TV adverts

I don't really take much notice of adverts on TV. As far as I'm concerned, they are an annoying interruption to the programme I am watching, but this one which was shown tonight is one of those which is a little more memorable than most.
I am just hoping that, when I show it to Paddy, it might give him a few ideas on how he can make himself useful round the house.
Not holding my breath, though.

In Bristol

This weekend I will be mainly in Bristol, visiting Dad, so no gallivanting in the caravan this time. But, thinking back to last weekend's jaunt, I am reminded of an interesting little episode that I watched (being unashamedly nosy, of course) while I was sitting outside soaking a few rays (or whatever the phrase is) on the Sunday.
I heard a woman's voice, with a south Wales accent, effusively thanking someone and, on closer inspection, it seemed that she was thanking one of our male 'neighbours' who was ringing Tom, the site owner, on his mobile because the newly-arrived, forty-something lady in question apparently couldn't find her pitch, which was surprising really as they are all clearly marked.
Scene two:
Woman (henceforth to be called 'Pinkie' as she was wearing a pink top) and her pal in a leopardskin-print top (so we'll call her Leopard) went back to their car and Pinkie got in and pulled back onto the path and then went back and forth over the same few yards in a vain attempt to back into her spot.
By now, Tom had arrived and gallantly offered to back in for her, which was eagerly accepted with much giggling and simpering. As she was hovering around the car, another man had mysteriously appeared and retreated very reluctantly with numerous offers of help and 'If you need anything, you know where I am.'
At the same time, another woman's voice was heard (perhaps the wife of this man) saying, "You do need to learn to do it yourself, you know."
"Oh I can do it, I've done it hundreds of times," said Pinkie, "Just not this time."
Which seemed a little hard to believe as I watched the two of them struggling to lower the stabilisers by winding the brace the wrong way and searching vainly for the electric cable before plugging it in with great difficulty. How hard can it be? I hear you asking yourself. Yes, indeed!

Prescriptions and chemists

Every so often, Keith and I need prescriptions renewed and the usual process is that I ring the surgery (only between 11am and 11.05am of course, otherwise there is no answer), ask for the prescription and it is sent to the local chemist for me to pick up a day later. The surgery and its local chemist are both a few miles away but recently our local branch of Boots, which is nearer and more convenient, has begun offering the collection service so, for the past few occasions, I have used them. There are, however, certain drawbacks:

• Prescriptions can't be collected early as there is no pharmacist until 10am.
• Sometimes, presecriptions can't be picked up at all, if the pharmacist doesn't turn up.
• Prescriptions take a day longer because they are made up in Boots in town and then sent out.
• If they haven't got the medication in stock, they just don't bother.
• If the prescription contains a misprint (eg 1g), they don't bother contacting the surgery to check it out.

So, after experiencing all of the above on different occasions, I decided to call it a day and ask for future presecriptions to be sent to the independent pharmacy near the surgery, as before and today I went to pick up the latest ones. Within the couple of minutes it took me to cast a quick glance over the make up stands and work my way to the counter, the assistant had my package ready and waiting and had only to check my name and address.
"How did you know?" I asked. She nodded to the pharmacist. "She told me."
I have no idea how the pharmacist knows my name as I only ever go there every few weeks to pick up prescriptions and haven't been for a couple of months, but I was most impressed.
Why on earth did I  even consider going to Boots rather than coming here? I thought as I went back to the car park.
The answer, of course, was that Boots is nearer and I can call there when I do the weekly shopping but some things are more important. From now on, it will be the independent pharmacy.

Off in the caravan again

Friday saw us wending our way westwards again, this time to the delightful town of Aberaeron just south of Aberystwyth. The campsite here was smaller than the one we stayed at in Barmouth but had all the facilities we needed plus a pleasant coastal walk of about a mile into the town. Keith and I have been to Aberaeron before on our Sundays out. The last time I remember visiting was on a cold and rainy day, but this weekend  the weather did not disappoint, apart from a couple of showers and some wind at times.

The sea defences have been improved and it seems as if a lot of money has been spent around the town itself. Many of the Georgian houses are beautifully painted in delicate ice-cream colours and not so delicate colours too, but to equally pleasing effect.

Keith was able to zip around comfortably on his bike and Paddy loved being able to charge down the field at the speed of light on the couple of occasions that it was quiet enough to let him and walking up some of the side streets, we could almost have imagined ourselves in a French town.

Even the toilets were newly painted and sparkling! 

I even spotted a lovely little boat in the harbour which would suit me down to the ground...

or maybe not.