Year: 2015

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What a difference a day makes. We took Ellie to Botany Bay and the rain was torrential. We had to take our coats off to sit back in the car because they were so wet. It reminded us of the winter when every day was like this and that was when we made our decision to leave the country! As I have said before now I appreciate the rain a lot more.

After lunch we packed a couple of things and drove to the Dog Inn in Wingham. It’s only about 12 miles away but it was another of my bargains and the sister hotel of the Blazing Donkey, where we have stayed frequently. The deal is £69 for a 3 course dinner. bed and breakfast. It means we can have a nice meal and I can have a drink as I don’t have to drive home.

We checked in and we were not even charged for Ellie.  We then decided to have a drink in the bar and were told to bring Ellie into the bar, she was very welcome. She was in her element with everyone making a fuss of her. They gave us a downstairs room so it was easy to take Ellie out if need be.

Later in the evening we went into the restaurant for our dinner and excellent it was too. The price of the meal equalled the cost of our entire stay. The wine list is good and reasonable too. We got on so well with Claire, who seemed to be running the entire hotel that we asked rather than book via Wowcher, could we book direct for the same deal. It really is such good value and they love dogs! So she booked it there and then for us, the same deal, for £69 for 6 weeks time!! We also had a chance to speak to the chef who came from a top class hotel in South Kensington.

 
A good evening. Ellie seemed very at home, lying on the floor at the bottom of our bed.
Thought for the Day – “Some people believe good things come to those who wait…..not me. I believe good things come to those who go out and make it happen.”

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That was a surprise, the car was iced up and there had been a frost. We went to Minnis Bay at 8am and it was brilliant sunshine!

There was a lot of bait digging going on. What a lovely morning, especially as I have just looked on the forecast for Lapta and it has a “yellow warning for extreme low temperatures”. That really is not so good with no central heating. It even says real feel for tonight MINUS 7!! That has got to be colder than here in the UK.

Lou and Rhys came round for lunch, broccoli and stilton soup, home made of course, then slow cooked pork (from Birchington butchers!),which comes out a little like kleftico, then cheesecake. They had been to the farm shop in Sturry and so bought some vegetables for us including an enormous string of garlic for £3.50. We all eat a lot of garlic! I even make garlic soup.

Thought for the Day – “Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that you can make anything happen.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Early morning to Minnis Bay stopping at the butchers on the way back…get to know your butcher!  Ellie is getting so much exercise.

Decorations down and the furniture moved back. It all looks a bit bare now.

We have workmen on the village green outside our front door. We asked what they were doing to make sure they weren’t building a block of flats there. Well, the government seem to have turned a blind eye to building on green belt! No, they are sorting out the drainage.

Thought for the Day – “Use your smile to change this world. Don’t let this world change your smile.”

Bargains – Virgin Experience Days Discount Code | 19% off & Debenhams Half Price Sale | debenhams.com & Sports Direct Discount Code | 90% off | sportsdirect.com & Wallis Discount Code | 65% off | wallis.co.uk & Made Free Delivery | £10 off | Made Voucher | made.com & The Hut Discount Code | 70% off | thehut.com

Minnis Bay first thing and Ellie decided it was a day to bury her ball in the sand. It’s quite amazing just how many shells are washed up on the beach, a lot of oyster shells, some of which I take home because they are so pretty but now I am trying to think of something to do with them!

I stopped at the butcher in Birchington on the way back. They have really good meat and we have both really gone off supermarket meat. Wild Boar Sausages tonight. We must get back into the habit of just using the butchers and the farm shops, then maybe we can have food that tastes of what it should.

I went looking for a haberdashery shop in the afternoon. There used to be a great one in Ramsgate but it has closed down. I did find a small one in Grange Road, Ramsgate (not the best of areas). After that we walked St Lawrence Cliffs, another dog heaven. There are so many places around this area that allow dogs. All these places that we are re discovering!

A welcome return of Broadchurch in the evening.
Thought for the Day – “Life is an experiment in which you may fail or succeed. Explore more, expect least.” ~ Santosh Kalwar

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The rain had stopped! BUT we had fog…..not my favourite weather. It was quite difficult to keep track of Ellie along the beach!

Mal and I went to the Garden Centre. I bought an orchid and some herb seeds and Mal bought some things for his allotment.

We stopped at Tesco on the way back as they bake fresh corn bread/Mediterranean and olive bread. All of it is very good. After that the best place was indoors watching the FA on TV.

Thought for the Day – “There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” John Ruski

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We woke up to rain. I have to say we haven’t had too much all over Christmas so we have been lucky having some lovely walks. Wax mac and wellies on and over the field. Mal opted out of this one. Ellie was quite happy playing ball in the rain.

Later I went shopping, it looked as though people had spent up at Westwood as it was not busy at all.

Torin phoned later on, making the most of the little time he has left before he starts back at work on Monday. The rain eased a bit and so we went to Minnis Bay. It was very grey there.

As long as Ellie has a game of ball she is happy.

I don’t think I ever appreciated rain until I lived in Cyprus and had all the water shortages every summer. It is precious.

Thought for the Day – “If someone truly loves you they will walk in the rain with you. Maybe even play in the puddles.” ~ Tammy Ames

Bargains – Argos Kitchen Electrical Sale | 50% off | argos.co.uk & Bhs Discount Code | 50% off | Free Delivery | bhs.co.uk& Pet Supermarket Discount Code | 50% off | pet-supermarket.co.uk & Brantano Voucher Code | 50% off | brantano.co.uk & Bon Marche Sale | 50% off | bonmarche.co.uk

In the morning we walked part of the Viking Trail. It was quite windy.

Back home and I prepared lunch for Lou, Ollie, Oscar and Josie. We had a nice lunch and then they watched Paddington that Mal had downloaded.

After they went I watched the new Annie, the most TV I have watched for quite some time. Quite a lazy day all in all. But isn’t that what retirement is about?!

Thought for the Day – “Retirement has been a discovery of beauty for me. I never had the time before to notice the beauty of my grandkids, my wife, the tree outside my very own front door. And, the beauty of time itself.” ~ Hartman Jule