Friday 22nd May 2026

Thursday 21st May 2026

Sadly, the beds were really uncomfortable, a shame because everything else was good.

We all went into breakfast quite early.  Then we went out walking. As it was quite warm , we decided to go and walk the length of the pier where there would be a nice breeze. We never imagined this….

NO DOGS ALLOWED!!!!

So we went past the pier and went for a drink in another hotel. There were a lot of street food stalls which it was a bit unfortunate as Ellie didn’t want to walk past any as she could smell the food. In fact, a few times she just sat down and wouldn’t move!!! That amused people anyway!

In the evening we walked round to the Mariner’s pub, highly recommended and we sat in the garden and ordered dinner.

It’s always a gamble ordering curry but I ordered a Thai prawn red curry and it was the best Thai I have had in a very long while.

We weren’t looking forward to the uncomfortable beds!

Wednesday 20th May 2026

We packed up and headed for an Eastbourne  Hotel, continuing my birthday! On the way we stopped at Ham Street Wood so Ellie could have a little walk.

We then had lunch in Ham Garden Centre.   That garden centre is really lovely and the restaurant is so good as well. Surprisingly good. They have a section for customers with dogs.

On to Eastbourne and we checked into the East Beach Hotel and we had a lovely big sea view room on the ground floor, best place with Ellie! As with all of the hotels along Eastbourne sea front , they are all huge Victorian.

We decided to stay in the hotel in the evening, a drink or two and a snack.

Our view from where we eat.

And this is the “dog area” which we think is far better than the restaurant, we have the view!

I have to say the staff, all of them were lovely. And they all fell in love with Ellie. She just falls asleep in front of the fan in the room.

Monday 18th May 2026

My birthday but seeing as so much has been planned around it, I really didn’t mind going into work. The previous day was the best celebration being with family, quite rare nowadays as they are all so busy. So lovely to see Tariq as his work takes him away so often and to meet his girlfriend for the first time.

We were up at 6 and I have to say I was stunned by so many cards and presents, which Mal had squirelled away until “the” day! I am VERY lucky. Such lovely gifts and thoughtful cards. I am also lucky because Mal has worked hard to make my birthday special and extending it!  So work today was a pleasure.

Jack bought me a birthday cake and a card. His card really made me laugh…cheeky!!

Brenda gave me a lovely plant and card.

We were busy but a nice day.

In the evening we planned on eating out but I felt so tired after a busy day we decided to eat at home and have a bottle of fizz and we also had a cream tea to eat that Oscar, bless him, had sent me!! I could also spend more time enjoying my cards and presents.

It’s not so bad getting old!

 

Sunday 17th May 2026

A walk over the fields with Ellie. She met her black lab boyfriend, in fact he came running to her from right across the field!

Back home and Mal cooked a roast along with half a side of salmon. Lou, Rhys and Josie were coming and also Tariq and his girlfriend Izzy. We haven’t seen Tariq for a long while. Along with them came lots of Birthday presents and also Lou made me a delicious strawberries and cream birthday cake.

A really lovely afternoon.

Saturday 16th May 2026

We went into Ramsgate, first of all to the Harbour to see the 338 Standing with Giants and also the Dunkirk little ships (Operation Dynamo Anniversary)

Quite stunning seeing them all.

It became quite dull in the afternoon.

From there on to King George VI park. A lovely sunny day but quite cold.

In the evening we attempted to watch the Eurovision as Sam (the UK entry) comes from Ramsgate but we gave up very soon!