Sunday 5th July 2026 - Renewals, Gall Mite, Gatekeeper, Swift and Sheet Piling

I was surprised, when I was contacted by the company who provide me with a virus checker to be told next year’s subscription was increasing by four times more than last year.  At this price, I decided, no they are not going to renew my subscription.  I removed the auto renew from my account, after which they came back and halved the cost.  They’ve got to be having a laugh and no I’m still not going to renew.  Since then, I’ve spoken with our eldest son who has given me a recommendation which I am going to go with, nearer to when my current subscription runs out. 

Following this our broadband and phones contract came up for renewal, with needless to say a hike in our monthly payments.  Peter did some research, after which he phoned our provider and as from the beginning of the new contract we will be paying less than we are currently.  Now, that’s a result.  Peter asked, what are we going to spend the money, we will be saving, on.  No problem answering this – more plants!

These two instances show, when subscriptions and contracts increase, it pays not to just pay up without first negotiating or looking for another provider.

Mentioning plants, I’ve been removing the some of the fuchsias from a flower border.  Suffering from gall mite for the third consecutive year, I decided they have to go.  I’m gradually replacing them with my car boot purchases.  The small orange and brown gatekeeper butterflies are appearing.  The first I saw this year was on Friday in the back of our car.  Fortunately, it was quickly convinced to fly out, while the car was still stationary on our drive.  Later there was one in our back garden which I suppose may have been the same one.  They’re often seen in hedge rows on the blackberry blooms   I am pleased to see the numbers of swifts have increased.  With not many arriving this year, recently numbers have increased, this must mean they’ve had a good breeding season.  As they dip and dive in the skies so fast, it’s impossible to count them but I estimated there were about fifteen yesterday, at the top of Cliff Road.

During the week, sheet piles have been arriving, and stacked on the area adjacent to the beach huts, at the east end of the promenade.  These will be used to repair the sea wall.  Looking at the Parish Council minutes, the first area for repairs will be at the east end.  The rest will wait until later in the year so that Andy can launch his boat, Jayne Marie, and continue hauling crabs and lobsters, until the end of the season.  Today’s photo was taken this morning, showing the stacks of sheet piles.