Overloaded Car - Broken Cup - New Toy

Well Friday was pretty quiet and not a lot happened here apart from Amy (sister) visiting in the afternoon. Her car has broken down and is in the garage for repair. Apparently she was just parking and heard a bang, got out to look and the back axle had snapped, so car was down on the road on that side. Now Amy is known for seriously overloading her car with various junk (I mean treasures) that she buys and sells and often gets from skips. It is a seven seater but wardrobes, washing machines etc have all been taken for a ride in it! And she makes a good living from the things she gets so who am I to condemn her? But at the end of the day it is a 'car' and not a lorry lol. She also uses it for car boot sales so all this wear and tear means it has been too heavy for the poor axle and Bang! I did suggest she should buy a van but she's getting it repaired, to break another day lol. Amy told me her daughter's flat has a back and front garden so that will be really nice for the kids, and she is moving in next Friday.

OH came home around 6 pm - not so early today. He went to the shop for some milk and came back with a Chinese takeaway for tea which saved me cooking omelettes. Really dislike cooking so I was not complaining! Got a disturbing message from daughter saying the toddler had accidentally knocked a cup off of a shelf in a shop and broken it. The shopkeeper wanted her to pay for it but she didn't have cash on her. Shopkeeper called a man and they tried to keep her in the shop and take her bracelet as payment! They got out of the shop and he followed her down the road grabbing her and insisting she give him something from her bag to pay for it or give her bracelet over. Her friend stopped him and they got back to the hotel safely. She saw the rep who advised her to report it to police but she was told the police don't speak much English and probably wouldn't do anything anyway. And the cup was only worth around £6! To be honest I would have paid for it if one of my kids had broken something, but really intimidating someone and following them is not on.

Oh Dear Storm In A Tea Cup!

Today (Saturday) OH had the day off so we went shopping to Lidl and B&M. Saw a food processor and liquidiser for £29.99 so bought it as it was a reasonable make - Russell Hobbs. I have got an old food processor that Amy gave me years ago (she bought a job lot in an auction) but only used it once as it was not complete and had no instructions with it. Also had lots of bits some of which didn't even belong to it! Well, it might regenerate my interest in cooking - you never know. Have grated some cheese for cauliflower cheese and a carrot to test it so far lol. Heard from daughter and she is all ok but staying in the hotel for the day as it is 35 C on the beach! They are all off to a dinner and show tonight and a boat trip tomorrow. Sounds good to me.

Bye for now All the best x

Someone has a New Home - Out for Dinner - One Way Ticket

Today (Thursday) started quietly and I had a late start, sleeping in til 9.30 am. After a nice relaxing morning sat with the dog watching TV AM and Jeremy, playing an online game - a free one lol - and putting on the last of the washing the phone rang. It was Mel (sister) wanting to come over for coffee. 10 minutes later she had arrived and there she stayed until 4 pm! It's never a quick visit with Mel lol. She rang our other sister Amy and found out that our niece was taking the flat after all. I'm so pleased she did as she is a lovely mum and the kids really need somewhere to call home even if it is only temporary - which in our area can mean up to 3 years.

It may be empty but it's home

OH came home 5 minutes after Mel left, so 4.05 pm, which is very early for him. We sat chatting and then went out for a meal at the Greek restaurant which was not cheap but very nice. Feel really thirsty now though, as at home I cook without salt mainly because of the toddler, and eating out or from take-aways I do find that they use a lot of salt, especially in foreign dishes. Daughter did a video call while we were there but it was a very bad connection so didn't chat for long. She is having a great time swimming in the sea with her friend and the toddler. Has a lovely 4* hotel, so all fine there.

At the moment I am trying not to look at the news as I find it very upsetting to read and watch the terrible things that are happening around Europe. I expect a lot of other people are doing the same as they are as fed up as I am hearing of yet another terrorist based atrocity going on. How can anyone justify murdering a Catholic Priest who was 84 years old! Or deliberately driving at little babies and toddlers in pushchairs? If they really see themselves as soldiers of their cause why are they not targeting the military bases? I'll tell you why. Because they are cowards and know they would loose so they pick on the weak, the old and the very young, those who cannot fight back. What I cannot understand is why countries prevent people from going to join them, and then take them back, when they are brought back or they return. If anyone wants to leave to join terrorists let them go and never have them back in this, or any other country, again. We do not need ex-terrorists (or terrorist sympathisers) here and neither does any other country in Europe. Make sure if they leave it is a one way ticket only. This is my own personal view on the situation - readers may not agree with me but that is all OK.

Bye for now All the best x

Great Value and Today's Society

Yesterday (Tuesday) went well, as I had a nice quiet day at home just popping out to get a card and some chocolates for Jane's birthday (my youngest sister.) While I was shopping my other sister Amy rang to say they were all going out for a meal to celebrate Jane's birthday so me and OH went along and had a lovely meal. It was a large pub/restaurant on the outskirts of town offering 2 for 1 on all meals. Extensive menu, steaks, paella, swordfish really great choice at least 20 different dishes. I picked the scampi and 5 oz rump which was very well cooked, and OH had the ribs. Service was good too so will definitely go again as at £14 for 2 meals it is great value, (in North Devon you would easily pay this for 1 person.) I wore a new skirt that I saw in one of the charity shops while shopping and at £3.99 it was a bargain. Washed, dried and wore out to dinner in under 3 hours lol. I love it and it is midi length, and Per Una so a good make. First thing I have bought this year, but I usually shop in charity shops or on eBay as I love a good bargain.

Today (Wednesday) Amy rang to say she was ill last night with a bad stomach and was I OK? Well I don't think it was the food as 9 of us ate there and we are all fine except her. Her home is - how can I put this tactfully - rather grubby (and that is an understatement lol) so she probably caught it at home lol. I did pop round to see her this afternoon and she is fine and feeling much better so all OK. My niece and her 2 kids are staying there atm as they are homeless (couldn't afford the rent on the private rented house) and waiting for a council / housing association place. Feel so sorry for the kids as they are sleeping 4 in one bedroom (2 nieces and a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old) altogether 6 people in a 2 bed house. Well today the council offered her a temporary 2 bedroom ground floor flat but she was not sure she would take it as it was not furnished! Sister had told her that they provided furnished temporary accommodation which I know they don't. I did mention it but got told I was thinking of 20 yrs ago!!! I left soon afterwards lol. In her position I would have said Yes straight away as she is heading for trouble living with my sister. The health visitor has already said the home is dangerous for children (piles of junk everywhere and oxygen bottles around for her partner) so it will only be a matter of time until the dreaded SS get involved and remove the kids. Can see it coming but can't say anything as it really is not my business.  

Thinking about this with my niece has made me realise that the way I was brought up is so far removed from today's world. We didn't have a fridge, washing machine, hoover, freezer, dishwasher, microwave, or tumble dryer. No central heating either or hot water - just a gas cooker, coal fire and an electric kettle! Now my niece would not dream of moving without white goods etc! Today's generation want everything now and pay for it later. Credit card debts are rife thoughout our society as each person strives to better their friends and neighbours, even at the expense of their mental well being. How many friends have I known over the years who cannot rest easy because of debt? One of the wealthiest people I met on a cruise liner was wearing a faded pair of cords, non-branded trainers and a faded check shirt. He was smoking a roll up out on deck and told me his companies in the States were doing so well he had retired and was in his second year cruising around the world on back to back cruises! I have also found, when doing home visiting with teenagers in care, that the poorest families have the newest furniture and decor, which showed me that so many are living beyond their means. 50 inch TVs were the norm in single parent flats!  If they lost their job, divorced/separated, or became ill, they would also loose their home as they couldn't keep up the payments on all the credit cards, loans, etc. which is a sad state to be in. Perhaps if you don't have much you really need to pretend you do - and if you are very wealthy then you do not need to put on a 'show.'

Bye for now All the best x

Parties Holidays and Dog Problems

Well what a busy week it has been! OH went off camping with the BIL from Saturday til Tuesday so I did get some peace here. Managed to do some cleaning and get the house more up together being home alone. They go every year to desolate camp sites in the middle of nowhere; well it was the Wye Valley this year in Wales. It is definitely a man thing with crates of beer, cooking on a camp fire, sleeping rough (sometimes not even on a proper site) so not for me or my sister lol. Daughter came home on Monday and had a good time at Butlins apart from having to chase the toddler everywhere - she can really sprint that one! Tuesday was my niece's 2nd birthday party. Youngest son stayed over Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday was daughter's graduation from Uni - so me, OH, and her boyfriend attended with the toddler. Toddler was quite well behaved for the ceremony and we went to the park afterwards with one of her friends and her parents for photos. It was pricey as £45 to hire the cap and gown, £50 for the photos, then they charged entry to the park gardens at £1.50 each! Me and OH got in cheaper as we are over 60 which was good, and daughter being a student was only 80p. On the night it was off to a Caribbean Restaurant for dinner, cake and candles as it was her birthday the next day. Really didn't like the food there as it was all very spicy - strange really all the men loved it but all the women didn't like it!

Thursday was daughter's actual birthday so she went out with the toddler and her boyfriend for most of the day which was good. We looked after the toddler for her on the evening, and she went off out again in town for dinner and drinks. Daughter always celebrates her birthday over several days lol. She has been in and out all week with the toddler, going to see childminder, parks, shopping in town, soft play etc so it has been quieter which is nice. Love the toddler but really find her too much as she is a very active child and I think I just need a more peaceful life now (see name of this blog lol.) The weekend was anything but quiet with her boyfriend staying over and her friend visiting. I ended up doing all her washing again as she had to work on Sunday and was going to Spain on Monday with her friend and the toddler! Never prepares anything in advance does my daughter! She was still packing Sunday night and the flight was at 4 am Monday morning! So Sunday night we had her friend staying over on the settee and her boyfriend staying for the night as he was taking her to the airport. OH woke them all up as they didn't hear the alarms lol. So it will be no daughter or toddler here for a week until next Monday. My eldest son and his family are on holiday abroad for a fortnight too - they flew out the day after they came home from Butlins so no visits either unless youngest son comes and stays over. Perhaps it is time for me to go visiting instead and get out and about this week.

I am having problems with the dog atm which is getting worse as the days go on. We keep her in the kitchen away from the toddler as toddler pulls her fur and is rough with her. She comes in the living room on and off all day when we can supervise properly.The dog doesn't like this and whines quite a lot. Well for the last 2 months she has started to growl at me when I try to put her out. At first it was a quick low growl, but this has now escalated to growling, snarling, snapping at me and hiding under the table. I have to slip a lead on her to put her out which, so far, she is accepting. Today we moved the table away from the wall so we have easier access to her but it has not helped. She was sick this morning (probably from not eating as this causes it quite regularly) and when I smoothed her and said come in she was growling in the garden. I opened the garage and put her there for half an hour but still growling and snarling when I went to get her in. Coaxing with biscuits, shouting etc has no effect and usually makes her worse. I sat on a chair out there and decided to growl back at her really loudly. She magically changed immediately and came licking my hand, so whether it is a dominance issue or not I don't know. I am worried though as the toddler won't understand not to touch her when she growls. She has also done this to my OH so it is not just a dislike of me. However when he shouts at her she does stop, but not with me. This week she will have run of the downstairs as toddler is not around, apart from bedtime. The routine now is to let her out last thing at night, then put the lead on in the garden and lead her into the kitchen to bed. She never used to be like this and would go straight to bed when told, as good as gold, but it is what I have to do now to avoid a major growling and snarling issue with her hiding under the table. Don't really know what to do but will growl back when it happens again and hope it keeps working. I think I may need to see a dog behaviourist if it doesn't stop. It is such a shame as she was (and still is) a lovely friendly puppy and loves everyone most of the time - it is just when you try to move her somewhere she doesn't want to go or take something off her she shouldn't have.

Time to go as it is getting late. All the best x

Toddler Troubles, Peace and Nice

Well Thursday started well and we had a good morning, me and the toddler. She has a bit of a cold and with Ava her behaviour deteriorates during any minor illness so I was expecting things to get a bit hair raising later on. Lunchtime I walked into the adjacent open plan kitchen (separated from her only by a stair gate so could see her) She was on the settee watching TV and sat down nicely. As I picked up a slice of bread I heard her jumping on the settee then screaming and crying. She had stood up and jumped and head butted the wall. One bruise forehead, and me running to her with a slice of bread in my hand. Took her into the kitchen to make the sandwich to avoid any more mishaps! After lunch and nap time OH took her to the park, which was nice and gave me a break. On return things went down hill. In the space of 5 minutes had she pulled the dog's leg and tail, (dog promptly removed to kitchen), tried to bite my OH's leg, threw all the books over the floor, shaken her cup of water over the floor, thrown all the clean towels from the cupboard over the floor, and then had a tantrum. Took her temperature and it was 100 F, with nose running, so not very well. It is always like this at the start of any cold or other illness. My son was the opposite and very well behaved if he was ill but very difficult when well lol. Daughter returned at midnight and was up at 1 am, and again through the night with her crying so not a great night either.

In contrast Friday (today) has been a great day as daughter and toddler left mid-morning to go away with her brother's family to a holiday camp for the weekend. It is so peaceful here today and I managed to do some hoovering and washing in peace with no interruptions. Had a good tidy around the house and watched some daytime TV, that was not the Tiny Pop or CBeebies lol. OH came home around 6 pm and we had a takeaway Chinese for tea. Perfect.

NICE

Feel very sad about what happened in Nice, France last night. What possesses someone to deliberately drive a lorry at people, including babies and toddlers in buggies? This is pure cowardice as the targets are not the military or the police, but innocent civilians, just people watching a firework display. I cannot believe how evil some people have become. He had 3 children of his own who are definitely much better off without him. So sorry for all those involved in this massacre and condolences to all the bereaved - my heart goes out to them. We definitely need more good peaceful people in this world.

Bye for now All the best x

And the Lucky Winner Is .............. and the Others

Wednesday today and the week has flown by. Managed to get some shopping in and visit Mel (my sister.) She has had a kidney removed due to cancer and has been told she can have a transplant next August, which is a long time away but at least they have a provisional date now. It has been 3 years since they removed the cancerous kidney and she is on dialysis. Daughter's boyfriend came for dinner and is staying over. They are going to the races tomorrow so I am having the toddler for the day, as OH will be at work. They sat down tonight and decided on a child minder so that's all settled now.

I really would like to tell the other 9 child minders exactly why they didn't get my granddaughter but obviously I couldn't do that as they would probably be very offended. But I could put it here and perhaps if you are a childminder reading this in your spare time it may help you. For a start the biggest concern was safety and a lot of the ladies we saw did not have any stair gates in place, or door jams to stop little fingers getting squashed. In fact, one lady had a short piece of cardboard placed at the bottom of the stairs and not secured - just placed!! A large glass vase of flowers looked lovely in the stone unguarded grate but imagine if a child fell on the grate and smashed it! The lady who was 'happy to have kids in the kitchen' when she cooks hot meals is asking for trouble. IMO no child under 4 years should be anywhere near a hot stove, or kettle. Some animals are not acceptable to my daughter as she is allergic to cats (seriously affects her breathing) and has major concerns about rabbits after what happened to the toddler. Small dogs are acceptable but one childminder had 2 shihtzus who snapped at the toddler when she grabbed them. No, she shouldn't have grabbed them but they should not be in the same room as the toddler. You really can not trust a 1yr old to do as they are told. Our dog goes in the kitchen unless closely supervised with Ava. Also, trying to 'bend the rules' and take 4 children under 5 instead of 3 (as is the law here in the UK) and walk 7 children on a school run (4 of them under 2 yrs ) is just plain silly and parents can see through this. One lady left a crawling baby alone in a room while she showed my daughter around the garden. No stair gate or anything in place for safety. Another left the front door wide open and the lounge door where my daughter was sitting. Ava ran straight past the childminder, out of the front door and onto the pavement by a main road. Thankfully daughter caught her just before she ran into the road. Daughter could not see the door from the lounge and did not know it was opened, so not a very safe place there.

So who was the lucky winner? The lady who has been looking after children most of her life and took 3 small toys out of Ava's mouth while still talking to us when we were visiting. She had lots of toys, a level garden, an assistant to help her and a very nice designated playroom. She also has stair gates at the bottom of the stairs and on the room doors. There were no ornaments in the playroom but lots of toys. I actually know her from when I was a child minder. I met her at a childminders' group, and she used to walk around observing the children sat at the table with their snacks. Very safety conscious and nice to the kids. She has a small dog but it is kept in another room. She would have been my choice but daughter chose her too after seeing 9 others. She is not a friend, but an ex colleague from quite a few years ago.

Bye for now All the best x

Poorly this Weekend

Not a great start to the weekend as I woke Saturday morning with an upset stomach and pains! Settled down by lunch time so not too bad. Toddler had been in one of her moods so this didn't help. Thankfully daughter went shopping for me as I didn't want to go out, and just pottered around the house for the rest of the weekend as I felt really drained. Sister rang on Sunday and she had the bug too, although we hadn't seen each other for over a week, so it was obviously something going around. Eldest son, DIL and grandchildren visited briefly on Sunday afternoon but didn't stay long which to be honest I was glad about as I still felt unwell.

Monday my youngest son turned up and stayed the night which was nice. Daughter was visiting a few more childminders but still wasn't happy with them. Spent most of Monday just around the house again. Can't really take the dog out as she is having her first season so I don't want to risk her getting caught.

Tuesday me and daughter were off to visit yet another childminder, and daughter liked this one but I didn't. She happily told us about one child who climbed right to the top of her bookshelf (around 5ft high) and also how one little girl didn't say thank you so she didn't get a biscuit. And how she found out the kid was very shy. She sounded very harsh to me, and also works alone and takes 7 kids on the school run including 2 year olds and a baby of 1 year! Ava didn't like her either as she was so gushing to her it was so false. There was no stair gate either at this property. I don't know how they get away with it really as some childminders have really unsafe premises. Daughter saw another later in the afternoon which makes 10 in total lol. Decision day tomorrow.

Bye for now All the best.

The Search Continues.

I've had quite a lazy day today and just pottered around the house, still fighting with the washing! I'm down to 2 loads left now so will soon be back on top of it again. Daughter cooked some fresh pasta ravioli which was very nice. She went to see another childminder this afternoon who I don't think she was impressed with, as the lady only had one baby there who she left alone while she showed daughter the garden!

This evening I went with her to see another childminder who collects children from their home as she lives in quite a rural location. The lady was lovely and the house was huge and very clean and tidy with lots of toys. The price was very cheap too. However, the childminder didn't have any stair gates just a low piece of board across the bottom of the staircase. Ava was straight over that no problem! The home had glass doors, a large glass vase of flowers in a low grate, no stair gates anywhere, a terraced garden with stone built raised flower beds, 2 dogs in a cage in the hallway, no door jams on any of the doors, and the childminder has the toddlers in the kitchen when she cooks! Although this was a lovely home with lots of space I would be very worried if my child went there as I see it as very unsafe for toddlers!  Also I have a niece who (years ago) was badly scalded with a cup of tea, needing skin grafts to her arm and chest so perhaps I am a bit overcautious idk. I don't think daughter will be using this childminder for the same reasons as she is very safety conscious  with Ava. To be honest Ava is very active and quite clever so would need good safety strategies in place and good supervision. A quieter child would perhaps be OK. I think she is seeing a few more tomorrow.

I must admit I was quite surprised at the lack of care at the above childminder's home. I can not understand why she is not at least putting stair gates up or door jams on the doors, and film over the glass door panes.  And as they are regulated by Ofsted why are they not picking up on this? Maybe the children are not as free as they seem to run from room to room and doors are closed when she is working.

All the best x

I'm Home

We arrived home on Wednesday after taking the slow route back and stopping off for a snack meal in Lynmouth. While we were packing up the older couple made us a nice cup of tea, which was lovely. May stay in contact with them when we get back - I expect we will find each other on Facebook! Daughter and toddler had gone to stay with the boyfriend for the night so it was a peaceful homecoming. Not too tidy at the house though, as piles of washing everywhere and my feet were sticking to the kitchen floor lol. Think daughter had been baking again.

Daughter arrived back Thursday with the toddler who was very pleased to see us. We set off to the groomers in the afternoon so the dog had a much needed bath after all the sand, sea water and mud she had been in for the last week. Daughter was off to visit Childminders for the toddler, for when she starts her new TA job in September. She has arranged to visit 12 childminders - yes 12!!!! The one she originally chose a few months ago is now fully booked. She did like one that she saw today but there was another toddler there who didn't get on with Ava (her little one) so that has put her off a bit. The other one she saw had a really immaculate house and didn't really talk to her much so she wasn't very impressed there. Think there was hardly any toys around too, so it didn't seem very good to her. I went with her to see the next one and I must admit I was very impressed. They had lots of toys and vast experience with toddlers and children. The only thing she didn't like there was the fact that they don't go walking in the rain and bad weather! I found this really quite strange as daughter takes the car everywhere and never walks in the good weather never mind when it rains lolol. Oh and they have up to 6 little ones at a time and after  school children. But the toddler will only be there mornings so no after school children would be around. These would be my choice as I liked the ladies very much. To be continues lolol.

Daughter got a 1st

Daughter's friends came tonight and Amy (my sister) called in so we had quite a full house. I think they were celebrating with her as the wine was flowing. Daughter got her results - at long last - from Uni, and she is graduating with a 1st Class Honours Degree which is brilliant news.

Dozens of cases of E.Coli detected in the South West linked to salad

E.Coli Outbreak in Bristol, B&NES, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset

I definitely need to go shopping soon as the fridge is quite low on food, although the freezers are almost full. There has been an outbreak of E.Coli in the area where I live and the public health have linked it to salad. This is really bad news for me as I love salad, but I won't be buying any until the source of the germ has been identified. Apparently, you can't just wash all salad items and it will be OK because the germ attaches to the cells in the veg and only cooking thoroughly kills it. Boiled lettuce anyone?
x
Bye for now All the best

Caravan Life and Food at a Price!

Last night (Sunday) the people in the tent left the site which was good news for us as we won't hear them arguing anymore! Lots of tents have packed up and gone, and so have quite a few caravans this morning. Today (Monday) it has been raining and windy so apart from a trip to Woolacombe for lunch we have mostly stayed on the site. The wind has been quite strong and the awning shaking and swaying about but, so far, has remained upright lol. I don't mind the bad weather as I have everything I need here TV, heating, fridge, comfortable bed, radio, lots of clothes etc. so I'm nice and cosy in the caravan watching TV with OH. I could live in this caravan permanently and I think I would be very happy too! Actually, with husband No 1, we did live in a caravan for a year and managed quite nicely. It was a bit bigger than this one though. Think I need a hobby really - something to do when I am here. Could take up knitting, crochet, patchwork I suppose. Will give this some thought when I get home.

Tuesday today and the weather is sunny so we have been sitting in the sun and walking the dog around the dog field. Another older couple have pitched near us in their caravan and remember us from last time when we were here. They asked how the toddler was and if her finger had healed ok. I was pleased to tell them that it had and her nail has grown back. The man was old and had just had an operation so the lady was putting up the awning on her own, happily watched by a cute french bulldog! I made them a cup of tea and we got chatting, which was nice. We went to the onsite pub for a meal this afternoon. The prices are horrific for what you get e.g £6.20 for a plain cheese sandwich, almost £10 for a pizza. I had a jacket potato with cheese at over £6 in price, OH had ham, egg and chips at just under £10! Crazy prices for a pub but most of Devon is very expensive to eat out, and these prices are by no means the most expensive we have found locally.  Definitely no '2 meals for £10' specials around here!

It is our last day here today as we are off home tomorrow. Will write again when I get settled back at home. Bye for now All the best

PS to all of you in USA, France, Portugal, UK and anywhere else - Hope you are enjoying reading my blog, leave a comment and let me know xxx

The Beer Festival Behaviour Problems!

Well, we arrived here on Thursday afternoon so we are at the caravan for a week. It didn't go smoothly tbh as OH had a lot of trouble with the motor mover trying to get it to drive the caravan up onto a block! Even more of a problem was attaching a towing hook to the car to do it that way lol. I stayed out the way and sat in the car with the dog. An hour later I managed to get into the caravan and unpack. Had good internet access when I arrived so I was happily messaging my daughter. We went into town and did some food shopping as usual and then settled down for the night.

The next day was Friday and lots of people started arriving on site in various caravans and tents. Lots of dogs around and lots of kids. The internet had almost given up and went off completely by the afternoon. If anyone has ever been to North Devon you will know internet is, at best, very unreliable in the countryside. The groups started playing at 5 pm and I must admit they were good. The camp site had gone all out for this weekend with a stage for performers, hog roast selling beef, pork and chicken rolls, large beer tent (for OH lol,) bouncy castle, candy floss stall etc. etc. We took some folding chairs and got chatting to another couple there.

Saturday morning more people were arriving and the problems were evident! The gent's toilet and shower block had all toilets deliberately blocked with paper – every single toilet so not an accident! Even worse, OH said they had put down the toilet seats and urinated on them, and thrown toilet paper everywhere! Someone also set fire to the rubbish skip last night! The ladies toilet and shower block was clean, but you were confronted with children on scooters riding up and down in front of the toilets and showers, inside the block! Now, it wasn't raining and there are lots of safe little roads around the site where kids can, and do, ride bikes and scooters. People with disabilities use this site and I often see people who are using a walking stick. Imagine if a scooter rode into someone who couldn't move out of the way fast enough coming out of a shower or toilet. So, why are parents not bothering to stop their children from using the shower block with their scooters? And not just one child – there were several. It was very rowdy with lots of people drunk on their way back to their tents and caravans tonight – some singing loudly on their way! I do feel nervous around drunken people I must admit, so I just stayed in this evening with OH and the dog.

The dog is having a wonderful time here going to the beach every day with OH. She loves saying hello to all the other dogs on site. She has, unfortunately, come into season yesterday but I am not that bothered as we have laminate flooring in the caravan so any mess is easy to clean. Other dogs don't seem to have noticed either so all good so far. It is her first season at 9months old and she seems to be all OK about it.

It is Saturday night now and there has been virtually no internet access since Friday afternoon, apart from a few seconds here and there. I'm sending messages to daughter and she receives them several hours later; the same when she writes to me. There is no mobile phone signal in this field either but they do have phone boxes by the reception building. On the way here we drove through roads where there was no radio signal in the car and we were tuned to the local radio station!! I can live without a mobile phone or without internet access, but I do find it difficult to have no access to either. I am writing this offline as a word document and will copy it onto my blog when I get home, or before if we reconnect here. Can hear people arguing and swearing in the tent next door and, as it is 1 a.m. I feel sorry for those with kids who are trying to sleep. I guess you don't get peace and quiet at a beer and music festival on a camp site; it was a cheap weekend price, and so has attracted some of the wrong sort of people. The dog show weekend was so much nicer – just as busy but no noise or damage. Perhaps dog owners are more responsible and caring about others, I don't know.

We are leaving this site at the end of the summer season, and I am hoping to either look for a site near South Devon e.g. Salcombe or Plymouth, or near Bournemouth on the south coast. I did have a quick look around Bournemouth but some of the sites are no children, others no dogs in June and July, which wouldn't suit us at all. Wherever we go I will make sure I have either a mobile signal or internet. I have decided it is very important for me to be able to communicate with family while I am on holiday, and I feel very vulnerable without this. Here, to get a phone signal, you have to drive a mile to the main road which I find unacceptable. Infact it is one of my sister's birthday today and unless I leave the site I can't ring, text or message her, which is not too great. Others may feel they like to be un-contactable and enjoy not having a mobile phone or internet but it's not for me.

Bye for now All the best x