Hello from Sawrey (Miss Potter village)

2009-05-09T12:00:00.003Z

Greetings from Sawrey, its a wet saturday here today...lots of damp walkers popping in for a sandwich...We have starting selling gorgeous sandwiches from those clever people at the Bridge Cafe at Newby Bridge who create some tantalising sandwiches such as "Bill Aireys Lamb and Mint Sauce" "Cumberland Mustard and Jalepeno Pepper" "Crispy Bacon and Free Range Egg"

yummy yum yum....

A customer has just been in and told me that a new holiday cottage has opened for business in the village, it can be found at http://www.lakedistrictloveshack.com/ I remember the owners coming into the shop whilst trying to seek planning permission to build themselves a home and having an opening day, funny how there was no mention of their plans to let it out, not sure what the council planners might think, especially as there is such a shortage of affordable housing in this area

We are in the third week of the car ferry being off for refurbishments so the road outside is spooky quiet! Two weeks to go and counting!

I was speaking to the farmer from Hill Top today and all of his lambs are now born, they are an absolute pleasure to watch.

Thats about all for now, Ive asked the weather man for a sunny summer in sawrey :0)

2009-03-31T20:03:00.004Z

Just a little update from sawrey, the absence has been due to illness and an exceptionally quiet winter....I dont do things by halves and was rushed into hospital before christmas with Gall Stone pain, whilst in there they found a large ovarian cyst and recently they have diagnosed stomach ulcers.... I am still awaiting surgery as I type....

Due to an exceptionally quiet 6months in the shop I have had to take on work elsewhere to survive the down time, which as I am sure you can imagine, is difficult to say the least when in pain...

We are busy getting ready for the new season in the shop, the electrician has been in this week sorting out the power supply, we are hoping to have some new additions to our range very soon and I will update them via the blog.....

The weather has been truly spring like today and benny and I walked up to the tarn this afternoon and it was lovely....

Well thats about all for now, update complete and looking forward to seeing you all in sawrey this summer :0)

2008-11-21T12:15:00.004Z

Good Morning from Sawrey Stores... its a clear but very cold blue sky morning here... I think the car ferry is off as the road is exceptionally quiet today....

The village is like a scene out of 101 dalmations, there are dogs everywhere, one of them is on heat and they are all running around trying to find her!

Yesterday afternoon a couple of customers bought some of the "local xmas gifts" I have wrapped up for xmas and they donated them to the Village Hall Christmas Bingo Box :0)

A customer came in today and asked if we sold "Almond Milk"??? they looked at me quite strange when I said that I have never heard of it!?! is it just me?!? Oh well!

There is a lovely article in this months Cumbria Life which is out today, its a feature on the barber from Ambleside who tragically died at the roadside near Rydal, he has been a Barber for over 65years and was quite a character in Ambleside. I remember coming to the lakes many years ago and seeing him stood outside his shop in his white coat. Lakeland villages are full of characters who make communities all the more special and I am sure he will be sadly missed in Ambleside

Thats about all for now follks, Happy friday, blog back on monday :0)

2008-11-20T13:06:00.004Z

Greetings from Sawrey Stores... Its been a while...several reasons....we have been busy having a bit of a makeover here in the shop, we are creating a new web site, and also its been EXTREMELY quiet with very little to report...

With our little makeover the shop has almost doubled in size and an orderly queue could be formed if required! :0)

The above picture is of the new unit where the counter used to be, the dresser was kindly donated to us by those lovely people at Beechmount Country House in Near Sawrey, we have given it a lick of paint and its come up really well, THANKYOU BEECHMOUNT!

We have also started selling a range of Local teas and Coffees from Farrers of Kendal, the lakeland Special Tea is proving a popular hit with visitors.

Since I last wrote a credit crunch has begun to happen, its a worry for everyone especially here tucked away in Sawrey....To try and combat this doom and gloom I have started gift wrapping local produce that we sell here in the shop. Hopefully the gifts of Local Relish and Chutneys, Jams and Sweeties will tempt early christmas shoppers....Its also quite theraputic wrapping up yummy goodies...

The villlage hall christmas bingo is on the 1st of December and gifts can be donated or bought here in the shop, last years bingo was a great success and its for a good cause

I found an interesting little video on You Tube this week

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kGoWKVA87ro

Hope your all well, see you all in sawrey soon :0)

2008-09-26T12:18:00.002Z

Greetings Bloggers, another dry day here in the village although walking vistors seem to be thin on the ground?!

When I went to Hawkshead yesterday I noticed that the white lines coming 0ut of Hawkshead are slightly wobbly, perhaps the white line man had too much coffee for his breakfast!

Todays pictire is of Peter Lofthouse, a man who lives in the village who is going to uni-cycle to Africa to raise money for an Asthma Uk! We shall be suppoting him here in the shop and will have a collection box, http://www.justgiving.com/unicycle_africa

Just a reminder that the Poyal British Legion Supper Dance is coming up next weekend and tixkets are on sale here for £9.50

Thats about all for now folks, HAPPY FRIDAY :0)

2008-09-25T12:12:00.004Z

Good Afternoon from Sawrey, its still dry....overcast but dry!.... When at the cash and carry stocking up on the confectionary I spotted some Wispa Bars! Seeing them took me back to my childhood and I wondered if the reinvented bars would taste the same.......I am soooooooo pleased to say they do! Customers are loving them...I think it was an online campaign that got them back on the shelves....YUM YUM

The other picture is of the farmyard visitors I spent yesterday afternoon watching, I think they are loving this dry weather just as much as we are....

I have lost the pricing gun this week, it was here now its completely vanished!?! hand written labels pending I think!

The village is extremely quiet today, not many cars or people around, I am wondering if the ferry is working?!?!

Thats about all for now folks, Happy Thursday :0)

2008-09-24T09:46:00.002Z

Good Moring from a cloudy but dry Sawrey....Finally the road markings have arrived in the village, just as the seasonal chaos ends hey! Better late than never tho!

In the process of re designing the shop we moved the chocolate stand to right in front of the counter, its made a huge difference to chocolate sales! Infact we are as low as we have ever been, need a cash and carry trip asap!

Last night was a beautifully clear night with a beautiful sky full of stars, I went for a walk around the village and it was so so so peaceful with the stars all twinkling

The above picture is of a giant reflective inflatable sculpture inspired by a raindrop and designed by local artist Steve Messam and its on the shore of Crummock Water here in the Lake District . The sculpture is designed to reflect the surrounding dramatic landscape to stunning effect and is the size of a three-storey building, Different hey!

Thats about all for now folks :0)

2008-09-22T12:32:00.003Z

Good Monday from Sawrey, its another dry day!!!! It was the Sawrey marrow show this weekend and our neighbour Chris won the show with his monster marrow! Well Done Chris!

The above picture is of "Princess" she lives just below the shop and supplies us with fresh free range eggs, she was rescued from a cage and now lives a wholesome free range life here in the village, (she has a particular fancy for cherry tomatoes!)

Despite is been September the ice creams are still selling well. Shop renovations have slowed right down this week, I am still deciding on a colour scheme and then a friend sent me an interesting article on feng shui and designing the interior to encourage wealth, ITS WORTH A SHOT!

Well thats about all for now folks, Happy Monday :0)

2008-09-18T11:45:00.006Z

Greetings from a dry sawrey! Woke up to complete cloud cover, sailed across the lake to get the veggies and it was a clear blue sky on the way towards Kendal.....(Come and get yer ice creams!!!)

Today sees the second edition of the art of seduction fortnightly, this copy is vibrating ;0)

The shop fitting is coming along nicely, still deciding on paint colours, I have been reading about the psycology of colour, green seems to be the colour that inspires calmed relaxed feelings, does calm and relax = customers buying I wonder?!? Coca cola sells well and their fridge is red....Hmmm not sure if red would suit the shop walls!!!

This weekends sees the SAWREY MARROW SHOW!!! its sponsered by Buckle Yeat Guest House, there is not much Marrow talk this year, so I am not sure if we have a bumper crop or if the weather has inhibited growing....The show is in the village Hall from 2pm on Saturday...

Sat in my new seat its interesting to see just how many people walk past the shop, stop and take a picture of the shop and say how cute it looks.....cute it is but it wont be cute if ya dont come in and spend 50p!!!

Happy Thursday from Sawrey :0)

2008-09-16T13:13:00.002Z

Greetings...apologies for the delay, we are having some major shopfitting going on here, the computer wires have been here there aNd everywhere during the works...I cannot post a picture as goodness knows where the camera is?!?! The shop however looks like it has has an extension and it feels so spacious!I am just trying to decide on colour schemes, the counter has been moved to the back of the shop so as I type I am sat looking out onto the road, its great to have a view!
A walker just came in and asked for some Mendal Kint Cake, thankfully my brain works like that some days so I knew just what he wanted!
Well thats about all for now...back to the chaos ;0)

2008-09-05T10:11:00.005Z

Greetings....its still raining...say no more!

Already today there has been 4 drowned people in asking for directions for Hill Top, it happenes every friday when the house is shut, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I tell people the gardens and shop remian open, its better telling them on the way there than face the wrath which I have faced on many occassions on their vary disappointed way back! A customer who came in the shop the other week told me he was blogging his way around the lakes, there is a link to his blog and his take on fridays in sawrey http://www.around-england.co.uk/blog/?tag=near-sawrey. I note in the Westmoreland gazette this week that next year Hill Top will be open to the public from Feburary rather than Easter

The veggies remain tucked up in the shed keeping dry until the rain stops, I have posted a little video of this weeks weather, a picture says a thousand words hey ;0)

Benny had a day at the vets yesterday, he had a general anaesthetic as he has not been well, whilst he was under the clipped his toenails and sorted out his teeth , it was funny when he came home last night, he was slightly dazed and confused...well thats about all for now, hope the my maiden video posting works

2008-09-03T10:47:00.003Z

Good Morning from Sawrey, I am getting tired of saying this, but its raining again! Not even that fine rain that soaks you through, this is big splodges of rain that bounce off the ground.... This weather is killing trade, it is quite worrying.... anyway...

Opened up the newspapers this morning to be greeted with a new magazine they want us to sell, no not tractor monthly or dirt monthy (the mountain bike mag) but...... "The Art Of Seduction" fortnigtly..... as if monthly was not enough!...... could not quite believe my eyes, I do not think the computer realises that we do not sell top shelf material......this copy has 2 free gifts enclosed........some ginger massage oil and some nipple tassles..... just what Sawrey needs ;0) One of the first customers in laughed and said she had come away with some girlfriends to get away from things like that!

Surfing the net the other day I discovered a fun site.... Using paint tools you can hang a virtual canvas on the side of an equally virtual building. Your invited to grab a brush, or roller from the side of the kerb in order to create your own “Can-you-tell-what-it-is-yet” style masterpiece. Uniquely there’s even a brush called the Jackson P which can be used to help create your Pollack-esque convas. When you run out of paint you can choose whether to pass it on to another online painter to complete, or whether to declare it finished and have it hung in the public gallery... For the puurpose of passing a few minutes I painted an "I love sawrey picture" the site can be found at

http://www.wetpaintpleasetouch.com/

Happy Painting

2008-08-28T14:46:00.003Z

Good afternoon, we are moored just off far sawrey today! Well it feels like we are! The rain is still with us...

At the market this morning we finally got some english plums, they look delish! its a bit of a battle fighting the wasps here today, there seems to be more than ever...

A poster is going up in the window advertising a supper dance at the hawkshead village hall on the 4th of oct, there is a supper provided by super chef lisa woodhouse and a bar open until midnight, it should be a great night, its in aid of the british legion and tickets cost £9.50...

I note with great interest that Lakeland Segway, Sawreys new business venture, now has a video clip to watch, its on the tours page and it looks like great fun http://www.lakelandsegway.co.uk/

Thats about all for now folks :0)

2008-08-27T09:07:00.002Z

Greetings from soggy soggy soggy sawrey... the rain came and has stayed and is showing no signs of leaving. The bank holiday was a complete wash out, there were a few wet walkers out braving the downpours, but not many passing here!

The above picture is of Meg, a new puppy who lives in the village, she is about 4 months old now and is all legs, she is the youngest dog to use the new chain I think!

Something interesting happened in the village the other night, I was just getting ready for bed and out of the window I could see a torch near the Hill Top Shop, it stood out because it was sooooo dark, it seemed to be looking at the building and it went on for about 5minutes, all went dark and then I saw it again, I thought Hmmmmmm this is dodgy so I phoned Anthony at the Tower Bank Arms Pub as his beer garden backs onto where thew torch was.....

he duly went out with a torch to find 2 adults and 2 children scaling the wall to try and see Hill Top at night! He warned them the police and the helicopter were on the way ;0) only joking, seems they were camping just down the road and fancied a look, now't so queer as folk hey

Well folks thats about all for now, off to find my web feet ;0)

2008-08-22T12:19:00.003Z

Good afternoon from a dazed and confused sawrey stores...... A customer ordered a cumberland news, I order that cumberland news, the cumberland news arrives, the customer arrives, NO cumberland news!?!?!?! I phone the customers who have been in during the first 10minutes of opening, no one has it, I think it must be a holiday maker who has taken it by mistake.... michael goes across the lake to get another cumberland news as its the only newsagent around here which has a spare, he delivers the long awaited cumberland news........ guess what!?! a customer in the next village sat down to read his telegraph and found a ....yes.......cumberland news and brought it back!!!! dennis from buckle yeat took the papers and the cumberland news must have got mixed up by mistake, i forgot he had been in, if only I had remembered, 2 hours of chaos could have been avoided .....you truly could not make it up
In and amongst all of this the drinks supplier arrived and as many customers as this little shop can fit in arrived.......phew...
On a lighter note another customer has brought us in some locally grown cucumbers, they look just like cucumbers shoud! another customer told a story of one of her relatives who at a wedding said " yours was about 22 inches wasnt it...and it fed 100 people at a wedding" ;0)
My loyal helper Alan has been an absolutely marvellous help amidst the chaos this morning and he even made time to display the carrots int he most lovely way....Cheers Alan
I think thats all for now folks, happy friday :0)

2008-08-19T11:35:00.004Z

Good Afternoon from Sawrey, its still dry and its quite warm today, dare I say it but the forecast is looking good for the bank holiday weekend! The above animal picture is of Tess, she belongs to Joyce one of our customers and blog readers from Carlisle..

The other picture is of the new Sawrey Postcards which we are selling here in the shop, customers love them and we have waited a very long time for someone to print some postcards of this beautiful village

The police seem to be cruising around the villages today, I am however not suprised as customers are reporting that cars are parked all over the road including on the bend between the two Sawrey's

The new fishmonger called this morning, he brings fresh fish from fleetwood and stops outside the shop selling to customers, he then goes door to door in the village, its absolutely lovely fish

Its delivery day here today, first came the meat, then came the ice cream, then came the biscuits and just arriving are the batteries..phew

Thats about all for now, happy tuesday :0)

2008-08-15T10:04:00.002Z

Greetings from a dry blue sky (ish) morning here in sawrey...Popped to get some fresh fruit and vegetables this morning and then back across the car ferry, whilst on the ferry it was blowing a gale and raining extremely heavy...got the far sawrey side, drove up the hill and the ground was dry as a bone and no wind! Amazing!

The above picture is of the first dog to christen the newly fitted dog chain, it seems to work ok and what a beautiful dog to pronounce it officially open!

A couple of japanese bloggers and customers pooped in the other day, they brought mum a picture of her outside the shop that they took last year, it was a really nice suprise! こんにちは japan!

There is a big article in the gazette on the boat fire on lake windermere roving reporter Robert from Buckle yeat who managed to get some fire footage sent it into the newspaper and its today featured on their online edition

The pies are selling very very well with customers coming back for seconds! thats what we like!

Thats about all for now folks, lets see what today brings hey!;-)

2008-08-14T14:19:00.004Z

Good thursday afternoon from sawrey stores.... well the pies have arrived....they look sooooooo scrummy and are selling a treat! We have a poster about them which reads,

"We breed and rear pedigree middle white pigs, british saddleback pigs and white cattle.We are based in the lyth Valley which is approx 5 miles south west of Kendal.

Our middle whites and saddlebacks are fed on the brewers grains from Hawkshead Brewery together with a natural pelleted diet which gives our pigs all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay fit and healthy. The pies and sausages contain no artificial additives and are specially made using the pork from our happy rare breed bigs, bred and reared on our farm"

It truly has been traffic chaos in the village this week, a customer and her family came in to take a break from the rain as they had been told there were no tickets availible at Hill Top until 3.15, it was raining hard but they battled on and walked here, bought some sweeties, swam back and then an hour later they came back in on their way back to the ferry and reported then when they got back to hill top all of the tickets had been sold out! Someone had told them some wrong information and they did not have a ticket but understood that they could get one after 3.15, that was not the case so they trudged back to the ferry absolutely soaked to the skin not happy at all and the children who had looked forward to visiting hill top did not get in...

As for the traffic, a ferry load unloaded the other day at the same time a large truck filled with sheep was coming the other way, it would have been ok of drivers wouls have been prepared to back up but they were not and a handbags at dawn moment ensued, eventually the car drivers saw they had no option but to reverse, here is hoping there were tickets still for sale when they got to hill top

The boat that set on fire reimains in the lake is several pieces, the owner told me its going to cost £3,500 to be removed from the water

Thats about all for now, we are just having some chains fitted across the entrance to the shop
to try and remind visitors to let their dogs foul outside the shop to take them somewhere else....

love from sawrey :-)

2008-08-11T15:07:00.002Z

Good afternoon from Sawrey.apologies for blog absence, On saturday the 2nd of Aug at 6.30am I sat on the floor to put my trainers on, ten hours later I was still there in agony, my back went, its just about come back.....I too have returned from the happy cloud that was the pain killers........boy oh boy its been agony! Mother has run the shop like a trooper and fingers crossed normal service is resumed....
Seems to have been quite a week in the village, a fire on a boat on the lake, a cyclist who lost 2 finger on ferry hill as he approached the corner where the ferry sign is and the traffic seems to have gone a bit crazy, its been reported today by customers that 15 cars were parked between this village and near sawrey causing significant problems......quiet in the country hey!

We have started selling pork pies from savin hill farm in the lyth valley, they literally have sold out soon after being delivered, they look gorgeous and when the new batch arrive I shall take some pics...the pigs are rare breeds and are fed on the hops from the hawkshead brewery, happy pigs I bet!!! The range included the lyth valley porker and then a selection of pies with things on the top including apple, damsons, gooseberries, pate and cranberry and pate and stuffing YUM YUM!
Thats all for now folks hope this little bit of summer has made it to you :-)

2008-08-01T13:09:00.002Z

Greetings from the village of the wet, yes its raining again! its not even that "fine rain that soaks you through" its big big rain drops and is showing no sign of going back to where it came from....

The long awaited new drinks fridge arrived this week and despite its seeming huge at first we are getting used to it and its nice to have a much larger soft drinks range (16new lines!)

The other picture is of a nappy cake that a customer from the village made for our milkman kevin who's wife gave birth to a little girl on wednesday, despite being a week late she arrived naturally and I am assured mother and baby are both well....the nappy cake is awesome and is made with some 90 nappies! and as you can see looks absolutely fabulous!

Michael heather the dotty dog and I popped accross the pass to the la'al ratty steam train at ravensglass yesterday and had a lovely day, we ended it with a paddle at the beach at St Bees...

Well folks thats about all for now better go learn the new drinks prices :0)

2008-07-28T10:30:00.005Z

Good Sunny Morning from Far Sawrey....its another hot one both inside and outside the shop.... Yesterday was the Windermere Air Show and the fruit kebabs were selling like hot cakes down by the lake shore for the second year running..... The air show was a display of helicopters... japanese Air Force and Some very brave men who jumped out of a Hercules Plane and did a marvellous display in the air........the little girl stood next to me with her family thought that the men in the air who approached the lake with flares which they were carrying were in fact their shoes on fire..........her dad hed to re assure her it was not their shoes and they were safe....it was quite funny as she did not believe him!!!

Despite the sun being out there are no strawberries today so I am shop bound.....The new coca cola fridge is due to arrive this week, we are not sure where its going to go as its bigger than the space we have!?!

The new Peter Rabbit Plant Pots are proving to be a great seller...Better hop off and go stock up the ice creams....

Happy Monday from Sawrey

2008-07-21T10:00:00.004Z

Good "Cherry Tomato" Morning from Sunny yes SUNNY Sawrey........I arrived at the shop this morning as usual to find I had the wrong set of keys in my hand!!! Michael had gone for the fruit and veg for me and had taken the van, so I came in his car and guess which key ring the shop keys were on! What a nelly!!! Customers were very understanding and at one point there was half a dozen of us having a real good debate about the newspaper headlines, I think the sawrey review group will have to meet again soon :0)

Yesterday afternoon we headed to the Lakeland Maize Maze at Sedgwick, its a really fun attraction and after you have found your way out of the maze (which can take 3hours!) you can feed some animals and play some very fun games.....The Maze opened last week and remains open until they harvest it around October and I whole-heartedly recommend it. http://www.lakelandmaze.co.uk/Maze/Home.html

I was going to sell Strawberries today but the delivery of Strawberries did not arrive at the market so fingers crossed the weather holds for another day or so... I think it might!

Off to find my dunces cap :0)

2008-07-20T09:59:00.003Z

Good blue sky morning from Sawrey, I had to take a picture of the blue sky emerging just to prove to myself tomorrow we did get some restbite fromt he rain today!!!

Its lovely to come into work and not get wet and not make paper mache things with the newspapers....

Today is definately the start of the school holidays, we sold 5 fishing rods before 10am! Amazing!

It is quite interesting how everyone differently describes the sticky bath buns, some people call them chorley cakes!?! Some people call them fruit barms and today someone called them large cherry buns! At least I think they did ;0) Whatever you want to call them these bath buns taste as scrummy as they always have

The Peter Rabbit Gifts are attracting some positive attention and the shops first sale of the day was a pack of Peter Rabbit Juggling Balls! Wonder if that was to put on a show whilst serving breakfast :-)

Update on the dog, now that michael and heather are in residence with me and giving him lots of attention he seems much happier, although a quick phone call home this moring was cut short by them both trying to get something out of his mouth, puppies just love to chew!!!

Well thats about all for now folks, off to practice some juggling :0)

2008-07-19T09:18:00.004Z

Greetings from wet wet wet Far Sawrey, boy its rained this week!!!

The new Peter rabbit and beatrix Potter gifts arrived yesterday in time for the summer holidays, they look lovely in the shop....

We went to the cash and carry this week and also had a large delivery of soft drinks, we are still awaiting a new drinks fridge. The above chewing gum stand finally arrived, we have been asking for one from Wrigleys for over 2 years! and finally its arrived

I am dog and cat sitting for a customer this week, the young dog managed to get a tin of opened cat food in its mouth and decided to play chase! With the ring can lurking in the dogs mouth I had no option nut to give chase, it truly was like a sketch out of Benny Hill me running aroud the garden chasing the dog... I soon realised that chasing it was making it worse and duly sat down and ignored it which was hard as their was some spots of blood, the postman however saved the day by arriving and causing a distraction to the dog, cat food now lived 7foot up! Animals!

With the poor weather this week its been a quiet week here in the shop, fingers crossed for some sunshine, thats about all for now folks :0)

2008-07-14T08:44:00.004Z

Good Morning from...................wet sawrey...........

The sun came yesterday and today has very definately gone...

Popped to get some more fresh produce this monring, seem to have sold quite a lot this weekend, could not resist the big box of juicy cherries, I am hoping the birds dont like cherries or sawrey will be covered in them as they ram raid them!!!

Trying out some crusty french sticks today for a change, they smell lovely...

Our roving reporter and top ice cream taster Heather took the picture of the ducks down at the ferry yesterday...She is Michaels daughter and is coming to stay for the summer holidays and will hopefully take plenty of pictures for us during her time here...

A sales woman has just phoned up to see if we want an ice cream order this week, its a no at the moment I am afraid, the forecast is no so good for the next few days, its such a weather dependant thing! Little bit of sunshine and we can sell out quick sharpe!

Update on yesterdays road incident at Brathy, the car was moved and parked a little further on from the bridge and the milkman reported that its still their this morning minus its alloy wheels! Someone is having a bad week!

Thats about all for now folks, feeling a cherry moment coming on :0)

2008-07-13T08:38:00.003Z

Good Sunny morning from Sawrey! The blue sky is out again and the sun has got its hat on, said with crossed fingers!

Woken up this morning by the sound of a helicopter, it seemed to be hovering quite near by, no news as to why yet....the milkman reported seeing a car just down from Brathy Bridge early this morning, apparently it had taken out a chunk of wall and the occupant was sat in the vehicle smoking a large roll up! Ouch!

Michael has just come back with the bread from Ambleside and reports much of the wall is in the river and the police have put signs up everywhere, quiet in the country hey!

The above pictures are a couple of the new Peter Rabbit games we are selling here in the shop, the range should be expanded by the end of the week :0)

Well folks, the bread is here better hop skip and jump and sell it, Happy Sunday :0)

2008-07-12T08:47:00.004Z

Good Morning from far Sawrey, its dry!!!!!! The rain has left the village for a minute.... film crews were out in near sawrey very early this morning, looked like they were filming castle cottage in the background, it was about 7.30am!

The ferry man has just reported that the reason the ferry has been off more than usual this week is due to one fo the engines breaking down, apparently it can run on one engine, guess it would be more of a problem if it was an aeroplane! As I type the problem has not been fixed so no idea whether it will be on during the day. The village becomes a little like an island surrounded by a draw bridge when the ferry is off... fandabbydozy place to be stranded tho!

I have been absent this week due to my jaw problems, amazing how damage inflicted upon you three years ago can re surface and its like three years worth of work has never happened, today is pretty pain free tho :0)

The ghanaian students and teachers who were staying in the village left this morning, its rained so much when they were here, one of the children took our blog address, HELLO GHANA!

Well thats about all for now folks, Happy Saturday :0)

2008-07-07T09:35:00.004Z

Good Morning from Sawrey, its raining oranges and lemons, only kidding, but its raining once again! it does not seem to have stopped for a few days, no strawberry selling this monday!

Hawkshead school is linked with a school in Ghana and the african school have come over to visit this week, the teachers and one of the students are being hosted in this village. The weather is somewhat different to Ghana today!

How ironic, Radio 2 are playing "I can see clearly now the rain has gone" :0) (I wish it would!)

On saturday I drove past a police car just up the road from the shop, there was a man looking fairly bruised and battered, there was no car, not sure what had happened to him, he was standing tho so hopefully it was not too serious and the villages zero crime rate will remain in tact ;0)

Thats about all for now folks, I cannot get that blooming song out of my head!

2008-07-04T09:37:00.002Z

Good Morning from a blue sky morning here in Far Sawrey. Its fruity market day and outside is smelling sweet today :0)

The above picture is of a dog who has been to stay in the village this week, quite unbelievably this dog is the exact same breed as Benny's mum(a nova scotia duck tolling retriever) http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/novascotiaducktolling.htm!!! The ears give it away! This lovely dog who visited the shop daily is called Quito (I think thats how you spell it!)

Hill Top is closed today as its friday so the road is much quiter.... We are having some work done on the roof window today, slight problem when it was disocvered the window frame is all metal. but with a bit of thinking outside the box I sit here watching a new window opener is being fitted! Finally we will have some air circulated around the shop....A roof slate has also been discovered out of place, good job this is a village of men that can!!!

Thats about all for now folks, HAPPY FRIDAY

2008-07-02T15:21:00.002Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, the heavens have just opened and we had quite a downpour....the sun is now trying to pop out! Fickle weather!

It was a gorgous day yesterday and the fruity van was out at Near Sawrey, just about sold out of strawberries which is good and basking under the mid day sun they their aroma was soooooooooo nice, people said they could smell them from accross the road as they walked past buckle yeat...

Talking about Buckle Yeat they have an absolutely glorious display of englsh summer folwers in their garden at the moment, loads and loads of people were taking pictures, I forgot the camera!

The shop is quiet today, wednesdays usually are, although my boyfriend has sent me some lovely roses today so thats put a smile on my face, it was such a suprise when the lady walked in and asked for me!

We have been meeting suppliers of Beatrix Potter Gifts this week, we hope to be exanding out range real soon, the above pictures are of the sheepy gifts that we sell, they are made locally...

thats about all for now folks

:0)

2008-06-27T13:04:00.002Z

Good Morning from a wet but mild Far Sawrey, the heavens have just opened and the sky is quite dark. The free range eggs from graythwaite look absolutely lovely today, some are speckley and some are blue! What a treat!

A blind couple who stay in the village for their holidays popped in to see us at the shop this week with their beautiflu guide dog Kerry, sadly it was raining on they day they came up, I am however hoping that the Strawberry Jam with Black Pepper that they bought will remind them of sunnier days in the lake district when they have it.

No strawberry selling this week as the weather has been somewhat unpredictable. However I only have permission to sell fruit for a certain number of days during the year so I am trying to work it out so I am there when it gets busy and people will be hungry for some lush soft fruit.

We have a bumper crop of mixed peppers on offer here today for only 10p each, if you like roasted peppers this is the place to be!!!!

Well folks thats about all for now :0)

2008-06-24T10:58:00.004Z

Good Morning from Sawrey, its still dry despite the forecast saying its going to be wet today, fingers crossed they got it wrong.

Our first batch of this years Jute bags have arrived today, although customers are very good at recycling their bags in Sawrey, just got to encourage the visitors to recycle too!

In the post yesterday we received plans for a conservation area appraisal of Far Sawrey, it appears that the conservation boundary is to be increased somewhat around the village. An exhibition has been arranged at the Braithwaite Hall in the village on Tues the 8th 10 - 2pm and Tues the 15th of July 4-8pm

the documents can also be found online at

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/farsawrey

I have learned from it that we have buildings in the village dating back to the 17th centuary! Interesting!

We have someone from COCA COLA coming to talk to us about drinks today, something we sell a lot of...

Thats about all for now folks :0)

2008-06-21T10:45:00.003Z

Good Morning from a soggy sawrey! Its certainly raning and pouring here today. Today is the wedding of a woman who's family live at Cunsey just down the lane. It is reported that the church is filled with beautiful displays of english country flowers and the marque is up in the garden, fingers crossed that the rain stops sharpish!

It is also the Rose Queen gala in Hawkshead Village today, that all starts at 2pm and again they need some sunshine for the children.... All together now...."bring me sunshine!"

An ambulance has just gone through the village with its lights and sirens on, it seems to be happening more and more, not sure if they are using the ferry more as the roads get busier

Having a bit of a clean up this morning now the dust has settled from the new road surface

Thats about all for now folks :-)

2008-06-20T13:13:00.001Z

Good Morning from a quiet Far Sawrey, in fact it has been an exceptionally quiet week here in the shop, the weather has not been very good tho….

Delivery day here today, fresh fruit and veggies from the market, local cheeses and we are just awaiting the confectionary and drinks to arrive…. A bottle of water and a mars bar seems essential in the bag of most walkers passing the shop!

Many visitors to the village come into the shop and seem genuinely concerned as to “how the shop is doing” and if we are busy…… it’s a very interesting question, as the weather impoves we see an increase in passing trade…. Local people who live here permanently are very supportive of the shop

However…It concerns us greatly that despite the village housing many holiday cottages, new people do move into the community when houses become available, however many, but not all!, new residents do not see it as important to use the village shop to purchase even a newspaper. We find it a difficult concept to work out but it does feel like it is becoming less and less important to people moving into communities to participate in keeping a vital local service going, despite our very best attempts at proving produce as fresh as could be bought anywhere and at a price that rivals larger stores. Time will tell hey……

Anyway…ramble over, the sweeties have just arrived and the sun is shinning…. Happy Friday :0)

2008-06-17T13:00:00.003Z

Good Afternoon from far sawrey, its an overcast day here today and its very quiet here in the shop, what we have sold seems to be lots of breakfast items as featured above......

The baby birds all seem to be venturing out of their nests and their mothers are frantically feeding them.............aka.....anything we have on display outside the shop!!! Its quite a battle, the milkman told me he has had a couple of trays of eggs devoured by the birdies!

This weeks ice creams have just been delivered and we have added to our range of magnum's the scrummy double caramel magnum.... today is not an ice cream day tho!!!

Thats about all for now folks, I see rain a coming!

:0)

2008-06-15T14:06:00.002Z

Good afternoon from sawrey.......Near Sawrey was woken up before 8am today with the sound of a jack hammer digging up the newly re surfaced road! yes the road that was re surfaced only 2 days ago had men digging it up this morning to replace the man-hole covers or something! I stood there doing my finest hands on hips impression looking amazed! They just smiled, well they would, isnt it triple time on a sunday or something!! OUSTANDING!!!

The ambulance has just flown through the village en route to the ferry, seems to have been a few sirens throught the village this weekend.
As I type there are 6 people perched on the benches enjoying their ice creams.......very civilised way to spend a sunday afternoon after a nice walk!

Sold a sunday times with a sunday sport tucked away inside it this morning! Bless!

Sawrey over and out for now ;0)

2008-06-14T09:36:00.004Z

Good Morning from Sawrey, we had a light shower about an hour ago but the day looks set to be filled with blue skies and sunshine :0)

Picked up some gorgeous local new potatoes yesterday, just a quick rub off of the muck and they taste scrumdiddlyumptious!

I have found a great website for a course on learning how to smoke food in cumbria! I love smoked food but was really disappointed when I found out that a lot of smoked food has not been near a smoke house and the smoky flavour is sprayed on some foods! The place that teaches you to smoke food is called Smoky Jo's at Shap just north of kendal... http://www.smokyjos.co.uk/

Sold some ice creams at 9am this morning! Thats a bit of a record I think! Magnums for breakfast!

Thats about all for now folks :0)

2008-06-13T13:28:00.002Z

Good afternoon from dusty far sawrey......the new road surface is making sawrey look like a scene out of a wild west movie after the horses have bolted! Dust everywhere! However the newly dressed road does look very countryroad ish....having said that I pity any cyslist who has the mis fortune to come off their bike on it! OUCHY OUCH!!!!

I Have not sold strawberries in near sawrey for a couple of days due to the dust.....chocolate covered yes but dust covered no :-)

Its a blue sky afternoon here today. There is an advert in the wondow stating " we want blood" its from the village festival committee and they are having their AGM and are inviting new blood to come and join them to help fund raise and come up with some new ideas for fund raising... the meeting is being held int he claife crier bar on sunday the 15th of june at 8pm...ALL WELCOME

The Sawrey Segway Company features in a great article in the Westmorland Gazette today, the reporter looks to be having lots of fun on one of the New Segways

Thats about all for now folks HAPPY FRIDAY :0)

2008-06-10T11:52:00.004Z

Good afternoon from Far Sawrey........Fruitilicious opened its fruity doors opposite buckle yeat in Near Sawrey yesterday and the fruity kebabs went down a treat with visitors to the village..... last year I started selling them in july but the weather has been so glorious that I thought I better start......

Mum is teaching rug making at a school in the village of Levens today so Benny and I are in the shop....lots of coaches are passing the shop having dropped off lots of visitors and I am wishing I was in near Sawrey selling as its quite quiet in the shop today.....However I am sure Mum will be having a great day doing something she loves...

Just had a customer in from Guatamala?!? thats a 1st!!!

Mega delivery of sweets due today, the sweet sin jars are selling really well and we are quite low on stocks, there isnt a BON BON in the village!

Reports from the village BBQ on Sunday are all good and I think the children all had a great day, with lots of activities planned for them and sunny weather

We ordered a composter a few weeks ago for the shop and its arrived today, it seems HUGE!!! but I am sure it will make good compost with all the shredded papers and old veggies we compost to keep it all looking fresh.........

The National Trust are inviting comments regarding what to do with the Old Viewing Station on Claife Heights....If I find an online link regarding it I will post it on the blog

Thats about all for now folks

Love from Sawrey

(PS apologies if there are even more spelling mistakes in ths blog than normal , we have a new keyboard and its taking a bit of getting used to!)

2008-06-08T11:22:00.002Z

Geetings from Far Sawrey, its another beautiful blue sky day in the village today, fingers crossed the weather keeps fine for the village BBQ later this afternoon....

Having managed to sprain my ankle this week I topped that off last night by getting my index finger caught between my behind and a loose chair top on the dining table seat, resulting in mega ouch!!!! its amazing I made it to work in one piece!!!anything could happen to me in my accident prone state ;0)

Mango Sorbets are still flying out of the shop again today! I think we will need to order some more tomorrow! All bread and bath buns went in record time this morning, ordered more this past few weeks but it looks so delicious and its proving hard to resist!

I am still without the camera but found a lovely web cam link of coniston which I will post instead http://www.conistonweb.co.uk/oldmancam.html

Thats about all for now folks.........HAPPY SUNDAY

2008-06-07T14:17:00.002Z

Greetings from sawrey, its a looooooooovely blue sky day here today and it is extremely warm. I went for a walk around Buttermere on thursay and managed to sprain my ankle, with a two mile walk back to the car, OUCH is an understatement, made it back, popped into the tower bank arms for some pain relief, then applied ice and some elevation and the rest as they say is history.......

I cannot post a new pic today as mum has gone to a family party in yorkshire for the weekend and has taken the camera....

As the 1litre tubs of Mango Sorbet from English lakes ice cream are proving a good seller we have decided to start selling them in the small tubs with a spoon in them and they are proving even more popular, I have sold 7 on the trot this afternoon!

My partner Michael is here for the weekend helping me lift and carry things so thats good.... BILLY and SKY, the two cutest puppies in the village are 1 tomorrow so we wish them a very happy birthday, I think I have a pic of them taken earlier in the year which I will try find and post on here

Tomorrow is the BBQ and Sawrey Sports Day at the Playground in Near Sawrey and the fun starts at 2pm.....we have donated some sweeties and a jar so the children can guess how many sweets are in the jar......

Thats about all for now folks, HAPPY SATURDAY :0)

2008-06-04T08:56:00.004Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey.............when I was having a sort out yesterday I noticed how many minty things we sell here in the shop, it suprised me! But customers like all things minty so we try to supply!

It was a steady away day in this village yesterday, quite a few people out walking, I feel that now the phenomenon of the Miss Potter film has died down more walkers are heading back to claife heights.....Miss Potter pilgrims tended to arrive by car, go to hill top and then drive on to the next location and there did not seem to be many fell walkers about.....anyway....we will see what this season brings....

Benny is at the vets today, he has been off colour for a few days and has not been eating and drinking, he does not like going to the vets :0(

We placed an order with Suma the wholefood co operative last week, it did not arrive, we put it down to the bank holiday,when it did not arrive yesterday(a week later) we called them up to discover they had got one digit wrong in our account number and our order had been dispached to suffolk! Oooooooopz....we have had a call this mornign to say its arrived back at their warehouse and will be dispached today for tomorrow! Finger crossed! anything could happen between halifax and sawrey ;0)

Happy Wednesday from Sawrey

2008-06-03T09:19:00.002Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, as you can see from the pic, its a damp start to the day today... The bank holiday people have gone and the village seems much quieter this week.

This weekend there is a BBQ at the playground in Near Sawrey, it is to raise money for the Tarn Hill Trust and starts at 2pm on Sunday, All are welcome and its a great village event which raises money for the playground.

It has also come to our attention that thursday is World Environment Day http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/and http://www.lakelandsegway.co.uk/index.htm , a local company is marking the day by launching its new innovative method of transport! GOOD LUCK SEGGERS!!!! :0)

Here in the shop it is cleaning, ordereing and re stocking day after the bank holiday rush.....

Happy Tuesday from Sawrey

2008-05-31T11:45:00.002Z

Good Afternoon from sunny sawrey, its another blue sky day here today and its very warm! Its been a busy morning in the shop, it usually goes quieter on a sat afternoon as its change over day in the holiday cottages, however I have started to notice that people who come to stay int he cottages come earlier and earlier, it used to be about 4pm they all arrived, however the people staying at letterbox cottage across from the shop have already arrived and its only 12.30! Guess ya kind of get an extra day if your lucky enough....

The above picture on the left is of the cumbrian ham and the range of cumbrian cheeses that we sell and the picturs on the right is a box of groceries that have been ordered by some holiday makers who are coming to stay at Esthwaite Farm in a holiday cottage, we deliver groceries free of charge to people coming to stay locally....

We sold out of the strawberries and raspberries yesterday and I am hoping the same happens today, they smell soooooooooo sweet!

Some of the new range beatrix potter gifts arrived yesterday and I am in the process of putting them onto the web site. The gifts that arrived were the new mugs, t towels and giant pencils, and they will go into the beatrix potter gifts for under £10 section

Well thats about all for now folks, I am feeling a BBQ coming on this evening

Happy Saturday from Sawrey :-)

2008-05-30T10:45:00.002Z

PS......................the blog counter is about to hit its 10,000 visitor mark, if your the 10,000th visitor congratulations and thank you all so much for checking out our blog :-)

2008-05-30T10:24:00.005Z

Greetings from Sawrey, apologies for the blog absence, the bank holiday week has been absolutely crazy and I have not have time to have a drink never mind a moment on the computer,however we now have a bit of a lull after the storm....although it has been nice to be busier this week. One day 50 scouts descended on the shop!!!! They spotted the sweets in jars and there was I bagging up sweeties like they were going out of fashion, think I even woke up adding up!

Its friday which means its fruity day again, the strawberries smell sooooooooo good today, Raspberries were on offer so I picked up a box of those too

Today is the beginning of the Holker Hall Festival so I imagine it will be quieter today as Hill Top is closed on a friday

Had a scary squirrel moment on the way back from picking up the fruit, the woman in the car infromt of me broke suddenly to aviod a squirrel in the road back from Newby Bridge, I had to break sharpley too and the strawberries went for a bit of a flying lesson in the back of the van! Its like a fruit smoothie in their at the moment, better go clean up

Happy Friday from Sawrey :-)

2008-05-23T14:39:00.004Z

Good Sunny afternoon from Sawrey,it aint half a hot one! Cloudy but hot!

As the Bank Holiday approaches we are stocking up on all things colourful and sweet like, its time for the little shoppers to arrive as they are off school for a week....sweet things galore!

Today has been delivery day and a half, there are box's everywhere, it is fresh produce day, cheese delivery day, cash and carry unloading day, drinks supplier delivery day oh and a few ice creams just for good measure......PHEW!

Sawrey Sports comittee have placed an advert in the window for a BBQ at that Tarn Hill playground on June the 8th, last year was a great day and it raises money for the playground

Well folks thats about all for now, the sausages have just arrived! More box's!!!!

Love from Sawrey

2008-05-19T08:52:00.005Z

Good Morning From Sawrey, its another blue sky morning here. Yesterday afternoon was the May Queen Fayre and a great day was had by all.

It was traffic chaos in the village yesterday morning, the Brathy run which set off from Brathy training centre via hawkshead, graythwaite and lakeside seemed to close the road and traffic for some bizarre reason was diverted through Sawrey, it was absolute chaos and nobody seemed to know where they were going. Lots of screeching of wheels and setting off fast in 1st gear....

However, as diversions go I think a diversion through sawrey, cunsey and graythwaite is a pretty beautiful one

Menzies the newspaper distribution company have surpassed themselves today, here at Sawrey Stores it is safe to assume we sell lots and plenty of times, telegraph and daily mails, however today the computer said no and it did not send us enough telegraphs or times but to save the day the computer said..........hmmmmmm I know we will send them masses of Mirrrors and Daily Sports!!! Interesting!!!!

Its just been on Cumbria News that the foresty commission have recently put up 20 boxes for Barn Owls to nest in around grizedale forest, sounds good! I love Barn Owls

Well thats about all for now folks, enjoy the sun :-)

2008-05-17T10:00:00.002Z

Good Morning from a slighty overcast Far Sawrey, despite the weather it has been quite a busy morning in the shop, lots of people going home and coming in to take groceries with them which is nice....

Tomorrow is the May Fayre in the village and a new May Queen will be crowned followed by dancing around the maypole, a good old village day for all ages, there is also a raffle some stalls and refreshments. The procession sets off from Near Sawrey at 2pm

I have taken a picture of the new sorbets that arrived from English Lakes Ice Cream and I can say hand on heart that it is absolutely delicious and perfect refreshment for a sunny day, we now just need some sunshine!

A gentleman has just been in the shop who has been coming on holiday to Sawrey for over 50years! Amazing, but understandable as Sawrey is such a special place

Thats about all for now folks, its a rollover on the national lottery I have just head, good luck!

Love From Sawrey

2008-05-16T11:29:00.003Z

Good Afternoon from sawrey, its a much cooler day here today, no rain,but a lot of cloud cover. Its absolutely lovely that its soft fruit time again! They smell and taste absolutely lovely and are selling a treat.

The jack daws have a bit of a crush on the plums and its a battle to keep them from been eaten although one of the birds has just flown straight into the window en route to dive bombing the fruit and knocked itself senseless...oooooooooooppps!

The water from the flood soaked under the counter and it taking some drying out and the insurance company say they dont want to know, so its a case of lift it up and keep praying it dries out!

The westmorland gazette keeps reporting on the proposed chages to WaterHead, it is proposed that the bottom road will be closed, re routed and it will be pedestrianised, concerns have been raised as to whether or not such work needs to be carried out at such a great expense. If you have anything to say about the propsed changes I think they can be lodged at this address http://www.sldt.co.uk/waterhead.html

Thats about all for now folks, the jack daw is back!

Love from Sawrey

2008-05-13T12:58:00.002Z

Good afternoon from Sawrey............Baby Alex popped in yesterday and I was sooooooooo pleased to see him, he looked quite the dashing young man and he is growing well since he last popped to the shop! Sawrey Stores youngest shopper!

All quiet in the village today, no floods! its a beautiful blue sky day, some new tubs are coming from English lakes ice cream today including Mango Sorbet and Strawberry Sorbet, cannot wait to sample them! (THEY HAVE JUST ARRIVED! :-) )))))))

Am away for a few days so the blog will return towards the end of the week, enjoy the sunshine

Love from Sawrey :-)

2008-05-12T14:18:00.004Z

Good Afternoon from Sawrey........The village was hit by freak weather and a flash flood yesterday and after the most amazing golf ball size hail stones at around 3pm came the rain,within minutes raging torrents were flooding down the roads and the shop got completely flooded out. Chris next door who was giving a Banjo lesson at the time did some of his finest multi tasking and left his student to come here and pile up the sand bags, but to no avail as the rain was so powerful and it completely flooded the top and the bottom of the shop and two houses accross the road fromt he shop...........phew what a nightmare!!!! The people in the holiday cottage accross the road helped out and could not believe their eyes, neither could I!!!!! It was truly like a scene out of a Benny Hill Movie!!!! I kept expecting some music to pipe up at any moment :-)

Finally today we are all cleared up and just as I was about to have a sit down I heard a most almighty bang and went outside to see a aggregate truck racing down the road having taken out a massive rock and the sewege pipe from the holiday cottage across the road, still traumatised from yesterday the holiday makers came out, I did my finest impression of a reasurring shop keeper and told him its usually quiet in the country....he didnt look like he believed me !!!!

Well thats about all for now folks, enjoy the sunshin and if you hear thunder, get out the sand bags quick! :-)

2008-05-10T09:19:00.003Z

Good Sunny Salady Morning From Sawrey!!!!!!!! its another lush day here in the lakes, I hope it is with you.....everyone is coming into the shop saying how they have not slept due to the heat overnight....what a difference a week makes hey, I was still wearing my polo neck jumper a few days ago!!!! This morning I have sold salad salad salad!!!!!!!!!

Ventilation is the issue here today as its sooooooooooooooooo hot in the shop!!! we have decided to remove the air conditioning unit that does not work and replace it with a good old fashined window to let some air circulate around the shop, might need a bit of iron work to make it secure....

The lady who used to make our lovely tray bakes has decided to cease baking so we were left with a bit of a problem regarding sourcing yummy tray bakes..........that problem has now been solved as the chef at the Youth Hostel has offered to make them for us, they make and sell them in the youth hostel and I have to say that thay are absolutely scrumdiddlyumptious! The chocolate oatie bar is out selling the flapjack at the moment.....

I just had a look at the ferry web cam and its the first time I have looked at it since we got braodband, it uptates every few seconds! technology never ceases to amaze me!

http://www.fba.org.uk/index/ferrycam

I am trying to learn about "search engine optimisation" or seo to those of you who speak computer jargon so that our web site lists higher on the search engines, I am going on a course soon to learn from the experts, its all very complicated at the moment but there appears to be method in all of the madness...I think!!??!!

Thats about all for now folks...enjoy the sun

2008-05-09T09:54:00.002Z

Good Friday Morning from Sunny Sawrey, we had a light shower first thing but the sun has now popped out and its looking like another stunning day. Picked up some new season Jersey Royal Potatoes at the fruity market, its great to get the first batch of them and I cannot wait to have some for dinner tonight with some mint from the garden YUM YUM!!!

A new business has been launched in the Village this week and below is a link posted to the site, http://www.lakelandsegway.co.uk/index.htm bloggers may remember me posting a picture of one of the segway's a customer came to the shop on last summer, well now a hobby has been turned into an innovative business and we wish Rob and Larriaine lots of success with their new venture

A poster has gone up in the window today advertising the village May fayre on the 18th of May

its a great traditional village event and its so lovely to see the children all dancing around the maypole, Sawrey would love to see you if you fancy a day out, those of you who are new to the blog, Sawrey is on the road to the car ferry from Hawkshead

Well thats about all for now folks, better go check that peter rabbit has not run away with all of the radishes ;-)

2008-05-05T09:45:00.002Z

Good Bank Holiday Monday Morning from Sawrey, just taken the above picture and as you can see its a glorious morning weather wise, the lambs are chilling out just like everyone else!

It has been a slow start to the day today, either everyone is still getting up or they got up and went out early!

There was a fire in Ambleside the other week, it was quite a serious fire and it caused a significant amount of damage to the shops in the market square. The link before is to youtube and the fire was captured by a passer by http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ambleside+fire&search_type=

Its amazing how fast that above picture downloaded!!! We have had broadband installed here at the shop and it seems to whizz through downloading things a million times faster than our old dial up connection. That and people can now call us and the line will not be engaged :-)

This is my last day in the shop for a couple of days so the blog will return towards the end of the week

HAPPY BANK HOLIDAY

2008-05-04T09:54:00.003Z

Good Morning from Wet and thundery Sawrey, the thunder started at about 5.30am today and continued for about three hours! It sounded like a bomb going off! The poor Lambs!!! But in the true spirit of Bank Holiday Weather, I guess its bang on!!!

Popped to Ambleside for the bread early this morning and just had to sample the new chocolate croissants! YUM YUM! The bread and bath bus sold out in record time this morning despite ordering extra for the bank holiday.

Above is one of the prints that we have started selling online, for those of who who know and love the village I am sure you know where it was painted and how true a representation of Near Sawrey it is..

The sunday papers are all full of political news following the local elections this past week. I do not think there is any more news fromSawrey this morning......weather update.............the sun has just popped out!!!!!!!! Hoooorah!!!

greetings......

2008-05-03T13:14:00.003Z

Happy New Year Blog readers......those of you who have mentioned how much you have missed the blog know who you are and I am pelased to announce its back. I have tried unsuccessfully to incorporate it to our new web site but its just not the same, so if its not broken why fix it hey!!!!!!

We have been working hard throughout the winter months to get the website up and running and finally its working, its still a work in progress but it works as we received our first online orders last week!!!! Is'nt technology amazing!!! www.sawreystores.com

Well its the Bank Holiday weekend here in Sawrey and its lovely and sunny, boy has it rained recently!!!

We have have sold over a dozen toothbrushes today!!! Everyone seems to have forgotten theirs, its funny how we can go weekes without selling one and then we nearly sell out, like buses hey!!!

We have started stocking a larger range of pickles and jams from Hawkshead relish company this year and its proving to be a great seller, the strawberry and Black Pepper Jam is absolutely delicious!!! We also sell now sell a jam which has featured on the Chris Evans Radio 2 show. Its called "sally traffic jam" so those of you who listen to the show will know which radio star loves it!!!

Benny is out shopping with mother for plants at the lakeland garden sale at troutbeck bridge today, he has not been well recently but seems to be bouncing back daily :-) He and I are going out for a walk in the bluebell woods after work

Boris Johnstone may today be running the capital but Sawrey reminas in the hands of the liberal democrat candidate I am told...

Well thats about all for now folks, best to ease both you and I back into the blog gently hey

Love from Sawrey

2007-12-14T15:16:00.000Z

This blog has moved to www.sawreystores.com then click on the "shop blog" link

THANKYOU

2007-11-28T09:50:00.000Z

good morning from far sawrey. Just to update blog readers, the blog is going to be moved to our new website www.sawreystores.com (finally we have jumped into embracing technology!) its just at the construction stage but the blog will feature on the website when I work out how to do that. Thankyou all for reading this blog. Its not goodbye, its see you all soon

Annie :-)

2007-11-16T11:33:00.000Z

Good Morning from Sawrey, its a rather misty morning here today, the rain keeps stopping and starting.

Sawrey is in mourning this week following the sad loss Mrs Hunt who lives just down the lane from the shop and also Mr Ian Crabtree who's lovely family live in the village. Our friend and customer Nancy who underwent heart surgery this week had her operation yesterday and we await news. Testing times for a small community....

The gift basket for the braithwaite hall bingo evening is filling up as gifts are been donated by local businesses.

I note with real interest in the local paper today that Cumbria County Council is failing to meet its social care targets, it says and I quote...."findings published this week reveal weaknesses in the way the department deals with with allegations of abuse - which are on the increase" the council responds by saying it is taking action which is outlined in the detailed action plan published today...hmmmmmm speaking as a whistleblower who was harrassed out of a job she loved due to raising concernes of abuse in a care home run by cumbria care I will read the report with interest. After I whistleblew 6times the CSCI inspection report for the home where I worked said there was no allegations made in the home. I wrote to the inspector to tell him there were indeed allegations and it was me who had made them. The inspection report for the home did however remain unchanged and I found it all very odd how that could happen...

Anyway......the shop remains quiet this week, but so too does the lake district as a whole, you can always tell how busy it is in Ambleside by the opportunity to park on the street, this week parking places are available everywhere

A friend of mine called louise is selling her little flat in ambleside, its a lovely little studio flat right in the epi centre of ambleside and I am putting a link to it on here in case any of you blog readers fancy purchasing a little gettaway in the lakes :-)
http://www.matthewsbenjamin.co.uk/property_details.aspx?p_id=601#

Thats about all for now folks

:-)

2007-11-14T13:53:00.000Z

Greetings from blue sky Sawrey, its a stunning day here today despite there been absolutely no visitors around. Our meeting with the cumbria rural enterprises chappy went well. They are doing a survey of small businesses in this area to see what support they can offer to keep businesses in rural areas afloat.
It seems to have been a week of meetings, today is was a meeting with the area manager for the national trust, a Mr John Darlington, we discussed amongst other things the impact of the "Miss Potter" film upon Sawrey. He told me that Hill Top had had over 100,000 visitors this year and how next year it it predicted to fall slightly to around 70,000, thats still a lot of folks hey!

The pictures above are of a few of the visitors we get here at Sawrey Stores, Mr Robin is always the first visitor to the shop when we open. Billie and Sky the cute puppies are also regualr visitors that come and play with Benny.

We have a basket here in the shop that has been placed here by the members of Braithwaite Hall, they have asked all local businesses to donate a gift for the Bingo Night which will be held in Hawkshead in December.

Our thoughts today go out to one of our customers who has gone into hospital for a heart bypass operation at Blackpool. GOOD LUCK Nancy

Its 2pm closing today, it still feel strange but as there has not been a customer in for 2hours, I guess its the right decision until the new year. Although I think i would rather stay here than go home and face the mountain of VAT paperwork that needs wading through

Thats about all for now folks :-)

2007-11-11T10:23:00.000Z

Good Morning from Sawrey, its a blue sky morning and just a perfect day for a walk. Mistake of the week has to go to the Local Paper which reports that Far Sawrey Post office is at High Risk of being closed. This never to be post mistress is sat here in the remains of the post office that was and despite being dazed and confused about many things feels confident that the post office is no longer here, I have searched everywhere and I cannot find it......

Village news this weekend is that the car ferry has new cables and is coming in to dock straight rather than sideways which it has been doing for weeks, for those of you new to the blog, the car ferry web cam can be found at http://www.fba.org.uk/webcam01.html

Today is Rememberence Sunday and many customers have been in wearing their medals. One customer will be reading a list of the names of the people from this area who died in the 1st and 2nd world wars. There are so many names in the list from the 1st world war, dreadful. I went to the cinema in Ambleside this week to watch Atonement and a scene in the film from the beaches at Dunkirk really really brings the reality of it all home. I have just observed the 2 minutes silence, an american family have just been in and we all stood together wearing our poppies with pride, brought a tear to our eyes

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them"

Love from sawrey

2007-11-08T11:22:00.001Z

Greetings from Sawrey on what can only be described as a very wet and wild morning.......the car ferry is being serviced today so there is no traffic through the village, although I suspect it would be off anyway with the northerly winds which are blowing down the lake at hurricane speed!

We are having a meeting with a person from Cumbria Rural Enterprises today regarding marketing the shop etc, should be interesting, all support for village shop is gratefully received, especially at this time of year when it goes so very quiet.. Benny and I are going to go for a walk alongside the lake shore this afternoon and then home to make some Sloe Gin for presents with some of Sawrey's finest Sloe's :-)

Baby Alexander has not been up for his paper yet, perhaps the winds are delaying him some what :-)

I am posting a link to the dent meditation centre where I went on a course at the other week, it is a wonderful place of calmness and I cannot recommend it enough if meditation appeals to you

http://www.meditationcentre.co.uk/index.html

2007-11-07T12:21:00.002Z

Greetings from Sawrey, its a blustery wild morning here, very quiet in the village.........fruitilicious was a success yesterday, visited two villages and a customer who is over 100 years old! Amazing! I hope by going regularly more and mroe people will buy fresh produce from the van....

Baby Alexander who is 9days old popped up to the shop or his daily paper today, got to train them young you know!!!

The pictures today are of our new range of gluten free products that we get from the village bakery at Melmerby, they are proving quite popular as more and more people seem to have dietary requirements which do not include gluten products in them.

There is a pheasant shoot in the village today, lots of men wearing their plus fours, its like a scene of out Fawlty Towers (only kidding)

Thats about all for now folks, back to the VAT paperwork :-)

2007-11-06T13:45:00.000Z

2007-11-06T13:34:00.000Z

Greetings from Sawrey, fruitilicious, our mobile greengrocery van is about to make its maiden voyage this afternoon. Went to market early this morning, the van is stocked up and ready to go! Excitin! Am trying to work out how to price the produce up thus not to break any rules regarding pricing, think I have done it, we sell things in Kilo's and the scales in the van go up to 5kilos, but people probably wont want many Kilo's of each thing so if I do it by the 100g thats divide it by 10 and x it by the weight of the produce, yikes typing it sounds complicated never mind selling it!!! Where is Carol Vordamen when you need her!

Mother is off singing Jerusalem as I type, today she is at her Women's Institute meeting,

It must have been very windy last night, all of the blackboards outside were all over the place this morning. The village has gone very quiet this week despite the lush blue sky days we are having! It feels strange closing at 2pm three days a week but it is so very quiet in here on an afternoon, hopefully fruitilicious service will a good replacement to the shop on the afternoons we are closed.

Thats about all for now folks, better shut up shop and get on the road with the van :-)

2007-11-04T10:02:00.000Z

Greetings from Sawrey, my ears are still ringing from all of the fireworks last night! A good night was had though, first it was Hawkshead and then it was onto Elterwater, with my friends John, Pete and Andrea, where at the Britannia pub there was fireworks played to classical music. Hawkshead bonfire was really big and the fireworks were spectacular as always! There was a mini funfair for the children and hundreds of people flocked into the village to watch

I popped to Ambleside this morning for the bread form the Apple Pie bakery, its still filling the shop with a wonderful aroma. Sawrey was lost in the mist this morning, but as I drove up out of Outgate it just vanished, its quite stange when that happens! However the mist has now lifted and I think its going to be a blue sky day

Peter the ferryman has brought us lots of sloe's from his garden this morning, we are going to sell them and raise money for the village hall. Sloe Gin tastes very different to ordinary gin apparently, it takes three months to make tho, I will let you know if it was worth waiting for!

The sunday newspapers are filled with the tragedy of the 4 firefighters who have lost their lives trying to rescue migrant workers who were sleeping in a factory used for packaging vegetables for supermarkets. It seems the gas from the rotting vegetables made the fire worse. I have always had an issue regarding vegetables and packaging, its all so un-necessary, fruit and vegetables have a natural packaging and it looks so strange to me when I see root vegetables covered in film at the supermarkets....Sawrey Stores endeavours to keep packaging to a minimum! Perhaps this latest tragedy will force supermarkets to re think their packaging policies, you never know!

Thats about all for now folks, haappy Sunday from Sawrey :-)

2007-11-03T13:15:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from Sawrey, its a lush blue sky day here today, hope it stays clear for the annual Hawkshead Bomfire tonight, the bonfire is lit at 6.30 and then there is a firework display, animals take cover!

I am sorting out the fruity van today as of next week I am going mobile in the afternoons, fruitilicious will be born and will be delivering fresh fruit and vegetables to the residents of Hawkshead and Ambleside, I placed a note about this new service in this months parish magazine and I have had several people ring and ask me to call at their home, if the big blue supermarket can deliver round here so can Sawrey Stores :-)

A customer who walks to the shop every day from Near Sawrey has not been in this week, he is having some trouble walking, he went for an x-ray this week and they discovered he had a needle lodged in his pelvis! Amazing hey! Only problem is, its lodged on the other side to where the pain is!?!

Cumbria County Council sent a letter to the shop this week saying that the rural bus service that does not come to our village in winter will now not even be having a timetable published for the service it does provide to Hawkshead! Quite amazing, we get no bus service and the one that we do get some 3 miles away will not have a timetable published! I imagine its due to a shortage of funds after spending hundreds of thousands of pounds trying to bully whistle-blowers who report abuse in care homes?!?

Anyway, on a lovely note, baby Alexander is now home in the village, I popped in to see him and his parents yesterday, he is absolutely adorable, I am suspecting he will have a career doing something with his hands, he seems very interested in his cute little fingers, its lovely to have a new baby in the village, its what little villages like this need

There was a parish council meeting earlier this week, traffic was the 1st issue on the agenda, both the volume of traffic and the speed of traffic through sawrey and the surrounding areas was discussed, an interesting debate was had and I sense it will continue to be had

Thats about all for now folks :-)

2007-11-01T11:05:00.000Z

Greeting Bloggers! The blog is back, my case is over, its taken me a few weeks to bounce back from been dazed and confused about the whole experience but it’s a new month now and things feel very much back to normal. Representing myself against the full weight of the county councils legal services department has been testing to say the least but I do feel I have done all I could in respect of the abuse towards service users that I whistleblew about. I am hoping that the local newspaper seek to find out under the freedom of information act just indeed how many hundreds of thousands of pounds were wasting having a david and goliath battle with unrepresented me, I imagine the figure will be very very high….anyway……….back to village things….

Last night was Halloween and we had a scary pumpkin competition here, the judge (Mr Tony Dickins) decided that young Ryan from Hawkrigg had made the scariest pumpkin so he was duly given a scary prize, WELL DONE RYAN! Young katie looked absolutely fantasitc in her witches outfit too!!!

We went trick or treating around the village, the trick at one house was Benny the dog diving in un-invited and frightening the resident cats senseless! Norty Benny!
It was soooooooo lovely to see all of the children from the two villages come and take part, the Near Sawrey children left to go trick or treating in their village

Last night was fruity market night, the place was jam packed with apples galore! Every kind of English apple you could dream of! I opted for the Spartan Apples, they look so lush

Last week was as an extremely busy week with half term, lots of families out enjoying their holidays…for the 1st time ever we sold out of bread, milk and toilet rolls daily! So did Hawkshead I was told, it was like been ram raided daily! All good fun tho

The autumn leaves up here are absolutely stunning this week! Quite breath taking when you come up from the ferry and get to the brow of the hill and are greeted with the view to Coniston and all of the golden leaves bunched in-between, magical

I am however saving the best news until last, we have a brand new baby in the village this week, Alexander Edward was born on Tuesday morning weighing 7lb 2.5oz, we send Rob and Lorraine his proud parents lots of love and best wishes

That’s about all for now folks, I am sure there is lots more to blog about since my absence but my mind has just gone blank, Ohh I remember........Saturday night is the night of the Hawkshead Bonfire, even before I lived here I came to this Bonfire, it’s a great night out and always so well attended to see the spectacular fireworks in a lovely setting

Love from Sawrey

2007-08-18T12:44:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, unfortunately this will be the last blog for the forseeable. Cumbria County Council have taken quite an aggressive stance in relation to me and my case and I fear my ramblings and thoughts of the day will somhow be used against me at the next hearing.
So as I hope you can all imagine, this little past time will become a source of anxiety if my innocent words and thoughts for the day are going to be used against me, as they are trying to do with my life

So its not goodbye, its see you all soon :-)

2007-08-06T13:43:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, I see blue sky!!! Marvellous!!! We have sold out of sandwiches today so I have been guiding customers to lunch in a box, they are made my St Delfour, the jam people and they are really really nice, Have a bit of a liking for the cous cous ones!

There is lots of road traffic in the village today but not many people on foot out walking...

Our cheque for the deposit for the Hawkshead show has just been returned to us, unfortunatley the show has been cancelled for this year, I am not sure if it is the weather or the threat of foot and mouth that has forced it to be cancelled.

Sawrey Stores is a member of the freecycle group, the yahoo group where residents of south lakes can swap and post items that they no longer want or need. You just register your details and you get send a list of items daily that people want to give away

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KendalFreecycle/ We saw an advert for a shop awning from a little vilage shop which had closed, we called them up and mum went to collect it, marvellous hey!!! Hopefully it will protect the fruit and veggies from the weather :-)

Thats about all for now folks :-)

2007-08-05T09:21:00.000Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, apologies for my absence this week, I am not too well, I have had a really bad infection in my arm and a high temperature, 8 antibiotics and 16pain killers a day Iater I am coming round. Doctor asked if I was under any stress, I said, how long have you got! :-) anyway, I have asked for an extension for the paper work I have to do for my case, sensing their is no urgency as the council got the remedies hearing postponed until October due to staff holidays..........its been a long holiday for them as far as I am concerned as I won my case some 19months ago, its a tactic they have been allowed to use and it seems really unfair to make someone wait so long for closure....anyway.......

On a happier note a customer of ours Mr Ives has just been in and he is today celebrating his Golden Wedding anniversary! WOW!!! he and his wife are so lovely and always have a smile on their faces, compromise is the key I am informed......GOOD ADVICE hey! he is having a bit of a do at the Sawrey Hotel this afternoon....

Someone has just been in the shop and asked if we sold coat hangers! Unfortunatley not was my reply, they said their holiday cottage only had 20 hangers! I am sensing that they have brought the contents of their wardrobe on holiday!

The rain seems to be giving us a morning off today which is nice, gives the fruit and veg a chance to get out... I am expecting the power to go off any moment, their are some young calfs in the field over the road and they are chewing at the power cables, I have been out and tried to get them to move away but they remain having a good old munch!

Breakfast pictures today, inspired by the many many breakfast products that we seem to see on a sunday morning, we have also just about sold out of bread and all of the bath buns have left the building....24 loaves and 24 bath buns in just over an hour is some going!

Thats about all for now folks, back home to rest my arm

2007-08-03T14:11:00.000Z

Today is a day when words are hard to find, one of our customers and friends has lost his courageous battle for life this afternoon. Willie Muir was one of the very first customers into this shop shortly after we opened. We remember him with a fond smile and a cheeryness from the first to the last time he came into the shop. He truly has fought a courageous battle with his illness.

Willie and his little son Robert came into the shop on a saturday for their chocolate Raisins and papers and we always had a laugh. Willie is the man who sold us the van and from which the fruiti business was born. Everyone in the shop this afternoon has happy memories of their time with Willie.

Sawrey is a sad place this afternoon

2007-07-29T16:03:00.000Z

Good afternoon from far sawrey, apologies for my absence, its been one of those few days where everything seems 10x as difficult as normal. My case has been dominating my mind as it does when the council communicate with me in the way that they do and I can honestly say that I have come as close as I ever have to throwing the towel in before the remedies hearing. Then a very good friend sent me a message that said something like "its like saying "I caught a big fish today...but then I let it get away!" So the fight continues....

As for the shop its been a busy weekend, camp sites are getting busier as it the lakes in general....Today was the air show over lake windermere, the red arrows put on a magnificant display and then along came the euro fighter on its maiden voyage! WOW what a beast it is! http://www.eurofighter.com/ now I am not a war machine person but its was absolutely spectacular and left a lake shore full of people stood open mouthed! and then everyone was running for their cars as the vibrations from it set off car alarm after car alarm...

I am not sure if I dare say it but I believe we are in for a week of sunshine!!! FINGERS TOES and ALL crossable bits crossed thats its true!!! The weather has been crazy of late and we have been selling lots of logs and kindling as its been quite cold....Time we sold some sun cream I hope!

This week in the shop we have started selling some Hand rolled Beeswax candles from a customer who makes them, they are selling really well as they are a 100% natural product and as they come from the same source as honey when they burn they fill the room with the scent of honey. They burn VERY cleanly and do not creat black soot, I have tested them out and they burn for hours and hours very slowly giving hours of warm golden light, nice!

Well thats about all for now folks... Happy Sunday Evening :-)

2007-07-25T14:53:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from far sawrey, its a warm but overcast afternoon here, the roads seem very very busy with lots of cnstruction traffic, I think they are heading up to the new housing development at Hawkrigg Farm.

As the above picture shows, its time to budge up bath buns and make way for new gorgeous looking, gorgeous smelling slice's of garlic bread from the clever people at munx lakeland bakery, yum yum is all I can say!

Today is Suma delivery day and the shop floor is stuffed with boxes upon boxes of groceries. New lines this week include Suma Wildflower Honey, Suma Pasta Sauces (Arrosta, Rustica and Affumicata), Doves Gram Flour for making your Onion Bhajis!, Organic Spaghetti, Polenta, Spicy Noodles to snack on and Cous Cous with Lemon and Corriander.

A customer has recommended a book for us to read, she was so enthusiastic about it, I did not have the heart to tell her that since my case I have the concentration span of a Goldfish, anyway, the book is called Shopped by Joanna Blythman

http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/blythmanshop.htm I must say the review highlights some very interesting points from the book

Thats about all for now folks, its fruity market night tonight :-)

2007-07-24T15:45:00.001Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, its a blue sky day in the village today! Fantastic!

The fruity van made its maiden voyage to Near Sawrey today, its been fantastic! A blogger took some pictures on his mobile phone and has sent them to me but me being me, I have downloaded them and I have no idea where they have been saved! DOH! Anyway, fruit kebabs have sold a treat, lots of children loving fruit on a stick, one child bought two sticks with apricots on, a child eating 10 apricots!

Been at hill top is quite interesting, the traffic queues make for some irate people, everyone who arrives in the queue seems ok to wait about one minute and then everyone starts getting a bit twitchy and then they start edging their cars out and then some people overtake the queue and then all hell breaks loose....one of the national trust car parking attendents was shouted at and called "ugly ridiculous", not nice....Hill top sold out of tickets by 3pm today so the fruity van came back to base

There is a steady trickle of customers in the village here today, its amazing what a difference a bit of sunshine does.

Still no sign of rogers cock, no new postcards as yet, he must be having fun with his birds hey!

2007-07-21T11:04:00.000Z

Good morning from far sawrey, its dry as I type, it was not at 6am this morning when we started, paper mache was us!

Our saturday helper Joe came to the rescue and put all of the inserts into the papers and got us all sorted out, I set off to the campsites but unfortunatley they were a bit of a wash out.

The local paper ran a lovely article featuring the shop yesterday and when I popped into ambleside this morning lots of people whom I do not know stopped me and said what a lovely article which was really nice.

The school holidays have begun!!! the dynamics of the things sold change at school holiday time, we sell lots of weigh out sweeties and toys and everything, and I mean everything, gets touched by little fingers, all good fun. Must admit its nice to see their little faces light up when they see sweeties in jars

Some holiday makers who are staying in the village are two ladies with learning difficulties with their carers. They are here for a week. I have just sat talking to them for 15minutes. It truly does bring a tear to my eye as I loved working with people with learning difficulties. I have done that kind of work for a very long time in a round about way. I spent 3 years as a teenager volunteering for mencap, school holidays and weekends were filled with lots of adventures and many many happy memories...... I have to remember that not all caring organisations are like the ones I last worked for....

Anyway I have news of Rogers Cockerill, he has had 2 postcards from it, the first was from down south and it said, away with lots of birds having a great time and the second has arrived from the Isle of Man, What can you say!!!

Roger looks forward to him coming back so he can once again be crowned Roger with the biggest c**k in Sawrey ;-)

One of our bloggers has sent us a joke, I have copied it below, its made us laugh

Adam is in the Garden of Eden and is desperately lonely.

He asks God for help.

God explains he can help by creating a "Super Woman" and says she will be beautiful, always sexy, never gets moody or headaches, she will tend to Adams every need, he will be pampered, well fed and need never work again.

Adam asks, "Will this be expensive"

God replies, "It will cost you an arm and a leg"

Adam thinks this is too dear and says, "What can you do for a rib"

The rest is history.......

In response I say to simon, despite the man been the head of the family, I say its woman controls the neck..he he he

Thats about all for now folks, Happy Saturday

2007-07-19T08:50:00.000Z

Good Morning from far Sawrey, its more of a picture than a word day today I am afraid, i have what can only be described as a "pain in the neck"

I turned around the other day and seemed to leave my neck as I turned my body, all I can say is OUCHY OUCH

Fruity market was a pleasure as always and the wonderful stall holders did all of the lifting and carrying for me. What I could not resist buying in abundance are lots of juicy english plums! They not only look wonderful but taste delicious.

Its been a record morning for danish pastries this morning, sold 8 in the first hour (its the placing them on the counter that makes them irresistible!!!)

Lots of farmers were out in the village very early this morning with their tractors, doing their work before the potter pilgrimes decend I imagine

Thats about all for now, I have been advised to apply cold not warm to my neck, think I would prefer the warm! :-)

PS...Not again!

2007-07-17T12:00:00.000Z

2007-07-17T10:47:00.001Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, Dare I say it again but yes it is raining again! its not even fine rain its big big big rain that totally soaks you through. I think someone needs to tell the powers that be that the lakes are all topped up now and that they can turn the rain tap off!!!

our sandwiches are selling well now they have established themselves. We get them from the Lakeland Sandwich Company which is on the Plumgarths Estate in Kendal. When I went to pick up the sandwiches yesterday the lady gave me a fridge which I can leave in the car and plug into the cigarette lighter, Excellent! Will keep the sandwiches cool en route back to the shop and drinks cool the rest of the time!

The constant rain has turned the shop into a sandwich, magazine and chocolate shop today, customers all dashing in and then hop, skip and puddle jumping back into their holiday cottages

Last week at the fruity market we bought 20kilos of tomatoes on the vine and today we are tomato less!!! Thats a lot of tomatoes for a little shop in 5 days

Regarding my case, I sense that my attempt to try and move on with my life and mitigate my losses by being here is something the council are going to try and use against me. its not fair that council tax payers money is used to try and break people like me who care very much. I did not get the opportunity to say in the meeting yesterday, its funny how easy I am to talk over and about even when I am present and whom the case is about.....Hopefully things will go quiet in that respect for a bit again now

As I am typing their is another coach stuck outside the shop!!! Will nip out and take some pictures

2007-07-15T14:51:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, a dry day so far and there are a few walkers around and about. One walker came into the shop and said to mum yesterday, I heard you on radio 4 yesterday, much to mums shock an interview she had recorded about rugs on Womans Hour some time ago was broadcast this week, pasted the link below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/listenagain/2007_28_thu.shtml
We are back to ordering a full tray of Bath Buns and surprise surprsie they have all sold out.
It was a rollover on the bonus ball this week and a lady called Mary who lives in the village has won it, she was thrilled!

What I failed to mention on fridays blog was a great article in the local paper about one of Sawreys residents. Alex Brodie who owns the Hawkshead brewery had an article published about his brewery and the beer festival that he is hosting this weekend. His beer hall looks a great venue and we wish him every success.

I also feel I should put on the blog some of the many compliments that other businesses in the village get from custmers who come in here and tell us all about the service etc they have received. This past few weeks we have had several people comment on the marvellous food they have had at the Sawrey Hotel. The hotel is a family run business and serves bar meals at lunch time and dinner at night. Well done Sawrey Hotel you get Sawrey Stores Gold Star award for making visitors happy bunnies this week

I came into the shop today to find the kitchen area is no more! Sawrey's very own "men that can" Simon and Alan had been yesterday and removed all traces of it ready for the new craft area! THANKYOU SO MUCH TO YOU BOTH!!!

I have to have a case conference with the council tomorrow regarding my case, so as usual I am feeling acutely anxious and have not slept well, not much longer to go now in respect of this matter I hope. I find it so very hard talking to representitives of the organisation that has detrimented me so much....

Thats about all for now folks, nearly time to pack up and potter home :-)

2007-07-13T15:24:00.001Z

Good Afternoon from what can only be described as Soggy Sawrey...it has not stopped raining all day, the shop is soaked from all the walkers and their bags and their boots and their coats, all good fun........... I have 2 very important announcements to make

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 1

Roger tells me that his big cockerel hen has been stolen from the village!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last seen in his garden behind Sawrey Stores and wearing a feathered coat,

Roger is absolutely distraught at not having the biggest one in Sawrey anymore

Any sightings please call Sawrey Stores immediately

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 2

I owe an apology to the dog who's picture I posted on the blog several weeks ago, he is a SHE and SHE was not a happy pooch at been called a he. APOLOGIES!!!

Despite the bad weather it has been a steady day in the shop, when on the car ferry yesterday I overheard a child ask where the family were going to which the dad replied, we are going to see Harry Potter's mothers house! Made me smile :-)

Yesterday in the village there was a tea for all of the pensioners, it was held in the Braithwaite Hall, I am told a good do was had by all who attended, Norman who had the accident earlier in the year was not up to attending but was sent a plate of cakes and sandwiches, his face lit up when he told me! Well done to all who organised the afternoon

Thats about all for now folks...wherever you are in the world Mr Cockerel I hope your having a ball, but please come home soon, we miss you :-)

2007-07-12T09:03:00.000Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, the rain has just stopped thank goodness, the new fruit and veg doesnt like rain! (its that fine rain that soaks you through so says Peter Kay!) Word from the fruity market is that the potato fields are swimming and the cost of pots is going to go up up up, but not today thank goodness! English strawberries have also been damaged by the weather, it must be so disheartening for the growers when it rains... I am however pleased to report that all is good on the fruit front here in Sawrey, quite enjoying displaying the produce when we get back to base!

We went to a fruit farm near lancaster yesterday to ask if they were able to supply us with local soft fruit, unfortunately they cannot but we spent a very pleasurable hour picking some soft fruit, very relaxing and theraputic if you have the time!

Thats about all for now, I have my hot water bottle at the ready for my friendly customer,............he has just been in and made some comment about been a toy boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But thank goodness he told me the toy is broken!!! (Boy oh Boy never a dull moment here!)

Thats all for now folks, better go arrange some more fruit

2007-07-11T09:04:00.000Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, a dry start to the day, its half day here today. Had a lovely suprise to start the day today, A blogger from Derbyshire has sent me a postcard with the dry stone walls of Derbyshire on it, she also said that the bread we sold her on the Wednesday she left, which travelled 110 miles home, was still as fresh on saturday! Thats good to hear! THANKYOU Judy and Dorothy

The above picture is of this weeks selection of cheeses from our supplier in Kendal which includes Westmorland Smoked Cheddar, Blengdale Blue, Blacksticks Blue, Wensleydale and Cranberry, Kendal Creamy, Kendal Crumbly, Keldthwaite Gold and Cumberland Farmhouse. They are all very popular with customers, the most popular is the Blacksticks Blue which is a deliciously spicy blue cheese with an orange hue. It was also named BEST BLUE CHEESE IN THE WORLD at the Nantwich International Cheese Show! Several of our cheeses come from the Cumberland dairy farm who can be found at the link below.
http://www.thecumberlanddairy.co.uk/about-us/about-us.html

Had a customer in this morning who I would say he is in his 80's? (My grandmother used to say when you get to my age you can say what you like) Anyway this quiet little old man looked straight at my chest and said "I bet those would keep me warm on a cold night!" Speechless!!!

Thats about all for now folks, off to buy that customer a hot water bottle to fill with cold water!!! ;-)

2007-07-08T12:30:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, its a blue sky day!!! Lovely!!!

There were a few people at the campsites this morning, lots of groups of teenagers doing their duke of edinburgh awards.

Today in the shop we have had a run on croissants and playing cards! Strange combination but both selling well this sunday...

Some of the holiday cottages have been empty for a few weeks but they all seem full this week and not a Tesco van in sight! Marvellous!

Benny had a handbags at dawn moment with a dog that lives in the next village this morning , its left him all shuck up so he has gone home to lay down in a darkened room, poor Benny

We have a new cereal for sale in the shop, it is called Goji and Yacon Muesli!?!?!? (note the sentance highlighted below! Hmmmm! ;-)

"Organically certified goji berries are a food supplement -- an extremely nutrient-dense fruit. They contain 18 amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen) including all 8 essential amino acids. They contain 11.7% protein, and 328 calories per 100g!

The Goji berry is a deep-red, dried fruit about the same size as a raisin. It's very sweet and tastes something like a cross between a cranberry and a cherry. We love adding them to smoothies, trail-mix, cereals, teas and cakes. Err... we also just eat them by the handful!
Nutritional Information
Goji berries contain up to 21 trace minerals (the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus) and are the richest source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene (more beta carotene than carrots), of all known foods or plants on earth!
Goji berries also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E.
Mature fruits contain about 11 mg or iron per 100 grams, beta-sisterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%).
Goji berries contain polysaccharides which fortify the immune system. A polysaccharide found in this fruit has been found to be a powerful secretagogue (a substance that stimulates the secretion of rejuvenative human growth hormone by the pituitary gland).
Benefits
Goji berries have been traditionally regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and sexual potency food of the highest order. In several study groups with elderly people the berry was given once a day for 3 weeks, many beneficial results were experienced and 67% of the patients T cell transformation functions tripled and the activity of the patients white cell interleukin-2 doubled. In addition, the results showed that all the patients spirit and optimism increased significantly, appetite improved in 95% of the patients, 95% of the patients slept better, and 35% of the patients partially recovered their sexual function.
The famed Li Qing Yuen, who apparently lived to the age of 252 years (1678-1930), consumed Goji berries daily. The life of Li Qing Yuen is the most well-documented case of extreme longevity known"

2007-07-06T10:55:00.000Z

Good Soggy Morning from Sawrey, Its that wet today even the birds are trying to take refuge in the shop! Having to keep the door shut as I type! I am suspecting that the five day forecast that I did on wednesday has got it a tad wrong! A customer who has just been in tells me she slipped on some wet slate yesterday, I had to stop her at the point were she was going to show me her bruise! (I always say I could do with a pop up doctor under the counter!) but despite that it just serves as a reminder to take good care out there in the rain...

Its another bread day today and the aroma that fills the shop when it arrives is quite intoxicating, the rye bread with raisins and fennel is proving a popular seller

One of the pictures above is of some of the sheepy inspired things that we want to sell. I was talking to a customer this morning who also thinks its a good idea and she said something very true about textiles and rugs, "things in life come full circle" (Liz Mallett)

I have learned lots this week about wool and fleeces and am saddened to learn just how little farmers can get for fleeces! Our crafty area is going to be a team effort, the farmers are going to get a good price for their fleeces and so too is everyone thats going to be involved in making the items that we are going to sell. I love the idea of working together in a co-operative kind of way, its sort of fair trade and we are great believers that people should be paid right for what they do!

Thats about all for now folks "Bring me Sunshine" is my thought for the day

2007-07-05T12:10:00.001Z

Good Afternoon from Far sawrey, what a special day this has been, we have spent the morning with a very special customer, Gillian Cowburn from the Westomorland Gazette has been in to write an article about this little shop, she is a lovely woman and we look forward to reading what she has written in the gazette sometime......She writes some good articles in the leisure section of the paper

Its fruity market day here today also, having a few problems sleeping at the moment so after 3hours of trying to nod off and failing miserably I just got up and went to the fruit market, what a difference a few hours makes, the place was a hive of activity, growers all bringing their produce in, very fresh and very lush! Bought three different kinds of mushrooms have as the offer of the week, feeling a rissotto coming on!

Also their is some good news on my case. I got a letter from a parlimentary researcher telling me about a campaign to highlight abuse in care and asking me to contribute to formulating questions that are to be asked in parliment amongst other things. I was absolutely thrilled to receive it, the issue that I whistleblew about in the first place seems to have got very lost under a pile of legal wranglings. Having the governement highlight this issue should go someway to addressing the things that need to be addressed. I burst into tears when the letter came, finally someone seems to be going to do something! Perhaps when they do I can start sleeping properly again!

We have put some Gingham curtains up over the door in the shop and they really looks like they belong! Will take a pic when I bring the camera back

Thats about all for now folks, its not a bad forcast for the weekend! Enjoy!

2007-07-04T16:41:00.000Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, its been not too bad weather wise today, a few showers but nothing major, the above picture is of the lakeland ice creams, those things you eat on hot sunny days in July (well normally!)

Many customers have been showing an interest in the selection of herdwick wool samples and gifts that mum got when she was up at Wool Fest last weekend, we have been doing a little survey asking visitors to the shop if they are the kind of things they would like to see here in the shop and the answer is an overwhelming yes, so let the renovations begin!

Another customer in this week who is staying in the village is the treasurer of the Wainwright society, he was telling me that there has been a new book published this month which features Beatrix Potter inspired walks, I asked him to drop us off some leaflets and posters in the shop, which he has done, and for the bargain price of £10 the whole family can become a member of this society, a society inspired by a man who's love of the lakeland fells is still enjoyed by thousands of people today who follow the walks in his books. He has also given me the number of a man who can sell us the new book on walks around this area! Fantastic! The society can be found at http://www.wainwright.org.uk/

"Alfred Wainwright was a solitary walker who was passionate about the lakeland mountains and drew them in situ and from photographs he took on his frequent forays in to the hills. He then wrote seven world-famous pictorial guide books to the different areas of thedifferent areas of the Lakes. He produced his guides so that when he could walk in the hills no longer he could still enjoy their beauty"

Thats about all for now folks, I hope Robert and Helen form Buckle Yeat are seeing the sunshine on their hols in Spain

2007-07-02T11:25:00.001Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, the rain that has poured down this last few days has finally stopped for a while, the road between Near Sawrey and Hawkshead has had several places where caution was required to pass...

The newspapers are today dominated with stories of terrorists who have tried to blow up cars and airports, its all very worrying.

Several peoperties in the village have not had power this weekend, would not be suprised if the rain had not washed away the power cables!

The wet spell has however made the gardens in the village have a bit of a growing spurt, they all look like very english country gardens! lovely!!!

One of our customers Yvette Pavelyn is doing her bit to spread the word of our shop on her rounds doing her "lifes little helpers" job. She keep mentioning our shop to her customers and they keep coming in and becoming customers here....THANKYOU SO SO SO MUCH YVETTE, YOUR A STAR! Her services can be found at http://www.lifeslittlehelpers.co.uk/?Contact_Us

If you could do with a little help around your home, holiday cottage or business she definatley is the woman to ring!

Thats about all for now folks :-)

2007-06-30T13:44:00.000Z

If a picture paints a thousand words todays picture says wet wet wet wet wet, this soggy but beautiful doggy popped in from the Tower Bank Arms at Near Sawrey and braved the rain for his walk. What a day! There was no-one at the camp site this morning, well there was a brave person in a caravan right in the middle of the field, curtains closed so I did not wake them up, its one of those days to stay well and truly under the duvet!

Mother has gone back up to the wool festival today, she came back last night very very inspired by all things wool. Watch this space for some refurbishments we are going to do in the shop to make room for some more crafty goodies and some more groceries

Chocolate is the order of the day for most customers, this weather seems to make everyone feel like they deserve something sweet! Too right!

What I did not mention yesterday when writing about the article in the lake district life magazine was the lovely picture of Buckle Yeat which was in the article too, it must have been taken earlier in the year as it does not do the current floral display justice, but nonetheless it’s a lovely picture

Several customers came in yesterday asking if the postman had been in yet, I said no, the post men and women are on strike today, to which several of them said, “does that mean they won’t be coming then!” They even had me thinking!!!

Someone has just bought some ice creams! Blooming marvellous! That’s all for now folks :-)

2007-06-29T14:26:00.000Z

Good afternoon from Far Sawrey, I have published a picture of the effect an article published in Lake district life has had on me, its made me smile with bells on (I am the one with the sheepy necklace, not the yellow marrow!)

The article is a feature on the walk around the villages and it says and I quote “take the opportunity to visit this little shop, a triumph of private enterprise serving the local community….buy something here if its only a cold drink, these local shops depend on the likes of you and me” Also in the article is a lovely review of the Tower Bank Arms, so from us THANKYOU Lake District Life! Also in the magazine is a feature on a resident of Far Sawrey who has restored a couple of “gentlemans launches” on the lake, he was over the moon to see the article when he popped in for his daily paper today….

As I type the rain is staying away, the same cannot be said further down and across the country, it reminds me of the devastation levied upon Carlisle a couple of years ago, poor poor people!

Mother is away for a couple of days at the “Wool Fest” in Cockermouth meeting up with all of her ruggy friends

It has been a very quiet week here in the shop this week, I guess the forecast has not helped, the trip to the fruity market was successful and we came back with lots of juicy fruits and some very yellow marrows! Scottish strawberries are plentiful and so too are the English beans, so if your feeling fruity why not pop along to Sawrey Stores :-)

Last night was a New Orleans theme night at Sawrey Country House Hotel, the driving rain could not dampen the spirits of the evening, The new owners of Sawrey Country House put on a lovely evening of food and music, here is to many more…

That’s about all for now folks :-) :-) :-)

2007-06-25T16:06:00.001Z

Good Afternoon from Far Sawrey, its a very very quite day here in the village, a complete contrast to last mondays road chaos day!

I have posted a picture of one of the sheep cushions handmade and on sale here in Sawrey Stores

One of our customers decided to get the bus into hawkshead today and I was astonished to learn that a ticket costs £5.75 return or £3.25 single! Where is a segway when you need one!

Despite the quietness we have sold out of fresh bread, its a day for eating bread I guess, I am now dreaming of hot buttered toast......

Benny is curled up indoors today recovering from his long walk on saturday, a customer took him out for a full day ans apparently when she got back to the tarns and decided to do a bit more Benny would not budge and pulled her in the direction of the shop! He had had enough I guess!

We heard some good news today, some of our customers who live in Near Sawrey are renewing their wedding vows in the church this week. I am a romantic at heart and think its a lovely thing to do, I have my fingers crossed that the weather brightens up

Thats about all for now folks, wellies on and off home :-)

2007-06-23T09:40:00.000Z

Good Morning from far Sawrey, its a tad overcast, but fingers crossed the rain hold off until after the Rose Queen procession in Hawkshead. Today is the birthday of a good friend of mine so HAPPY BIRTHDAY Andy...

Look at the picture above! How fab is that for a eco friendly mode of transport! never seen anything quite like it, it zips up the lane and turns on a sixpence, you can even attach a trailer I believe! Our customer loves it! I WANT ONE! It would be fabulous for doing Sawrey Stores deliveries! Big hazard triangle attached to my behind and I would be off! ;-)

The camp sites were quite quiet today, there were a few large expedition groups there, they come equipped with everything, but they could not resist the chocolate brownies!

Thats about all for now folks! Segway away!

2007-06-22T09:50:00.000Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, its a blue sky morning despite what the weather men predicted....Our pictures of the traffic chaos made it into the Westmorland gazette today with an explaination from the traffic authorities, its still a very busy morning road wise.

Popped to Buckle yeat yesterday to deliver some fresh fruit and saw their lovely garden which is an absolute haven away from all of the road chaos. Cream teas are served their during the day which were being lovingly home made as I arrived, the look and smell of the flowers combined with the smell of the home baking makes for a lovely sensory experience for any weary traveller who feels like a bit of rest and relaxation here in Sawrey

The above pictures are of our tray bakes which are made for us by the pudding lady in Ambleside, her white chocolate brownies have now got quite a following here in Sawrey with many people coming back day after day for their daily fix of the yummy slice, a blogger came in today and she loves them that much she is taking some back home with her

Thats about all for now, fingers crossed this lovely weather holds for the hawkshead May Queen Festival tomorrow which starts at 2pm at the village school

2007-06-21T09:38:00.000Z

Good Morning from Far Sawrey, its fruity market day today, we have come back with lots of soft fruit to tempt our customers. Large punnets of strawberries are only £1. I have just checked out fruit and vegatable prices online and I am pleased to say that our fruit and vegetable prices are very competitive. Many of the major supermarkets are offering the same sized punnets of strawberries as us at half price and they are still £1.99!!!

As I type Benny is having a handbags at dawn moment with a girly dog who is taking offence to him sniffing at her bits, he is kicking up all of the stones in protest! Animals!

We noticed the high tech signs at Newby Bridge telling HGV and coach drivers the road was not suitable for them, its written on paper and by hand!!! here's hoping that it does not rain today!

We have also bought some lovely hanging baskets to sell, they are from a nursery in lancashire and look just lovely...they were been delivered just as we bought them...mini carbon foot print hey!

Thats about all for now folks, better go sell some fruit :-)

2007-06-20T11:53:00.000Z

A Picture paints a thousand words hey!

Tony and Lorna the blind custmers who were in last week have called to say they are home safe and sound and that their parcel arrived. its half day here today,

Last night there were thunder storms and heavy heavy rain showers in the village, its all calm as I type, just off to kendal, which way to go??? Decisions Decisions hey :-)

2007-06-19T12:20:00.000Z

Just as I published the blog a coach got well and truly stuck, I am sensing its going to be an interesting day, someone said there are 7 coaches booked into Hill Top today! I hope they have got it wrong! Click on the pictures for the enlarged version to see just how tight it is!!!!!

2007-06-19T11:03:00.000Z

Good Morning from Sawrey.....What a morning it has been.for a moment I thought the village wa sin for free logs for the year! It appears the road between Graythwaite and Hawkshead has been closed and traffic is been diverted through Sawrey, not a problem for cars but haulage vehicles are getting stuck like flies in honey, combined with the potter pilgrimes, its been a bit busy out there to say the least.... I have never ever seen the colour drain away from a man's face so quickly when the lorry driver realised he was stuck and going nowhere, thankfully a HGV driver who lives in the village came to the rescue and took him out in his car to see if the lorry would get out another way, after a heart stopping reverse, he has managed to get on his way....I did my finest traffic diverting impression and tried to calm lost potter pilgrims and a couple of coaches, boy what a morning!

Prior to that a man had been in asking if we sold alcohol...it was only 9am when he asked! I said sorry no we dont, he said thats a shame my wife is driving me b***dy mad, b***dy holidays! He came to the conclusion it was easier to get drunk than he could not drive and his wife would have to go out alone!

Poor man, hes best off inside with the chaos outside!

2007-06-17T10:18:00.000Z

Good Blushing Morning from Sawrey...For whoever wrote the comment on friday, Thankyou whoever you are......unfortunatley we only sell small bottles of oil, I am not sure ours would be enough for the task you have in mind :-)

Its a quiet weekend here in the village, I guess the weather forecast can put some people off, it did say we were in for a wet weekend, and its a dry morning! Hopefully the weather will improve greatly for next weeekends Rose Queen Gala which will leave Hawkshead School at 2pm and head for the Market Square for fun and games and some Maypole Dancing

I must say a big big thankyou to the blogger who read my dry stone wall blog last week and has left me a book on dry stone walling and some very interesting pictures, I believe your staying at Buckle Yeat....It was a lovely suprise....THANKYOU VERY MUCH...I also got an email from a company who do dry stone wall courses, the power of the internet amazes me!

Thats about all for now folks, better go source some new oil's :-)

2007-06-15T15:12:00.001Z

Good Afternoon from Sawrey, its a wet wet day here in the village although as I type there seems to be a bit of a break in the showers...It is very very quiet in the village today, hilll top is closed and I had to break it to some soggy tourists who had walked here from Windermere!

The pictures above are of some of the new ranges we have here in the shop

Tony and Lorna the blind couple who are staying in near sawrey walked up to the shop with their guide dog again today, they have bought lots of goodies from our store and we are have put them in a box with one of their special address labels on and it can be sent to them for free! I had never heard of this service before but what a great one it is!

Te vegetables remain inside today, they would have been washed away with the rain that was coming down earlier!

There is an article in the local paper asking cumbrians to log their sightings of adders online as part of their "add an adder" survey project, the site can be found at http://www.adder.org.uk/

As I type sally traffic on radio2 is announcing that as a result of an accident on the M6 their are tail back from lancaster to Blackpool! Yikes thats long! I am pleased to announce that there are no traffic jams in Sawrey!

Thats about all for now :-)

PS......I JUST NOTICED THAT THE BLOG COUNTER I PUT ON THE BLOG A MONTH AGO HAS HIT 1850! WOW! THANKYOU ALL FOR STOPPING BY AND READING THE BLOG :-)