Year: 2018

Demelza day and as it was Christmas eve we were only opening until 1.00pm . Mal came into Canterbury as well and went to do a bit of shopping. We didn’t do much but had mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls. Mal joined us later and also Colin, Heather’s husband.

It’s a difficult time of year for Mal and I and I know many other people but we miss Torin and also the twins. Torin’s ex has stopped us seeing them. So very silly so we will wait until they are older, we feel sure they will come looking for us.

Thought for the Day – “Love is what is in the room at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”

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I have had enough carrying shopping on my own, so Mal and I went into Deal for the final groceries. We parked in Sainsbury’s car park and discovered it was free all day. We went into M&S  and then into Wetherspoons for a coffee. I can’t believe the offers they have on. We could have had a never ending coffee and a prawn jacket potato for £4.39!!  We weren’t there for lunch, just had a coffee but that is ridiculously cheap. Who can compete with those prices?

We also bought a Christmas wreath for Torin in the cemetery. The headstone isn’t there yet. They did warn us that Dover district council are slow with their permissions. We took it round later in the afternoon.

On the journey back from Deal, we saw a very unfortunate Tesco delivery driver whose back door must have flown open at a roundabout. Trailing behind for quite a considerable distance were blue crates and carrier bags of possibly a few people’s Christmas dinner. I can’t imagine how he was feeling  probably so busy he hadn’t closed the door properly. We did consider going back to help him and then decided neither of us have very healthy backs, so hopefully someone younger would stop and help.

Thought for the Day – “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”  ~ Andy Rooney

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We took Ellie for her walk in the sun. There was a lot of activity in the sky, I guess they are catching up with the flights from Gatwick.

Lunchtime we met up with Mal’s three sons, Kerry and Martina, Tris and Violet and Jem and Dom and we had a Christmas lunch at the Crispin. We had the whole back room to ourselves and so Ellie came too. The pub wasn’t busy, people just don’t seem to be going out and celebrating as they usually do. I have noticed three adverts for Christmas day lunch with places saying they still have vacancies!

After the very nice meal we all came back to our house for coffee and opening presents.

Thought for the Day – “Positive thoughts in the morning can elevate your entire day.” ~ Vicki Reece

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I went shopping early,  just as well because  Westwood was manic. I managed to complete all the presents. It has taken a long time. I finished wrapping them in the afternoon.

I have to say I am shocked that a drone has brought Gatwick airport to its knees. What has happened to this country? I couldn’t imagine it happening at Istanbul Atatürk airport! Do we have no army or Police capable of doing anything? The poor people hoping to get away for Christmas with little chance of money back from insurance.

Thought for the Day – “Those who are truly grateful are deeply moved by the privilege of living.” ~ Auliq-Ice

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The sun was out again and so we took Ellie to Stone Bay. Lots of other dogs to play with and she was in and out of the sea.

 

From there we went to Marion’s house (Mal’s sister). We took her Christmas present and she had problems with her washing machine which wouldn’t spin and also her aerial was not working. Firstly the washing machine was blocked as she never cleaned the filter, so Mal had to open it when it was full of water, so there was a lot of mopping in her kitchen. He got it sorted but there was a problem with her aerial as it started falling apart. He’ll have to sort that another day.

I spent the evening wrapping Christmas presents.

Thought for the Day – “Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ~ Peg Bracken

 

We walked Ellie in the rain then I went to meet Rhys for lunch. We ate in the Hooden Horse again and then looked round the shops. It’s really nice having a catch up with him.

Thought for the Day – “Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.” ~ Thomas S Monson

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We took Ellie out and on the way back we called in to look at the art exhibition in the church and chatted to one of the artists. From there I had to go to Age Concern charity shop as I had won a prize in their raffle.  Six boxed cut glass wine glasses and very nice they are too.

In the evening we had our Demelza Canterbury Christmas party, which all went off well I am pleased to say as I organised it! The only problem was they gave us two separate  tables and wouldn’t push them together because of “Health and Safety!” Oh please! Lauren, our manager who is on maternity leave didn’t eat with us but came early and brought her baby daughter for us all to have a cuddle. She is gorgeous.  I was given a bottle of prosecco for organising it so that was really nice. I am not sure where other people’s Christmas spirit is as there were only 2 couples in the whole of the restaurant and this near to Christmas?!

Thought for the Day – “If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up.” ~ J M Power

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