All you need to know about Leah, who oversees the tenancy administration, it seems that a lot of it is traffic related and charging around!

After battling the sometimes unusual traffic/obstacles that constitute my drive in to work from Fishponds, I spend the customary 5-15 minutes finding a parking space at peak parking time for Clifton Village and hot footing it to the office in time to check quite a hefty chunk of e-mails before the answerphone is off and the phones are on!

My day is spent juggling phone calls and admin of various kinds in between giving references, checking references and chasing them, speaking to landlords and tenants in the office or on the phone regarding all the arrangements that go along with the start of a tenancy, as well as organising inventories, safety testing, cleaning and other ad hoc bits and pieces to in so far as possible get the property ready in time for move-in as smoothly as possible!

It’s nice to have a little break at lunch to pound the streets of Clifton for a little fresh air before settling down to some exotic concoction of last night’s left overs or at least an interesting sandwich to keep me going til the end of the day.

More of the same after lunch and then off home around 5:30ish via the delightful gauntlet of rush hour traffic down to the M32 toward home, possibly stopping off at a good local Chinese for some tea.

So when we wanted to know what Cath our receptionist did on a day to day basis in work, we weren't really expecting this!

A day (dream) in the life of Lady Rochford

After Jeeves has drawn my bath, warmed my towels and prepared my breakfast, I get ready for the day at a leisurely pace. I make the most important decision (what the wear) myself. This is paramount to the smooth running of the day to night scenario, essential when considering the possibility of post work cocktails and Racks microclimate.

James my chauffeur drives me to work in the Bentley, it’s a smooth run especially when the children are on School holidays.

Once in the office my “staff” and I work like a well oiled machine, helping customers to find their perfect place to live in Bristol. Letting some of the very best and most beautiful properties in Bristol is one of our forte’s (so our Customers tell us, we are far too modest to comment). Problems occur in properties from time to time, but my maintenance staff jump to the challenge, sending out some jolly handy men to fix a leaky tap or a broken boiler.

When the phones have finally stopped ringing (or its reached 5.30pm) the working day is over. Once all our tenants and landlords are happy, my staff and I can retire for the day in the knowledge that we have helped lots of prospective tenants to find their dream home in Bristol. My staff and I understand that moving can be stressful, so all our new tenants are given a lovely bottle of Sarah Kenny Wine to help them relax, unwind and welcome them into their new home.

After I leave the office, James drives me home via an establishment called Racks (which is reassuringly expensive) where I enjoy a glass or two of wine with friends before heading home to the gourmet delights Jeeves has prepared in my absence. He then warms and turns down the bed, placing a Godiva on my pillow.

Ahhh…“to sleep: perchance to dream…”   

RLA critical of Shelter's "scaremongering campaign" | ARLA

http://www.arla.co.uk/news/2013/5/rla-critical-shelters-scaremongering-campaign-69804/#.UYzFAWFln_g.blogger

Introducing new interactive floorplans on our website

#movinghome
Sarah Kenny were the first letting agency in Bristol to offer floorplans and now we have taken this is to the next technological stage.....they are now interactive, allowing you to plan your new home and how it will work best for you.  You can also save your changes as well, allowing you to go back and change things if you want to.

Have a look and tell us what you think!

http://www.sarahkennyresidentiallettings.co.uk/search.php?minRent=&maxRent=&beds=&propRef=Property+Ref

Wondering what to do in May? Fear not! The SK definitive guide to Bristol in May is here to help

StrEAT Food Collective Market at Quakers Friars    

Fridays in May from 5pm - 9pm

http://www.streatfoodcollective.com/

I cannot wait for this, particularly as I missed the last one on the Bank Holiday, basically its a group of street food vendors who get together and share the love.  Dishes come from all over the whole, think Italian inspired pizzas, through to Vietnamese.  I am hot footing it down there after work this Friday to sample the treats and cannot wait.

You can follow them on Twitter as well @streatuk

Grillstock Bristol at Lloyds Amphitheatre

11th - 12th May 2013 

http://grillstock.co.uk/bristol-festival  @grillstock

Describes itself as 'meat, music and mayhem'?!  Basically Grillstock is a brilliant bbq which now has a festival in its fourth year with international artists performing.  If a chilli eating competition is your kind of thing, get down there!  I have it on good authority that tickets are still available so click on the link below for your chance of BBQ heaven.

Eat Drink Bristol Fashion

13th - 27th May 2013

http://eatdrinkevents.co.uk/eat-drink-bristol-fashion/home/   @eatdrinkbristol

For two weeks Queens Square will be home to a giant tipi housing different events from fine dining through to tapas evenings.  It will feature local chefs and restaurants to include Josh Eggleton and the following restaurants.....The Pony and Trap, Bell's Diner, Casmia, Souk Kitchen, Ronnies, Bird in Hand, City of Bristol College, The Pumphouse, The Star and Dove, Wilks, Bath Priory, Harvery Nichols 2nd Floor Restaurant and Rosemarino.  

A must visit for all foodies!

German Beer Festival at the Bristol Amphitheatre

16th - 19th May 2013 

http://www.beerfestuk.com/bristol.html

This looks like catering towards a pretty niche market, ie if you love beer, schnitzel and bratwurst, this is the day out for you.  Sadly I think I will be giving this one a miss, particularly as one of the strap lines, is that beer is sold in steins!  However, if it does sound like a golden opportunity for all you beer lovers out there, I have been told that tickets are selling fast.

Vegfest at the Amphitheature

24th - 26th May 2013

http://bristol.vegfest.co.uk/

This is the 10th year of the festival and is officially the worlds biggest veggie event.  This years line up include the Happy Mondays headlining as well as the usual mix of stalls, cookery demos, talks, films and entertainment and an extended children's area, to keep them happy.  Again, book in advance as it get very busy.

Mayfest at venues throughout the city

16th May - 26th May 2013

http://mayfestbristol.co.uk/     @mayfestbristol

This is Bristol’s unique annual festival of contemporary theatre and is dedicated to presenting a broad range of unusual, playful and ambitious work from leading theatre makers from Bristol, the UK and beyond.  The Guardian quotes it as one of the reasons that you will want to move to Bristol!  You can buy weekend passes or multibuy offers as well.  Venues throughout the city now include the Arnofini, Bristol Old Vic, The Brewery, Spike Island and the Trinity Arts Centre.  A good excuse to visit some of the cities venues as well as seeing great plays and also you will need a break from all the food that has been on offer.

Upfest at venues across Southville

25th - 27th May 2013 between 11am - 8pm

http://www.upfest.co.uk/

Its FREE!!!  And everyone knows that I love free.  This is the largest live urban festival and basically over 250 graffiti artists from around the world descend to Southville, (the HQ is the Tobacco Factory on North Street, which as an aside is now home to the fabulous Thali Cafe, sorry I digress, that is another story), and then over two miles of the city is painted over the weekend which creates over 30,000 square feet of artwork!  Quite something I am sure you will agree.  

As well of all this there is artwork for sale, interactive family areas, illustration battles, street buskers and four music stages.  Well should give you a chance to walk/dance off all that food from the start of the month!

Well, I think that should keep you all out of mischief for the month of May, but remember save yourself as there is plenty going on throughout the summer from WOMAD at Bristol Zoo to the unveiling of the Gromits!

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A day in the life of Matthew Annesley......he seems to be getting into the swing of things, despite being the relative newbie!

I wake up to the sound of my alarm around 7.40 each morning and instantly whack on Sky Sports News for all of the unmissable overnight developments in the footballing world which always help to rouse me - or maybe it’s the sight of Charlie Webster that does it.

8.45am (ish) I arrive at the office and load up all of my emails, sifting through them ranking in order of urgency - from ‘no heating or hot water’ down to ‘my toilet roll holder’s a bit loose’. Deal with aforementioned urgent cases before retreating into the kitchen to grab myself (and Rachell if I’m caught) some coffee.

The next few hours usually fly by as I get to work responding to emails and calls, arranging relevant contractors, liaise with landlords and tenants, juggle numerous jobs at once and generally learn the true meaning of multi-tasking.

Every now and then I’m let out of the office to visit the properties we manage and carry out routine inspections which enables me to see first-hand any maintenance issues that may need attention. The upshot of this is that I get to visit some really nice properties, the downside is more often than not I manage to double my workload.

5.30pm comes around quickly where I down tools for the day, exchange plans for that evenings activities with the rest of the maintenance posse, and shoot off trying not to look too smug infront of the lettings girls who stay behind for another hour.

Just a little test to see if this goes to Google +!