We’re thinking of going on holiday and staying in a cottage in the country. It’s nice that there are so many cottages around with inglenook fireplaces, exposed oak beams and even four poster beds, but I didn’t see any with wireless internet. I know it’s not exactly in the spirit of ‘getting away from it all’ to take a laptop and do some work, or check emails, or Google like a champ… But it would be nice to have the option, and if you did want to get away from it all you could just leave your laptop at home.
So my invention-a-day idea was going to be a service offering pay-as-you-go internet in holiday cottages. Until I thought that mobile internet on phones or USB modems was getting so widely available that that was a silly idea. So I adapted my plan… So, what if there was a service to offer ‘extras’ to self catering holidaymakers? It could provide a grocery pack on arrival, or chilled champagne, or flowers and chocolates for a romantic break. It could arrange newspaper delivery, supply barbecue stuff, maybe even arrange maid service, or one of those pay-per-day modem sticks for your laptop.
Perhaps it would work as a franchise business? It would be simple part time work for people in holiday areas. Cottage owners might advertise the business for free because it ‘adds value’ to the holidays they offer, and you would advertise their holiday cottage on a website in exchange. Of course you could book this stuff online at the website. If you have internet. Best do it before you go on holiday to a cottage with an inglenook fireplace and exposed oak beams but no wireless…
