadn't been called in that direction. Luckily I had the main job to keep us and didn't need the extra money too much.

But, if they'd shown a modicum of humanity people might have warmed to them. Not Game Playing when they underpaid everyone? Really? £6.20 for a minimum rate cleaner? Unbelievable. That's what people will remember about you, not that you were short of money. Guests aren't interested in you. They want clean, efficient friendly service with a well cooked breakfast, not money moans.

I've watched every programme of 4IAB and 3IAB before that, but I think C4 are doing what they've done to CDWM and flogging it to death with way too much fake drama, tensions and daft excursions. I want the places to be semi equal in stature and more emphasis on the running of the B & B's not who can shear a sheep or decorate a gingerbread the best.
I literally cant watch CDWM now, it's so phony. Sadly I think this is going the same way. Shame, because it was a little gem when it started. Same as Coachtrip where I first met BG who we all had to guess who she was as she wouldn't say at first. Thank gawd she was fun and normal and not one of the trippers who have you watching with eyes on stalks!
Seems an age ago BG, or is it me showing my age?

GAH I sound like Vinegar Veronica!

[whatever54]

Originally Posted by tally

Me too. With relish.

So pleased with that result except I'd have preferred Vinegar tits and Lemon Lebonese to come bottom. And there wasn't enough drama! I should have taken a tip from you BG and opened the vino.

I spent an enjoyable hour or so late last night reading Graham 's blog from Wellhouse in Melksham. Thanks to whoever posted the link, even if I did get led off at a tangent by the unforgettable Julian. They may not have won, but I'd stay there just because he and Lisa came across and seem to be lovely people. Just like the kids this week.

Why don't these people realise what a fantastic advertising opportunity this is? I was at the increase traffic Graham got after his week aired. Although the faded dilapidated hotel that our jovial oldies ran couldn't be further away from the pristine Wellhouse.

Better to shut up and be gracious a la blondes, who earned my respect today, than show you have zero public relations skills.

They should have taken a leaf out of my book, when, living in a real tourist trap I decided to put my school holidays ( the day job was as a teacher, while hubby ran fishing trips round the bay) to good use and rent out a couple of rooms for some extra dosh. Oh god, I hated it! I resented every single set of visitors we had and could be heard drowning out profuse profanities with the sound of the hoover thwacking away in the rooms. By mid August I was ringing the Tourist Board telling them to fill other places and only using me if they were desperate for accommodation! I think they thought it was better to avoid me all together as I was obviously nuts.
But my home was my castle, my retreat and, no, I didn't want people trekking through it. Pity I didn't make a penny profit as I'd spent out on new bedding, towels etc so made a humungous loss.( Actually 20 years later some of those sheets and pillow cases are being used as the others wear out). B & B and hospitality is a vocation and just like V & L I hadn't been called in that direction. Luckily I had the main job to keep us and didn't need the extra money too much.

But, if they'd shown a modicum of humanity people might have warmed to them. Not Game Playing when they underpaid everyone? Really? £6.20 for a minimum rate cleaner? Unbelievable. That's what people will remember about you, not that you were short of money. Guests aren't interested in you. They want clean, efficient friendly service with a well cooked breakfast, not money moans.

I've watched every programme of 4IAB and 3IAB before that, but I think C4 are doing what they've done to CDWM and flogging it to death with way too much fake drama, tensions and daft excursions. I want the places to be semi equal in stature and more emphasis on the running of the B & B's not who can shear a sheep or decorate a gingerbread the best.
I literally cant watch CDWM now, it's so phony. Sadly I think this is going the same way. Shame, because it was a little gem when it started. Same as Coachtrip where I first met BG who we all had to guess who she was as she wouldn't say at first. Thank gawd she was fun and normal and not one of the trippers who have you watching with eyes on stalks!
Seems an age ago BG, or is it me showing my age?

GAH I sound like Vinegar Veronica!

Haha I love your honesty

[hooter]

Originally Posted by tally

Me too. With relish.

So pleased with that result except I'd have preferred Vinegar tits and Lemon Lebonese to come bottom. And there wasn't enough drama! I should have taken a tip from you BG and opened the vino.

I spent an enjoyable hour or so late last night reading Graham 's blog from Wellhouse in Melksham. Thanks to whoever posted the link, even if I did get led off at a tangent by the unforgettable Julian. They may not have won, but I'd stay there just because he and Lisa came across and seem to be lovely people. Just like the kids this week.

Why don't these people realise what a fantastic advertising opportunity this is? I was at the increase traffic Graham got after his week aired. Although the faded dilapidated hotel that our jovial oldies ran couldn't be further away from the pristine Wellhouse.

Better to shut up and be gracious a la blondes, who earned my respect today, than show you have zero public relations skills.

They should have taken a leaf out of my book, when, living in a real tourist trap I decided to put my school holidays ( the day job was as a teacher, while hubby ran fishing trips round the bay) to good use and rent out a couple of rooms for some extra dosh. Oh god, I hated it! I resented every single set of visitors we had and could be heard drowning out profuse profanities with the sound of the hoover thwacking away in the rooms. By mid August I was ringing the Tourist Board telling them to fill other places and only using me if they were desperate for accommodation! I think they thought it was better to avoid me all together as I was obviously nuts.
But my home was my castle, my retreat and, no, I didn't want people trekking through it. Pity I didn't make a penny profit as I'd spent out on new bedding, towels etc so made a humungous loss.( Actually 20 years later some of those sheets and pillow cases are being used as the others wear out). B & B and hospitality is a vocation and just like V & L I hadn't been called in that direction. Luckily I had the main job to keep us and didn't need the extra money too much.

But, if they'd shown a modicum of humanity people might have warmed to them. Not Game Playing when they underpaid everyone? Really? £6.20 for a minimum rate cleaner? Unbelievable. That's what people will remember about you, not that you were short of money. Guests aren't interested in you. They want clean, efficient friendly service with a well cooked breakfast, not money moans.

I've watched every programme of 4IAB and 3IAB before that, but I think C4 are doing what they've done to CDWM and flogging it to death with way too much fake drama, tensions and daft excursions. I want the places to be semi equal in stature and more emphasis on the running of the B & B's not who can shear a sheep or decorate a gingerbread the best.
I literally cant watch CDWM now, it's so phony. Sadly I think this is going the same way. Shame, because it was a little gem when it started. Same as Coachtrip where I first met BG who we all had to guess who she was as she wouldn't say at first. Thank gawd she was fun and normal and not one of the trippers who have you watching with eyes on stalks!
Seems an age ago BG, or is it me showing my age?

GAH I sound like Vinegar Veronica!

Phew...you seem glad to get that off your chest......Are you calmer now?

*ducks outta the way in case a heavy article comes hurtling past wot aint a asteroid*

[BirthdayGirl]

Originally Posted by tally

Same as Coachtrip where I first met BG who we all had to guess who she was as she wouldn't say at first. Thank gawd she was fun and normal and not one of the trippers who have you watching with eyes on stalks!
Seems an age ago BG, or is it me showing my age?

GAH I sound like Vinegar Veronica!

Aaah those were happy days tally....and you're right......all reality tv shows seem to be going the same way nowadays...even The Hotel isnt what it used to be and that show is only on Series 3 Imagine what it will be like 4 or 5 seasons on!

[BellaRosa]

Originally Posted by jamtamara

I've googled him:

http://images.search.conduit.com/sea...e=1&CUI=SB_CUI

Paul Foot is on 8 out of 10 cats tonight .. how spooky

[tally]

Originally Posted by hooter

Phew...you seem glad to get that off your chest......Are you calmer now?

*ducks outta the way in case a heavy article comes hurtling past wot aint a asteroid*

It was a quarter of a century ago, I now live in a tiny village where I can go a whole summer avoiding the tourists if I please.
And, with retirement comes HUGE contentment. I don't know the meaning of stress these days. Not a kid in sight, nor a potential B & B'er. Just my lovely pup and, today especially, miles of sunny empty sandy beaches. Life is great. No heavy articles being thrown.

[whatever54]

Originally Posted by BirthdayGirl

Aaah those were happy days tally....and you're right......all reality tv shows seem to be going the same way nowadays...even The Hotel isnt what it used to be and that show is only on Series 3 Imagine what it will be like 4 or 5 seasons on!

Were you on Coach Trip please tell me this is true

[BirthdayGirl]

[quote=tally;64273797]

Originally Posted by whatever54

Were you on Coach Trip please tell me this is true

I was. But dont tell anyone.

[whatever54]

[quote=BirthdayGirl;64274821]

Originally Posted by tally

I was. But dont tell anyone.

OMG that is amazing, pretty please tell me which episode or series so I can play the guessing game

[BirthdayGirl]

[quote=whatever54;64274975]

Originally Posted by BirthdayGirl

OMG that is amazing, pretty please tell me which episode or series so I can play the guessing game

I'll PM you as its sooo off topic

[gilliedew]

Can I just say that one persons hospitality experience is not anothers. I had many seasons of looking after tourists without the hassles previously mentioned. Looking after people and making their holidays a pleasureable experience can be, if it is tackled right can be very rewarding and the job satisfaction is immense when little children come to you and tell you what a wonderful time they have had. If they return the next year, looking forward to it and have grown feet in height, you know you have done a good job.

It does take organisation, financial planning and a huge amount of time but the rewards can be joyous.

[Cherrybomber]

I have just started to watch and I am already fed up with veronica's tone of voice. I also think her suggestions for others are just a flipping cheek.

Unlike many others I have not warmed to Paul, he's a pillock, and a prickly pompous one at that. I think he may look better in the last two days by comparrison to V&S, but he isnt someone I would like.

Ben and Katie are nice decent people, they do have a lovely proprety which has fallen into their laps so its easy to see why they have a fairly sunny disposition.

I dont like Helen or Kathy much either. That has not changed since the first day.

[Torch81]

Well, right result at least again this week. Bravo the 'kids', your doing well, keep doing what your doing and you'll be just fine. (I still think the Yurts are a bit over priced though, although having said that Ben's explanation about their upkeep costs being far higher than a conventional 'room' is I suspect totally true).
Veronica Pickles - your a disgrace! You and your companions ill advised nit picking behaviour on the show and the subsequent payments made were generally outrageous and have surely done you no favours whatsoever in terms of promoting your hotel. Why else go on the show other than to do that?? Silly cow! As you seem to be so willing to answer your critics on TA maybe you should follow that through one step further and get over here and answer some more.

[BirthdayGirl]

Originally Posted by Torch81

As you seem to be so willing to answer your critics on TA maybe you should follow that through one step further and get over here and answer some more.

Funnily enough, from past experience, the B&B's who dont come out of FIAB very rarely join us in the thread. The ones that come across well sometimes pop up (G! Boutique and Graham and Anthony to name a few) pop up and tell us the background gossip.
Coincidence???

[Cherrybomber]

Originally Posted by TheAuburnEnigma

Well done to Ben & Katie, their place was lovely and I did like how Ben stuck up for Helen the previous night.

I dont think he stuck up for helen, more he challenged Veronica and Saida's behaviour.
And he and Paul both seemed to think the room did not smell and the mattress wasnt that bad. I think it was Ben who said "i'd stay in this room", but it could have been Paul.

I quite like the idea of having it be 4 similar establishments each week - it's more in line with what the aim of the programme is, deciding which one is the best value for money

I think it would be dull and samey
The idea of VFM is not difficlut to understand, one does not need to have smilar properties to make assessments.

This suggestion is made frequently on here and is often endorsed but I can't understand why or ever see the justification.

[Cherrybomber]

Originally Posted by stefthepest

You seem to be a fan of Veronica's and Saidas from the start.

I know people are different and we express ourselves differently. Sometimes we may poke fun at people's dress sense or hairstyle. I don't think people have been beating Veronica and Saida with a stick because of such things but as a bit of fun. The main problem all along has been their attitude and lack of ability to take criticism whereas they willingly dish it out.

Yes, that's right, correct, I agree and all other confirmations

[Ondine]

Originally Posted by Shrike

I think they'd be fine in a restuarant. Their problem is they seem to have lumbered themselves with a place thats too large to run and, I'd hazard a guess, they overpaid for. Sadly I doubt it'll get better and if they really can't get Saida's kids over to help they should take the hit and sell before the losses get even larger.

BIB Seriously? Can you imagine what they'd be like if you said you didn't enjoy the food?

[whatever54]

Originally Posted by Cherrybomber

I dont think he stuck up for helen, more he challenged Veronica and Saida's behaviour.
And he and Paul both seemed to think the room did not smell and the mattress wasnt that bad. I think it was Ben who said "i'd stay in this room", but it could have been Paul.



I think it would be dull and samey
The idea of VFM is not difficlut to understand, one does not need to have smilar properties to make assessments.

This suggestion is made frequently on here and is often endorsed but I can't understand why or ever see the justification.

I think it would be fairer as quite frankly some of them seem such cheapskates that I think there first thought is 'I wouldn't dream of spending £x on a bed for the night'. It's a bad attitude & unfair but often clouds the outcome

[Cherrybomber]

Originally Posted by gilliedew

They really are The Odd Couple, I must admit, but I wish them all the best as they are really hard workers and as you say not really suited for the industry. It takes a bit of imagination but behind all that simmering indignation they might be a couple of real good time girls..........................or perhaps not

An Odd couple? Really? I dont like them but I see no reason to question their relationship let alone call it Odd.

There's no evidence they are really hard workers, other than their own self pitying cries, but as they have both been less than even handed and sincere, I am unconvinced.

The only thing I think they are fair about is that they choose to allow people to make their own toast so it's hot and plentiful rather than them rushing about replenishing it during serving the rest of breakfast. For some inexplicable reason, Paul thinks this is unacceptable.

[gilliedew]

OK then, if you cant beat them, join them.

I thought Helen looked really scruffy today when payment was being made, much the same impression as her dusty room and stained mattress. Perhaps it is her usual dress & she only dressed up for the programme when visiting other establishments.

[whatever54]

Originally Posted by Ondine

BIB Seriously? Can you imagine what they'd be like if you said you didn't enjoy the food?

Veronica Pickles as Maitre d, nope I don't think that's her vocation either

[Cherrybomber]

Originally Posted by Ondine

BIB Seriously? Can you imagine what they'd be like if you said you didn't enjoy the food?

Yes, theyd be horrible

Originally Posted by whatever54

I think it would be fairer as quite frankly some of them seem such cheapskates that I think there first thought is 'I wouldn't dream of spending £x on a bed for the night'. It's a bad attitude & unfair but often clouds the outcome

I think similar establishments would make them even more competitive and nit picking. I'd rather see them not told what is charged for a room and ask them to pay for the stay overall. Presently a lot of people seem to make 'fines', so regardless of how cheap the accomodation they still want to knock something off due to polycotton bedding (what a dreary patronising old bat she was)

Originally Posted by gilliedew

OK then, if you cant beat them, join them.

I thought Helen looked really scruffy today when payment was being made, much the same impression as her dusty room and stained mattress. Perhaps it is her usual dress & she only dressed up for the programme when visiting other establishments.

That bee really is firmly lodged in that bonnet isnt it.

[SolarSail]

Originally Posted by fiveinabed

The day there is an iPhone app for cleaning the bog.. I'm downloading it.

I have a torch on my phone and it also has an SOS option, all it needs is some kind of laser application and I reckon that's sorted <<< obviously it would be open to illegal abuse rather than perfectly legal loo sanitisation.
Sad world we live in

Originally Posted by Cherrybomber

I have just started to watch and I am already fed up with veronica's tone of voice. I also think her suggestions for others are just a flipping cheek.

Unlike many others I have not warmed to Paul, he's a pillock, and a prickly pompous one at that. I think he may look better in the last two days by comparrison to V&S, but he isnt someone I would like.

Ben and Katie are nice decent people, they do have a lovely proprety which has fallen into their laps so its easy to see why they have a fairly sunny disposition.

I dont like Helen or Kathy much either. That has not changed since the first day.

I liked Paul. I think he was wry and Ben & Katie totally got him and he got them, so that's good enough for me.
I also disagree that their property has fallen into their lap. I doubt very much that it's theirs - as in theirs to sell.
They seem like the continuing generation to me - having to find a new venture to make the place pay and good luck to them.

I liked Helen and her companion, Cathy too but I have to agree with you about Veronica, on both counts.

Originally Posted by Cherrybomber

I dont think he stuck up for helen, more he challenged Veronica and Saida's behaviour.
And he and Paul both seemed to think the room did not smell and the mattress wasnt that bad. I think it was Ben who said "i'd stay in this room", but it could have been Paul.

It was Ben.
I'm intrigued that neither Paul nor Ben detected a smell in the room and I didn't reckon that either were the type to lie or defend the indefensible

Cherry, I'm one of those who advocates pitting like against like and I feel it would make for a far superior programme - much more appropriate criticism and for me anyway, much more interest.
Pitting properites in the £40-£60 prpn bracket against £120-£195 prpn is pretty silly really. I want to see how hosts and owners who may well be in the same market, perform against each other.

For sure Dom and Steph of The Salutation may visit Blackpool and go and stay at the boys' show bar hotel seeing as they've met them, but never in a million years would that happen in the normal course of life events.

I'd be much more interested in the opinions of other competitors who are in the same bracket and market. That would have much more validity for me and we'd hear much less of I don't care and I don't want them back, anyway.