I am looking for holiday accommodation for the following
specification. I would expect the answer to have at least 20 different
properties from a varied number of websites (at least 10 different
sites).

Self catering
Sleeps 10 to 11 (including children, we have no pets)
Isle of Wight (anywhere on the island, but prefer a rural location
over a town location)
Must have a garden
Must be available Aug 4th 2007 to Aug 11th 2007
Above avergage quality (3 to 4 stars - if graded)

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Clarification of Question by clickstar-ga on 07 Nov 2006 03:34 PST

Hello,

Is anybody interested in answering my question?

Please let me know if you need any clarification.

Thanks
Chris

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Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 07 Nov 2006 07:13 PST

Hello clickstar,

I'm looking into this for you, but it is more difficult than it seems
due to the fact that many places are already booked for those dates,
or sites don't have the option to check availability. I'll have to
contact some owners individually.  That means that an answer won't be
able to be had right away, unfortunately. In my experience, some
people will get back within a day or two but some others will lag.
Anyway, I'll do my best.

How many adults and how many children will there be?  

--keystroke-ga

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Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 07 Nov 2006 07:51 PST

Hello clickstar,

Everyone in Europe takes their holiday in August, so for those dates I
think you're really going to have a hard time finding just a few
properties that are available, let alone 20.  I'm still working on it
but I don't hold out much hope.

What about two different properties that hold 5 or 6 each? Is a garden
absolutely necessary? I still don't think I'll find 20 options but if
you're absolutely set on what you want I don't think there will be any
options at all.

--keystroke-ga

Hello clickstar,

Thank you for your question.

I have found 13 properties that are available for that week and I must
say that it was very difficult.  This is not a week of great
availability.  I have emailed many others and included ones that are
of unknown availability that I have not received reply from at the end
of my answer.  Many others have gotten back to me with unavailability,
but I do not include those here.  I'm fully convinced that you will
not find any accommodation meeting your requirements that I have not
listed here.

Here are properties that are available:

-- A cottage with a garden that sleeps 10
Millstone Cottage
http://www.bookcottages.com/cottages/100-PU1-millstone-cottage.htm
http://www.chooseacottage.co.uk/webparts/part_availability.asp?pId=PU1&iso_country_code=GB&maxSleeps=10&party_size=10

--A farmhouse with a garden that sleeps 10
Buntshill Barns available for all of August
Buzzard Barns sleeps 10
http://www.buntshillbarns.co.uk/availability1.html
http://www.net-guides.co.uk/ngscalendar.asp?id=802
http://www.wightfarmholidays.co.uk/selfcatering.asp

--Two cottages that can be rented together to sleep 12.  They are both
available for all of August.
Milking Parlour and Paddock Cottage on Mersley Farm
http://www.mersleyfarm.co.uk/accom.html#paddock
http://www.wightfarmholidays.co.uk/selfcatering.asp

--A farm that can be rented and comfortably sleeps 10.
http://www.kemphill.com/self.html#

-- Union House, Cowes
http://www.hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk/holiday-lettings/property-detail.asp?property=84&sort=

--This property may be more rustic than posh, but it has its charm.
The Old Bakery
http://www.chooseacottage.co.uk/webparts/part_availability.asp?pId=19331&iso_country_code=GB&maxSleeps=10&party_size=10
http://www.bookcottages.com/cottages/100-19331-the-old-bakery.htm

6 Bedroom Rental
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/England/holiday-house-Isle-of-Wight/p65454.htm?uni_id=48458#ava1
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/index.cfm/ava/48458/property/65454.cfm

Grange Farm Haybarn
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/brighstone-bay/13891

Langonnet, Seaview
http://www.holidays2remember.co.uk/property.php?id=24

Seacrest in Seaview
http://www.wightlocations.co.uk/Search.aspx?lstLocations=0&lstSleeps=5&lstMonth=Aug&lstYear=2007#

--Two cottages next to each other that are both available and when
combined, would sleep you and the rest of your guests.  I include this
because as you can see, the options are limited for this particular
week. Both have a garden.
Cart House 1 and 2
http://www.gottenmanor.co.uk/selfc.html#

No garden:

The Old School House 
http://www.coweshouse.co.uk/
http://www.coweshouse.co.uk/availability.htm
http://www.stilwell.co.uk/show_town.asp?Q=hc|L4108087|P4358838

Rijnstroom IV, Island Harbour, Newport
http://www.holidays2remember.co.uk/property.php?id=22
This is actually a boat and kids would probably love it.

---------------

Here are other options that fit your needs but are for alternate dates
(in case this is an option.)  There is not too much availability for
any week in August.

--An elegant Victorian townhouse that sleeps 12 and is available for
every day in August but the week that you would like it.
Fairview
http://www.holidaylets.net/properties/12477

-- A very nice lodge that is available from 17 August-- all of September.
Kings Manor Lodge
http://www.kingsmanorfarm.co.uk/availability.html

--A farmhouse that sleeps 10 and is available from August 25 and for
all of September.
Ash Farm, Whitwell, Isle of Wight
http://www.hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk/holiday-lettings/holiday-property.asp?sleeps=7

-- A 10-person cottage that is available every other week in August except the 4th.
Barnacle Cottage
http://www.chooseacottage.co.uk/webparts/part_availability.asp?pId=PT5&iso_country_code=GB&maxSleeps=10&party_size=10

-- A cottage that is booked for August but is available all of
September and for the week before the one you want, half July/half
August, and for the first three weeks in July.
Fishbourne Cottage
http://www.bookcottages.com/cottages/100-W4533-fishbourne-nr-ryde.htm

--Available July 27-2 Aug, 10 Aug-23 Aug, 31 Aug to 6 Sept.
Kemphill Farm Dairy
http://www.kemphill.com/dairy.html#

Available same as above:
Kemphill Granary
http://www.kemphillgranary.com/#

Available the week before you want the holiday:
Swift cottage in Seaview
http://www.wightlocations.co.uk/Search.aspx?lstLocations=0&lstSleeps=5&lstMonth=Aug&lstYear=2007

Available 11 Aug to 17 Aug--
Saye House in Seaview
http://www.wightlocations.co.uk/Search.aspx?lstLocations=0&lstSleeps=5&lstMonth=Aug&lstYear=2007



Furthermore, I have emailed the following properties and not yet
received a reply. I will update you when a reply is received.

Nettlecombe Farm
http://www.cottagenet.co.uk/Gallery15.htm

Mill House
http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/millhouse-brighstone/

Brockley Barns
http://brockleybarns.co.uk/brockleybarns.htm
http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/brockleybarns/

Daisy Cottage in Newport
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/newport-town/9721

The Bank at Myrtle Cottage
http://www.special-escapes.co.uk/search/display.php?FileID=BSC5678

Westover Farm
http://www.westover-farm.co.uk/

Sources:

Wright Farm Holidays
http://www.wightfarmholidays.co.uk/selfcatering.asp

Holiday Lettings on Isle of Wight
http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/isle-of-wight/

Isle of Wight search results
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/Isle-of-Wight/s/480/fa/find.squery

Holidays2Remember search
http://www.holidays2remember.co.uk/properties.php?q=Search...&sleeps=10
http://www.isleofwight.com/holidays2remember/

Search terms:
(google.co.uk)
isle of wight sleeps 10
isle of wight sleeps 11

If you need any additional clarification, let me know and I'll be glad
to help.  I will clarify my answer when I receive any new information
or email replies.

--keystroke-ga

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Clarification of Answer by keystroke-ga on 07 Nov 2006 10:25 PST

Hello clickstar,

First clarification-- the Mill House is fully booked for all of August.

--keystroke-ga

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Clarification of Answer by keystroke-ga on 07 Nov 2006 11:49 PST

Westover Farm has gotten back to me.  They are not available for the
week you request, but are available the week before and for the weeks
beginning the 18 and 25 August.

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Request for Answer Clarification by clickstar-ga on 08 Nov 2006 07:10 PST

Thank you for answering this question. We will hopefully find one of
the properties that you have listed is acceptable for our party.

We have 6 adults and 5 children, though the children could share a
bed, hence why we stated 10 or 11 beds.
A garden of any size would be a must.

The Isle of Wight is absolutely huge and has loads of accommodation. I
guess not all the available property is listed in Google's top 100
search engine - hence thats why we went to Google answers for help.

August is a busy holiday month, but it is still 9 months away from
now. I am surprised so many are booking 9 months in advance.

We will look through your answers and hopefully find somewhere.

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Clarification of Answer by keystroke-ga on 15 Nov 2006 07:12 PST

Hello clickstar,

I'm sorry about the email notifications not working.  Hopefully, this
is a temporary issue, but I'm not sure when it will be fixed.

It does seem like nine months is a lot of time in advance, but I guess
most European workers all take holiday in August, so it's not too
surprising that it's booked up.  I saw many properties taking
reservations for August 2008 as well!

Here are some more properties that have gotten back to me with whether
they have openings.

Daisy-- Brockley Farms
Brockley Barns
http://brockleybarns.co.uk/brockleybarns.htm
http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/brockleybarns/
Daisy does not have its own garden, but it has lots of outside space
for sitting, playing and relaxing.


Nettlecombe Farm-- the Swallow
fully booked for all of August and September

Thank you for the five stars and good luck with your holiday!

--keystroke-ga

Not an easy task. I was impressed with the results. My only complaint
is I did not receive an email to say that the question had been
answered. I only discovered this by chance by logging in and having a
look.