Ellie has grown to love the sea and runs along grabbing sea weed and throwing it in the air!
Lou and Rhys popped round to take some of our chairs and crockery, ready for tomorrow at their house! There are going to be a lot of people for lunch!
In the evening back to Lou and Rhys’s and Grandad had to read the story “Twas the night before Christmas” as soon as they had put their stockings up and the little ones went to bed.
Thought for the Day – “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness.” ~ Bob Hope
We went to Reculver in the morning for a very long walk in the country park, which runs next to the sea.
Reculver Castle
We stopped in Herne Bay on the way back as I was low on diesel. I can’t believe how the price of fuel is dropping. Rhys phoned while we were in the garage so we popped over to theirs. A much better meeting with Roddie and Ellie and seeing as it is Roddy’s house and Roddy’s territory, he behaved very well. Only one problem Ollie appears to be allergic to Ellie’s fur!
I went to Westwood at 7pm for the last bits of fresh food shopping. I have now officially had enough of shopping!
Thought for the Day – “Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves.” ~ Eric Sevareid
A long beach walk. It is surprisingly mild. Then up to Tesco to get the tag removed from my leggings, not impressed having to trek back up there. The assistant didn’t seem to bother.
In the afternoon we took Ollie, Oscar and Josie to see the panto at the Theatre Royal in Margate. Lou came with us, well, she is a big kid too (isn’t everyone at Christmas?) It was Beauty and the Beast and lots of “oh no he isn’t” and “it’s behind you” The kids loved it. The Theatre Royal is such a nice cosy little theatre.
Lou, Josie, Ollie and Oscar
We had a take away when we got home, haven’t had a Thai for a long time. Very good it was too.
Thought for the Day – “I’m really passionate about pantomime because it is often the first introduction for a child to theatre, and if that child has a great experience at a pantomime they will continue to come year after year.” ~ John Barrowman
It’s such a shame that there is so little competition for flights to Ercan. Booked early Pegasus may be cheaper but the staff are so miserable and unhelpful in our experience, so the article about Pegasus Christmas Present did not surprise me at all. It’s worth reading to ensure you know your entitlement.
I went to Westwood leaving Mal at home. One days shopping is enough for him.The large Coca Cola lorry was there and people queuing,
I have no idea what for but the shops were busy, so I didn’t hang around. I did see some leggings for half price in Tesco, only to get home and discover they have left the large security tag, so now I will have to return them with the receipt. It does make me cross when they do that. I also went into Hobbycraft and bought a couple of their Storage Caddys for £5 each (They were £10)! We now have one as a First Aid Box, one for sewing and one for Mal’s tools and bits. They are even more useful because you can see what is in them! A good buy.
In the afternoon another long beach walk.
Thought for the Day – “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” ~ Calvin Coolidge
I took Ellie over to the playing field and then Mal and I went to do a big shop. He hates shopping but I was not carrying all the booze on my own! I think I may at last have done all the presents now. Just have to wrap all of them.
In the afternoon we went to East Blean wood.It is lovely there in the Spring/Summer but very muddy today. Ellie of course loves the mud!
I had to stop and look at the sunset on the way home……….beautiful. Thought for the Day – “Never waste any amount of time doing anything important when there is a sunset outside that you should be sitting under.” ~ C. JoyBell C.
We had a very good nights sleep followed by a la carte breakfast. It is usually all left out but much better today, all cooked individually. Ellie especially liked the half a sausage I took back for her. I think she may enjoy going away with us!
On the way home we stopped at Pegwell Bay Country Park for a long walk. Ellie had a bit of a run but when I saw her eyeing up the bird population, I put her back on the lead or I am sure she would have been in the water after them.
Pauline and Chris came visiting in the afternoon along with an update on Kulaksiz 5!! It was nice to see them both.
A walk along the beach and then we bought fish and chips at Seabells in Birhcington on the way back. It was so good last time! Just as good but this time we were given a Christmas card with a money off voucher for January!
I thought I would share this with you all. This is the staff from the primary school that Ollie, Oscar and Josie attend. It’s a very good school with a good Ofsted report and brilliant staff! Just click on the picture below.
Thought for the Day – “Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” — Charles Schulz
Down to the sea in the morning. It was a very high tide again.
Mal has been thinking about getting an allotment and there are some just down the road by us but we know from times gone by that they are like gold dust. He had just made his mind up that he would never get one. I told him if you don’t phone, you never find out! So he phoned about the ones by Quex park and yes there was a waiting list. BUT there were some vacant in Garlinge and so we did no more than drove straight down there and met the guy in charge and Mal chose his plot out of three that were empty. He won’t get the key to the gate until after Christmas but he is getting very excited as we used to grow all our own vegetables and it will be nice to have tasty,fresh vegetables again. It’s a shame we didn’t know before or he could have had all his gardening needs fulfilled by Father Christmas.
Later in the afternoon we drove over to the Blazing Donkey at Ham. It has become a bit of a tradition that we stay there for a night pre Christmas AND they are dog friendly so of course Ellie came too. The hotel is a bit hit and miss but the food is always excellent even if the service sometimes is not that good. It’s a little Fawlty Towers but this is one of my Groupon bargains and it costs £60 for bed and breakfast and a 3 course evening meal! The meal is worth more than that and it means the fact we are staying the night that I can have a glass of wine or two or three.
Well, on this occasion, the service and everything was excellent, no complaints at all. The guy running the bar and waiting on tables was so nice. They had small glass red stars on each table with a tea light candle in them. Mal was reading his menu, next thing his menu caught alight, too near to the flame. He apologised to the waiter who laughed and then proceeded to tell every other diner in the restaurant, at least it gave everyone a laugh. Ellie liked the piece of Kentish lamb I took her back to the room!
Notice the corner missing on the menu!
Thought for the Day – “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” ~ Andy Rooney
