Welbeck Documentary on Manx Radio

Welbeck Hotel on Manx Radio tomorrow at 18:05. As my chum Dave Mackey from the nearby Ascot Hotel is fond of remarking, I am occasionally less than shy on the self promotion front and tomorrow is no exception, although this one could bite us on the bum as the programme is still in the throes of its final edit.

It is called, 'Behind Closed Doors' and is presented by John Hines. As I previously posted, it is on at 6.05pm and can be listened to on all Manx Radios FM frequencies, 1368 on AM or live on the web at www.manxradio.com . If you miss the broadcast, you can catch it on 'Listen Again' on their site from Thursday to Wednesday

Umpah Umpah

Realizing you're older than the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, being treated by Doctors aged 10, not able to train through injury; all cliched signs that the years are catching up with me but the other week, an invitation dropping through the letterbox to my nephew's 30th birthday party this coming Saturday, really drove the message home.

Oh and one further clarification that you've definitely turned vintage is the total lack of enthusiasm when the reality dawns that it's not only fancy dress but a 'Bavarian' theme.

However, cajoled by Mrs. George whose imagination unfortunately matches mine, I managed to find the Costume Shop in Peel and with a stroke of luck brought about by my legendary lack of prowess at preparing the staff rota, I'd brought Adam in too early and we were able to dash out yesterday afternoon to try on and collect our costumes.

So it's lederhosen for me, this weekend and on hearing this news, my 13 year old son Terence to whom I am a continual source of embarrassment, immediately booked himself a trip to the National Cross Country on Saturday near Alton Towers to avoid the humiliation (actually that's a bit of artistic licence: it was already booked and paid for before we received the invitation but he's not too secretly pleased.)

Of course, yet another reminder of our time of life is the frequency of our nocturnal excursions and though usually, we are fortunate to go out once a month, we've also been asked to go to a 50th birthday party, the very same night. We may just call in to that afterwards (if the ravages of senility allow) but we might just have to change costume on the way.

Pictures to follow if uncensored.

Just to continue the theme, I just realised that I had posted this on the wrong blog. Oh dear, there's no hope.

Bloody Big Car Boot Sale

Around this time of year when we are doing refurbishments, we often end up with furniture which we can no longer use, either because it's not quite the standard required for paying guests or we have decided that it doesn't really match or isn't the size required for the newly decorated/rearranged rooms.

Hence the reference to the Car Boot Sale... but you'll need a rather large space in your vehicle for some of it. See list at bottom.

Any mention of such method of selling always brings a smile to my face, instantly reminding me of Mihail Petrov, the first Bulgarian who worked at the Welbeck. In the days before the Eastern European countries all joined the EU, Mihail found his way to us via the now defunct International Hotel School, then based at Port Erin.

He was great fun and very ambitious, at the time hoping to develop his career in the industry. My Dad was always keen on recycling and as his was quite a new Ford Scorpio, he would usually ask Mihail to put the bottles, cans & newspapers into 'The car boot,' pointing to what would invariably be my mother's Renault Megane.

One day, a lady who was a production assistant on the of the films (they used to shoot quite a few here) was stood in Reception was working herself into an exasperated strop with a very puzzled Mihail.

Ever helpful, poor Mihail was trying to direct her to Eurocars, the Renault Garage which he had found in the Yellow Pages. As it was her day off, the lady had asked where she could find any 'Car Boot Sales' and our Bulgarian friend assumed that was the model of my mother's vehicle, never having heard of such a strange concept as a mobile jumble sale.

Unfortunately, our guest didn't quite have the sense of humour to see the funny side of things but it gives me a chuckle to this day.

Anyway, in pine we have two welsh dressers, a couple of large coffee tables, lots of dining chairs. We have a double sofa, a single sofa, two winged armchairs all in the same purple & gold upholstery. Photos to follow.

High Definition Blog

All the deluxe rooms and apartments now have digital televisions and indeed the last 8 that I have just purchased, (though not quite managed to instal as yet) are 32inch and also fully 'HD.'

This means that all the 'Freeview' channels are now available which includes a list of radio channels too. One gentleman of a certain persuasion thought it hilarious that the previous occupant of his room had left it on the 'Gay Rabbit' channel.

Fortunately, the modern sets also have analogue, so we are still able to show 'Sky Sports 1 & 2,' 'Sky News' and we still also provide 'Manx Radio & Radio 2.'

For those of you who are not local to the Isle of Man, Freeview here does not include ITV 4, a fact that caused great consternation when it was announced as it is the present home of the TT race highlights programme. It also has excellent coverage of the 'Tour de France' and some football games not featured on the main channels.

The remainder of the rooms which still just pick up the analogue signals are fed by a contraption that converts a maximum of six digital channels, as well as the four sky boxes and our own two radio feeds.

I intend to change the 'Sky' receiver which currently shows 'Channel 5,' to 'ITV4' which means I'll probably have to lose either ITV2 or E4. I would be grateful for any feedback as to which would be best to get rid of.

.....And if you understand all that lot, you don't need HD to make things clearer.

Who Stole January?

Things have been happening at pace over the last few months in the Hotel with four rooms having been decorated with just now 304 to do which must be finished no later than next Monday, as it is let that night!

We (that being we who go and look and decide what needs doing rather than we who actually do the work,) commenced in November and the corridors were painted over the Christmas break, so it is a tribute to Ray Corlett, the painter & decorator, the carpet fitters from Premier Flooring and Colin and John of B & C Spence Electricians that so much has been achieved in so little time.

The bathroom situation is not quite so up to schedule, though not beginning on them until a week or so ago hasn't helped matters. However, the first one should be ready by Thursday and we await its completion with baited breath as Andy Kennish Interiors hasn't done one for us before.

An order for bedspreads and curtains is about to be placed and I am hoping that that this year's intake of furniture will soon be under construction.

One exciting development is that I am hoping to reach an agreement with local artist, Nicola Dixon to display a collection of her prints in the bedrooms with a view to promoting her work as well as providing us with with her brilliant and humorous paintings, mainly of local coast and seascapes.

I awoke this morning wondering where January had gone but I think the preceding paragraphs give us a bit of a clue.

A warm welcome to Steven Schnack who is arriving at the Hotel tomorrow and has joined Murray to be my second 'Blog Follower.'