Wheelchair accessible holidays - Customer feedback
And here's a few comments from the guest book and emails that we have received.
Jacqui, Keith and Lewis
Great to find a place where lots of thought has gone into making life as easy as possible for the disabled. We have not encountered any problems and have had a great holiday in this lovely area. Good luck for the future Carl and Jacqui.
Jenny, Martin and Umbro - Shropshire
Great time. Good weather until the last 2/3 days. Apartments well organised and plenty of room. Thanks a lot. XXX
Janice, Peter and Tess
Thank you for the use of your flat, Good to see a bit more of Brittany.
Caroline and Ken - Northumberland
This is a brilliant project - lots of luck and success in the future! Thanks for being so welcoming and helpful. We've had a good fortnight and enjoyed the holiday too.
Peter and Susan - Truro
Great time. Than,k you for the holiday of a lifetime. Keep the good work up. Second to none!
Albert, Tom, Sheila and Vince.
Had a great time, would recommend this holiday home to everyone. Very friendly and helpful. Great.
Sue, Gary, Anita and Anne - Jersey Cheshire Home
Had a great time, good facilities. Good company, helpful and kind. Hope we can get others to come over for a very enjoyable stay.
Vince
Bloody good time had by all, will be back some time!
Sandra, Frankie and Richard - Yorkshire
Absolutely fabulous. X
Martin, June, Andrew and Tara – North Devon
“Thanks for making the family holiday easy – next time more fish!”
Paula and Frankie
“Brill place, thanks”
Sharon, Terry, James, Ed and Lucy – Plymouth
“Had a great time. Thanks for making everything so easy for us.”
Emilia – Truro
“France was great and I love the apartments. It was good to meet new people especially Anto and Max (the good looking one!!)”
Emily - Plymouth
“Grr, I’m writing this at a stupid hour in the morning. Great hols!!! France and French is great. Don’t worry….I’ll be back (and my French will be awesome…..I hope) Anto and Max (who thinks he is the good looking one) was a great bonus….luv you guys!”
Michael, Karen, James and Emily – Plymouth
“Fantastic holiday week. Everything was great XXX”
Em and Rob – Truro
“WOW What a fantastic week, everything was spot on. Brilliant hosts too!”
Sid, Rhona and Mary – Sutton
“Thanks for a great time. In spite of the weather you made it all so memorable. Hope to see you again.”
Paula, Yvonne, Dolly and Zack – London
“Thank you for a wonderful stay. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Wishing you all the best for the future. XX”
Mary - Crawley
“Wonderful accommodation, lovely setting. Hope to come again. Friendliest landlady and landlord going.”
Shirley and Tony – Bourton-on-the-Water
“Carl and Jacqui, Lovely accommodation. Clean and well equipped, very relaxing and friendly. Wish you well with your future plans and hope one day to come back and see it all finished. Max always willing to help.”
Steve – Bristol
“Great relaxing week, Jacqui, Carl and Max are great friendly people. The apartments were lovely, shame we never had the weather. Thanks for a great time.”
Marisa - Newent, Gloucestershire
“The place was marvelous especially with the good looking Max! The holiday would have been difficult without Max the wonderful translator! I’m coming back!!”
Lucy and Brian – Gloucester
“A very enjoyable break, marvelous place and very good hosts, keep up the good work.”
Glyn, Wendy and Karl
“Jackie and Carl, thanks for your friendship and making us welcome. Sorry the sunshine wasn’t with us till the end of the week. Apartments good for wheelchairs. Max very helpful. Kick plates on the doors would be useful. C.U.Soon”
Carol, John and Daniel
“Jacqui and Carl. Just like to say thank you for being so friendly and making our holiday a very relaxing one. See you next year THANK YOU”
Nigel, Lisa, Keith and Elaine
“Great 2 weeks. Assistance outstanding. Good luck to you both in the future.”
Ada Sykes
“EXCELLENT - Everything was first class (Just what the doctor ordered). Thank you for being so friendly and helpful.”
Vic
“Good to finally meet you. Fantastic place and thanks for looking after us. I’ve got to come back on the bike sometime and do the coast. Cheers!”
Sandra
“Home from home. Great holiday, very welcoming and most of all very relaxing! Hope to see you again.”
Sonia, Vic and Claire
“Had a really good time, couldn’t ask for more. Thank you”
Peg, Brian and Martin
“Really well equipped spacious apartment and lovely area. Good Luck with everything.”
Chris and Kaye
“Everything perfect. We have had such a relaxing holiday. Many thanks for the evening chats and the opportunity to come back to France. See you next year.”
Laura, Justin, Tom, Luke, Mark and Anita
“Thanks for letting us use your apartment. It has been a great time and we will always come back again soon!!”
Ann, Joan, Susan and Rose – (Les Quatre Soeurs!)
“Thanks for a brilliant time. Help outstanding, friendly, nothing was too much bother. Return visit imminent!”
Leonore and Christel
“You were just heaven sent. You got a gorgeous place and we had a wonderful time staying with you. Thank you for everything.”
Colin, Angie, Katie, Jamie, Eileen and Jan
“Thank you for making us so welcome, we had a great time and will recommend you to everyone. Best of luck with your future plans and hope to come back and see how they turn out.”
Copy of an email sent to a potential cusomer
Hi Ian
Jacqui ask me to write to you regarding our latest self-drive holiday
to "I need a Holiday Too". I'm am a C5/6 quadriplegic using a
lightweight manual wheelchair. I'm from Singapore but have been
staying here in England for the past 15 months.
Initially, I was apprehensive about the ferry ride and the
wheelchair-unfriendliness of the French countryside.
First - the Ferry;
We went by Brittany Ferry on their ship called - Pont-Aven. It was an
10-11hr hour Channel crossing - from Portsmouth to St. Malo. The
outbound leg was undertaken at night - rather nice and peaceful. But
the return leg, in the daytime, was very choppy and me & my wife got
seasick. We spent most of it sleeping in the cabin.
If like us, you intend to drive, you will encounter your first big
obstacle after you park your car in the ship's cargo hold. There's a
steep ramp to the lift area, with a door rim at the top. My wife
manage to get me over this with some difficulty. Be prepare to ask for
help. After this - its all OK in the ferry - just like a hotel.
Most of the ship's flooring are carpetted. But the acessible cabin are
not - nice smooth flooring. There's a kerb into the toilet, but its
ramp up both sides. I needed help getting in and out as the ramp was a
bit too steep. The toilet was quite big though, with a built-in
pull-down chair at the side of the shower area. There's 2 bunk beds
with 2 more that could be pull down from the ceiling - where you can
get 2 more extra pillows. One of the lower bunk can be converted to a
sofa.
The acessible cabins are near to the Information Counter, where you
can ask for sea-sickness pill or panadol from the staff.
Another tip - Try to get to your car earlier - half an hour before the
ship dock - to transfer and load wheelchair. But don't worry if you're
late, everyone will just drive around you and out first. We found
ourselves the only car in an empty hold in St. Malo! Just let a staff
know you're still there - they will not forget you.
When booking the ferry - We booked online over the internet and then
follow up with a phone call to change the cabin booking to an
accessible room. You will need a cabin on the outward night journey.
But not neccessary on the returning day journey - but personnally, if
I will to do it again, I'll still book a cabin for it - just in case
the sea gets choppy and I get sea-sick - the beds come in handy.
When booking the cabin, also remember to inform them which side of the
car the wheelchair user is alighting from - so the loadmaster can make
the appropriate space for you.
Brittany, France
The holiday apartments - Its as wheelchair friendly as it can get.
Everything is as advertised and more. The flooring are tiled
throughout. The toilet is huge. All the modern amenities are there.
There's even a fantastic wireless broadband internet connection - even
in an old town like La Roche Derrien.
As Jacqui will tell you - the French loves their cobbled streets.
Almost everywhere you go - cobbled streets abounds. Great for horses -
bad for wheelchairs. Its a little like Cornwall. And it does gives a
town that beautiful quaint look. And I have to tell you - the small
towns with their chapel are really beautiful.
Food - What can I said, for us, the food alone is well worth the trip.
We love seafood and it feels like we've died and gone to heaven. It
almost impossible to find bad food (provided you avoid the Mcdonalds).
Be aware that the French eats everything that moves - one of the very
first french word we learn is "lapin", because we don't eat rabbit!
The people are really warm and friendly. We have no trouble driving
around even if its on the "wrong" side of the road.
I hope this will alleviate any doubts you have for your holiday plans.
Feel free to email me if you have any queries.
Regards
Tack Wei
Carl,
Before you accuse me of being a 'lazy b*****d' (again!) I thought I'd better
get something down on paper or screen for you, with regard to the 'holiday
critique' you asked me for. I'm not really sure if you were looking for
something in particular, so I'll just be spontaneous and give you a
consciousness-stream.
Firstly, it was a great week. I felt quite healthy over there and looking
at the photos proves that, I think, with a ruddy glow in most of our cheeks. I
am aware of not getting out nearly half as much since getting back home.
My purpose in coming was to prove a point, really, just that it could be done
ie- independent of family, etc. Of-course, I had to work out in some detail
with Jacqui, beforehand, the kind of problems likely to be encountered and I
reckon we sorted most of them pretty successfully. So, would I do it again,
I hear you say? Sure, if I'm still welcome! However, I might opt for a
slightly different strategy like coming on the ferry with my car and/or bringing
someone with me.
Accessibility about the place was pretty optimal I thought, no problems
atall, great internal lift also. Lower door handles might be useful for someone
in a w/chair and able to use them or even an automatic-opener like I have
here.with a pressure switch. I wasn't able to use your 'emergency alarm'
system either, not that I needed too, but perhaps a suck/puff arrangement would be
better for people like me. Toilet, we discussed - it seems you are
strapped by French legislation here - for future reference the 'Clos-o-mat' is the
best around for most w/chair users. The hoist was a problem, obviously for
me but thanks for your help in solving this one. You'd need either a maxi or
an overhead to sort this with me although most folk would probably cope with
what you have.
Transport was adequate I must admit to not being all that comfortable in
large vans though they would be essential for a group. I am much more
comfortable in my own, little 'Nissan Prairie' which is easily parked too! Perhaps
you could add something like this to your 'fleet' in the future.
The support was wonderful and this is perhaps the most crucial aspect of the
service you are offering. I felt comfortable, very at-ease, a part of it
all, all the time. Of-course, as time goes by, Jacqui and yourself won't be
able to do everything personally yourselves, so you'll need to delegate to
others, establish administration, etc. It's a big project and the danger will be
to lose the focus of your original vision. What you are trying to do is
really quite a noble, virtuous thing, helping people with disabilities to
achieve their goals, helping out in a marginalised area of society. It's important
to keep that in mind, somehow, so that you don't just turn into another
French 'gites' type accommodation.
I found Brittanny quite a fascinating place to be and really, I only saw a
little bit! There's a lot to see and do, enough to fill many holidays, I
guess. Certainly, a lot more interesting than the sun-spots that have been my
usual holiday destinations. I can only say after Swarzenegger - 'I'll be
back'!!
Regards
Terry
Jacqui and Carl
We arrived home safely.
It rained most of the way until we got to Cherbourg where the sun was shining. We were able to stop for lunch in Lamballe where we finally found a restaurant we had read about. It was good. Laballe was a nice place with some splendid old houses
We enjoyed our holiday very much and the apartment was excellant, well adapted to meet our needs. There was plenty of space for Ann to get around unaided without any difficulty.
The bathroom and the kitchen were extremely well designed and equipped.
A couple of suggestions: A bedside table would be useful, and perhaps some small bowls for mixing food and a measuring jug.
We thought that La Roche-derrien itself was lovely, a really traditional French village. It had most of the shops anyone might need and although all were not wheelchair accessible the 8 a Huit which we used several times certainly was. We particularly enjoyed our meal at the Auberge
Hope it all goes well. You deserve to be successful, we hope to return to see how work on the project pogresses.
Regards
John and Ann
Hi Jacqui,
We had a wonderful time in France.
The accommodation provided by you and your husband Carl was very comfortable , spacious, and nicely decorated. The only fault I found was not having a shower trolley which I need as I cannot sit up unaided.
Your local knowledge was a great help to us.
The restaurant you recommended in the village was superb.
Looking forward to meeting you all again in the not too distant future.
ps, Say Hi to Maggie for us.
Kind regards.
Deirdre, Anne and John.
Hi Jacqui, Carl and family
We are at home now and pretty much unpacked. It's been raining and grey so not much of a welcome! The journey was fine. We got home at 12:30 am. It was great meeting you all and lovely to stay in such nice accommodation - our bathroom now seems very small!
Love and hugs Lynn and Kevin
Dear Jacqui, Carl, Max, Maureen and Nicky,
Thank you all so very very much for giving David and Cathy a wonderful holiday,
They had a fantastic time, they loved the Cathedral we saw the postcard and it looks spectacular, the trips to the village, and they especially loved all your animals. The food was out of this world, David said so, and the pudding in the restaurant on Friday was a big hit with Cathy. They also remarked on how different it was in France from the UK, so relaxed and lots and lots of green fields, and the apartment was beautiful.
It has been so nice for me and my mum, to know that they were so well looked after
and I’m sure if they are well enough next year they will be coming back to stay with
you guys for another week.
I had a look at the web site this morning and saw the pictures, they are great, will get
David and Cathy to have a look at them. David took some photo’s when we get them back I will email you some, you maybe able to put on your website.
I am going to say bye for now so thank you again and keep up the good work, I will be checking your website from time to time, and hopefully speak to you in the near future to book another holiday.
Best wishes to you all
Liz & Christine
Dear Jacqui
I am writing to say thank you for a fantastic holiday. We both enjoyed it very much and after the stress of my course it was nice just to think of nothing except how to enjoy myself.
Your support service is great, allowing my husband to have time to himself which we have never been able to do on holiday before. Also your accessible transport service means that we can go out and about without having to beg the driver to lift me and my wheelchair in and out of the vehicle, which we have had to do on previous holidays abroad.
Some of the French food is out of this world. I very much enjoyed the restaurant in your village of La Roche Derrien that we went to one day. That meal was fantastic and the owners were so nice, highly recommendable. Also I loved the creperies that we went to especially the one in Paimpol where I had crepe suzette. I am definitely going there in July when we are back again.
See you then.
Best wishes,
Mary Fraser from Northampton.
19 October 2005
Dear Jacqui,
I trust you are all keeping well and that all your projects are now progressing with pace. Following our return back to the UK the party I went to France with were so pleased with the holiday you had organised for us that they have asked me to write and express our unanimous gratitude for all your help. It is often difficult to find a wheelchair accessible holiday that offers real accessible accommodation. Having travelled to Spain and France on a fairly regular basis I have often found that the holiday accommodation sold is not as described. However, in your case I can honestly say that service and accommodation you gave us was top class.
As a C4 Quadriplegic using an electric wheelchair I need plenty of space and simple basic necessities like an accessible bathroom. The property you arranged for us to stay in offered everything you said and more. I know that you have personal experience of wheelchair use and that you inspect the properties you rent. In my experience this is crucial when arranging accommodation for wheelchair / disabled holidays.
From the first time we made contact with you via e-mail you have always answered our questions promptly and without fuss. When we arrived late on the Saturday night you were out to greet us and even when we realised that nowhere would be open for food you kindly collected some goodies from your own home. This is more than anybody could expect. We were also grateful for the welcome pack. You also mentioned that should we have any queries, you were only a telephone call away. This is very comforting when you are in an area you don’t know.
The property was marvellous. Please pass on my thanks to the owner Michel who must have taken a lot of care to build a place which can give disabled people the opportunity to have an accessible holiday. Everything was there. With plenty of room and all the creature comforts I can vouch for the rest of my party and say that we were impressed. I would have no problem recommending this property to anybody wanting an accessible place to stay especially with family or a party of friends. Thank you for arranging everything so well and being so friendly. We all appreciated it.
Yours sincerely,
D Thraves from Bath
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