Internet by Satelite!

This morning I felt like a child on Christmas morning, knowing that a wonderful gift was surely awaiting me. Yesterday, the 21st century finally arrived at Hotels Afloat in the form of internet via Satelite. Normally it would be difficult to leave a warm, cosy bed at 8am when it's snowing outside and nobody actually needs me up just yet, but today I was up like a shot anxious to play with my new toy.
Our office will never be the same again: No more excuse for numerous cups of tea while waiting for the narrow band internet to connect, or the pages of any site to change. Even the chocolate and fruit consumption is likely to drop! But no complaints I assure you. We are just so grateful for this system which will enable us to keep up with the rest of the world, and of course to give an even better service.
You may be laughing, but if you had spent the last three weeks typing on an iphone due to a useless service provider, you would understand how such a thing can make one so blissfully happy!
I can't beleive that it's February already! The last month has just whizzed by with plenty of clients looking for bargains. But don't worry: They are not all over yet. We are currently offering discounts on self drive cruises to be taken in April and May on the Le Boat fleets, and are still offering up to 300 euros discount on the larger Locaboat penichettes for cruises in the south of France, one of the most popular destination.
So, if you are still wondering whether you can afford a boating holiday this year, send us an email at
hotelsafloat@aol.com
outlining your requirements and we will do our best to find you a bargain!

Success with the scanner

Sorry not to have written for over a week: Shame on me!
However, among all the gloomy news of the financial world, not to mention the wars and political upheaval, I have good news: Yes, I finally managed to install the scanner much to my amazement. Naturally there are plenty of functions that I have still to discover, but I have managed to scan, copy and even print some photos so am feeling quite pleased with myself.
Let's just hope that I don't need to change anything else in the office for a while.
My absence wasn't due to the scanner but the annual overhaul of my website at
www.hotelsafloat.com
It's not complete yet but I have updated prices for the 2009 season and am now dealing with the new boats that I must add.
I am currently offering discounts of up to 15% on certain 2009 cruises so if you fancy a cruise here in France, whether it be aboard a captained vessel or a self -drive, send me an email and I will see what I can do for you.
The merger of Crown Blue Line, Connoisseur and Emerald Star under the flag Le Boat has given me a great deal of work, not to mention my site manager, and I shall be very pleased when I have finished with the site for another year. I actually enjoy updating as just as we are creeping into cold days, I can begin to think about the new boating season in the spring. The downside is the frozen shoulder that I seem to suffer with even though I have an ergonomic chair and keyboard.
Just call me Quasimodo!!
Here in France, Autumn is just around the corner: The leaves are beginning to change colour, conkers galore litter the lanes, and the evenings are drawing in. It's a magical time for us: of mushroom hunting .
Being an English girl, I would never dare to eat a wild mushroom were it not for the guidance and wisdom of Philippe, my partner. He hasn't poisoned us yet so I guess he really does know what he's doing.
The best way to cook wild mushrooms is in cream, with a touch of white wine, and freshly ground pepper. Simply delicious! We eat them as an accompaniment to Beef stew, but they are equally fantastic on freshly buttered toast: Watch out for the calories!
BUT beware: Last year our dog suffered hallucinations and was very ill after eating magic mushrooms which she found in the garden! Ever seen a stoned dog? Not a pretty sight and expensive at the vets.

Time for the early evening glass of wine here in Burgundy. A bientôt.

Printers!

Ok, I admit it! I am technophobic. I have hung on to my VHS cassettes, the VHS player, and my two tonne, take-all -the -space-on-your-desk scanner for long enough!
Tomorrow I will be installing a new up-to-the-minute scanner/printer etc which I am hoping will also be able to make cups of tea and massage my shoulders after a few hours at the keyboard. My french partner is on the whole fairly attentive in these matters, but all too often disappears off fishing while leaving me to 'relax' when my shoulders are hunched to a point that they almost meet in front of me!

Of course, I'll have to await my son's visit next week to explain how the scanner works and all the wonderful things that it can do, but at least I'm moving in the right direction.
I still can't get my iphone to work properly after 6 weeks, but that's just typical of me with new technology. My kids were able to programme the video recorder etc long before I could even co-ordinate the tv and satellite receiver! It seems to me that just as I catch up with the rest of the world, the planet does a quick spin to leave me trailing yet again. Thank goodness that my kids are on hand to help.

So how come I can use a computer without any problems at all? I can't remember the last time I had a major mishap, and fortunately my son set up a back up to save all my work.
When I was young, I thought parents had children to help them with the washing up and to look after them in their old age: Now I know the real reasons!
Nathan and Rebecca: Thank you for all your help with all things technical!

Ok, back to work on the admin site for
www.hotelsafloat.com
The Le Boat prices have arrived so I need to spend a few hours updating them ready for the 2009 season. Sore shoulders, here I come!