Archives for April 2015 | On The Island

Thursday, April 9th, 2015Friday, April 10th, 2015

Thursday 9th April 2015

The day didn’t start off too well. I let Ellie out early in the morning as I always do, while making a cup of tea. A rabbit was sitting the other side of the fence Mal put up. She started barking at it and then somehow managed to get under the fence and chased the rabbit along the orchard behind the Wildlife park. I was in hot pursuit in my nightie! A good thing the keepers at the wildlife park don’t get up as early as I do. Ellie did stop when I called her. A bit later Mal said he couldn’t understand how she got out and so went in the garden with her and she did it again, chased another rabbit and Mal had to chase after her. I realised what had happened when I saw him running in the orchard past the kitchen window!

When we took her for a walk later, we met the lady, Sue, who had Mal’s allotment before he did and she wanted to apologise for leaving it in such a mess. Well, she talked a lot. It wouldn’t have been so bad but I left the oven on as Lou, Rhys and the littlies were coming round for lunch. So, it was one mad dash to get everything ready before they arrived. Thankfully the joint of meat was just about ready and not overcooked.

We all went for a walk after lunch past the wildlife park so the kids could see the tigers, flamingos, porcupines, wallabies and some other animals. We really will have to go in there one day soon!

Thought for the Day – “Today be thankful and think how rich you are. Your family is priceless, your time is gold and your health is wealth.”

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015Thursday, April 9th, 2015

Wednesday 8th April 2015

We thought we were going to have a day to get some more things done around the house. Tris phoned and asked if he could come over with Violet.

We went for a walk with them and then went out for lunch to Gibsons. Violet loved her hot chocolate with marshmallows and the meals we had were huge. Violet’s childs meal was large enough for an adult.

Look what we missed next door at the Wildlife Park….Danny Dyer has been there today!

Thought for the Day – “It’s not the size of you house that makes a home. It’s the size of your heart.” ~ Jane Lee Logan

Wednesday, April 8th, 2015Wednesday, April 8th, 2015

Tuesday 7th April 2015

Rhys’s 40th Birthday, now I really feel old, when my youngest is 40!

We all went to Bugsy’s bowling in the morning. That was good fun. Rhys was the winner..fitting for his birthday.

Back to their house and we had a BBQ. As usual they have far too much food and there was loads left over.

We had a really good day.

Thought for the Day – “Family is a gift that lasts forever.”

Monday, April 6th, 2015Tuesday, April 7th, 2015

Monday 6th April 2015

Argos were open at 9 today and after their not being able to sell anything on Friday we returned to purchase all the things we had ordered, lawn mower, garden chairs, car vac etc.A good thing the car has a huge boot. We had Ellie with us too to give her a treat in the sea at Botany Bay. Surprisingly it was not that busy down there but then I guess we were early.

On to the farm shop and then back home. We had planned to go back to the Anchor in the afternoon as another good musician was billed but coming home from the bay we both decided we can’t keep up with the pace and will stay at home as we have things to do. We were amazed that as we drove past the Wildlife Park, the queue to get in stretched from the front to the back of the car park and all across our road!

Mal has his photo in the Gazette,,,very blurry, I guess that was how he felt anyway!

Just as well we stayed at home in the afternoon, we didn’t get much done as Debbie, Mal’s sister and Dave came round to visit. It was nice to see them as we are now neighbours.

Thought for the Day – “A positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.”

Sunday, April 5th, 2015Monday, April 6th, 2015

Tuesday 5th April 2015

We took Ellie for a walk, Mal carrying his garden fork with him, so we left him at his new allotment. He started clearing the rubbish that had been left and later discovered the allotments are quite new and a lot of clay. Not good!

He’ll get it sorted.
In the afternoon we walked to The Anchor again as they had music on. This time Brendan Power and Joe Jones. We hadn’t heard of them but they seem to have such good musicians there, we thought we would give it a go. It was so good but this time we left Ellie at home as it was so crowded on Friday. Well, we did hear the lions making a noise from the wildlife park and she did seem a little disturbed. When we arrived home she had moved my slippers, but they were in tact but she had my glasses and chewed one of the arms. She has never done that before, so I think the animals noises may have upset her a bit. We’ll take her with us next time. Poor thing.

The musicians were so good. No wonder the pub is always full. This is turning out to be a boozy weekend but it is what we have missed in the TRNC, wander into a pub and live music.

Thought for the Day – “A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are for what you have.”

Saturday, April 4th, 2015Sunday, April 5th, 2015

Saturday 4th April 2015

Out with Ellie even though it was a bit drizzly. I believe I saw my first ever woodcock in the woods this morning. I am sure that is what it was. A bit further into the walk and we met Christine and her dog Murphy. She moved into the village about the same time as we did and we frequently see her dog walking. We all went round to look at Mal’s allotment and showed her which one it was so she can see the progress.

After lunch we went into Margate for the 10th Planet Thanet Beer Festival. All the time we were in Cyprus Mal kept on and on saying how he missed the beer festivals. 200 different Real Ales.Very appealing to Mal not for me as I wasn’t drinking I was driving. We met some really nice people who we sat with and the Jazz band that were playing were very good, Bert Butler and his Jazz Pilgrims.

And guess who else was there?……………

He was surrounded by press and a bodyguard the whole time he was there.

Mal was quite wobbly by the time we went home but he thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the last time we went was 2007. Now we are both CAMRA members once more, I guess there will be a lot more beer festivals. Rhys wanted to go but had to work. It was amusing people watching, so many that were convinced they were walking upright and in a straight line back to their seats! At least the bottled water was free for all the “designated drivers.”

Thought for the Day – “I drink to make other people more interesting.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

Friday, April 3rd, 2015Saturday, April 4th, 2015

Friday 3rd April 2015

We walked Ellie and stopped by the allotment. The lady was supposed to clear anything she wanted to take yesterday. So, we took some “before” pictures….before Mal starts working on it.

Last night Mal made an Argos order online, so off we went, all the way to Westwood to collect our goodies. When we arrived we were told all Argos computers were down and had been for the last 2 hours.They had no tills or phones and so probably one of their busiest times and they couldn’t serve anyone. They believed they had been attacked. What a wasted journey!

In the afternoon we walked into the village (Wingham) to the Anchor. Sally Ironmonger was singing. This is a pub that knows how to fill the place. So many people in there and a bonus, it is dog friendly, so Ellie came too.

We stayed and had their Friday fish and chip supper which is very popular. I just wish they would cook proper chips and not use “MacDonald” type chips.
Thought for the Day – “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.” ~ Ludwig van Beethoven