Author: Maggie Daniel

Another nice day and so over to Shepherdswell for a walk around Knees Wood. Ellie decided she was more than capable of the steps as she dashed ahead of us.

It was very busy over there with all the train enthusiasts and today was a special treat….

Of course we then went to the Colonels Cafe for a coffee.

We then met Tris at The Crispin Inn for lunch. It’s his birthday next week, so we wanted to give him his present. His girlfriend couldn’t make it. It was nice to see him.

I went shopping in Westwood and at least managed to get some clothes I was looking for in M&S, joggers for both Mal and I and on my part, managed to find some without those horrible wide legs.

Primark have some lovely cosy Christmas throws. Yes, I bought one with dogs on! I couldn’t find anything in TKMaxx which is unusual.

When I arrived back home Ellie was on her bed. We bought it before she had her op and this is the first time she has lay  on it, it must be winter!

Spurs game in the evening, not brilliant, levelling in the 94th minute!

We packed up ready to leave. Mal took Ellie to the country park and I collected Gilly and Paula and drove them to the bus stop to catch their bus to Ashford.  Only a short break but I hope it gave Paula a bit of space from all her moving problems.

Ellie had her back seat back with the hammock, having been in the boot all the rest of the time. Then we headed for Hythe and had a “brunch” in ‘Truly Scrumptious’ the cafe we like, as soon as we sat down they brought treats for Ellie!! We ended up having scones and tea. The scones were huge!

A wander around the shops and then back home.

We walked Ellie and went past the pods on site. A really nice walk.

Because of Ellie’s op, we haven’t showered her for a long time. They have a Paws Dog wash on site but I knew she’d prefer in the lodge than outside.  So, that’s what we did and here she is drying off in the sun!

Paula and Gilly wanted to go on the Dungeness to Hythe train and wanted me to run them to the station. I think they drank too much last night and changed their plans to having a lazy day!!

We picked them up to go to the Warren Inn for dinner.

We had a really good meal and then I dropped them back at the caravan so they could pack to leave in the morning.

We collected Gilly and Paula to take them down to the Snack Shack for brunch. We warned them to wrap up warm as it is outside seating but it was well worth it. Today they had lobster rolls and they do extra special chips (fried new potatoes) . Yes, it was very windy of course right next to the sea but the food was so good.

We try to think of different places to take the girls and decided the Red Lion at Snargate would be interesting. On entering I don’t think they were impressed until we told them some of the history of the pub and they really immersed themselves in it all. It is unchanged since WWII. The same family have owned it since 1911. It really is a pub as it should be and it was really busy with locals who were happy to include us and chat about the place.

I didn’t tell them until we left that the pub is haunted!

From there we drove back to the Warren Inn and a few drinks in there (not for me, I’m driving as usual!) They know us well in there and make a fuss of Ellie and give her treats. The music is good in there, this is Gilly and Mal, their sitting down disco!

We had drink in the lodge so eventually we came back here and let the girls choose a film to watch. The vote was for Notting Hill, a lot we had forgotten! The girls wandered back to their caravan quite late and did manage to find where they lived!

As usual, we were up early and as rain had been threatened we headed for the beach. Paula and Gilly are never up early.

Ellie does like a roll on the sand.  It was so cold, we are not used to the cold! One of the council workers was on the beach and wanted to chat, so cold! So, on the way back I stopped at one of the charity shops and bought a hat! I just put it through the washing machine and tumble dried! At least it is very warm in the lodge.

Paula and Gilly came round ready for us to go for lunch, so we drove to The Pilot. Of course I had skate, delicious! Such big portions.

The fish was delicious but we all agreed the chips were a bit hard and as the owner came to collect the plates, she asked if everything was OK and we mentioned the chips. She did no more than gave us a round of drinks!!! You can’t complain about that!

We stayed for quite a long time, the girls loved the atmosphere in there.

We collected our things together and headed for Romney Marsh where we were  meeting Paula and Gilly. We had booked a lodge as usual.

We met the girls at The Ship Hotel and we all had lunch together. They do a really nice lunch there, three courses for £17. We were so full when we finished.

We then squashed in my car, Paula and Gilly had arrived by bus and train, with all the luggage and Ellie and went to Marlie. We dropped them off at their caravan first , they booked late and so there weren’t any lodges left.

We arrived at the lodge, not enough towels, no toilet rolls, no welcome pack!!  Also an ash tray full of cigarette butts on the terrace. They delivered the toilet rolls as soon as we phoned, we would sort the rest tomorrow!

A lazy night, the girls stayed in their caravan.