Author: Maggie Daniel

A work day and it was a big reshuffle of everything. I spent the day (in between serving) culling so many clothes. Jack is very good at redesigning layout of the shop. A lot of people come in and comment on how good the shop looks which is nice.

We took a drive over to Knees Wood but the gate was locked. We have tried to find out who owns it and why sometimes it is closed up. Locked out again today but a car followed us and so Mal got out to talk to the occupants. It seems East Kent Railway, a charity, own it and lock it after entry. They said we could go in but someone could lock us in and they “probably” wouldn’t open up until February.  We did try ringing for information but no one answered. Nice people, so we could be locked in if they felt like it!

From there we drove back to Minster for Ellie’s walk.

We watched the Hammers game later and they WON!!! It was stressful watching them though, especially in extra time!

A day in London. Ellie was left with Lou and Rhys and we caught the train to Victoria. We hadn’t decided where to eat but decided on a wander around Soho to see what we felt like. We just happened to be passing The Ivy when I remembered reading about their Heritage menu. It was busy and I think we may have had the last table for two!  Their heritage menu goes back to the date 1917, that they first opened. So at the moment they are charging £19.17 for a two course meal. We presumed it wouldn’t be up to their usual standard but it really was! Wow, were we delighted!! If you wanted dessert, along with this menu it was only £4.95!!!

A point to note here is that many restaurants are making offers for January and February, if you look for them. It is their quietist time of the year and they are desperate to get customers in.

Thanet are doing it for a week in February, many restaurants for £20.26 – for the New Year! That is a lot around Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs. We have booked two

Today we just couldn’t believe the good value we had along with a charming waiter!

We then walked round to the Palladium to see their panto – Sleeping Beauty. There wasn’t too much Sleeping Beauty story line in it but it is always so funny. Julian Clary and Nigel Havers are so good together and the guest this year was Catherine Tate. The costumes and set are just unbelievable. It is now in it’s 10th year.

We will book again next Christmas, it never disappoints.

The train back to Faversham, collected Ellie and stopped with Lou and kids for a cuppa and then home.

I ordered something in Dover and arranged to collect it possibly the worst day of the year weatherwise….today! At the beginning of the week the forecast said it would be sunny.  I intended to take Ellie to Kearsney and collect it on the way back as it was in River, right next to Kearsney.

It started snowing on the way to Dover and carried on all the time we were out. The temperature in the car went down to 0.5 degrees. Then there was a really bad accident on Jubilee Way in Dover and the Police had blocked the road off, so we sat in a jam.

Eventually we arrived at Kearsney and it wasn’t too bad in the woods and thankfully the snow wasn’t settling.

It was a shorter walk than usual, we certainly didn’t want Ellie jumping in the stream.

We continued on to the address I had been given to collect a Monsoon Jacket. I was left standing in the snow waiting for the woman to come to the door. When she did come, she told me she was very ill (and looked it) and didn’t know where it was. I told her to forget it and got back in the car. What a wasted morning and possibly the worst weather for a very long time.

Home again and wrapped Ellie in a blanket even though she doesn’t seem to bother about cold but she still has the bald patch where thy shaved her for her operation.

Traitors in the evening…interesting!

Shopping, just to Manston, not far, just essentials.

We then caught up with last nights Traitors, before tonight’s episode! I should have watched it last night instead of the poor Spurs game! And then tonight’s Traitors. They certainly like to shake it up!

Ellie’s first day for Hydrotherapy at Animo. The instructions said to  not walk her far, no food before etc etc. We then followed Waze (sat nav). Yes, it took us the shortest distance BUT it was cross country down single track lanes, covered in mud and ice and the further we went there was snow lying on the ground. Horrific journey.  The outside of the car is now disgustingly filthy.

Jess was very good, studying Ellie walking first and discovering where there was some muscle wastage. This was an assessment appointment. She then took her into the treadmill and just put a little water in so that Ellie would get used to it. She wasn’t too keen on the harness she had to wear. Jess then showed me two exercises to do at home twice daily.

We have booked 4 more weekly visits.

When home we had to shower her to remove the chlorine and then keep her warm and relaxed. I don’t think Ellie was that impressed.

Another failure for Spurs in the evening. I should have watched Traitors instead!

Having bought Mal’s sister Marion a meerkat experience for Christmas, today is the day we booked it for. It was at Wingham Wildlife Park. We collected her from Broadstairs and then went to the park. There weren’t many other animals out as it was so cold and a lot were staying indoors.

A young fella met us at the meerkats and instead of being outside, he took Marion to a shed with some meerkats in and told us we could take photos from outside. We couldn’t because the sun was so bright that the window was covered in reflections!

However Marion loved it and fed the meerkats and stroked them, having been warned that they can bite!

We then went to the Waterside Cafe to have our lunch, which Marion enjoyed as well. Marion’s only problem is when she gets excited she gets louder and louder but she was quite good today considering how excited she was!

A job well done, she really enjoyed it and fell asleep on the drive home!

Hammers in the evening, oh dear, they are going down!!