Author: grannyflapjax

MY connection to the Lake District goes back a long way. All the way back, in fact, to Fletcher Christian—to whom I am related and who is believed to have fled with his family from there to the Isle of Man, where he met Captain Bligh. (‘Mutiny on the Bounty’ is world-famous and has been made into a movie more than once.)

I’ve always had family there—and still do. We visit annually, not only to see my relatives but also to enjoy the natural beauty of the Lake District. It is truly a wonderful place; the lakes and hills are profoundly stunning, and the incredible scenery, amazing walks and wonderful local hospitality never fail to lure you back.

So I hope you can appreciate why I have chosen, in this post, to highlight the potential devastation to this area, which has, in fact, already started.

It was announced during the Christmas holidays by the Chief Executive of the Lake District National Park Authority, that this national park should become more appealing to diverse groups, and more accessible to disabled visitors.

Firstly, I would have to say that, on the many occasions driving there I have never seen a single sign saying that “anyone is NOT welcome.” In my experience that couldn’t be further from the truth. Even when the good old British weather isn’t playing ball, you will always find the popular areas packed with visitors.

As for making it more appealing; why? If you love the outdoors, walking, climbing, cycling, being on the water, and all the other activities you will find there to keep you entertained, why change anything about it?

“You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” An old saying, but relevant in this case, because we’re talking about major changes to one of our most beautiful national parks, without any guarantees that it will bring in people who don’t want to go there.

At this point I would say that, in my experience, where it’s been possible to put in provision for disabled visitors, it’s largely been done. There are, of course, areas where it just wouldn’t be practical unless it were possible to move a mountain!

There is absolutely nothing stopping any person, whatever their race, creed, colour, sexuality or any other distinguishing feature, from visiting The Lake District.

But, could there simply be one thing behind it? ——- Money! And the argument being put forward is just a ruse.

Very close to where we normally stay used to be completely forested, and amongst the trees is the ‘Winlatter Centre’—a popular area for walkers, cyclists or those who just want to drop in for coffee.

You can walk up there from the village at the bottom; it’s a bit of a climb, but easily doable. For the elderly and disabled you can drive and there’s plenty of car parking available.

Imagine my disbelief then, when I heard they now want to put in a Gondola! Yes, that’s right; a cable car from the village up to the centre, just to take people up the hill – because they are too lazy to walk?

The locals have been fighting this appalling imposition to the land for sometime now. And even though, as far as we know, it hasn’t actually been approved yet, this is what has happened already:

 

This decimated area was covered in fir trees like those you can see in the background.

In the past two years this vast expanse of forest has been obliterated and there can be no other reason for bringing commercialisation to this area of natural beauty than money.

In addition, the destruction of this forested land is completely in conflict with the serious issue of climate change. We need to be planting more trees, and by doing so setting an example to those countries that are destroying their eco-systems in the pursuit of wealth.

Instead we expose ourselves to be as selfish as they are, in showing only contempt for these beautiful and vital areas.

There are many other obstacles to overcome should this abomination be allowed to proceed, not least getting people to the Gondola. They would either have to take further areas of land to tarmac for car parking, or run a Park & Ride service from Keswick and Cockermouth to bring the people in.

That would create major issues to already very busy roads; the village is small and the roads are very narrow, and there really is no room to widen them.

So I say to the Chief Executive and the developers, leave this very special part of our heritage well alone.

If you think by developing any part of it you will entice more diverse groups of visitors, think again. There are no guarantees they will come and you may drive away those who already do.

THE LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK IS THERE FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY!

Give it a try.

’Til next time,

Granny FlapjaX

Well, here we are at the start of a new year, 2020, and the beginning of a new decade.

But around the world, can we look back over the past 10 years and feel proud of what human habitation of planet Earth has achieved?

I don’t think so!

With the worlds population now rapidly heading towards 8 billion, there seems little hope of preserving this amazing planet for which each one of us is merely a temporary custodian.

However, it appears that not everyone sees it that way, and refuses to accept that whether it’s destroying the rainforests, filling our oceans with rubbish, continuing to pollute the atmosphere, melting the polar ice cap and raising sea levels, it is not their problem.

Greed, money, the refusal to appreciate that life on earth is precious, and continuing to destroy the eco system, means we are simply heading towards the end of civilisation.

“Not in my lifetime” is a phrase I hear regularly, but what does that mean?

You have children and grandchildren right? So what are you leaving behind for them? The issues inflicted upon this world by its current inhabitants are vast, but I don’t need to list them here; we simply have to stop burying our heads in the sand and look around at what is happening on a daily basis.

The planet, the land upon which we place our feet every day, is being ‘raped’ for its many rich resources, which until recent years, have been more than adequate to sustain the worlds population.

But now the numbers are growing out of control and the sums don’t add up. So we have to look around, each and every one of us, and decide if we want to contribute to the continuing destruction of our world, or stop in our tracks and look to the future.

Working together we can create a non-materialistic environment in which we can all thrive, with less yes, but with a comfortable quality of life for ourselves and our families, a sustainable eco system and ultimately the survival of mankind.

So what have I learned personally over this past decade?

I have realised that having love in your life is probably at the top of the list. Whether it comes from your partner, your siblings, your children or grandchildren, or indeed all of those, whoever we are, we need the warmth and security of knowing we are loved.

‘Living the life you love’, and ‘loving the life you live’ is a good mantra to take with you through each day. If it doesn’t work, maybe there is cause to have a rethink.

I have learned how precious and miraculous life is, having nearly lost a sibling following major surgery this year. But then watching her make the most amazing recovery and re-establishing the relationship between us which had become blurred over the years, due to her poor health.

I have learned that life is far from perfect for so many, but particularly for those suffering with mental health issues. Any one of us could fall victim at any time, and yet that vulnerability is not recognised for the serious impact it can have on an individual and indeed their family. As many of you will have experienced, the consequences can be catastrophic, and yet can it be right that people affected should be expected to apologise for finding themselves in such a situation? It isn’t expected if we break a limb or receive a  life-threatening diagnosis.

We still have much to learn about mental health, and so we shouldn’t shy away from it. And to all those who find themselves struggling, be it you or your family, please believe that you do matter, and there is help out there. It doesn’t always have to come from medicine, sometimes it just needs the people around you to show they understand, and that they care and will always be there to support you, no matter what.

On a more practical front, I have also learned that humans can be devious, selfish, aggressive and quite frankly, vile. Yes, I’m talking specifically about politicians, who over the past year particularly, have shown what they are really about. I don’t ever recall such vitriol as we have seen in 2019; it really has been shocking. Let’s hope that in 2020, there will be a fresh approach to our political system in favour of the population of the UK and not purely for the benefit of the politicians.

I hope you have enjoyed all of the Christmas festivities, whether it has been with your family and friends or volunteering to bring happiness to the elderly, lonely and homeless; something I will be looking to do in the future.

Next year, I am privileged to be going, with my husband and a small group of friends, on a Safari in South Africa to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary and a friends’ 70th birthday.

First and foremost I am not just going to ‘see’ the animals, but also to learn first hand, as much as I can about how their lives are being affected by poaching, climate change and loss of habitat. I will be putting regular updates on my blog with hopefully some amazing pictures, so please check it out. It will be during the last two weeks of February.

In the meantime, I wish you a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year, 2020, and hope that we can all make a real effort to be more kind and caring to each other, and also to our beautiful planet ‘Earth’.

‘Til next time,

Granny FlapjaX

 

IS IT possible to travel inexpensively and in comfort on the UK rail network?

I pose this question as I recently travelled to Helensburgh in Scotland, a well-placed Victorian town on the Firth of Clyde, designed in 1902-03 by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and home to the Royal Naval base at Faslane. Lovely town, lovely people, weather not-so-great, at least while I was there!

The circumstances surrounding my need to make this journey were such that I didn’t actually know when I’d be required to go until the last minute. I was also going for personal reasons and not business-related—so putting the cost on expenses wasn’t an option.

When I finally knew my dates, two days prior to travel, I was honestly expecting the cost to be astronomical. So you can imagine my surprise when, not only did I find a favourably-priced seat but it was also in First Class and only costing £8.00 more than a Standard.

Of course it was a no-brainer. So I booked online and looked forward to tasting a 2019 version of a British First Class rail travel experience.

The day came and we arrived at the station bright and early. Aside from a grumpy porter, who argued about the location of available toilets, everything went smoothly. The train pulled in, I boarded, settled into my allocated seat and duly waved goodbye to my hubby.

We set off and the surprises began early. A choice of coffee, tea or soft drinks, followed by a picnic-style lunch—then even more drinks—were all served at your seat and best-of-all… for free! Amazingly the extra £8 I’d paid for my ticket had already been repaid.

I had to change trains at Edinburgh Haymarket with a very short transfer time. And not knowing which platform to head for I asked a station employee who was, to say the least, rude and unhelpful. But, luckily for me, a fellow traveller kindly offered to look up the info on his smartphone’s Virgin App and I just made it onto my connection.

The return was even more interesting. Again I didn’t know when I’d be travelling home until closer to the date. I searched online and found the same priced ticket I’d purchased for my outward journey. But it stated I could only travel on the trains stipulated for that price, and again it gave me a very short transfer time—with no allowance for delays.

On a whim, before buying, I headed to Helensburgh Station to see if they had a machine to print out my ticket. I’m so glad I did. The ticket man was brilliant, and told me I could travel on an earlier train in order to avoid the risk of missing my connection. Apparently, when it states that the ticket price only covers certain trains, it only applies to the main operator and not other rail providers—in this case Scotrail. So I was able to take an earlier train and arrived at Edinburgh Haymarket with 40 minutes to spare and time for a coffee!

When my connection arrived, I again settled into my seat not sure whether the freebies would be on offer again. Well, indeed they were. And, in addition, there was wine this time plus even more food!

I had wondered, as I travelled up on a Saturday, whether the refreshments were just a weekend special. But I returned on a weekday, so it appears they’re included in the ticket price whatever day of the week you travel.

I think it’s important to point out that, on both journeys, there were three First Class carriages and none of them were anywhere close to being full.

Two things spring to mind:

1. We the public need to search online to compare standard and first class travel, especially when making a long journey.
2. And to the rail operators, why are you putting First Class carriages on trains only partially filled when passengers are squashed liked sardines into Standard ones?

When things run smoothly, trains are a good and comfortable way to travel around Britain. Yet there’s also still so much that can be done to improve rail services.

Investment has to be made—and soon. Especially when we’re being asked to take fewer short haul flights to reduce our collective carbon footprints.

Happy travelling!

’Til next time,

Granny FlapjaX

RECENTLY I read on Facebook about a Bristol mum and her family who had booked an Easter holiday weekend at Pontins, Brean Sands in Somerset, England.

When they arrived they had to wait two hours to access their accommodation, but it was so disgusting they ended up choosing to walk away and scrap their plans.

Not before complaining, of course. But to no avail, because Pontins simply don’t care. They’ll sell you accommodation based on photographs on their website, which are not of the accommodation you are buying. Then, when you complain, they’ll always find a reason NOT to refund your money.

Their first cop out, while you are still on-site, is to offer to clean the room. I think it should be a given that accommodation is clean and up-to-standard when you arrive. Clearly they don’t!

Then, when you ask for a full refund, they say you’ll have to go through their complaints procedure which takes 28 days. Which is a joke!

I know this because my daughter, her partner and two children booked at Prestatyn Sands in Wales last August and had exactly the same experience. I’ve seen the photos and to describe the accommodation as disgusting would be putting it mildly.

There was broken furniture, curtains hanging off the rails, old stained mattresses and quilts, a filthy bathroom and the stairs and decked walkway to the room was like a rubbish tip.

They’d also paid for the meal package and, in total, had spent just under £400.00 for four days.

Pontins did suggest they’d refund the £180.00 for the meal package, but only on the proviso we didn’t pursue any further action for the accommodation. As I understand it, they’re not legally entitled to do that.

After a long, tiring journey, my daughter and family were upset and angry to find that what was on offer was not what they’d paid for.

They waited in a lengthy line of other guests who were also complaining. The reception staff offered nothing other than to clean the room, and said they had no other rooms available. The manager was seen cowering in a back office behind the reception—rather than coming out to confront his angry guests.

My daughter and her partner deemed the room unfit for use and made the decision to return home, despite being very tired and bitterly disappointed.

Having made the complaint via email—as Pontins requested—then  following up in writing to the Chief Executive and their Sales and Marketing Director, there was essentially no response from them. They simply acknowledged they’d received the complaint and said they would respond within 28 days.

They didn’t!

We then spoke to Trading Standards, who advised us to go through Resolver, an online mediation service—but again we had no response.

The next option was to go through the small claims court. But up against a large  company it can become costly, and it didn’t make sense to throw good money after bad.

Finally, there was ‘chargeback’ through the bank, which initially looked promising—yet again Pontins found something in the fine print, which meant the bank wouldn’t pay out.

I’m writing this because clearly there are many other people who are also being misled, ripped off and cheated by Pontins and their owners, Britannia Hotels.

This group needs to be named and shamed. They don’t care about their guests or about providing adequate and habitable accommodation for families, most of whom have saved all year for their holiday, only to have their dreams shattered.

Pontins and Britannia appear to have no business standards or morals and so far are getting away with what can only be described as ‘daylight robbery’.

They mustn’t be allowed to continue in this way and, have no fear, I’m on the case and fully intend to take them to task.

In the meantime, with the holiday season coming up, I can only suggest that you steer well clear of Pontins, wherever they’re located. They are bad news, and you’ll only end up being disappointed and out-of-pocket.

Only by protesting will we spark a change for-the-better—and doing so with our feet and our wallets is the best way forward.

I’ll keep you updated, so watch this space.

Take care,

Granny FlapjaX

July 2019 – PONTINS – UPDATE

In June my daughter decided that she would pursue the issue with Pontins through the small claims court, and not just let them get away with her £430.00; £380.00 for the accommodation and food, plus £50.00 in compensation, for loss of their holiday, a total of £430.00.

Essentially it was easier than we thought because we had already done most of the work required by the court. They are looking for evidence of your correspondence to Pontins and their responses, if any. And by using Resolver, you can download the case history which has all communications from you and any replies from Pontins. It’s also important to have advised Pontins in writing that you are going to pursue the matter through the small claims court, but again this can be done in Resolver.

By the end of the first week in July, my daughter had received a cheque for the full £430.00 from Pontins. Yes, it really was that quick. Pontins didn’t even contest it, but that’s because they knew that they didn’t have a leg to stand on.

I am, of course, delighted for my daughter, her partner and family, and I hope that this outcome will inspire anyone else who is duped by Pontins, to pursue them through the small claims court.

In my view their business ethic is wholly unacceptable, and only by more people taking action against them, will we have a chance to stop them.

All the information you need to make a claim can be found online and the forms downloaded; and finally, if it’s possible, remember to take photographic evidence and keep copies of all correspondence.

Good Luck!

‘Til next time,

Granny FlapjaX

RECENTLY I read on Facebook about a Bristol mum and her family who had booked an Easter holiday weekend at Pontins, Brean Sands in Somerset, England.

When they arrived they had to wait two hours to access their accommodation, but it was so disgusting they ended up choosing to walk away and scrap their plans.

Not before complaining, of course. But to no avail, because Pontins simply don’t care. They’ll sell you accommodation based on photographs on their website, which are not of the accommodation you are buying. Then, when you complain, they’ll always find a reason NOT to refund your money.

Their first cop out, while you are still on-site, is to offer to clean the room. I think it should be a given that accommodation is clean and up-to-standard when you arrive. Clearly they don’t!

Then, when you ask for a full refund, they say you’ll have to go through their complaints procedure which takes 28 days. Which is a joke!

I know this because my daughter, her partner and two children booked at Prestatyn Sands in Wales last August and had exactly the same experience. I’ve seen the photos and to describe the accommodation as disgusting would be putting it mildly.

There was broken furniture, curtains hanging off the rails, old stained mattresses and quilts, a filthy bathroom and the stairs and decked walkway to the room was like a rubbish tip. 

They’d also paid for the meal package and, in total, had spent just under £400.00 for four days.

Pontins did suggest they’d refund the £180.00 for the meal package, but only on the proviso we didn’t pursue any further action for the accommodation. As I understand it, they’re not legally entitled to do that.

After a long, tiring journey, my daughter and family were upset and angry to find that what was on offer was not what they’d paid for.

They waited in a lengthy line of other guests who were also complaining. The reception staff offered nothing other than to clean the room, and said they had no other rooms available. The manager was seen cowering in a back office behind the reception—rather than coming out to confront his angry guests.

My daughter and her partner deemed the room unfit for use and made the decision to return home, despite being very tired and bitterly disappointed.

Having made the complaint via email—as Pontins requested—then  following up in writing to the Chief Executive and their Sales and Marketing Director, there was essentially no response from them. They simply acknowledged they’d received the complaint and said they would respond within 28 days.

They didn’t!

We then spoke to Trading Standards, who advised us to go through Resolver, an online mediation service—but again we had no response.

The next option was to go through the small claims court. But up against a large  company it can become costly, and it didn’t make sense to throw good money after bad.

Finally, there was ‘chargeback’ through the bank, which initially looked promising—yet again Pontins found something in the fine print, which meant the bank wouldn’t pay out.

I’m writing this because clearly there are many other people who are also being misled, ripped off and cheated by Pontins and their owners, Britannia Hotels.

This group needs to be named and shamed. They don’t care about their guests or about providing adequate and habitable accommodation for families, most of whom have saved all year for their holiday, only to have their dreams shattered.

Pontins and Britannia appear to have no business standards or morals and so far are getting away with what can only be described as ‘daylight robbery’.

They mustn’t be allowed to continue in this way and, have no fear, I’m on the case and fully intend to take them to task.

In the meantime, with the holiday season coming up, I can only suggest that you steer well clear of Pontins, wherever they’re located. They are bad news, and you’ll only end up being disappointed and out-of-pocket.

Only by protesting will we spark a change for-the-better—and doing so with our feet and our wallets is the best way forward.

I’ll keep you updated, so watch this space.

Take care,

Granny FlapjaX

I RECENTLY watched the film I Daniel Blake.

What a terrible testament to how we’re treating our indigenous population today. People who’ve worked hard to make a life for themselves and their families and who suddenly, through no fault of their own, find themselves with nowhere to turn for support but the state.

I felt physically sick and angry seeing how Blake and others were treated when trying to establish what benefits they could claim and how difficult it was to make a claim–because you have to apply online.

What’s that all about? Does the UK government not realise there are still many people who either don’t have access to a computer, know how to use one, or can actually fight there way through the jungle of ‘gobbledegook’ that’ll supposedly help them claim what’s rightfully theirs.

Surely, instead of the government trying to make it as difficult as possible to claim benefits when needed, they should sort out a system which can be accessed with the help of appropriately trained people, to ensure they claim the right benefits for their situation. Leaving it up to the individual to work it out can be neither fair nor cost-effective. 

Clearly the government doesn’t want to pay out more tax-payers money than is necessary, but are they really making an attempt to stop that?

In my humble opinion, no. The exorbitant costs of introducing Universal Credit to replace the current benefits system are a shocking waste. And now the rollout has been postponed, save for a nominal 10,000 people who will be moved onto it as a trial. Yet hasn’t it been trialled for the past two years or so, with no resolution? And in the process caused total devastation to many who’ve had their benefits reduced dramatically, or not received payments at all – subsequently ending up in arrears with rent, along with accruing other debts.

The ever-increasing number of people being forced to turn to food banks to put food on the table for themselves and their families is another shocking statistic which can be laid at the feet of the UK government.

Have they really no concept of what it’s like for the homeless and for people living on low incomes or benefits, and how hard it is to get through each day?

Clearly not. And it seems a ‘head in the sand’ attitude is the path they’re choosing to take. Because they’re okay–and if it’s not on your doorstep you don’t have to deal with it.

Now we hear much talk about feelings of ‘hatred’ being banded about. Is it any wonder?

How long should we suppose it’ll be before there’s an uprising from those in society who feel suppressed. Those who simply want a comfortable home, food on the table and to be able to pay their bills. Surely we can all expect at least that in the 21st Century?

However, capitalism, greed and the lack of a real leader for decades now, has left us where we find ourselves today. A severely divided society, with a huge gap between the disgustingly rich and the desperately poor. And no-one with either  the guts or the inclination to take a stand and bring some equilibrium to the situation.

Of course there’s anger and hatred, because we’re supposed to be a democracy. Yet, in reality we’re not.

We’ve always been proud of our freedom of speech; but that’s now been eroded to a level where no-one feels able to speak out.

As a country we’ve allowed ourselves to be carrelled into trying to please everyone–and, in doing so, we’ve lost authority in all areas of everyday life.

Nearing the end of the first month of 2019, we must start to look at the possibilities of turning the situation around; give authority back to those on whom we depend to keep our country safe and in order.

With our politicians at war with themselves, unable to carry out the result of a democratic vote in the 2016 referendum, and murders happening almost daily on the streets of London and elsewhere, we are seeing a society that is in danger of becoming  feral.

And, with the world spinning out of control, we have to take responsibility for the ultimate survival of Great Britain, turn all the anger and aggression into a united force for good; free ourselves from the chains which have linked us to the EU for the past 40 years, and break out into the wider world with renewed vigour and determination to become a great nation once more.

As I’m always telling my grandchildren, “Believe in yourself, you can do it”.

And Great Britain can too, believe it!

‘Rule Britannia!’

’Til next time,

Granny FlapjaX

THIS year has flown by—like a speedboat through the ocean–and suddenly Christmas is upon us once again!

While I don’t want to be a ‘killjoy’, I freely admit feeling a strong urge to crawl into a corner and hide away for the next couple of weeks.

In some respects I love Christmas. The build-up, excitement and anticipation we all share with our grandchildren—especially the younger ones—is a certain level of magical.

Yet, just this week, I had to ask the dreaded question: “What would you like for Christmas?”

The responses were quick and to-the-point. From the teenage fraternity it was: “Money please!” While the younger ones bleeted out they’d like a new phone and branded trainers. Eeeeeek!

Mmm…. Money seems okay, as there’s little work involved in that. Just draw it from the bank and stick it in an envelope. Job done! However, a new phone and branded trainers? This could involve taking out a new mortgage!

The trouble is, we’re always trying to please the grandchildren, not wanting to acquire a reputation for being ‘meanies’. But we have to ask ourselves, at what point do we draw the line and say: “Too much money?”

Martin Lewis (of MoneySavingExpert.com fame) has been very vocal again this year, appealing to people to be smart and not cripple themselves with debt this Christmas. And he’s right; we do have a tendency to overspend on gifts, food, decorations and Christmas jumpers!

If you feel sick-to-the-stomach at the thought of spending money you don’t have on gifts family and friends probably don’t need or want, then why buy them? It’s far easier to be honest and say you’re opting out of gift-buying this year because you simply can’t afford it.

They’ll respect you for your honesty—and very likely admit to being relieved.

Christmas spending on gifts, just for the sake of it, has become a nightmare for so many of us—and it’s about time we woke up and realized that starting the New Year without credit card debt would be the best Christmas present ever!

Then we have decorations. Now, of course, we all love to decorate our homes with the tree as a centerpiece. And, if you’re like us, you’ll use the same decorations every year—which I see nothing wrong with. Some of ours are actually as old as our children and still going strong. They have memories attached to them, so are special. Plus, we don’t need new ones every year. Many of the baubles are plastic too, but whatever they’re made from, they’ll be eroding the planet’s natural resources.

2018 has also been a year of smack-in-the-face realization of the damage we’re doing to our planet. With food being just one of the problems.

The shops are now closed only on Christmas Day. So why do we buy enough food to last us a month? It’s because the supermarkets spend thousands of pounds on advertising campaigns tempting us with a neverending array of treats to stuff ourselves with over the festive season.

But is that what we do? No. And, as a consequence, there’s massive food wastage and enormous amounts of plastic packaging to be disposed of.

And how much deforestation takes place to make way for palm trees which produce the oil that goes into the products we buy to keep our cupboards stocked with Christmas treats?

We need to bring sanity back to Christmas, wrestling back control from the shops and stores that so effectively and seductively lure us in with their beautifully dressed windows. Especially as, upon heading inside, you find they’re essentially selling the same stuff as last year? Maybe in different packaging, but the same, nonetheless?

I find it depressing when I go out looking in the shops for ‘something different’—when, in reality, I know there won’t be anything. Just ‘tatt’, ‘tatt’ and more ‘tatt’!

Then there’s Christmas jumpers. A recent phenomenon which add layers to the stress and financial burden of Yuletide. Yes, they’re fun. But if you have a family, it means everyone has to have one—which can be a ridiculous expense. We managed for years without them, and can do so again!

Finally, let’s bring an end to the endless rounds of ‘Round Robin letters’… please!

I have to hold my hands up and admit to having sent them out with my Christmas cards in the past. But I only sent them to people who knew my family, and who we didn’t see from year-to-year.

However, by reducing my Christmas card list, we now only receive one and honestly, I have no idea why? We haven’t seen the people for 25 years-plus, have no contact at all with them during the year and, worst of all, only knew one of their children—when he was a teenager. But, nevertheless, we get news on all the children and grandchildren, home improvements, holidays, health and anything else you can think of that’s simply not relevant. Ugh!!!!!!!

Every year, with grit and determination, I strike names from my Christmas card list. Yet then live in fear that one I’ve ‘struck-off’ will still venture through our letter box. And, when it does, I reluctantly send one back. With the cost of postage rising every year, I definitely need to toughen up!

On a lighter note, I recently saw the new Grinch film, and realize I’m in danger of becoming ‘Mrs Grinch’.

So, in the true spirit of Christmas, I wish everyone a wonderful Yuletide spell and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

See you in 2019,

Granny FlapJaX.

 

Why it’s time we opened the box to a brighter British future and left the EU to mourn its loss.

I CAN’T believe what I’ve been hearing the last few days re. the supposed ‘deal’ Theresa May and her so-called Brexit team have negotiated with the EU.

To say I’m shocked would be a giant understatement. But I’m also seething and feel like we’ve been completely shafted by Mrs. May, as a nation.

All she’s done since the details of her ‘deal’ were released is repeat over and over again the same terms. Which she insists she’ll push through, as that’s what she’s promised us.

Yet all I keep hearing is a list of broken promises.

What planet is this woman living on? She clearly has her head in the clouds, and seems to be on the verge of keeping us in the EU. But minus any influential representation in the European Parliament.

And we hear it’s going to cost us £39 billion pounds for the privilege. Yes, we’ll literally be throwing £39 billion pounds down the drain.

I’m sweating just thinking about it.

Because let’s consider what this bamboozling amount of money could potentially do for the people of the United Kingdom:

1. Shelter the homeless and eradicate rough sleeping on our streets.
2. Upgrade our education system—both schools and universities—to get us back where we used to be, sitting at the top table with the best in the world.
3. Fund our NHS to treat every citizen with the proper care and respect they deserve. Plus, end the winter bed crisis which has become an annual embarrassment.
4. Fund a proper care system for the elderly and build new care homes so they can spend their twilight years in comfortable surroundings, being looked after by properly-trained staff who really CARE.
5. Fund Social Services to properly support their committed staff. Giving them the tools to make a difference. And removing the neverending restrictions which prevent them from making the right decisions to help those in society desperate for support. Especially innocent children.
6. Give proper financial support to our ex-servicemen, the disabled and those suffering with mental health issues. Because our lack of attention and focus on them is a national disgrace. They deserve to be looked after, treated with respect and given the best possible care available. In fact, we owe it to them to make that happen.
7. Give back authority to the police, teachers and our emergency services who are battling against the odds. Give them the financial support and the resources they need to do the job required of them in today’s society.

In the referendum of 2016, 52% of British people voted to LEAVE the EU. Which begs the question, which part of the word ‘leave’ does Mrs. May not understand?

Do we really believe the threats of financial disaster, losing thousands of jobs, planes failing to take off and land, drastic food and medical shortages, and house prices plummeting?  In a word: “No.”

Because we know how Britain was and how it existed before we joined the EEC in the 1970s. Which was? The answer is simplicity itself.

Great Britain was Great! We had huge industries in fishing, boat building, car manufacturing, engineering, science and research. We were also innovative, creative, forward-thinking and always moved with the times.

 

Why then, have we gone into reverse since becoming part of the EU? Heading straight into a black hole—which has led to us losing our standing on the world stage. And allowing ourselves to be run by a bunch of unelected bureaucrats, clearly only interested in feathering their own nests.

Where did we go so wrong?

The reality is we’re not afraid of them. They, however, are afraid of us leaving. Because realistically, without our financial input, the EU will cease to be.

Finally—and it’s something I feel really passionate about—let’s not forget it was only just over three weeks ago that we were remembering the millions of men and women who fought and died in the first and second world wars.

Don’t we owe it to them to stand on our own two feet and not allow ourselves to be ruled and bullied by some of those nations they fought so bravely to defeat?

Food for thought.

’Til next time,

Granny FlapjaX

This year on 23rd September, my father would have celebrated his 100th Birthday. 

Sadly he didn’t live to enjoy such an occasion; he died in 2001 at 83 years of age.

But as we approach Remembrance Sunday, I want to talk about him from a personal perspective, whilst remembering the millions of brave men and women who gave their lives or suffered unimaginable atrocities, at the hands of the enemy, in both the first and second world wars.

They were an extraordinary generation; strong, patriotic, focused and mentally and physically extremely tough. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid, so the very least we can do is to REMEMBER them.

My father returned home having been held captive by the Japanese for nearly three and a half years during the second world war. 

The soldiers who fought in the Far East were known as the ‘Forgotten Army’, because they were.

The troops in Singapore were awaiting evacuation from the island, as the Japanese advanced; but Winston Churchill made the decision to turn the ships back, with the result that Singapore fell into Japanese hands and all the troops along with many civilians were captured.

Some of the history of what happened to both the military and civilian populations during the following three and a half years is a matter of public record. They endured unspeakable torture, cruelty, starvation, deprivation and degradation, but many of the internees chose not to talk about their experiences after the war, including my father.

 We do know he survived several very serious illnesses including, Beri Beri, Dysentry, Septicaemia, Malaria, Diphtheria and Osteomyelitis of the right lower jaw, for which he had four operations in the POW camp, and further surgeries many years later, back in England.

To this day we don’t know how he survived, but it is clear that he had an incredible inner strength and determination to make it home.

When he came back from the Far East, he weighed just over 5 st, having been nearly 12 st when he was captured; being 6 ft tall, it’s not hard to imagine how he would have looked. However, his physical appearance was recoverable, with a good diet and a lot of TLC, but the mental scars were not. He spoke about it very little, but it is clear that it was my mother who supported him through the endless nightmares and flashbacks which stayed with him throughout his life. She was there for him through it all; there was no help, no counselling, no government support.

After arriving back from the Far East he was invalided out of the Army, despite having had a bright future ahead of him when he joined. He was given £7.00 and a tin of cocoa and basically told to go and “get on with his life”.

Then in the mid 1990’s following a documentary he was involved with for the BBC,  titled ‘Not Forgotten’, he was asked by a doctor to take part in a study into the effects of trauma, now known as PTSD.

It seems it is since then and the more recent wars, that we have accepted that being in a war situation, has without question, a lasting affect on the men and women who put themselves on the front line.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has become a recognised consequence of military service.

I have asked this question of myself and my family; at the age of 24, can you even imagine what it must be like waking up each morning wondering if this will be your last? And not just on one day but everyday for three and a half years. 

Being forced to watch the beheading of fellow soldiers who may have tried to escape or insulted a japanese officer.

Being made to dig graves and then forced to watch prisoners, men and women, stand at the edge of each grave and be shot into it. Then having to fill the graves in.

Waking to find a friend in the next bunk has given up his fight during the night, but then being subjected to a post mortem being carried out right there in front of you.

Despite all of this my father managed to live a full life, working well into his seventies, and he remained married to my mother until she died in 1998.  We thought he would go very soon afterwards, but again, he surprised us by living on for another three years.

Sadly none of us really have much knowledge of what my father and thousands like him, suffered in both the first and second world wars.

I believe that in the last year of his life, he may have wanted to talk about it, but the opportunity never arose, and I feel guilty that I may have deprived him of feeling some peace at the end of his life.

Although he worked hard for the best part of his life, there were many signs of the effects of his time in the POW camps, most too personal to put into print.

He would spend up to two hours in the mornings washing himself over and over again, and the bathroom floor would be soaked from him splashing himself with water. 

If his hands were idle he would take a man-size cotton handkerchief and roll it into a ball from the outside in, so tightly that it would tear into holes. It was a strange thing to do, but clearly something he had learned to help relieve the stress and boredom in the camp.

He felt that he had lost four years of his life and was determined to claw that back, which we believe was why he carried on working for as long as he could.

And although he never said outright, he clearly felt angry that his country had let him down. He didn’t have a good word to say of Winston Churchill, or the government who wrote him off when he returned home, and he HATED the japanese and would never have anything made by them in his house.

And from my point of view, I carry those feelings with me on his behalf. 

Now as we approach Remembrance Day, 11th November 2018, it is the duty of all of us, to remember each and every one of the brave men and women, military and civilian in both the first and second world wars, as well as those who were lost in other battles of 20th century. If they hadn’t made the sacrifices they did, we would be living very different lives today. 

So when we feel life is getting us down, we have to remember their sacrifices and their suffering, and their selflessness which has given us the lifestyle that we are privileged to have today, and that must NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

Until next time,

Granny FlapjaX

Oil on canvas

Artist – Jamie Jardine, London, Ontario, Canada.

 

 

 

 

 

CHATTING to my youngest son recently, he asked whether I had any regrets in life?

The question made me really think about my life—and what I’d change about it, if handed a ticket to a time-machine.

As you get older, time flies by so fast. ‘Til you reach the point where you realize many of the things you had planned—and always thought you had plenty of time to do—may not happen now.

That’s a real ‘wake-up-call’, especially when you still feel mentally able to achieve those things. Just perhaps not physically.

~ ~ ~

Looking back, the lion’s share of my life is regret-free.

I’ve been married to the same man for 48 years. We met three months before my 21st birthday. He was at college in Leicester and I worked as a hotel receptionist in a small town in Hampshire, where his parents lived. 

He came to the hotel looking for work during the Easter holidays. And while waiting to be seen, was inspired to come and chat-me-up at the front desk.

We only saw each other six times before getting married in the June—less than three months later.

He had a student flight booked for a trip to Canada and America in the summer holidays, where he has family, and luckily, was able to bag me a seat too — we spent our honeymoon travelling.

We had virtually no money, but were able to get work in Canada—which paid for the flights to Texas—from where we travelled to Monterrey in Mexico, back to Texas, then finally home to London, via New York.

When my parents passed away, I found a collection of letters which I’d written to them while on those travels. They’re a wonderful record of times past—and also very funny; written with such charming innocence.

One day I may choose to publish them on my blog.

During the 48 years we’ve shared, we’ve repeatedly ridden life’s rollercoaster.

It’s been a blast—intertwined with tragedy, sorrow and pride. But always an abundance of love; both for each other and our wonderful children and grandchildren.

Our first baby died when he was just five hours old, but then we were blessed with three more beautiful children, and over the years they have blossomed and grown into the most amazing human beings.

They’ve all overcome their own unique challenges in life. And while not millionaires (yet!), they’re richer in every other way for those experiences. 

Trustworthy, loving, caring and loyal are just a few of the qualities they’ve been able to pass on to their children. Our incredible grandchildren.

There are no words to describe the joy they’ve brought to us over the years. They’re truly wonderful and we feel privileged and blessed to be in their lives.

~ ~ ~

For the last 25 years of our working lives, we ran two businesses together: a design consultancy and two antique shops.

It was a crazy time with so much packed into every waking hour. We worked hard and played hard—yet thoroughly enjoyed it all. And the best part was the amazing people we met along the way. Some who are still friends today.

Now that we’re retired, if still boasting a bustling schedule, I do reflect on things from time-to-time. And some regrets do bubble up.

I regret my parents had such a hard life—which they didn’t deserve.

My father spent four years in a POW (Prisoner of War) camp at the hands of the Japanese during World War II.

Against all the odds, he survived and made a new life for himself back in England—working hard and living to a grand 83 years of age. But he never fully recovered from the mental and physical torture he suffered during his captivity.

My mother was his rock and they stayed together—despite enduring some tough times. Many couples in their shoes didn’t make it. She was incredible and is an inspiration to me every day.

I am strong because of her.

~ ~ ~

I regret the suffering my three children have endured for different reasons. 

If I could have swapped places with them, I would have. But thankfully they’ve all come through. And are, I believe, stronger and more confident people for conquering those challenges.

I also lament the fact I wasn’t able to sit any exams before I left school at 15, to take my first job. I dreamt of being a lawyer, which would have required a law degree. But going to university wasn’t possible for me then.

Not having a more successful career is a regret too. But I do still have an ‘ology’ in life skills—and am very proud of that.

I believe our lives are mostly mapped out; kind of written in the stars. And no matter what decisions we take, they’ll move us in particular directions.

I say this because there are so many instances when I’ve wondered “what if” I’d taken another path?

But they always lead me back to where I am today. And the fact that, if I’d made different decisions, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

I am reasonably fit, and a happy and contented wife, mother and grandmother. With a life rich in ‘special’ memories. And hopefully many more to create in the future.

If I was to give any advice, I’d say:

• Believe in yourself and love the person you are.
• Live life to the full (you only have one).
• Follow your instincts and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves.
• Don’t be afraid to take a risk, as long as it’s a calculated one.
• Make every day count; time is precious.
• Enjoy the good times—and always try to learn from the not-so-good.
• Be proud of yourself and what you achieve—and you’ll have few regrets.

 

‘Til next time

Granny Flapjax