Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!

Seasidegal58

Hi there @rugbymadfamily - 😃 DSis, and me, will always book the best seats in the house on the premise that if we're paying out to see a show (especially an extravaganza such as a musical) we want to get the best views possible - and we are both lucky to be in a financial position to do this.  I had a quick look at the Hairspray tickets - the dearest on the website was £150 and then there are booking fees on top - I'll ask her where she was looking. I think our main bugbear is that over the years the theatres have cottoned on to the fact they could charge extra for seats within the best category that are situated towards the middle of the centre stalls block and are several rows from the front and back, I.e the very best views - and these are now called 'Premium'.  The prices for these have really crept up over the years. One way of getting round this in a smaller theatre is to try and book the row behind the last Premium row. We have done this before and the view is ok. Hairspray is performing at the Coliseum which is very large (and in fact the first couple of rows in the centre Circle aisles are being sold as Premium as well). 

Thanks @milann - yes lunch in the autumn with the ex-boss will be good - we will be having my retirement slap-up lunch then!😋

Hi there @HappyNow- lovely to see you posting again!  Glad to hear you're enjoying your DB pension!😃

My second AstraZeneca jab went well with no after effects and so all done and dusted now. 👍

I treated myself to a new diffuser from one of our local shops that I needed for the bathroom - Stoneglow's 'Grapefruit and Mimosa' which is lush!🥰

Other budgeted spends have been my nails (the girl who does them bought me a lovely bag of vegan treats as a retirement present - bless her!🥰). Also I bought a throw and diffuser for a bestie's birthday from a local shop, both of which were reasonably priced, and I did my monthly food bank shop which I dropped off at the church. 

And coffee and cake with my friend last Friday and holiday goodbye brunch on Sunday. 

I'm now in Bonnie Scotland for a fortnight staying with DD and OH!🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿  I flew up on Monday - all went well - the car picked me up and we had a goodish run to Gatwick. The airport didn't seem that busy and there was no delay on the flight - the plane was full though so plenty of people flying to Scotland!  DD said that all the local camp sites, hotels are booked till the end of the autumn. 

And DD and OH have bought a puppy!  He is lovely - just like a little bear!  He is just over three months now and bigger than a cocker spaniel though he is quite furry!  He is a very large breed but gorgeous - everybody loves him - at the beach the other day some girls wanted a photo taken with him! 

The weather has been changeable - teeming when I arrived ( to be fair it had poured down on the way to Gatwick), yesterday was lovely and sunny with a wind and today is overcast but no rain.  No midges at the moment thankfully!🤞

DD was off work yesterday so we went for a nice walk - all the lambs were gambolling about and we had some excitement on our return when some sheep got into the drive and DD drove them out in her best Amanda Owen fashion!😀

Today I'm relaxing as DD and OH are both working so will be catching up on diaries and reading -I am reading a lovely book at the moment - 'Bella Figura' which is about a burnt out London career woman who decamped to Florence for a year to write a book and completely changed her life!  I'm really enjoying it and it has some nice authentic Italian recipes too!😋. It's really made me want to revisit Florence (my fave city with New York) when all is safe -  perhaps next year.......💕

beanielou

Enjoy your break 
Hope it warms up soon.

Sunshine_girl2

Glad to hear the journey went smoothly up to Scotland and that you spent some time with DD . Enjoy your reading . 

doingitanyway

Ooh Scotland. So jealous. Enjoy
I went to Florence many years ago. A beautiful city.
Your retirement so far sounds lovely.

Sun_Addict

Enjoy your stay in Scotland 😊

Seasidegal58

Thank you everyone!😃

Yesterday evening we took the large puppy to the local beach - it's funny watching him. DD's other half wades into the water and entices him in. Puppy is never quite sure though - he kept looking back at DD as if to say 'why aren't you coming in too' and then would come back onto the beach and stand with her before going back in. He's still dubious of the waves, but at least does paddle in to his chest. A couple walking on the beach was quite enamoured of him and, like the girls on the beach a few days ago, asked DD to take a picture of them with him on their phone. I think DD and OH should start charging!😃

Today the weather was glorious🌞. DD, her friend and I paid a visit to the little village museum which was very interesting and covered the local wildlife, different terrain of the countryside, crofting, fishing and local history. We then had a drive out to another village to have lunch at one of DD's favourite cafes, but when we got there it was closed due to some maintenance work so we drove back again!  Still it was a lovely journey there and back with spectacular scenery.  We went to one of the local cafes by the harbour and had a really nice light lunch. 

In the afternoon I chilled again with my book with Pink Floyd playing in the background. I've finished 'Bella Figura' and have begun Donna Leon's latest Commissario Brunetti novel - so I've moved from Florence to Venice!

It's still brilliant sunshine at the moment here - The sunsets have been going down round about 11pm and it never gets really dark. Although there has been a brilliant large full moon for two nights running - gorgeous!🌝

Scrimpy MSE Retirement Things
I bought the lunch today although I have reclaimed £23.60 back from Topcashback!💷

milann

Your Scottish break sounds idyllic....and with the bonus of your family and new 4 legged family.
We’re heading down South next week so we’re getting a bit of family time too 😀
The weather forecast is looking better from now on so fingers crossed for some sunshine ☀️ ☀️☀️

rugbymadfamily

Sounds like a great break! Love the windswept Scottish coast line, so rugged. Have a lovely rest of your time up there 

BalanceBy50

So glad you made it up to Scotland - you must have felt quite emotional seeing DD after such a long time. I really want to go far north in June & experience the late sun down... one day x

doingitanyway

The puppy makes me smile and I haven't even seen him
Glad the drive was worth it even without the fave cafe.