Month: May 2012

Today’s bargain – BHS Spectacular!

Mal had organised a birthday treat for me (he’s been peeking at my bargains!) It was a stay at Powdermills Hotel in Battle. Mal and I stayed there about 14 years ago when we had our golden retriever and English Setter and we took them with us. The owners are dog lovers and the hotel is set in 150 acres of lakes and woodlands. On our last visit we managed to get lost in the woods.

We drove to Battle and had a look around the town first and then on to the hotel arriving too early and we were planning to walk round the grounds but they told us the room was ready and we could check in. The staff there are excellent. We were then asked what time we would like our cream tea (all part of the deal!) We sat by the outdoor pool, and later went for a swim. The outside temperature was a surprising 33 degrees! We then went for a long walk around the grounds and again got lost and I think our return route may have crossed someone else’s land but no one bothered.

Dinner in their restaurant in the evening. Excellent. Apart from the fact a small part of my duck was a bit tough and the waiter said he would tell the chef.

Mal was looking forward to a real ale after dinner but the draught was ‘off’! He was not impressed. Apart from these two things, the hotel is still as stunning as it was 14 years ago with such fantastic views. A shame we didn’t have any dogs to take with us, they would have loved it.

Today’s bargain – One day only – 10% off at Marks and Spencer online only. I was just about to go to M & S to buy some new saucepans for the caravan and then saw this offer, so I have ordered them to go to our local store (so no postage) and got my 10% off. I do like this being in the Uk and being able to get all the offers. The offer ends at 11.59 tonight!

Another lovely sunny day. Not the best day to do it but I decided to start a thorough clean of the caravan as when Mal leaves he always gives it a “surface” clean. It was hot. Not only that but I decided to cook a roast, so the caravan heated up even more. We did spend a bit of time sitting in the garden.

 

Thought for the Day – “You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.”  ~ Vernon Howard

 

Today’s one day only bargain!

Mal was up early and so managed to get a lot of work done while I went to the shops (the novelty hasn’t worn off yet!) It was 24 degrees in the afternoon and hot in the caravan. We do have an air con unit in there.

Anyway, we decided to make the most of the good weather and drove to Pegwell Country Park which is where I used to walk our golden retriever. We also went along the new bypass, which now bypasses the country lane we used to live in Sevenscore. They have talked about that road for as long as I can remember, along to Pfizer. Now Pfizer are closing down in Sandwich, the road is almost complete! Planning heh?!

We then drove past a house that I would love to buy in Manston. Who knows. On to Minnis Bay and a walk along the beach and then an ice cream at the Windshack Cafe!

 

Thought for the Day – “ Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open.”  ~ John Barrymore

Today’s Bargain – Cheap Citrus Juicer. I think I may get one of these to take back with me for all those lovely oranges!

Mal started serious exam work and I went off to the shops.

It always amazes me when I come back to the UK how many new products are on the shelves, something that is full of names you can barely pronounce. It does make me wonder how we ever exist in North Cyprus without them.

I returned from the shops, parked my car up outside the caravan when one of our neighbours decided to reverse her Land Rover into the front of my hire car!! Luckily she only broke the number plate but we rang Budget and asked if we could go to Halfords and get it replaced (as she admitted full responsibility, said she hadn’t seen it!).  The answer was an emphatic NO! So, £16 at Halfords but Budget’s price £35!! Well, the insurance will have to sort it out but we have to wait until we return the car, pay for it and then claim it back as we have an annual car hire insurance as we rent so many cars.

While I am here in between shopping, I am giving the caravan a thorough clean as I don’t normally have time to do it. At least now I can snap up some of the bargains that are around.

Bargain – Cheap Travel cot

We all had breakfast and then a lazy Sunday morning with Torin and Jack watching the Motogp. Jack is absolutely obsessed by motor bikes. I had to laugh when Torin said he wouldn’t mind Jack riding bikes at tracks off road but not on the road. NOW he understands why I hated his motor bikes. Mainly because when he had accidents it was always me he called! They are just so dangerous now and I guess it is a case of what goes around comes around, he will have the same problems as me!

Poor Scarlet had a hacking cough and so did Torin, so we will be lucky to get out of the house germ free!

We then had to say our goodbyes and drove back to the caravan as Mal now had exam work to catch up with. Still, it had done him good to have a break.

So far, we haven’t had any rain and it hasn’t been too cold either.

 

Thought for the Day – “ To become a grandparent is to enjoy one of the few pleasures in life for which the consequences have already been paid.”  ~ Robert Brault

Bargain – if you fancy a stay away, a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds,including dinner

An early morning with Scaret and Jack coming in to see Nanny and Grandad and jumping all over our bed.

We went to Hitchin to the kids play centre,Space2Play, which they loved and on the way back went to the Hungry Horse for lunch, where Scarlet loved her “noodles”!

Grandad was very happy watching the West Ham game as they are now back in the Premier League. Later we watched the Chelsea v Bayern Munich final. Torin, a Chelsea supporter couldn’t even watch the penalties but was so happy that Chelsea won! He then got out his bottle of Remy Martin, so we could celebrate!  Torin just kept saying, he couldn’t believe Chelsea actually did it! Another late night or should I say early morning.

 

 Thought for the Day – “ On the seventh day God rested.  His grandchildren must have been out of town.”  ~ Gene Perret

My birthday and Mal and I couldn’t  think of anyhing better to do than take Scarlet and Jack, the twins, to Whipsnade Zoo. They really loved it. Idid think it a little expensive £20 to take the car in on top of the entrance fee but we didn’t think the twins would manage walking round all day.

They made us laugh so much, they are a really funny duo.

We went in the children’s section and that was a bit of a disappointment, not as good as I remember it. For some reason they loved the hippos and liked their indoor enclosure which stank!

On the way home we popped in to see my friend Pauline and then asked Scarlet and Jack what they wanted for dinner, chicken nuggets and chips! So, Mal and I had fish from the fish and chip shop and they had chicken nuggets! This was followed by a surprise birthday cake. It was about 8.30 by the time they went to bed and I think Mal and I were more worn out than them!

It was a really lovely day and a bonus, it didn’t rain!

 

Thought for the Day – “When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.” ~ Joyce Brothers