America Part 3: Riding with Charlie's Angels (apparently!)
Not many people get the chance to ride with Charlie's Angels but
that's what people tell me I'm doing. Third day on the tour of USA selling to
the agents, trying to persuade them to send their clients to the UK. Well the
dollar rate is just 1.52, so no better time.
Day one was Atlanta, the Naples Florida, then Raleigh, North Carolina,
where the bonus was staying in the wonderful Fearrington House property. It
does help to be in the travel business sometimes. My angels are brilliant.
Whenever we get on an airport bus the other riders look at me with a wry smile.
But we are a happy bunch having a good laugh and taking the mick out of each
other. Emer heads up the Celebrated agency to the agencies, Karina runs the
wonderful Missoni in Edinburgh, great wardrobe of course, and Celine is perfect
representing the legendary Gravetye Manor in West Hoathly, Susex.
Bizarre plane journey from Raleigh, small, old, with the most laid
back scruffy steward, who should have a got a job as a petrol pump attendant. I
was stuffed into my seat and it was the most uncomfortable plane ride I have
ever had.
But this was all trumped by the lousy Budget rent a car. So far we
have had one day with Enterprise, the next with Budget, then an Enterprise, and
now Budget. It was freezing and almost snowing when we stood outside the
airport waiting for the Budget bus which proceeded to sail by us without
stopping. We then saw 3 Avis, National Dollar and every other rent a car buses
except the Budget one!
And when we were given the location of the car it wasn't there, so
we complained, they upgraded us and got a monster luxury SUV from Infiniti.
We were lucky to get here in White Plains NJ because we are in the
middle of a major snow storm coming in from the West. Schools closed, that sort
of thing, bit of a panic, and maybe much a do about nothing.
Gotta go. Next stop New Jersey where they shot the Sopranos. Fab!
What the Press say
Listed in the best of the world feature by Ken Bennet Evening Herald, January 2005.
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What our Guests say
"It's been a few years since our last visit to the Linthwaite - we hoped that it would be as good as we remembered and were not dissappointed! What we love about this hotel is it's 'unstuffy' and very welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly, professional and very efficient. The food is simply superb - we have been very impressed that your standards have been maintained and improved upon. Well equipped bathroom and bedroom facilities - I'm delighted that you now have duvets as standard in all rooms - I always found the blankets too heavy in past visits. Many thanks for listening to previous requests! Thank you for a very welcoming return to the Linthwaite. P.S. love the views from your seat in the woods!" KA, Durham, February 2012