V interviews park owner Henry about the impact the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has had on holiday parks like Moss Wood.

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The post The Vlog – September 2020 appeared first on Moss Wood Caravan Park.

Hi my lovely fellow Mossers!

I am never ever wearing that yellow jumper again that starred in my video blog!  Did you see how it made me put 3 ½ stones on in only one year!  Guess who is on a massive diet now?!

My job role has changed somewhat with less office and shop work to take care of – I even got my hands dirty.  Something I try to avoid and leave for Chris and Miles who seem to enjoy that sort of grubby man stuff.    I’m checking my job description, but I think it’s covered under the section ‘and anything else the Company deems necessary’.

I got wise and started to supervise the Wild Boys into doing some of the dirty work for me!  You can see me below exhibiting my strong delegation and supervisory skills!  I can see a promotion coming my way soon!

I’ve been tending your plants around your caravans as best I can, but most of you will never know about the ones I’ve saved and nurtured back to life!  Like a true gardening angel! My sincere condolences to you for any I lost. Miles has now set me up with a watering station on the back of the utility buggy which works well.

I have had a personal tragedy – I’m down to one chicken.  I decided, against Miles’ advice, that they needed a little more ‘freedom’ and they dutifully returned to their coop for several nights.   One day the little devils decided our garden and banking wasn’t big enough for 2 bantams.   They ventured too far afield and got lost and started to bed down in a tall hedge for the night.  This resulted in a very disgruntled Miles going out in his slippers and lounging pants trying to herd them back in with a sweeping brush and me ‘helping’ in my pyjamas by making various clucking noises from the decking.  One in and one out, we called it a night. The next morning, the little clucker was making her way back down the touring field when she was met by Henry’s whippet.  Let’s just say, Elkie is no more and Ramona is no longer allowed out of her coop! You might say she’s cooped up – I think we can all sympathise at the moment! N

Lockdown is bringing lots of fun in the form of dieting and I have even started to partake in a little exercise.  I ran down the side of the recreational field yesterday.  Miles came hurtling out of the Lodge with a frying pan as he thought someone was chasing me.   I explained I thought I’d heard an ice cream van!

Seriously though, I have been out cycling around the park rather than using the buggy.  I’ve been whizzing round the one-way system the wrong way, just to spice things up a bit!  I fell off at the top of the hill near the barrier, much to Henry’s amusement who just happened to be watching out of the window.  By the time I saw Miles to show him my scuffed knee and hand so he could kiss it better, he somehow already knew all about it and his laughter got in the way of any sympathy I was expecting!

Alas I shall return to work and not let these little dramas upset me in my quest to be the smiley welcoming face of Moss Wood, even if it is Bette Middler style …… From a Distance.

Stay safe, stay well and one day, we’ll meet again or for the first time if I didn’t get to meet you before shutdown.

V 😊 x

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This is the first time V adds a video to the Vlog – giving us the VVlog! We hope you enjoy!

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Hello my fellow Mossers! Note: The Facebook poll finished with over 80% ‘yes’ to the collective noun of ‘Mossers’!

It’s very quiet here, the wildlife is loving it.   Even had them checking in to see if we are okay as nobody is around.

We had some strong winds again, so I’ve been around on the buggy and picked up any upturned plants etc from your garden areas so that they continued to get watered when it rained, I’ve picked bikes up and put lids back on things and I’ve even me, myself, I put up 3 wall baskets on the fencing opposite reception as you enter the touring field.

Last week Miles noticed that a Robin had made her nest in the potted Box shrub on our decking.  We’ve been watching carefully and there were 5 eggs.      Good Friday he announced we were grandparents – they’ve hatched!   I’m used to living in a rural countryside setting, but I’ve never experienced the wildlife I do right here, literally on our doorstep.   We are so lucky.  Apparently, the little baby robins will be in the nest for about 14 days.  Survival rate is low according to my google research, but I will keep you up to date.

Today there has been a duck walking about in front of the phone box…. I asked if I could help him, but he said he was ok, he was going to a Duck Do.   I said, “What’s a Duck Do?” and he said, “Quack Quack!”    The bit about a duck being near the phone box is true.  Note: V isn’t crazy – we had her tested.

I’ve had man flu this week which turned into an ear infection.   So, I’ve been in and out of the office a little less as I’ve been sleeping a lot more or milking sympathy out of Miles in order to get him to cook dinner and bring me drinks.  I’ve been responding to emails and phone calls as usual but if I missed any phone calls, please give me a call again now I’m on the antibiotics and getting back to as normal as I ever get!

I was well enough this weekend to supervise Miles into getting our back garden into order after everything just got dumped there in January.   ‘We’ moved the dog Kennel for Falcon onto the far side so he can look up the bank and hey ho guess what it’s created a patio area that gets the last of the sun.  I’ve ordered some garden furniture and put up a couple of baskets.  I can’t tell you how happy Miles was that I could spend so much from my sick bed!

Update on the Robinettes, 4 wide mouth yellowing beaks looking for food.

Update on Will and Sam (Henry’s children) Our meeting room is now referred to the Monopoly Room and shall be referred to as such I think forever more!   We have had our game going for about 10 days now.  For a 3-and-a-half-year-old, Sam’s concept of the game and his concentration spam is to be applauded.  Will is a seasoned player and clearly going to be property tycoon!  Me?  I’m down to my last £300 – spend spend spend as per normal life and I desperately need someone to land on Pall Mall where I have 3 houses!

Speaking of Spend Spend Spend – do any of you remember the Pools winner from Castleford, Yorkshire Viv Nicholson?   I became friends with her daughter and had the privilege of going to the launch of the musical Spend Spend Spend with Viv and her family.

In a previous role I used to organise an Annual Summer Ball for the company I worked for and we had big names at the time for the entertainment.   As such I have been fortunate enough to have met and liaised with several household names.  I have to say though, that the cleverest, most courteous, and dedicated to personalising his act to include his audience was the great late Bob Monkhouse.   Another highlight was meeting my all-time favourite comedian Victoria Wood.   I want to go to Bury now we live over this side of the Pennines and see her sculpture, but I have to say from the photos I’ve seen of it, it doesn’t look very flattering of her!

Oh, I almost forgot.   At the top you can see that posh regal pheasant I was telling you about in my previous Vlog.

I’ve called him Fergal the Pheasant.   Isn’t he grand?   That is him on our decking.  He literally taps the patio door for some corn!  Miles showed the picture to a friend of his who is into pheasants and he says it’s a crossbreed – origins of Kansas pheasants.  If anyone can add any info, it would be interesting to know.

Until the next blog – which I think will be an actual video blog, stay well, stay safe and let me know if you need anything.

V x

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Hello my fellow … (Jury is still out if you are fellow Mossers) please vote thumbs up or thumbs down the poll ends on Monday! You can vote by clicking here! Alternative greetings (before checking American urban dictionary status) springing to mind are #wooders, #luckypeople and #crimblers

It’s lonely here.  I can’t wait for you all to come back (we are unofficially hoping that will be June) but my what a place to be isolated!  Forty acres of outstanding beauty and wildlife to amuse us.

Oh, and April Fool’s jokes – Henry quickly made himself scarce that day!   Yes, the Giant Lancastrian Bees in the phone box was one of mine – I don’t see why Miles and Henry should be the only ones to have to suffer my humour!    I’m not saying I’m bored, but after I set up the bee joke and took the photos, Sam (Henry and Hannah’s youngest) and I went back and hoovered and dusted out the phone box!   Apparently, he forgot to tell his mummy there was a baby foal in the paddock that morning – the April Fool joke I’d primed him with the day before!    I love jokes – please feel free to email me any you have to info@mosswood.co.uk  and I will filter them into my future V logs.

Here is one my 18-year-old son Gus (who has the same sense of humour as me) told me last week:

What do you call a man with no shin bone in his leg?  ……………………………..  Tony

See the pictures if you need it explaining!

I know, I know lol

Because it’s been a little quieter the Woodpecker has been visiting more often (see the top picture).  I even got some photos – normally he is camera shy but he posed nicely for me today.   It’s nice having a little more time on my hands, although I’m coming into the office every day (except Saturday and Sunday) I’m enjoying being able to google ‘Woodpecker’ and learn a little more.  I think I’m confident enough to say that our visitor is the Great Spotted Woodpecker.   Something I wouldn’t have been able to tell you last week, nor had the time to investigate.

We also had a previously unseen pheasant round our lodge last night.    Not the normal Phil the Pheasant as I call him who is often seen around the bird feeders in front of the office, but a far fancier regal looking fella.   I will look out for him again and try and get him to pose for a picture.    I’ve also seen a beautiful fox chasing a rabbit or two near the workshop.    I experienced mixed emotions – fox needs to eat and maybe has family to feed versus cute bunny.

Speaking of subsistence – we are nearly out of white wine in the shop, I will let you know how the red stock is doing later in the month!  Miles and I cleared our shopping tab on 31 March – and nearly fell over when the total came up, but to be fair we haven’t had to visit a supermarket in many weeks.   How lucky again we are to have our little shop on site.  I’m half way through cooking and Miles trots off the 40 yards to get that tin of tomatoes I need to add to the sauce or something, and comes back with a mint aero for us for later too😊    We have discovered Bradshaw’s Farm Shop though – they are doing deliveries to us for veg etc .  I’d like to say fruit and veg but a little-known fact – I’m allergic to most fruits.  Weird thing to be allergic to I know, I wish it was something more calorific that I was allergic too!    I don’t die or anything if I have it, it just makes my mouth and lips swell and my ears and throat tingle and hurt for about an hour, but I can drink fresh orange juice and eat bananas – I take my grapes in liquid form just to be safe😉

Just before we closed, I got a delivery from Gisella Graham gift ware and the shop is now full of gorgeous little candles and faux plants and things to make your holiday homes even more beautiful or to take back if you need a gift for someone.   Luckily it doesn’t have any use by dates on it 😊

I’m looking forward to trying the Gin & Tonic scented candle.  If I get drunk from the scent – I’m buying them all!

Take care and staff safe and don’t forget to email me a joke or two.

V 😊

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The post Vlog (V’s Blog) April 2020 appeared first on Moss Wood Caravan Park.

March 27th 2020

Hello my fellow Mossers

Well, how things change.

Corona Virus has changed everything and turned our world upside down.  My top concern is that everyone of the Moss Wood family is well, remains well, and that your associated family and friends endure these unprecedented times until the world gets back to normal.  Who’d have thought it would have come to this when the news first broke from China?

As we live at Moss Wood and pay council tax we have not had to leave, unlike Dave & Sue the seasonal wardens and those at our sister site in the Lake District.    I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but it’s been a beautiful week at Moss Wood.  Even the woodpecker was out on the tree in front of Reception yesterday, but I didn’t get to the camera quickly enough to get a photo.  On top of that I’m buzzing because my office accounts for last week and this week have balanced with everything in the correct boxes – which had been causing not only me but Rebecca the Head of Finance a serious headache since the first of March!   Every cloud has a silver lining!

I brought 2 hens with me when I came from Yorkshire, I have just retrieved their first egg.  It’s blue.

They are called Ramona (she’s completely black) and Elkie (she has a red beak and red comb) and they live in our back garden.  They are about a month early for laying, so I am delighted.    Miles had one black hen and a white cockerel at the farm – they were completely free range and we could never find her eggs.  One day she disappeared, and we suspected she was sitting.   Sure enough, she appeared on 1^st September last year with 9 black chicks.  I was besotted!   Sadly, one night the fox got her and 7 of her chicks.   So, my little Ramona and Elkie had to come in the back of the trailer over the Pennines with me.   Ramona is named after The Ramones as Baby I love you is one of mine and Miles ‘special songs’ and I used to blast out a  (great?) rendition of Elkie Brookes – Pearl’s a Singer after a few white wines when I had the pub – hence Elkie.

My musical talents don’t end there.  Yesterday I spent a good half hour keeping Henry’s children Will and Sam ‘quiet’, whilst their Dad tried to work, by playing drums on an upside down recycle box and 2 newly delivered upturned Walls ice cream bins.   Whilst I was very comfortable with the 3 of us beating out ‘The Grand old Duke of York’ you should have seen the look of absolute awe on Will’s face when I knew the words to American Rapper, Little Nars X – Old Town Road!   Life lesson there and then for 5-year-old Will – Never judge a book by its cover, so you can be down with the kids and in the know! The photo at the top is the rapper Little Nars himself!

Miles & I are loving being honorary members of the Wild family as we experience isolation with them.  I’ve even been helping Will with his reading, but Sam (3) politely informed me “I was too big to ride Melody” his pony but I was a nice lady!

It may be the last blog I address you as ‘My Fellow Mossers’.    I returned from a day off after my last blog to be told by Seasonal Warden Sue, that it had been brought to light that the American Urban Dictionary has alternative meanings for the word Mossers, and the third one sounds jolly unpleasant!    So, we will be doing a Facebook Poll next week, please be sure and vote as I had all sorts of connotations in mind for Mossers, I was going to have Mosser Offers, top Mosser Tips, Mosser Prizes, and Mossers Mossing photos etc.  Alas, if urban dictionary meaning number 3 means that the green gunge excretion facilitates I find another less offensive informal word to address us, then I shall get my thinking cap on and the Spirit of Garstang Gin out and find a new term of endearment for us.

Stay well, until we meet again, missing you all

V 😊

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