Louise's bloomers

It's been like summer in the Lakes today and I think my ears are blocked with a little pollen or something as I definitely didn't hear the following conversation correctly.
A lady and her husband brought in a necklace which they'd bought last year and asked if we could replace the chain as it had snapped. I was happy to oblige and then followed a friendly chat about the weather and their journey over by ferry from Ireland. "Are you here for long?" I asked to which the reply was "Yes, for a fortnight, which is great as we only usually manage 3 or 4 days". "That's great" I replied to which they said "blah, blah, blah". Ok, I didn't quite catch what they said but, in the spirit of the lovely conversation we'd had so far I replied "That's brilliant". We then exchanged a few more pleasantries and off they went.
As soon as they'd left the shop Sean doubled up with laughter and then managed to pull himself together to tell me that "blah, blah, blah" had actually been....."Our dog has died, so we've been able to get over for longer this time"!!!! Earth, swallow me up.....lovely couple from Ireland, please forgive me. I'm off to wash out my ears.
Louise
 

Entente Cordiale?

We're still in the middle of the wranglings to get the lease signed for our new store.....it's only four months since we agreed the principles but, hey, I'm a patient sort of person, not!
Now, the end is near, it's time to face.......no...........it's time to sign on the dotted line in the next couple of days. It feels like we're in limboland: ready to push the button on many stock orders, getting the shopfitters to storm in wielding hammers and saws, getting the team in place and, for goodness sake, GETTING OPEN BEFORE THE SEASON ENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, in the midst of frayed nerves, a letter has arrived from the landlords of the Bowness store. Opening it with some trepidation (after all news from landlords is never good), I was shocked, indeed, stunned to see that our lovely landlord has decided to wave his right to apply the forthcoming rent review. Our rent will stay the same for the next 3 years. Yippee......now back to the new store lease, what's happening now?!
Louise

Pride of Cumbria

This weekend we've been to London to see Barrow win the FA Trophy final at Wembley (never in doubt, but helped by our opponents having a player sent off at the end of the first half). We were there the last time Barrow won this cup some 20 years ago and you just can't beat the feeling of pride in our town when our team achieves something against the odds and the exhilaration that an excited crowd of some 10,000 Barrovians creates when the game goes our way.


On the way to London on the train, Connie met up with a couple of older boys from her school and proceeded to beat them in a DS Super Mario challenge. My quiet pride in this dubious achievement was doubled when Sean (who swore he'd never played Super Mario on DS) beat them too! Hopefully this gets Connie and her Dad ubercool points at school.

Yesterday we wandered around the Tate Modern and then meandered into the Globe Theatre where we found, in the gift shop, a range of Hawkshead Relish jellies and chutneys. We do really well in the shop with this very local supplier and it was great to see their products so far from home.

All in all, Cumbria was best place in Britain this weekend!

Louise