Firstly, I apologise for the last update which has been bothering me a lot since I published it. When I was typing it I really struggled to find a focus and I struggled to be upbeat. Thinking back, it would have been better for me to have left the blog for a few days when my mood was brighter. As it was I think my glumness is there for all to read.
I'm not sure why the tone was so flat. I assume it was to do with the stresses and emotional ups and downs of the previous weeks. However, that was then and this is now!
This update will be more positive I promise.
There are two main topics for this week:
1) beach hut update
2) Poppy Picnic 2015
Let's start with my wonderful hut.
1) I think I may have mentioned in a previous update that, after the storms of 2014, my hut, which was resting on sleepers, had been put back into position by the council but placed directly onto the shingle. The sleepers were nowhere to be seen.
I put off contacting the council as I thought there was little they could do about it but, as the months have passed, the hut has a definite lean going on. When I stand in it I can feel a slight tip forward which is a little disconcerting. It also means that any very high tide will not be able to flow freely under the hut but will go straight into the hut causing damage.
After much thought, and after being reminded how much I have to pay to the council per year for the privilege of having my hut where it is, I emailed the council and told them of the problem. Within days, and when I was painting my hut a few weeks back, a council rep turned up to see for himself what the situation is. He was positive about being able to rectify the position. I then heard nothing so contacted the council again and, out of the blue, I received a call from them to say that they are going to sort out the problem and put the hut back on sleepers. They stressed that it's not an urgent case but that they WILL be putting it right. Happy days!!
I also heard that the lovely chap who was my hut repair man has been poorly and he was supposed to be replacing a rotting post at the front of the hut for me. Unfortunately, his illness means that he isn't allowed to drive for a while and it has left him weak so I have been looking for someone else to take on the repairs that I struggle to do myself.
I have found someone....the nephew of the couple that own the hut next to mine. If the weather is ok this weekend he may even be able to do the job then. I also have roof felt that needs replacing and various other bits that he may be able to help with so I'm delighted with that.
Due to work and the dull weather I haven't been able to get to the hut for a couple of weeks so I hope to go down after the weekend if I can. It actually doesn't matter what the weather is like once I'm there to be honest but if the sun was to shine for a while that would be wonderful so let's keep our fingers crossed that we have some fine weather.
On to the next topic....the Poppy Picnic
2) Last year I hosted a Poppy Picnic at my hut. The Poppy Picnic is promoted by The Royal British Legion and is a fundraiser for them. I have had connections with poppies and RBL for all of my life so I was delighted to have a picnic for them. I held it at my hut and invited friends and family to come along for a drink and a piece of cake at the very least.
As my hut is at Hayling there was lots for people to do. No-one needed to stay at the hut if they didn't want to. They could walk along the beach, go to the fun fair, go to the shops, go to the pub even!
I basically put out a lot off chairs in front of the hut, hung up some bunting and prayed for fine weather and my prayers were answered.
The weather was wonderful and lots of people took the time to come and visit my hut and spend some time there. It was a wonderful day. My father in law was there, my children and grandchildren were there and so were life long friends and local neighbours. I made countless cups of tea. People brought drinks and snacks and a thoroughly good time was had by all.
It was so successful that I have decided to do it all again this year. I have applied for the fundraising pack which included invitations etc and I have chosen a date...
Saturday June 20th
....so please make a note of the date if you think that you might like to pop along. Obviously, the weather is a big part of whether the event is successful or not. The hut isn't big enough to hold more that a dozen people and that would be standing room only so lets keep those fingers crossed again for the weather on that day.
Hopefully I will raise a little bit for RBL along the way but it is also a great excuse to spend a day with friends and family and have a good time.
A few pics from last years Poppy Picnic:
Right, I'm off to watch 'Gogglebox'....I've watched so much TV today and been engrossed with the election fallout and the VE Day ceremonies....and then off to bed.
Take care and I wish you all a very happy and safe weekend.
xxx
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