SWORDS AND MORE SWORDS

 SUNDAY - We went to the Royal Armouries its great its free to gain entry we parked in the multi storey car park close bye and had time to walk around the docks looking at the apartments we lived in very nostalgic to be honest I would have preferred to walk to granary Wharf and check out the area see what's changed plus its a nice walk up th river/canal bank will have to go back .

The Royal Armouries have not really changed its displays since it opened if you have been ten years ago unless there is a exibixthian on then you will see nothing new although it is possible not to see everything the first visit parts of it could have done with a good clean speciallysome of  the windows saying that it is free , and a great collection from around the world .Special if you like swords and more swords some of the armour looked difficult to put on never mind fight in it .we only spent just over two hours as we had a haunted house to go visit it Rothwell.Had a McDonalds on the way tried a cheese burger was cold and hard to eat washed it down with a coke .

CLARENCE DOCKS REVISITED

 MONDAY - Thinking about Christmas its always a special time of the year not sure what we are doing regarding dinner if we are eating on our own or going out the only invite we are likely to get is from my daughter .There are already mentioning a shortage of turkeys no doubt the price will go up in the next few weeks .

SATURDAY - Helen's cousin Craig came round to visit with her cousin Sharon and her auntie Doreen they stayed a few hours we all went to Compo's fish restaurant in Holmfirth .It was the first time w have been since covid hit in 2019 it had been renovated and looked more modern and stylish the chips had increased in size and the fish decreased some what but still as nice especially the Chinese curry sauce  ,

SUNDAY  - Went to the first place we ever lived together when we left the Travel Lodge in Leeds city centre .We spent our first months at McClintock House on the ninth floor which was handy for my job at the hospital and my job at  construction skills learning centre which was just over the road .It was more magical at night when it was a light up and the lights reflecting of the night black water.It has changed new restaurants have opened others have shut . When we lived there the casino was opening up and the clothes shop All Saints there was also a decent coffee shop I think there was also a Starbucks which If I remembering  rightly ,It ws also nice walking to the bridge we used to meet on and the back streets walking along the canal we need to go to the Air bar as we use to go there every dinner time when we was living apart with our other spouses .We meet on the bridge then go to the bar for food and drink .

SLOW COOKING TWICE

 FRIDAY - Went to Fox Valley shopping outlet went to the Pet at Homes bought some gravy bones two stuff toys two Kong toys and a jar of peanut butter a bag of dry dog food and some chews cost £41 .Went to Home Bargains bought Fixodent x 3 , Steredent x2 , cig filters , battery lights some all surface spray cleaner  cost £31 then went to the local farm shop bought 600g of steak mince a joint of pork and 2 x braising steaks a sausage and tom sandwich and six bred cakes a swede and three carrots some hose fat and a baking apple cost £40 over £110 how money goes fast than it comes in .

SATURDAY -After having just over four hours sleep I was up out of bed .Took Bailey out fo this morning walk to be fair it was a nice autumn morning. Put the braising steak in the slow cooker with onion carrots swede and potatoes . In the afternoon we meet some friends on Saddleworth moor at a old abandoned cottage we have been there numerous times before the weather was still fine the sun was out the clouds of the moors where viberant we only stayed a few house before heading home to a tea of slow cooked beef and veg we had it with pancakes .

SUNDAY -We went over to wish Helens father a happy birthday he is 81 we bought him the usual bottle of There Barrel Brandy big size will last him a week if lucky . Before leaving the house we put a joint of pork in the oven to slow cook we was going to be out for a few hours .

Arriving home did some sweet potatoes , carrot and side mash and Yorkshire puddings the pork just feel apart when trying to slice it it was very nice took no chewing .

STICKING WITH IT

 SUNDAY - Had scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast it was ok I did manage to eat most of it cant say it was filling but at least it was breakfast .Went over to Helens parents stopped at my local petrol station the gas has got up 2p a litre hopefully it does not rise again .

MONDAY - It is still a pain eating although it is getting slightly better it is no way easy all I can do is stick with it try different foods and see what is best .I have not had a full English breakfast since my teeth removal I have not had a sandwich I find biting hard I find it painful and hard to bite down into food chewing seems to move my dentures or make them loose .Cant get wound up got to think positive that it will improve its not been a week yet .

Everyone at work loves them they say I look younger they look great which they do I just cant eat with them hopefully this will improve if not I see my dentist next Tuesday .

Think I need to buy more fixodent  and more steredent and mouth wash as  clean them daily if not more I between I use use salt mouth wash to try and keep food particles from losing under the plates its a full time job all I do is think about food and what I would like to eat .

FISH 'N' CHIPS

 SATURDAY - Mouth and gums feeling slightly better than they have done its not been 48 hours so it is early days for things to be all back to normal had a fish cake for dinner over the last couple of days I have had limited food I did have a steak beer chips and onion rings for my tea on Wednesday night with a massive chocolate eclair for desert and a full English breakfast on the morning before having my teeth extracted  I must have known .

I keep rinsing my mouth out with a salt water solution to help the healing and refresh my mouth I hat the taste fo salt water but it does help healing then I will gladly do it .I have stock dup on Fixodent and cleaning tablets and mouth wash hopefully I will always have a supply in I will keep a tube of Fixodent in the car because you never know .

I cant wait until I can sit down and eat a proper full course meal without any issues I cant really fix my dentures down until a few days and my sockets have healed until then I can only use Fixodent at certain points I don't want the sockets to get infected or that would delay healing and mean antibiotics just have to grin and bear it at least when I smile I am doing it with a full set of teeth .Still cant believe I had sixteen teeth out in one sitting never again .

Picked Helen up from Slaithwaite she had been doing readings from half ten in the morning and had finished at Half past five in the evening it had been a busy day for her .

We drove down the road again to Saddleworth we where not that far from the spot the police are searching for the remains of K.B the forensic tents where still on the moors as far as I know as of yet they have found no human remains 

Had fish and chips for tea I ate better then previously I put plenty of vinegar and tomato ketchup on and did end up with bits of food behind my plates VERY strange and so annoying .Dining at being at home I went upstairs to clean them off and rinse my mouth .It wouldn't be so easy if we had sat in a restaurant to eat them are my dining days out , over .

Cant believe its is October already how the year as flown bye summer gone Autumn is here and winter just around the corner another year passed how time flies .

K.B

 FRIDAY - Last night was not too bad the better dentures feel better than I though they would it will take a few days I cant rinse mt mouth due to the gaps left by the pulled teeth form clots if I do I can stop the healing process and risk of getting infection . I can test blood I don't even feel hinged I had a cool coffee and later and some soup .

Cant really chew gad some mash and braising steal all mashed up its like being a infant again hopefully time will heal and over the next few days things will settle down .

Heard that a skull had been found on Saddleworth moor the  police and forensic teams where out digging the weather was dire with winds and torrential rain we drove past we had to we have been going to the the moors for years we was there only a few days ago we have walked where they are now digging we could se the tents and the place cars and other vans at the location they couldn't have picked a worse day we also saw news and film crews with there cameras it will be a few days if the are doing DNA tests before we know for certain if it is human remains and if so it it Keith Bennett .The photo below taken by Helen has we drove back up the hill .

ALL GONE

 TUESDAY - Ordered three books for Helen by Juneau Black Shady Hollow murder series  they are mainly aimed at children but of course adults can read them she watched someone recommend them on You Tube and wanted the collection of three books she also wants the Garlic and the Vampire another kids book reads like a comic loads of illustrations as well as text .

WEDNESDAY - Had a restless night sleep not sure why Helen was also up and out of bed during the night as I am off this week I am going to bed at a reasonable time .I was up at seven a.m I had a shower before taking Rosie down for her morning wee and poo in the back yard she does it pretty quick .Then I have a coffee I make Helen a tea.  

I filled the dishwasher up with salt and rinse aid before getting Bailey out for his walk .It was cold this morning first thing now there is a nip in the air Autumn is here once again the leaves are turning brown and are falling . I put a sweat shirt on it did warm up as I walked him round the sports fields .

Arriving home I cooked sausages and bacon for breakfast sandwiches we are going out later in the morning to Slathwaite for our hair cut .

THURSDAY -Went to the dentist had all my teeth removed both top and bottom sixteen in total  resulting in zero  teeth . I had numerous anaesthetic injections to its my mouth and gums and the procedure took  just over a hour I had new dentures waiting to go straight in  hopefully they will settle down over the coming days I smiled for the first time with out being self conscious of my teeth and appearance .of Cours Amy face felt numb and speaking was not easy hopefully it will all heal and all will be good .

Below the photo was taken half hour after leaving the dential surgery and arriving home not the best photo not used to taking selfies or smiling will have to learn .

SPOOKY WOODS

 FRIDAY - First day annual leave I have all next week off too emptied the rest of the hanging baskets and the planters cut back all the roses and cut the grass front and back then took all the waste the the local tip .The sun was out and it was warm went to Asda did some shopping forgot to get certain things like brown sugar for my coffee will have to use white until I can get out again .

Had beef burgers cheesy chips and fried onions for tea followed by a scone jam and cream and a can of cloudy cider .

My Mac book is old I had the money for a brand new one but paid the cash I had saved for my dental bill hopefully I will eventually get a new Mac  book before this one dies its getting very temperamental and slow I can afford a Chrome book don't know if I should go down that route get another Mac book on finance.  

SUNDAY - Visited Helens parents it has been a few we last went over after we went to the gravel pits and woods where the police was looking for the body of  Claudia Lawrence who was a chef working at York university she went missing in March 2009 age 35 .Below two photos of the woods the police searched for her remains last year they never found anything and the case is still ongoing .

GOLDEN ACRE

 SUNDAY  - Went back to Knaresborough meet up with Helens Auntie Doreen it was her eightieth birthday and recently had a mastectomy she looked well was walking fine and generally looked well.

we walked into the town centre before going back to the main car park we didn't stay long had a coffee at Sharons camper van .Photographed the memorial for the Queen below very touching guessing its one of thousands .

On the way home we stopped at Wetherby Whaler had fish and chips its amazing how you don't go to a place for years then in the span eof a few weeks you go again I didn't think they where that good this time round enjoyed the can of ice cold Coca Cola I had with them .

On the way home another place w have not visited for ages Golden Acre Park the dogs have never been there before .We exited the car park through the under ground passage way .

MONDAY - Watched the Funeral of Elizabeth 11 very moving very grand hopefully she is in a better place happy with todays events .

BACK ON MOORS

 TUESDAY - Has the great reset begun things that are being published on the internet is quite scary .We are all going to be controlled by the government regarding food shortages cost of electric petrol and natural gas farmers being given money and handouts not to grow crops and things being blamed on the Ukraine war which would have happened anyway are we being controlled is our destiny being planned by governments world wide to control us and kill us off get rid of the old and infirm who knows its not beyond believe .

I had the Day off work  I dusted the slow cooker off and did a stew using braising steak it would cook whilst we was out . As it was a warm and sunny day and as it has been ages since we went walking  at Dovestone Saddleworth Moor  they are three reservoirs altogether Chew , Yoeman Hey and Greenfield its a six and a half mile walk approximately to do all three so  we missed the first reservoir Chew out which is the nicest one to walk around in my opinion we will have to do that another day we could see through the trees on the walk down to Yeoman Hey .We parked the car and walked trough the woods to the path that leads down to the middle reservoir Yoeman Hey .There was loads of Pheasants and areas of trees had been felled since the last time we was here all in it took use the best part of four hours to walk to the top and back way past the second reservoir Greenfield .

We have been to quite a few reservoirs over the last fcouple of weeks all within a fifteen minute drive or less there are a few more near to us where we have not been recently all the reservoirs we have seen are way low the water level at record lows and yet we still believe global warming is not a issue unbeliveable .

BALMORAL AND DIGLEY

FRIDAY -  Discovered a new band called the Sea Girls they have a album out " Open Up Your Head " its good .

Netflix took money out of my bank and my subscription has restarted not sure why because I cant remember clicking on a link or anything else to restart it I will watch it for the next month at least and see how it goes I did get boring .

SUNDAY - Watched the Queen's coffin leave Balmoral castle going to Edinburgh on her final journey to London very somber I won't see another queen in my life time they will all be Kings from now on I think I prefer Queens .

Went over to my daughters house for a family barbecue the food was spot on coked to perfection we took the dogs no problem they both got on with my daughters dog Bee the weather stayed fine we only stayed around three hours as the dogs needed a walking we wasn't being anti social hope no one was offended that we didn't stay longer .

Went to two local reservoirs with the dogs about a ten minute drive away Digley and Bilberry both reservoirs where way down on the water levels .Rosie is like velcro she attracts small twigs and ferns to her fur she always lets us know when there is something on her that should'nt be there this time it was some type of sticky buds she had one on her back leg and one on her chin luckily there was water she we just wet them and they cam e of a lot easier . it was quite a long walk transversing up and down she made it we did carry her up the steepest hill and just got back to the car before the rain started which of course we need .

R.I.P LILIBET

 WEDNESDAY - The Queen Elizabeth 11 sadly died my whole life she was our Queen growing up I remembered her on all the stamps,  coins and bank notes .I am not a royalist by any means I can take or leave them but she was different . People had the utmost respect and honoured her cant see the same happening for Charles .She will be mourned by millions over the next nine or ten days .Just like we celebrated her silver ,  golden , and diamond jubilee long live the Queen .It was very symbolic that a rainbows and double appeared at Buckingham Palace and other places throughout out the land on the news of her death .

IN PRINT

 SUNDAY - Went to a local reservoir we had not been to for ages since the last time we lived in Holmfirth we took the dogs and parked up off the road the walk was very in the country side with sheep on both sides off us there was a kestrel hovering in the distance on the hunt for small field mice the reservoir looked like it had dropped a few more feet we can see Winscar reserve for in the distance after the walk a we went home I cooked us a full English breakfast .fastened  the dogs in to the car and head for Druids Temple e have been here before but it was ten years ago , it had not change maybe the stones were a little bit more weathered but what was there ten years ago was still there .It was a nice drive using the A -roads and it was a hot sunny day .

In the afternoon we made the flasks and headed for Druids Temple we had been about ten years ago it had not changed the stones might have been a bit more weathered you drove there using the A-roads it was still hot and sunny and it looked just like we remembered parking was free we stayed about a hour before going through some other villages to Richmond .

On arriving at Richmond Helen had a phone call an article about her had appeared in the Take a Break fate and Fortune she had done the interview months ago but had not been told when it was going to be used until the call she had no idea we went to the local Co-op and bought two magazines and read them in the car well done Helen a great accomplishment she was not happy about the title but reading it in context it was ok Helen had a full page I was very proud .

WATER TOWER

SATURDAY - Cut the lawn front and back took all the flowers and soil out of the hanging baskets its all bagged up ready to go to the tip on Monday .With the hose pipe ban in place we have not been watering the garden and doing all the plants and flowers with a watering can is impossible .

We worked until early evening I had to go to the supermarket get two boxes of 40 packet cat food we then went for fish and chips we ate them in the car before going home .

My daughter and boyfriend are staying over night in a old water tower that's has been turned in to where you can stay over night its been very well done and decorated to a very high spec it looks a nice place to chill out .

TIME FLIES

 MONDAY BANK HOLIDAY - My none days away from work ends today back for my first shift never mind all good things .Went out this morning bough a chicken purple seemed broccoli and green beans will do a roast dinner for tea at least I will be going to work fully feed .

SEPTEMBER - August was a great month we visited many sea and coastal towns and new places we have not visited before .Now its September it is never to long before Christmas I have time off every month until the new year .

The new puppy she is growing fast is still sweet adoarable funny and cute she has fitted straight in she is still chasing the cats but is more to play than anything else .

My son Guy is still a lost cause he is lacking motivation a house and a job it cant be easy but he needs to pull it around get with it find direction and purpose and a job .

I have started watching the follow on to Game of Thrones House of The Dragon hopefully it is as good as it predecessor .

The car is running fine it does around fifty miles to the gallon  it needs a wash and polish I did the interior it's not easy keeping the exterior clean when there is an hose pipe ban in force the roads are dry and I ado a lot on the motor way .

We went to two local reservoirs  and the water level at both were way down we need rain as well as the end to the war in the Ukraine plus cheap fuel , gas and electric .

S.O.S

 SUNDAY - We set off for Mabletherpe on the Lincolnshire coast getting there took over two and a half hours through villages and towns we saw the sign posts for Sutton - On - Sea  or S.O.S only joking it was a great location  so we  decided to go there instead . The beach was huge as far as you could see  the tide was well out and it was reasonably quite we parked up in a near by car park no hassle and did a half hour walk on the beach dogs allowed it has to be on of the best beaches we have visited there was sand dunes and grass and beach huts which to be honest had seen better days but we enjoyed it .We bought fish and chips which where ok and reasonably priced we sat on one of the benches and then went for another walk on the beach promenade we didn't have much time we only stayed a few hours but we will go back at some future date .

2 BAYS ONE FOREST

 FRIDAY - Set out for Robin Hoods Bay on the East Coast went via Whitby got there just after 17.00 and got parked up .We walked down the lane towards the sea the tide was high it was still quite busy the cottages here are over looking the sea are small and pet friendly and out of season cheaper I think the Bay Hotel still gets fully booked even over the winter period it is very popular .

Leaving Robin Hoods Bay we headed for Runswick bay a twenty minute drive away passing through Sands End which I quite idilic we got parked up at Brunswick Bay and walked down to the beach it is very steep we walked throng the cottages and houses many with sea views one virtually on the edge of the sea .One issue with both these locations with the sea gulls who don't need an alarm clock they will be up before you and will let you know .

SATURDAY - After much debating where to go we have decided to go to Sherwood Forest the home to the legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his merry men or so legend says .The drive there was very nice we did the route avoiding motor ways where we could just sticking to the A-roads .We got to the car park and drove straight in we was suppose to pay on the gate it was £10 or you could pay by phone we didn't pay To be honest we did not know what to expect it was busy with screaming kids and loads of dogs we walked through part of the woods it was very boring we left after an hour glad I didn't pay the parking on the way back we went to Rufford through the ford think its the first time ever I have driven through a ford it was low about a foot of water we made it no problems .

NAME CHANGE

 Our Westiepoo was formerly called Hettie she is now had a name change and is now called Rosie her ears are starting to drop forwards I quite like them stood up she looks cute .Guess she will look cute with her ears forward she is just 100% cute .

WEDNESDAY - Went to see my son in York took him some food over he says he had nowhere to sleep yet when we got there he was with a friend and staying at his house so I have no idea what he is up to .Of course he tells us what we ant to hear Helen put him a ten pound top up on his phone so he can make phone calls I gave the his friend a £10 for some electric he is supposedly getting his own place I have no idea how I don't ask .

THURSDAY - Went over to my sisters house with the dogs she loves Rosie she has never had a dog of her own I know she wants one her Husband is at home all day I don't see the issue they have a massive garden live near a massive park and salty home with walks galore .

YSP SOS

 MONDAY - Decided to go to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with the dogs as its only a few miles from where we live and it was over ten years ago since we went last had to book and pay online its free car park and tickets cost £6 per adult we got there just after three in the afternoon .Little did we know we only had an hour before the heavens opened and the rain came down .

Had a email from my son Guy I have no idea what he is doing I don't know if he is lying or telling the truth.

Over the last five seven years I have given to him thousands of pounds to help with food , pay his rent  get into work top up his phone even buy tobacco he has constantly been in and out of work he has took drugs gambled and drunk his pay check I have even took him food when he has had none .People have done their best to help  him out and gone the extra yard all to no avail .He has let people down broken promises to them took money than broke all contacts his sister will have nothing to do with him all yet I get phone calls text messages and emails at all hours of the day asking for money .He asked me to ring him last night he said he had been attacked by four men I am guessing its people he owes money to .He said he needed up in hospital with concussion and needed twenty pound to get a taxi to a friends house six miles away , I refused I just cant believe what he says any more . He said he is on the streets sleeping rough I know he left the place he was working at where he had a static home to live in because I spoke to his former boss who he owes money for rent.My wage does not support me and him has harsh as it is I don't believe a word he says he tells people what they want to hear he makes promises to get what he wants then breaks them as soon as he gets what he wants your forgotten about until he wants something again .If you phone him and he doesn't want anything he will ignore your call sometimes for days .Until he needs help until he sends out an S.O.S your not on his radar .

CAVES AND A WITCH

 SUNDAY - Cooked a early Sunday roast dinner we had eaten for half past one .We had booked online to go to Knaresborough to visit Mother Shipton's cave it was £11 pound each we managed to get parked over the other side of the road .

The attraction was nothing like I remembered but it was years ago or even decades ago it was bound to have changed we had to walk through the woods to get there .It is mainly aimed at children but it was ok we enjoyed the walk with the dogs there where plenty of photo opportunities  along the way the weather was sunny without being red hot .

The dogs where well behaved they walk pretty good together the little one every so often will jump on Bailey our white westie of course  she just wants to play or she will attack his lead or harness .She also did the worlds smelliest poo good job we was in the woods .

Mother Shipton's cave legend says she was born in the cave during a thunder storm she also predicted certain events that came true later in the centuries , she died in 1561 aged 73  .

It seemed less dramatic now then seeing it all those years ago and the items hanging under the petrifying waterfall had been changed which seemed like a bit of a con but it was fine it was enjoyable whilst it lasted .After we had finished we went back to the car so the dogs could have water we always have their travel bowl and two litres of fresh water once they had there fill we went back to the rive rind and walked down the side of the rive bank some great houses on the way ,

Some of the boats are for hire so you can row up and down the river Nidd it was £8 for an adult I cant row have never learned I know others make it look easy I know its not so we didn't go on one of the boats .

On the way home we went via Wetherby to the get fish and chips from the Wetherby Whaler fish shop had a bit of a wait ate them in the car in the car park by the river was a great end to our day out .

COST OF LIVING

 Petrol at the moment is £163,9p which is the cheapest price near where I live it can vary up to 10p a litre dearer.Other essentials that have risen in price is coffee , tuna as nearly doubled depending on were you shop inflation is happening on a weekly if not a daily basis the divide between the rich and poor is widening and its scary times ahead I think this time next year the will be more homeless people more people going without food going without heating and day to day living will be a nightmare ,

The way it is going England will become a very dear place to live in and unless you are on a decent salary maintaining a healthy live style impossible .I am glad I was born when I was born I would not want to be born today with wars , viruses lack of water and destitution for many . You really have to live for today forget tomorrow surviving now is the immediate battle that needs to be fought and won. .

I feel lucky we have food a decent house in a very decent area near reservoirs and the country side of fields and farms .We eat every day and sleep in a proper bed we have food in the freezer and tins in the cupboards don't get me wrong we wouldn't survive more than couple of weeks if the money stopped coming in but we are a lot better off than some and for what we have is someone else's dream without a doubt we are blessed .

SATURDAY - Went to Asda bought two chickens one to freeze one to cook for Sunday dinner also bought a couple of pizzas I like the Chicago town stuffed crust ones , bought fries , coke large sausages x 2 packs one for freezing ,broccoli stems and fine green beans not forgetting the Yorkshire puddings and fresh mash  I also got a Union Jack large coffee cup save messing around .With a few other essentials thrown like surface cleaning  spray and fabric conditioner  for the washing machine the bill was just under  £53 with my blue light discount card every saving helps 

A WHOLE NINE DAYS

 TUESDAY - Went to the dentist had five x-rays done and two impressions completed of both top and lower teeth and gums .I was surprised none of the teeth that are loose didn't come out with the impassion mould when it had set and taken out but not one did .The conclusion I will have top and lower dentures I have a plate so wearing false teeth is not totally alien to me .The reason is jaw bone corrosion the bone around the teeth is not sufficient to hold them in place I have little or no choice at least with dentures as much as it pains me I will be able to smile on photos and not shy away .One good thing about the pandemic was wearing a face covering I beat a lot pf people with missing teeth also thought it was a god send .

Cut the lawn front and back before it rained looking like the heatwave is coming to an end I have the whole of next week off work not sun I have another two books to read Jeremy Clarkson " Diddly Squat" and The Long Long Afternoon by Inga Vesper .

THURSDAY - Two more shifts then I am off for nine days might go to a couple of market towns it ages since we have been to Knaresborough , Richmond pictured below or the Druids Temple but like always it will depend on the great British weather .

MORECAMBE

 FRIDAY  - Deciding where to go this weekend it has to be coastal think it will be Morecambe or Filey .The weather is red and is going to continue until next week.

We are going to have a hose pipe ban enforced on the 26th of August get caught breaking it it is £1000 fine .

SATURDAY - Filled the thermos flasks Helen made the egg mayo sandwiches filled a water bottle for the dogs and we headed off for Morecambe going through  the Lake District villages and towns .

We ate our sarnies and had drinks from our flasks coffee always tastes better from a flask specially on a beach .

HOT AND COLD

 MONDAY - Life is boring when you cant do what you want when you are stuck having to go to work when all you want to do is go off for the day to the coast , sea and beaches eat fish and chips and drink cappuccinos take phots and leave only foot and paw prints in the sand .

When your slave to a wage I always envy the artist of music or the writer of novels who want more cash write another book or release another album it must be easy . When your living pay day to pay day life is about managing bills and going without  .How I envy those who travel .

I know we have it better than  a lot of folks and I am grateful I know for what we have is someone else's dream for those living in high rise flats in city slums grey and dismal who rise above it keep sliming and happy survive on nothing but benefits well done you deserve credit you should write a book be a instant best seller .

Two weeks at work then I have a full nine days off hopefully the warm weather will still be here and we can go travelling find new beaches .

WEDNESDAY  - Midweek the weather is getting hotter and it is going toast through the weekend as of yet we don't have a hose pipe ban but it is looking likely .Washed the car for the second time its amazing how sand from the beaches we went to gets everywhere specially of the dogs paws .

I ordered two thermos flasks all steel to prevent any breakages does anyone buy yer traditional type anymore it is to keep any drinks we decide total with us be them hot or cold and  if you add ice to your   cold drinks it keeps them cold for 48 hours hot drinks for 24 hours or so it says on the label .We need to get a couple of decent sandwich boxes for sarnies and pasta dishes etc then all we need to get when we are out and about is chips from a chippy which all major towns and cities should have .

READING - "The Serial Killers Wife"  by Alice Hunter .

WATCHING - Films - "Prey" the latest Predator film and " Elvis " lates film offering of the late great Mr Presley.

LISTENING TO - Post Malone , Pet Shop Boys and Scouting for Girls 

THREE BEACHES ONE AFTERNOON .

 SUNDAY - We decided to go visit Saltburn on the east coast either of us had ever been there before so after checkin git out on You Tube we decided to have a ride over with the dogs .We finally got parked up on the top of the cliff opposite the trams that take holiday makers to and from the beach .We walked down its the first time the dogs have been on sand and near to the ocaen it was warm and sunny .Its been a while since we went to the beach smelling the salt air and hearing the waves roll in is highly relaxing we need to do more seaside visits the great Yorkshire coast line there is nothing more British .

We had all the steps to climb to get back to the cr we had an ice cream and gave the dogs a drink of water we decided to go over to Whitby about twenty miles away a visit to Whitby is always enjoyable .

We parked up at the Abbey car park and visited the courtyard and cemetery looking for the pirtate gravestone which has a skull and crossbones carved in to it we found it eventually wether tor not it is a pirates grave not sure but it doesn't mater why break the myth with .We had great view over looking  the harbour and piers  we didn't go down the 199 steps this time but instead drove down and I went to get us both fish and chips from a fish restaurant and take away we have not been to before it said award winning fish and chips they where good but not that good have had better .The sea gulls enjoyed them even with salt and vinegar on them a flock of seagulls soon emerged .

Leaving Whitby we drove a few further miles to Scarborough's North Bay it was nearly six in the evening we got parked up easily enough all the day trippers had left it was reasonably quite we walked down to the beach the dogs I think like the beach the little one Hettie was excited to be on the beach again .I glad we went back to Scarborough it holds lots of memories that I have going there with my Mum and Dad of course it has changed but I am lucky enough to be able to still remember it how it use to be and reading  Papillon sitting on the beach happy days .

So three separate coastal towns in one day we saw three different beaches on the one same coastline all in Yorkshire what a great place we live in . We drove to the South Bay past all the amusements harbour light house and big wheel hopefully it won't be too long before we are back . I can still taste the salt air and smell the fish and chips just writing about it .

CASTLE HOWARD REVISITED

 SATURDAY - Drove over to Harome would have called in to the 14th century Star Inn but it is under refurbishment due to a fire in November last year guessing the thatched roof didn't help matters .

From Harome we went to Castle Howard I watched Brideshead Revisited years ago it was filmed there .We had the dogs so we only walked the ground and gardens we saw the magnificent water fountain  of Atlas it was built in 1853 for George Howard seventh Earl of Carlisle and is grade one listed .

The walled gardens where amazing the statues and design features truly magnificent we never made it to the lake but we will go back next time with a picnic .

We drove over to Kirkbymoorside to the Lemon Tree for fish and chips which we ate in the car freshly cooked they scored 8 /10 the and cost £18 for two fish ,chips two bread cakes a curry sauce and a can of Coca Cola .

NOT ANYMORE

WEDNESDAY - Cooked my best Lasagne yet put two cheeses in between each layer and added extra herbs plus cheese on top for a change I did a jacket potatoe and bread cake garlic bread with cheese .

Have started listening to the podcast 6 degrees with Jamie Laing and Spencer Matthews its a great show to listen to its hilarious .

FRIDAY - Thank God its nearly the weekend looks like we are going over to Acaster Malbis so we can change the bedding also they have had a letter from the owner of the site they live in a static home regarding weeds that they have growing in their back  garden they are mainly horses tails which not as bad as Japanese knotweed there a bastard  to get rid off not sure how effective weed killer will be a blow torch would be better but they have artificial lawn and these are all around the edge of the artificial grass and in some of the cracks of the pavements .

Helens been out three mornings the trot walking the puppy  it was a shorter walk this morning has she had work at eleven .

Walking back one of our neighbours had a Vw pop top camper van on his drive he showed us the inside it was love at first sight , one day or on another life maybe it will happen .would be ideal for the weekends .

bought a baby safety gate for the bottom of the stairs Hettie has no issues going up the stairs she can also transverse down as well , but not anymore .

FIRST WALK

TUESDAY - Downloaded "Blackwood" and "Sniper White Raven " both look great films in their own rights the Sniper one is subtitled .Not watched a decent movie film for ages .

WEDNESDAY - Hettie went for her first out door walk Bentley our cat followed us part of the way  Helen walked her and she was fine no issues she got under helens feet on the odd occasion but apart from that there was no issues I walked with Bailey he wa snot phased having a new walking buddy .Once we got home she had a drink played down and went to sleep .

HETTIE IS A LOVE

 TUESDAY - Washed the car for the first time and did the interior looks like a new car again until its back on the motorway .At least the price of petrol has dropped currently paying £1.65 a litre which was £1.99 a few weeks ago its amazing how we are brainwashed into thinking we are getting a bargain lets nt forget when covid was in full swing it wa sonly costing 99p a litre hoodwinked again .

The Puppy Hettie loves chasing the cats Bentley has been a real star not once has he retaliated against her obviously he can get out of her way pretty fast when he wants to no problem .We have ordered a baby gate for the bottom of the stairs she can transverse the stairs both up and down no issue on a night she sleeps in her crate at the side of Helen , Bailey our sweetie sleeps at her side in his bed they sleep all night as I come in at three in the morning from work have a shower before going to be dit does not bother her she carries on with her dreams , She has been out in the car over the weekend and Monday on issue she is well behaved she does have a mad hour a few times a day but it does tire her out .We have not had her a week yet she already seems a big part of our family tomorrow she can go outside for walks hopefully the rain we are currently having stops .

Helens mother had a fall whilst she was out shopping she broke her wrist and was heavily bruised this is not the first time she has lost her footing before it has always been at home this is the first time it has happened away from home.