tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23350603221425061382024-03-05T22:09:18.953+00:00Ramsgate MitchA day-to-day diary (maybe) of the happenings with the family, the area and here at 52...Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-65186370187763526002008-10-26T17:01:00.006+00:002008-10-26T17:24:58.081+00:00delayed.....having a laugh...or what!Yes, it seems as though I published the second birthday 'romp' and then <em>disappeared </em>for 2 weeks. As those of you that know me; there are times when time flies by and seems to go far too quickly.... and today we lost an hour as well going back to GMT. Here it is 6pm and 'pitch black' out there. There goes another summer and Christmas is around the corner!<br />When I think of working full time and still do the things I do now and more. True, as somebody said maybe I did them a lot quicker then to meet deadlines which frankly don't exist now! If it gets done great! If not, do I worry?<br />Back to serious matters. Though I don't publish, I still keep up with what's going on and I notice Michael has published some plans/drawings of a replacement for the Marina Cafe site on the sea front. See what you mean about flying saucers! I thought it was to be replaced by a reproduction of what was there using modern building methods not 'futuristic' design that'll stick out like a 'sore thumb' on what is supposed to be a listed terrace from numbers 1 to 4. Come on somebody's having a laugh trying to link that monstrosity to what's left of the remaining elevation.Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-64506233986892449712008-10-14T16:03:00.005+01:002008-10-14T16:30:16.774+01:00birthday girl......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlzHHc9ep1tuQqecuS0Pd3s9pvfReevdXPXo5mfbt_cjz2RHWgFC6evLMdg8UkNAvIimQTMuXp6zVdm5E0Zx9LmKse6aKcD_AS7mbHkIRtV7eee4Fc_8qpiE0pymLquK8qrxxo8ZCa3E/s1600-h/lovely+cake+Neve%27s+2nd+birthday+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257026261611421890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlzHHc9ep1tuQqecuS0Pd3s9pvfReevdXPXo5mfbt_cjz2RHWgFC6evLMdg8UkNAvIimQTMuXp6zVdm5E0Zx9LmKse6aKcD_AS7mbHkIRtV7eee4Fc_8qpiE0pymLquK8qrxxo8ZCa3E/s400/lovely+cake+Neve%27s+2nd+birthday+005.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">As you can see my youngest grand daughter celebrated her 2nd birthday and thoroughly enjoyed herself. With the food (remains still to be scraped off!) and party games. Good fun but was I glad to be able to disappear into the garden every now and again; where the weather was definitely 'summer like'. Her older sister will be 5 next March and with starting school last September is becoming more 'lady like'..... My daughter thought it might be a good idea for me to 'look after' Neve now that her sister is at school and that will enable her to relax for a couple of hours or so. Sounds like a good idea to me walkabouts round the town and on the sea front, we'll see!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I've just invested in the latest iPod Classic with 120 GB of memory. Since I've been uploading and saving photos of family and friends I'm looking at nearly 4000 photographs without the audio and video files. Still got 108 GB left to take the movies and music so that'll keep me busy and above all they will be transportable and it has a video screen to watch as well as the standard headphones for the audio tracks. Bit of an upgrade from the 'Walkman' I've been used to...ain't this technology wonderful, when you've worked out the buttons to push.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><div></div>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-65049912178956342202008-10-10T17:13:00.003+01:002008-10-10T17:32:34.526+01:00So....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">In my order of preference:</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">We've got our own Town Council from next year and God bless all who sail in her. At least they've got plenty to work on. Just walking about locally will ensure there's no shortage of projects for improvement in the area...</span></li></ul><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Phase 1 of China Gateway has received the go ahead including all the amendments required to make sure it is 'safe to do so'!</span></li></ul><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">The residents of Acol and the surrounding areas that are now blighted with what looks like a hell on earth scenario; must be sitting on a time bomb if they need to sell up.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I came past Richborough this morning and noticed apart from the 'Siemans' signs on the fencing, there was very little else going on. ECR published a problem with the wind farm development on one of his postings. I expect with the shortage of cash, it'll go on hold for the time being along with much other development; as one of my commentators has said to my thoughts about leaving demolished sites empty for a while.</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-54234974918302260852008-10-09T12:50:00.003+01:002008-10-09T13:09:29.079+01:00rest over...back to the grindstone.....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Well back to 'normal'......</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">What happened to Tuesday and Wednesday, they came and went.....</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Fantastic weather so I decided to spend the time in the garden, getting tidy and planting for the coming winter season. </span><span style="color:#3366ff;">It always amazes me how much 'garden stuff' you manage to accumulate over the summer. That will take care of the coming Friday morning going to the tip getting rid of it all and probably meet a few like minded people.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The last two days spent in the sunshine, supping tea and making everything smart and that's in my 'postage stamp' size area. I can quite understand how those with a vast area have to get help! What seemed like a 'walk on the park' (no pun intended), a few years ago could be viewed with panic or just leave it until later; now. Five or so years ago, I made a point of trying to get everything outside pretty maintenance easy. It has paid off so I can take 2 or 3 fine days keeping on top of it all! At least it means when we get the weather to sit out in, I can do just that. It's another room to use.....</span></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"> </span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-11469619422962275882008-10-06T14:26:00.004+01:002008-10-06T14:55:03.524+01:00just for emergencies......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapFi-7sn8g45xqzJjCpsPzpu3Iyguv1BdGHnhjIhoD75rTcySvKsRAFos3I1FnGLyd6X5Xwl8-a375SZ4aEQcf578HTyZcINvYhmZPKbhLxsplpeCqf8jjFCqHtlSuK9zwsrvhw8frKE/s1600-h/She+and+Steve++40th+Anniversary+visit+4.10.2008+potty+over+night.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254033705236350514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapFi-7sn8g45xqzJjCpsPzpu3Iyguv1BdGHnhjIhoD75rTcySvKsRAFos3I1FnGLyd6X5Xwl8-a375SZ4aEQcf578HTyZcINvYhmZPKbhLxsplpeCqf8jjFCqHtlSuK9zwsrvhw8frKE/s400/She+and+Steve++40th+Anniversary+visit+4.10.2008+potty+over+night.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Got back from my travels over the weekend and thought the above photo was rather apt with previous conversations about the lack of facilities in the town now. My bedroom for the Friday night had this magnificent piece of furniture as my bedside table. An original wash-stand without the matching wash bowl above but the marble top made a good depository for today's mod cons, including phone etc.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">The journey was trouble free and a marvellous time was had by all to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary and some of the speeches from friends and relatives of my era made for interesting listening. The younger generation looked on in amazement that their parents/relatives could have behaved in such a way! Made them realise there was such a time as the 'swinging sixties' and it wasn't just something thought up as a 'history lesson' for them. Some of the fashions worn by their parents and their hairstyles proved they were there and the 'old men' of now did have hair!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I took the opportunity of using almost an hour of video footage which I can play with and send them a DVD for them to keep as a memory of the occasion.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">When we finally finished, I fell into bed and the following morning finished my stay with a swim in the pool, steam bath, sauna and a 'proper' breakfast. Duly nourished I returned home during the day through rain storms flooded roads to our part of the globe. Today it was back to reality and catch up with normal life until the next chance to wander down 'memory lane'......</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-66926338851325583822008-10-02T13:55:00.005+01:002008-10-02T14:25:56.544+01:00surfing...aha and an alien....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">When things go 'pear shaped' technically I mean... It's good to search and read all those 'political and contentious' offerings that pervade the blog site airwaves. It's interesting to note the stuff that 'might happen' vs the stuff that 'has happened'. I suppose when factual news is quiet, a bit of scandel or 'truth stretching' makes for interesting reading. This month should certainly see a few questions answered but I think our local problems will be sorted out and of course the cost of these decisions will be borne by us the tax payers and more decisions will be made to please some and upset others!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">One of my students went home yesterday and phoned me as I asked him to; when he got back to his family. On September 3rd he travelled to London to apply for a transit visa from the Belgian authorities. No problem they said so he left his passport and paid the fee, got a receipt and came back here. Last weekend he'd heard nothing and was due to leave October 1st, another trip to London to collect what they had promised to post to him. At the same time he was due to sit an examination, no passport NO EXAM! Picked up his passport from the authorities with NO VISA. Took the exam and came back here. Yesterday he went to Gatwick to catch a plane to Belgium where he intended to pick up his flight to Burundi (Africa). With no visa, if there was any delay in the long haul flight he would be unable to leave Brussels airport and would have to wait there...hey ho!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">We think our systems are bad, imagine his predicament. He would have been stuck there because his paperwork made him an alien and transported back to the UK by the Belgian authorities!</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-31683606358070515932008-10-01T15:03:00.008+01:002008-10-01T15:41:56.884+01:00here we are again...<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">It looks as though yesterday's effort was labeled with the correct day. I saved what I'd managed and then edited it this morning and posted with the relevant comments added.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I was trying to thank Nethercourt for his comment we reference to our problem and if it's interfearing with his social life, that's a serious matter!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I must admit to being very much in the dark with these 'technical' misdemeanours. My mind is still firmly stuck in the <em>'button A and button B'</em> age and to think all this information along with phone calls and TV comes along the same piece of copper wire that's been dangling from my house to the telegraph pole that's been there for the last 30 years plus is nothing short of a miracle! Enough...'cos it can only get better and maybe I'll absorb a bit more....hmmm!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">At least the transport situation has improved; started on the button at 4 am this morning and got me back here from Gatwick 4 hours later. So let's hope the next marathon 410 miles at the week end goes OK. I'm glad it's diesel and not petrol. I manage a little over 50 mpg on a run so it doesn't quite 'break the bank'. Sorry, wrong metaphor at this moment in time!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Had a personal visit from a neighbour who's interested in the possible development behind Gina Court AKA Mount Albion House. She too, had read Michael's blog and his publishing of Don Long's various narratives about our area. I directed her to two other people in the viscinity who'd be more up to date with what's going on there, if anything. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Good that our communications are producing results and creating local interest. Let's keep it going. </span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-78120086307635760492008-09-30T15:21:00.005+01:002008-10-01T15:01:48.202+01:00rain, rain and still more to come!<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">With all this wet stuff, no need to tend the garden. No way I'm going walkabout today so I'll surf the net and do some studies and if my network ISP doesn't drop out. I wouldn't mind but they keep flashing that they're <em>'having difficulties'. </em>That doesn't help when you're getting into something interesting or trying to reply to a mailing. Yes, I 'back up' and 'save' when I remember but you can guarantee some thing will go 'pearshaped' when you don't expect it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">This was due tobe published yesterday but yet again my ISP decided to drop out . So if you read the previous paragraph as yesterday's (Tuesday 30.9.08); then I'll start again for today with another posting.</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-19402512868810925282008-09-29T16:21:00.004+01:002008-09-29T16:43:13.829+01:00going, going, gone.....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">I had to walk into the town this morning and in common with most of the older generation; looked for a loo! They're getting very few and far between...</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">My usual town centre establishment was still there in Cavendish Street. I then walked on to the old Police Station site. I'm pleased to say the old police building was there but the court next door (which in my opinion was a 'horror' anyway) was nearly gone. Mr Goody was doing a grand job in making it disappear. I had noticed the opposition in the knock 'em down game namely DDS had recently flattened the Pikes shopfitting site very quickly!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">What a pity these areas can't be left empty for a while to 'air' and let people see how much land is actually taken by building</span><span style="color:#3366ff;">. Maybe they are if you don't take the groundworks into consideration.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Yes, I know the old gasworks site in Boundary Road has been empty for years but that's not exactly 'empty' with all the ironwork and holes everywhere.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">I can visualise a busy week ahead for your truly; so let's hope the transport works OK!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Welcome back Matt B, I see you're blogging again....</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-47364073560148117172008-09-27T13:56:00.010+01:002008-09-27T14:24:56.671+01:00thanks and sorry....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">.... thanks for the 2 comments on my last posting, so it looks as though something is happening both at the Ramsgate Port and Richborough.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Sorry about my absence from the scene yesterday. Got a call from my daughter to pick up a car seat for my grandaughter. No problem, went over and picked it up, must keep within the bounds of the law. When my children were small, no problems they sat in the back with their favourite toys, blankets and pillows, five minnutes later all fast asleep until we arrived at our destination!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I got to her house with the required seat, stayed for lunch and then take Phoebe to school for her dad to collect on his return from work. Lunch eaten, seat attached, Phoebe and school books loaded. Vehicle won't start, just an ominous 'click'. As Phoebe said 'it's gone to sleep Grandad'. Phoned the breakdown assistance, one cup of tea and an hour later he arrived. Under the bonnet he can see a spark emanating from the starter motor cable. Tightens up the connection, 'brmm' no problem. Back into the house, phoned the school to apologise, another cup of tea. Phoned my local garage who kindly said they would check it out. Said my 'goodbyes' took my transport to the garage for had an oil and filter change at the same time as the 'checkover'. Went home and at 5.30 the garage phoned to day the motor was serviced and checked out OK. Day gone with not a lot accomplished but maybe the vehicle is 'better' now, only time will tell....</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-52132832655864588182008-09-25T14:24:00.004+01:002008-09-25T14:50:30.208+01:00maybe not well, but it's alive....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Through the letter box with a clunk...... as if to say: "I'm here, read me". Dropped a copy of the Thanet Extra. Delivered on time....</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">It answered a question that a friend of mine from the Midlands asked me a few weeks ago as we motored back from Dover along the A256. 'What's going on in the Richborough Power Station?" As we turned the roundabout and carried on toward Ramsgate. I said "nothing, it's all derelict with the generating gubbins sold to India". I remember the malarky with the transportation of the equipment to the port for loading onto a freight ship bound for distant lands. The cooling towers were to be 'blown up' and that was to be the end of the power station, hmmmm...... well, the towers are still there and it would appear the wind farm people are building something technical there. But, the last thing I heard there was a problem financing the building of the turbines and Shell had pulled out, leaving a shortage of cash. Now the article tells us the port will still be providing support for the project and this technical equipment is needed for ongoing connection!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Anybody know what's going on ? Will we have lots of windmills to look at generating loads of power, providing loads of Ramsgate Port jobs. If so did anybody tell EDF who are taking over our nuclear power industry to build 4 new generating stations. Instead of importing French power maybe we'll be able to export it!</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-45085683991332051822008-09-24T11:17:00.007+01:002008-09-24T11:37:57.242+01:00map as well now.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF9tSKZf8hisRMbqG2AaGjbJ0qIxZtE58BfnL601KgCz4caSoacLQ2FOUcnP6KuH46A0bbH8yeszgNenIsJYGs0K1ADy_cOBliRSVXm35FEMaHKJObo-7YoHyc_KVIO2w8z3YV6FoR0E/s1600-h/18.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249530378663881298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF9tSKZf8hisRMbqG2AaGjbJ0qIxZtE58BfnL601KgCz4caSoacLQ2FOUcnP6KuH46A0bbH8yeszgNenIsJYGs0K1ADy_cOBliRSVXm35FEMaHKJObo-7YoHyc_KVIO2w8z3YV6FoR0E/s400/18.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Sitting on my 'inbox' this morning was a map showing with clarity exactly where the premises were in relation to the surrounding streets.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">There was no development on that side at all with the street layout yet to be put in place to service the housing that was to come....</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Thanks again John for this 'gem' along with ther ancillary beer mat pictures; shame we can't materialise the 'good stuff' that sat on them!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">PJK I'm glad the brewery picture invoked such pleasant memories of your GGG. I think in those days most of the local licenced premises were owned or supplied by T.W. or Cobbs of Margate. Serious socialization took place in the pubs where news and scandal was swopped about the local happenings and goings on in Ramsgate. Reminds you of something that can't return but we have those memories to cherish and swop amongst ourselves.</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-14329566212953242082008-09-23T16:30:00.005+01:002008-09-23T16:54:01.968+01:00look at this...trees and all.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmJW-oq0-xV9SnyfpST6cy0X0lQdgdWU8kS2OtEuvPZPhQg-ure6BWdrODsea5_E6iFDqxJsSYbQm3GY5nMKNyqJsSPMsZN54PGpWmQs8LUDf4qVSDsMw_EAMeSRoGzVWbrK-3NsushQ/s1600-h/toms_and_wooton.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249239811639761042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmJW-oq0-xV9SnyfpST6cy0X0lQdgdWU8kS2OtEuvPZPhQg-ure6BWdrODsea5_E6iFDqxJsSYbQm3GY5nMKNyqJsSPMsZN54PGpWmQs8LUDf4qVSDsMw_EAMeSRoGzVWbrK-3NsushQ/s400/toms_and_wooton.jpeg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"> ......and there's me looking at the weather and just like Peter (Checksfield), decided that best place to be was here; researching and studying....</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">In my e-mail was a photo of Tomson and Wooton brewery complete with trees, dray, barrels of the 'good stuff' with lots of people. A sociologists dream of some years ago. Anybody fancy dating it?</span><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Thanks John for taking the trouble to pass this fantastic photo to me maybe this could be the 'jolt' that'll remind people they have something interesting for me!</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">When I get some results from the local paper archives, I'll pass it on after adding the information to my notes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">I notice the 'Extra' could be in trouble. I'm afraid that if I pay for something advertising a service that will happen on the Friday and the paper arrives on the following Saturday or not at all. Then I'd expect the advertisers/customers of the paper to go elsewhere, withdrawing their support. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">With electronic means of communication broadcasting news and events immediately. The days of 'snail' mail and newspapers are gone. Obviously daily, weekly and monthly sheets with interesting articles and points of view, still have a market for the moment....but for how long?</p><br /><br /></span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-58098648810781658932008-09-22T14:01:00.003+01:002008-09-22T14:12:58.950+01:00still researching.....<span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> At the time of writing, I've had no response to my request for any information on the Tomson and Wotton Brewery site. As I said previously there's nothing left on site apart from the alley name behind the school.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"> On my first 'net surfing' I've confirmed there was a 'brewery' on the site from1634. It would have been the oldest Kent brewery. The demolished buildings that made way for the supermarket were there from 1854 and closed when the site was sold in 1968.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"> I think I'll check the local paper archives of the time which should throw up something for about the time of demolision and development....</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-7021302970235227882008-09-20T13:48:00.007+01:002008-09-20T14:24:38.901+01:00visits, exploration and comments...<span style="color:#3366ff;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Saw my daughter yesterday, played with the grandchildren, did the school run and called into my friend for the much needed cup of tea...</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">On the return journey thought I'd come back via Queen Street, parked up and did some exploration around the old Tomson and Wotton site; now Waitrose. Nothing there but I did notice on a walk to look at the library, one of the little turnings there was called 'Tomsons Passage' now that couldn't be a coincidence not with that spelling. I've had no response to my request for info' so I'm going to put some enquiries into the Internet search engine and see what happens.... </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">Why is the library site taking so long to complete? Development for housing goes from the groundwork to occupation within six months! I know there is a question of ensuring the existing structure salvaged from the disastrous fire has to be blended and fastened safely to the new building, but FOUR years is pushing it. I remember that there was a no photographs allowed ruling so I just looked and wondered in silence....</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">So the Maritime Museum will be closed and vacated by October 1st, nice idea on ECR's site about a fish restaurant but what about the one next to the 'Oak Hotel' I think it's called 'Atlantis' and like the hotel; owned by 'Thorley Taverns'. I know we need competition but that's pushing it; a bit like Weatherspoons (suggested for the sad Pavillion site) vs the Sovereign (just opened in Harbour Street). I tell you what, it would make the perfect 'piat de terre' seaside residence for the millionnaire boat owner, just for that second home to be near the boat! Even the Pavillion would divide into luxury accommodation to 'die for' and the extensive refurbishment and renovation required wouldn't present any problem to the monied gentry looking for that 'special postal address'. Then maybe we could let the Pleasurama site be returned where it belongs to the Ramsgate residents to develop as an asset to be enjoyed by everyone; not just the favoured few! </span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-74936152796750335342008-09-18T15:39:00.010+01:002008-09-18T16:13:37.216+01:00.....best laid plans and a question?<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">................as it was the middle of the week yesterday...I started to think about the weekend! As you do..... You know, plans and all that. Sat down to watch a bit of TV and the phone goes, it's my daughter on the other end. Was I busy on Friday? Then she said, she remembered my usual shopping visits were made on Friday morning but would I like to visit for lunch? Then would I take my grandaughter to school. Being her first experience of primary school she goes for half a day, three days a week. We don't want her to miss any attendances if possible. Her father would pick her up on his way back from work. Well a chance to see a 'cherub' and join in the school activities, yea.....</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">So, a bit of re-scheduling with the shopping completed this morning and other little jobs done this afternoon, that left me to blog and make ready for lunch and the school trip tomorrow! Nothing like a bit of re-organisation to keep you active...hmmmm..</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">I was thinking of having a wander onto the other cliff, to see how the 'posh' people live! Talking to some people about Waitrose the 'posh' peoples shopping place to meet! I seem to remember it stands on land once occupied by the Tomson and Wotton brewery and was bought for development by the supermarket. My research antenae started to twitch and I wondered if there were any landmarks left over there. Does anyone have any photos or narrative about the old place, would it have been older than the Shepherd Neame, Faversham brewery? Michael if you're reading have you got any answers? Anyway I'll go and have a look and see what I can find, probably next week.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">I do use the supermarket sometimes as I'm an ardent fan of John Lewis department stores in both London and Bluewater but that's another story from my <em>very early </em>past......</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"> </span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-41862391039954088072008-09-17T14:47:00.004+01:002008-09-17T15:13:28.576+01:00easy life! With links.....<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">...........by offering 'links' to the site I'm referring to, it seems to make life easier for the reader. maybe the word spreads about different site contents once they've been opened.. They've only got to click their mouse and <em>'hey presto'</em> you're there!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Peter Checksfield <a href="http://nakedinthanet.blogspot.com/">http://nakedinthanet.blogspot.com/</a> commented on how we'd managed to develop a good relationship between our local sites and their content. Yes, I think we do influence the local papers; after all it's probably 'old news' to the net community!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I understand how his 'lighter side' to other peoples problems comes about....! To me the human body is not a pretty sight when age takes its toll... but who cares? I've no intention of stripping off but I might go into shorts for the Thanet 2009 season, I draw the line at wearing one of Michaels 'T' shirts, just a tad too colourful for me!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Today things are quiet but could this be the lull before the storm? According to the news, money's getting tight and pretty soon we'll run out of different banks in which to store the little we have! I must admit 1974 was more frightening to me personally and I was in an excellent job in those days. <em>Not a poor old pensioner on a limited income.....</em>aahh I hear you say!</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-39337762242552811652008-09-16T12:38:00.003+01:002008-09-16T13:12:36.340+01:00...still looking!<span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">My 'in box' answered a query from a Belgian fellow student and set me off to find an answer to their question...! All done and sent... Must have done the trick 'cos there's nothing from them today. Instead a Swiss student decided to come back with travel details concerning his arrival here in Ramsgate; he's coming for a holiday...! Yes, most of my visitors love our 'quaint' town in which to base themselves and come back to explore it going further into Kent and even braving the London Underground to get about our wonderful Capital city. Frightens me but they love it and come back describing in graphic detail some of their adventures... I se their views of our London land marks; Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, London and Tower Bridges, the River Thames et al., with an exciting and new perspective! </span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">In answer to Matt B, <a href="http://thanetstar.com/">http://thanetstar.com/</a> between Michael and Richard, I'm amazed how they both find time for anything else. With the research carried out for <a href="http://thanetonline.blogspot.com/">Thanetonline</a> how the bloke manages to run a successful business and field the TDC research on many subjects at the same time. With ECR, <a href="http://eastcliffrichard.blogspot.com/">http://eastcliffrichard.blogspot.com/</a> I notice that anything he publishes from whatever source including contributions from other 'bloggers' always raises a comment or two! That's just two of the many interesting sites we're fortunate to have commenting on our area....</span></span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-51062337528048259082008-09-15T14:52:00.003+01:002008-09-15T15:07:15.533+01:00.....having a look!<span style="color:#3366ff;">......still full of aches and pains! So I thought I'd surf the net in between my pre-amble studies! Looked at Michael's site and I'd be very suprised if a sensible decision is taken with reference to the Manston development. I'm afraid with all the brown field sites available here it would be ridiculous to use prime agricultural land to build on. Surely there might be a case for it if we'd run out of dilapidated eyesores to demolish/convert but we haven't, have we?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">I see Richard has brought the sea front Casino building back into the news. Surely Weatherspoons haven't got that much money to waste before the doors are even open. Do we really want another place similar to the Sovereign, this time right on the sea front?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">My e mail inbox flashed up with a response to my 'studies query'; it's from Belgium! Lets go and have a look...</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-68723824500269035732008-09-14T13:09:00.004+01:002008-09-14T13:23:31.246+01:00study mode...<span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">The weather's smashing, it's nice and quiet so I'm in study mode. Thought I'd give my 'study guide' and the related text books a viewing. It pays to give everything a look at before hand especially as now most of the submissions are electronic. My first 'trawl' of the information I have to absorb looks somewhat daunting but I'm sure like all courses attempted for the first time it never looks easy, otherwise 'what would be the point'!</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#3366ff;">How things move on in the education and communication field. Without needing to be too technical you still need to understand which buttons to push and what the end result will be. No point in using valuable resources like three hours work and then losing it into the unforgiving 'ether'. It is good to know there are people out there in exactly the same boat as me and even some who know even less!</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-7730351137569117962008-09-13T12:52:00.006+01:002008-09-13T13:26:12.132+01:00under the weather.....so time to think!<span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">....so much for my good intentions of having a wander round the area with my camera. Spent most of the latter part of this week suffering from aches and pains! One of my neighbours noticed I'd been hobbling about and offered some sage advice about 'old age'. Trouble is I've got so many things to do! I can't think about putting too much on 'the back burner' otherwise it piles up!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Anyway, somebody's got to do the weekly visit to the supermarket temples otherwise we starve...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">It made me think about shopping locally; no point. I can't park and to walk any great distance at the moment is painful. So the big shopping area wins again. Not only am I able to park with impunity but they're giving vouchers for cheap fuel and as I'm going on a long distance journey next month that'll do very nicely. Yes, I tried to price it up in cash and convenience going by train or bus, when I'd got to double the cost by using public transport and more agrevation changing connections in London, I stopped. Let the motor vehicle take the strain from door to door with my glad rags hung up so they don't crease!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">I do try to do the communal thing, it costs me money and convenience.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#3366ff;">Town centres came about because people in the past wanted them, everything in one place and within easy walking distance of their home. King Street in Ramsgate was an example with shops running the length of it on both sides leading to the town centre. Different now with most of the retail buildings being converted or rebuilt as accommodation, why? Because people don't want to buy most of their stuff locally. They can meet their friends and perhaps have coffee and patronise those individual or unusual shops. Call into their special greengrocer or butcher for something small and carryable. Those that have transport or can use the bus; go the the hypermarkets and shops and multiple stores close by. Most weekly shopping is completed in one visit or for those that enjoy a browse, it's all close at hand with no parking worries. For now it's what people want and are prepared to support with their custom. When they don't things will change and that is 'evolution' which for those business's that are 'on the ball', will take advantage of.</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-81965973037382942972008-09-10T17:31:00.004+01:002008-09-10T17:54:17.158+01:00do you remember.......?<span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4LmzKjugi_9SU2iFq-qTK6R40iOJt3Lrg8PWGTGEtsEFp6lmz7_D-bJDFaISMdPmnjaEPVEkwkU1amOCCBX9xeM6GHJ9W1_nkCk56BKQfCPhTWUuviS9npMySleYevaanT2W-2oTkbU/s1600-h/Phoebe+10.9.08+School+Uniform+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244435865609566738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4LmzKjugi_9SU2iFq-qTK6R40iOJt3Lrg8PWGTGEtsEFp6lmz7_D-bJDFaISMdPmnjaEPVEkwkU1amOCCBX9xeM6GHJ9W1_nkCk56BKQfCPhTWUuviS9npMySleYevaanT2W-2oTkbU/s400/Phoebe+10.9.08+School+Uniform+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#3366ff;">Took a trip over for lunch with my grandchildren today. My eldest grandaughter started school and was resplendent in her new school uniform.... Do you remember your 1st day, perhaps it was too traumatic?</span></div><div><span style="color:#3366ff;">As you can see, no problems here with smiles all round. Except Mummy of course who was worried, just in case!</span></div><div><span style="color:#3366ff;">Hopefully I'll get out and about tomorrow but this invite was too good to miss, don't you agree?</span></div><br /><div></div>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-8272896638022746492008-09-09T15:09:00.004+01:002008-09-09T15:26:19.774+01:00another lovely day.....<span style="color:#3366ff;">..............Summer's late but it's arrived today.</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Brasses polished, house front swept. Not a bottle, can, paper bag, sweet wrapper or any dog excrement to be seen! Maybe because it's Tuesday not later in the week, but let's be positive. As anon mentioned in his comment, it's got something to do with taking pride in where we are and what we do. God, I feel good; is it going to last?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Better get into the garden and take advantage of the weather and this positive attitude I've got by completing those mundane chores every gardener hates....</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">I'll do some walking tomorrow and take the camera with me, just to snap anything interesting for the page. </span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-3252159944438608502008-09-08T17:23:00.004+01:002008-09-08T17:54:14.514+01:00no excuses, it's dry today.....<span style="color:#3366ff;">......I had no excuse, so out I went into my 'postage stamp' garden and started the clear up. I managed to fill a bag with garden rubbish and got some primroses in. The summer baskets still look pretty good as long as the weather remains mild and wet. At the first sign of it getting seriously cold, nature will take its course and I'll be presented with brown foliage to dispose of and the newly planted baskets of pansies and viola can go up for the winter display.</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">When I get another few bags of garden rubbish, I'll be a model citizen and dispose of it at our local tip along with anything my neighbours have got to go. That's how we do things here and wo-be-tide anyone who does an Augusta Road. I've been reading local blogs and the problems they've been having. I agree that when you've got a moving population in an area, there's no reason for them to feel any sense of ownership. There's no point in fining them 'cos they don't pay and just move on! I'm afraid the only way to keep on top of it is for the 'locals' to tidy up. I'd like some reward for the cans, bottles and dog excrement I clean up on the pavement outside my house! Although there's no financial reward I and my neighbours have a go and it works! We all stick together in our little patch and try to keep it nice and tidy. Yes, I'd say we're all proud of our houses, look after them and the local area.... despite today's throw away society!</span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335060322142506138.post-65418691020864016122008-09-07T10:27:00.005+01:002008-09-07T11:20:19.821+01:00reading, walking, talking and listening......<span style="color:#3366ff;">Spent yesterday doing all 4, thank goodness it was too miserable to do some gardening. A friend commented that all the work done to produce the 'summer look' has been wasted because of her inability to sit in the garden to admire her handywork. Can't disagree but my conservatory/dining area means I'm able to admire the greenery and colour no matter what the weather is doing. So I'm going to continue planting for a winter show....silly me?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">I walked down Victoria Road to pick up a paper and noticed the completed Dormans Yard development seems to be occupied with the other housing development opposite; <em>Victoria</em> <em>something</em> well on the way to completion. Does anybody know why the junction between Bellevue Road and Victoria Road keeps being dug up, filled in and the road traffic controlled by lights. I know its to do with gas main replacement 'cos the pipes are yellow coloured but why's it taking so long?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Crossing into Boundary Road the used car showroom site is now completed as flats and occupied. Next to it the old 'Pike Shopfitters' site is now 'flattened' and what an area that covered! Presumably it has been earmarked for housing? On this side of the town we must be getting very close to the housing requirement for the area, hopefully the utilities required will be sufficient to keep everything flowing as normal! Looking across Hardres Street at the Aldi building I have to say, what a pleasure to see a local shop even if it is a 'multiple'. The old Invicta car showroom and service area never looked right there and always looked temporary. The style of the new Aldi building is totally in keeping with the area. The colours blending in with the old Gas Board building opposite in Boundary Road. That 'old gas works' site next door is still empty; it's an eyesore and with the gas holder still there, looks as though it will be some time before the land can be decontaminated and made ready for development. Please no industry, maybe some retail and social buildings set into open space. The whole area developed as a one light and open space there's plenty of 'space' to make it something special for the local inhabitants with a theme maybe linking it to an illustrious past and a very positive future.... Sorry, I'm rambling but you see what I mean and where I'm going in the 21st century scheme of things?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">With all the additional building increasing the number of homes and utilizing the areas concerned to their utmost. Surely the new property rateable values generated must be increasing the local goverment income? But, all we hear about is services being curtailed, cut and the costs going up! Surely there must be a time when they go down or even stay the same with all these efficiency innitiatives being implemented. Have I got it wrong, have I got the wrong coloured glasses on or reading the wrong clues relating to the scale of economies being achieved?</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span>Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12320503305373160471noreply@blogger.com2