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[Home] [Family] [Newsletter] [Old Newsletters] [Students present] [Place Changes] [Modelling] [Friends] |
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Dear All |
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NOVEMBER 2004 |
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Well that’s firework night been and gone for another year...Things have quietened down here which is just as well with the holidays looming next month. I can’t believe where this year has gone. Anthony the student from Korea was here for 4 weeks and went to so many places I lost count in the end. He traveled by coach and the service he received was excellent. If time is not a priority then going by bus offers great value for money. Meanwhile Mohammed is preparing for his departure next month. The carriers have picked up his ‘big stuff’ to go on ahead of him. Both Anthony (CLICK to see photo) and Mohammed (CLICK to see photo) have treated me to a goodbye dinner and it was appreciated. I didn’t have to prepare it and it always tastes better then and no clearing up afterwards! As you can see I’ve spent some time on the site and managed to temporarily sort out the mail button on top of each page and it’s working from the messages received. There’s only one page ‘Place Changes’ not yet published. The comments about the man coming out of the hole and the construction noises have attracted comment. The sound is ‘a fork lift truck’. I’m hoping to get the first draft page content uploaded before the holidays. As you can imagine a lot of photos have been taken and I’m still trying to sort out the best examples and how to present them. It will then be just a question of updating the content and adding changes as they occur, with a bit of ‘tweaking’ here and there of course... For those students who remember Gregorio from Spain (CLICK to see photo), he sent a picture postcard to me on the 10th of this month, of the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela to say he’d completed his pilgrimage, an 800 Km walk which he says was an amazing experience. Well done Gregorio and sorry your computer terminal is playing up but I’ll continue to write to Marina and cc to you. Mail me soon. Another project has been completed on time despite last months hiccups. I’m talking about the new bathroom and I’m giving it plenty of use before the family arrive to test it some more. I intend to have a rest from building for a few weeks. I’ll do some visiting and accept those party invites that are an important part of the holiday season. In the meantime keep those comments and suggestions coming in and keep logging into the site. I hope all is well with you and send my regards and seasonal greetings to you and your families. Mitch
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February 2005 |
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Good news first. I’m going to be a Granddad again, Hazel is due to give birth later in the year. At the end of next month (March 27th) it will be Phoebe’s first birthday, how time flies and she’s showing her first teeth already. It’ll be good to go to children’s birthday parties again. The guest bathroom is completed and very nice it looks. Yes, I will publish some photos shortly. Ted and I have stripped the old shower/laundry room which is below the newly completed guest bathroom. So far we’ve taken the old windows out, done some new brickwork, made a bigger new window opening and set a new floor to take the bath, toilet and hand basin. This will give us some more facilities when things get buzzing. Looking to complete this project before spring/summer visitors arrive. That very conveniently leads me into the fact I’m without long term student guests at the moment! They can’t get student visas, the one that was due on 23rd January didn’t arrive, you’ve guessed, he couldn’t get his visa... In the meantime I’ve had two short term Chinese guests and a student from Kuwait who had to go back home after four days due to a family emergency. He was telling me that he’d waited over a year for his entry visa. He’d arranged to report to the local police station to comply with his visa endorsements but went home before the week was over, ironic isn’t it? It is enabling me to work on the house and visit friends and family that normally doesn’t happen too often! Towards the end of the month we’ve had some heavy snowfalls which as usual stops our trains, buses and we can’t get about without bumping into each other. My college closed down for one day and finished early on two. The funny thing is, as I write this letter the sun is shining and it looks like Spring has arrived. Tomorrow it could be so different when it’s time to get out and about. Look after yourselves and give my regards to your family, Mitch |
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MARCH 2005 |
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Thanks to all of you for your E-mails. As you can see I’ve started to build the place changes page for those of you who were getting impatient. There’s something for you to make some comparisons with, if you can remember what was there when you were last here! It’s been a busy month with people coming and going here and plenty of teaching, building and repairing work to do. The other bathroom is nearly completed with just the second fixings to do. Still on target to finish the project before the ‘busy’ season starts. Sunday (2.4.05) sees the arrival of a new student but more news of that on the ‘Students Present’ page if and when he arrives.. |
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The snow continued from February continuing into this month causing chaos when trying to go anywhere, even walking... As I look out the sky is blue with the snow a mere memory but it’s still a bit chilly. We don’t look for the weather to warm up until May has come and gone! We celebrated the Easter holiday early this year so it was eggs and hot cross buns for four days of this month from the 25th to 28th including the Bank Holiday Monday. It’s a funny time here as most of the shops these days seem to stay open to take advantage of the extra custom generated by the four day holiday. The first major one since Christmas and New Year. The roads, trains and airports seem to be busy with people traveling everywhere for a break with their families on a well earned holiday. |
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My grand daughter Phoebe celebrated her first birthday at the end of the month, thought I’d attach a ‘thumbnail’ to give you all a clue as to how she’s |
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Keep those comments coming in and I’ll try to spend some more time making the changes you ask for. I’ve got to say that everybody’s English language is excellent, dare I say it ‘advanced’ level on the Churchill House scale! Take care and give my regards to your families Mitch
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July 2005 |
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Another busy month with some lovely weather and lots of student guests as usual this time of year. Unfortunately the atrocity in London on the seventh of this month reversed our euphoria of being awarded the Olympic games for 2012 the day before. My sincere thanks to you all for your messages of sympathy especially from the countries having suffered from terrorist activity of their own. Your thoughts and feelings are appreciated. I have changed my motor vehicle by updating the Volkswagen to a 7 year old Ford Transit in immaculate condition with only 43,000 miles on the clock!
Goodbye old friend! Hello new friend? Running costs using Diesel fuel instead of petrol along with reduced maintenance costs will be useful to this man of limited means... I’ve been asked why I don’t use a car and I’ll give my stock answer. You can’t put a cement mixer, lawn mower, rubbish for the tip and passengers in a 4/5 door saloon car! Maybe when I give up working for a living and enjoy a change of lifestyle, a different mode of transport may be more suitable? I’ve had some good runs with the annual drops with pick ups next month to the summer schools that seem to have increased with each year. From local runs a few years ago, the events have spread to Cheltenham, Bedford, Haywards Heath and Croydon, well spread out venues but typical of the English private school system and a pleasant eye-opener for foreign students who come to improve their English language and stay in these old and venerable institutions of English education. I had a visit from Takeshi Nishitani an ex student from Japan who stayed at 52 for nine months and then moved to Canterbury studying for his MBA. Well he got it! Well done Takeshi I’m so proud of your achievement. Thanks for the photos which I’ve published on the friends page for everyone to see. I’ve taken and published some photos on the friends page as well which include the award which makes him a Master of Business Administration. He was going straight back to Japan to put in some years with his father in the family business. As Takeshi’s specialty is computer technology watch this space for him to update working methods at home in Japan. Once again Takeshi, very well done my friend. Thanks for your mail to let me know you arrived safely and please give my best regards to your family who must be very proud of your work. The second guest bathroom is now completed and in use, though there was no opening ceremony! I’ve published a couple of photos of the results on the place changes page. Next job is to put two windows in the flank wall giving extra light on the staircase. More dust and rubble I hear you say. It wouldn’t be the same without some activity going on here and one day it’ll all be completed and I can scaffold and paint the outside. The garden needs some restocking and TLC (tender loving care) before next summer so that should get me outside for this autumn and spring 2006. So my friends with all the happenings here this month, you’ll be pleased to see that I’ve tried to keep up to date with the latest photographs. Don’t forget if you’ve got anything you want me to publish. Any news and or photos, mail them to me... Mitch STOP PRESS Olivia my second granddaughter arrived at the end of the month 30/7/05 and weighed in at 9 lb. 8 ozs! Congratulations to Hazel and Matt .. |
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August 2005 |
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I’m writing this on our last Bank holiday before Christmas and it seems quieter than usual outside. No doubt a lot of people have decided to go away for a last fling. My students here are saying many of their classmates are returning home now. In fact Nicolas will be returning to Belgium next weekend but I’m told somebody will be arriving the day before he leaves! We shall see, maybe! Compared to last month things have been quiet here at 52 going much as predicted. My thanks to Gregorio and Marina for their postcard from Lincoln in the UK. They’re both here again to improve their English language studies. It must be interesting to hear the different dialects used in the English language because not everybody sounds like the Queen. Between them they’ve visited the Southeast including Thanet and the surrounding area, Oxford and Cambridge. During their stay in Sheffield (Yorkshire) they’ve ventured into Lincolnshire. I hope they saw something of the preparation for the filming at Lincoln Cathedral, of the Da Vinci Code with Tom Hanks and Ian McKellen. When it’s released, should be worth a trip to the cinema to compare the screen interpretation with the best selling book by Dan Brown. As I hoped in the last newsletter, the two windows I mentioned that had to go in, are in and what a lovely dusty mess was created! It means the hallway, stairs and landings are much lighter and airier but now need a major redecorating session from top to bottom before the winter weather sets in with the short days and dark nights. Guess what’ll keep me busy during September? With the extra guest bathroom now operational I intend to make the large single room at the top back of the house into a twin. Another single bed and some wardrobe space will be installed for next season. Let’s hope next season will see the house full in those ‘summer’ months. The replacement van has proved an asset and I’ve completed my usual summer run around jobs with no mishaps. Yes, I remembered that I must now use diesel oil instead of petrol and it’s the black hose at the service stations, not green or red, thanks Ted! With a heater and blower that works it should be a warm winter on my travels and the power assisted steering is getting me into those parking spaces I used to pass by. Next month (September) will see the start of the new academic year; with all the aspirations and expectations that new faces bring with them. Last year I included some vocational as well as academic teaching. I enjoyed the experience and hope to repeat the exercise during the coming year. My kindest regards to you all and your families, Mitch |
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September 2005 |
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What happened to this month, it’s supposed to be quiet with everybody going home at the end of the summer as I said in the last newsletter. The academic year has started with more students in one of my teaching classes than I had positions so had them doubling up, very friendly. As you can see from the ‘students present’ page, students here at ‘52’ are leaving but being replaced within a week or two! Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining let’s hope it’s getting back to the pre 9-11 times. As a friend said; maybe they just like the chaos always happening at ‘52’ or ‘you must be doing something right!’ Gregorio and Marina have been in contact, Marina actually, with some photos of their time at their language school. They’re on the ‘friends’ (click to go straight there) page. Although there was no caption with the photos I recognized Chatsworth because my children played on the steps water feature in the grounds at this most magnificent of our stately homes. Marina keeps telling me I don’t e mail her enough, so how’s this, not only have I replied to your mail. I’ve mentioned you and Gregorio in the newsletter and published your great photos. Am I forgiven? While most of my guests are happy with the technology provided at 52 in the form of internet availability by the use of IX phone cards using an 0800 number issued to them by their home country provider or using ‘firewire’ from their personal laptops. I’ve been asked if I can do a bit more! While not ‘going down the road’ of putting individual connections in the bedrooms. I’ve found a space at the top of the house where the now redundant boiler and tank equipment was housed. Before boarding and decorating this landing and stairwell area, internet connections will be provided and I’ll wire up power and phone connections to link a PC and personal lap top on a desk here. I’m hoping we can switch to ‘broadband’ before the start of the next season. My friends, please be patient because I’m sure there’ll be more than a few hiccups trying to keep contact and everything ‘up and running’ during the switch over. I had a visit from Heather and Darren earlier this month with our little cherub Phoebe. I’ve published some pictures on the ‘family’ (click to go straight there) page. She’s walking now and into everything and reprogrammed the washing machine for me with all those very tempting buttons at just the right height for ‘a small inquisitive person’. So who said technology was difficult, nearly 18 months and no problems, ‘buy me a lap top for my studies please grandad!’ As you can see from the photos ‘I still have a problem finding my mouth but hey who’s bothered?’ My kindest regards to you and your families Mitch
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October 2005 |
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Busy month here with plenty going on. Ted and I are still working on the hall, stairs and landings having completed the top stair well. Not easy, for two old men using a ladder, steps and scaffold boards between us but the preparation and papering is complete. with the removal of the old heating and hot water system and ballastrading with handrail installed, it was safe to start changing the technology used at 52. The ISDN internet connection has been upgraded to an ADSL (broadband) connection. Time to bring in a guest PC machine and internet connection so John Nicholson arrived on the scene. He’s expanded the broadband using a ‘wireless router’ anyone arriving here with their laptop equipped to receive wireless signals can link into the internet from anywhere in the house! My study houses the equipment and looks like a Christmas tree with flashing lights everywhere... If you click on the friends link you can see Juan Carlos ‘testing’ the new PC on the top landing and chatting to his friends and family on the internet. Yes the decorations will be completed when all the dusty demolition is done; in the meantime it all seems to work without the hiccups I expected in last month’s letter. I’ve taken another E mail address mitch333@btinternet.com so if you find it easier to remember please use it, I check both mailboxes. Just had the last week on half-term from my teaching commitments. All it means is I don’t see my students for a few days. It enables me to catch up with admin paperwork with not too many interruptions. Start back tomorrow Monday 31.10.05 and then it’s all downhill to the Christmas break! I’m hoping to have enough time to complete the 1st and ground floor landing preparation including wall boarding and staircase work during November. Without falling over my incumbent students or causing them too many sleepless weekends. Thanks for your patience fellers, at least you’re seeing the results of the changes as they happen? My kindest regards to you and your families Mitch
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November 2005 |
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Here we are again at the back end of another eventful year. At the end of this month, it seems as though the Christmas holiday is just round the corner (yes, you can hear seasonal music through your speakers, ho-ho-ho). All the preparation involved for ‘the big day’ has been going on for many weeks but it’s now beginning to dawn that it’s only a few week’s away. The weather while being windy and wet has been warm during the early part of the month. It’s only now with the short days and the occasional cold snap that winter is upon us and the heating comes on full power so when you get outside it definitely feels colder. A lot of people you talk to are suffering from the proverbial ‘winter snuffles’ and just want to wrap up warm and stay indoors! Juan Carlos has moved into his sisters’ flat now she’s returned home to Bolivia, I miss him he’s been great company since his arrival last summer. Sunni has extended his stay and while going to Europe for the Christmas break will be returning to 52 again in early January. Thanks to those of you who’ve been trying the new address, yes it’s easier to remember and I’ve made some of the alterations suggested including labeling the photos where I can. This broadband really is the business and my guests love it, instant communication home at any time. I’ve got another more sophisticated digital camera. It should mean better higher resolution piccies, when I get the hang of which buttons to press! Don’t forget if you want I can e-mail top resolution files to your address as an attachment, the quality of the piccies produced on the latest toy is fantastic. I know I said last month I’d be on the ground floor with the hall, stairs and landing preparation. If you check the family (click it) page you’ll see why there was a little delay... Yes, Phoebe and her Mum and Dad came for a visit at the end of this month and Ted and I didn’t need any excuse to supervise her antics. How she’s grown and what a cutie (as you can see). With the limited time at our disposal and the fact that we’re getting a little older means frequent stops for tea and and a ‘rest break’. It really is coming on a treat and should see the decor being started early next year, maybe. It would be ideal to welcome new guests without asking them to ‘be careful’. But, it hasn’t happened yet as you well know 52 is usually in a state of flux throughout the year with one thing or another being altered! May I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Very Happy Holiday and a Prosperous New Year. Mitch |
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December 2005 |
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I’ve just got back from a 5 day Christmas break in Birmingham with Shelaigh and Steve. We went everywhere, never stopped eating and spent the last evening watching ‘King Kong’ at the local multiplex. Now there’s an experience, you felt as though you were up there with him battling monsters and old airplanes... An Indian meal completed what seemed an all too short holiday with great people. Not motoring much these days; the traffic, just the volume of cars and trucks, seemed amazing. I think everyone was on the roads both there and back! Take a look at the (just click) family page to see additions to the gallery taken over the holiday. Steve, I love the pavers, gates and wall, shame about the fence colour! The weather started to change at the end of the holiday and as I write this letter we’ve had snow, wind, rain and ice. The Kent roads and especially the trains have been causing chaos as usual. The forecast the the weekend is milder so my New Year visit to my daughter. Apart from traffic volume should be uneventful. I’ll keep the heating on full power and cross my fingers for no snow or ice for a while. Thanks to everyone for your cards and good wishes. Some of those electronic greetings cards are fantastic. I particularly liked the ‘Naughty Santa Claus’ and ‘Blue Christmas’ ones. I won’t quote names because you’ll know who you are! Thought I’d leave the Christmas Carol music on for this month’s letter. We are still celebrating aren’t we? The language school phoned me with the arrival time of my new Turkish student so with Sunni returning from his European holiday, the year will start with two guests Yes, I’m finally on the ground floor of the hall, stairs and landing project. The lathe, plaster and ply etc. Has been removed along with the lobby door and frame. At last the dust has settled in time for my guests arrival. I cleaned and vacuumed before I went away but repeated the whole operation on my return. That b....y dust gets everywhere. I suppose I’ll be dusting and polishing for months! Just the ballastrading, electricals’ and decorations to go... I wish you and your families a Prosperous New Year. Mitch |
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February 2006 |
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At least I’ve caught up with writing our newsletter it’s only coming into the 1st week of March. I’m host to one student; Sunni, at the moment. Muhammet got a flat but went home to Turkey before moving into his new accommodation. Stefan has just gone home to Cologne and my marketing bill has reduced considerably. My goodness could he eat anything and everything at any time. Hurry back Stefan Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi miss you! I await the imminent arrival of a student from Libya who’s coming for a short stay in Ramsgate with a group. Keep an eye on the ‘ students present’ page. Ted’s much better now but is taking things a bit more easy than he used to and we’re both stopping more frequently for a ‘tea break’ when he visits 52 for a chat. At the time of writing while it’s been very cold here with a ‘biting’ wind, no snow! The side gate to the outside passage way finally fell off its hinges one particularly ‘gusty’ night. That’ll be a summer job to rehang that when it warms up a bit! My friend Marina from Spain sent me some photos of her village where they had a few inches of snow over a couple of days. It looked very strange to see my beautiful Spanish lady surrounded by snow and all wrapped up with heavy coat, scarf and gloves! Click on Friends Climate change is coming, all we need here are a few palm trees, 40 degrees of heat and sunshine and you’ll see Ramsgate in the holiday brochures once again, like it used to be 50 years ago when people came to the seaside for their annual holidays. Yea, I know, dream on! With my teaching work taking up most of my time at the moment, it’s been difficult to get on with the house changes. I’m looking forward to the two week Easter break in April when I hope to be able to prepare the ground floor hallway ready for papering and then decorate from the top to the ground floor during the teaching break. I managed to complete the clear out of the store room and found space only to fill it up with supplies for the new works! That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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March 2006 |
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I’m still on top of writing to you all but what a busy month. As you can see from the student pages the student visas granted to our visitors have been allowing more visits than last year. Two changes have taken place already with the Libyan student having come and gone with the ‘short stay’ group. As he left, Mouffak from Syria arrived and Sunni left for a two week holiday to see his family in the USA As I write this letter the wind outside has not stopped ‘howling’ although it’s not as cold as it has been. No snow and as we’re approaching the Easter break I don’t think it’ll arrive at our front door until next year! We break for the Easter half term shortly and once I’ve completed the associated paperwork, I intend to complete the hall, stairs and landing project here at 52, please don’t laugh I’m going as fast as I can! Finally to end on a high note Heather tells me that Phoebe is going to have a new brother or sister in October, great another small person to play with! It was Maureen’s 70th birthday on Friday 31st and we celebrated at Sian and Richard’s house on the Saturday. See the Friends page for some photos of the occasion That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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April 2006 |
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The Easter holiday I spoke about in last month’s letter came and went during which time I welcomed two young students from Thailand who stayed four weeks of this month and have returned home having given me a Thai elephant to remember them by; a model of course! They enjoyed themselves on their first visit to the UK and went all over the place on trips including Paris over the Easter holiday. Sunni went to Paris and has visited Eire to taste the Guinness and speak the Gaelic, lucky him. Mouaffak is now talking about extending his stay if the powers than be will extend his visa. He’s busy trying to fill the forms in, I wish him luck. The forward bookings are looking good so I must be doing something right and at the moment I can’t imagine it’s the decorations here (see below). At the end of this month they are forecasting the temperature will soar up to the twenties C. Maybe summer will arrive early in Ramsgate and we can all go swimming? The structural alterations for the hall stairs and landings project here at 52 are all completed with the hanging of the last paneled door to the kitchen/conservatory over this last weekend of the month. All I need now is some time to decorate from top to bottom. That reminds me, because I’ve not a lot to do in the evenings! I was persuaded to teach for two evenings a week at a school in Birchington until the first week in July. This is a small town just outside Margate, about five miles from 52. So far so good if I can only keep on top of the administration that comes with the job. Keep those comments (rude and otherwise) coming in, as you can see I reply to them straight away... That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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May 2006 |
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Nice quiet birthday has come, gone and I’m a year older. Sunni and Mouaffak have been good company and enjoying themselves despite the usual chaos that is the norm at 52. Mouaffak has decided he’ll go home at the end of this month as he originally intended. He tells me he is missing his family and I’ve no doubt they are missing him! Maybe it also had something to do with the paperwork I told you about last month! The temperature didn’t do anything exciting and as I write this epistle we’ve had some hailstones yesterday. I know, because I was in the garden yesterday trying to complete the hanging basket planting and had to go back indoors until the sun came out. Started the papering in the hall, stairs and landing and I’ve got as far as the first family bathroom landing on my way down to the hallway. Looks as though the summer break from teaching will be my goal for completion, maybe! At the end of this month we welcomed Sihan who hails from China and is at St Lawrence College studying for her AS levels. She spent the few days of their half-term here and enlightened us with her views on smoking by a nonsmoker, female higher education students their place in her society and various observations she agreed and disagreed with.
That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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June 2006 |
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Missing Sunni but he’s in Europe with his fiancee and sending postcards to remind us he is still thinking of his stay at 52; he’s been good company and enjoyed himself during his time here. Both Sylvain from France and Hani from Saudi Arabia have been and gone this month. Sylvain brought his girlfriend round to see us; Anne-Charlotte and very pretty she is. You look after her and visit again soon. As the academic year draws to its usual chaotic close with exams and assessments to mark, it can’t come a moment too soon. Maybe I’ll have some time to myself and be able to concentrate on 52 after completing the usual summer school drops and pickups around the country. That’ll be a good test for the van I replaced last year. There are four venues now; Cheltenham, Bedford, Croydon and Ardingly. Close on 1000 miles in four days. I’ve had to postpone taking student photos for publication on my ‘rogues gallery’ but I have put their names on the page ready. I haven’t been able to take them, what with trying to get them together; they tell me they ‘need to shave’ or ‘I must comb my hair’. I suppose they want to look their best for the family and friends back home! The papering of the hall, stairs and landing is now complete. Even without the final coats of paint it looks good. Still on target for summer break completion. To speed me up I’ve put the final new window frames and timbers in the lounge so I keep falling over them! That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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July 2006 |
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The runs out and about for the summer school drops went without a hitch and the van behaved itself and ran cheaper than last year. Unfortunately the price of fuel has risen but I’m using it more efficiently. It was 1012 miles to be exact for that week’s run. They seemed to be digging up every road I ventured on to and we don’t mention the M25 do we? Heather(complete with lump, she’s expecting in October) and Darren came over this month with the cherub Phoebe. Who’s not bothered whether she has a sister or brother as long as it’s ‘an animal’. Oh well! Couldn’t resist a quick piccie They watched over the four student guests while I had a couple of days away. Guess who stole the show and even remembered Huseyin’s name. Maybe it had something to do with the sweets he gave her! Heather and Darren continued their house hunting while here so let’s hope it won’t be too long before they all move into Kent That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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August 2006 |
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We must have had some strong sunshine here in Ramsgate; ask my Spanish student Daniel. Just walking on the sea front he has managed to get his face burnt! That’s got to be a first, they say the weather pattern is changing so who wants to go abroad to retire? Not me, strikes me everybody will be wanting to come to our part of the world and take advantage of all the facilities that are coming here at last... I’ve taken this opportunity to add two small photies in the newsletter. I was dutifully reminded I’d not mentioned how far I’d got with the changes in the last letter. Things at this time of year; June. July and August don’t leave a lot of time to work on the changes. As you can see, at last I’ve a permanent home for some of my book collection. One wall now has fitted timber bookshelves The runs out and the return for the summer schools went without a hitch and the van behaved itself and ran cheaper than last year. Unfortunately the price of fuel has risen but I’m using it more efficiently. They seemed to be digging up every road I ventured on to and we don’t mention the M25 do we? Spoon (click on the link Friends and scroll down to the bottom to see a couple of snaps taken during his stay), my surrogate pussy cat, has come to stay for a few days and as usual has taken over; performing to the students for all the fuss and stray food he can get. As I finish this epistle it hasn’t stopped raining all day. The Thanet Way, the main entrance and exit from the island has been flooded. There are detours in place and we still have a ‘hose pipe ban’ in this part of the country because the stored water is at an all time low! As Spoon and all the students go home, I had three bits of good news. Heather tells me the move back to ‘home territory’ is looking good. I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed for them all. The fireplace and mantle has arrived ready for fitting and the last set of new windows are fitted into the lounge bay area and very nice they look to. Got to make good the plaster work and walls and add some finishing touches. Yes, I’m still decorating the hall, stairs and landings... That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch
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and compliments the computing area; making it a tailor made study area for guests to use. While starting to prepare the old front lounge; it was time to remove Mitch’s slate masterpiece. Built when I was a lot younger and stone/slate was in vogue. The floor to ceiling slate faced chimney breast and gas coal fire unit is now no more. As you can see it’s gone and you’ll see the
replacement which I hope will be more in keeping (and a lot easier to build) with the style I’ve tried to keep to; which would have been around when the house was built in 1854. You know electric, telephones, central heating, wireless internet and satellite high definition digital TV with surround sound! When each project is completed I’ll publish the photos as normal on the ‘changes’ page
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A new student from Saudi Arabia (click on the Students Past page to see his photo) arrived at the beginning of the month, stayed six days and then moved on!! When that happens, it wastes a lot of people’s time and effort. We don’t get much of it but it’s still annoying... On a more encouraging note I must say no sooner do the students get home and they send an e-mail to let me know they’ve arrived safely and then go onto the web page to look at the reminder photos and relate to their stay here. This is the whole idea of the site. This is the second anniversary of it’s setup and slowly but surely it’s proving an invaluable tool for keeping in touch. It’s funny although I get e-mails with many comments, mostly complimentary, I get very few photos for publication. What about some views of the home town in your country? Mail them to me as attachments then I can adjust the properties (downsize them) so they load quickly from the site.I intend to start publishing photos of the town sites and local venues here that are popular with the student’s which I know will interest some of you and might get you to send your own interesting local views. I end on an up note, Heather, Darren and Phoebe moved at the end of the month into Kent and are now 7 miles from me. Bit different from 117 miles door to door for a visit. Hopefully I’ll be seeing a lot more of them all as the time passes and they settle in. I’ve also added some new photos on the Place Changes page; the library and computing area for my guests.
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That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. |
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Mitch |
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October 2006 |
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What a start to the month, Heather moved house with Darren and guess what? I’m now a proud Grandad again, about 10 days early. Mum (Heather) is fine and Phoebe has a sister; Neve is her name and she arrived on Wednesday the 11th at about 5 am. There were too many photos to publish in the Newsletter so go to Family and scroll down to the bottom to see the new addition and proud Mum Heather. I guess everything after that has to be an anticlimax but I’ll add more news during the month. |
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That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. |
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Mitch |
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November 2006 |
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Yes, I know it was the shortest newsletter last month. With Heather’s move and Neve’s birth earlier than expected it got a bit hectic. Mother, baby and family are doing fine and thanks for all your messages of congratulations. Here at 52, things are relatively quiet with two students in residence. I’ve only published one photo because the latest addition who arrived at the end of last month didn’t want to be photographed for our web site! As I’ve said before I respect everybody’s wishes where I can so he’ll be incognito, my mystery guest. In the lounge, the fireplace and mantle are now fitted and the gas appliance has been tested and works well. The whole thing has been covered with cardboard and masking tape to protect it from plaster and paint etc. The plastering was started last weekend and is a slow old job; with the preparation required (old loose stuff has to hacked off) and the finishing needed before papering and painting can begin. The addition of electric and TV cables with their respective boxes have to be cut into the walls and made good. Next weekend should see the timber finishing round the new bay windows and the plaster finish applied to that area. Just as well it’s the quiet time of year... but Christmas and New Year isn’t far away is it? As I continue writing (11th) I await the arrival of another student so that makes three so much for a quiet time! But, I’ll be going to see Phoebe tomorrow (13th) and her new sister Neve. Today (20th) as I write an additional piece to our letter I can’t believe on looking back that I said: ‘it’s the quiet time of year’. Yesterday the timber dado and architrave in the lounge was completed but I’m afraid that completion cannot be before the holidays. There still seems so much left to do, I take ‘one step forward and two steps back’. The results so far are pretty fantastic, we soldier on and enjoy every minute of it! In the same vein of improving the facilities here at 52, I re-visited the single bedroom and extended the satellite digital reception available throughout the house; to that TV. Mohammed can now stay in the warm and flick through all the programs in addition to the normal UK transmissions. He’s one happy bunny. My latest student guest who again wants to remain anonymous; came with a ‘hubbly bubbly pipe’ and all the gear including ‘grape tobacco’ .I don’t know what the security people at the airport must have though when looking at the X ray of the suitcase! The results are a heavy fruity aroma throughout the house all the time which we are all enjoying! The visit to Heather’s new home for lunch was great fun and I managed to take ten minutes of digital movie which I’m editing and playing with; adding background music, captions and moving the clips around. |
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That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. |
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Mitch |
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December 2006 |
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(19th) My two incognito students have left for home now. It was great having them here and far from the quiet time I mentioned in last month’s letter. They will both be missed. The air has been filled with exotic fruity aroma of grape baccy emanating from the ‘hubbly bubbly’ pipe. It has been left here just in case I feel the need to sit on cushions in the new lounge and contemplate, while smoking my ‘sheesha’! The takings at our local casino must have increased they were are avid gamblers and like most gamblers they lost frequently but obviously enjoyed themselves! Mohammed is here (must be something to do with his satellite TV) and intends to stay for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, a fellow student will be joining us for the Christmas week. It’ll be interesting to see what they make of our madness over the holidays. Have a very happy Christmas whatever you’re doing or wherever you’re going for the holiday. In the lounge, the ceiling has been painted including the new plaster centre rose and cornice, all three coats of white emulsion had been applied and my neck aches; so I’m glad that’s over. Laying the floor to join with the hallway at the moment and what fun that is with no straight walls to follow, as previously the straights have to be laid and set with the fill ins round the edges to compensate for the lack of straights done at the finish. If you and I were 152 years old I suppose we’d be a bit crooked by now! With many people’s help I’ve chosen the final combination of colours for the walls above and below the dado. (28th) Had a great Christmas Day with the family and my two students enjoyed themselves and joined in. Celebrations included magnificent food with more than a little Christmas spirit for those that were not driving home straight away. Yes, I did take some photos which I’ll publish when I’ve sorted through them! All that remains is to wish all of you and your families a Very Happy New Year and I’ll be back with some changes in January 2007. Kindest regards to you all, Mitch
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January 2007 |
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(1st) I hope you all had a good Christmas/Holiday break and I wish you and your families the very best of luck for the New Year. Last year was a busy one overall for: family (Heather and Darren moving just 7 miles from me with Phoebe and then presenting a new granddaughter; Neve), teaching (beginning of the year, up to the Summer break), home stay students (right through the year including Christmas and New Year), building maintenance and renovation (right through the year). Last year also saw the introduction of a guest PC and study area including full wireless Internet access, completion of full central heating and constant hot water to three full bathrooms being commissioned and last but not least the partial expansion of the satellite TV system. This is in addition to completing the decorations of the stairs and landing areas from the top of the house to the family bathroom. Its been a busy and successful year from beginning to end with just a few minor problems to resolve along the way! I don’t expect 2007 to be any quieter but it will be different. For a start there is always the unknown factor of student guests; different countries and very different personalities. I’ve explored different avenues and available resources for my teaching skills so that should start to show further results in 2007. Finally I see ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ with the internal refurbishment which seems to have been never ending. That’s the trouble when working part-time on an old house; you never know what you’re going to find until you get there and then you have to extend your deadlines...! The results have been very pleasing so far and the comments from everyone have been positive. Yes, I haven’t mentioned the outside, so maybe if weather permits and I can gather more funds, we’ll see! (18th) The weather outside is being anything but ‘quiet’ with gale force winds gusting at storm force and whistling down the chimneys. I’ve put on extra warm clothes and ensured the heating is at warm status. Across the road the wind has stripped a bay window roof of its coverings and the end of a terrace house has lost its fascia boarding! I suppose its no different from any other years; when you live close to the coast, the spring and summer months beat living inland but this time of year we take what nature gives us and prepare for it as best we can! Teaching bookings have now started so the inevitable lesson preparation began last week. Every year the paperwork seems to get a little more; thanks for computing in its various forms. It produces more each year from the available updated Internet sources. A lot of time used to be spent doing research in the available academic libraries, now if you hit the right button it cascades into the machinery at this end for me to sift through and sort out what I need. I’ve received confirmation that a Korean student is due at London Heathrow this Sunday (21st) and as he’s canceled his taxi, the arrival time will be uncertain, if at all! Watch the Student’s Present to see if he makes it. (23rd) Yong arrived from Pusan in South Korea (click on Students present) on Sunday. His plane landed at 1630 and he arrived with me at about 2130, his friend meeting him at the airport wasn’t impressed by the time they both got to Ramsgate, five hours later! When you’re looking at the ‘students present’ page you’ll notice I’ve changed Mohammed’s picture. He didn’t think the one of him smoking his pipe did him justice so I’ve used a file photo. Yes, I’ve doctored it with the airbrush and made him look more acceptable, but we’ll see... The wind has dropped now but it’s overcast and cold, typical January and supposed to get colder for next month; February, but that’s normal for the time of year. Well that’s enough thoughts past and present, all that remains on this first month of the New Year is to send my kindest regards to you all, Mitch
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February 2007 |
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(3rd) Su has arrived today and he’s from Korea to keep Yong company. See the Students present page for his photo. Yong by the way has settled in very well he likes Ramsgate and intends to visit all 27 of our pubs while he’s here and if he can afford the price of the beer in them! The weather has warmed up and for February it’s unusually mild, 11 degrees C. with sunshine and blue skies. The evening and night gets colder but who’s complaining it’ll soon be summer! I’m looking forward to a return visit from a student who was here last year but more on that hopefully when they arrive next Sunday the 11th. I’m awaiting flight details and arrival time during the coming week. Meanwhile the room’s all ready! The beginning of March will see a mature French student arriving so things are starting to hot up, maybe... I’ve had to turn away teaching assignments in Canterbury and Folkestone due to local teaching commitments here until the end of the academic year which is June. Then I’ll be available from September. No point in taking on too much because there’s a lot of preparation and planning required for the presentations involved; with assessments and evaluations afterwards. Of course I’m also determined to finish the renovations here at 52, so no contest. There’s only so many hours in the working day, isn’t there? (11th) Mohammed left here yesterday to join another host family for his last four weeks before returning home to his family in Quatar. Unfortunately he was unable to anticipate a peaceful coexistence in the same accommodation with his friend from Abu Dhabi who arrives shortly...! Last week saw the arrival of snow over most of the country including a village very close to here. Nothing here in Ramsgate although the temperature dropped to below zero at night. As I work on this letter the winter sun is coming in the window from a blue sky, it looks beautiful out there. I’d better get some lunch ready for my resident students who are at home for the weekend. (17th) My returning student arrived at Heathrow from Abu Dhabi spot on time on the 14th of this month and we left just before 2 pm arriving back here at 52 just after 6.30 pm! Yes, 4 hrs for what normally takes 2 hrs. There was a ‘pile up’ on the M25. By the time we got back, Sultan from Saudi Arabia (a new student) had arrived, Yong and Su had let him in and we all ended up sitting down to dinner at 7.30 pm. What a day! My return student wants to remain anonymous so there is no picture on the students page. You’ll have to use your imagination; as you know I always respect my guest’s wishes when publishing information on our web pages. (20th) Things settling down nicely, busy and crazy but that’s normal here! Thought I’d update the news before doing some more teaching paperwork. Pancake day today so I’ve promised my students we’ll have the customary pancakes for our dessert tonight. We’ll all have a go at tossing them and any that are dropped can be washed and ‘recycled’ for the person that dropped it. That leads me to a postcard I received this morning from Florida, USA. Stefan who stayed here in January and February last year (see Students Past) attended a conference in Orlando on behalf of his company and while there was able to visit some of the customers who use recycled products from Stefan’s company. Thanks for remembering me and I haven’t forgotten ‘the onion man’ . The postcard brought back memories of a visit to the ‘sunshine state’ many years ago with my children to see Disney and the beach at St Pete’s.
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March 2007 |
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(1st) We’re starting the month on a very positive note having four students in residence who are all working hard for their English language qualifications to take back home. This doesn’t mean they’ve been neglecting their social life, far from it. With local pub and club visits, Canterbury and out to far flung Oxford. They’ve all extended their departure dates, so despite the chaos that permanently reigns here at 52 in the form of renovations and improvements, it’s a ‘happy’ house! I was almost tempted to attend The Royal our local ‘night spot’ with my student group, last Friday but at 11pm I had ordered their taxi and thought better of it in favour of going to bed! Wise decision because I didn’t see any guests until well into Saturday afternoon. My friend Ted (see the Friends page, for a photo) welcomed his wife back from her first trip to the USA for a family meeting with their eldest daughter. She had a marvelous time and brought back loads of photos to prove it. (17th) Back again, it’s been a bit hectic here with student extensions and last minute short stays. Now matter how short a stay is, the preparation is the same... Sihan (see the Students Past page for a photo) came to join us for a two night stay. Everybody here on the Students present page has decided to extend their stay which of coarse is good news... Su, see Students present page, has gone on a short holiday for two weeks to Turkey and then Greece! I’ve no doubt we’ll hear all about it in detail; with photos when he returns on April 1st. Can somebody tell me how you can see two countries in two weeks? All the alteration and decorations in the front lounge are now completed and I’ve managed to process the new flooring with no mishaps. Some of the furniture is in situ and ‘Grandma’s Mantle Clock’ having been overhauled; now has pride of place on the new fireplace and is chiming away happily which it hasn’t done for years! The nets and curtains are up, opening and closing without any problems, with just the two side tie ups to be fixed to the wall for completion. When I’ve installed the remaining furniture, which won’t be long now, I’ll publish photos as usual. Meanwhile it’s carry on painting the woodwork of the hall and staircase (boring). The light fittings are in place in the hallway but how I’m going to be able to process the floor with four coats of varnish and have a full house I don’t know, but I will! Heather has decided it’s time for her and the family to visit Grandad and see the changes for herself. I’m to be ‘inspected’ this coming Thursday (22nd) so I’ll have an unbiased opinion as to whether she likes the changes or not. Well, I’d better start dinner for tonight as everybody will be wanting to go out, here there and everywhere. They can sleep all day tomorrow (Sunday) and they usually do... (25th) Sultan left us yesterday for apartment sharing with his friends and we wish him well. Heather wasn’t able to come over last Thursday due to a ‘rotten’ cold and she sounded bad on the phone. Spoke to her yesterday and she sounded much better. Thought I’d better confirm a morning visit to my birthday girl Phoebe; next Tuesday. She’s having a party on the Saturday following so there will be much celebrating in their house next week! Guess who forgot to put the clocks forward to BST today so for at least the first hour of Sunday I was still on GMT. By lunchtime it had been rectified but I’ll still be adjusting clocks all day today...
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April 2007 |
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(3rd) To end last month Phoebe had her 3rd birthday party on the last Saturday of March and a great time was had by all her friends and family. Su (from Korea) came back from his holiday 2 days early, on Friday (30th March) instead of Sunday (1st April). It was good to see him back after his ‘whistle stop’ tour of Turkey and Greece in just under 2 weeks, he enjoyed himself. Our ‘mystery guest’ no photos to be published on request, returned home on Monday morning the 2nd after an extended stay from 3 to 6 weeks here at 52. Some students leave an impression and this person did just that! This was their 2nd visit and I hope to see a 3rd during the summer months and for longer. The place is quieter but the empty seat at our table and lack of good confident English speaking in that very individual voice is very much missed. I’ll miss our lessons and homework time together and the occasional beer/coffee/wine and sometimes lunch! I know you arrived safely ‘cos I received your text message on your arrival home. Take care and hurry back... (9th) This is the last day of the Easter holiday and the weather right through the break has been lovely 18C and even 20C in some places. The beach here on the holiday Friday was packed and everybody enjoyed the break no matter what they were doing. I managed to erect some trellis work I’d been promising to do but the weather was so wet it would’ve been impossible to set the 8 ft. fence posts. So now, that’s another job done even though it wasn’t here at 52! I’ve managed to demolish the garden fish pond water feature. Clearing away what seemed to be an endless supply of hardcore with some more rubbish and start the preparation for my new shed, at last it’ll be somewhere to store those bits and pieces that used to be in the attic and basement of the house before the conversion into habitable room space, i.e. the study and bar lounge. Yes, I’m still working on the lounge and hallway; nearly there, honest! (24th) What with this gorgeous weather and my weeks/months getting shorter, something to do with my age, I’m reliably informed! This will be my last entry for this month and where did the time go? I changed my Internet service supplier this month on the understanding it would take no longer than 30 minutes for the changeover to take place! Ha ha... The service went down on the Monday after Easter (11th April) and my Web Mail was finally connected last Sunday (22nd April). Something to do with ‘cookies’ and my virus and firewall program not letting these cookies through, therefore blocking my receiving and sending mail on the new system! Yes, I’m sorry to those patient friends who kept getting their mails bounced back to them but all is now settled, maybe! I’ve been taking advantage of the good weather and working outside. The shed, sorry, ‘summer house’ has arrived and I’ve been painting it with preservative. The side gate will finally be re-fixed so the plank and concrete plant holder will be removed, they’ve been propping the gate closed all over the winter. Very artistic... When I’ve planted out the bedding plants next month, rehung the baskets and cleaned the garden furniture it’ll be time for the annual BBQ’s to start again. Let’s hope the weather stays nice and warm then the summer fun can start. (29th) Had a visit from Heather with the girls on Friday (27th), if you go to the Family page and scroll right down you’ll see the latest photos of my gorgeous girls. Phoebe as usual the poser and Neve is a real ‘carrot top’ or what Grandma Claire would have called a ‘Titian beauty’. That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch |
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May 2007 |
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(7th) Thought I’d repeat the last paragraph of April’s newsletter so you didn’t miss those fab photos.. ’(29th April) had a visit from Heather with the girls on Friday (27th April), if you go to the Family page and scroll right down you’ll see the latest photos of my gorgeous girls. Phoebe as usual the poser and Neve is a real ‘carrot top’ or what Grandma Claire would have called a Titian beauty.’ As I write today, the weather changed last night and we had a shower of rain and it hasn’t stopped all day today. Sure sign it’s a Bank Holiday when a lot of people have the day off. You’ll be pleased to know I managed to get the shed, sorry ‘summer house’ built, guttering and down pipe from the pitch roof to store the water for the plants is fitted and working. The whole thing painted inside and out and the electric’s installed for the light and to control the ‘water feature’ which I picked up today. I’ve had my eye on it for a while and today was 25% off all garden stuff so I got it a quarter off the list price, bargain! As I said last month, May is the time of year for planting those colorful summer bedding plants so when that’s completed I’ll take some photos and publish them, before we start the BBQ season, we hope, English weather permitting... Talking of photos see the Friends page and scroll down to the bottom, my Snow Queen, the Spanish Princess attached some photos to a mail. The first one is outside where she works and the other is in front of the Town Hall. I don’t know what it is about the snow shots and the cold weather but I suppose it makes a change from all those beach and hot weather views you normally associate with Spain! Anyway thanks Marina, all being well we can have a lunchtime meet next month and catch up with current news and views. By the way, you’re forgiven but remember it’s the 1st not the 3rd... (10th) Just a quick addition to tell you to click on Place Changes and scroll to the bottom of the page then follow the instructions! The photo is from Stefan who lives in Germany. While a student staying at 52, I complained to him that the toilet seat was never lifted by some students and I was forever cleaning it! He said he would send me some stickers showing a cartoon demonstrating in a funny way how the problem might be solved. I received the stickers but was at a loss as to where they might be positioned so they could be seen. The photo I received this week shows the ideal place. Let’s hope the sticky stays stuck where it should be! (12th) Joseph went home today after ten weeks here at 52. You’re great company and I’ve lined up some pictures of last night before you went to the Royal for the ‘leaving celebration’ with your fellow students from school. You were up this morning on time and left to catch Eurostar so I gather all went well. Take good care of yourself and come back soon for more lessons! Here’s the photos of our last evening meal together for all to see:
In case you’re wondering what the meal is on the plate to go with Joseph’s Champagne; Yong brought chicken doner kebab in for us all... yum yum ! Yesterday afternoon, I decided to continue cutting back the garden shrubs, between rain showers and I found a happy family had set up home. Here’s two quick photos I managed to take:
Any ideas on their identity (they seem friendly) and should they be encouraged to stay as the Fat Cat family? (28th) Bank Holiday Monday today and the weather as usual when everybody here has a day off work is windy and wet with the occasional sight of some sunshine to let you know it’s still there and that summer is coming? On the Friday and Saturday I finished the planting of the bedding plants and filling the hanging baskets. I thought I’d got enough plants but I can still fill more pots that are standing empty at the moment. The garden is beginning to take shape for our outdoor fun when the weather warms up again! It seems to take longer these days; either I’m getting older and slower or my expectations are getting greater with things like erecting a shed and wiring in power for outdoor lighting and a water feature to do this year During the week, we welcomed Ray from Taiwan see the Students present page for his photo. I gather this is his first visit to the UK so there’ll be plenty for him to see and do when he gets settled in. Did you notice the updated photo of Yong from Korea, his family didn’t like the original taken on the evening of his arrival when he definitely looked tired. The latest photo showed what a few weeks of rest and good food at 52 does for my students. Today there is a possibility of the long awaited student assistant from Turkey arriving; who was due two weeks ago when Joseph went home to France. Unfortunately his visa wasn’t completed in time so we’ll keep our fingers crossed that he makes it today some time. Keep an eye on the Students present page and I’ll publish his photo on his arrival. That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch |
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June 2007 |
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(4th) The student from Turkey didn’t arrive due to a ‘paperwork’ problem. We welcomed Aurelian from France, see Students present for a photo, who arrived with a group of 21 of his fellow countrymen who will be in the UK for 4 weeks. He’s brought his car so you can guarantee he’ll be popular with his student colleagues! The weather’s still changeable but the forecast for the month is good, so let’s hope for some consistent dry and fine days to come. Got all the bedding plants into the garden both front and back. Just a few little finishing touches but I’ve already started sitting out there for the ‘occasional’ cup of tea and ‘rest’ between tasks... Heather popped in this morning on her way back from dropping Phoebe at nursery. She brought baby Neve with her; not only has she got a lot bigger since I last saw her (not you Heather the baby!). She’s sporting two new bottom teeth and the red hair I’m sure has got redder and there’s a lot more of it! They are both looking so well and I’ve been promised another visit soon to include the gorgeous Phoebe when I’ll update the photos. (10th) I can’t believe another week has passed, I seem to be busier since ‘retirement’, how did I find time to work for all those years? There seems to be more to do but of course there aren’t the deadlines there used to be so days, weeks, months and years seem to pass a lot quicker. Talking of retirement, my friend Ted who some of you have met, celebrated his 65th birthday last month, so it’s official your old and retired mate! He hasn’t been well lately so get yourself better soon, obviously all this ‘free time’ doesn’t agree with you! Marina from Spain, see Friends page, is in the UK next week and has completed all the arrangements for the trip herself she tells me it’s a first and she’s rightly proud of her achievement. Well done! Talking of achieving, Yong has been taking his Cambridge Certificate exam and I know he’ll do well, he’s been working extremely hard. Good Luck to him... (15th) Text message from Marina this morning and I quote ‘I’ve seen THE QUEEN’, Well, that can’t be bad for a London visit, so she’s one happy Lady and I’m sure Her Majesty was impressed as well! Been busy here at 52 with another arrival today, Friday! See Students present for a photo of Ahmed from Oman. There was the usual rush as he arrived by taxi at 9 o’clock this morning and doesn’t start at school until 8.30 am on Monday... and me with two outside doors to strip and paint this weekend with a house full, should be fun! I’ve changed Ray’s photo, he came back the other day from Margate with a new hair style, ‘platted’. Of course being up with the latest fashion we thought it best to ‘update’ his ‘image’ on the web site... Went over to see Heather yesterday for a flying visit and of course took the camera, here’s some sample thumbs of the cherubs: What about those two bottom teeth in the last photo of Neve? (21st) The longest day today, from tomorrow the days get shorter towards winter. Deceiving really because July, August and certainly the beginning of September can give us some lovely weather here in Ramsgate. So, to my friends with the ‘concessions’ on the sea front; ‘keep going, the best is yet to come’. Summer holidays came early for Spoon who arrived here last Saturday for his two week break, earlier than usual. His family have gone to Greece for their annual break and hopefully, if they remember, to bring me back some duty free’s. As you can see from his photos he’s settled in quite happily and is being spoilt and cared for by everyone here, he likes company.
As he gets older he seems to get more ‘handsome’. He must be about 16 years old in our years, that’s 112 in pussy cat years! Going to have some lunch now and then get back to preparing the front and side doors for painting; before my guests return. I’ve been looking at the wrought iron railings and they can do with some TLC; will it never end? (23rd) Had a visitor in the afternoon of the 21st when I last spoke to you. So, the preparation gave way to tea drinking and talking. At this rate ‘no, it’ll never end’ the improvements and maintenance will be ongoing! But, who’s worried. Yong has gone home to Korea today and will be missed by us all. He will get the final results of his Certificate exam in August at his home address. From the modular feedback; it sounds very much as though he got a ‘pass’ and it’ll be interesting to see if he made a good grade for his work. I’m sure he will and we all wish him good luck in the future, whatever he does he’ll be successful at; he is a hard worker. In the time he’s been here; his all round improvement has been very noticeable... Next weekend it will be chaos here. Two students are going home Saturday and three new arrivals on Sunday. Spoon should be returning to his family, having ruled here at 52 for two weeks he will be back in his own surroundings. Who am I going to talk to without my ‘part-time’ puss? Who listens to my every word with no complaints! That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch |
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July 2007 |
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(3rd) Spoon went to his family home this weekend after a two week holiday here. He looked good after having enjoyed his normal food plus plenty of morsels from the students including, chicken, beef, tuna, pasta, you name it and he ate it including baked potato with butter and cheese! Aurelian (France) and Ray (Taiwan) left for home and we welcomed two Italian students (click on Students present for their photos) with a group for two weeks. Looking at their programme for their two week stay it doesn’t leave much time for sleeping. Still, I suppose they can do that on the bus, train or plane when traveling! The forward bookings fill this month and start August; if they all turn up, which as we know from previous experience, they don’t... (6th) We welcomed Tomas from Spain today, click on Students present for his photo. Arriving with his brother and being part of a group of 27 Spanish students, can’t see much studying but a lot of visits and parties! Like the Italian group they have a very good calendar of activities organised for them to follow with a little bit of study time allocated to the classroom. Why come all that way to sit in a classroom, you learn more by mixing listening and talking to the Natives... |
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(8th)Thought I’d better get round to publishing the photos of the changes that have taken place since I last altered the page (click on Place Changes and scroll to the relevant area). The back garden has seen the least change, with a bit of demolition (the fish pond) and additions; water feature, shed (sorry, Summer House!) with the addition of guttering and a water butt to save some water for the pot plants and some current plant changes. At the moment with a lot of rain and sunshine everything is growing quickly and my new water butt and guttering are being well tested. I’m continuing to work inside on the hallway and cinema lounge. Hopefully this month, scaffolding will go up. The external additions of windows, pipe work, gutter, fascia and soffit have been completed so it makes sense to refurbish the exterior walls including new and replacement render, wash down and treat with a fungicide, finish and repaint. Yes, I’m still endeavoring to complete painting the front doors, wrought iron railings and gate. Although the rain showers are good for the garden they limit my ability to work outside for any length of time. So, I do stop for the occasional cup of tea and cigarette! Because I’ve changed my e-mail details to get the best value available; there seems to have been problems reaching me. I’ve altered the banner heading at the top of each page. Where you see ‘Mitch’s Place’ and I’ve added my current e-mail address: mitch.52@sky.com Keep those comments both good and bad coming in. At least I won’t be talking to myself! Will I? (17th) Last weekend Carlo and Andrea went home to Italy with their group and Marco from Italy and Recep from Turkey arrived. No problems and the changeover went very smoothly... Don’t forget to check the Students present link to see the photos. Both these students have a good command of the language and Marco has been to the school here in Ramsgate before. They will be good company for each other being of very similar ages and tastes. They are both here to study hard and improve their already good language skills. I’m still working on the outside railings; having completed the door painting and varnishing between rain showers. Today, I completed clearing right round the house for the scaffold erectors to cover the place from top to bottom in steel tubes and scaffold boards. When it’s up I’ll take a photo to remind us of how it looks. When any work has been completed; I tend to forget how terrible things looked until somebody reminds me what a difference the change has made! (23rd) Cho left us on Saturday to stay with friends in a flat locally and we all wish him well. On Sunday, Geoffrey arrived from Belgium; see Students present for his photo. By today, having reported at school for his timetable of classes; he had his first lessons in the afternoon and had booked some site seeing trips, London, Brighton, Dover and Planet Laser! So how’s that for joining in the activities from day one? On Saturday I was invited to celebrate Etta’s marriage to Andy and although I couldn’t stay for long. The weather was perfect, no rain and it was quite warm! There were some faces there I hadn’t seen for a long time and we celebrated in style, a fantastic time was had and we all wished them both a very happy time together. Heather was there with Darren but no cherubs (Phoebe and Neve) they were at home with their Grandma who kindly did the sitting while Mum and Dad had a break! There’s a photo of both Etta and her mother Mo on the Friends page. Sorry but I forgot to take my camera to record the celebrations. Maybe I’ll be able to copy some of the many guests photos, if so I’ll put them on the site. (29th) This weekend we said goodbye to Tomas and Marco who returned to Spain and Italy respectively. Last week saw the arrival of the scaffold crew who covered the house in steel tubes and wooden staging for the renovation programme due to start next week (weather permitting). I thought you’d like to see how sad the building looks before the external repairs and spray painting renew it’s looks for another few years!
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That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch |
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August 2007 |
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(2nd) On Monday (31.7.07) we welcomed Maxim from Russia at 52, see Students present for his photo. You’ll notice I’ve changed Receps’s photo for an updated version! I think his family must have told him he looked too serious, maybe... Ray from Taiwan see Students Past page who left 52 for home a few weeks ago arrived safely. His parents very kindly sent me a parcel containing a ‘thank you card’, a set of chop sticks and some packets of tea in an attractive ornate cabinet. The computer at their home is ‘down’ so I’ve sent them a thank you letter by air mail post. It seemed strange writing and going to the Post Office to send a letter by post. These days, as we know, most communication is over the e-mail system and is delivered immediately. The Royal Mail letter will take from 3 to 5 days to arrive in Taiwan! As I said in last month’s newsletter the house is surrounded by scaffold equipment to enable full repair, renovations and external painting to take place. At the time of writing I await the builders to start the tasks required. I’ll keep you updated with the customary photos to explain the narrative as and when the activities start. Hopefully this month... Just put the phone down from the school who advise me a Spanish student will be arriving next Sunday (5th) at approximately 1700. So guess who’ll spend Saturday making preparations for his arrival? Keep your eyes on the students present page for his photo... (7th) We said goodbye to Geoffrey on the weekend and welcomed Mustafa from Saudi Arabia (didn’t know about him!) and Miguel from Spain (click on Students present page for their photos) giving us a full house (apart from the garden shed - maybe we could use that next year...). Both of them are young students but with an excellent command of the English language. Got a feeling there’ll be much partying which has been allowed for in their busy schedules along with a few lessons and visits to London, Canterbury and all the usual interesting places much visited by people from other countries. They end up knowing more about English history than I do! Yesterday (Monday) I had a visit from the Operations Manager of the firm that will be doing the external repairs and painting etc. He took some close up photos which they will use in their ‘before and after’ advertising portfolio. I asked him to mail me his results and you can see for yourselves the ‘before’ photos indicating the repairs needed before decoration takes place. The finished results will be published as usual on the place changes page; as and when they happen... |
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(12th) This weekend we said goodbye to Recep and Mustafa and should be welcoming two new faces...maybe! I’ve been emailed approximate arrival times so we’ll see. Watch the new students page for photos. Yesterday the builders arrived to look over what needed doing here and find out what supplies they’d be needing for the repairs and preparation prior to spraying the building from top to bottom. This morning they arrived at 0930 ready to start having picked up their materials locally and found accommodation in Deal; only about 10 miles from Ramsgate. As I’m writing this letter there is much banging and crashing. I bet I’m a favourite neighbour at the moment and they will be back tomorrow hopefully to continue their preparation work. (15th) We welcomed our two new students over the weekend click on Students present for their photos. Outside building works are still progressing and I’ve taken 2 more photos for you to see below: |
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Yes, I know it looks a bit like a wrapped parcel at the moment. You should be inside; it’s very spooky! The trellis to the right of the front door will be going in case anybody writes to say it shouldn’t be there and the cement render at the bottom will be sprayed sandstone so there won’t be any strange colours to distract the eyes...The rainwater goods, (down pipe and guttering) will stay black. The new upvc fascia board and soffit will remain white along with the stone window sills due to be repainted in smooth texture exterior paint Watch this space for further developments! (22nd) We said goodbye to Maxim and his Mama when they went home to Russia last weekend. As I write to you today the weather is terrible; high winds and driving rain. Yesterday I helped my good friend Mrs. Brand during her moving houses; some of my past students and friends will know her and some will have met her. It’s supposed to be one of the most traumatic events of your life when you’re young. We celebrated her 90th birthday last month! The move is to Dorset, keeping her closer to a family member down there. I had the pleasure of going to the area with her earlier on in the year and it has all the facilities you’d expect from warden assisted accommodation; while giving the freedom she has at the moment and should the need arise, instant help. I know she’s doing the right thing and will enjoy the new surroundings. I speak for all our mutual friends when I say “we’ll miss you, take care”. I’ll keep in contact with some phone calls and her son and daughter will check the web site for the latest news down here. I hope there’ll be some photos being attached to any mailings sent and received. (29th) The last of the ‘summer’ has gone! Our final Bank Holiday before the Christmas break has been and gone. The weather brightened up and as I write the sun is shining through from blue skies with just a little cloud to ‘cool us down’. Over the Bank Holiday weekend we said goodbye to Miguel and Ahmed who returned home to Spain and Oman respectively. We’re down to two with two more ‘in the pipeline’ maybe! We’ll see? In the meantime I’m blitzing the guest single room; replacing the actual bed with bedding (sheets, duvet etc.) and renewing the net curtain to make the outside look good. All the front facing net curtains have been washed, ironed and rehung. I’m anticipating completion of the outside decorations which from behind the scaffolding look pretty good. On closer inspection by my friend, who knows about ‘snagging’ and things like that, there are a number of missed bits that need rectifying before we’re satisfied with the job! He’s been on the scaffold and right up to the top floor; which is more than I could do. Then hopefully the scaffold can come down and I can sit on the other side of the road and admire the finished work; with a cup of tea and a fag of course! Then I’ll go back to painting the fence and gate with the final finish coat, well it’s on the ground, no steps to climb until next summer when I’ll put up the hanging baskets for another year. |
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That’s all for now, my kindest regards to you and your families. Mitch |
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September 2007 |
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(1st) The exterior looks as though completion is imminent . As I write; scaffold still shrouds the building but I’m assured, not one but two trucks will appear with the required people to remove all the poles and boards, shortly! 52 will then show it’s full glory to us all...mmm.. Tomorrow Sunday Fahti from Turkey will be leaving for home with his group. A bit later the same day we should be welcoming a Swiss student, the school having confirmed his flight time at Heathrow. As usual, keep an eye on the students present page for any changes that take place. As I said last month, the single guest room was going to have a minor ‘blitz’ with the bed + bedding and net curtain being renewed. Very smart it looks and ready to welcome a later (end of September) ‘long term’ incumbent who has booked for a nine month stay here at 52 to welcome in the New Year. As we know things could change but the room looks very smart now after its makeover. On a somewhat different theme, that of teaching and training. My students have being full of questions about web logs or ‘blogs’ as they have been called in the popular media. Not being one to shy away from something new. I thought I’d better investigate. Click on www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com It looks as though it might be easier to keep a daily diary on that site giving my readers a chance to ‘comment’ on any newsletter information immediately. Lets see how it goes... (6th) So much for my good intentions of keeping a daily log on www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com As you will read from today’s blog entry, technology or the lack of it beat me! Onto more mundane happenings here. The Swiss student arrived as expected; click on Students present for the photo. At the moment a further student is expected this coming weekend but we await the confirmation that he’s been able to meet all the criteria required for his entry to the UK! Don’t hold your breath but his room is all ready and with the possibility of the scaffolding having all gone; we might be able to use the satellite TV connection once again after 4 weeks. Because the scaffold boards blocked the ‘line of sight’ with the geostationary satellite no signal was received by the system here at 52; just good old terrestrial by the chimney pot ariel for our usual 4 channels. Ho-ha the technical explanation wasn’t me but my suppliers of the system and technocrat friends and acquaintances. If things go according to the latest planned intentions, this weekend will see me tidying up outside and then finishing the final coat of paint on the exterior ironwork...maybe! (9th) We welcomed Glauco from Brazil yesterday see Students present and celebrated Peter’s birthday today. Wine, ice cream and Swiss chocolate with our evening meal and very nice it was too. Happy Birthday Peter and thank you. He’s going to celebrate this evening with his Swiss friend at the casino, he could be a millionaire by tomorrow but somehow I don’t think so! (13th) Got a phone call from Ahmed in Oman (click on Students Past for a photo), this afternoon saying he’s missing us all here at 52 and celebrating Ramadan with the family at home. I passed on all our good wishes to him and his family. Heather and Darren came over on Tuesday having phoned me in the morning to say they’d be here for lunch. Good excuse to stop painting again and go to Waitrose for some ‘posh nosh’, which I did and got back in time to prepare a suitable repast for us all. As the weather has been so lovely here we decided to go to the sea front for some ice cream as you do here at the sea side. Take a look at Family link for some photos of you know who! Saw and stopped for a chat with Mo click and scroll down Friends for some photos of her Peter from Switzerland, click on Students present has decided to rent a bicycle for the duration of his stay here at 52. Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon as there are no classes at school; it’s allocated to sporting activities, he decided to cycle to Canterbury, 35kms each way! He did it comfortably in just over the hour each way with two of his friends from the school. Well done Peter, I won’t be trying it myself... We’re expecting a student this weekend so keep an eye on the students present for his photo when he gets here. Just to finish on a high, I’ve finished the wrought iron painting, at last. Any minute now I’ll take some photos of the house exterior. Just waiting for the completion of the ‘missed bits’ and then that’s it; all ready for next seasons garden and hanging basket plantings. That’s me, wishing time away and it goes quick enough without wishing it away! (20th) Doesn’t seem possible a week has gone by since I updated the newsletter. A lot has happened in those 7 days. The temperature dropped quite severely so the heating system went on for the winter! But, what happened to autumn, the leaves are still on the trees and the sun pops through but with no warmth and the wind is biting! We welcomed Ali from Saudi last weekend and await the arrival of a Belgian student this weekend who is coming on the Eurostar continental train system about 2.5 hours into Ashford International then 20 minutes to Ramsgate! Wow, lets see! Glauco, the student from Brazil click on Students Past and scroll down. Went to London last Friday (14th) afternoon intending to be back here for the evening meal on Monday (17th). Today no sign of him either here or for his lessons at school; he went home to Brazil! The school was advised today that he wouldn’t be attending for his remaining lessons. A phone call from him earlier might have stopped us all worrying about him! The exterior work has been completed, at last, unfortunately NOT to my satisfaction. The contractors inspection took place on Tuesday (18th) and rated it as an excellent job! I’m afraid I’ve had no choice but to put it in the hands of a firm of independent chartered surveyors who will produce a report of their inspection. I’m afraid it seems impossible to get a first class job these days without problems but they want to charge top money for their work... Mind you, the one part I was able to do myself; the wrought iron fence, gate and railings painting looks beautiful but is let down by the poor renovation and painting of the building. All that structural work completed over the last 3-4 years, windows, fascia, new drainage outlets etc. All spoilt by poor workmanship. Watch this space for further news as it happens. Saw my little cherubs this week have a look at Family and scroll down to see the latest photos. Neve will be 1 year old next month so the baby has gone. Phoebe is a young lady with lots of chat and some very funny mannerisms which you’ll see with the photos. I’ve had a couple of comments on my blog spot www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com and I’m told I have to be patient to build up a following of regular readers. If nothing else, age tends to make me a more patient person...honest! (28th) Thought I’d better get something in before the end of this month. I’ve just finished uploading some more pictures onto Family and Friends pages so give ‘em a click and scroll down to see some new additions. I’m starting to get responses to the new blog spot so keep ‘em coming and I’ll try to respond as quick as temperamental technology lets me! |
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October 2007 |
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(1st) Thought I’d better keep up the good work and try to stay on top of the web site updating. At least those who used to nag me for being ‘out of date’ are quiet on that subject. While I think of it; don’t forget to view www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com while you’re here. Although the daily update has proved elusive, I’m getting there and slowly, very slowly mastering the technical know how to create something interesting. Keep the responses and comments coming in, at least I know I’m not talking to myself! It must be lunch time I can feel the pangs of hunger calling and no doubt Spoon will be ready for some of his holiday grub... (13th) Since I last spoke here on the site, Spoon’s gone home and Neve has celebrated her 1st birthday (click on and scroll down the Family page for the latest photos of cherub number 2.)The blog has enabled me to stay a little more up to date but time still beats me for making a daily entry. I’m told I should be better organised! I definitely think it’s a bit late for that now. By rights, I should have a lot more time to myself without the interference of work. Things do get done at my pace but there doesn’t seem to be the urgency there once was. I say things must get done because Stefan (a past student; click on Students Past page) came for a visit and was impressed by the work completed since he stayed here last year. (25th) Here we are again, after a hectic two weeks. All my students are here and Peter seems to be having no more trouble with his bike... Those of you who’ve been checking the blog page, click on www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com will see I haven’t been idle. Still waiting for news on the out side refurbishment and the surveyor’s report so it can be finalised! Click the Family and Friends pages to see some photo additions. Marina mailed some photos and of course I picked the ‘posing in the park’ one to publish. My visit to Mrs. Brand in Dorset yesterday; where we had lunch and then a ‘mooch’ round the shops, was good. It’s a long journey to complete in a day there and back, 350 miles. It was worth it to see her looking so good and talking about a visit to some mutual friends who’ve moved to Cyprus. Can’t be bad for someone in their 91st year! While in the town we visited the travel agents and from Heathrow airport she can get there and back for £250. It would probably cost as much to go to Scotland and back... (31st) Had a fondue evening last night see the Friends link for a couple of photos and go to the blogspot for some narrative. As usual the clock change last weekend proved to be eventful with some just forgetting about it all together! I can quite understand why the event takes place on a weekend so we wake up on the Sunday to the hour difference. Can you imagine the chaos if we did it on a weekday... See you here next month for firework celebrations?? |
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November 2007 |
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(4th) If you click on www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com I’ve tried to get as close as possible to a daily log and now with the occasional picture. It’s proving quite fun to use. As we approach the Christmas holiday, I’ve ensured there won’t be any guests to cater for here. They hopefully will all disappear on the 22nd of next month. Because I was recently impressed with the changes at a restaurant I visited with the family. We made the decision to book for a Christmas Day meal there. It’ll be a first for many years and hopefully give us all a rest from the shopping, preparation and clearing up after the big lunch! Last Friday the surveyor’s office phoned me to say their report had been completed and required word processing for distribution. I await the comments raised by the Chartered building surveyor’s inspection and where it will lead... Monday will be Bonfire night and my students tell me a large pile of timber is being stacked in the Broadstairs area. Which means there will be a display they can go to which has got to be safer than endeavouring to do something here and maybe burning the house down! (10th) Still endeavouring to keep a daily log but without success at the moment. One day I’ll have time on my hands and be able to catch up. A friend phoned me the other morning and caught me at the local council rubbish tip. They’d tried phoning the night before and got ‘no reply’. I’d been in all day and kept a social appointment at 9 p.m. returning at 11 p.m. Typical me I’d left my mobile at home on this occasion, and switched on, they panicked, hence the morning call the following day... To make sure I suspect, I was still alive! The surveyor completed his report on the exterior work carried out during the summer. It confirmed the work was rubbish and it should be done again, this time under the supervision of the reporting surveyor. Somehow I can’t see that happening, can you? You never know, I’ve sent a copy to the contractors and await their response, in case they want paying for a satisfactory completed job when it’s done again properly! I won’t hold my breath for a result! I’ll give it a few weeks and then start to tidy up and prepare the outside for the summer plantings. Things like the hanging baskets which I couldn’t do this year because the scaffolding was in the way and just as well because they may have spray painted the plants as well as the other things that weren’t covered. Like next door’s windows and front door along with my shed/summer house and flint wall in the rear garden! Earlier on in the week I visited my granddaughter’s; click on Family and scroll down for some photos. While I was uploading to the site from my files. I came across a photo of Heather with her sister Hazel taken a good few years ago and spotted the likeness to Phoebe and Neve, see if you can see it. (13th) The awaited CD arrived containing photos of Shelaigh and Steve’s visit here last month. Can that man take excellent photos or what! I’ve done my best to pick out some gems and loaded them to the Family page. As usual click on the link and scroll down. I also picked one of little me to update the home heading making a few changes on the way. Yes, I know I don’t look any older than the last lot taken and published... I’m going to publish some different shots on the web log page. So, click on www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com and see the latest news with pictures! (25th) On Friday I got a long awaited reply from the exterior work contractors. Without quoting all their ‘waffle’ signed by the Operations Director they’ve agreed to come back and do the job properly, provided I agree to pay for the finished job before it’s finished...mmm! I’ve sent a copy of their letter to the Chartered surveyor; who as I said previously (10th) wants to supervise their ongoing work this time. Can’t see him agreeing to their terms; seeing what a ‘pigs ear’ they made of it first time round! He’ll be writing to them directly which should shorten the time line a bit. It’ll be interesting to find out when they’re going to come back? How long will it take I wonder, another summer spoilt? Maybe we’ll just have lots of letters going to and fro between my professional people and this bunch of cowboys!
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December 2007 |
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(2nd) If you click on www.ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com you’ll read about the fun I’m having with this year’s Christmas decs and there’s also some recent extra photos of the cherubs. (5th) The Students present page is correct and yes they’re all still here until 22nd December when everybody goes home. At the moment the intention is Ali and Francois will return on January 6th 2008 with a new addition to replace Peter who is going home for the skiing season in Switzerland. As you know, until they arrive through the front door anything can happen so keep watching these pages for updates. Early in the new year I’ll be looking to carpet the stairs and landings and that’ll be another long term project completed and I’ll photograph it all for the Place Changes page. The cinema lounge still awaits the rest of the seating and the audio visual stuff early next year. Once the external decoration dispute with the contractors is settled I should be able to concentrate on the front and back garden plantings. (9th) Went to Phoebe’s school Christmas concert yesterday, see Family page and scroll down for the photos. It brings back memories of my own children performing every year in their school play to entertain their parents and friends at this time of year. We’ve all been through it and long may it continue for the many generations of parents and families of the stars for the day. Phoebe and her little friends Penny and Felicity were rewarded with a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto. While others of us visited the tea and cake shop for a much needed ‘cuppa’and sticky bun. Funny how much of the adult talk was about the shopping that needed to be done at ‘this time of year’ and a visit to the local and distant shopping venues needed to be accomplished during the coming week! Soon be the January sales, whoops... sorry! |
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(28th) About half way through the holiday. Click on Family and scroll down to see the latest photo additions. It’s back to work here at 52 with the usual preparations including some shopping. Amazing, I’ve been away for two days and still managed to need some stuff for me next week! Got holiday wishes from Marina (Spain), Max (Russia) and Rahma (UAE). Rahma said in her Christmas Day text that she had sent something via DHL but they reaconed it would not be here until after the holiday! They were right and I wait in trepidation, quite fun though that there’s another suprise to come after the hols! I’ll let you know when it arrives... Have a very happy and prosperous NEW YEAR. |
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January 2008 |
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(1st) A Very HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you and your families and friends. What a way to start the New Year, talking to my friends here on the site newsletter and on time. You might like to know that I have the house all prepared for my new intake of guests. Don’t collapse but I’ve managed to comply with all my jobs I thought I might do while the house is empty (look at my thoughts on the 23rd December). Yes, I’ve even given the guest bathrooms a complete painting makeover both the white emulsion and gloss paint, two coats! I remember when the tiling of both rooms was taking place all those years ago, what a soul destroying job it was. I tell you when you haven’t got to paint where the tiles are, what a time saver. If I’ve got some time I’ll even bleach the grouting, to complete the job... or am I pushing it (showing off) ‘cos it’s New Year? I’m now going to look forward to the post and DHL delivery from tomorrow; being the first working day after the holiday. I’ve told you about the DHL saga last month. A very close friend always gets me a ‘Beano’ calendar for Christmas, I was very sad not to receive one this year. All is not lost, they have ordered it as normal so it must be a postal delay from the publishers. Never, not possible I hear you say. Watch this page for more information (6th) The ‘Beano’ calendar arrived yesterday, I’m happy now. Still no sign of DHL but I live in hope... About lunch time yesterday the first of my students arrived a day early. It was Ali from Saudi Arabia having spent FOUR hours at Bahrain for his connection to London Heathrow so he slept most of yesterday! About lunchtime today there was a deputation from Taiwan dropping their relative Fong off for his stay here at 52. After their inspection and a chat they left to return to Bournemouth. About an hour later Francois from Belgium returned with some chocolate (yum yum) and a New Year card for me from his family. Thank you Anne, Phillipe and Agatha it is appreciated. Look forward to talking on the phone soon. Click on Students present to see the new student photos for the start of the NEW YEAR. Well, all back to normal after the break, I’d better get started on the evening meal and start the conversation to settle our new friend into the group here at 52. (13th) Everything here busy but relatively quiet after the holiday celebrations! In reply to those nice people who’ve mailed me about my photo on the Home page. No, I hadn’t had a drink that was me unawares and in totally relaxed mood. When I get an updated shot of the ‘young Mitch’, I’ll publish it. Typical though I’m the one who takes photos of everybody else and none of me! For those of you who haven’t visited the blog site yet, try it. Admittedly it’s probably more local area orientated and for my friends from other countries it won’t mean much. Having said that there are a few of you who’ve made comments in the past; on how we do things in this country and especially locally here in Ramsgate, good or otherwise. For those who are about to come to Ramsgate for study purposes it could be an alternative way to look at the ‘goings on’ locally. Marina, thanks for the text message from Amsterdam. As I said to you, make sure you and Gregorio are careful of the canals and bicycles especially when leaving the cafe’s. Their cigarettes are stronger than those you’d be used to and they put ‘funny stuff’ in them! (26th) Nearly the end of January for another year! It’s being so cheerful keeps me going... Francois left here for his home in Belgium this morning. A nice person who made the most of his time here in UK; he managed to consistently increase his grades at school. He left us having progressed to Upper Intermediate, well done. Your family will be proud of your hard work and you still managed to enjoy yourself with the occasional ‘boogie woogie’ time! Three hours later we welcomed Jong Ho from Korea, just enough time for me to complete the required domestic chores... The expected guest from Turkey has yet to arrive. I’ve spoken to him on the phone and the school still have him booked in. This is all due to a delay in his being granted the requisite visa for entry to the UK. He was due to arrive at the beginning of the month, we live in hope! Watch the Students present page for news of his arrival |
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February 2008 |
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(3rd) Fong left us yesterday to go to an apartment locally. We wish him luck and will miss him here at 52. Today we welcomed Cem (pronounced ‘jam’) from Turkey, who will be sharing the twin room accommodation with Jong Ho. Click on Students present for a photo. Otherwise the month has started with cold and windy weather to welcome our guests. I’m meaning to go out into the garden but it’s got to warm up a bit yet and then I’ll venture out to ‘tidy up’ and prepare for the spring and summer season and those al fresco days and evenings when we eat out! Seems an age away doesn’t it? (9th) Ali left us this morning for pastures new! We enjoyed his ‘special’ company for for 4 months and wish him luck for the future. Been having lots of fun here on the East Cliff area of Ramsgate. The ‘powers that be’ have allowed the demolition of most of what was a Grade 2 Listed building on the sea front. I won’t bore you here with all the details including photos. Just click on the link to my blog and you’ll find all the information on there: http://ramsgatemitch.blogspot.com/ Had my annual visit from the school this week and that’s me ‘done’ for another year. Living ‘on top of it’ so to speak; I lose track of all the changes that take place during the preceding 12 months. It’s good to have somebody visit and notice what’s happened! I’m still in the process of deciding on a stair carpet then it’s back to finish the cinema lounge. In the meantime I’ve found some interesting picture post cards of Old Ramsgate for those of you that are interested click on: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~shebra/ramsgate_in_old_postcards.htm and you won’t be disappointed. My tum tells me its lunch time so it must be.... (23rd) Jong Ho left here this morning, we wish him luck in the future. It’s been quiet here and I’m enjoying catching up and keeping on top of most of the jobs that need doing! The last time I used the word ‘quiet’ on the blog site; it went crazy in the real world out there. My friend Ted came over yesterday saying he’d been working out in his garden endeavouring to complete some paving and get on top of the areas before the summer arrives! Made me feel guilty after he’d left; with this mild weather we’ve been having I should be out in my garden tidying and preparing for the summer bedding plants. So, I made a cup of tea rolled a cigarette and pondered my next move, which wasn’t going into the garden yet! Maybe I’ll start next month off with some garden preparation, maybe.... |
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March 2008 |
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(2nd) This morning we welcomed Abdallah from Oman on his first visit to the UK, click on Students present for a photo. As he landed at the airport at 6 this morning, the first thing he needed was some sleep before venturing out with me to the school this afternoon. At about 4 pm Daniyar arrived from Kazakhstan so I ‘swiftly’ made up his bed gave him his paperwork and the customary ‘talk’ and Abdallah will show him the school tomorrow as they both have to be there for 8 in the morning for their test and inauguration... mmm... Obviously a misunderstanding as his visa must have been granted to allow him entry so he’s here and very welcome... The month has started windy but unusually warm for the time of year with plenty of watery sunshine and the days getting noticeably longer. Spring is round the corner; the garden shrubs have their buds and the forsythia will again be the first to bloom beating the daffodils by a few weeks... Best I get out and start the tidying up ready for the season which I’m determined will be the most colourful yet! Perhaps you’ll tell me when I update the garden photos? (15th) Halfway through the month already with winter on its way out. Busy here as usual at 52. Time to go into the garden over the Easter holiday to start the preparation and planting for the summer season. Won’t be long before it’ll be warm and light enough to dine out ! With Easter falling early this year it brings things forward by a couple of weeks. Let’s hope our weather doesn’t do it’s usual trick and give us a wet, cold and windy holiday. The days are getting longer now and we’ll soon be changing our clocks forward an hour to make the most of longer daylight time. Yea... (25th) Easter holidays have come and gone and yes, it did it’s ‘usual trick’ for our Bank Holiday. First day back to work guess what, the sun’s shining. What funny weather in our little corner of Kent! Apart from being cold we’ve had gale force winds, rain and SNOW. So I didn’t get too much done outside...maybe next month! Looked like a Christmas Card view, true it didn’t settle and the next day the sun was shining from a beautiful blue sky. Abdallah went to Bradford for 4 days and experienced some real thick snow falls. It took him 7 hours to get there and 7 hours to come back. There’s no direct connection he went Ramsgate to London to Leeds and finally caught a train to his destination! Hmmm I think I’ll stay home where it’s nice and warm and cosy. This weekend I’m expecting a student from Belgium so keep an eye on the student page for a photo when he arrives to join our happy little group... Talk some more next month... (30th) Vincent from Belgium arrived as expected and was welcomed as usual. I’ve left him e-mailing his family and friends on our computer. Abdallah has volunteered to take him to school tomorrow for his induction and level test. I’ve published his photo on the Students present page so click on the link to have a look at him...! |
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May 2008 |
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(4th) We welcomed Kwon from Korea today (click on Students present for his photo). I celebrated my birthday at the beginning of the month and while getting the customary birthday cards by the usual method through the post. The electronic versions increased in the form of specially animated cards which are hilarious, phone texts and E-mail to remind me people hadn’t forgotten my special day. Or, if they had left it too late to post a greeting; the electronic way did the job ! You’ll notice I haven’t given away how young I am but I’m still not officially a ‘pensioner’ yet although I’ve received my national bus pass. This enables me to roam around the local town and city local bus routes including London for free ! Today, the sun is shining from a lovely blue sky and it’s warm with no wind. I’ve started to plant the colourful bedding plants and the hanging baskets that do so well here. There’ll be some more photos when they start to flower. Over this first Bank Holiday I’ll be putting up the replacement brackets for the front baskets and resetting the airy wrought iron work. It all had to be taken down when the scaffold was erected for the exterior refurbishment last year. Tomorrow I’m visiting Heather and my little cherubs. Unfortunately both she and Darren have had to work over the holiday, I know the feeling... (11th) Some fantastic news just received today. One of my very successful students from Japan, Takeshi has sent me a mail message. He’s marrying a very beautiful young lady (I’ve seen a photo) and of course unless he gives me his permission I can’t publish it on the net! Her name is Yumiko and the BIG day is the 25th of this month. When he sends me some photos of the wedding I’ll ask if I can publish them on the site... The weather here is fantastic 24C and higher some days. The town especially the beaches is full of visitors. The brackets are fixed and ready so I’m still planting in the garden, there will be a lovely Summer display to admire. If the weather continues I’ll use that bus pass and get myself into Canterbury for a wander round. I haven’t been there for a while and I’ll take the camera for some interesting pictures. (19th) Completed the front garden pot planting along with the baskets and started the back. Thought you’d be interested in the early stages of the plants, mostly green and healthy, just want lots of feeding and water so by June/July we should see some results.... Here’s some early pictures..... |
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As you can see, things are on their way for our usual fantastic display, best yet I feel, perhaps you’ll let me know when you see the pictures published in all their glory. I’ll give some ‘tasters’ in the next months’ newsletter. By the way the ‘Cottage’ is the shed/summer house, christened by a student as ‘the cottage’ so I suppose by today’s accommodation standards in some places it could be !! (25th) Today is Takeshi and Yumiko’s wedding day and I’ve mailed congratulations to them both on this important day for them. I’ve asked for some photo’s of the occasion to be mailed here with their permission to publish them on the site. It’ll probably take some time, as a newly wedded couple there must be a million things for them to do before they get settled into any sort of routine ! Did some more garden planting yesterday here at 52 and at least I can say the front is completed. The back is still showing about 6 empty pots so that will be rectified next week. The roses including Simon’s new addition are starting to show some buds so it’s feeding time now and for the next 3 months to bring them to their best throughout the growing season. We’ve just finished Chelsea Flower Show here which shows what can be done by the professional designers and builders. Although I haven’t been to the actual London show they have a full week of TV in all its glory to show the gardens and the plants and flowers. So I dream that one day I’ll visit and have the time and money to imitate what I see. Anyway I’m happy with the results and I suppose that’s all that matters.... As I’ve said previously when things start happening I’ll publish plenty of photos for you to see. |
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June 2008 |
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(1st) We said goodbye to Abdulla from Oman yesterday who moved into a house with his friends for his last weeks here in Ramsgate (he goes home in August). Later that day we welcomed Antoine from France (click on Students present for his photo). Weather miserable for the beginning of this month ‘flaming June’ huh!! But having completed all the garden planting, I’m just looking forward to the resulting flower show now ! |
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(11th) I know, don’t get worried; two days and I’m on the ‘newsletter’ again, gotta be a first ! Yesterday (Tuesday) we welcomed Mohammed from Quatar click on Students present for his photo. I sent Marina from Spain a text message asking how she and her family were coping with the truck drivers strike in and around Madrid, her home town. Her reply told me that so far there were no newspapers being delivered. Not good as she is working in a newsagents who sell among other things ‘ newspapers’ !! At least the food deliveries are not affected, yet !! The weather is not too good there, reminds her of Autumn instead of a lovely Spanish summer, no difference then to here just like the normal English summer weather, cold and miserable.... What about all those people who’ve retired to their villa’s in the sun ? hmmm.... Glad I’m here on the Ramsgate Riviera !! (16th) Yesterday (Sunday 15th) was Father’s Day here in the UK. Invited to Birchington for lunch and a visit to the cherubs. There’s such a change in them, they seem to grow so quickly ! If you click on Family and scroll right down to the bottom, I’ve added some latest shots of both Phoebe and Neve. The little one is walking now; she gets everywhere with her sister’s help of course. There’s also plenty of chat from both of them. Four years old and almost two where has the time flown to as they get older, I stay the same age of course !! Yea, in my mind by the body is showing a ‘little ‘ wear and tear !! On Sunday (15th) when I arrived home it was time to say goodbye to Cem from Turkey who has moved to another house for his last few weeks. He’ll be missed and I wished him good luck for the future from us all .... (22nd) If you click on Place Changes you’ll see an update with a few pictures of the front and back garden areas showing the latest fantastic flower show. The new addition of ‘Simons Rose’ is making good progress with blooms and buds. The display changes every week as new plants show their ‘colours’. At the moment it’s a nightly watering and feeding session to keep them growing....the comments from everyone gives me the incentive to keep it all going. The trouble is I see something in the nursery, garden centre and even Tesco’s and think that looks good and find a space for it in my ‘postage stamp’ areas. (28th) Yesterday (Friday), Antoine and his student group went home to France. He enjoyed his stay here and managed to visit some of the UK sites as well as local businesses here. The brewery, and a sign makers to name two that would have been of interest to his engineering studies. We wished him good luck for his future endeavours and a safe trip home. It’s been a dry month with no rain during the first week of Wimbledon tennis fortnight. I can’t remember when they had no cancellations of delays in the matches played. This weekend sees the Glastonbury festival when it usually rains on the spectators over the four days. Let’s keep our ‘fingers crossed’ for the fine weather to continue! The comments on the garden display for this month make all the work and maintenance; watering and weeding worth while. I’ll take some more photos next month when everything is at its best and publish them as usual in Place Changes for you all to see |
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July 2008 |
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(1st) The weather so far has been brilliant..... I’m sitting here with the fan going full blast to circulate the breeze which is non existent outside. Summer’s arrived, at last !!!! Marina from Spain phoned last night and the weather there has improved for all those holiday makers and is a bit more like the weather we expect from that part of the globe! She was of course very excited about Spain being football champions and had passed her English examinations. That doesn’t suprise me; she’s been studying ‘like crazy’ this year in preparation. Good luck and don’t forget to send more photos as promised. Congratulations to your sister who’ll be making you an Aunty again sometime in August, give her my love and best wishes for the coming event. That means more photos !! Next weekend we expect to receive more guests for this month so let’s see who arrives; keep a watch here to find the latest ‘comings and goings’! (9th) Three new arrivals on Friday, Sunday and Monday click on Students present for their photos (tried the multi-photo image for Ricardo, don’t like it. too fussy; so I’ve reset back to single image). Kurt from Taiwan, Renato from Brazil and Renaldo from Spain. That’s given us a ‘full house’ here at 52 for this month at the moment ! There’ll be another change next weekend so keep coming back ! Meanwhile things are pretty normal here for this time of year.... chaotically busy !!! (10th) After yesterday’s rain all day.... Thought I’d better take advantage of the fine bright weather today. Have taken some more photos of the garden plants in all their glory!! Click on Place Changes and scroll right to the bottom. They look wonderful and the comments on the show make it all worth while. I must remember that as I’ll be out there again later watering and feeding them all. Hopefully it should keep them going until the beginning of September. The temperature drops and apart from the hardy fuchsia, all the bedding plants will start to die. At least we’ll have the wonderful photos to try and better the display next season ...!! In the meantime enjoy...... (15th) Kwon left us last Sunday to stay with his friend in an apartment locally for his last few weeks here in the UK. We all wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. A student from Turkey is due but at the moment he’s unable to get his visa through. So we’ll await the outcome and see how his application progresses ! Steve and Shelaigh have arrived for a short stay on their way round this end of the country. I’ll publish any photos when I take them ! At the moment we’ve only visited the local fish and chip shop, had a walk along the pier and ended up in the ‘Queens Head’ before retiring for the evening. Today may see some further adventures...... (16th) Shelaigh and Steve left this afternoon for their trip to Cornwall continuing the holiday motoring trip. Click on Friends and scroll to the bottom to see the photos I took. The last two are (a four master replica that had arrived in the harbour yesterday and a boat covered in ‘mirror tiles’). Yes I know, your guess is as good as mine but whoever did it has got patience !! Hopefully Steve will send the photos he took on to me when they get home and he has time. I’ll publish them as and when... As usual it’s always a pleasure to welcome them here at 52. The time always goes so quickly; especially as it was such a short stay this time. They were on there way to meet their son and grand children on their holiday in Cornwall. It was virtually an overnight visit. As usual we managed to pack in the usual walkabouts and meals out. They visited both Canterbury and Tankerton while down here visiting relatives. Time well used after motoring from Birmingham. You’ll see some pictures of Shelaigh’s new car, you know it’s hers, look at the registration plate !! With the amount of touring they both do; they’re making good use of the factory fitted ‘satnav’ which has been christened ‘Gladys’. Today’s cars are so comfortable with all the latest gadgets as standard including air conditioning which make such a difference by keeping the interior comfortable on any journey. Anyway I was sorry to see them go and look forward to another, maybe longer visit before the end of the year.... (18th) Took a run over to my friend Ted this afternoon. He’s retired from the building trade and is now catching up with the work he never managed to do at home while working for all those years. Under his wife Maggie’s watchful eye it’s coming together and looks fantastic. His model garden beds and the new patio look a treat. Took some photos so click on Friends and scroll down for the best results taken of my two good friends. We’re all getting older but still fit and lively albeit a bit ‘slower’ than we used to be..... By the way I’ve taken out that multi-image photo of Ricardo on the Students present page and replaced it with a new single image shot. Much better !! (24th) Had a visit from my daughters Hazel and Helena last Tuesday (22nd) afternoon. Click on Family and scroll down to see their photos. Good to see them both and we had lots of news and stuff to catch up on. They haven’t seen 52 since most of the changes and like what has taken place. The garden at the moment is looking its best this month. At least this year I’m able to maintain it with the tidying, watering and feeding that’s required; even in my ‘small patch’. As much as I’d like more outdoor garden space at this time of year it wouldn’t be a practical idea ! (26th) If you remember, Takeshi from Japan who stayed here during 2004. Got married to Yumiko at home. On the Friends page if you scroll right down to the bottom, I’ve published the photos he’s sent me of the ceremony. Looks as though they had a memorable day. Thank you both for sharing the photos with us all. (27th) Marina and Gregorio sent a text message from the Salzburg music festival. They are on holiday enjoying the sites, food and music from a beautiful part of Europe; especially this time of year. The evenings are long and it sounds as though they are both enjoying themselves. Marina says she’s taking lots of photos. Does that mean we’ll be seeing some fantastic pictures shortly ? This weekend has seen the departure of Ricardo from Spain, Renalto from Brazil and Mohammed from Qatar. It’s all go preparing the accommodation for the new intake next week; whoever they may be ! Watch this space for details. |
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August 2008 |
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(5th) We said good-bye to Ricardo, Renaldo and Kurt last weekend they have all returned home with many happy memories of the UK and 52 in particular. We welcome new arrivals Abdallah from Libya, Enrico from Italy and Remegie from Burundi; click on Students present for their photos. Next week end will see another arrival to swell the ranks at the dinner table with lots of chat; in English, of course! I got the first batch of photos from Marina and Gregorio’s travels as promised. I’ll publish them shortly when I’m able to title and downsize them for the Friends page. I know it’s only August and still summer. The garden is looking very colourful at the moment. Click on Place Changes and scroll down. But, I’m preparing the winter plants already! They’re so tiny; the pansies are only about 5 cms tall but as we know from experience, with much care and feeding they soon grow. This will be the first winter I’ve endeavoured to plant out some flowering bedding plants to give some colour to an otherwise green and cold area at that time of year. When they progress I’ll take some photos for you all. (11th) We welcomed Ahmet from Turkey yesterday. Click on Students present to see his photo. Otherwise all is it’s usual busy state for the time of year. Summer is now beginning to make way for shorter days leading to Autumn and the change of leaves on the trees is beginning to take place. The summer bedding plants will soon give way for the winter pansies. The heating will be on at the start of next month and plans will be made for that holiday that I daren’t mention just yet but it begins with ‘C’ and we give each other presents and send cards ! Yes you’ve guessed and it’s not that far away..... (21st) Earlier on in the month (5th) I received the first batch of photos from Marina of her Austrian holiday with her friends. I’ve received the titles of the 6 photos which enabled me to identify the people and the places. I’ve ‘tweaked’ and labelled them, they’re on the Friends page. If you click on the friends link and scroll to the bottom; they’re there! Hopefully she’ll send some more so we can enjoy her experiences of Austria and the music festival. She tells me there’s been a lot of trauma in her family at the moment so I wish her and her family some respite soon! Here at 52 it’s been a typical August. Busy but the weather has been very changeable; rain, sun and wind with the temperatures just as strange. We’ve had lows of 7C to highs of 21C. It’s been take all your clothing out with you because you might need it! We’ve had the Broadstairs Folk music festival and Ramsgate week here where all the boats put on races and the occupants get ‘very drunk’ and hopefully don’t fall overboard! Crazy English people! |
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September 2008 |
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(1st) We said good-bye to Ahmet and Enrico last weekend they have both returned home with many happy memories of the UK and 52 in particular. I’ve planted the pansies into the baskets ready for their first winter show. The window boxes will be the next change this week. The main summer baskets are still looking good and eliciting favourable comments. I’ll wait until the first cold spell and then hang the new ones. |
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For those of you that have missed Spoon’s holiday photo’s because I had a fur allergic guest at the time; here’s some consolation! While their owner’s are away I’m ‘pet sitting’ Mr Fudge the hamster and Fred the rabbit. No there’s nothing wrong with the camera lens. The hamster box is pink! It protects his eyes from the light. What a pair of cuties but can they eat and drink! (13th) Paid a visit to see my grandchildren on Wednesday (10th) click on Family and scroll to the bottom for some photos of my ‘cherubs’. As you can see below |
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Grandad was pressed into the swing and ball jumping games amongst other events. On the family page one of the photos is of Phoebe in her new school uniform and very smart she looks too. No tears from her but the same couldn’t be said of her mother! Her little Angel’s first day at ‘real school’.... My post bag has been filled with my new academic year study programmes. 1 loose leaf study pack, 6 set books, 2 CD’s and 1 DVD. It’s my intention to allocate at least 12 hours a week to these studies along with all the other jobs. So, wish me luck! (28th) Been and still is a little bit chaotic here with the plans made altered and altered again! My studies thank goodness are ahead of plans, the course doesn’t officially start until next month. The readings and study are in advance of my timetable; I’m pleased to say. First the best news this month, Marina is an ‘aunt’ for the second time. Her sister has produced a little boy; Ivan. So there’s much celebrations around and about Madrid to wet the babies head! The van ‘packed up’ and refused to start outside Heather’s house and I’d got Phoebe on board ready to take to school! ‘It’s asleep Grandad’ she said. So phoned roadside assistance and they came out and diagnosed a loose lead to the starter motor. Tightened up, all OK.... Too late to take the cherub to school so I took the vehicle to my garage for a ‘check up’ and small service. Everything in order, we hope! I’ve got lots of mileage to complete next week and the journeys can’t be deferred, only cancelled! Remegie came back from London last night having taken his exam (results due in a few weeks time). He picked up his passport from the Embassy but no Visa stamp in it! This means his return flight cannot take place until his paperwork is in order. Today is Sunday so nothing can be dealt with until tomorrow (Monday). Lets hope things sort themselves out by next week when he’s due to return home..... So more news next month. |
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October 2008 |
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(2nd) We said good-bye to Remegie yesterday; he’s returned home with many happy memories of the UK and 52 in particular. This morning he phoned me to say he’d arrived home with his family and say ‘thank you’ for his stay with us here. I had asked him to let me know that he got home OK after his problems with obtaining a visa to transit in Belgium and pick up his flight to Burundi. There are no direct flights from London UK to Bujumbura in Burundi. The visa hadn’t arrived by the time he was due to leave, despite his application being made personally in London with the Belgian authorities on September 3rd, Who assured him his passport with the requisite visa; would be posted to him here in Ramsgate by special delivery! Last weekend still no documentation had arrived; so he again went to London to collect his passport and take an important English language examination. No passport for identification purposes no exam! Collected his passport but with NO VISA... Without the visa he’d have to stay in Brussels airport (international territory)to pick up his transit flight due on the same day. If there were any problems or delays and he left the airport he’d have been an ‘illegal immigrant’ into Belgium from the UK! Everything must have sorted itself out with me having got his welcome phone call... I’ve no doubt I’ll get a ‘chapter and verse’ narrative of his happenings when he next makes contact. Another saga opens and closes in the ‘goings on’ here at 52! (13th) Over the weekend; we welcomed Dimitri from Switzerland (click on Students present for a photo) who is staying here for a few days holiday before returning home to restart his studies. Been a bit busy here with two things of note happening. My youngest grand daughter celebrated her 2nd birthday a day late ‘cos Mum and Dad were working! Click on Family and scroll to the bottom to see some photos. My friends from the Midlands spent a weekend celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. Couldn’t let that go without joining in the festivities, lovely time was had by all..... With the dry and warm weather I have spent a couple of days in the garden changing the baskets and pots to the winter display of pansies and primroses. When they flourish and bloom I’ll take some photos to publish. At the moment they’re a nice healthy shade of green! (16th) Said good-bye to Dimitri today after his very short but enjoyable visit of a few days. He’s returned to his family in Switzerland then back to the old routine on Monday. (29th) Just to end the month on a positive note, I have received an E-mail from Remegie, click on Students Past for a photo. He’s been busy since his return home and we know when you’re away, nobody does anything! So, when you return, your desk ‘looks like a bomb’s hit it’. Bit like mine permanently! Hmmm... He and his family are well and my Burundian coffee is on its way! Kindest regards to you and your families from Mitch |
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December 2008 |
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(1st) The holiday month is here and just to prove it I’ve put up the tree and the window tableaux. I know there’ll be nobody but me to admire it but for those visitors and friends that arrive. At least with the cards on the mantle shelf and the twinkley tree. I’ve done something, especially with Father Christmas flying across the window on his sleigh for the Grand children! Here’s some photos to prove it: |
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(21st) A few more ‘shopping days’ left to Christmas! All the preparations including the dusting and polishing for the New Year are now done. |
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January 2009 |
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(4th) Happy New Year to everyone. Abdalla (see Students present for his new photo) returned yesterday a day earlier than expected. No problem everything was already for him. He tells me the flights from Tripoli to London for arrival today were all booked for a Sunday arrival! As his classes re-start on Monday 5th he thought it best to arrive early rather than late... That’s what I call a motivated student and he brought me some baclava, yea !! (18th) What a beautiful day....chilly but the sun is shining from blue sky and it makes you realise that the spring weather is not far away. Some good news for Ramsgate; in the form of a catamaran service to Boulogne-sur-Mer in France, from the local port here soon. According to their web site www.euroferries.co.uk something should start to happen from Spring/Summer this year. My friends and I will certainly be one of the first to take advantage of the service. I was reminded that when motoring over to the supermarket Auchan in Calais; last year or maybe the year before. We missed the turning off the motorway and ended up in Boulogne, close to the castle so it’ll be good to go back and explore intentionally! Kindest regards from Mitch |
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February 2009 |
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(1st) Well, that’s January gone for another year! Relatively quiet after the Christmas and New Year celebrations. The weather here is still cold and chilly but dry. You can’t go out without a hat, gloves and scarf and it’s nice to get back home and into the warm. The garden pruning jobs will wait until the temperature increases but primula and winter jasmine are in flower and we await the daffodills and tulip bulbs to herald the arrival of spring Abdalla (see Students present for his photo) is preparing to leave for his home next week; having successfully completed his course, he’ll be missed. (4th) Despite the snow and ice in the UK over the past few days Abdalla got away this morning and should be home by this evening if all goes well with his plane connections! If you click on Students present you’ll get an idea from the graphic what I’ll be doing for a while. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words? (17th) Yesterday we welcomed Mohamed from Dubai, UAE to 52. Click on Students present to see his photo. The weather seems a little warmer than of late and the daylight hours are getting longer. Still not spring yet but it’s showing signs of improving. Here in Ramsgate we have been excused the snow experienced by the rest of the country. The west country, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall which are normally the warmest areas at this time of year have experienced some freak conditions and the plants which survive have taken a ‘bashing’ this season with many of them unable to survive the cold ! Kindest regards from Mitch |
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March 2009 |
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(1st) Nothing to report . In fact, compared to the same time in previous years it’s relatively quiet. Just how I like it.... So why am I writing anything? If I don’t; you can guarantee someone will panic and write to say: ‘you haven’t changed the date. Are you allright?’ (6th) Further to my information in January’s newsletter about the arrival of a ferry service here in Ramsgate. There’s been a press release from Euroferries that they are to launch the service on the 31st of this month. Fingers crossed ! Lets see what happens.... |
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............Yesterday, Mohammed asked me if he could buy a guitar locally. He wants to learn to play while he’s here! Being a mine of information... hmmmm! We set off and duly purchased the instrument which included everything for the beginner including a DVD on instructions and demonstrations. As you can see from the photos he got started on our return and is more than happy with his purchase. Looks as though he’ll master it by the summer.....maybe! (29th) On Friday (27th) it was Phoebe’s 5th birthday. Now she’s at school no parties allowed on a school day! So yesterday, Saturday (28th) we went to ‘Build a Bear workshop’ in Canterbury. Unfortunately little Neve her sister, wasn’t well so it was decided she’d stay home with her Dad. For those of you like me that haven’t had the ‘bear’ experience; just search for the website and you’ll be amazed at what’s there. Needless to say all the children enjoyed themselves and left for a restaurant to party with ‘bears’ of all shapes and sizes, including Olivia’s rabbit. Their new bears were dressed, including shoes/boots as boys and girls in suitable colours! As we’re at the end of this month, I’ll publish the photographs taken, next month. |
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April 2009 |
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(1st) As promised....... |
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............so here are four photos of my grandaughter Phoebe’s 5th birthday party at the Build a BearWorkshop in Canterbury. Everybody made their own bear and a pink creation was made by the ‘birthday girl’ each of the party guests went away with a ‘goodie’ box and their own creation. Needless to say a good time was had by all with a birthday tea at Prezzo’s in the city where Phoebe cut slices of cake for her friends. (17th) Received a mailing from Remegie yesterday and he told me how the recession was hurting his small African country and its people. Let’s hope it doesn’t last too long and we all come out of it without too much damage. As I said to him in my reply; certain areas in the UK are suffering where employers are closing their business and the effect on the surrounding population can be devastating. Then there are those that seem to be little effected and dare I say maybe benefiting from the reduction in interest rates on their mortgages and other debts. Return on money invested by retired people to help them lead a comfortable retirement seems to be dwindling so they are finding it difficult to maintain standards. Overall I’ve yet to meet anyone who’s benefiting personally from the UK’s recession - young or old - worker or pensioner! On a happier note, life here at 52 is quiet and I’m managing to enjoy the lovely weather which stayed with us for the long Easter weekend. I managed to enjoy some sun bathing between bouts of gardening and tea drinking in my little ‘patch’. Good to see people both local and daytrippers making the most of the town and our wonderful beach and seafront on offer here in Ramsgate. |
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May 2009 |
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(1st) My birthday (64) and that’s another year gone ! At least we have a long weekend to celebrate as the Bank Holiday Monday falls on the 3rd. The planning includes a trip to a National Trust property tomorrow and lunch there. Tomorrow evening is dinner in Broadstairs and then BH Monday should be a shopping trip, hmmm. Lots of activity doing nothing. Just what I like now. Next year is the BIG one as I’m 65 years old and officially a ‘State Pensioner’, bus pass and pension by then...... I’m taking the camera with me so I should get some photos to publish on the site. (5th) What a fantastic Birthday (Bank Holiday) weekend. Shelaigh and Steve arrived late on Friday (1st) in time to give their birthday wishes in person. On the Saturday we went on a visit to Knole in Sevenoaks, Kent about 60 miles from Ramsgate. It’s an historic house in 1000 acres of park with its own deer herd. |
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As the following photo proves we had a super lunch at the outside restaurant before attempting to go any further, just in case hunger came on! And yes I was there; as the empty place testifies but somebody had to take photos..... |
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Having wandered around the state rooms and admired the fact that we were going back in some cases over 400 years. We walked round the whole building outside to get an impression of the size of a 350 room house and the private garden attached to it ! That’s big.... Having arrived home at Ramsgate by 6pm it was decided to go out for dinner, Indian of course ! With Shelaigh insisting we dress ! See photos....... |
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On the Sunday they were due to go home but not before we’d had a fish and chip lunch and walked to the end of the pier for some fresh air...... |
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I’m afraid my Holiday Monday was a bit of an anti-climax after the two days of visits, walking and eating with my good friends. The shopping just consisted of replenishing the fridge and freezer at the supermarket and having a snooze in the garden for the rest of the day...... so much for doing nothing over the hols ? |
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(10th) And there’s me thinking that this weekend would be a normal one ! How wrong could I be ? Those of you who follow these jottings will know I have a student with me at the moment; from UAE. Click on Students present for his photo. My normal routine for Saturday would be to stock up on provisions and get those things that I need transport for (heavy or bulky) hence I take the van and do a round trip getting what I need. Mohamed made a point of asking what time I made a start on the Saturday morning and could he come ? He wanted to go to Argos at Westwood Cross. We arrived at WX and he asked me to come in, he proceeded to buy a ‘Royal Train Set’ for me as a birthday present.....WOW ! I then took him to Ramsgate town centre where he was meeting his friends and said he would meet me back at 52. When he returned he took these photos. |
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July 2009 |
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(1st) Certainly, last month was as predicted in my June newsletter; quieter than normal for the time of year! The weather has been sunny and warm here. The beach and sea crowded with visitors as well as us locals. You only need to take a walk along the front to get a sun tan in this weather. Those who’ve been sunbathing, including my French visitor have developed a ‘Mediteranean’ tan. When he goes home it has been mentioned that his family won’t believe he’s been in a classroom in Ramsgate for his time here studying ! Later this month there are some guest changes... The usual comings and goings at this time of year, I’ll keep you you all posted! (6th) We said goodbye to Mohamed who has gone home to Dubai to see his family and enjoy his holidays in 45 degrees of heat ...... phew and we’re having a heat wave at 20 plus degrees here in Ramsgate. In our local cities of Canterbury and London it’s about 5 degrees hotter ! Ramsgate harbour hosted ‘Ramsgate Rocks’ over the good weather weekend and although I didn’t go down there I could hear the results where I am; up on the cliff ! On Saturday night there were fireworks which I enjoyed even at 1030 in the evening. I gather from reports received that it was excellent and good for the traders on the front who welcomed all those extra customers in the cafes and bars there. Who provided food and drink along with extra temporary stalls and attractions put up for the weekend. Let’s have more events like that...... On Sunday we welcomed Ridvan from Turkey and James from Taiwan, click on Students present for their respective photos. (13th) On Saturday (11th) we said goodbye to Pierre-Marie who returned to his home in France; along with his student group. They were here for six weeks and completed their stay by sitting a TOIC exam on their last Saturday morning ..... ! Their programme of activities and visits while here; was very comprehensive and educational. It included among other places; a visit to the Shepherd Neame brewery in Faversham, a popular choice certainly with my student ! (21st) Samuel from Spain arrived today. There are a group of students and his leader brought him this afternoon to help with the introductions. I have a copy of his activities programme so there seems little chance of the group getting bored ...... they won’t have time ! Click on Students present for a photograph of him. |
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August 2009 |
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(3rd) We said goodbye to Ridvan from Turkey and Samuel from Spain and welcomed Andrea from Italy and Karl from France; click on Students present for their respective photos. (4th) This afternoon we welcomed ‘Glory’ from South Korea; again please click on Students present for his photo. (12th) This month caters for visitors to Thanet with the Folk Week happening in Broadstairs and the sailing regatta here in Ramsgate. While not being a ‘boating’ person myself, the RTYC (Royal Temple Yacht Club) click on www.rtyc.com and follow the links. Sponsored by Vattenfall this year who are building the offshore windfarm and installing the turbines . Put on a marvellous and very exciting week of events from the Royal Harbour for the boating fraternity and the audience. For those who like to socialise after the event, whether taking an active part or not ! An evening of entertainment is provided with music, dancing and a bar. I wish them luck in their endeavours after all the hard work they put into this event every year. (16th) Yesterday evening marked the end of Ramsgate week with a firework display at the harbour. Didn’t get there but I heard it, ‘whizzes and bangs’ ! So if it looked as good as the sound effects; the onlookers must have been impressed. Andrea left us today and returned to his home in Italy after a short but ‘busy’ time in Ramsgate. He intends to have a holiday before returning to his educational studies. (20th) Got a nice early start this morning with next door neighbour James. He decided (with encouragement from his ‘better half’, Alison) that a fence was going to be built in their back garden. The idea is to raise the height of the existing walls by 2ft and fitting 5 ft x 6 ft waney panels would do the trick. The use of the van was ideal, so off we went to price up the job. First call, the timber yard and I was tempted to purchase some insulation board as a base for my modelling, which I will start very soon......!! Really.....!! While James checked the panel prices and assorted screws etc., to complete the job. Next stop Tesco’s for fuel and the paper and glass recycling skips. Then Wickes to price their products. I needed a replacement loo seat for the downstairs bathroom. How my ‘guests’ manage to break the lid is beyond me but ‘hey-ho’. Somebody must have been smiling on me ‘cos they were offering the plastic part with no fittings for a ‘fiver’. As there was nothing wrong with the fittings in situ, I bought it! James bought a pack of timber to help with his intended installation and we returned to the timber yard to pick up eight fence panels and assorted screws etc. Next stop the Royal Mail sorting office for a very peculiar shaped parcel! Having returned home, James off loaded his panels and screws etc. and started building immediately....thats what I like enthusiasm that comes with youth! Meanwhile I replaced the loo seat and stored the insulation board ready for building shortly, honest!! (22nd) This morning we said goodbye to Karl who has returned home to his home in Paris, France. As a post script to my posting last Thursday (20th). James completed erecting the fence panels round his back garden. Very smart it looks to and I imagine Alison and the children are pleased with the security and privacy offered to them when they’re out there. Alison assures me she won’t be painting the panels with anything except wood preservative.....!! hmmm.....we’ll see ! (29th) Today we’ve said goodbye to both ‘James’; who as I write is here awaiting his transport at 4pm to the airport for his flight home. ‘Glory’ left this morning for new accommodation with his friends in a local ‘flat’. They will both be missed and it should be quiet here at 52 for a change......! Give me a chance to do a bit of in depth cleaning and polishing, maybe....! I can hear you saying ‘what about the painting, gardening and the changes you’re going to make?’ Well, be assured I’ll keep you up to date as they happen. |
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September 2009 |
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(2nd) What a way to spend the last Bank Holiday of this year ! Last week-end and the Holiday Monday (31st) I spent the time clearing the shed of 3 years of accumulated ‘junk’ prior to treating the wood both inside and out with preservative. I covered myself and my clothing with this oil based liquid (creosote substitute) and the smell was appaling. Both my top and the jeans I was wearing got dumped into the rubbish and I showered and changed immediately....! Today I took the van to the tip and cleared all the shed junk plus 3 bags of garden refuse; ready to continue with the pruning, cutting back of the shrubs and tidying of the paved area for the winter season. On my travels, popped into Tesco’s ‘Emporium’ and picked up TWO pairs of work jeans for a FIVER and DOUBLE points, bargain or what! I intend to make the most of the respite here at 52 as I said in my posting last month. It makes a change to be able to do all the necessary jobs that maybe I’ve been putting ‘on the back burner’ for too long ! (4th) I braved the winds but it remained dry so was out in the garden all day today and with James’s (next door neighbour) help with the high bits, we cut back the vegetation to the existing trellis height. Managed to fill eight bags with the cuttings. It’s suprising how much has grown over what seems a very short time! I noticed how much extra light comes into the paved area so the conservatory must be brighter. The only trouble is it now shows up the white paint in the dining area....so guess who’ll be painting soon? (8th) Yesterday I renewed the blade in the power saw to continue the heavy back garden pruning I started earlier (4th) with my neighbour. All the big branches I was able to load directly into the van without bags ready for the tip on Wednesday when they allow oversize vehicles in to unload the garden rubbish. Still a lot to do before the weather changes but I’m confident of working outside for at least the rest of the week. Today I kept my appointment with the optician and of course I needed a new prescription for my glasses and £160 later I left and I can collect the new specs in 7/10 days time...... We welcomed the return of Mohamed from Dubai, UAE see Students present for his updated photo and he expects to be at 52 until December when he returns home in time for Eid celebrations. His arrival reminded me that he has another two weeks of Ramadan left. Very difficult for him to fast while studying along with students who can eat and drink while he abstains until ‘sunset’. (27th) Almost at the end of this month ! Today I’ve managed to complete the tidying of the garden and bagged up the last of the prunings I started at the beginning of the month. My intention is to saw back the lilac and seringa to let a little more light through the conservatory. Yes, I know there’ll be more rubbish to clear. I will get 2 pieces of 6ft x 5ft square trellis to cover my side of James’s fencing and then plant some clematis. It’s a south facing wall so the constant ‘sunshine’ or should I say ‘light’ will make the shrub do well and flower among the lilac (purple) and seringa (white) trees while covering the trellis. Hmmm...well that’s the intention and I’ll photograph the progress. The dry and bright weather has kept me outside at the expense of inside tasks to be completed. While completing the Monday and Tuesday ‘domestics’ along with the grocery shopping required to keep 52 running; the painting and decorating have been put on hold until the weather changes and forces me back inside. As you can see I’m making the most of the respite from having the one student to cater for. No point in trying to complete any projects when the house is full and my time is taken up looking after my students. I sometimes wonder how I managed to do all those jobs and still keep things ‘ticking over’. The only difference is the jobs get done but slower than before and outside the necessary time scale parameters I created then. Unless anything important happens I’ll talk next month. |
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October 2009 |
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(1st) Nothing of any interest apart from being the 1st of another month and Christmas is getting closer. I’m looking forward to the weekend. Why? You ask.....I’m doing some travelling, only in Kent but I’ll tell you about it on my next posting and I’ll be taking the camers so I should get some photos to publish. (4th) Who forgot his camera yesterday? With all the things to remember prior to the ‘awayday’, one of the most important to record my visit was forgotten. It’s some years since I visited the town of Folkestone so I had to interrogate the Internet for a map of the area. I decided to go by train from Ramsgate station rather than motor and try to find parking at or near the venue. By the time costs had been compared, there was no comparison with the price of fuel and safe parking these days. The service offered using smart modern trains and the fact that you could relax, read, drink coffee and arrive refreshed 40 minutes later. Next year I’ll be 65 and a ‘senior citizen’ so I thought I’d better start exploring my interest in Model Railways. Hence the visit to my first exhibition given by the Folkestone Model Railway Club at the Leas Cliff Hall. So having remembered everything except the camera. There were upwards of 60 exhibits spread over three floors as well as the balconies and an outside caravan roadshow! By following the catalogue directions and write ups of the various exhibits I saw everything there. Took a lunch break looking out to sea from the balcony, nice eh..... Arrived home at 5pm tired and ready for some food. All in all a very interesting day and a precursor for future adventures maybe further away? There will be a chance now to model scenery and use my existing stock of railway engines, coaches and station paraphernalia at home. (11th) My youngest grand daughter is 3 years old today. I’ll be calling over there on Sunday to celebrate the occasion. Top of the reminder list along with a present will of coarse be the cameras. (14th) |
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I thought I’d better start this posting with proof I remembered the cameras this time. What a lovely day and the weather wasn’t bad either! Neve isn’t a baby any more with her older sister Phoebe, quite the young lady. I managed to find out from their mother Heather that ‘dressing up’ was in vogue. Managed to pick up a ‘Tinkerbelle’ outfit (photo 1) and ‘Little Mermaid’ outfit (photo 4) to mark the occasion and as you can see they were well received. My other grand daughter Olivia (the image of her mother Hazel) arrived with her grandma and my youngest daughter Helena was there to mark the occasion. |
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The requesite games included ‘statues’, ‘pass the parcel’ and ‘pin the tail on the donkey’. The spread as you can see from the following photo was magnificent and it was taken prior to the ‘demolition’ by the big and small people there. But. we still left something for Darren’s lunch during the week ! |
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(22nd) A busy morning, with Keith the gasman calling to test and service the gas system for the re-issue of my gas safety certificate. Paul returned my computer after it got so slow I was starting to get annoyed with it and for me these days it had to be really slow! It turned out to have a ‘bug’ and needed more RAM which he increased by 1Gb. Interesting point he gave me a web address www.speedtest.com to measure the amount of broadband reaching my computer. It turned out to be less than 1 Mb at this time of day. The adverts tell you it’s up to 20Mb..... that must be in the early hours of the morning when nobody’s using the system, maybe? Must ring Heather this week to arrange a visit and return her CD’s which I now have on my computer library and I-pod. |
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November 2009 |
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(1st) For those of you that queried the line almost in the middle of the photo of ‘Neve’s Birthday Spread’ (see below). There’s a baloon attached to the top of the ‘ribbon’ weighted with a metal handle below. So with some relief I put the lens cleaning equipment away. |
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As I told you on the 22nd of last month Paul came and serviced the machinery and among other ‘jobs’ he increased the RAM. What a difference! My internal speed is back to normal especially when working on updating this site So I can now turn my angst to something else.... The weather; which is b****y awful. High winds, rain but as yet no snow or ice! Due to go out for lunch today so it should be a damp affair! (16th) Yesterday, Sunday (15th) we welcomed the return of Antoine from France who was here in June last year. See his latest photo by clicking on Students present. ‘Cos he’s a year older and growing a beard! The weather here is still horrible with high winds and driving rain in the morning and sun and wind in the afternoon. At least it’s relatively warm for the time of year! But, of course can change very quickly from one moment to the next..... |
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December 2009 |
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(1st) Heather’s birthday today and she celebrates her 40th so how old does that make me? Hmmm....! VERY I hear you say! (2nd) The school have confirmed Mohamed is staying another week until the 11th before he returns to his home for the holidays. It’ll keep Antoine company who will stay another week before he returns to France on the 20th. That should allow me to have a Christmas break before starting the New Year and the return of everyone for the coming year. (6th) Yesterday evening I went into Broadstairs and joined a party/dinner to celebrate Heather’s BIG birthday. 40th just in case you forgot! I’m sure she won’t forget the evening in a hurry as her friends and family were there to ensure a night to remember..... Click on Family then scroll down to the bottom for some photos (sorry about the quality, I put the flash on and left the settings on auto and it couldn’t cope) That’ll teach me to leave the machinery alone and let it do it’s own thing !! When I get some quality time I’ll feed the files through the computer programme and get it to adjust them.....maybe! (11th) This morning we said goodbye to both Mohamed and Antoine who have gone home for the holidays. At the moment I have a booking for the holidays so what I said about my Christmas break; please ignore! I’ll publish a photo on ‘students present’ page nearer the time. I received my first Christmas cards in the post this morning although I’ve had e-cards from the beginning of the month. Can’t seem to get into the ‘Festive Spirit’ at the moment but I suppose it’ll come! (19th) Still waiting for that elusive ‘festive spirit’ and that’s even after we’ve had our first snow flutter this morning. Thought I’d better go outside and turn the van engine over, just in case. It started and I kept it running for 10 minutes to ensure the motor warmed up and the battery was charged. Although I had no intention of motoring anywhere I’ve had experience of ‘flat batteries’ from years ago and that was when I did some mileage! That job done I thought I’d walk into town. For the last week or so the whole country has been alerted to the fact that snow was coming; newspapers, radio and television. Even in other parts of Kent, some had heavy falls yesterday and we were seeing roads blocked, schools closed, snowballing games and children running around on toboggans. You’ve guessed it when it arrived in our little corner this morning there was no gritting or salting on some of the steepest hills locally because they weren’t important in the grand scheme of things! If you click on the following web site http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/blogpicts129/id19.htm Courtesy of Michael Child who owns the local bookshop at the bottom of this hill, thanks Michael. You’ll see what I mean. (25th) HAPPY CHRISTMAS to everyone. (28th) Time moves on Christmas has gone and the New Year is about to come....Having spent a quiet Yuletide; my good friends Shelaigh and Steve paid a visit on Boxing Day (26th) and stayed over before a visit to Whitstable which is only a few miles inland from Ramsgate. Because I didn’t enjoy the full Christmas lunch (too lazy, just for one) they decided to save me one of theirs and plated it up all the way from Birmingham, for me to freeze. That will go down very nicely for a good ‘feed up’ on New Years Eve hmmm.. yum yum.. I think I’ll take a photo of it before I demolish it including the Christmas pudding, brandy butter and fresh cream. So look out for a special New Years Eve posting. As Steve said: he thinks I’ve been spoilt. Even describing it, I’m salivating! The home made mince pies and Xmas cake were eaten yesterday in the evening with a ‘cup of tea’..... But, I’m determined to save the main course and dessert for New Years Eve..honest! We decided to have a change from English grub and went out for a Chinese meal in the evening and if you click on Friends and scroll down to the bottom there are some photos of our time together. I’d better stop for today and do some shopping and keep on top of the ‘domestic chores’ round the house. (31st) Not only is it New Years Eve but I’m reminded it is also the last day of the decade! So let me take this opportunity to wish tou all a HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2010 |
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January 2010 |
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(1st) HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. According to my posting of the 28th of last month. I was going to publish a photo of my New Years Eve meal kindly brought all the way from Birmingham by Shelaigh & Steve on Boxing Day when they visited. Just to prove I didn’t eat it before the date here it is: |
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As you can see, it contained everything and everything was eaten with the exception of the parsnips which are ‘not my cup of tea’. Thanks again you two for thinking of me on the Big Day, it was fantastic! As the New Year is a time for making resolutions, I won’t be left out. I’ve decided to start to build that model train set-up I’ve been promising for the last ??? years. I began last year by unpacking the train sets collected over the years and ‘playing’ with them. Yesterday I purchased some model scenery to begin building a ‘diorama’ as a running background. The time, date and place will be from the imagination so there’s plenty of scope for using this ‘modellers fantasies’. I’m going to create a page on this site for you to follow what happens (click on Modelling). So there’s something else for you to ‘click’ on. (4th) Today saw the beginning of the full working week for most people and on my first full shopping day; things seemed to be back to normal! There was a fall of snow overnight, as usual in our ‘little backwater’ the pavements were slippery; OK if you walked in the road... We welcomed the return of Antoine from France yesterday, click on Students present for his latest photo. I’m told the earlier beard was a temporary addition! Yesterday I continued to build my first model, click on Modelling to see the results and my comments. (7th) More snow last night and today so although it looks very nice outside with everything covered in a layer of the ‘white stuff’. There’s very few cars on the road and even fewer people venturing outside. I have no intention of going out and have turned up the heating here to ensure it remains ‘cosy’. I was due to visit Heather and my grand daughters but cancelled due to the bad weather and not wanting to motor across to Birchington which would be dangerous! There’s always another time when the weather improves! I had a phone call last night from Brazil! It was my new student confirming his arrival next Sunday and wanting to know whether he should bring anything. I said apart from a towel and a toothbrush, the rest was down to his choice but travel light.... This morning he had sent me an e-mail containing his details and some photos of his family. He’d visited my web site so had an idea of what to expect here at 52 and the Ramsgate area. (11th) Yesterday (10th) we welcomed Gabriel from Brazil who arrived as part of a group to attend the school for 4 weeks. His itinerary looks very comprehensive and includes European trips to Paris, Amsterdam and Bruges as well as cities in the UK! Click on Students present for a picture. In case you’re wondering what the object is he’s holding; it’s a statue from his region wrapped in a Brazilian ‘T’ shirt. Both very welcome gifts from him of his country to me. (15th) Yesterday (14th) we welcomed Ashraf from Libya (click on Students present for his photo) to 52. Who has arrived and starts his lessons at CHSE on Monday (18th). Nothing like preparing yourself in good time. His first journey today is to Folkstone where he has to register with immigration, then he wants to purchase a lap top computer to log onto the Internet and use Skype for his calls to his family and friends in Libya. I’ve told him to talk to Antoine the French student who already uses his computer on our WIFI at 52 and is very lap top literate. (18th) Have just finished posting to the modelling page my latest eforts along with some photos. Click on Modelling to see the results. Thought I’d better update here as well! Quiet at the moment and Gabriel arrived back last night after his trip to Amsterdam and Bruges! Antoine is going to France on Tuesday and Wednesday this week to sit his TOIC exam; I wish him luck and he’ll be back in the UK on Thursday afternoon. It’s just as well they both like travelling! (28th) Yesterday we said goodbye to Ashraf temporarily (he’ll be back next week). Then at midnight (27th-28th) three students arrived from Spain with a small group of 20. They are scheduled for only one week’s stay in the UK and their packed programme including English language lessons of 2 hours a day for five days plus the usual sightseeing excursions, reflects this! Click on Students present to see their photos. I have to take this opportunity to thank my Spanish princess Marina for her help in researching the area of Spain my students have come from. She even attached some photos of the town of Villapandos where they go to school. Is’nt it lovely to have such helpful friends so far away? Thanks again Marina for your help and so quickly! |
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February 2010 |
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(1st) The whole month of January has past for another year! Been very productive and busy here at 52. Click on Modelling page to see I’ve kept at least one of this years’ resolutions. This week will see activity on the student accommodation front with ‘goings’ and ‘comings’ taking place. When it happens I’ll let you know but for the time of year believe me it’s busy! (3rd) This morning we said goodbye to the Spanish group of three students and welcomed Ashraf back to 52 this afternoon. |
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Here’s the leaving photo with from left to right Yeray, Santiago (still asleep!) and Ivan waiting for their taxi to school where they had a lesson. There was a ride to Stansted airport then their plane to Spain. Home arrival time about 9 p.m. Oh, to be young and mobile......not really the early mornings are enough! (5th) Yesterday I kept a Doctors appointment for my checkup. You know the MOT for us humans! All passed OK but I said my right foot had been giving me ‘jip’. The Doctor removed; rather painfully what he described as a wart on the long toe and trimmed the nail. We came to the conclusion it would be a good idea for me to attend a Chiropodist (Podiatrist) as I find it difficult to trim the toe nails. No, don’t laugh....it was only pride stopped me from admitting I needed their services! Now I’m of state pensionable age I don’t need an excuse any more.... I phoned and made an appointment for this morning and this nice young lady stroked my tootsies, trimmed the nails, powdered my feet and gave me two appliances to straighten the offending toe. To finish up she said I would now be walking with ‘twinkle toes’....... She was right, I got back from a walk into the town and back and felt great! I’ve booked another appointment for 6 weeks time and would recommend everybody to give it a try, young or old.... go on! (6th) We said goodbye to Gabriel today who returns home to Brazil. It’s been a pleasure to know him and he is an excellent representitive of his country in every way..... I’m sure he enjoyed his stay in the UK especially Ramsgate and CHSE. Apart from visiting the cities and the sites they had to offer he even fitted in two musicals in London. When he arrived with one suitcase I had told him previuosly via E mail not to bring too much from home as clothing and a lot of articles were cheaper here than in his home country. When I say to you he purchased two massive suitcases while here and filled them to capacity; I’m sure there’ll be many happy faces when he gets home to his family and friends. The taxi that picked him up; had another passenger from his group and just managed to squeeze the luggage into the vehicle before setting off for the bus at Royal Esplanade taking the group to Heathrow Airport. Come back soon Gabriel we’ll miss you! (11th) Snow came to Ramsgate last night and today. In all about 12cms more or less in some places! I’ve attached a few few photos courtesy of Michael Child on http://thanetonline.blogspot.com click on the address to take you there for more photos and his interesting comments on the local scene.... |
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(22nd) Snow’s gone but it hasen’t stopped raining today....hey ho! Poor Sue from CHSE came today for her first visit to 52. She arrived cold and wet huddled up by the radiator to thaw out! Passed the annual inspection an d she told me some news I’m not supposed to know... so I won’t pass it on... I couldn’t believe it had been 10 days since I published some news on the Modelling page, click and see my latest efforts and the occasional comment. Time is like that at the moment, days and months are starting to whiz by!
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March 2010 |
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(2nd) Here we are with a new month and things are much the same as always. I have come to the conclusion that it’s me getting slower! Rather than there being more to do with my time... It seems as though I’ve got a lot busier the older I get. True there are extra things but at least I volunteer to do them it’s not a question of having to; when the family was about and younger..work seemed a necessity to pay the bills! Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed those days and wouldn’t change them. Maybe the ethos might be different knowing what I do now but that’s experience talking. Maybe I’m trying to excuse myself for not posting on the first day of the month and there again maybe it’s just a ramble ‘cos it’s relatively quiet here!! By the way, the sun is shining from a lovely blue sky.... (7th) The sun has been shining from a blue sky and I was tempted into the garden for a check. Shopping and domestics finished, I thought I’d venture out to see whether spring had started in our domain. As the view from the conservatory has been dark and miserable during the winter months. The buds on the plants and trees are forming; especially on ‘Simons Rose’ which I decided needed a feed and proceeded to talk to it while doing so. The neighbours think I’m crazy so that confirmed it for them! If you click on Place Changes and look at the photo on the right of the top row it’s dated 22.6.2008 and is the yellow rose next to the ‘boy on a dolphin’ statue. Then click on Old Newsletters and scroll down to 22.6.2008 where you’ll see a posting mentioning comments about the rose. Yes, I store all the old news and photos published on the site plus a few thousand others! I’ll take some garden photos to update the posting for this year. I’ve a feeling all the pots and the garden generally will give us a beautiful summer show... (13th) Done some shopping locally and just finished the ‘twin’ room preparation for a mid week stay for a ‘quick’ 7 days. Two students from Austria are expected next Thursday (18th) and they’re leaving on the 25th. They’re part of a group and their itinerary covers Ramsgate, Canterbury, Margate and London ! They also have a few mornings at school so I suppose it justifies a week of ‘hands on’ lessons... If you click on Modelling you’ll see I’ve managed another structure and intend to use my ‘spare time’ customising the buildings and their surrounds. (19th) Yesterday it was a busy day.... We said goodbye to Ashraf in the morning who went home to Libya. Then, in the afternoon we welcomed Stefan and Christian from Austria who arrived as expected for their 1 week stay. They are part of a small group (22) who are here to ‘see the sites’. study and observe. They very kindly brought with them some souvenirs of their country. They had looked at this website and noticed my interest in model railways. Click on Modelling to see their gifts to me. (21st) Quiet weekend students out in Canterbury, London and watching rugby on the ‘big screen tv’ in the pub locally. That means I’ve been able to concentrate on my miniature world. Click on Modelling to see the results and some comments so far. (24th) Yesterday we welcomed Eberrado from Italy at 10pm who encountered train trouble and he eventually caught a taxi from Margate. Pretty amazing 2 hours from Italy to London and the rest of the time waiting for his train connection from London to Ramsgate..... He was due at 52 at 7pm but he phoned me from Margate station to say he’d be late! The school phoned me this morning to say he liked his accommodation and would be spending his stay here at 52.I must be doing something right......?? Click on Students present to see his photo. (25th) This morning we said goodbye to Christian and Stefan who went home with their Austrian group. Unfortunately they will have a lot of waiting around for their travel connections. They expect to be home by about 10 pm ! Although they only stayed for a week; it was a pleasure to accommodate them here at 52. Their parents and teachers should be proud of them. They were both excellent representitives of their country and I hope they return to the UK and especially to Ramsgate soon. (27th) Phoebe’s 6th birthday today. I got an invitation to Prezzo’s restaurant in Broadstairs where there were 13 children and a few mum’s ! Click on Family and scroll down to see the photo collection. In the meantime here are the 2 birthday girls. Helena is my youngest daughter and oldest Grandaughter Phoebe is the birthday girl who was the party hostess in her new jacket from Grandad! So her mother chose it what do I know about young ladies fashion .... |
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April 2010 |
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(1st) Happy April Fool’s Day just look at our premier Thanet blogger ECR click on http://eastcliffrichard.blogspot.com/ and you’ll see what I mean. I read through it and thought that’s good of TDC to admit their problems over the last 30 something years! Then I got to the bottom and read the response address, silly me.... Now back to reality with a ‘bang’ both the energy bills, electricity and gas arrived this morning. Bl***y Hell I know it’s been cold, dark and miserable this quarter and it’s a big house; but that has to be a joke! One of the things that I have to do, is update the website details at the end of every month and with the Broadband connection being ‘unlimited’ now, it’s still slow when I have to transmit the amount of data to the site server. Next month I intend to try and do all the transmission in the early hours of the morning. I often wondered why the rubbish I receive sometimes is timed at such an unsocial hour..... So I am going to try and use the line in the supposed ‘quiet’ time and let you know what happens. The Easter four day weekend starts tomorrow and I’m expecting 2 guests to arrive for the holiday only. Look for their photos and I’ll keep you advised here in our ‘Newsletter’. (3rd) My 2 guests from France who are Antoine’s friends Sebastian and Damien arrived late yesterday. They were welcomed by Antoine because it was past by bedtime! Click on Students present to see their joint photo. Their English language is a lot better than my French......... As I’ve said previously they’re only here for the Easter holiday. They’ve gone to London today and will be making for Cambridge tomorrow! Me, I’m still modelling, computing keeping on top of the ‘domestics’ and the timber for the baseboards (to set the models etc on) has arrived so I’ll be kept busy for the time being.... Heather (my eldest daughter) asked me when we met for Phoebe’s birthday bash in the Broadstairs restaurant how our mutual friend Ted and his wife Maggie were. I said I hadn’t heard from him for a while and he hadn’t popped in for his usual ‘cuppa’ and a chat. Click on Friends for their photo. I phoned his home last night and spoke to Maggie who told me he hadn’t been too well! That was an understatement!! He had collapsed and been rushed into hospital he’d turned blue! No oxygen; so they pumped him full of the stuff and stabilised him.... I spoke to him and he sounded much better on the phone but he can’t get out too much at the moment. I’ll pop over to see him on my next trip to see Heather and the grand children and keep you all advised on his progress. (6th) Yesterday we said goodbye to Sebastian and Damien from France who were with us over the Easter holiday. They were aiming for the 2000hrs ferry from Dover and left us in good time. As friends of Antoine they enjoyed their stay at 52 and hopefully will return in the future. On Sunday they were motoring to Cambridge for the day. Imagine my suprise when I received a phone call from Antoine saying they were in Rochester and would be home in time for dinner! They had been to Cambridge and thought they would see Rochester on their return trip! I forgot to tell you that on Easter Friday before his friends arrived, Antoine had visited the Thanet Easter Beer Festival in Margate with his classmate Olivier and to prove it he brought back a souvenir of his visit; here’s the photo: |
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Just to prove to myself that I can still ‘multi task’ when the need arises. I did 2 days domestics today, both the bedrooms and the bathrooms. Dropped the van into the garage for its MOT, updated my postings on the site, click on Modelling and still managed to stay on top of everything..... life goes on! (11th) What a beautiful weekend with the sun shining yesterday and today. We had the hottest day of the year yesterday and well above what would be a normal temperature for the time of year! Can it last, I ask myself? I’m expecting another student this weekend and he phoned me yesterday to say he was coming but hadn’t got a flight.....He intends to advise me when he has further details! So you’re as wise as I am but I’ll publish his photo when he arrives at 52. With the weather being so good and it being too nice to be indoors I took my woodworking outside; click on Modelling to see the results of my external labours in between cups of tea, meals and the occasional cigarette! (16th) The last day of what has been a busy week. It started with me having the van MOT’d which it failed miserably! Last year, I only covered 650 miles in the whole year! Bit different from my days of 30 to 40,000 miles a year and that doesn’t seem so long ago..... Doesn’t time fly? Anyway I left it with them to estimate what the cost would be to bring it up to safety standards to pass it’s test. £750 was quoted and when I got over the shock, they said they would do all the work needed and phone when it was ready. So today I’m the proud owner of a road worthy vehicle. I must admit I didn’t think I would miss a vehicle but being without my ‘wheels’ was inconvenient and not having a ‘van’ made me think that I wasn’t ready to swop it for a small car just yet! The weather has been beautiful sun and blue skies. Been working at the front of 52; washed and repainted the iron work and cleaned and painted the stone caps on top of the two pillars. Looks a bit more cared for and shows up what else needs doing; now theweather has improved. Things like planting the window boxes and hanging baskets in time for their seasonal display. The volcanic cloud from Iceland that has disrupted UK airspace will create problems for my guests and the school phoned to say they were waiting to be advised about the delays that will be incurred with the comings and goings of their students..... In other words expect chaos, last minute emergencies etc. (30th) My last posting above said it had been a busy week! I don’t know what happened since then, ‘cos 2 weeks have flown by.... Suppose it must have been the shock of having to pay out £750 for the van to pass its MoT but at least that’s it for another year. Sure sign I was thinking about getting a small runabout car to replace my form of transport. That made up my mind for another year at least, maybe... Have done a lot in the modelling, click on Modelling to see the results so far. |
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May 2010 |
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(1st) It’s my birthday today and I’m officially a state pensioner having reached the age of 65. Yesterday I had a visit from Heather, Darren and Niamh complete with a cake and box of chocs to celebrate a day early due to their work commitments. Took some photos of course: |
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Although there’s only two above that’s two of the ten that I uploaded to the computer from the camera, otherwise it takes forever to upload the data to the site server. I must admit, if I log on to the I-net in the early hours of the morning it’s a lot quicker - no traffic at that time! While Darren was here I made use of his youth and strength to hang the front 16” baskets which I’d planted earlier on in the week. As they start to grow, I’ll publish photos of the front and back garden; with links to the Place Changes page. As well as the usual cups of tea, Heather brought over an Orange and Carrot cake and a nice BIG box of chocs to celebrate the occasion! (7th) Having spent a relatively quiet birthday, I thought I’d better get on with things. It’s all very well being a venerable age but the mind is forever young! Marina your e-card said it all; woopee...!!! Seriously this week has been hectic with it being election day yesterday and at last our area has gone back to the Conservatives which had it not been for the Jonathan Aitkin debacle would have remained like the other half of Thanet permanently blue! Laura Sandys a new MP got in with a massive majority and let’s hope it stays that way... I’ve been modelling amongst other things such as domestics and shopping and should be in a position to publish some results on our special page, shortly. In the meantime I’ve been taking advantage of the good weather and working in the back garden. using some of that ‘youngness’. When I asked Darren to hang the front garden baskets for me, which he kindly did. They’re 16” diameter and when loaded with compost and plants they weigh a ‘ton’, too heavy for me to lift and then climb up the ladder to hang them on the front brackets! Bearing that in mind I thought I’d fit some 14” hangers and baskets on the back, here’s some photos: |
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As you can see from the first photo, the level is set for easy maintenance, no ladder required and accessible from the ground! The plants I purchased especially for both the 12” (on the shed) and these new 14” baskets with a few to spare for the pots, along with the compost. This is now produced for sale in handy 20 litre packs no more humping those great 70 litre packs around! In the last photo, Simon’s rose is doing well and starting to spread in its corner next to the ‘boy on a dolphin’ statue. Should start to flower in a month or so when I’ll photograph it for the site (13th) Yesterday we welcomed Vu from Vietnam click on Students present for his photo. So, between planting in the garden (see above) and completing an ambitious modelling project; click on Modelling to see the results. Things have been somewhat busy for yours truly this month! (23rd) What a beautiful week with a Sunday (today) boasting blue skies and sunshine all day. That is what living by the seaside is all about! Even though when the weather’s bad, the wind and rain and this year ‘snow’ makes you think that summer is a long way off..... Basically I’ve sat in the garden soaking up the sun, drinking tea, smoking a ciggie or two and sleeping! Hmmm this retirement thing is excellent, a little bit of gardening, modelling and entertaining my guests. The new plantings are growing a treat and next month will see me publish some photos on the Place Changes page, until then wish me a ‘happy’ time! (25th) All change...!!!!! That’ll teach me to ‘tempt fate’ by publishing a comment above that says I’m relaxing! Antoine tellls me his car has broken down and he’s left it on the other cliff, by the school so I contact my garage who will collect and repair it. The phone has gone ‘dead’ on me with no dialing tone , if it rings there’s nobody there! Line must be OK because I’m connected to the internet, hmmm. Technology’s great when it works but when it doesn’t nobody seems to know what to do! Then Eberardo tells me he’s paid £200 for a flight ticket to have a holiday at home. Every time he goes to the agent, no ticket. So, I tell him don’t worry and I’ll meet him at the travel agent. He’s got his ticket, obviously a communication problem.... I’m now going to keep my mouth shut and just relax quietly; ‘cos I’m sure somebody is listening? (31st) The end of my ‘birthday month’ and the garage couldn’t get the part for Antoine until Friday (29th) ‘cos it’s a left hand drive and the clutch cable for a left hand drive car is shorter than the right hand drive English models. It had to be ordered from France. On Thursday (28th) I took him to the ferry terminal at Dover where he caught a foot passenger ferry and his family picked him up from Calais. I’ll pick him up next Thursday (3rd) and bring him back to 52.....hey ho! I’ve got two shared bookings for June a Japanese and a Turkish student. I’ll publish photos as normal when they arrive....subject to their travel arrangements and the flights being on time. The garden is starting to take shape and when I start feeding everything next month; the flowers should be better than ever this year....we hope! Click on Modelling to see the progress I’ve made. |
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June 2010 |
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(1st) In spite of the rain and cloudy conditions I managed to get outside and give the garden pots and baskets their first annual feed. The Bank Holiday yesterday as usual was a ‘wash out’. When you consider that people use the day off from work to get out with the family, not much to tempt you with such poor weather so I expect most of them stayed at home! After the ‘all change’ of last month, I intend to keep quiet about how relaxing it’s been lately and just keep my thoughts to myself. Congratulations to my friend Jayne who is a Grandmother from yesterday (31st) to a liitle girl; Phoebe, Lily. So that gives me another Phoebe to remember. No, I’m not going to say ‘the best people are born in May’ and she only just made it. (5th) Antoine got his car back, all’s well on that front! Eberardo is looking forward to his 2 week holiday at home in Italy so he’s happy! Vu is starting to make friends (gone to London this weekend) so he’s happy! So you’d think all’s well here at 52? Hmmm....From the 20th of this month I’ve got 1 student too many for the accommodation here (I knew that garden shed/summer house would be used, one day)! Antoine has extended his stay by a week; to the 26th. He’s told the school but they haven’t altered their bookings and are still sending me 2 new students on the 20th...I’ve e-mailed Sue in the accommodation dept today and I’ve no doubt they’ll sort it out on Monday! That also reminds me my landline telephone has broken with no calls out or in! The mobile line is OK and the internet connection works, when it wants to. Technology is wonderful isn’t it? At least nature is working in the garden with the plants growing as they’re supposed to and I’ll publish the photos shortly. Click on Modelling to see the results of the progress made since the start of the month on the latest project. (19th) Since my last posting, the weather hasn’t improved and I’ve still got no land line telephone connection! Some consolation comes from Eberardo who sent me an e-mail (that’s working) from his home in Italy (where he’s gone for a 2 week holiday!) the weather there is just the same, miserable. Summer hasn’t started yet..... Antoine has gone to his home for the weekend in Northern France, which has the same weather pattern as here in Ramsgate. So I’m left with one incumbent and expecting another one on Sunday (20th) at 1pm...maybe! We’ll see keep an eye open for a posting tomorrow if he arrives. The other new student will now be arriving next month on the 4th! Both the dish washer and deep fat fryer have been replaced and installed last Thursday (17th), so we now have sparkling crockery, glasses, knives and forks. With extra crispy chips! Still no stair carpet yet, I’m saving my pennies! (20th) Sonaro from Japan arrived this afternoon click on Students present for his photo. Day still miserable and cold! (21st) Having welcomed Sonaro to 52, I then kept an invite to go to Heather and Darren in Birchington to celbrate Father’s/Grandad’s Day. A ROAST SUNDAY LUNCH, awaited me and did I enjoy it or what! So with my card and a box of chocs, the girls and I went into the garden (sun at last...) for some serious ‘playtime’! Click on Family and scroll down to the bottom for the photos. Still managed to get home to prepare Spag Bol for tea, there’s dedication for you. This morning I had a call on the mobile from the BT engineer to say he’d be calling just after 8 am to fix my land line. Hmmm.... It turns out there was a break in the cable attached to the house and it was ‘making and breaking’ contact. So, the cable from the pole line was replaced and I now have another new black cable entering the house. Making the old existing wire redundant but of course still painted a sand colour. So unless I want lines in the Tyrollean finish, they’ll stay until external redecoration time! Having completed the job and testing OK on his monitor phone he decided to check and make sure I had a ‘dialing tone’ on my phone. Guess what.... no dial tone. It turns out the wires connected in the incoming cable connecting box didn’t match those going into the ‘base station’ on my land line transmitter. So, he changed the wires round and yippee we have contact....! He phoned my land line number from his mobile and we got a ring. With that saga completed I’m told my Internet connection should now be better as well....hmmm! Anyway I still managed to do the Monday shopping and domestics etc. As you can see, even got to update the site this afternoon. No modelling but I intend to complete the project by the end of the month....maybe? (23rd) What a lovely day; the temperature is up in the top 20’s C so maybe Summer has arrived. Mind you the night temperature is still a bit chilly!. Antoine managed to book an earlier ferry with his motorbike having taken his car home last weekend with all his suitcases and family gifts! Here’s some photos of him and his mighty Honda machine, all ready to go: |
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Antoine, I hope you like the one I increased in size (without the van!). I forgot to say good luck with your exam tomorrow and thank you for your company for the last 6 months. Just to ensure nobody thinks I’m slacking; look at Place Changes and Modelling to see the progress made in the garden and with the modelling project. |
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July 2010 |
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(1st) The weather at the end of June and today has been briliant; sunshine, blue skies and temperatures up in the 20’s C! Maybe summer has arrived but don’t bank on it..... I’ve been in Email contact with a new student from Turkey: Ilkay, who will be arriving on Saturday 3rd July at about 5pm. I’ll publish his photo on Saturday evening. In the meantime have a look at the Modelling page to see how I got on last month and started off with some ‘gusto’ this month. (2nd) Went into the garden this morning and noticed ‘Simon’s Rose’ had a visitor; one of ‘Heather’s fuchsia’ buds had strayed across! |
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Sorry about the focus, but it was early......!! |
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(3rd) Weather still perfect and the temperatures up in the 20’s C! Should remain like it for the weekend....... We welcomed Ilkay from Turkey this afternoon. Click on Students present for his photo. (10th) As above, the weather gets hotter and hotter! Still in the 20’s + C. People are walking around the town in various states of undress and burnt; as their pale skin gets cooked nicely! I try to go out in the morning and do bits of shopping when it’s cooler and have a ‘siesta’ in the afternoon when its too hot for walking about. Still managing to model see Modelling for the latest efforts, with the conservatory door wide open and a breeze blowing through to cool ‘my fevered brow’..... Living by the seaside as opposed to town/city life has many advantages at this time of year. Not least of which is the slower pace of living and ‘laissez fair’ attitude when the temperature rises. (17th) Sotaro from Japan left us at 4am this morning for a flight from Gatwick for Budapest in Hungary! I gather that’s where he lives now so lets hope he has a good flight and arrives suitably refreshed after his stay at 52. The weather here is somewhat changeable with sun, showers and some ‘gusty’ winds. Although I’m pleased to see the rain; with the winds drying the baskets and window boxes. A nightly water with the hose pipe both here and next door (my neighbour) is still a must. I’m expecting another student in the ‘twin’ room to replace Sotaro and make company for Ilkay. I’ve prepared the room and await his arrival....... He arrived this afternoon click on Students present for his photo. Hisham from Saudi Arabia. He tells me that his parents are coming for a visit and he’s booked them into the ‘San Clu’ hotel on the seafront, close to here. So maybe more news as it happens.... (20th) Vu from Vietnam left us this morning for alternative accommodation. The school sent a taxi for him at 10 am. He left a lot of personal ‘stuff’ which I’ve bagged up for him to collect, as and when! Hisham’s parents have decided to stay in London so maybe we’ll see them in the future! (25th) Yesterday evening we welcomed Welshman Gareth from China as leader of a group of Chinese students studying at CHSE for a short stay of 2 weeks. As a 23 year old with a degree and a TESOL certificate I think it’s very brave of him to go so far from his home in Wales to China for his first teaching assignment. He talks of his class sizes being in excess of 50 students! Click on Students present for his photo. It will be interesting to see where he goes next in his travels...... (27th) All ‘domestics’ completed for this week so now I get some ‘me’ time? The group leader Gareth has gone over to Margate to enquire about hiring a push bike from Ken for a week. Last night I gave him the details and said how ‘Chocolate Peter’ was looked after. The Swiss German student who was here in September 2007 and cycled all over the place during his stay! Click on Students Past and scroll to September 2007 and see my comments on Peter’s cycling adventures while he was here. At this moment I have 4 beds occupied out of the 5 available and with 1 twin room used as a single for the next 2 weeks. It looks as though that will be it for a while.......hmmm! I’m going to upload this data and then go downstairs and ‘unwind’ with a bit of modelling...... Go onto Modelling and see the results. |
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August 2010 |
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(1st) On Saturday (31st July) yesterday. Ilkay took 2 days packed lunches and told me that 4 of his friends along with him (5 in all) had hired a car for the weekend. Their intention was to go to Brighton, London and then back to Ramsgate. Imagine my suprise when I went into his room to change the bed sheets and empty the bin this morning and found him in bed...! They went to Brighton and their one and only driver was exhausted so they decided to return to Ramsgate and go back to their respective host families! It’s Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK with most people having Monday 2nd August off work and having to start their week on the Tuesday. This of course makes the roads busy anywhere with traffic jams no matter where you go. For somebody not used to driving in the UK this makes it even more tiring than normal! Any way, guess who’s in for his evening meal tonight? Gareth went to Cambridge yesterday and Oxford today with his Chinese students. All organised through CHSE so no driving but a long bus ride! Eberardo attended church this morning as usual and took his packed lunch for a walkabout around the island with the weather being warm and dry, perfect for a local ‘mooch about’. Heesh went to London on Friday to see his family who are here from Saudi for a brief holiday. They will all fly to Scotland and hopefully he’ll be back here some time on Monday.......... So it gave me a chance to do my domestics this morning, leaving Ilkay/Heesh’s shared room until tomorrow. I can update the site on time, instead of the ‘small’ hours of the morning! (7th) Gareth the Chinese group leader left us early this morning for his return home. He arrived 2 weeks ago with a half empty suitcase and by the time he left it was full! There are many things that he’s not able to purchase in China so his excess weight allowance has been well and truly exceeded..! I’ll be doing the usual Saturday chores and prepare the room for the Polish student expected tomorrow.....maybe... (8th) This evening, Jacek arrived from Poland for a short stay (2 wks) to study at CHSE. Click on Students present for his photo. Nice quiet weekend so I managed to concentrate on some model building click on Modelling for the results. (12th) It’s Thursday today and it’s one of those busy weeks so far. Monday started with me starting early to show my recent incumbent where everything is for his breakfast. Then there are the rooms with their bedding to change. Usual grocery shopping ‘cos with an almost full house food and household items don’t last long here at 52. The evening saw me ‘shattered’ and looking forward to an early night..... Tuesday would I thought be a little easier with just the bathrooms to clean and tidy, hmm....... On emptying the clothes washer contents into the dryer, all well until I turned the dryer on and it was making ‘funny noises’! Phoned the engineer to come and look at it, he’ll call tomorrow morning. Spent the afternoon trying to catch up on some modelling, click on Modelling to see the results. Wednesday started OK and then Heesh informed me that the feast of Ramadan starts today and he will fast during the day and will break his fast at about 2030 and then reduce the timings by 2 minutes a day. So now I have 3 sittings for the evening meal: 1900, 2030 and 2130! The podiatrist called at 0900 and completed her usual monthly treatment. The drier engineer called and told me the motor was failing and to replace it would be £200. A new machine is £300 so, no contest they will deliver tomorrow morning. Kept a Dr’s appointment where he gave me my checkup and pronounced me as fit but due for a blood test which I booked for later in the month. Came home and had a much needed ‘cuppa’ and then did my usual further shopping trip. No modelling today, just kept my eyes open to complete my evening catering duties. So here we are on Thursday afternoon and they delivered and installed the replacement clothes drier which should be more efficient with all the new ‘knobs and buttons’. Managed to complete a modelling project and come onto the website to pass the news......phew! (13th) Popped over to see the little people this morning and stayed for a light lunch and the usual ‘cuppa’ or two. Took some photos as usual, her’s one: |
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(28th) We said goodbye to Jacek this morning at 0630 when his taxi arrived to take him to Stansted for his return to Poland. His stay was non-eventful and he managed to visit our local Monastery; St Augustines, while he was here and was invited by the monks to stay for his lunch last Sunday after attending their High Church Mass in the Abbey. Being quiet on the student front I’ve been able to concentrate most days on my hobby. See Modelling for the latest results which will complete the month of August with a ‘railway’ theme! At 1130 this morning Hisham left 52 at the end of his stay and it took me quite a while to clear all his rubbish! Poor Ilkay who was sharing the same room.... |
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