Archives for July 2015 | On The Island

Friday, July 17th, 2015Saturday, July 18th, 2015

Friday 17th July 2015

Villa in Cyprus for sale

I went shopping in the morning and Mal stayed in as I have ordered a new touch screen laptop. My turn for a new one, mine lasted a year longer than Mal’s, now it is on its last legs. The laptop arrived just after I left. I bought a swing ball so the kids can play with it over the summer or Mal and I can have a go!! I also bought one of the Marks & Spencer dine in for 2. The total of the meal came to £21 and they are selling it for £10 (includes a bottle of wine.) Crazy!

Back home and Mal had started setting up the laptop and then left to start work on his local allotment. Ellie and I went down about three hours later, after gardening at The Cottage. I put in a few plants and Ellie walked over one!

In the evening we walked to the pub.

Thought for the Day – “I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.” ~ Bill Murray

Thursday, July 16th, 2015Friday, July 17th, 2015

Thursday 16th July 2015

Bargains – Matalan Sale Online | 50% off | matalan.co.uk & Argos Kitchen Electrical Sale | 50% off | argos.co.uk &Hobbycraft Discount Code | 50% off | hobbycraft.co.uk & Park Resorts Camber Sands | Park Resorts Isle of Wight & Wickes Decking | 10% off | wickes.co.uk & Laura Ashley Sale | 50% off | lauraashley.com

Villa in North Cyprus for sale

We are still finding our way around Preston. A very short walk across the field behind us and we are at our village shop which seems to sell EVERYTHING! It’s amazing how much can be crammed into such a small space, even newspapers, fruit and vegetables and alcoholic drinks.

There are some really interesting houses in the village with more than their share of thatched places too.

Then we walked to the allotments as “Fred” was going to stake out where Mal’s new allotment is. These are just up the lane opposite the village shop, so easy walking distance from our house. There is a fair amount of clearing and digging for Mal but the soil is the best out of his three allotments. The only problem he has been told is the rabbits.

There is also a communal orchard as part of the allotments and anyone who has an allotment can help themselves to fruit. From what I gather there are only about 5 others who have allotments.

Next the butchers. I sent Mal in and I waited outside with Ellie because every time I go in I see so much that is so interesting and good! Not cheap but good quality. Last time I went in for some eggs and came out with an enormous joint of gammon. They are brilliant salesmen in there.

Thought for the Day – “Miracles only happen if you believe in miracles.” ~ Paulo Coelho

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015Thursday, July 16th, 2015

Wednesday 15th July 2015

Bargains – Matalan Sale Online | 50% off | matalan.co.uk & Allbeauty Discount Code | 80% off | allbeauty.com & Wallis Discount Code | 60% off | wallis.co.uk & Bhs Discount Code | 60% off | Free Delivery | bhs.co.uk & The Hut Discount Code | 70% off | thehut.com & Brantano Voucher Code | 50% off | brantano.co.uk

Villa in north Cyprus for sale

We were up early and explored a new walk with Ellie, not a great success as I fell down a hole covered by long grass and as the grass was so long we hadn’t noticed that Ellie had found a cow pat. The first one she has ever found…yuk! As all retrievers do, there is nothing better than having a good roll in it. Thankfully the bathroom is close to the back door and no carpets involved in that area! We had to scrub her as soon as we were home.

What a coincidence that Pathwatch was on the news this morning stating that a lot of public footpaths are overgrown. This mornings walk was a case in point, we’ll have to do something about it.

Back to Canterbury to buy some more bolts for the spare bed. I am beginning to think that although we are near to Canterbury that perhaps Wetswood would be easier to get to. All roads in and out of Canterbury are a nightmare, no matter what time of day. I should know I used to work there but thought they may improve a little mid morning. No.

The bed in the spare room was finally put together which meant I could then sort the rest of the room out. We are getting there!

Thought for the Day – “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.”

Tuesday, July 14th, 2015Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

Tuesday 14th July 2015

Villa in North Cyprus for sale

We ordered a new fridge freezer. We had a separate fridge and freezer but we had them in the caravan so they are about 8 years old. Well, to be honest the small freezer was second hand because it was small enough to fit in the caravan. They told us delivery would be 7am – 7pm today. So, we left for a long walk at 6am. Ellie is getting very good at walking past the fowl at the end of the road now and almost ignores them. You can see in the middle picture of the woods where the bluebells have died. The woods will look lovely next year.

At 8.30 we had a phone call from Curry’s saying they would arrive in 20 minutes and yes they did. We didn’t pay for installation but they were very good, unpacked it and managed to get it through the midget’s door. There wasn’t enough clearance by the front door. They put it exactly where we wanted it. Nice men. Mal and I measured the space very carefully as it needed to be accurate because of all the beams. We breathed a sigh of relief when it just slipped in. They left, we plugged it in, opened the doors and hadn’t realised that there was a piece of beam on the floor and the freezer door wouldn’t open because of it. We hadn’t thought of that!! However we managed to raise it by fully extending the feet. Phew, that was a relief. Another thing sorted.

We seem to have lost some bolts for the spare bed. We wish we had bought a less complicated one! It’s taking a long while to put back together.
Thought for the Day – “Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent free in your head.”

Monday, July 13th, 2015Monday, July 13th, 2015

Monday 13th July 2015

Villa in north Cyprus for sale

A wet walk in the woods but the rain wasn’t too heavy. Mal decided he would try and put the spare bed together as it is a mammoth task. It is an ottoman bed. He then discovered that the tools he needs are in Cyprus!!

Yesterday was the first day and evening that I didn’t smash my head on the midget’s five foot kitchen door. I think I must be getting used to it now! I’m surprised it isn’t blood stained.

We read the Preston newsletter that had been delivered before we moved in. There are allotments available in the village. I don’t understand why no one seems to want them. Mal’s Garlinge allotment is quite a distance and so he applied for one here. Yes, of course he can have one. Today we went to meet the Parish clerk, a really nice girl and she showed him which patch he could have. She also asked us to join the Village Society/the Village Hall Committee or to join the Parish council!! It seems they are short of members. The Village Society seemed the most likely as it’s held in the pub!

Thought for the Day – “Having somewhere to go is home, having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing.”

Sunday, July 12th, 2015Monday, July 13th, 2015

Sunday 12th July 2015

Villa in Cyprus for sale

Mal’s knee is still not good and so Ellie and I were up early, left him at home and out walking across the fields. It is out of our back door and fantastic walks. This is the back of our house….

It was really nice as it was a bit cooler.

We then went into Canterbury to buy a new BBQ and a few other bits from our long list of things to buy for the cottage. We also ordered a new fridge freezer. We have to make sure it fits under the beams in the kitchen. We also went into Lidl . At the moment they have some excellent real ales including 1698 and also their cherries are £2.99 a kilo…..yummy!

We watched the tennis final in the afternoon.
Thought for the Day ~ “Country roads take me home, to the place where I belong……” John Denver

Saturday, July 11th, 2015Sunday, July 12th, 2015

Saturday 11th July 2015

Villa in North Cyprus for sale

Ellie and I walked over the fields and met a lovely lady with her dog. People are so friendly here in Preston.

We went back to Shatterling to collect all the plants we had left there and into Wingham for some shopping. Just as we arrived back the lady opposite, Penny, stopped to introduce herself. She told me the ladies meet every other week,starting in October, a tradition carried on from farming days, when the farmer’s wives organised the village! She had organised the Vintage Fayre being held tomorrow but they don’t allow dogs. Mal told her because of that we won’t be going. She is obviously not a dog lover, having spoken to us for half an hour and completely ignored Ellie who was with us!

In the evening we were back in Margate. The beach was really busy even at 7pm. On to the Winter Gardens where we saw Jim Davidson. If you are perfectly PC, he is not for you but Mal and I were crying with laughter for at least an hour. It was the first night of his tour. The entertainers love Margate, even the hecklers and there were plenty in tonight’s audience.

Thought for the Day ~ “Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul.” ~ Thomas Mann