And The Winner Is...
Posted on 31st January 2015 by Julie and David Thomson in General News.
As it is awards season, with the Oscars, BAFTAs etc approaching, we were absolutely thrilled to find out in January that Number 56 is a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winner.
This elite honour is awarded to the top 1% of all hotels and B&Bs on TripAdvisor, based on reviews and opinions from millions of travellers. Our rating means that we are ranked 6th of all the B&Bs throughout France. We won’t give a lengthy, tear jerking acceptance speech, but what we will say is this award is a real honour for us. It is down to our wonderful guests who appreciate what we have at Number 56 and write such lovely comments and reviews which have caught the attention of Tripadvisor. We think we have the best guests in the whole of France and we share this award with you. So thank you.
The Glory Hole/Amis De L’Ilot
In January we became Friends of L’Ilot - L’Ilot being the French name for the area known as The Glory Hole in La Boisselle. Whilst the underground archaeology has ceased, the new association Les Amis De L’Ilot aims to preserve the site and increase knowledge of the history of this special place as well as organizing open days. We will keep you updated about forthcoming events.
Improvements at A26 J14 Bapaume Exit
The tollbooths at the Bapaume exit have been improved and now there are both manned and unmanned booth options. Also a small commercial park is adjacent to the toll booths where there is an E Leclerc minimarket and petrol station. The shop is open on Sunday mornings as well as normal hours Monday-Saturday. The petrol station is not manned and payment is by card only, with 24/7 opening. A litre of diesel in our region is about 1.09€ currently. If you are hungry there is a McDonalds with drive through on site.
Guild of Battlefield Guides
We are both members of The Guild of Battlefield Guides and it was great to see a Guild event being held on The Somme. We attended a meeting of the Guild at Old Blighty Tea Rooms and were updated on Guild news and participated in the validation of a Guide who spoke about the battle of Le Hamel and 2 guides from Normandy who spoke about D Day battles. For anyone interested in Guiding, The Guild website can be found at: http://www.gbg-international.com
Bed and Breakfast for Sale
Otago View Bed and Breakfast in Flers is for sale. Our friends Pete and Sara who own Otago View will be staying on The Somme but have decided to cease running the bed and breakfast to concentrate on guiding. If you are interested in joining us in this unique part of the world and changing your life, then do have a look at Otago View. Details of the property and asking price are in the Facebook page which can be reached from this link:
https://www.facebook.com/fieldsoffrance?fref=ts
Comments (22)
Gary,Naomi & Sophie Linnell says:Well only to be expected really....nothing less. Looking forward to David's 'BAFTA' speech over a glass of red when we return in March/April. An absolutely wonderful place to rest and share stories of the days events with good company, excellent conversation and a warming atmosphere. Loved it.
Gordon Haymes says:I will bring the bubbly...you supply the glasses then we can toast your well deserved award :)
Tim Brown says:See you soon !
A well deserved award, congratulations to you both. I look forward to enjoying more of the same in July and October this year.
Andy Kellett says:All the very best to you,
Tim
Well done and thoroughly deserved. It's always good when commendations are given to the right people.
Darren Steele says:Julie & David
Howard Rushton says:Congratulations, well deserved.
It couldn't happen to nicer people.
It's good to see that hard work being recognised & awarded.
Definitely I'll will see you both soon again!!!!!
Really pleased for you both and thoroughly deserved. Good luck and best wishes.
Terry Sponder says:Well done to you both, see you at Easter.
Richard Carfax-Foster says:Congratulations from down under, well done and well deserved. Hope to see you again in July 2016.
Jane says:No surprise to me at all ! Congratulations to you both,you lovely people. You deserve it s onwards and upwards ! Jane
Bev Craig says:Congratulations Julie and David.
Mike & Peg Smith says:Well done. I am coming to stay with you in August. I can't wait. I feel as if I know you already.
Cheers Beverley from Australia
Well done you both deserve this as it's more like staying with friends than a B&B
Jon Hill says:Well done and well deserved!
Sandy Biback says:I need a return visit!
Well we didn't need trip advisor to tell us about your awesomeness. We just needed peter jones. Seriously congrats. I know how important this is in this connected world we all live in. Raising a glass of fine wine to your success
Bev Craig says:Congratulations Julie and David.
jim says:Well done. I am coming to stay with you in August. I can't wait. I feel as if I know you already.
Cheers Beverley from Australia
Speech,speech.will you be thanking everyone and their dog(or chickens) when you accept your trophy.Seriously you guys so deserve this well done xxx
Laurie Peacock & Mike Light 'Gatwick Pals' says:A thoroughly well deserved award, Julie & David you enhance the whole Somme experience and look forward to future visits - Congratulations !!
George McGarr & Mike Milbourn says:We're both delighted to hear of the award. It's well deserved but this sort of award just doesn't come with the rations: it's clearly your hard work and effort to make everyone so welcome and comfortable.
Helen Powell says:Brilliant news and well-deserved! Congratulations!
Kathy Sumsion says:I'm also really enjoying your Facebook 'what was happening 100 years ago' posts - thanks for sharing them.
Helen (from the White clan!)
Congratulations, well deserved.
Ian Birrell says:Well done, thoroughly deserved, congratulations. How are the Brass plaques and the boardwalk doing.
Tim /Brenda Rogers says:Ian & Murdo the Grimsby Rotarians
Dear Julie & David,
Ashley Atkinson says:Many congratulations on your B&B award. Class always rises to the surface. Also excellent news re: guiding. Hope that you are both totally fluent in the lingo by now.
Love to both,
Tim & Brenda
Well done!!!