The Thriving Bay Tree In Holywood

It's been almost two months since I last visited the Bay Tree coffee-house in Holywood, County Down so, arriving there at about ten to eleven, four of us managed to get a table in the original section. They have extended the place out to where there was a pottery shop.

I didn't recognize anybody except one regular, who just happens to be a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

It was buzzing as usual. The Bay Tree has changed quite a lot, not just in its layout, within the last few years: its tables, chairs, décor, kitchen, crockery; even its miniature green, paper serviettes have changed (they're white now)! The chairs feel as if they weigh a ton: nobody will steal them!

Personally I preferred the Bay Tree as it was about ten years ago; its original layout was fine. To my mind it didn't require much modernization at all. It had a cottagey feel to it with its old-fashioned chairs and chequered table-cloths which was preferable.

That said, I'm still fond of the Bay Tree and prefer it to all the others in the town. It's still very good for breakfast and lunch; I haven't eaten dinner there yet, but I'm sure it's of a high standard too. The food is home-made, wholesome and fresh. They try hard and this is reflected by their loyal clientèle.

We ordered our usual "coffee and a cinnamon", their signature cinnamon scones, the recipe of which remains a closely-guarded secret. They're hard enough to describe because they're unlike conventional scones: doughy, warm, sweet, circular, melted butter, sultanas. I often wonder where Sue discovered the recipe. You're missing out if you haven't tried them yet!

Everyone's A Winner

I've won a prize! For the very first time I received a cheque for fifty pounds from Premium Bonds.

When I saw the envelope and the "congratulations" letter the figure of £50,000 crossed my mind. Ah well, I'm still very grateful to them.

Bank And Building Society Tactics

This morning I received an email from my building society, informing me that the rate on my account had been reduced by 0.25% in line with the Bank of England reduction. Naturally I was assured that the new, lower rate was still one of the best and very competitive.

On the face of it, this seems sneaky fair enough. Nevertheless, ever seeking the best deal, I checked Moneyfacts and noticed that my society had a top rate on their "Issue 2", which pays 6.4%.. They deliberately did not let me know about this new account. Investors had to discover this for themselves.

I'm used to this tactic. One must take immediate steps to open the new account (or another Best Buy). Presumably a percentage of savers do not bother to do this: it could be laziness, inertia, lack of knowledge or anything.

Cognizant of this crafty legerdemain, I have already opened a new "Issue 2" account with them, await the documentation, and when I receive it I'll transfer the funds.

It's a minor inconvenience and must surely generate a lot of work for their staff (at their own instigation); but it has to be done in order to obtain the optimum rate of interest.

Well Done, Prince William!

Prince William is now well on his way to graduating with RAF Wings in about four months' time, following a successful solo flight in a little Grob 115E aircraft. That's a fine achievement, given that HRH has only just begun training.

East Belfast Petrol Prices

I invariably fill up with liquid cognac petrol at the big supermarkets. Whilst driving along Grand Parade in Belfast recently I've noticed that standard unleaded petrol at Grand Parade Service Station (opposite a cycle store) still costs 0.99 pence a litre. At present, this extortionate price beats the supermarkets. Even Asda is over a pound per litre now.

Consequently and, since the orange warning light was on, I drove in and filled her up to the value of £46.

I always drive along Grand Parade en route to the leisure centre, so it's not out of my way.

If anyone knows of anywhere cheaper...

The Extraordinary Life Of Sir Norman Wisdom OBE

Having been up for a sixty-length swim last night, I'd been looking forward to watching the first episode in the new series of Grand Designs.

In the event, my enthusiasm waned when the topic turned out to be one of those contemporary, ultra-modern, futuristic subterranean monstrosities places, which had no less than ninety complaints.

Naturally the town-planners rejected them all, swept them aside: neighbours apparently do not exist matter nowadays, local residents have little influence and The Planners prevail. You'd think the applicants would have received the message loud and clear, that people in their street do not want all that mess and upheaval. Are the applicants arrogant and simply don't care about their "neighbours"? It happens all the time now anyway; houses being doubled in size etc whether we like it or not. Let's have a great, big building site beside us, with their skips, lorries, white vans etc blocking the road. That's their attitude.

So instead I watched quite an enjoyable little programme about the former entertainer, Sir Norman Wisdom OBE. As a child, I never missed his films. It was a bit sad to see him in a nursing home at the end of the programme; he seemed happy though.

I did some more research about Sir Norman and his extraordinary life. He's an extraordinary character too, which doesn't surprise me having read about his life.

Open Fire In Living-Room

It was nippy enough this morning to light a fire and, since I got plenty of logs from the barn at Minnowburn, I began the routine: use about six pieces of newspaper, crumpled up tightly; same amount of kindling sticks, placed gently on top of the paper; ignite a match and hey, presto! Unless something is damp, it normally lights immediately.

When it's well lit I place several bits of coal on top; it's a gradual process. Then I add a little log or two. It really is as simple as that. Mind you, I had to empty the ash bucket below the grate on Sunday. I can get five or six fires before having to do that chore. Tesco bags are invaluable for that task.

I bought a twenty-five kilo sack of coal from Tesco recently. It's called Cosyglow and seems very good. I think it cost £6.99, although I see Kingsberry fuels will deliver a fifty kilo sack for £13.