Checking out

 Ellie was dropped off just after 7:00 this morning. Urban-Cub had a meeting in Southampton, so needed to get on the road. We followed the usual regime and somehow found ourselves well ahead of schedule. Well, that didn't last long. As it approached time to leave for school it became apparent that we didn't have Ellie's shoes. The Gorse Fox whizzed round the corner and searched for them - in the cupboard, under the living room curtains, under the table, in the laundry cupboard, in Ellie's bed (?), on her floor, among her toys... but no, there was no sign of them. Ellie would have to go to school in non-regulation footwear.

After dropping Ellie at school we returned to her house and continued the search. Eventually we found them. They were on a table in her bedroom, hidden under a box. Of course! Why didn't the Gorse Fox look there the first time? Shoes were dropped off at school and the day could continue.

The Silver Vixen spent the morning doing the ironing while the Gorse Fox did some vacuuming, filled the car with petrol, and did some admin. This afternoon we went along to check out collect Jasper from the cattery. He checked out sulkily, having clearly been spoilt for the last two week,  and he meowed the whole way home in the car. He needn't think he will be getting champagne and oysters back home, not butler service.

The Gorse Fox has just booked a short break at the end of November to celebrate the Silver Vixen's birthday.  We are just popping down to Sidmouth for a few days. If it is like a previous trip, the hotel will be fully decked out for Christmas, and quite magical. The lady on the reservations desk was very helpful. We asked for a specific room. It was already booked. "Hold on" she said, "let me see what I can do". There was a moment of quiet, then "It's all right, they are first time guests and din't request any specific room, so I moved them. The room is yours." It clearly helps that we have been there several times before.