DOBBIES

Posted by Debbie Atkinson on July 20, 2007 3:52 PM

Just been to Dobbies Garden Centre between Preston and Blackpool. They do a very nice lunch and superb vanilla slices, but the queuing system needs an overhaul. There's a five year guarantee on the plants you buy there and many are two for the price of one. We had a run round the area (in the car!) while there - some lovely villages, Woodplumpton and Cottam for example. We were looking for a pub called The Plough at Eaves, but never found it.

Yesterday we were wandering around Churchtown and I spotted Alan Pinch (former Southport Visiter editor) sitting on a bench in the sun. He took us to his lovely thatched cottage and we reminisced a bit - it was good to see him looking tanned and well. While in the village and enjoying a drink at the Bold, I noticed that the hardware shop opposite is closing due to retirement. They have sturdy hand-made bird tables for £28 so I bought one for the artist son - it was delivered at 8am today and he's thrilled with it. I still have one in the garden that I bought from that shop 20 years ago. I'm sorry when individual shops like that one close down - they are few and far between.

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THE "ELDERLY"

Posted by Debbie Atkinson on July 20, 2007 8:41 AM

I may get into trouble here since this blog is meant to be about my travels but I'm going to have a little rant because I am absolutely sick and tired of people referring to anyone over 50 as "the elderly". On the breakfast new the other day they showed pictures of a sign which is to be put over some supermarket parking bays. The sign showed two decrepit bent-over individuals with sticks who I would have guessed were 120. Apparently the sign signals that these bays can be used by the over-50s. Then a new mobile phone was shown, the size of a brick with big numbers and a huge screen - again, for the over 50s. I DO NOT want a special parking bay or a mammoth mobile phone - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

I listen to Amy Winehouse, I go to music festivals, I don't walk with a stoop or with the help of a stick and nor do any of my friends. Doris, my mother's friend in Scotland, who is 91 would also be extremely insulted. Imagine if they brought out a special phone for Muslims or parking bays for gays - DO YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING......?

DO YOU USE THE INTERNET (SILLY QUESTION). ARE YOU OVER 50? PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.....

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TESCO

Posted by Debbie Atkinson on July 15, 2007 12:32 PM

Up all last night unable to breathe so my journey today took me to the doctor on call at the hospital. I then went to Tesco to get my prescription and while there decided to continue my search for an Innocent one litre pack with a photo of our younger son on. FOUND TWO!! Just need another four now for relatives and friends. Perhaps you could let me know if you find any - look on the back of the coconut, banana and pineapple one litre cartons.

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CHESHIRE OAKS V BOUNDARY MILL

Posted by Debbie Atkinson on July 14, 2007 7:58 AM

It's been an outlet shopping week. On Monday I went to the Cheshire Oaks with a friend and bought a few presents. I wish I had a wedding to go to because the clothes in Nitya were amazing. It's where I bought my outfit for son number one's wedding and I didn't regret it on the big day - it was so easy and light.

Then yesterday I went to Boundary Mill with my husband. There's a limit to how much time he's happy browsing so it was all a bit rushed but I managed to clock up a pair of German trousers (£5), a John Smedley jumper (£20) two huge Yankee candles and a box for my knitting. I always feel slightly guilty arriving back at the car with loads of bags when my husband has bought absolutely zilch so I managed to cram everything into one bag (sneeky but clever!)

Of the two places I prefer Boundary Mill. The people are all real Lancastrians and the homemade cakes and soup are fantastic. And everything is under one roof. If you've never been - it takes about an hour and you head towards Preston and then take the M65 which takes you right there. Well worth a visit.

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AINSDALE SHOW

Posted by Debbie Atkinson on July 7, 2007 6:09 PM

How lucky are the organisers of the Ainsdale Show! Blue sky and sunny after weeks of rain and gales. It was lovely to see the Village green packed. The Innocent Drinks son was up for the weekend with the company's grassy van, which somehow managed to dance in time to the music. My jam, which I reckoned was bit bitter,won first prize, my Victoria sponge which fell in the middle won second and I've also bagged a trophy! So a successful day all round.

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IRELAND / REM

Posted by Debbie Atkinson on July 7, 2007 1:09 PM

We've just got back from Ireland. We planned the holiday around tickets for REM's rehearsal in a little Dublin theatre. They were trying out their latest songs for the next album. As we were waiting for them to appear, my husband asked if they were the ones who sang: "Message In A Bottle" - what hope?!

While in Ireland we stayed at a wonderful hotel near Wexford. Our room overlooked a river with some amazing wildlife. The full Irish breakfasts and absolutely delicious evening meals, all accompanied by three varieties of soda bread, will remain in my memory and on my waistline for a long time to come. I blotted my copy book one mornin though when I asked for a full ENGLISH breakfast by mistake.

We found some beautiful Irish scenery. One fishing village well worth a visit is Kilmore Quay

a row of little thatched cottages and seafood pubs leads down to the sea.

A couple of unexpected treats included fairy glens and waterfalls

and at Glendalough we saw the scenery featured in Brave Heart.

The fast Irish ferry took less than two hours and it's worth paying £10 to upgrade to club class. We enjoyed an endless complementary buffet of cheeses, smoked salmon, irish bread, olives, wine and coffee.

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