March the 3rd 2024
After spending well over an hour at the bank yesterday whilst they retrieved £330 from their cash counting machine that it had swallowed without trace, yes that's what I do on Sundays; the bookwork and banking, I've finally got around to completing the month end figures. for the penultimate time.
Sales in the shop are slowing down a little now as the shelves are emptying in readiness for the hand over .to the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity,
All of the existing staff have been interviewed with most deciding to remain at the shop, however some have taken the opportunity to join me in retirement.
With a little over four weeks until I retire there is still much to be done, including the emptying of the containers in the rear yard of all but the small electrical items. And rearranging the rear area of the shop.
It is anticipated that the shop will re-open during the week commencing the 8th of April, by which time I shall be over three hundred miles away at Le Bas Jaunais. No doubt doing the end of year returns for the shop and charity.
Until then, keep safe and look out for our final clearance sale from Saturday the 23rd of March
February the 4th 2024
This is the first time that I've written this section since December 2023 and much has happened over the last two months.
Firstly I've taken a much needed break to New Zealand and Australia where I spent time with my old boss at the winery. Sadly Chris, his wife finds herself trapped inside a body that is is very frail and whilst being fed through a tube directly into her stomach and unable to walk or talk is still the same wonderful lady that greeted me each morning for five years with a smile and a kiss. This alone if nothing else has convinced me that my decision to retire now is the right thing to do. I need time to spend with family and friends before it's too late.