21 Aug. 2011
The new APT web-site is launched. APT announce thay have been chosen as the Ashford partner for UK Private Transfers, an on-line directory of quality transfer companies to be launched shortly.
23 Aug. 2 enquiries from other drivers for Heathrow and Gatwick airport transfers tomorrow as they are already booked. One transfer to Heathrow for corporate client
26 Aug. The Hyundai is back courtesy of Hyundai UK and local dealers Ashford Orbital. New engine fitted under warranty - very impressive customer care.
27 Aug. Business client to Heathrow for another company. Another booking for overseas student returning to UK private school. Enquiry for another student to York University
30 Aug. Heathrow to central London (Marylebone/Marble Arch) last night with overseas student and mother. Managed to avoid the Notting Hill area and delays due to the carnival. Emergency job this morning to Heathrow for business traveller after their driver fell ill.
09 Sep. a busy week as is normal for early Sept. More students flying back into UK for start of school term. Business clients flying again now their children are back at school. Emergency job for insurance company from Ashford Int'l Eurostar to Folkestone. Transfers to and from functions at London hotels and the 02 Arena. Plus runs to Leeds, Southampton and York.
13 Sep. Crazy this morning. 3 runs to Gatwick airport, 1 to Heathrow, another to Ashford Int'l Eurostar and finally the Dorchester Hotel in London to a private school in Ashford. And all by 0830am!!
14 Sep. a whole range of new enquires including Ashford to Gatwick next week for holidaymakers, more holidaymakers to Gatwick at Easter, meet a company director from a function at the Grosvenor House hotel and overseas visitors from Heathrow to Canterbury. Plus a number of quote requests from a cruise agency for transfers to and from cruise ships at Dover.
18 Sep. spent yesterday with a European family, meeting them at Stansted airport after their flight, then transfer to Ashford, wait while they checked into their hotel then over to Kent and Canterbury University as the daughter registered for her course and then got the keys to her accommodation. Much excitement and anticipation. The same applies to all the other students and families doing the same thing. Great atmosphere, if rather chaotic, at the University. Also first enquiry about transfers between Ashford and Southend airport.
21 Sep. transfer senior manager for major client company from Retail Consortium function at Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in central London to his home in a local village
26 Sep. more business transfers including Dover-Sevenoaks-Heathrow and the return journey later in the week. Tomorrow Ashford International station to Dungeness power station. Ashford to York University with an overseas student on Thursday. Lots of on-line booking sites asking to sign us up but we won't get involved with their inaccurate on-line quoting systems. Why are these sites terrified of giving potential clients direct contact with us? One used to and it was a highly successful arrangement for all parties concerned.
29 Sept. Long day starting with a student and his belongings from Ashford to York University. Beautiful site for the University and new accommodation buildings still under construction. Lucky students who get a place here. On the way back phone call from a colleague 'can you divert to Heathrow and meet a client who is flying back earlier than expected?'. Eventually got home after a 16 hour, but very enjoyable, day.
01 Oct. Some of our drivers are busy tonight with transfers to and from Eastwell Manor for Bob Geldofs 60th birthday party
03 Oct. No bookings toay but early start tomorrow for Dymchurch to Gatwick. Another early start on Weds for Medway to Heathrow. Not too early on Thurs. meeting a flight at 0900hrs at Gatwick. Several new bookings for October and November over the weekend. Our Hyundai i800 is for sale - new engine Aug. 2011, £500 spent on brakes Sep. 2011, MoT Aug. 2012. Excellent condition throughout. E-mail PrivateTransfers@virginmedia.com for further details or ring Mark on 01233 500464.
22 Oct. Yesterday met student at college near Wetherby, N. Yorks. and took to Canterbury. Today take another students luggage to them at Royal Holloway University at Egham then on to Heathrow for client arriving from Nice.
30 Oct. take student back from Canterbury to St. Ethelburgas Collge near York. Round trip takes about 8 hours driving.
04 Nov. Mazda is booked to take bride and groom from their reception to their wedding night hotel next Saturday. Normally the Chrysler is popular for this but our driver is getting married himself the day before and is 'otherwise occupied' on that night! Quiet week so far but we will be at the World Travel Market on Wednesday 09 November and also at Pauls wedding on Friday 11th.
20 Jan. 2012 Typical end of the year getting gradually quieter. 2012 off to a decent start as business travellers take advantage of the mild weather and don't wait until Feb or March to start their travels. Plenty of enquiries for people-carriers for the summer holiday season so it looks like people aren't planning on any 'staycations' in the UK!
26 Jan. Great news. Our top-of-the-range Mazda 6 2.5 Sport (leather sets, dual-zone air-con, privacy glass, etc. very smooth, very comfortable) passed its 6 monthly Compliance Test - an MoT by another name) without any problems or recommendations. Also a transfer confirmed for February between a private school near York and Canterbury and return a week or so later. Regular transfers to and from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports for business travellers.