The Soulsbys Blog

Our latest venture - a new shop in the grounds of local tourist attraction, Sausmarez Manor! A last minute call in April, when the previous tenant left, encouraged us to throw caution to the wind and hurl ourselves into it. 2 mad weeks of fitting out and we were just about ready for the off. We are still finishing off and waiting for a pdq machine, but it is looking encouraging. We hope to establish a gallery upstairs in the coming weeks as well. And well done to Alex for her 11+ result - without any help from us!

May 16th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

It hardly seems as if it could be a year ago that my Dad died. As time has passed, I find it easier to forget about the debilitating illness of his last few years, to remember him as he was for most of his life, unfailingly cheerful with a ready wit, always content with what he had, generous and caring.

I know very little about his childhood, he didn’t really speak of it other than a couple of tales which suggested he had the same streak of mischief I recognise in myself and my son. I know it was a big family, and I suspect it was tough, although the whole family were incredibly hard workers.

Life and expectations changed so completely during his 82 years, things that are commonplace and taken for granted now didn’t exist or were only for the super rich when he was born – TV, telephones, cars, air travel and much more – he adapted to all this change without it ever changing him. Back then it was rare for a family to move more than a few streets, now his children live in three different countries! I doubt that growing up he ever expected to enjoy trips to so many parts of Europe, or to spend a month on the far side of the world that was (after his family) probably the greatest experience of his life. Despite his illness, he never forgot that trip to New Zealand.

Dad never wanted more, more, more – he was a great example of someone who knew that happiness comes not from what you want, but from what you have, and he understood that the pleasure of giving always outlasts the pleasure of receiving.

He understood loyalty and dedication to family and friends throughout his life, and stayed with one employer for over 40 years. He helped provide a happy and stable environment to bring up his family and went out of his way to ensure they experienced diverse events from motor shows and test matches to Tutankhamen exhibitions. He took great pleasure in everything they did and achieved in life.

I believe he was a proud father, I was and am proud he was my Dad. He is remembered not just today, but everyday - his legacy lives on in memories, and in the sense of honesty, fairness and justice I try to bring into my life every day. I miss him, still, but I hope he is at peace.

Philip

March 10th, 2010 | Tags: memorial, Sid Soulsby | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Score about 2 out of 5 so far! Weight is coming down nicely, couple of pounds a week and weekly alcohol consumption is down a bit, chocolate consumption down a lot! Have earmarked a modest amount of family time and me time for February together with a trip to a trade show to get some ideas for the next big thing!

January 22nd, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Goodbye and Good Riddance to 2009! Our personal annus horribilus - from the trivial (Newcastle United’s perpetual self destruct) to the tough (hard year to run a retail business) and the tragic (loss of two very special, and much missed people, Dad and Aunty Mary) there has not been a lot to smile about.  There have seemed to be some positive signs in the last quarter so the New Year is time to put last year behind us and look forward with optimism. Newcastle are currently top, business is looking up, and we have been reminded of the need for family time.

I’m hopeless at sticking to resolutions but I’ll make some anyway:-

• Lose Weight, eat less, drink less,  (OK, not original, not likely to do too well at it, but New Year’s Eve saw me tipping the scales at a new record 14 stone 7 lbs in old money, no idea in kilos - definitely time to do something)

• Exercise more (not my favourite activity, but I do need to be a bit fitter)

• Make time for family & friends (spend a bit more time with family, make time to have lunch with old friends - while avoiding conflict with first resolution above, make time to visit family and friends off island)

• Allow a little me time (take time off, use the boat, travel)

• Push the business forward (we have a good platform, time is right to push on now)

That’s probably enough resolutions - let’s see how I’m doing in a month!

Phil

January 3rd, 2010 | Tags: resolutions | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

I have added some more photos to the Picasa page here. There is now a permanent reminder visible from the kitchen window with a Camellia.

September 20th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Well, tempus fugit! The kids are back at school, the nights are drawing in, the temperatures are creeping lower! It all seems to have passed quickly, although the school holiday was an unreasonable 7 weeks and one day long!!! We did get away, centreparcs, sunparks and a bit of a European tour saw us take in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and (fleetingly) Luxembourg. We stopped at Passendale and Ypres, to see the war memorials and graves, still very moving after all this time. A day in Paris, the Louvre, Musee D’Orsay, a certain tower and the Batoux Mouche provided a very full day. Swimming seemed to be the major activity of the holiday with Alex & Dominic enjoying pools and water-slides and wave machines. Dad’s legs have just about recovered.  A couple of weeks of work and the holiday hardly seems to have happened!

Toodle Pip!

Phil

September 14th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Dad died on the evening of 11March, but due to the difficulty in getting the far flung family together, it was only this week we finally got to scatter the ashes. It was a private affair with just immediate family present, as we visited his favourite area at Derwent Resevoir and chose a tranquil area with simply beatiful views.It is a very special place and a fitting location for a very special man.  I’d like to think if he had been able to choose for himself, this is the final resting place he would have chosen.

August 20th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

Its that time of year when the dreaded little books come home to tell of progress during the year. Happily, Alex and Dominic both have glowing reports speaking of progress and effort that is scarcely believable. Well done to both of them. A for effort!

July 15th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment

It is commonplace now to watch an unseemly scrum at checking as people are charged excess baggage often more than the airfare was. We all know it is a money making ruse to catch out the unwary, but have you ever wondered how accurate the scales are? If retailers charge by weight or volume, their measures are subject to scrutiny and are generally checked regularly. Does this apply to airport scales? I think we should be told when they were last checked. If you are in doubt, ask for your bag to be weighed on a different scale. New personal luggage scales seem to be this years boom product - given how much you could save, it might be a wise investment. They will be coming soon to Ecomundi

July 15th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized |  Print This Post |  Email This Post | Leave a comment