Fundamentals

There is a spare key at Reception (open 10-5 weekdays, 10-4 weekends). They will only hand it over with our say so.  

Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave. 

The key to the shed should you want the bike, clothes drier, or random tools is in one of the kitchen drawers. Also the key to the electric meter cupboard.

If there are clothes and stuff on the airer when you arrive please can you put them on a spare bed, or cupboard or somewhere - or use them if you want. 

Items in the dishwasher should be clean. 

There should be plenty, if you are unable to wash them before you leave take them home then return them when you see us. 

Please make sure all linen is clean when you leave.  It’s probably easier to take your own; there are 2 double beds and 2 single beds. 

We do not have a cleaner, please leave it sparkling. 

Charger for the vacuum cleaner like to play hide and seek. One good place to look is in the socket behind the curtain next to the front door. 

Humidity especially in the daytime is high in Pembrokeshire – and tends to increase with steamy nights we have noticed. 

Please leave the bathroom extractors on as much as possible. 

We don’t have a condensation problem, and the dehumidifier (new gadget for 2025) is to be on the safe side. If it gets in the way switch it off, empty the tank and put it in a corner somewhere. If the noise keeps you awake – switch it off. 

Preferably it should be running 24 hrs. Just remove the drainpipe - take care it is probably full of water. Also please don’t lose the grey elbow pipe. If no drainpipe empty the tank daily please. 

If you do laundry use the clothes airer and move the dehumidifier close by then press the T shirt button. You’ll be surprised how quick clothes dry using this method. 

Heating is controlled by a Google Nest, the white round thing in the corner of the lounge. When no one is in it goes to Eco mode around 9C. When occupied the default regime is 9 at night-time, 15 daytime and 21 evening. If you are not warm enough – turn it up. Energy bill consumption is economical  compared to home. 

There are several including a Google one in the hallway. The google thing actually talks to you which is spooky. If you do set it off (from experience cooking bacon is a good way to do this) cancel it by pressing the button in the centre. 

It also sends “smoke detected” alerts to Rod’s phone. Please let us know you are ok otherwise Rod gets stressed - assuming you are ok that is. You have probably noticed the fire extinguishers and fire blanket.  

We always leave the key in the door at night just in case we need to get out in a hurry. 

The nearest bin station is just down the hill. With various bins for recycling, plastic, paper, glass, food waste and general waste. Green bin bags and Wokingham blue bags for the pedal are in the drawer nearest the sink or under the sink or try the boiler room cupboard. Don’t forget to get up early on Thursday mornings to watch the bin lorries. 

There is an enormous list mostly relating to owners and the upkeep of the lodges and are common sense. This is attached, the stuff that relates to visitors is highlighted.

New tech for Autumn 2024 is a black & white, double-sided printer (HP LaserJet P1606dn – actually it is quite old but upcycled). It is on the shelf in the boiler cupboard. Plug in the lead for the printer and the TPLink Extender thingy into the extension lead and plug into a mains socket. Make sure the round on/off button at the front is on. What a minute for it to connect or whatever it does, this is signified by a solid round blue circle on the TPLink Extender. 

Support is available for a beer. 

There is a small amount of paper in the black plastic folder. The printer is double sided so take advantage of this. 

Although it only costs pennies to run it doesn’t auto-off so please turn off when not in use. There is a controller for each side. Slightly easier to install than the printer. 

When you leave to go home, please turn off the sockets in the bedroom.

Help yourselves. There is a variety of pods, we buy in bulk at around 30p each, bargain compared to a  Costa.  

There are some gotchas to be aware of; first the on/off switch is hidden on the right-hand side, second the water tank at the rear is tiny and gets empty very quick, and third if nothing happens when you press the button this could be because the pod is not properly seated. 

The orange button at the top means ready to go. The red one in the middle means tank empty. Red one at the bottom means needs a descale - ignore that. 

Used pods go in the green recycle bag under the sink. 

When you leave to go home, please turn off the wall socket. 

The TV in the lounge is an Android TV which compared to the 3 channel TV we had as kids requires similar training to fly a passenger plane. Here is the idiots guide …

Turn it on by pressing the red button - you will have to wait a minute for the valves to warm up. The same button also turns it off (I did say this is an idiot’s guide). 

When it comes to life, and you’re not sure where you are, press the home button. This displays the apps on the tv. Select which app you want, or to watch normal TV (which is satellite) select Live TV. To get the list of channels press the OK button. Use the left and right arrows to see the favourites.

Via various family members we’ve got accounts or subscriptions for Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, All 4, YouTube, YouTube Music and Angel Studios (aka The Chosen). Coming soon ITVX. Help yourself to the apps. Careful though - we can find out what you’ve been watching. 😊

TV in the bedroom operates the same but doesn’t have an aerial connected. When it powers up and asks about scanning for channels; ignore this and press the home button.

BBQ and gas bottle are around somewhere. You are welcome to use this but please be safe and careful with it and keep it clean. If you carry it like a suitcase that’s ok but watch out the yuk might come out of the bottom. 

Always make sure the BBQ is higher than the top of the bottle. Also please disconnect the bottle after use. 

Turning the knobs on will operate the ignitor.  

Bike. Assuming you can find it there is a bike hidden in the shed. There is also a car tyre pump which you will certainly need. The saddle height is adjusted with two 10mm spanners, these can be found in one of the plastic boxes in the boiler cupboard. There is a cheap lock, the key is on one of the key rings in the kitchen drawer.  

A sticker says always wear a hat. To make sure your hat doesn't fall off, there a sticker reminding  no stunting or jumping.  

This normally lives on top of the boiler. It is charged using a USB-C cable. If you’ve ever been invited to the magnificent Magness Mansion and Gardens in Torquay you will recognise this as the same model the butler uses. 

This was built by Rod using a module from Dans clock shop and was very proud of it until he found it was not as accurate as hoped. Before trusting your life to it, first check the online tides chart.

Like everyone else the lodge has an air fryer. For instructions see the manual. 

The vertical divider goes in ARROW DOWN. This and the other removable parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. 

If you are in the lodge on the first, or just before the first of the month the meters have to be read. 

Please can you send photos.

• Water meter. this is under the kitchen. 
• Gas meter. Outside behind the lounge settee.
• Electric meter. Outside in the white box. The blue key is in the kitchen drawer. Press the button on the left will turn the light on. 
• Clock. Please take a photo of this at the same time, this helps Rod keep the tide clock in calibration. 

Meter reading was an omission from the the original version - thanks Alli. If you notice an omission please let me know and you will get a special mention. 

Many of the lodges on Heritage Park are rented out at enormous rates, you can google these. The lodge is not cheap to run with; site fees (over £5k pa), energy, broadband, TV subscriptions, food and drink, maintenance, window cleaner, topping up the sand pit, etc. 

We would appreciate a contribution, please contact us for suggestions.