Ginny’s high standards
A face from the past appeared in our office this week, albeit less tanned than I’m used to. It belonged to Ginny Hawksley who many agents will remember from her days at Biras Creek in the British Virgin Islands.
There, Ginny enjoyed what most of us would consider the ideal life: beautiful surroundings, blue skies, pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. On top of which, she never had to lift a finger in the house.
The reason Ginny’s face is somewhat paler than in days past is because she has recently moved back to the UK to take up post as international sales manager for the Bitter End Yacht Club, BVI and Guana Island and it was in that capacity that she popped in.
Ginny certainly knows how to tempt folk to view her pictures with a laptop full of stunning photos we were all left with mouths open, dribbling over the screen and hoping it was wipe-clean.
Apparently, Guana Island, with its picturesque, exotic setting can be rented as a whole, accommodating 35 people. What a way to celebrate a big birthday.
And the opulence of the Bitter End Yacht Club was mesmerising enough to make a land lubber like me long to brace the main sail… or something.
Ginny is still coming to terms with the lifestyle she’s given up. It can’t have been easy swapping blue skies for grey, the Caribbean warmth for a wind chill factor and fresh produce for Tesco Value, but she is enjoying herself nonetheless, settling in to the British way of life with her new partner and nine-year-old son Archie.
Every so often, however, she is reminded of what she has left behind. Hotels in the UK in particular, are bringing her to the point of hyperventilation. Only last week she found herself finding fault with the hotel her partner had booked in the West Country for the weekend.
“I opened the wardrobe to find the coat hangers didn’t match,” she said, “some were wooden and some were plastic.”
Things weren’t any better in the bathroom. The complimentary shampoo and body lotion were far from the Molton Brown or Elemis standard Ginny has come to expect and even Archie noticed the toilet tissue hadn’t been folded into a point.
“I wanted to march down and make a point to the housekeeper, but when my partner suggested I was coming over ‘all princessy’ I backed down.”
I assured Ginny there’s nothing wrong in having high standards, it’s just harder to achieve them over here. Welcome home!
Doom and groom
A client rang in requesting a honeymoon in the Maldives. The chap in question was rather vague about how much he wanted to spend, so we offered him several options at various prices.
I thought we’d ticked all the boxes and was hopeful of a sale, but I received a message the following day telling me not to pursue the booking. I called the client for the lowdown.
The client told me they were hoping that their relatives would help towards the expense, but had discovered, upon presenting them with the possibilities, that none of them were feeling that generous after all.
“So we’re now looking at a boating holiday, because that will be a lot cheaper and the best news is that we can take the dog.”
Best news for whom?
Trouble afoot
It’s refreshing to know there are some thoughtful, considerate men. One came in our shop the other day sporting his steel-capped builder’s boots and stood in the doorway.
“I’ll just take these off,” he said, pointing to them, “I don’t want to tread all this mud into your carpet.”
Our hearts collectively melted as he unlaced and headed towards the nearest desk. Who would be the lucky person to deal with this man who cared about our carpet?
Turned out they’d be lucky to stay conscious, because the odour that filled the office as he approached was something else entirely, but it was too late to tell him to hop back into the boots.
He finished his transaction and the aroma-hell was over. As he left, one bright spark piped up: “Do you think he would be offended if we put some Odor-Eaters in with his tickets?”
Maureen Hill works at Travel Angels, Gillingham, Dorset
