Hospitality Industry, Email Etiquette. 02/08/2010
 Due to some very slack email etiquette, I may not be going to the Caravan Parks I had planned to visit, in south Gippsland after all. I always have a few parks never get to answer emails when I write to ask for the rates, indicate when we want to stay and explain who we are. I tend to find the good Caravan Parks, reply the first working day, following contact being made. So at this stage, I don't have any parks in the Gippland area to thumbs up for curtious and efficient service as those I emailed last Sunday, have not resploneded. Mind you, I had at that stage, only contacted a few along the coast, I will be moving on and contacting others, now. I emailed not just one but five, Gippsland Victoria, Caravan Parks, last weekend asking about the availability of and cost of accommodation describing our set up, caravan, car, how many of us wanting to say and when. While I did not expect a reply outside of business hours, here it is after midday on the following Tuesday and not one reply. Do I assume all these parks are so booked out that they are no longer welcoming visitors? This is not typical of the hospitality industry, and I will, move on and redirect my interest to another part of the country or a different choice of accommodation. If these parks are wishing to carter to visitors, are they aware there is an excellent publication called camps Australia Wide, which increasingly more travellers are using to secure FREE overnight, independent of caravan parks, accommodation? Lack of the courtesy to reply to emails, makes it highly desirable to just open the book, choose a nice spot to stop for the night and just ‘pull over’. Those in the hospitality business need to be aware that even the gray nomad traveller is using the internet, more than the telephone these day to make park bookings and when emails are not replied to, promptly, they wonder how slack the other services on offer from the park might be. I actually offered FREE publicity to the parks, offering to display their photos beside their listing, in my web site. Only one sent me an automated response on the Sunday night, saying my email, would be replied to in working hours. Hello, it is 2 pm Tuesday; I had hoped to have my Gippsland tour, planned by now. Sorry if I sound a tad, impatient, but it looks like I will redirect our tour to an area of the country where we have received, prompt and courteous email replies to our enquiries as these gray nomads, are ‘ready to roll. J I am conducting a review tour of dog-friendly, caravan parks, around Australia that we are conducting and while I do not want to write anything negative, I will be writing honestly and factually and I mostly want to write GOOD things and PRAISE and ASSIST caravan parks who offer courteous, clean friendly facilities to travellers, especially the dog friendly management. I hope that I can be of service to travellers and the GOOD Caravan Parks, through my reports on this dog-friendly parks review tour. How long was long enough, to wait, for a reply for a caravan site booking before feeling things were a bit slack and deciding, you will not promote those caravan parks? Let your readers know that those parks you do promote, have earned the right, not paid for the right, to be, recommended, in this website and blog. If you are a caravan Park and feel happy to be included in our review tour of dog-friendly caravan parks in Australia, I would love to hear from you. If you are a traveller and have positive experiences of dog friendly parks in Australia, I also would love to hear from you. No negative or advertising comments, on the blog, though,, please. I will not publish second hand negative comment. I will strive to print positive comments about any park I name. You can be sure my positive comments are researched, honest and genuine and if I do paid reviews, I will tell my readers it is a review and the thoughts and words will be my own. Jells Park, Victoria. 02/07/2010
 I once lived quite close to Jells Park and my family were regular visitors there, including evening, possum prowls and we also went there to view, Hayley’s Comet. I was fortunate enough to be asked by Jells Park Primary School to be the artist in Residence in a mural project of Jells park which involved guiding 400 primary school age children to complete a mural for the school of the parkland and activities in the park. It was a wonderful project. My youngest daughter stores my 'old' photos, I wilI will load the photos of this project one day. The park http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=57 The School http://www.jpps.vic.edu.au/index.html Planning a two week trip to South Gippsland. 02/06/2010
 90 Mile Beach, South Gippsland, Victoria. Reg, Indigo and I will be moving around and about within Victoria, to the south, south east, central. west then back to north and north eastern Victoria, during these last weeks of February and into March. We hope to have lots to share with our readers. Below is a list of some of the wonderful state parks, within this pretty state, Victoria.
 90 Mile Beach, South Gippsland, Victoria.  The Giveaway: In conjunction with Mummified Times Five, I am giving away up to $1000 worth of Maimeri Classico oil paints! Each prize pack includes 10 tubes of Maimeri Classico paints valued at $9.55 each…so with free postage, that’s a prize pack valued at over $100!! And we have 10 packs to give away!! To enter, all you need to do is: -comment on any post ON EACH of Kathy Shell’s blogs (listed in my blog side bar and below): http://mummifiedtimesfive.net/2010/02/01/spotlight-on-kathy-shell-giveaway/ and say why you would like to win a 10 pack of Maimeri Classico paints. (Both steps are mandatory to be in the running to win this prize) Giveaway finishes 15 Feb 2010   One Year on, We Remeber those Whom Ran From It, And those Whom Have fallen, The Ones We Loved And Cherrished, One Year on we Remeber those Brave Souls Who fought it One Year on we've rebuilt One Year on We've Changed, One Year on, Victoria Worst Natural Disaster ... One Year on, We Remember..... Black Saturday, 7th February, 2009 copy and paste this if u care R.I.P. gone but never forgotten. xxx   How would you like this? Ideal for the adventurous nomad and your bid will help a worthy charity, the Hope from the Ashes appeal. Check it out here :-http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Australis-Ocky-Sit-On-Top-Ski-with-paddle-valued-690_W0QQitemZ300393344674QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Sport_Boating_Water_Sports_Watercraft?hash=item45f0d6aea2 Australis Ocky Sit On Top Ski with paddle valued at $690.00, all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009 Australis Ocky Sit On Top Ski with paddle The Ocky, (Australian made) at 16kg is a robust 2.7 metre sit-on-top that is easy to carry and performs well when paddled by children or adults in a variety of water conditions and activities. The extra wide seat takes larger adults in comfort and also allows for a small child to sit between your legs. It's a great little surf craft, wide enough for good stability, a hull design that allows great manoeuvrability, yet tracks well when touring, and an upturned bow to help cut through the waves and prevent nose diving. This craft is equally at home on the still waters if you just want to go for a cruise. Hand toggles at each end, moulded hand holds in the centre of the boat, moulded-in-seat and foot wells, moulded stainless steel accessory eyelets for thigh straps or back rest and four self-draining holes to allow water to escape. There is a moulded in storage well at the rear of the boat to take cargo. Specs: Carrying capacity 125kg. This is a small boat but it will, unlike other sit-on-tops take a heavy load. Australian Made.
Provided by Canoeing Downunder   Doesn't that sound like a fantastic treat for the gray nomad? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1hr-Swedish-Massage_W0QQitemZ300392360835QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Mosaic?hash=item45f0c7ab83 You could bid on a charity auction for a 1hr Swedish Massage and help a worth cause as all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009 Swedish relaxation massage 60 mins (value $80) PERTH WA expires 31/03/2010 Do you feel stressed and need to relax; have poor circulation or sore, tired and aching muscles? Swedish relaxation massage uses light to moderate pressure. Gentle stimulation of the soft tissue is designed to relax the muscles, improve circulation and to soothe the nervous system. Tailored to you and designed to put you into a state of relaxation, this is the perfect introduction for people who are new to the massage experience. Hope from Ashes The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week. This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire. We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way. The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community. As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need! We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires. If you would like more information about the auction please contact Bruce or Linda Sharman by completing the website contact and writing DONATION at the beginning of your message. If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you. Hope from Ashes BSB: 633 000 Account: 139 064 364  Caravan Service And A Trip Into Town 02/02/2010
   I will be taking the Eco-Tourer slipstream caravan back to Caravan Court, in Springvale Victoria, for its third service in preparation for its third year of touring. We are getting close to leaving for the big trip, nowJ. We are in the final planning and preparing stages. I hope to leave in March. I am still thrilled with our van and I love the after sales care we have had from Caravan Court. Happy to give them, a free, ‘ plug’. You hear a lot of stories about poor caravan manufacture and after sales care so when you have been sold a well made caravan and treated well, it's great to share the information with others who might be looking for a reliable well designed, caravan. I have not, been paid for any endorsement of the Eco-Tourer slipstream van, Reg and I heartily recommend it. While we are in the metropolitan area, I love to do my exercise in the big stores and shopping malls for a change from the bush. As I use the wireless internet a lot while I travel, I will be looking at the latest technology that would suit a touring caravan based office. I like the netbooks. We see people walking down the street in country towns with these and I wonder how long before it will be as common to carry the netbook computer around with you, as it is to carry the mobile phone. I had thought I might have bought an iPhone, in April, when my current phone plan expires so I am looking at any and every option that combines mobile telephone, an easy to use, full keyboard or touch screen of letters and mobile internet service. I am very interested in feedback from people as to what they find convenient to use to access the internet as they travel. I know I need a mobile phone that allows easier texting. I know I need to keep my internet connection costs to not a lot more than I already spend so I am not certain I would need or use many of the applications and I would not want my phone to play video streaming, TV or music. I find my own creative endeavours enough entertainment, lol, I never need to be entertainedJ. I know I am ‘stuck’ with the Telstra service as it is the only one that gives the coverage in remote regions, so advice to go with the cheaper companies and plans will not help me. If I can have fun browsing around all the large technology stores, in Fountain Gate and call it my day’s exercise, then maybe meet a friend for coffee, it will be a great day out in town. I will make a few phone calls today; try to find out when I will next be in the Fountain Gate area, then I hope to make plans, to connect with my friends for coffee, while I am in the area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The art print works I have illustrated my post with today are from my postcard collection, available from my postcard-art.com website, see side bar link or ‘direct from the artist’, while we are on tour, from our caravan awning studio.        The Giveaway: In conjunction with Mummified Times Five, I am giving away up to $1000 worth of Maimeri Classico oil paints! Each prize pack includes 10 tubes of Maimeri Classico paints valued at $9.55 each…so with free postage, that’s a prize pack valued at over $100!! And we have 10 packs to give away!! To enter, all you need to do is: -comment on any post ON EACH of Kathy Shell’s blogs (listed in my blog side bar and below): http://mummifiedtimesfive.net/2010/02/01/spotlight-on-kathy-shell-giveaway/ and say why you would like to win a 10 pack of Maimeri Classico paints. (Both steps are mandatory to be in the running to win this prize) Giveaway finishes 15 Feb 2010 This blog post has been illustrated by postcards from the art of Kathy Shell. These can be orderd through the artist's postcards-art web site or purchased 'direct from the artist', in her caravan awning studio      Advance Notice. $1,000 . value of Oil Paint to be given away FREE to my blog readers during February 2010. Not just any oil paint but, quality Italian Maimeri Classico 60ml tubes. These paints are the artist’s daily bread and butter. Anyone – professional or amateur – who picks up a tube of Classico oil paints will find in it just what they need. They contain no waxes or thickeners, and pigment concentration is very high. Bright, lively colours with overall harmony in the palette, these paints from Italy are made with non-toxic, non-polluting pigments that improve light-fastness. They are versatile paints, offering exceptional value for money, but you could own a set plus postage FREE. Watch this blog and http://mummifiedtimesfive.net for further details and be the first to enter this FREE competition.  |  Advertisers, This 160 x 160 advertising space, could be yours. See our advertising page above then contact Kathy to arrange your advertising package. Kathy Shell on Facebook Kathy Shell,
|
RSS Feed
| Blog: |
| Gray Nomad. |
Topics: |
| Travel, seniors, downsizing |