Year: 2019

We went down to breakfast as soon as the restaurant opened as Mal had a surprise planned for the day. We walked out of the main town and through a really lovely Stanley Park.

We could have both spent the day exploring the park, however Mal had something else planned. It finally became obvious and it was the day at Blackpool Zoo. We had a brilliant day and really enjoyed it. It’s a well kept zoo and they are  into their conservation. I love Howletts but this zoo was very different and although I don’t think they had breeding programmes, the animals were really well looked after. The zoo was also planned out well with lots of information everywhere and I didn’t think we even got around to all of the animals. We did spend quite a while watching the orangutans as they took great pleasure in covering their heads with blankets or straw and hiding !! So amusing.

We walked so much that we caught the bus back to the hotel, it’s great having a bus pass!!!

An early dinner and a quick change and we walked to the Opera House, for the main reason we came to Blackpool…….Michael Ball.

I never take photos when artists are performing and usually leave it until right at the end. When he started the concert Michael said “Forget abut your phones and live in the moment.” Good advice, if only this happened at other concerts. So most did forget their phones!

An excellent performance and well worth travelling to Blackpool for . Mal even enjoyed it!

We then walked along the sea front back to the hotel . A beautiful sky. A long but really enjoyable day.

Thought for the Day – “Impossible is just an opinion.” ~ Paulo Coelho

Day 3 of my birthday! Lou took us to the pier in Herne Bay where we caught the Shearings coach to Blackpool. Meanwhile Ellie is having a holiday with Lou and Rhys and took her to the beach in the afternoon.

There is a reason we have travelled to Blackpool. All will be revealed tomorrow! We checked in the hotel, went for our dinner and then a walk along the sea front as the sun was setting.

They did have entertainment on in the hotel but we preferred the walk!

Thought for the Day – “Be thankful for what you are now and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow.”

Day 2 of my birthday! In the morning Tris and Violet came round with presents and a card. Then Rhys came to collect us to take us over to his house where they had cooked a delicious lunch, fish as they know I love fish. Tariq, Sol and River with their girl friends were there too. It was lovely to have everyone together.

Ollie made two delicious cakes, clever boy. He certainly has talent.

I know they all moan when I take photos but I don’t care. I always tell them if I didn’t take so many, I wouldn’t have them of Torin, so they tolerate me!!

Another lovely day, thanks to my family.

Thought for the Day – “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” ~ Michael J. Fox

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My 69th Birthday!! That certainly does not seem possible. Lou had her friend Nia staying with her, so they all came over for Sandwich Food Fayre, always a good day. Lots of tastings too so the kids love it!

We then went to The Crispin Inn for a drink  but still they had no Bombay Sapphire and so we left!! We went to the Mermaids Locker and they didn’t either! Well, it was my birthday and I wanted what I wanted! A good thing there are 11 pubs in Sandwich!! Next stop was the Red Cow, yes, they had it and good real ale and a nice garden to sit in!

After all this, we all went back home and Mal made us an afternoon tea, with clotted cream, the lot! He did really well, even the smoked salmon finger sandwiches. Sadly Rhys was working but we sent him cakes home!

Amongst my presents, Mal bought me an “experience” at Howletts, which you can probably guess will be with Arina. Lou and Rhys bought me a very substantial voucher for a posh fish restaurant in Walmer.

I had a lovely day .

Thought for the Day – “You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

We took Ellie for a walk and later met Margaretha, my friend from North Cyprus, who was arriving by train. Bless her she had just flown in from Sweden and came to bring my birthday presents! She just had the day free as she was meeting her son in London and then returning to Cyprus on Sunday! It meant a lot that she came all this way to see us. We went to the Fleur de Lis for lunch and then on to the Crispin for another drink. They didn’t have any decent draught beer or any Bombay Sapphire, so maybe it reminded us to try the other pubs instead of the Crispin! It’s a shame we used to like that pub.

Margaretha then caught the train back to London, how nice of her to come all this way. She flies back home Sunday night.

Thought for the Day – “I was told there are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better but the givers sleep better.”

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We are enjoying the lovely weather and had a long walk with Ellie. She makes it seem even longer sniffing out all the wildlife on the way. Today it was a bit of mole chasing and yes, she has caught them occasionally.

We did a lot of the walk with a guy we often meet and his dog. His theory is the more dogs sniff, the more intelligent they are, instead of just waiting for a ball to be thrown! I’ll have to remember that gem when we are waiting for her when she is sniffing out wildlife!

I contacted Cruse (Bereavement Care) a long time ago, such a long waiting list. A lady contacted me and asked if I would consider a group. I agreed and she came to see me today. Yes, it will start in 2 weeks and I must go to the first one and 6 following. Rather short notice as I have three Red Hatters events booked and I have already given away one ticket for next week, so I have had to decline. I am now back on the waiting list!

Thought for the Day – “Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk.  Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessing. Make today worth remembering.” ~ Steve Maraboli

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Another lovely walk with Ellie in the sun. Lots of dogs for her to play with on the way. We went to one of the charity shops on the way back as they always have fresh water outside for dogs. It paid off for them as they had a lovely swan in the window which Mal bought for me.  In fact they had two so he bought  both of them! My parents used to have a huge one in their pub, which was called “The Swan”, so nice memories. We wouldn’t have seen it if Ellie wasn’t thirsty. Now the weather has warmed up we must remember to take water with us.

It was nice to just sit in the garden in the afternoon.

Thought for the Day – “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” – Eeyore

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