Keith and Sophie were both in at work with me today. Sophie was off as her school was closed because of the strike which was a good thing as she was able to help out in the kitchen. Keith and I did slightly more strenuous work - clearing the bit of land next to the kitchen of a forest of weeds which have grown up over the last few months.
Thankfully it wasn't too hot and there was a fair amount of cloud so it wasn't too uncomfortable to work. Armed with secateurs and a rake we cut down all the vegetation and wheelbarrowed it out to our big skip. It took us about 3 hours of steady work to clear it all and the next step will be to put down a plastic membrane and then tip gravel on top. Hopefully we can put chairs and tables out there so our customers can sit outside if the weather's nice. We'll also have some tubs with flowers and plants in to make it look pretty!
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Wednesday 29 June - back to school for me!
Today I'd agreed to give a talk to Sophie's class at school about the business I run with my parents. Her Business Studies teacher had given me a list of topics she wanted me to cover so armed with my notes and copies of our leaflets I went into school at 2pm feeling a little bit nervous!
Luckily I was in the classroom as all the pupils trooped in, including my darling daughter, so at least I didn't have to walk in and face them all! I spoke for almost an hour about the business, how we set it up and a few stories which had happened along the way and then the class asked me questions, some of which were very good. It was an enjoyable experience, I didn't make an idiot of myself (thank goodness) and I hope I've helped them a little bit with information as to how a business runs.
Later in the day I walked up to mum and dad's house with Mikey and had a good chat. Mum is feeling a bit better now and we're hoping she can come into work next week. I've certainly missed her!
Luckily I was in the classroom as all the pupils trooped in, including my darling daughter, so at least I didn't have to walk in and face them all! I spoke for almost an hour about the business, how we set it up and a few stories which had happened along the way and then the class asked me questions, some of which were very good. It was an enjoyable experience, I didn't make an idiot of myself (thank goodness) and I hope I've helped them a little bit with information as to how a business runs.
Later in the day I walked up to mum and dad's house with Mikey and had a good chat. Mum is feeling a bit better now and we're hoping she can come into work next week. I've certainly missed her!
Tuesday 28 June
Thankfully Tuesday was a bit cooler than Monday so after work Keith, Mikey and me went for a walk over the fields with Max the dog who had the time of his life. Max thought he knew where we were going but we went a different way, much to his delight, as there were loads of new places to sniff and explore! Sarah was pleased as he hadn't been for a walk during the day and it was lovely to see him running off with his tail wagging!
Monday, 27 June 2011
What a scorcher!
Today has been HOT! It was 30c when we went out at lunchtime to the bank and I felt sorry for the school that visited us today even though we put all the fans on and opened the windows in the roof to let the hot air out.
Yesterday, as we drove home, I could see the temperature rising steadily as we moved inland and it was stiflingly hot last night. This afternoon it clouded over and I'm longing for a big storm to clear the air and make it a bit cooler. I don't mind these temperatures on holiday but I'm not keen when I have to go to work in them!
Yesterday, as we drove home, I could see the temperature rising steadily as we moved inland and it was stiflingly hot last night. This afternoon it clouded over and I'm longing for a big storm to clear the air and make it a bit cooler. I don't mind these temperatures on holiday but I'm not keen when I have to go to work in them!
Sunday 26 June - a day at the seaside.
On Sunday morning we set off very early for Southwold, picking up Sophie's friend Susie on the way. The weather forecast had been for sun all day, but we drove to the coast in a fair bit of cloud and only saw bright blue skies about 20 miles from the sea.
We managed to park the car before the hordes arrived and Keith and I sat with our backs against the sea wall and watched the children play on the sand and in the sea. It was lovely and warm and I slathered sun cream on the kids, especially Susie who is very fair.
At lunchtime the children changed out of their wet and sandy clothes and then we walked along to the pier for fish and chips. Southwold pier is lovely with lots of places to eat, shop and sit in the sun. Half way along is the arcade of funny little games and novelties and the children had great fun trying them all out!
As is the case on the east coast, we had a few moments of sea mist coming in and it grew quite chilly. I can remember going once and there was a heavy mist hanging over the whole coast while inland it was swelteringly hot!
As we walked back to the car I suddenly realised I hadn't got the keys...then I remembered that Sophie had taken them from me when she went to get changed and we must have left them in the boot...along with the girls' bags and iPods...
I ran back to the car but everything was intact, even Mikey's tee shirt and hat that we'd left on the boot to dry. Southwold is such a lovely place! Phew!
On the way home we stopped at the village of Peasenhall for tea and cakes - my diet has gone out of the window today but I am allowed a little treat every now and then!
We managed to park the car before the hordes arrived and Keith and I sat with our backs against the sea wall and watched the children play on the sand and in the sea. It was lovely and warm and I slathered sun cream on the kids, especially Susie who is very fair.
At lunchtime the children changed out of their wet and sandy clothes and then we walked along to the pier for fish and chips. Southwold pier is lovely with lots of places to eat, shop and sit in the sun. Half way along is the arcade of funny little games and novelties and the children had great fun trying them all out!
As is the case on the east coast, we had a few moments of sea mist coming in and it grew quite chilly. I can remember going once and there was a heavy mist hanging over the whole coast while inland it was swelteringly hot!
As we walked back to the car I suddenly realised I hadn't got the keys...then I remembered that Sophie had taken them from me when she went to get changed and we must have left them in the boot...along with the girls' bags and iPods...
I ran back to the car but everything was intact, even Mikey's tee shirt and hat that we'd left on the boot to dry. Southwold is such a lovely place! Phew!
On the way home we stopped at the village of Peasenhall for tea and cakes - my diet has gone out of the window today but I am allowed a little treat every now and then!
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Lazy day
All plans for going out into the garden and tidying it up went out of the window today with one look at the weather - showery and overcast. Giving into the inevitable, I began working on the novel I wrote a few years ago and which needs a lot of editing! My dream is to get it published but I'm realistic about its chances. Still, it was very enjoyable to work on it and as it's set in France, it was great to lose myself in the words and escape for a few hours!
Keith made the brave decision to barbecue in the evening and amazingly, despite a dark grey and stormy sky, the rain held off!
Keith made the brave decision to barbecue in the evening and amazingly, despite a dark grey and stormy sky, the rain held off!
Friday 24 June - we're on telly!
Friday was a quieter day, thank goodness. Keith and I went to Booker to do the big work shop and as we weren't busy I went home at 4pm. Sophie and I just had time to squeeze a walk in before I took Keith to the pub.
When I picked him up he had an old menu with him that had been given to him by one of the staff in the pub. The back had been signed by a team of Middlesborough football players from the 1970s. We're not sure of the actual year but the prices in the menu made for fascinating reading. For instance:
"Appetisers"
Avocado pear with prawns 60p
Pate Maison 45p
Grapefruit and orange cocktail 15p
Snails Bourgignonne 60p
"Soups"
Clear turtle soup with sherry 40p
Victorian cucumber soup 30p
"From the Lakes and Oceans"
Scampi Provencale £1.10
Fillet Sole Bonne Femme £1.00
Dover Sole Baked in Cider £1.25
"Cold Pantry"
Royal Victorian Beef Slice £1.00
Game Pie 80p
"From the Kitchen"
Today's Roast from the carving trolley 80p
Chicken Maryland 90p
Braised Ox Tongue in Cherry Sauce 65p
Escalope of Veal Holstein £1.00
Grilled Fillet steak £1.25
"Flambe Dishes"
Scampi Pernod £1.35
Steak Diane £1.35
"Sweets and cheese"
Banana Flambe 55p
Crepes Suzette (2 persons) £1.20
Oh, how I wish the prices were the same for eating out today!
After dinner we settled down to watch "Come Dine With Me" as they were showing the programme where they filmed at work back in January. It was great to see our place on the television and although it was only brief, the place looked really good. Sarah, the contestant who came to us with her children, didn't have a very good experience as her outspoken nature didn't go down too well with the other guests. Her American meal wasn't a hit either, but despite her frankness I actually liked her so I'll be sending her an email inviting her back with her children!
When I picked him up he had an old menu with him that had been given to him by one of the staff in the pub. The back had been signed by a team of Middlesborough football players from the 1970s. We're not sure of the actual year but the prices in the menu made for fascinating reading. For instance:
"Appetisers"
Avocado pear with prawns 60p
Pate Maison 45p
Grapefruit and orange cocktail 15p
Snails Bourgignonne 60p
"Soups"
Clear turtle soup with sherry 40p
Victorian cucumber soup 30p
"From the Lakes and Oceans"
Scampi Provencale £1.10
Fillet Sole Bonne Femme £1.00
Dover Sole Baked in Cider £1.25
"Cold Pantry"
Royal Victorian Beef Slice £1.00
Game Pie 80p
"From the Kitchen"
Today's Roast from the carving trolley 80p
Chicken Maryland 90p
Braised Ox Tongue in Cherry Sauce 65p
Escalope of Veal Holstein £1.00
Grilled Fillet steak £1.25
"Flambe Dishes"
Scampi Pernod £1.35
Steak Diane £1.35
"Sweets and cheese"
Banana Flambe 55p
Crepes Suzette (2 persons) £1.20
Oh, how I wish the prices were the same for eating out today!
After dinner we settled down to watch "Come Dine With Me" as they were showing the programme where they filmed at work back in January. It was great to see our place on the television and although it was only brief, the place looked really good. Sarah, the contestant who came to us with her children, didn't have a very good experience as her outspoken nature didn't go down too well with the other guests. Her American meal wasn't a hit either, but despite her frankness I actually liked her so I'll be sending her an email inviting her back with her children!
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