Archives for February 2017 | On The Island

Tuesday, February 7th, 2017Wednesday, February 8th, 2017

Tuesday 7th February 2017

Another drizzly day. I dropped Mal off at the station and then Ellie and I went round the orchards. We met two bassets and their owner. He said it was the first time he had let them off their leads which was quite obvious as they totally ignored their owner and wanted to come with Ellie and I!! I know they are difficult to train and stubborn, so I had to return them back to their owner who was feeling quite embarrassed!

I went to Westwood to buy birthday presents for February birthdays. A successful shop for a change.

Ellie’s and my afternoon walk was much brighter but there is mud everywhere.

Fairport Convention are celebrating 50 years with a tour this year, so I listened to an excellent interview with Simon Nicol, who incidentally now lives locally. So many memories that brought back but it certainly made me feel old. I think I should bring all my Fairport “LP’s” back from Cyprus! Of course we are going to see them in Canterbury later this month.

Congratulations to Rhys who today passed to get his Hackney License. It has taken a lot of work on his part, so really good news and they now have two taxis. Hopefully their business will continue to grow.

Thought for the Day – “Cherish the natural world because you are part of it and you depend on it.” ~ Sir David Attenborough

Monday, February 6th, 2017Tuesday, February 7th, 2017

Monday 6th February 2017

A very proud day today as Tariq is heading his way to join the Marines. I so hope he does well. I know it wasn’t for River but Tariq appears to be much more prepared and he is extremely sporty and in the selections he came first in cross country and other things. I know there is far more to it than sport so I hope he can cope with the rest of it. Rhys said the house is very quiet this morning, he does talk a lot!

I went off to Demelza. Rather a shortage of staff as no Manager and Jack, assistant manager is on holiday. Heather wasn’t in and then Gemma phoned to say she wouldn’t be in. I was asked if I would do the end of day cashing up, which I was quickly shown last week. There’s a distinct lack of training, it’s more learning on the job and that’s if anyone is there to teach you!

I can’t say I was happy cashing up and being the only person in the shop, so I asked Mal to come and meet me which he did. I don’t mind risk taking when you are paid good money and employed but I am only a volunteer. Then I had to drop the key off at a shop down the road!

I have to say the office to the shop was an absolute mess. Part of the instructions was to put something in an envelope – I couldn’t find one! We also managed to set the alarm without getting the Police out. (You have to do that in the dark!) The things you do to help people out! Ah well.

Thought for the Day – “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Sunday, February 5th, 2017Monday, February 6th, 2017

Sunday 5th February 2017

We took Ellie to Minnis Bay, she loves it down there but rolls in the sand so much that I think she brought half the beach home with her so I decided it was time for her to have a shower. Well, she knew and ran into the living room and hid as soon as I let her in. She does smell a lot sweeter now she has had a shower.

We had every intention to go to the Anchor as they had a good band on in the afternoon but when it came to it neither of us could really be bothered, after all Sundays are to relax! We watched the Manchester games instead.

I always watch Countryfile and what a treat David Essex was on talking about when he used to come to Kent hop picking when he was little. My goodness he’s looking old now! The other discussion point was avian flu, now in the UK, I guess eggs and chicken will be on ration next! I hasten to add it doesn’t look as though it is in Kent or we would have to tell our neighbours to keep their hens indoors.

Thought for the Day – “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” ~ Napoleon Hill

Saturday, February 4th, 2017Saturday, February 4th, 2017

Saturday 4th February 2017

Another great British institution has come to an end……Brain Matthews ‘Sounds of the 60’s’. I have listened to this for many years, probably as long as it has been on Radio 2. Now the BBC in their wisdom have decided to get rid of him. Instead we have Tim Rice….boring! It’s just not the same any more. I believed he was just sitting in while Brian was ill…not so, he’s taken over!!

We walked Ellie when there was a gap in the drizzle. It seemed as though it was going to be a dull day and so we decided to go into Deal. Not many people along the sea front! We went and had our lunch in the Sir Norman Wisdom. You can have refillable filter coffee for £1.10 and the meals have the calories next to them so I can look for the “Under 500”. Of course it is Wetherspoon but such good value and one that is very pleasant, some can be a bit grotty.

I did manage to get Mal into Sainsburys which meant I didn’t have to carry all the shopping as I usually do on Tuesdays. They had plenty of lettuces, tomatoes AND broccoli!! Prices are starting to go up but we should get prepared for Brexit…then we will see them escalate!

We stopped at the Sholden farm shop on the way home . I was shocked that they were selling a sack (25kg) of potatoes for £10.95. They were certainly trying it on, so we walked out and went to Gibsons. That was much better. King Edwards £5.95 and Marfona £6.95. What a difference!

We arrived home to a renewal notice for our pet insurance for Ellie. It would now be £24.95 a month! I don’t think so that was a huge price hike. A 20 minute phone conversation and it is now £8 cheaper. It makes me wonder how many people just pay up without checking it out or questioning why. I am convinced they just think of any old number.

Later we watched Hammers and then the Spurs game.

Thought for the Day – “To live is the rarest thing in the world – most people exist, that is all.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Friday, February 3rd, 2017Saturday, February 4th, 2017

Friday 3rd February 2017

Following the problem I had yesterday trying to buy cherry tomatoes, it now seems iceberg lettuces are being rationed!! Just as well I can’t stand watery icebergs! However I am concerned about broccoli and tomatoes as we eat a lot. Mal will have to ensure his allotment is doing well!

We had a lovely walk in the sun! Mal then went to work.

It was so nice that I even managed to do some gardening in the afternoon. The rain came later in the evening.

Thought for the Day – “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters….compared to what lies within us.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017Friday, February 3rd, 2017

Thursday 2nd February 2017

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Mal and I took Ellie for her walk, it was really mild again. We even saw the start of the bluebells.

Late morning I had a hair appointment at The Salon in Sandwich. My last visit was a disaster with the girl doing my hair turning up late,not apologising, not listening to me as to what I wanted etc. etc. This hair salon is quite expensive and I was really disappointed so I wrote to the owner telling her exactly what happened. I had a really lovely letter back apologising and saying that was not the experience she wanted her clients to have and invited me back for it all to be done again but this time she wanted to do it. I have to say I was spoilt and it was done exactly as I asked and was an enjoyable experience. A very good business woman. My only problem was that it was pouring with rain when I left!

I stopped at the supermarket to buy some cherry tomatoes as I was cooking a prawn pasta dish in the evening and one of the vital ingredient is a lot of cherry tomatoes. They didn’t have any, so I stopped on the way home at two farm shops and they both told me they were too expensive and so they wouldn’t buy any. I am guessing they are following on from the lack of courgettes last week owing to bad weather in Spain. I finally managed to get some in Gibsons Farm shop. I am now wondering what has happened to Thanet Earth which is a couple of miles from these farm shops. Am I being very suspicious or is this the start of things to come when we face Brexit? In future I will have to buy the ingredients before I plan the menu!!

Thought for the Day – “Be truthful, gentle and fearless.” ~ Ghandi

Wednesday, February 1st, 2017Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

Wednesday 1st February 2017

I was pleased to hear on the news this morning that something is going to be done about “split ticketing” on trains. A lot of people don’t even know about it . Mal saves £6 a journey when he goes to the college by doing this. Things seem to have become so crazy.

I dropped him off at the station and then Ellie and I went round the orchards. It was much warmer, no hat, scarf or gloves today.

We are going to Cyprus in March and so thought we should book our hire car. We always go to Acmenya as they are so close to us, it has been handy. This time Mal had a look at other rental places and discovered they are cheaper. Mal emailed Ali as we have spent a lot of money with them and asked if he could compete. Good news, the price has been reduced. I can’t imagine they will be inundated with tourists in March but still nice of him!

Thought for the Day – “Don’t underestimate yourself by comparing yourself to others. It’s our differences that make us unique and beautiful.” ~ Robert Tew