Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Skegness: 2023

We were staying in Chapel St Leonards for four days. It was bucketing down. It was cold. I wanted to see Skegness. We decided to make the best of things and visit Natureland Seal Sanctuary. Opened in 1965, family owned and run by three generations it is a seal rescue and rehabilitation centre that releases seals and seal pups back into the wild.

On a wild and windy day I didn’t expect it to be open and the woman on the desk thanked us for coming, apologising that the gift shop wasn’t open. I asked if they’d had a tea towel, if it had been open. “Oh yes” she said. “Not one with Natureland on it, but relevant.” I probably looked as though I might cry. She said she could go and get one at lunch break and leave it at the desk for me to look at when I leave. I could have hugged her.

The seals were cute, except the poorly ones in the hospital that looked very sick. But they had only been rescued in the last couple of days.

On the way out, I just asked if the new assistant had been given a tea towel. “Here it is. Let me open it out. You don’t have to have it.” She was so apologetic that it didn’t have Natureland on it. She didn’t have to worry. I’ll always remember where this came from and the kindness of people who go the extra mile.

Thank you. We enjoyed our day at Natureland Seal Rescue in Skegness.

Chapel St Leonards: 2023

It was a ‘spur of the moment’ holiday in Chapel St Leonards. We returned just over a week ago having spent four nights on the east coast, on one of the coldest four nights of the winter.

It had started because although I have a couple of tea towels from Skegness I have never been there. And when I lived in Leicester in the 1970s, we all had to have July Fortnight off for our holidays when most people took the train to Skegness, Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells or Chapel St Leonards staying usually in a caravan, or at Butlins. I wanted to see Skegness. Liz had been there, and didn’t, so compromised on a chalet in Chapel St Leonards.

This area is definitely one that has a closed season and we were there in the closed season. I have never seen so many static caravans, on so many sites, lined up one after another. I can’t imagine what its like in summer. Casinos, bingo halls, fun fairs, roller coasters, mile after mile but all closed up. The coastal walks are there, used by dog walkers and fitness gurus. Some cafes are open overlooking the sea serving wonderful food, known by locals. But on Saturdays and Sundays the villages come alive because people come and stay, shops and arcades open up. Transformed and suddenly I found my tea towels.

We found the most amazing fish and chip shop that met our needs, as did the North Sea Observatory.

We both agreed Chapel St Leonards far exceeded our expectations. We had a great time and would definitely go back, out of season, for the walks and the food.

Bargain Hunt: 2023

Look what I got!! The story of which will appear later. This is just a preview. So exciting.

Hardwick: 2023

A couple of weeks ago, Liz and I fancied going for a walk somewhere different.

“Let’s try Hardwick Hall” she said.

“OK. I’ve already got a Pat Albeck tea towel from there. I wonder if they have one of those new type, sketchy ones.” I queried and off we set.

We drove to the main Hall to look round the gardens, bought the tea towel and asked about any woodland walks. The man on the desk said there were the five ponds which you could walk down to but that it was a steep walk back. The best way for us to enjoy it would be to drive to the lower car park, where there is a toilet and cafe, and walk from there. Good advice and that is what we did.

The Five Ponds offer a range of walks including the Sculpture Walk. Beautiful weather, ducks, geese, swans, sculptures from the wood around, few people other than dog walkers enjoying the peace and solitude. We loved it. It is amazing to look up and see the Hall towering above. That is why Bess of Hardwick chose the spot for her home so she could overlook all the land around her, emphasising her position in society. It was certainly effective.

We returned to the Five Ponds on a very muddy day with Pete. It was certainly like a workout to get around but equally enjoyable, especially to be able to end the day with a toasted tea cake.

M&S Little Pig: 2023

Aren’t they cute? Well, I think they are. They arrived yesterday through the post, in a padded envelope, addressed to my cat Isabella. I felt that I could open the envelope which came from Tinker, my Aunt Catherine’s cat. It made me laugh. I texted a thank you. She replied with “Don’t worry, they were very cheap.” I wasn’t worried but I’m glad she got a bargain. But if you look carefully on the sixth line, to the left of the third little pig, there is a tiny red sticky arrow from quality control. No idea what it means but that’s why its a bargain.

Thank you Tinker. I love them.

Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire: 2023

Before the Pandemic, I used to meet up with Jenny once a month for lunch, sometimes in Leicester but usually in Oakham, depending on whether the bus/train services had been altered. Throughout the Pandemic, it was over Zoom. At Christmas 2021, we met for mince pies and tea, in the open, on her drive to exchange gifts. We felt brave since we were not venturing indoors at that time with other people. The sun was shining and it was quite warm.

How things have changed. As the weather of Spring 2022 improved, Jenny and I agreed to meet up for a walk with her husband Albert and Liz as well. We started at Bradgate Park, halfway between our homes, each taking a picnic. Then Bluebell Arboretum, Rutland Water and so forth. Our last expedition, in search of snowdrops, was Easton Walled Gardens, and we certainly found them (and two tea towels). The gardens were delightful, full of snowdrops, more than one could have hoped for. They also specialise in sweet peas which I would love to see later in the year.

The downside to the day was definitely not the weather but was the cafe which was so badly organised that the queue was horrendously long, just for a sandwich. We regretted not taking a picnic that day, because there were plenty of benches. With this in mind, I would go back!

Vintage Rose by Toasted Crumpet: 2023

Liz and I go walking with Pete most weeks, in fact we have done so since we bubbled during Lockdown. Our venues have been various but we have had our favourites. Most of them have involved wildlife, in their natural habitat. We have found local Nature Reserves, repurposed from our industrial heritage, old canals and quarries, former mines and railways.

It was Pete’s birthday mid-February so we thought he might like a guided walk on the Idle Valley Beaver Trail where they recently have introduced beavers. This was not a promise to see beavers at work or in their habitat but to see the marks of where they have recently been. This is a secure area, not publicised, not to be disturbed or destroyed by those not fond of beavers.

Liz had forewarned the guide that she might be much slower than others because of her rollator. She needn’t have worried. This wasn’t a young person’s game. Sticks and crutches were accessories of many. The walk to the enclosure was beautiful, worthwhile in itself. Then through a padlocked gate, up a narrow path and into a clearing. Here our guide talked of what to look for. And we were surrounded by gnawed trees, shredded bark…….This was a man passionate about beavers and their place in Idle Valley.

We were there for more than two hours, wandering around, appreciating the environment the beaver lived in, the importance of leaving fallen trees for a host of other animals to inhabit. This was a wonderful tour conducted by someone who knew what they were talking about. I’d definitely go again because it is difficult to retain all the information in one go. What I wanted, of course, was a tea towel to remember that day but Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust are not known for their tea towels.

On the way to Idle Valley we had passed Clumber Park so decided to stop off for some food, a bit of a walk and perhaps a tea towel. The first two were easily achieved but I already had a Clumber Park tea towel. Then I saw this and loved it. So this is the tea towel to remind me of the Beaver Trail at Idle Valley.