On The Island

Twenty eight years ago Mal and I met on Flitwick Station! So much has happened since that day. Who knew we both had the same dreams to leave the country and spend time abroad and what an adventure that was.

Another sunny day BUT the first time I have had a  bit of ice on the windscreen, not bad for the end of November. In fact I was marvelling yesterday that I have caterpillars on my nasturtiums in the garden!! I have never known that before in November. This is the second lot of nasturtiums, they reseeded because of the good weather after the first lot had been munched by caterpillars.  A very strange year.

Mal said he had even seen a butterfly at the allotment. I am guessing after the colder weather last night, they will now be gone.

Off to Kearsney. It really didn’t matter to Ellie that the stream was cold…straight in! Of course, as anyone who knows Goldies will know, she then rolls in the mud!

After the walk around, up to the cafe for a hot drink outside in the sun.

Mal went down to the allotment for an hour to collect some vegetables.

Football in the afternoon with Hammers and Luton town both winning their games. Just need Spurs to win tomorrow.

I noticed Ellie was licking her leg a lot and when I looked, it may be a “hotspot” as I know Goldies get them, so I will have to watch she doesn’t lick it any more.

Thought for the Day – “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

A very weird sky when we were walking! It looked as if it was going to pour and it was also sunny…no rain though. It was cold!

We went into Dover for our lunch and a couple of presents on the way. Christmas is getting closer!

Thought for the Day – “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” ~ Paulo Coelho

It was such a lovely day, we put the parcel in the car and took it to Evri on the way to the park in Ramsgate. The sun was out! Ellie had a run around with some other dogs in the park.

Back home and Mal went and put the rest of the white stones we have around Torin’s grave and also took fresh flowers, it looks much nicer now.

In the evening we went into Canterbury.

We ate at the Cook’s Tale, an Asian fusion restaurant. The food is always so good there. As we were seated we were asked if we had any allergies and Mal said yes I was allergic to Monsodium glutomate. A little later the waitress came over and asked if it was correct that I was allergic to gluten and molluscs? Ooooooops, definitely lost in translation!

Mal had chocolate samosas for dessert, I really don’t know how he ate it all.

I had the lemon bavarois which was a real mouth cleanser. For the main Mal had slow cooked lamb and of course I chose the wild bass which was very good.

Thought for the Day – “If it doesn’t make the world better, don’t do it.” ~ Brad Montague

Over the fields first thing, Ellie had a really good run but it was really muddy.

During the walk my phone went and it was the dentist cancelling my 12.50 appointment! I was to go and have my new plate fitting. I was told the delivery man had broken down in Essex, so don’t go! So after three weeks, he only delivers hours before my appointment??!! Something tells me this was not the truth but now I wait until they contact me again.  Instead I went shopping locally, I had planned to shop on the way home from the dentist in Canterbury.

In the afternoon Mal went for a short time to my allotment. He has decided to keep mine on and see if he can manage it. He may regret it if he doesn’t try.

I sorted out and wrapped Milly and Sol’s Christmas presents and a Christmas present for our new great granddaughter (expected early December) and also presents for her arrival. All boxed up and ready to get sent.

Thought for the Day – “Be there for others but never leave yourself behind.” ~ Dodinsky

I dreamt of Torin, it must have been hearing from the twins. I miss him every day.

A long time ago I bought Mal a Spitfire Simulator flight at Manston airport. At last he has booked it and today was the day. He really enjoyed it.

As soon as he had finished we took Ellie to the beach at Minnis Bay, it was really cold down there.

Nothing else for it, we stopped at Quex Barn on the way home and had hot drinks in front of their log burner and Mal had to have one of their sausage rolls!

We also went around the garden centre there.

A busy day. Early evening we had Ellie’s 6 month vet check. This is free with the package we have with the vets.  Claire checked her eyes as sometimes they are a bit weepy. She could see nothing wrong and so said to continue wiping them with boiled water, as I already do. Probably an allergy. Her back teeth have a lot of plaque and some inflammation of the gum and so she is going in for a thorough teeth clean. Of course it is under anaesthetic and we managed to get her in next week.

We give Ellie antlers to chew on to keep her teeth clean but she advised against them as dogs sometimes break their teeth on them. We know all the other things you should not give your dog, so many of them, so asked her advice and she told us Yak chews are the only safe thing.  I have had dogs all my life and never heard of them  before. We will now get some.

Thought for the Day – “What fire could ever equal the sunshine of a winter’s day?” ~Henry David Thoreau

My day at the Cancer Research shop and quite a busy day it was too.

We had sent a letter to Scarlet and Jack (Torin’s twins) saying we hadn’t a clue what they are “into” and we were finding it difficult to know what to give them for Christmas or would they prefer money. Today we had a typed letter which we wonder whether it was from them or their mother. It said “no need to send them presents or money.”  Well, we will until and if they say they don’t want to hear from us again, we will always do it, for Torin and the fact they are still our grandchildren. They are 14, maybe one day……………..

It seems they are both playing football for under 15 teams. I will have to think longer what they may like.  We asked if they had their own bank accounts and then we could transfer money, they didn’t answer that.  It is so sad when we were so close to them.

Thought for the Day – “Surround yourself with happy, warm and generous people.”

Ellie had her walk and then we packed our case. It was nice spending time with my sister, just a shame it was so wet and muddy as she has brand new pale grey  carpet throughout the house!! That meant  I was cleaning Ellie’s paws all the time!!

We headed home, stopping for a coffee on the way.

Mal and I both agreed it was nice  to be home! I could relax, not wondering what Ellie was doing  and making sure she didn’t lay on Marion’s sofa! Can’t say she is as much a dog person as Mal and I!

Thought for the Day –  “Be happy. Be yourself. If others don’t like it, then let them be. Happiness is a choice. Life isn’t about pleasing everybody.”  ~ John Spence