United In Disappointment - Areo Milky Bar

What better way to bond than over a confectionary review ....... which came to pass after Darrell bought home a very ample block of Areo Milky Bar from Home Bargains in town, well, it was a no brainer for Eric and Derek .......

...... especially as Derek is quite the confectionary aficionado (more proof of as yet unproved kinship?).

There was a palpable and tangible excitement thronging the lounge as they perused the packaging, both proclaiming a particular fondest on the iconic Milky Bar brand ......

...... now in chunky, bubbly form, what wasn't there to like?

However, disappoint was just around the corner!  It wasn't good.  That rich, creamy, comforting, very distinctive, unique Milky Bar flavour was barely detectable, being completely overpowered by a sweetness so overwhelming that the review was over before it had even begun.

It was a sweetness that lingered, they really, really, didn't like it and Darrell, Alice and I have to agree, after dipping in too and giving our three-happnies worth. We know we all share an extraordinary sweet tooth, but this was too sweet for any of us to enjoy to its fullest.  Darrell says he'll try and make some white chocolate and raspberry muffins with what was left, which, to be honest, was quite a sizable chunk.

So, all incredibly disappointing, especially for Derek's first ever review. Sorry Areo, not a good colab!  An unfortunate and resounding nul minus one hundred points on our world famous Richter Scale of Noms!

Hmmmm, A Mystery For Us To Ponder Upon

Hmmmm, we all can't help wondering what has happened to the Black Shop (as featured here a couple of months ago) on Eric's school run, that, to be honest was actually more yellow than black, but that's by the by.

It has to be said that the shops shelves made Darrell's bounteous and at times overflowing food cupboard look as if we were planning for the second coming, being only about three inches deep and with just a handful of very cheap products on each!

Anyway, one minute it was there and now it's gone, all boarded up with no possible way in.

It's all very mysterious, we suspect, perhaps something of a nefarious type nature may have been afoot, but then, what do we know, perhaps the proprietors, seeing as it's a premises of some age are just replacing the windows and it'll be back in action touts suite after a quick word with Everest or Safestyle!

At this stage it's possibly a little too early for questions to be asked in Parliament .......

...... but as and when we find out more, be rest assured, you will be the first to know! 

Eric Finds A .......... Free Pond ......

The summer months really are the season of goodwill to all men, as it proffers up a plenitude of kerb side freebies .......

....... which is why yesterday Eric was beside himself with excitement, swiftly followed by instant regret, when he stumbled upon, no less than ........ a free pond! 

Now, if we'd actually got our own garden instead of a communal affair (that only Kata and we actually use), trust me, he'd have nabbed it ......

 ....... as he has it on very good authority that having a wild pond to swim in dans ones jardin is very much de rigueur and tres en trend at the moment!

Somehow I don't think that this would go down too well with one or two of our neighbours and I'm sorry, if I felt a frog or other such water bound creature touch me as I swam, I would almost certainly disturb the peace with my screaming like a big girls blouse, kerb side treasure or not!!

A Spur Of the Moment Splurge

It has to be said that we don't often splurge on a scratch card, but yesterday when out and about with his beloved niece and nephew, Eric suddenly had a funny sort of feeling in his water that he should chance his luck.

He said Iris could choose the type of card and then let Bertie scratch it when they go back home.

Let's just say that the excitement that thronged Snake Mountain was palpable, if not just a bit tangible to boot, as young Master Bertie rubbed away with his 10p coin. 

Then, amidst a much incredulity, checking once, twice, thrice, then four times, they found they'd won the heady sum of £4 by having two matching watches! 

There followed much debate as to how to use said winnings when Eric went to collect it. In the end they decided to put it safely in the Dawlish holiday fund .........

........ to change into two pots of 2p's at the arcade, giving Iris and Bertie £2 each, then they'd have a competition to see if anyone could increase their allotted sum by  even more!  

Oh my goodness, heaven help us all!

Questions WILL Be Asked In Parliament

Oh my goodness, today, we have some grave news to impart, despite all being in a complete state of shock, we'll try to get it out .....

Soooooo, Darrell nipped into Gummy Gumdrops, our confectionary emporium of choice, when we want sweets straight from the jar, looking for a little something to elevate our televisual viewing this evening and straight away fancied 100g (or perhaps even 200g) of candy sticks, what used to be known as sweet cigarettes before political related correctness.

However, as he surveyed the many jars before him, he couldn't see his quarry, so asked the lovely lady owner, if she had any, only to be told, clasp your pearls to your bosom now, that Barratts no long make them, OMG ...... along with Taverners coconut mushrooms, which, to be honest, we're not that bothered about as they have never been on our confectionary radar.

They are still producing the candy sticks in the cartoon festooned boxes, but they work out far more expensive in their little packs of ten than a simple 100g and anyway, they are rock hard and not half as comforting as the now discontinued, soft, pineapple flavour treat Darrell was craving.

We believe other companies might still be making them, so the search continues whenever, in future we see old fashioned jars in a shop, but until them, it's obvious, questions MUST be asked in Parliament!

What, do I hear you ask, did Darrell buy instead? ...... A totally unsophisticated 100g of milk bottles, 100g of teeth and 100g of fried eggs! What on earth is he like?

Pamela Asks .......

Our lovely follower Pamela Asks: ....."Would you kindly post where you buy Eric and Derrick’s clothes from please? My Monty Wales needs trousers or shorts. I’ve made a pair but they’re very rough looking."

Well, what a very pertinent question Pamela as, to be honest, Eric has been allowing Derek to avail himself of his wardrobe since his arrived a couple of weeks ago, as all he really had with him was a towelling robe and a pair of shorts, which really didn't afford him much coverage or dignity.  

In the past most of Eric's clothes came from Build A Bear "Small Fry" range, but they stopped making them quite a while ago (sometimes available on Ebay, but very, very expensive), however, Derek's arrival has caused a feverish flurry to find some more  ......... 

....... and it seems Temu have come up with the goods (well, for jumpers at least)  when putting "Hamster clothes/outfits" in the search bar. We've had to return a few jumpers for being too tiny weeny, but so far, a hamster jumper (width 10cms, length 8 - 9 cms) comes up as a pretty good fit  We're going to look at shirts next.

However, on re-reading Pamela's query we see that it's trousers that are her problem .......

....... we've searched, but haven't come up with anything so far (our trousers are as per small fry). There is a company on Ebay called Splodge Teddies that sells clothes for 8ins teddies, although we measure approx. 7ins in length, they might be worth messaging?????? In the meantime has anyone else any other suggestions?

A Hobnob If Ever There Was One!

Thanks to everyone, Derek is rapidly finding his feet, having slipped into our family (and Eric's wardrobe) almost seamlessly ......... he really is our chocolate hobnob!

We're pretty certain, that somewhere along the line, he and Eric must be brothers, several times removed, from another mother, Derek being the everso slightly fairer/paler one??  

However, we're thinking, to save a lot of confusion, especially in these early days, we ought to find them a couple of discreet initial badges, so they are a little more identifiable, especially to the uninitiated, while we also try to find Derek a new wardrobe of clothes that help reflect his own style rather than Eric's .......... a parcel, hopefully, is on it's way!

The Long Awaited, New Tesco Express Opens At Last

After months and months of eager watching and waiting, the new Tesco Express on Eric's return school run (as from September) has finally opened it's portals to eager customers, not least the little fella........

...... and so it would have been most rude not to avail oneself of all its pleasures at the earliest opportunity, even though he had to do quite a long detour (out of school run season), especially while the welcome balloon arch was in situ. 

I believe, it did not disappoint, especially the Costa Coffee machine, which Eric has promised himself to get to grips with in the coming weeks, as the prospect of a hot drink to sup on the long, dark, walk home in the winter would add a little warming romance to the otherwise dull proceedings! 

The shelves are very well stocked with everything we might desire .......

..... with a most ample sufficiency of televisual snack type options that Eric can easily pick up on a whim or fancy.

As for the cleaning products should Darrell ever run out, highly unlikely, but you never know, it's all there.

And Eric's very first, inaugural considered purchase? Well, he opted for a very healthy bag of baby carrots and two pots of sweet chilli humous .......

Happy, happy, "can you just pick up" days .....................

Darrell Owes £2.50 On His D W Home Candle Find.

As you know Darrell very much appreciates a good, fragrant candle, but ones at the higher end of the market, to his taste, don't come cheap, which is why, when he's out and about perusing the local charity shops, he's always on the look out for what might be a bargain, donated "unwanted gift" type purchase to indulge his passion. 

And yesterday was one of those days when he did stumble upon this rather lovely candle for just £2.50, in perfect unwrapped condition with the promise of "A scrumptious blend of creamy butter-infused caramelized sugar highlighted by pumpkin notes, rich bourbon accents, smooth vanilla, warm spice, and toasted almond undertones", from a brand normally well out of his price bracket. He said he "fair skipped" taking it to the counter.

However, on closer inspection, under all the wrapping and original ribbon he notice that it didn't actually appear to have a wick, even after rubbing the area where it should have been, so he apologetically said to the lady that he didn't think he wanted it anymore .........

.... but she in turn replied that he might as well take it anyway, as she obviously couldn't sell it. With that Darrell accepted her offer and promised that if he did find a wick, he would definitely be back to pay for it.

Well, when he got home, it took a quite a bit of digging with Eric's boiled egg spoon, but much to Darrell's delight a wick was discovered about half an inch down ......

...... and yes, once lit, the candle filled The Towers with it's quite a masculine, warm, cosy, wholesome aroma. 

Soooooooo, it goes without saying that this morning Darrell headed back into town in order to pay for his fragrant treasure, again with very much a skip in his step, happy days and discoveries!

Ladies And Gentlemen ......Derek Is In The Building!

Soooooooo, after our text last week from Pharmacy Michelle and her mystery caller .....

....... Derek finally arrived this morning from Southport, absolutely shattered, a little bedraggled but in positive frame of mind and I know this may sound crazy, but within seconds, it was like having an old, dear friend, among us. There was a very definite affinity and connection,  Derek instantly felt like one of us, it didn't matter whether we were actually related or linked in any way, life's too short ........ 

........and quite simply, he's moved in with us .......... permanently! .

Until now, he'd been totally alone in the world and we all know how that feels. We were his very last lead/hope after knocking on Pharmacy Michelle's door, after he saw our "Southport Meet Up" post, a little while back. I have a spooky, late, great Derek Acorah (RIP) type feeling that this was all meant to be, pre-ordained, destined and written in the stars  ........right down to Derek's name.  It fair sends shivers up and down my spine!

AND, it has to be said, that Derek's remarkable resemblance in looks and mannerisms to our beloved Eric is uncanny ........

......... they are already thick as thieves.......

......... closely aided and abetted the ever fragrant one, who has taken Derek under her maternal wing. 

At this juncture, I think it's also (best) safe to say, our family is now very much complete, The Towers is full, with many thanks to Pharmacy Michelle for putting the final piece in our jigsaw, and so, from here on in, there is no more room at this particular inn!!! 

And with that ........ who knows what adventures lie ahead? Happy, happy, happy days and homecomings, we are truly, truly blessed.