MAKING THINGS LAST AND BEACH BONNIE DOG…

by Maggie Fogarty | Nov 20, 2014 | Uncategorized |

Call me old fashioned, but when a much loved watch goes on the blink or a still newish vacuum cleaner breaks down, it is good to have the option of a repair.

Better for the environment and sometimes – in the case of the watch – it can have sentimental value.

Yet try to get something repaired and 9 times out of 10 you’ll throw in the towel. At least that’s my experience.

A couple of months ago I damaged a lovely watch. The glass face got cracked and the hands seemed to have stopped working. I took it to a local watch repairer who replaced the battery and that sorted out the stationary hands! But I was told that the glass had to be dealt with by a ‘specialist repairer’, so off went my little watch.

I was given an estimate of £46.00 for the work and decided to bite the bullet – after all, I love that watch. Two months later – repeat TWO months later – I’d heard nothing back so I phoned the shop. The assistant said something along the lines of: ‘Oh yes, the repairer has got back. The watch isn’t working properly and it will cost you £120 to put it right.’

What?! The watch didn’t cost that much to buy new, so I told her to forget it. Then I had another apologetic call to say that there had been a ‘misunderstanding’ and the watch was still actually in working order – it was just the small date indicator that had given up the ghost. By now I was losing the will to live but at least they agreed to knock the glass repair price down by £10 for my ‘inconvenience’. Yippee doo.

When I finally went to reclaim my watch, I noticed a large advertisement on the shop door. ‘Ladies watches down from £49.00 to £19.00’ – and the very same brand as the one I’d just spent £36.00 on repairing!

A mug then for not throwing it away? Maybe but at least I’ve done a little bit for the environment and a watch repairer – albeit a very slow one – somewhere in the country.

While in full grump mode, has anyone had trouble spending gift vouchers close to their use by date? I had one purchased as a Christmas present from a local facial/nail treatment business and it stated on the receipt that it was valid until December 20 2014.

Spotting that I still had a few remaining quid to spend on the voucher, I decided to treat myself to a manicure. I was then told that the person who used to do the treatments had left and the place was under new management with a new self employed therapist.

‘So where does this leave me with my voucher?’ I asked. Apparently, the new owner doesn’t have to honour it. As things stand, I’d spent most of it already but what if I’d still got £50 outstanding? Gift voucher buyers beware.

Now over to our very Cornish Cockapoo for her latest news….

‘Hey folks,

This has been a great week for little me. I’ve been able to hit the beach most days even though it’s mid November and I even saw some kids building those sand castle thingies.

The new extendable lead my rents have bought, gives me a whole lot more freedom. Hey, a girl needs to hang loose on the beach and this is the next best thing to complete freedom.

I hear that I’ve got to come back when the rents blow a whistle before they’ll let me go off exploring on my ownie boney.

Hmm – need to think about that one. Depends on what treats get dangled my way – Bonnie still needs to play hard to get.

So I’ll keep you posted on that one. Woof and out….’

CORNISH WINTERS AND PUP ‘BONNIE’ MUSINGS

by Maggie Fogarty | Nov 11, 2014 | Uncategorized |

‘So what’s it like living by the sea in the dog days of winter?’ a friend asked me recently.

The question got me thinking and I’ll share some of my favourite things about the winter months in deepest west Cornwall.

Watching those wild waves is awesome in the full sense of that word. Even in a storm – and boy did we get hammered last winter – the sea never fails to fascinate. It’s great to see those hardy kite surfers taking on the full might of the Atlantic when the challenge is both ferocious and sometimes damn scary.

Walking along near deserted beaches, especially on those days when the winds drop and the winter sun pokes its head out. (It happens here on a regular basis – see photo taken today, November 11). There’s something magical about the light at this time of year which can make a land mark like St Michael’s Mount resemble a fairy tale castle.

The smell of wood burning stoves as the temperature dips. We’ve got one of these west Cornish must-haves and yes, it is sometimes a pain to get lit and needs constant cleaning out. But all is forgotten when the stove is in full flame on a chilly winter evening. It’s even better when you get to sit by one at any number of our fantastic local pubs, glass of favourite tipple in hand.

Being able to take advantage of some great local restaurant deals as they try to make up for fewer visitors. You can often get a wider choice of seating and are less likely to share your dining space with loud noisy groups. Christmas time excluded of course!

You can zip along the minor roads without being forced to give way every few minutes to a coach or camper van. That’s assuming the high winds don’t throw down nature’s own missiles . On a clear, dry day those country lanes can be worth exploring by car, bike or even on foot.

Of course there are lots of things not to like – damp walls, high humidity, having to walk the pet pooch in the pouring rain. The good thing about having a dog is that you’ve got to get out there whatever the weather throws at you. I’m now the proud owner of a bright pink pair of wellies and to answer my friend’s question – yes, life is still brilliant down here in the winter months. Honestly guv and here’s the proof….

Now over to the very Cornish cockapoo, Bonnie, for her latest missive….

‘Hey Folks,
Getting used to the drop in temperature and shorter days – more time for me to lounge in front of the fire and in my new bigger bed. (It’s the doggy equivalent of a Queen sized bed, so yours truly can have a good old stretch and even squirrel away some snacks).

Not enjoying all of the walks – especially when it’s pouring down. It’s all right for the rents with their things called umbrellas or hoods but poor old me has to put up with a drenched fur coat. Still, we sometimes run into a pub for shelter and that’s always a bit of fun.

I also hear that my first Christmas is coming soon and I’m guessing it will mean more treats for me. I’m holding out for a new water proof over coat but we’ll see. Woof and out….’