Something for the Weekend

We have once again come to the end of the week so its time for us to write about what the team are up to this weekend and perhaps inspire our readers to get out and about in the local area.

I am going to be sailing in the Lymington Summer Regatta you should be able to see some of the racing from Hurst spit either Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. Whilst I'm writing on a nautical theme I will be posting a review of Escape Yachting next week which is a great way to get sailing on the Solent, more to follow. BL 

For the first time this Saturday the New Forest Tour open top bus will be picking up New Forest sightseers at Shorefield Country Park.

The New Forest Tour is the perfect way to explore the beautiful New Forest without a car and a fantastic way to see some of the highlights that England’s newest National Park has to offer. On the route there are a wealth of attractions including Beaulieu National Motor Museum, New Forest Cider, ExburyGardens and of course some of the towns that are situated in the New Forest.

We’ll be taking a ride this weekend to celebrate Shorefield Country Park being added to the brand new blue route and taking a look at some of the key attractions on the route. WI 

The Shorefield Holidays Social Journey

On the 30th June we will be celebrating the fourth annual Social Media Day which was created by digital blogging site Mashable to celebrate the way social media has changed our lives on a daily basis.

So how did social become social? Well, it is in our very nature as humans to interact socially and the very fact that it takes just seconds to interact with friends, family and other individuals adds to this appeal. Of course these days social networking is no longer a novelty you, your parents and your dog can have access to Facebook, Twitter and the many other social sites that are now available.

Nowadays social isn't just about your own profile and reaching out to people we know; it’s about interacting with brands and business’ such as the Guardian and the BBC etc... We've all noticed, and in some cases taken part in, commenting on various news articles and these are often fed back to the news provider itself. There also examples such as Reddit and Digg, which allow strangers to interact and form opinions on content that is provided by users themselves. From a company point of view we use our social channels to do just that; interact and gain feedback on opinions on the content we provide.

Our social journey as a company begun in 2009 with the formation of our company Twitter page which is still going strong today. We tweet with our customers, local businesses, bloggers and many more aiming to be a voice of influence and assistance to those seeking good value family fun in and around the New Forest. Around the same time we also launched our Idea Scale forum; we used this to listen to feedback and ideas from both our owners and leisure members. In 2011 both our Reflections Elemis Spa Facebook page as well as the Shorefield Parks Facebook page were launched with the aim of providing information and assistance for both existing and potential customers regarding all elements of the Shorefield experience along with a competition or two. Our most recent addition to the Shorefield social family is Google Plus, another channel to share images, ideas and blog posts. 

So where will we be in 10 years’ time? Perhaps overrun with robots and controlled by Skynet? It's hard to say but no doubt we'll still be celebrating Social Media Day for years to come. WI

We let the dogs out......

The annual Labrador Lifeline Trusts dog show at Sway Manor Hotel was a lot of fun. It was nice to see so many rescue dogs looking healthy and happy with their new owners, this really is a great charity and the evidence was parading around the show with waggy tails and doting owners. Having heard from some of the owners about the condition these dogs are found in by the charity, it is a wonder they are still alive and remarkable that they are as well-adjusted and good tempered as was on display this Saturday.

Simon, Winona and I all attended the show along with Pippa, Jasper, Turpin and Emmylou (Our dogs). We took the trailer along to advertise what we do and we came away with some good leads (pun intended). Shorefield Holidays were the main sponsor of the day and it was a good opportunity for us to market our  products and services to both locals and visitors to the area and let people know about our Pet Friendly attitude on all our parks.

Unfortunately the weather wasn't on side as the wind picked up the visitors began to drift off although a good number stayed to see the event through to the finale. There was a fantastic variety of dogs in attendance from French Bulldogs to Irish Wolfhounds the whole canine spectrum seemed to be represented, this is an annual event and certainly a day out I would recommend to put in the calendar for next year.

You can take a look at more of our pictures from the day on our Facebook page. BL

Something for the Weekend: Who Let the Dogs out?

This may come as a surprise but today is National Take Your dog To Work Day unfortunately my dogs are all far too busy preparing for the weekend to consider a day in the office with me. What might they be preparing for you ask? Well funnily enough the very same event that the marketing team at Shorefield are getting ready for, it could only be The Labrador Lifeline Trusts Dog Show at Sway Manor Hotel on Saturday 22^nd June. Registration starts at 10:30am with 6 pedigree and 18 novelty classes being judged.

The marketing team are very much looking forward to the day as we are sponsoring the event and we will be in attendance, we'll also have a fantastic competition available to those who come and visit us at the show. There will be a BBQ and fully licensed bar available throughout the day as well as other stalls. Entry is £1 per adult and free for children with monies raised going to support this great charity.

The event is always well attended with all kinds of dogs and their owners and is a fun day out for the whole family. We look forward to seeing you, and more importantly your dogs, at the show. BL

Too Wet for Sailing?

Unfortunately the sailing planned for Saturday was cancelled as the race was abandoned due to high winds, gusting up to 50mph. I’m hoping that it will be business as usual on Thursday for racing and later this month the summer regatta will be sailing out of Lymington on the 29^th & 30^th .

Racing was far from abandoned on Sunday at the Puddletown Plod, I was slightly misled in my belief the course was flat. Far from it, 20k of hills was quite a vigorous start to my Sunday; I finished the course in 90 minutes and am waiting for the results of the race to be posted as I write this. I have to say that this was a well organised race with some breath taking scenery, although my thighs are currently ruined. I’m thinking of booking an appointment with Sally Morris our resident sports therapist at Reflections day spa at Shorefield Country Park, she is very talented when it comes to rejuvenating tired and damaged muscles.

Once I had finished the race I hobbled to my car and was on the A31 heading toward Woodlands to meet my family for Father's day lunch at hotel TerraVina I was ravenous by this point and enjoyed a tremendous lunch with delicious food and attentive service. The wine list is second to none, patron Gerard Basset was awarded sommelier of the year in 2010 the team will make some great recommendations to suit every taste and budget.This is one my favourite places to eat locally and is certainly somewhere I would recommend. BL  

Cyril's Elusive Relatives

Brownsea Island has always been a place I wanted to visit due to its vast amount of wildlife, especially the red squirrels which are found in only a few locations throughout the UK. The island is home to 200 of them and is the ideal habitat as there are no foxes or other natural predators.

The island is only a short five minute trip across the bay by ferry from either Poole Quay or Sandbanks which leave from both locations every 30 minutes. Once there you pay a fee which goes towards the upkeep of Brownsea Island. Luckily we were given a map so we could find our way around this extensive island, which meant we could pick and choose what area we wanted to go to, of which there is a vast choice. You can find yourself exploring a lagoon, woodland, cliff top views, heathland, beaches and even a nature reserve run by Dorset Wildlife Trust.

We opted to follow one of the suggested walks on the map which is two miles around a section of woodland in the hope that we might see some elusive red squirrels or perhaps even a deer. One of the main features of the woodland walk is a church, built in 1853; services still continue to be held in the summer months even though the building has no electricity or water supply. There were plenty of peacocks and tiny goslings enjoying the sun as well as hens who even found their way into the visitors centre. Sadly, there were no red squirrels or deer to be found on the woodland walk but at least I know that Cyril and Cybil, the two resident red squirrels, can be found most evenings at our parks. 

We then made our way up to the cliff tops which had an amazing view over to the Isle of Purbeck and although it was incredibly windy we also ventured down to the beaches on the South Shore. Once we were sufficiently windswept we headed back up the cliffs and continued our walk which took us past the remains of the vinery as well as a lily pond.

Although we were slightly disappointed that we did not see any red squirrels, we will definitely be heading back in the autumn which is the best time of year to spot them; you can even join a red squirrel guided walk which runs daily from the 23rd September to the 25th October at 11:30 and 14:00. We had a fantastic day and and highly recommend it as a place to visit if your staying at one of our parks or you live in the local area.

You can take a look at more of our photos on our Facebook page. WI

Something for the Weekend

Each week we are going to write about what we plan to do at the weekend and then post a review and some photos the following week. This will highlight a lot of the great things there are to do locally and maybe inspire you to try something or visit somewhere we review. We feel there is nothing like a bit of local knowledge to help visitors find things to do that they will enjoy. Should you have any recommendations then please feel free to leave a comment. 

This Saturday I will be racing Mojo, my friend Jim’s J80, which we will be sailing out of Lymington Yacht Club, I’m not entirely sure where on the Solent we will race as the course is radioed to us when we are on the boat, headed towards the starting platform. Needless to say it won’t be as dramatic as the recent “round the island” race but fun will be had. There are various opportunities for visitors to get out on the water near all of our parks, leave a comment and I’ll try and help find a solution to your requirements.

On Sunday morning I’m going to run in the Puddletown a 20k road running race held in West Dorset, although it was a tough call deciding where to run this weekend as there are quite a few other opportunities including the Brockenhurst Park Run and the Shorefield running club. Sunday is Father’s Day and an opportunity for my siblings and I to let Dad take us all out for lunch! This year he is taking us all to Hotel Terra Vina where we will enjoy some fantastic seasonal produce and perhaps even try some of the locally foraged additions to the menu. BL

If you haven’t quite found your sea legs yet and hoisting the mainsail or running through West Dorset leaves you, like me, a little out of breath just thinking about it, how about spoiling a long walk?

Hampshire and Dorset are home to some of the South Coasts finest golf courses and Saturday sees me and the band of merry Shorefield Golf Society members, head down the M27 to Botley. Made up of holiday home owners, leisure members and the odd member of staff, the society meets once a month for a great days golf, in great company, with lots of laughs thrown in.

All the courses we visit are always friendly and welcoming and suitable for all standards of player. Botley Park Golf Club, part of the Macdonald Hotel group, gently curves its way through the Hampshire countryside offering stunning views and suitable for both pros (I wish) and beginners (that’s more like it) amongst us. Around 50 minutes away you can play the Championship course for only £22.50 after 2pm as part of their twilight offer, which presents fantastic value.

  

So having put in a written request a few months ago to my partner for a day out with the boys, stating, of course, that it is all work related, ‘networking’ with our customers, (I am pretty sure she’s cottoning on to that one), I have sorted out all the prizes, start lists, nearest the pin markers and adjusted all the handicaps, we are all set for the Sea Breeze Golfing plate. Let’s hope for no heavy rain or electrical storms like at Merion.

Fingers crossed that I start driving the ball down the middle; I’ve heard you meet a better class of person there! If any of us have any energy left, we will be popping into the holiday home owners monthly themed evening at Shorefield Country Park, for a Scottish night. I am sure my friend ‘Brave heart’ will feel right at home and sinking a few ‘wee drams’, unlike his putts. I wonder if they will be serving fried chicken?

So whether you’re a keen golfer or just taken up this frustrating game the area around our parks is haven for you to lose the odd ball or two, or three…SB

If a day in the big blue yonder or chasing golf balls across a field hasn’t tired you out I'll be enjoying a fabulous Chocca Rocks Queen in house cabaret at Shorefield Country Park. Emilla and Ellen will be entertaining us with some songs and also dragging in some of the audience to help them out. After all that a meal is in order so I’ll be sampling some of the delights of the Cheers Bar menu.

On Sunday I’ll be heading out to the beautiful Brownsea Island where hopefully we get to meet some of Cyril and Cybil’s red squirrel pals as well as a wide variety of wildlife. Located just a short ferry ride from Poole Quay, Brownsea Island, offers a number of thriving natural habitats including woodland, heathland and a lagoon. Open every day, Brownsea Island is the ideal place to visit any time of the year whether you’re a local or a visitor to the area.

We are very lucky to have our parks located in such beautiful surroundings as well having places like Brownsea Island nearby. Here at Shorefield Holidays we are passionate about nature and this is evident from our David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation which we are very proud of. WI

Welcome to our Blog

Welcome to the Shorefield blog, whether you are a caravan or lodge owner, holiday maker, leisure member, Spa guest or have joined us for a conference and banqueting event, perhaps you are thinking of visiting us or have an interest in life behind the scenes of a holiday and leisure park then there will be something here for you.

We aim to keep readers informed with news from our parks, events, offers and anything we feel might be of interest to you. We are looking forward to featuring guest blogs from members of the team at Shorefield and from people who we work with closely in our industry.

If you enjoy reading our blog and have an idea about something you might like to read about we would love to hear from you.