Month: April 2018

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Demelza day and Canterbury was very quiet, not many people around at all. I bought a picture from the shop. We have a lot still in boxes but some of them just don’t go in this house! We really must sort more out. I did donate a few things to the shop……lots more to go!

We went down to the park with Tris, Violet and Ellie after eating breakfast.

They headed back for London and we went over to Lou and Rhys’s for a Sunday roast. River and Sol were there too with their girlfriends.

We had a lovely lunch and then went for a walk along the beach. Oscar went swimming in the sea!

Of course Ellie had to join him.

Thought for the Day – “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way.”

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I went shopping and while I was in the supermarket I had the car valeted. It really needed it after moving and filling it up with all sorts. It looks much better now! 

I think we are still on holiday as we sat out in the garden most of the afternoon making the most of the weather, just in case it changes very soon. Ellie is getting used to her new lawn at last. She wouldn’t pee on it for a week!

Tris and Violet came in the evening and stayed the night.

Thought for the Day – “Where a beautiful soul has travelled, beautiful memories remain forever.”

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We were both walking the grounds early and in spite of there being lakes everywhere, we have managed to keep Ellie out of the water for three days! Just as well. it would have been awful taking her back to our room covered in mud. However I am sure Julie (the owner) would have no objections, she is a true dog lover and has one of her own. She had two last time we were here.

Breakfast next and we both had the scrambled egg and smoked salmon. I have to say perfect scrambled egg. We had frequently seen Julie and chatted to her, a lovely lady.  Goodbye Powder Mills until the next time.

We packed up our things and had a slow drive back through the Kent countryside. Cats have been digging up some of my new plants in the raised bed garden. I guess they have been used to using it as their WC and Ellie wasn’t here to scare them away. 

Thought for the Day – “The best gifts in the world are not the material objects one can buy from the store, but in the memories we make with the people we love.” ~ Amanda Bogarshinov

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We had a really good nights sleep and were up early and out into the hotels woods with Ellie. She loves her early morning runs chasing the wildlife! 

Followed by breakfast…yummy! Guess whose breakfast is whose?! I have to admit I asked if Mal could have 2 sausages so I could take one back to the room for Ellie!

We then made our way to Hastings. What a warm summer day. We have been so lucky with the weather. It was warmer than the Canaries.

We walked all along the sea front, Ellie went in the sea and then we walked amongst the fish sheds (she liked that!!) We also went in the lifeboat station – they wanted to steal Ellie and they gave her two big treats!

From there was wandered through the Old Town. There are some really nice unusual shops there. One of them, Shirley Leaf and Petal co had some lovely silk flowers in for my Red Hatters hat.

It was the hottest April day for 69 years! Now that was a surprise. When we came back to the hotel we sat in the grounds.

What a lovely place to sit outside with Ellie and have our dinner.

Thought for the Day – “Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” ~ Mark Black

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We took Ellie around the hotel grounds quite early . You can see all the wild garlic and also if you have left your wellies at home……

We then went into the Orangery for breakfast and the breakfast chef gave me a sausage for Ellie!

We went for a wander around Battle and of course I had to go into Demelza!! There was only one person serving, they were so short staffed. I ended up buying a couple of bits in there.

We went to the White Hart for a sandwich and a drink and sat out in their garden. 

Later we went to Battle Great Wood. We had been warned to take note of where we were going as it is huge and most people get lost in it.

Back to the hotel and Mal had a quick nap. I couldn’t he was snoring! I just read but it was lovely to do nothing much at all.

Another walk around the lakes and then we sat by the pool. We are becoming so relaxed!

Dinner in the hotel was as good as always. This was followed by a sneaky brandy by the pool with Ellie joining us.

Thought for the Day – “I am old but I am young at heart. We are always the same age inside. Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, you can only live it once. Do not regret growing older, it’s a privilege denied to many.” ~ Richard Gere 

Mal and I had three days booked at our favourite hotel in Battle, hoping that the booking would be after we moved. We booked at the beginning of December and thought it would be a nice “unwind”. We certainly needed it, the last 6 months have been tough to say the least.

So,after Tris left, having stayed the night, from the time we got in the car, we were on holiday! Mal had planned a stop half way in a forest, to give Ellie a run and us a break. As it happened we saw a Garden centre just as we were looking for the forest. We went in there, bought some basil seeds and some lilly of the valley,I must have that in my final garden, it usually flowers around my birthday. Then Mal decided we would skip the forest and have coffee here instead. We sat in their garden area and Mal went in to order. The girl who was in charge of the restaurant was so nice and Mal persuaded her to let us have afternoon tea for lunch and she only charged £10! 

We certainly couldn’t eat all the cakes! The girls name was Kathryn and she came out and chatted to us and it was really because of Ellie she let us have the afternoon tea she said, as she had fallen in love with her!! 

We arrived at Powder Mills  before check in time but they told us the room was ready anyway. We unpacked and then went for a long walk in the grounds. I can’t believe that the bluebells are so far behind this year. But the woods were full of wild garlic.

The sun was out and it was really warm but there was still quite a bit if mud about in the woods. Ellie’s feet were a bit muddy but they are really dog friendly. So many memories here, going back over 20 years and previous dogs that came with us!

We sat in the gardens after the walk.

In the evening we ate in the restaurant, a 3 course meal with a nice bottle of wine , followed by coffee and petits fours in the library. I had the wild garlic soup to start as it had been harvested from the hotels woods. We will have to collect some to take home with us. 

Thought for the Day – “Life goes by too quickly. So, laugh, love and try new things. Forgive, forget and don’t hold grudges. Choose to be happy.”