Mrs_H_TW

Lots of people out canvassing today in St John’s for the borough council by-election on Thursday. But a fail to one party for adding a post-it note to their leaflet saying “sorry I missed you” when they didn’t ring the doorbell and we were all in the house.

A glass of dark Belgian beer with the bottle next to it.

Pre-dinner birthday treat - Westvleteren 8.

I get that. I’m currently searching for restaurants that are open on a Wednesday evening in the place we’re staying in Belgium next month. Surely Wednesday is a hump day and people start to go out? 🤔 We’ll only be there 6pm to 9am the next morning …

Judging by the fruits, I’d say it’s a medlar tree.

It was inevitable that with more traffic due to Upper Grosvenor Road being closed, a blind corner, and drivers going too fast / being impatient, there would be an accident on the Queens Road / Silverdale junction. No-one was hurt, but the Tesla has a big scrape.

Went to eat at Mexcellent in Camden Road last night: completely epic experience! It was taco Tuesday, so they ran a limited menu. But wow: the flavours were amazing, and the portions generous too. Great cocktails too, although beware the spicy margarita! 🥵 Booking essential; it’s small and popular.

I’ve neglected my presence here of late. So: me studying to be a proper genealogist. Dog loving walks at Hurst, Southborough Common, and more besides. Boy learning to drive and looking at universities - yikes! Cursing the roadworks on Upper Grosvenor Road, especially rubbish communication all round.

It’s not really my thing, but it’s good to see people having fun.

You’re the second person I know who’s been in the past week and enjoyed it. 😊

A range of different tomato varieties in the process of being diced for a simple pasta dish.

The finished dish: linguine with tomatoes, basil and pecorino cheese.

When you have lots of ripe, homegrown tomatoes, you make pasta alla pomodoro crudo for supper.

An Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweight car.

A Mercedes W125 car.

A beautiful Bugatti Type 35 car.

A rather OTT Jaguar Eagle car. This is based on the classic E-Type but with everything pumped up.

Great morning wandering around the Pantiles looking at the Motor Show display on Sunday. I’ll have the Aston Martin DB4GT Lightweight if you please. 😉

Recommendations for family (early) brunch on the Pantiles tomorrow morning? Eggs Eleven was great last time but happy to consider alternatives.

This is incredible

Final election campaign tally here in St John’s (barring any early morning deliveries):

LD: 1 doorstep chat + 3 leaflets
TW Alliance: 1 leaflet
LAB: nothing
CON: nothing
GREEN: nothing
REFORM: nothing
IND for TW: nothing

All seven parties are standing candidates for both KCC + TWBC by-election

A woodland walk with a mossy bank bottom centre with tall beech and oak trees showing their new leaves.

Woods at Southborough Common. No bluebells here, but still beautiful.

Two and a half weeks until the local elections and I’ve been canvassed (in person) by the Liberal Democrats. Even with a by-election for the borough council in St John’s in addition to the county council elections, this was the first contact with any candidates.

A dog running on a frost-covered football pitch with shafts of sunshine.

Glorious dog walk this morning; frosty and sunny. #GrosvenorPark

It’s a pity they couldn’t sustain it. But the England win was epic. Here’s hoping Scotland can beat France!

French pâté is great, and you should also try rillettes de porc too; slow-cooked pork, finely shredded, and set in a little fat. Ideally served with a side of celeriac remoulade. You’ll find the latter in every French supermarket, but here I always have to make it.

Man charged with sexual assaults on teenage victims in Tunbridge Wells A suspect was remanded to court in connection with allegations of separate assaults against two girls in Tunbridge Wells.

Very concerning to read of an assault on a teenage girl occurring in Grosvenor & Hilbert Park at the weekend, in the middle of the day.

www.kent.police.uk/news/kent/la...

Bats - in March? I only ever see them in the summer.

The queues these roadworks are causing in the mornings go all the way along Upper Grosvenor Road past the traffic lights for Grosvenor Bridge / Dunstan Road.

Not for me, but if I’m in Swindon (I’m hoping to visit Wiltshire Archives later in the year) I’ll certainly look them up.

Those look good; was this somewhere local?

There are various primula - including cowslips - and a whole lot of hybrids on the roundabout on Eridge Road where you turn up to Sainsbury’s. #WildFlowerHour

I never knew this was a thing either!

I remember Zapata’s; happy memories.

One for #TunbridgeWells peeps out there. The pizza restaurant in Camden Road, Tuci, (not to be confused with Cantuccio) has closed. In its place is Mexcellent - a restaurant run by the people who had the food truck at the Royal Oak and at the Cross Keys. I can’t wait to try it!

I was aware of the private members’ club, but not the café. One to consider when I’m down that end of town.

My son used to refer to himself as Baby Bear. I’m sure there was a children’s book that gave him the idea. It took a long time for me to accept we would be a family of three, but I love him for gestures like this. He now looks down on me, so no longer a baby.