Well you may have noticed that there has been very little activity on the site since last year. I can't speak for our members, and I'm still hoping that you girls out there will start to make this site your own and add contributions, but I've had a busy few months.

I already run my own marketing business called Up Market www.up-market.co.uk but in addition I am 7 months pregnant with my first child at the ripe old age of 38, and I got married in September. Between all of that the site has been somewhat neglected and it's a bit of a shame.

Why not see if there is something you would like to contribute? We'd love to hear from you. I will endeavour to keep the site up to date from now on (promise!) but a lot of it depends on how placid my new baby girl, expected in April, turns out to be!

Darlington's Hallgarth Hall Hotel has scored points with female guests by allocating a block of well-lit 'women only' parking spaces close to their reception. Not only does this mean that female travellers don't have far to take their luggage, it's also designed to make them feel safer.

This is a really smart move by the hotel - Darlington features a number of hotels of a similar standard and this idea gives them a really attractive unique selling point. Given the choice, I think that many of us would opt for the hotel which has made a real effort to be welcoming to women - don't you?

Scotch Corner Hotel, near Darlington has introduced a new flexible dining policy following their £1 million facelift. Their 'flexible dining' policy is aimed at being more female-friendly, especially for lone business travellers. Guests at the hotel can choose anything from any menu and eat it anywhere - in their room, in the lounge, in the reading room or the restaurant.

This is a great idea - room service is not the only option any more!