In preparation for launching our new business and opening Thorney How at Easter 2011 we are very pleased to announce the first phase launch of our new website.

We are now ready to accept bookings for all dates from Friday 8th April 2011.

A full booking system is not yet available, but will be coming soon.

See http://www.thorneyhow.co.uk

Web site development by WeMakeMedia

Feeling exhausted but happy to at last move into Thorney How. Taking unpacking one box at a time. I still need to find work shoes, walking trousers and oxo cubes.

Whilst not much time to sit back and relax I have managed a couple of walks around the garden snowdrops daffodils and bluebells are making an appearance its going to be a beautiful spring. It must be one of the few untouched gardens in the lakes- apart from the deer. Its going to be a challenge to maintain the natural beauty whilst making it accessible to our guests. Lots to think about but need to watch it for a while to see what other delights it has to offer.

We had a mad rush last thing today to get our business cards ordered to be printed in time for Saturday’s Outdoor Leisure Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

We were mainly waiting for confirmation of our new business phone line – 015394 35597 – but also for these great photo’s that Phil from WeMakeMedia took during his visit yesterday!

I can’t believe that we’ve been here 5 days already. There’s been so much to do and so many people passing through the house from removal men to friends and family along with visitors from Kentmere.

I think today that we can say that we have now moved and it’s all beginning to feel like our house and not somewhere that we’ve borrowed for the weekend.

We also started planning phase one of our website with Jo and Phil from http://www.wemakemedia.co.uk – coming soon! Phil has sent through some great photographs – we’ll let you take a peek at these very soon.

We also now need to get some information out there about booking accommodation. Full business information will be available shortly.

We are connected to the outside world again and not just relying on our mobile phones anymore. This means we can now update these blog pages over the next few days.

I’m very happy that Plus Net were able to disable and reconnect our account to a new number within only a few hours. We seem to have a myriad of phone lines, security systems and fire alarms to get to grips with. Along with a huge selection of keys.

Tomorrow’s maintenance jobs will be clearing gutters and drains then back to sorting through and unpacking boxes of stuff. The snow we had this morning has quickly thawed, but the sky is still overcast. So we still hope to get out for a short walk with the dog too!

We’ve finally done it!

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that:

The YHA owned Grasmere Youth Hostel (Thorney How) will become Thorney How Independent Youth Hostel under new ownership as of today.

Now the real work begins……

Just confirmed that we’ve exchanged, we will be getting the keys tomorrow. Spending today checking a few things out at the hostel and moving some furniture around.

The big move starts first thing tomorrow morning :)

We should find out within the next 24 hours that we could be moving in four days on the 17th February.

The full move will take two days, plus we intend to get access to the property on the day before to move around some of the existing furniture in advance of us arriving.

I have a big list of tasks to do this week including sorting out telephone numbers etc.

First off though is signing papers at the bank ………

Three more interesting YHA properties are coming on the market in Cumbria. Included is this 220 year old mansion, grounds and woodland that is Derwentwater Youth Hostel.

You can read more in this article, that we’re also mentioned in, in the Westmorland Gazette.

We’ve recently made contact with the new owner, Amy, of Plas Curig Hostel in Snowdonia. See http://www.snowdoniahostel.co.uk

The YHA owned Capel Curig Hostel was sold recently and will continue as an independent hostel in the same manner that we are buying Thorney How.

The new Plas Curig Hostel will open at Easter 2011 after a refurbishment. They say:

‘Since 2010, Plas Curig Youth Hostel has become a family-run hostel offering clean, comfortable, homely, fun and most importantly cheap accommodation from which to experience the beauty of Snowdonia.’

Good luck with everything Amy.