That delightful Irish rogue, Paddy Doyle, slipped...

That delightful Irish rogue, Paddy Doyle, slipped into town the other day. Paddy was homeward bound to Fiji after being awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth for his contributions to Fiji’s tourism. The queen honored Paddy for helping to develop Fiji’s international airport at Nadi. Later he and a sidekick opened the old Skylodge Hotel. After that he did stints at a couple of other hotels and took on the assignment of general manager for the Fiji Visitors Bureau. Now Paddy operates The Crow’s Nest, a small 18-room hideaway on the Coral Coast outside Nadi. Split-level units with kitchenettes. Each room with an ocean view ($50 for a double, $60 for two couples). For an extra $16, Paddy serves lunch and dinner. He insists that the food rates a 21-gun salute. For reservations, see your travel agent or write to The Crow’s Nest, P.O. Box 270, Sigatoka, Fiji. For information locally on Fiji, contact the Fiji Visitors Bureau, 6151 W. Century Blvd., Suite 524, Los Angeles 90045 or telephone (213) 417-2234.

Search for Serenity

Arthur Matthews of Thousand Oaks asks for the name of a B&B; “with an abundance of peace” on Northern California’s Mendocino Coast. Howard Creek Ranch at Westport (an hour north of Mendocino) is about as peaceful as you can hope for. It’s hidden in a secluded valley near the ocean. This is a rustic, 116-year-old farmhouse. Three guest rooms (one with private bath). Cabins also available. An attractive garden makes for a pleasant setting and a 75-foot swinging foot bridge spans a freshwater stream running through the property. Howard Creek features a wood-heated hot tub, sauna and pool. Guests praise the proprietress for her breakfasts, but don’t expect luxury. This is a rustic hideaway. Rates: $62/$75 per night (farmhouse) or $48/$65 for a cabin. Write to Charles and Sally Gigg, Howard Creek Ranch, P.O. Box 121, Westport, Calif. 95488 or telephone (707) 964-6725.

Another Retreat

For travelers with jangled nerves, here’s another retreat worth remembering. It’s The Toll House Inn, a few miles inland from the Mendocino Coast. From the front porch, guests study sheep grazing among rolling hills. Five bedrooms (three with private baths). The innkeeper gets high marks for her breakfasts. Dinners served on request. No distractions at this inn. Not a blessed thing to do except soak in a hot tub or relax in a hammock strung beneath a walnut tree. The little village of Boonville is six miles to the east. Ukiah is an 11-mile drive. Rates: $60/$108. The Toll House Inn, P.O. Box 268, Highway 253, Boonville, Calif. 95415. Telephone (707) 895-3630.

A Letter from Australia

This note from Jan Harman of Melbourne: “I have a spacious apartment for rent to American tourists. It’s close to the heart of the city, with public transportation right outside the door. There are two bedrooms and baths, laundry facilities, a dining room, living room, study, kitchen (with all the necessary appliances). This plus a delightful courtyard garden and barbecue facilities.

“Having lived in Los Angeles, I have a genuine love and warmth for Americans. My apartment is ideal for up to four guests. The perfect place to rest and feel at home away from home. True Australian hospitality is offered every Sunday with a traditional roast lamb dinner, Pavlova dessert--or the popularized Paul Hogan ‘shrimp on a barbie’ when weather permits.” Daily rates: $59 U.S., $79 double. Contact Harman at Suite 1, 20 Collins St., Melbourne 3000, Australia.

A Letter from Britain

Jacqueline Parish writes: “My husband and I live in a 16th-Century farmhouse with an annex which we let on a self-catering basis. We are within a half-hour of London by train (Euston Station). The annex has a double bedroom, a large sitting room/dining room with a sofa bed, a bathroom, kitchen. We welcome visitors from the United States and help them with their sightseeing. There are several stately homes nearby and we know London well, having lived there for many years. Our rates are 200 (about $322 U.S.) a week or 30 (about $48.50 U.S.) a night for the annex. Or for B&B; accommodations in the farmhouse we charge 15 a night.”

Parish says Yanks can expect “a warm welcome.” Address: The Old Farm, Hog Lane, Ashley Green, Nr. Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 3PY England.

French Polynesia

Tahiti’s newest ferry does three trips daily to the island of Moorea. Passage is $8 one way, $11 round trip. The ferry docks at Cooks Bay as well as Viare. Equipped with airline-style seats. The Keke III is air-conditioned with a snack bar on board. Other ferries carry up to 350 passengers--as well as automobiles--for as little as $5 one way. These ferries are available for charter. Group rates offered. Details from the Tahiti Tourist Board, 12233 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 110, Los Angeles 90064 or telephone (213) 207-1919.

Short Takes

Acapulco’s Princess Hotel is scheduling a cooking school package (five days, four nights) for $486 per person (double occupancy). Includes accommodations, breakfast/dinner daily. Lessons will feature the preparation of gourmet Mexican cuisine. Dates: Sept. 13-17 and Oct. 25-29. Contact Princess Hotels at (800) 223-1818 or see your travel agent. . . . If you’re a fan of B&Bs; and country inns, a new magazine titled Country Inns is being distributed. This is a slick publication--the best on B&Bs; I’ve come across in a long time. For details write to Country Inn Publications Inc., P.O. Box 182, South Orange, N.J. 07079.

Reader Recommendations

San Francisco--Michele Burgess, Huntington Beach: Enjoyed the Bedford Hotel, 761 Post St., San Francisco 94109. “Just three blocks from Union Square, beautifully decorated, good service. Rates, $85 single or double.”

Connecticut--Leigh Boen, Mission Viejo: “One of the finest bed and breakfasts we’ve ever patronized, the Stonecroft Inn, 17 Main St., East Haddam, Conn. 06423-409. Five delightfully furnished rooms with antiques, private baths. This is an authentically restored 1820s blacksmith home. Four doors from the Goodspeed Opera House. Paul Higgins is a divine host. Full-course breakfasts. When you come home at night there are homemade cookies and milk, or wine, waiting for you. Rates: $75/$90.”

Utah--Mrs. Guy Castellino, Huntington Park: Praises Saltair B&B;, 164 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102. “Each room is beautifully decorated. Paid $50 a night for two.”

Ireland--P. C. Jones, Sidney, British Columbia: “One of our favorite haunts is the Fermanagh Lakelands in Northern Ireland. Best way to see the islands in the Lakelands is by boat. Cruisers are available at reasonable prices. Channels are well-marked. Information can be secured from the Lakeland Marina, Muckross, Kesh, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.”

Antigua--Teresa McWilliams, Montecito: “A wonderful resort in Antigua called the Pineapple Beach Club. Had the best vacation ever. A real travel bargain ($1,199 from Los Angeles, including air fare, seven nights, eight days, all meals, drinks, tips and water sports). Beautiful beaches. Tennis courts, windsurfing, sailing, fishing.” (See your travel agent for details, address.)

France--Susan M. Ludington, Los Angeles: “Participated in a week-long excursion through the Dordogne region of France. All meals, entrance fees, sightseeing were included ($950). Gourmet meals in our chateau, picnicking, off-the-tourist-path cafes, auberges , restaurants for lunch. Days spent examining prehistoric caves and cliffside dwellings, numerous chateaux. Traveled comfortably in a van. This is a vacation for people who really want to taste French living at an average pace in a pampered fashion. Contact Unicorn Tours, 1216 State St., Suite 402, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105, phone (805) 962-1751.”