Year: 2019

We were up early and dropped Ellie and the car off at Lou and Rhys’s. Ellie was staying there for her holiday and Lou drove us down to Herne Bay Pier where we caught our coach. Mal doesn’t drive and I get fed up with all the driving, so coach seemed a good idea. Unfortunately a car was on fire on the M25 so we did a diversion, right past where I used to live in Palmer’s Green, London, many years ago. That was a coincidence.  Eventually we made it to Shearings “Gateway”, a central depot where all the coaches meet up and swap passengers! On to another coach and this time there was a major disaster on the M1 and so the driver made a diversion via Flitwick, another coincidence, this was where Mal and I met!

We then waited for more passengers to board our coach at Corley interchange and had our final driver Andy. I guess the 10 hours was bearable as we had lots of stops but we were a bit unfortunate with traffic. Our new driver Andy was very good and pointed out everything on the way, including Harrogate hospital, where Rhys was born!

Wow, we were very pleasantly surprised on entering the hotel. It had just had a major refurb and we were both very impressed. It was Country Living Saint George, Harrogate.

We had a shower, unpacked and things just got better when we went downstairs to eat and have a drink! We also had £50 free drinks included!! A three course meal every evening and the food was perfect. We made a very good choice with this hotel.

Lou, Ollie , Oscar and Josie came round for lunch. Rhys was working. We went to the grave so that the children could put some flowers there for Torin.

Later in the evening Mal and I packed ready to go to Harrogate.

Thought for the Day – “Be thankful for all the troubles you don’t have.”

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I don’t sleep particularly well but was asleep at 4.45am when Ellie woke me up with the fiercest bark I had ever heard from her. She stood at the top of the stairs with her hackles up. How can Mal sleep through it? He did go downstairs and investigate but nothing. It was comforting that my gentle dog was on guard and can be fierce!

Our walk was cold but at least the sun was out. This is just one of the resident ducks we walk past daily on the river. The Co op is now selling duck food!

I popped into Deal in the afternoon as I had seen a winter hat there and wanted to buy it. I was lucky enough to get the last one. Deal isn’t too far to go but of course was busy.

In the evening we watched Bohemian Rhapsody. It was an excellent film, I’m just glad they didn’t do the dying bit.

Thought for the Day – “When you talk you are only repeating what you know. When you listen you learn something new.” ~ Dalai Lama

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We expected to wake up to snow….nothing! There was a reason we opted to return to Kent, it is usually the best weather in the country! It was cold though for the walk and afterwards Ellie just snuggled up indoors!

My sister phoned and she hadn’t been out of the house since Monday because the weather had been so bad.

I also heard from David and Kenny and in spite of them moving, the advocate didn’t release any money for 10 days!! As he says, he has never encountered so many crooks anywhere from the bottom right up to the top. It was bad enough when we were living there and it doesn’t sound as though things are improving.

Thought for the Day – “If you stumble make it part of the dance.”

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The weather men keep telling us that we are going to have ice and snow, so I decided to get my shopping this morning before the bad weather hits. I have to say it was cold.

This photo came up on Facebook today. It is Torin about 17 years ago, at our house in Minster with River and Sol…..always the biker!

At least today I finished all the photos for little Torin’s 18th birthday photo book. Mal has put the 100 plus photos all together for me. I do hope he likes it. I am the only person who has all these photos, so he should.

Of course I am watching Winter Watch every night. Last night’s included a small piece on mental health. Well worth a watch on i-player.

Thought for the Day – “No act of kindness  however small is ever wasted.”

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Cold but at least the sun was out when we walked Ellie and she seems a lot better today thank goodness.

I spent more time hunting photos out as it is little Torin’s 18th this year so I am creating a photo book from his day 1. I know I am the only one who has all the photos. It’s just a good thing that I take so many.

Lou and Rhys came over as they wanted to see Torin’s headstone and then we went and had our lunch at The Crispin. They do such nice Caribbean food there, I know totally no good for Slimming World!

Thought for the Day – “Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you’re living.”

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