Thursday 12th November 2026

Poor Ellie barked at 1.30am. We know when she barks she wants to go out. Bless him, Mal got up and took her out and she did need to go!  Obviously a bit of a funny tummy. She then settled down for the rest of the night. It is so rare she does this and we have to remember she is an old girl!

The sun was out. But it was a little windy as you can see by Ellie’s ears!

 

 

Wednesday 11th November 2026

We planned to go to the Snack Shack for lunch but they are closed!  I have to be somewhere quietish this afternoon as the GP is phoning me about the way forward for my haemochromatosis. She is phoning between 1 – 6, so we may even be eating really late and not lunch. So, we decided to go to The Pilot. A little wet and so after Ellie’s short walk we played cards. Not too easy with my painful wrist.

We then watched Netflix, waiting for the doc to call. In between listening to Radio 2 to hear how Owain, the hero is getting on with his 4 country cycle for Children In Need. Of course we donated.

The doc phoned at 5pm! So, we could have gone out for lunch.

Once I managed to get reception on my phone outside the lodge the doc was extremely helpful. She has sent me forms to get my wrist and knee x rayed, ensured I have another blood test next week to test iron levels and if they are still high she said she will use this figure to rush my consultants appointment (Good luck with that one!) Yes it is the genetic strain so she has sent me the test Rhys must have. We went through a few more things and the doc just kept apologising that I wasn’t being seen earlier. Certainly not her fault as I told her.

Following the phone call we drove to The Pilot for dinner.  As always there, we had a really good meal, I had the skate. Ellie was totally relaxed. Of course they have a whole side of the restaurant that is dog friendly.

A nice evening. Back to watch more on Netflix!

 

Tuesday 10th November 2026

We had a very good nights sleep. Breakfast and then started the dishwasher or at least tried to! The part where the sachet goes in was broken and also they hadn’t left us a “welcome’ pack (washing up liquid etc.)

We called reception and immediately the workmen arrived and the Quality control lady Karen. They managed to do a temporary fix of the dishwasher and Karen brought the pack and apologised profusely because it hadn’t been left…excellent service! Karen did stay and chat for quite a while.

Then we went off to The Warren Inn for our lunch. I had a very good sea bass. Mal had the Steak and Ale Pie as usual!

Ellie had a play in their garden when we came out.  To be honest we don’t think she is strong enough for a trudge on the beach but she seems to like all the attention she is getting in pubs. The landlady today kept coming back to give her more treats saying she had such appealing eyes!!

Raining in the evening so kept very warm and cosy in the lodge. You can take dogs into the bar but we didn’t bother!

Monday 9th November 2026

Our short trip away to Romney Marsh. On this occasion we have booked a Platinum Lodge.

On arriving at New Romney we went to The Ship for our lunch. It is really nice there and they welcome dogs. They were really busy but we weren’t in a hurry and they do tell us if there will be a delay. Mal was impressed with his crumble but the other courses were equally good. The guy who serves us is so nice and remembers us (and Ellie of course).

We then headed for Marlie Holiday Park. What a surprise, it was a really lovely Platinum Lodge. It was so spacious with three bedrooms a dressing room and two bathrooms .

All good and a couple of drinks to settle in!

 

Sunday 8th November 2026

We took Ellie to Eastry just for a change.

She is very slow but likes it there. As we arrived home our neighbour Janette was walking her dog Chippy, so she came in for a coffee.  Chippy kept kissing Ellie, she was just ignoring him, lying on the floor.

It was very autumnal as the leaves were just dropping off the trees as we walked around.

Mal cooked a Sunday roast as he has decided he really enjoys cooking! We also watched the Man U game and lots of texts between Oscar and I!!

Friday 6th November 2026

It is Mal’s sisters birthday when we are away and so we took her present over to her.

She is having solar panels fitted on the roof of her bungalow (council owned) as are all the rest of the properties around her, so the road was a bit chaotic with all the workmen’s lorries. Nice to see her and hearing all she has been up to, including bowls!

In the evening we watched the last two of the new seasons “Slow Horses”.

I also heard Tariq and Izzy have got engaged. Congratulations to them.