Tuesday 15th October 2019

Following a smoked salmon and scrambled egg breakfast, the coach was waiting to take us all to York. The last time we were here, we had a far better driver and so this one was rather disappointing, giving us little local information. Even worse, when we arrived in York we were told we only had three hours. I don’t call that ‘a day in York’. We found a walking guide but had to leave him half way through the tour which was a real shame. Mind you I was getting a little bogged down with all the Kings and who had taken control of York through the centuries. We had a quick lunch and then it was back on the coach again. We really wanted much more time there.

We also noticed last time we had half day in Skipton and another full day to Ilkley Moor and Knaresborough. This visit it has narrowed down to a half a day in Knaresborough. Oh well, perhaps we shouldn’t return to the same places. The hotel is still as good and so is the food! We had a lovely dinner and then walked to Harrogate Theatre. We always look to see if there are any live performances on. They had a comedy festival on and on this night it was Paul Sinha, chaser/doctor and stand up comedian. He is England’s top quizzer and is also a very funny comedian. It is very sad that he has Parkinsons. A very entertaining evening but when we saw him after the show he appears very quiet and humble, a lovely man.



He didn’t have his white suit on, just said “get used to it”!

Monday 14th October 2019

We drove to Lou, left Ellie for her holiday and the car and Lou drove us to Herne Bay pier where we met our coach for our Shearings holiday. We were going to stay at the same hotel as we did in February as it was so good. A long journey in the rain but a lovely room and we went straight in to dinner, which again was so good.

From there we walked up to Spoons, only a couple of doors along the road. They had their beer festival on and Mal wanted to sample some beers. I stuck to the gin seeing as they had so many on the menu!

Sunday 13th October 2019

We took Ellie out and stopped in the cemetery to clean Torin’s headstone and left some roses and chrysanths. The rose bush I planted next to it is thriving and the perfume is really lovely.

We then went to Howletts and met Lou, Ollie, Oscar and Josie there. We never grow tired of the place. We also bumped into Lauren (Demelza manager) and her husband and baby. We managed to miss the rain and even had a picnic.

In the evening we packed ready for a break in Harrogate.

Thought for the Day – “I am learning to love the sound of my feet walking away from things not meant for me!”

Bargains – Take Advantage of a Beauty Product Discount Using a Beauty Expert Discount Code & Simply Be Discount Code | 20% off | simplybe.co.uk & Wayfair Discount and Up-to-Date Wayfair 70% off Deals & Mankind Discount Code | mankind.co.uk & Simply Be Clothing | up to 70% off | simplybe.co.uk & Simply Be Sale | 20% | simplybe.co.uk

Saturday 12th October 2019

Mal took Ellie out in the rain and I went to Westwood. I wanted to buy some Clarks trainers I had seen but they didn’t have my size, so I ended up driving to Deal to get them there. Well worth it as they were reduced by £29. I have to say it is very rare I pay full price for anything. In the present climate I know what shops will have “sales” and roughly how often! That’s why I add bargains to my diary, companies inform me of up and coming sales.

After Ellie dried off she was just happy playing with her teddies!

Has anyone else noticed the quality/size of a lot of goods is not as it once was and they are getting smaller? Today it was Cushelle original toilet rolls which used to be thick and are no longer. A lot of companies are being “bought out” and changing the goods under the same trade name. I guess most people don’t take the time to notice.

I also had a problem buying Ibuprofen in the supermarkets. Sainsbury’s the shelf was empty but I bought some in Boots. So this is part of the “difficulty getting medicines” is it?

Thought for the Day – “Everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Bargains – Take Advantage of a Beauty Product Discount Using a Beauty Expert Discount Code & The Best Charles Wilson Clothing Discount Code Yet! & Zavvi Voucher Codes | 10% off | zavvi.com & Cheap All Inclusive Holidays | mercury-direct.co.uk & Made Free Delivery | £10 off | Made Voucher | made.com & Groupon Deals Glasgow | 15% off Local Deals | groupon.co.uk

Friday 11th October 2019

We set off to Minnis Bay early, before the rain and high tide. There weren’t many people at the beach , Ellie had a lot of fun.

We even saw a Little Egret on the beach.

On the way back I collected my free £10 worth of meat from the butchers in Birchington. They stamp a card for every £15 you buy and when you have eight stamps you receive £10 off your bill.

Ellie slept most of the afternoon, I think we exhausted her!

Thought for the Day – “We can’t stop bad things from happening, but we can stop our relentless focus on how things were or how we want them to be, and develop a deeper appreciation for what we have now.” ~ Harriet Lerner

Bargains – Here is The Great Little Breaks Discount Code You Wanted & Simply Be Discount Code | 20% off | simplybe.co.uk & Appleyard Flowers Discount Codes Just Got Better & Marisota Promo Code | 70% off | marisota.co.uk & This Is The Best JD Williams Sale For JD Williams Clothes & Dorothy Perkins Voucher Code | 60% off | dorothyperkins.com

Thursday 10th October 2019

We took Ellie for her walk in the sun. It was a long walk as we were going out.

We went to Howletts as for my birthday, one of my presents from Mal was an experience with animals of my choice. It was difficult to choose between Tigers or gorillas. Gorillas won.

I made sure that I booked it out of school holidays and I was very lucky as they usually group about 5 people together, I was on my own and had much longer than normal. So much information from the keeper who took me around. You could tell he adores each one that he looks after. I was so engrossed I took very few photos but it was so good. I heard many stories of how strong the gorillas are and was warned to keep my hands away from their hands which are huge when you are up that close! They have one gorilla I have never seen before. She doesn’t fit into any of the groups. She was “rescued” from a flat in Paris, wasn’t fed properly, didn’t develop social skills and as she grew bigger and more lively , the owner gave her valium. How cruel. She is now kept in her own space. We did give her peanuts, she just opened her mouth and we dropped them in. We fed the gorillas up on the roof above them. I remember seeing John Aspinall in the same place about 25 years ago! I didn’t think I would be up there feeding them one day.

I loved the experience. Torin was mad on gorillas and he would have loved this.

Thought for the Day – “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” ~ Dalai Lama

Bargains – Boots Discount Codes | 50% off | boots.com & This Is The Last Stop For A Debenhams Plus Discount Code & The Hut Voucher Codes | thehut.com & English Heritage Membership Discount | 25% off & Make Savings With A Coggles Discount Code And Coggle Sale & Garden Plants For Sale | 50% off | gardenbargains.com

Wednesday 9th October 2019

We walked Ellie and later I met up with the Red Hat ladies for lunch at Lesters. Our group is getting bigger, two more new ladies today.

Somehow Julie locked herself in the loo and then later knocked her coffee everywhere, not her day but it was her birthday the previous day and so we all had birthday cake!

I am still getting pain from my mouth following my visit to William Harvey hospital, maxillofacial and frequently taking pain killers. I happened to say at the lunch today and Julie had a similar experience at the same place, same consultant. I have made the decision that I won’t be going back so sent an email to my dentist.

Thought for the Day – “Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” ~ Misty Copeland

Bargains –Boots Discount Codes | 50% off | boots.com & This Is The Last Stop For A Debenhams Plus Discount Code & Shearings Coach Holidays UK Late Deals 2019 | shearings.com & Appleyard Flowers Discount Codes Just Got Better & You Are Guaranteed To Be Pleased With All Sole Footwear & Find Out What Travelzoo Local Deals Are Currently Available