Our New Life in Devon

 Not felt well since Sunday coughing, cold symptoms, temperature, sleepy so I did a Covid test and it's positive!! Really shocked that I've caught it as I haven't had it before. Managed to avoid it completely for the last few years. I had the first 3 vaccines but decided against having any more as I passed out unconscious on the 3rd or 4th day after each jab. Never fainted before or since in my life so I know its the jab. The cruise ship was very clean and handwashing rigorously enforced but quite crowded in some area. I know I caught it there as I haven't been out since we came home. Bye for now All the best x  

 We came home yesterday after a lovely week away on a cruise to Norway. The weather was 22C / 23C every day so I didn't need half of the clothes I'd packed - warm coat and jumpers, trousers etc. We booked the cheapest cabin at a very good price but 2 days before we sailed they upgraded us to a large balcony cabin. Apparently, the family who booked that cabin cancelled at the last minute. Complementary bath robes were included too! The ship was huge with lovely food in the dining room and self service restaurant. They're very keen on hygiene too, as you were directed to wash hands every time you entered. Staff very friendly and helpful and lovely shows to watch every night. Prices of drinks were expensive and they now use measures for alcohol.  We did get a small discount as we've both been on a few cruises before. I  went on 3 cruise trips with my employer years ago as his carer PA,  and we are both members of the ship's loyalty programme. The sea was so calm you di

 It's so hot here now, but the city we left is even hotter! I really don't do well in this weather and tend to feel ill in the afternoon when the temperature is at its highest. Fell asleep on the sofa yesterday afternoon for 2 hours which is not normal for me. The dogs are laying on the laminate flooring where its cooler. I'm really glad we've booked a holiday in Scandinavia where, hopefully, it will be much cooler than here. Having said that the last time I was there it was the hottest day they had ever had!  Went shopping a few days ago and managed to find 2 lovely brand new Principles Cardigans in the charity shops. A real bargain at a third of the retail price and both still had labels on, so had never been worn. I buy most of my clothes from charity shops or ebay as I won't pay the price retailers are charging. Years ago I worked for a disabled person and went on cruises twice a year as their PA/carer. I managed to buy a complete wardrobe of posh clothes second

Well we've finally booked a holiday after 5 years of not going abroad. We're not going to Paris until later in the year as flights and the hotel we wanted don't go together. The hotel only has 2 nights available which isn't long enough. I'm busy washing all my posh clothes as they've been in the loft in a suitcase since then. Although clean when packed away there's a musty smell now due to the long storage. As a bonus everything still fits me tg so I don't need to buy anything new. Mark is staying here to care for our 2 dogs which is a bonus. Kennel fees are £34 a day in our area, which would have added a huge cost to our 1 week trip away. Today is ironing day so I'm off now to start. Good job I like ironing lol. Bye for now  All the best x

 I've had a busy few days catching up with the cleaning, washing, packing parcels, and listing most of the 4 bags of stuff Lily and Ava left for me to sell. Things are selling well on eBay atm, which has also surprised me given the huge rises in bills and food shopping.                Carboot Finds  We've had several days of warm sunshine here in sunny South Devon which has saved me a lot on the electric by not needing the tumble dryer. This afternoon we went to a car boot sale in Dawlish Warren - the first one this year. I love looking around at all the stalls but all the clothes I liked were sadly the wrong size! I bought a school dress and a wet suit for Ava for £6. They were both in excellent condition and the next size up to what she wears now. Called in a charity shop on the way home and managed to buy 2 quiche/flan dishes for £5.50, something I've been meaning to get for a while now. Going to try Gordon's recipe tomorrow that I found on the Internet. I love quich

 Daughter and granddaughter left today to return home so we just have youngest son here atm. Daughter took a rosemary plant with her as her own died. She uses a lot of herbs when cooking.  I just looked around after they left and didn't really know where to start! The living room has 4 bags of 'stuff you can sell' in the middle of the floor. Ava has been sorting out toys and clothes she doesn't want or has outgrown. The kitchen isn't too bad apart from the hob being greasy and tomato sauce up the tiles from where daughter cooked. There is sand all over the floors downstairs from numerous trips to the beach. Ava had a lot of fun on a body board I bought at a carboot sale for £1 last year. Best toy ever!                       Surfing UK The office has a sofabed that needs stripping and folding up. I started on the bed first and put the washing on. Moved all the 'stuff' upstairs onto the sofa bed, so at least the living room is clear. Tomorrow will be cleaning

 I've decided not to post any more parcels with Royal Mail for now. Posted one on the 17th May and it has just arrived today 1st June! That is 15 days! Grateful thanks to the buyer who told me it had arrived today.  On the Internet there are over 50 people waiting in this area - some over 3 weeks. It's the BS4 sorting office that is having major problems but other items I've sent recorded delivery, to various areas, still haven't been delivered 7+ days ago. If they don't sort this out soon and recruit more staff they will be going out of business in the near future. For now I'm using Evri who are doing much better than last year and everything has arrived in 4 days. Had a very busy few weeks selling in May, so it looks like many people are economising and buying second hand. Daughter and granddaughter (Lily and Ava) arrived Monday evening for the week. They went to the cinema today to see The Little Mermaid so I went to a U3A group. Was nice to be out socialisin