Good morning Mick and all GN's on another very dark and still morning from North Yorkshire. A better beginning for today, although have a bit of a cold, but hurray it is the 31st, and we are moving from this horrible month to something better. Also prospects for today are brighter, as fingers crossed I shall be having the pleasure of visiting a lovely snowdrop garden. How cheering to look forward to the beauty and the pleasure of meeting other galanthophiles, and of course to be glad to look forward to many more lovely gardens to visit from the Yellow book this year.
Yesterday was a very mixed day, but more positive than negative overall. After all the worry about these wretched parking things, I went to meet up with someone at Upfront, taking all the letters information etc. This included the fact that they envelopes had the Ealing council stamp on them and the letter heading by their parking people, which did not look fake or smudged at all. She attempted to contact them, while I was there, and is very knowledgeable about such things and of course there was no direct phone line to contact them. I was so glad that I wasnt doing it, as it went round and round and was getting nowhere.
So she then asked me to leave the letters with her and she would carry on sorting things out and let me know later what was happening. I was only too pleased to do so, and whilst I was still worried about the wider picture and how it might lead on to other things and so forth, I knew that it was in her capable hands. So much relieved to have done what I could for the moment, I then went off to the garden centre for a much needed coffee and look at plants to raise my spirits and calm down at the same time.
Well it was a bit like a Brian Rix farce, as although it is very popular, and usually quite busy, this was something else. You are asked to take a reserved notice, and put that on a table, noting the number before you join the queue, so that you then give your order, pay and take your coffee or whatever and the order comes to your table with a waitress. I always do this anyway, because if I cant get a seat where I can sit comfortably it is no good staying there, so I automatically picked up a label and walked to my chosen table.
I thought the queue looked rather longer than usual and sat at my table for a little while, hoping the queue would diminish somewhat, but it actually got longer, so I got myself up and joined the line. I had this offer ,from when I had been there over the christmas period, of buy one breakfast before 1115 and get one free.. in january on a week day. Due to the bad weather, and neither of us being very well, we had not used this offer, and yesterday was the last day to use it. They had rung to say they were not well and could not come, so being me I asked one or two people in the queue if they were on their own and would they like a free breakfast, as I was happy to give it to someone else. Much better than wasting it and I thought it would cheer someones day up. Not a bit of it, as it turned out that the whole queue was full of people in the same boat, and everyone was rushing to make the most of the last day of the offer. Tables filled up , and the staff were telling people in the queue that they must have a table number before they could be served etc. They were all rushing around and looking somewhat fraught, with this rather busy overload morning, trying to serve people, clear tables as fast as anyone moved and so forth. I had got my place, and so was ok on that front, and was happy to offer a couple of ladies the chance to share my table as they hadnt got anywhere to sit.
I had picked up my local paper, which has all the information of happenings in all the villages etc., and I was very happy to enjoy my food and a very good cup of coffee, with a happy buzz of the whole cafe busy with people so pleased to get out and about. It was such a good contrast to all the stress of the morning, and I enjoyed a quick look round at the plants in the sale area, and then got a little shopping and home. Started to do a few jobs, but then for some reason, felt quite shaky and cold and so sat with a fleece round my legs and looked at my paper, but then I fell asleep. I must have slept for over an hour, as I woke up , having missed some music I had planned to listen to etc., and my afternoon all mixed up, but I think as I had not slept well that night and was worrying about the parking stuff I needed that sleep.
Then had a welcome phone call to say that they had followed all this stuff up., That someone else had had the same thing happened to them, and it was a scam. They had also reported it to the police, I think especially because it looked as though the paper and envelopes didnt look fake at all, which either meant that they had someone from the council involved or more likely had perfected their scam paperwork. I was sorry to hear someone else had had the stress , but at the same time it rather reassured me that I wasnt specifically being targeted. So I was even able to have a little celebration dinner, as I had picked up a small fillet steak in the reduced basket earlier. Talk about making the most of it! I had some mushrooms and there were some tomatoes going soft, Also had some cold potatoes, so did saute potatoes, some peas, fried onions, used up the tomatoes and mushrooms and even added a glass of red wine, to enjoy quite a little feast in a much calmer mood and was able to watch the Gardeners world programme, another calming influence!
So here I am , just taking things steady today. I have made a list of the things I want to put in the car, and am going to bring in my box of tricks and make sure I have all necessary plates and cutlery etc., with a kitchen roll and rubbish bags etc., so that I am then set up for days out and unexpected trips to anywhere. I shall also be sticking in a set of spare clothes, a bag of swimming things and a big towel, and spare shoes, plus of course my second best secateurs and a couple of plant pots, so hopefully short of nowt I need! It is so good to be looking forward to better things.
Glad you had a good trip Mick and enjoyed your fish and chips, but it is getting so expensive to eat out these days. I dont often do it anyway, but it is even less now, and I usually take a sandwich with me or sometimes I buy a pork pie from our local very good butchers, as an easy to carry picnic food,if I go up the dales or onto the coast or moors. GrandMattie sounds a nice walk down to your class, and cheering to see some flowers coming up. Karmalady hope your buns turn out ok. I just had a phone call from a friend so had to leave this post. She had been planning to go to the snowdrops too, but isnt well, and is very disappointed not to be able to go. We are all glad to see the back of January I am sure, and to be able to look forward (fingers crossed) to better weather and more fresh air.
Wishing you all a happy day today, and lets raise a glass , or cup of coffee, to the end of January.
