Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!

EssexHebridean

Missed you - oh well, you'll see this when you're back I'm sure - so rather than wishing you a lovely time I'll say I hope you had a lovely time!

I'm definitely in the camp that could cheerfully retire tomorrow and not be bored I think. Even when I was furloughed for so long I never actually got bored with not being at work although I did find the lack of social interaction quite tough. That of course wouldn't be an issue in a "retired" scenario though. 

Seasidegal58

Thank you guys!😀👍
I had a wonderful time away. The Loire Valley is beautiful - reminded me very much of the English countryside - green and lush. The tour was full on - early start to the day as some of the chateaux could be over an hour's drive from Tours which is where we were based (really nice city - worth a weekend visit!). The chateaux were truly stunning - all that I thought they would be - one called Villandry had the most beautiful gardens as well. Our tour historian was so informative as well - really went in depth on the histories and art and made the whole thing so interesting. The only let down was the evening meals that we took at the hotel - the hotel itself was really nice and the breakfasts were good but totally weird evening meals!  You couldn't even call them French cuisine!  A real hotch potch!  Some on the tour had already travelled quite a few times with the company and said it was the first time they had experienced anything like this!  I think the hotel was experiencing some of the hospitality staffing woes that we are having in the U.K.  
Anyway, I've booked myself for another trip with the company -  this time to Florence in November!👍
The day after I got back I went to see the new show 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg' which is a musical about The Temptations. One of the best music box type shows I've seen in ages!👍😀
I then came down with a cold which I got from a fellow traveller on holiday who seemed incapable of wearing a mask on the coach each day!  He was a doctor too!😡. So when I went to see 'The Bodyguard' with DearSis on Tuesday night at our local theatre I had to sit through it wearing a mask!  The girl playing the lead wasn't the best Rachel Marron that we've seen over the years - a bit shouty on the numbers though she improved by the time she got to the last two songs!
And ..... I'm now in the Highlands dog-sitting for a fortnight!🐻🐶
I arrived yesterday and DD and OH drove off earlier this morning for their holiday. The weather forecast here doesn't look too bad for the next few days though it's a bit chilly at the mo!  The sheep up here are currently lambing so some cute little sheeps (as Jeremy Clarkson would say!) gambolling around!😀

MSE SCRIMPY THINGS 
I went to Howdens on Monday with my kitchen fitter as I've been wanting to make a few changes to my kitchen and have finally got round to it. I'm changing the cupboard doors to soft close, having new integrated washer/drier fitted, black sink and tap and white quartz worktop. My kitchen fitter said he could probably get the quartz top cheaper than Howdens so he's arranging for the guy to give me a quote when I get back home. I may get a new oven as the Lamada one I bought when the kitchen was renovated is crap - but I'll source this myself. I've also got to buy new black switches and kitchen light but will do this when I get back. 

I ordered my Tesco groceries for my stay here online the other day and we picked it up yesterday on the way from the airport but it's looking like a NSD today!

Sunshine_girl2

Have a great time , hope the weather stays good for you. 

in_need_of_direction

Hopefully the bears will behave

Seasidegal58

Thank you @Sunshine_girl2 and @in_need_of_direction. 😀
Inod - the bears have been quite good so far this morning since their owners departed. They had a Barking Duet earlier at the Invisible Predator of Bears that seems to lurk around outside!  Bear 1 is currently snoring behind me and Bear2 is wandering round the Croft somewhere - I presume still looking for TIPOB!! 🤣

EssexHebridean

Can't be too careful when it comes to predators...even invisible ones!  

Seasidegal58

Quite right @EssexHebridean!  All quiet out there at the moment - TIPOB must have been warned off.....😁

beanielou

Enjoy   

Seasidegal58

Thanks @beanielou!😀
First full day on my own here today. I was up early to let the Bears out and give them their breakfast. Made myself a coffee and then showered and dressed. Did some tidying up then went for a walk with the Bears and a neighbour and his dog. The weather has been mixed - overcast and chilly, then sun, then mist and rain, then sun and finally overcast!  Typical Highlands weather!
I went to lunch at the local campsite restaurant with another neighbour and her mum. It's a really nice little place and we had lovely tasty fresh fish and chips!
Been reading this afternoon, played frisbee with Bears and will be looking for something to watch on TV now. 

MSE SCRIMPY THINGS
I paid for lunch today as they treated me last time. Also bought kitchen spray and kitchen roll in camp shop. And I put some cash over to DSis's account for little nephew spending money as they are off on holiday soon. 

Sun_Addict

I’m glad you had a lovely time in la belle France and have another tour to look forward to. Now you’re on another break to bonnie Scotland - can you remember where you live 🤣