Heaven Help Us All ....... Eric Has An Idea!

It has to be said that the "puddle" under "our" bridge at the top of our estate has grown significantly over the time we've been at The Towers, probably in sync with the corresponding traffic of larger and heavier scrap metal lorries that pass under said bridge in order to get to the scrap yard!''

It's been a long felt want of Eric and the ever fragrant Alice's that during the cold, winter months (preferably over a weekend) it would freeze over, to form a temporary ice rink for their unbridled skating pleasure, alas, as of yet, that hasn't happened.

However ........ with all the rain we've been having, seeing that the puddle has grown even more over the past month or so, occasionally channelling off from the entrance, to run down into one of the drains at the top of the estate, Eric has come up with another, he claims, brilliant idea to partake in it's potential but unutilised pleasures. I really hate to think what he's up to, but as and when he reveals all, you, as always, will be the very first to know!

Elegant, Elevated, Easter Entertaining.

It has to be said that we don't really go a whole bundle as to the titivation of The Towers for Easter, a wreath on the front door, a vase of daffs here and there, a basket of eggs and a few bunny ornaments scattered here and there, but it's certainly not the kit and kaboodle of Christmas, and this year it's going to be an even quieter affair, what with other family commitments, so we won't be entertaining on the scale of previous years, over the Easter weekend at least.

However, while he's out and about Eric still likes to send pictures of some of the seasonal displays that have taken his fancy for Darrell's future inspiration and reference and it seems that one of Primark's Easter table displays has really impressed the little fella, with all it's layers, delicate, pastel shades, flowers, bows, candles and bunnies. In his opinion it's almost too impossibly romantic for words, totally enchanting of an affordable budget type nature.

He says all it needs is for the ever fragrant one to be sat sitting at said table to elevate the whole look to the levels of "the ethereal", he's totally smitten! The add one of Darrell's glorious and triumphant celebratory Sunday lunches, complete with  an ample joint, roasties, Yorkshires, a whole myriad of five a day vegetables and a fabulous gravy, with an apple crumble and custard for afters, he sighed, it would be absolute perfection!!!

At Christmas we are also known for our festive bedding, however as Mr D is oft to point out, we already live in some sort of Tardis in order to contain all our decorative bits and pieces and much as we'd love to deck our beds to match the season, I'm afraid our burgeoning linen cupboard couldn't possibly take anymore. So a florally, spring inspired diffuser or air freshener and, perhaps, a small floral arrangement on the window sill will have to suffice ........ but, of course, a space for a small wicker basket at the end of our beds for the Easter bunny to drop off our eggs on Easter morning is obligatory!  What are we like?

Evoking Greek Oddities Past, Present ...... And Those To Come

As you know, during the winter months we generally spend our evenings wrapped in the warm glow of candlelight, it's just tres romantic, while, at the same time, helping us to save a little on our electricity bill!

However, with the clocks going forward on 29th March, much to Eric's delight, as he'll be able to get home in the light after the school run, we'll still have a few dark nights left in which to take full advantage of the candles we have yet to burn.

Soooooo, this week Darrell thought it might be an suitable time to start on our Home Bargains, Mykonos Sea Breeze candle, to lift our spirits even higher as spring rapidly approaches.

It has to be said that the fragrance is a little on the subtle side, for us the thought of a sea breeze, on any of the Greek Isles we've visited so far, evokes memories of the wonderful wafts of grilling, particularly of a kebab or lamp chop type nature or the occasional "village sausage",  beckoning us for lunch, tea or a small beach snackette!   What are we like?

But I digress, with our 2026 Greek Oddity already booked and paid for (in instalments), what better way to start slowly ticking off the days and thinking about what new beach attire we might need, including, perhaps, a shade larger pair of budgie smugglers for Darrell!!!! 

A Festive Gift From Pharmacy Michelle

When our lovely and beloved Postman Rob hands to us a very serious looking envelope that bears the words "DO NOT BEND" in very large, no nonsense letters.........

...... and the postmark indicates that is was posted in the vicinity of Southport or thereabouts .....

...... it can only mean one thing, to wit, it's come from our also best beloved Pharmacy Michelle .......

....... bringing much joy .......... and dare I say, not a little emotion!

We weren't far wrong.

Said envelope contained a packet of Malteser Rabbits, one of our confectionaries of choice over the Easter holiday, a delicate bundle of ribbon bound cards of a most romantic, Emily Bronte type nature, one for each of us and a note ........

..... mentioning, at the bottom the possibility of a "Southport Meet Up" which, for some bizarre reason, despite having been booked for quite a while now ........

...... we'd somehow omitted to send poor Michelle the details thereof! We hang our collective heads in shame. Perhaps the excitement of booking our bijoux hotel, as well as researching the train journey had made us just go completely giddy and awol re: passing on wise!  

We cannot apologise enough, however, all being well, the arrangements will stand, so that Seaside Karen (coming over from Lytham St Annes), Michelle and all of us can finally meet in May!  Can you imagine the wild and abandoned, unfettered and unbridled emotion of it all? I filling up just writing about it, silly sausage!

Anyway, our beautiful, beautiful cards are all now standing resplendent on our "best" shelf .......

..... and the chocolate bunnies shared between four of us, with one left over.........

Darrell suggested chopping it up with his best chefs knife, but I think it would be simpler if we just put it in our festive bowl of plenty for our "little" holiday guests to fight over!  

Thank you so much Pharmacy Karen, everything is so special and perfect ..... here's to our glorious Southport countdown!

Easter Advent Calendars?

Who knew there was such things ...... but yesterday, while the ever fragrant one was mooching in our local Iceland, her eyes alighted upon, believe it or not, an Easter Advent Calendar!

Well, it would have been rude not to make a considered purchase, especially as it was, to be honest, only a matter of time before young Eric himself got wind of such a festive innovation and then no doubt The Towers would be riddled with pester power and/or the constant musings as to whether he should himself invest for FOMO ........fear of missing out.

Sooooooo, Alice beat Eric to it and let's just say, up until it's presentation, the little fella had no idea such a wonderous thing existed and was totally overwhelmed and not a little emotional when Alice gave it to him this morning ...... 

...... the first door, number 23, was ripe to be opened (continuing up until 5th April, the big day itself) .........

....... to reveal a very cute, small, yellow, gummy rabbit which kept Eric's jaws occupied for a little while. He was overjoyed and thanked goodness that he hadn't actually given sweets up for Lent (as he had considered), as such a wonderful gift would have had to remain redundant until Easter morning!  What on earth is he like? 

Where Does Six Months Go?

Can it really be six months since young Eric was last at Active Smile, it only seems like yesterday he came home jubilant that once again he didn't need anything doing, brandishing a free sample of toothpaste and a new roll of dental floss.

   

He'd started with his usual cheeky ten minutes in Claire's very comfortable dental chair, goggles akimbo, to check that nothing was wobbly, chipped or heaven forbid, holey  ........

..... followed by twenty minutes or so upstairs with Jo, his very favouritist hygienist, for a good old scrap and polish, although Jo is oft to remark, that it's really hardly necessary thanks to the little fellas robust and diligent oral practices.

However, despite his innate fascination and curiosity for all the toothy models in the various display cases .......

..... according to the aforesaid Claire and Jo, the chances of Eric ever needing any sort of alignment or implantation are pretty much non existent ......

..... therefore he should remain totally intact, a complete stranger to the appliance of any sort of science to his molars, incisors and biceps.....

...... and on this occasion, the newly installed, ginormous TV, as he's wasn't in either waiting area long enough to take any advantage whatsoever, maybe next time ......

 ..... in another, appointments made, six months time?  We shall see and if he does then rest assured you'll be the very first to know!

Eric Tries To Get Real A Wiggle On

He won't have otherwise, but Eric is absolutely convinced that a certain set of speed meters on the school run can also measure his own, real life, walking pace.

He's desperate to "score" a 30 and although he can certainly get a wiggle on, when he has a mind to, even with a good wind behind him  ......

...... I doubt very much he'll ever reach such a lofty ambition, but then, what do I know, when Eric's determined, he's pretty relentless, heaven help us all!

I'm really not sure about the music, it's a bit of a black and white Keystone Cops type nature, but our couldn't be without "backstage team" are, how shall I put it, "experimenting" to get us more currants current!  What are they like?