Day 9: Bee Havens, Boot Fair Gold & Sunday Roasts
Tea, Tansy & a Bee Surprise
Up at 8:30am again, right on schedule—kettle on, two cups of tea downed, and a few quiet moments to gather my thoughts before the day kicked off properly. Tansy was up and ready, so we headed out for a solid 1.5 hours of leafleting in the morning sun.
Halfway through our route, I stumbled across a little gem tucked away on Kestrel Drive: a bee sanctuary, buzzing with life and full of wildflowers. A gentle reminder that even in the most unassuming corners of the neighbourhood, someone's putting in the effort to make a difference—for the bees, and for us. It made me smile.
Boot Fair Nostalgia & Roast Prep
Back home in time to feed Tansy her lunch (she's never more than a minute off schedule) and start prepping the roast for later. Meanwhile, my wife returned from a boot fair with what she described as a "genuine treasure": a 1978 Showaddywaddy LP. Apparently, she got the same one for Christmas when she was 10. I admire the nostalgia—though I'm quietly hoping it doesn't make it onto the turntable while I'm in the house...
Flying Friends & Farming Chat
After a quick coffee and a bit of dinner prep, I headed back out for another 2.5 hours of leafleting.
A real highlight was bumping into an old flying friend I hadn't seen for a few years. We stood chatting for a while, reminiscing. I held a private pilot's licence and loved nothing more than heading up into the clouds—a chapter, I look back on fondly.
Had a few more doorstep conversations today too—one in particular stood out: a thoughtful discussion with a local woman about glyphosate, redevelopment proposals, and the slow, worrying erosion of our farming land. These chats remind me why I'm doing all this— it's about voices, stories, and shared concerns.
Roast Dinners & Retro Records
Home just in time to finish off the roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. The house filled with that unmistakable Sunday smell—roast potatoes crisping up, veg steaming, and the faint, slightly terrifying sound of a stylus being lowered onto a 1970s record...
Today's Step Count: 23,005 (18.7km)
Sunshine, conversations, a surprise bee haven—and just enough retro rock'n'roll to keep things interesting.
On to Day 10!
Day 8: Sunshine, Small Wins & a Saturday Night Takeaway
Morning Tea & Tree Triumphs
Up again at 8:30 am—and what a gorgeous start to the day. Usual two cups of tea and a moment or two of quiet scrolling before the real work began. My wife headed off to her Saturday morning yoga around 9:30, leaving me and Tansy to our usual morning walk.
We followed that up with a solid hour of leafleting. Just as I was getting into the rhythm of it, I bumped into a local who asked if I was "the man who complained to SBC about the overhanging trees and bushes in the alley by the cemetery?" I admitted I was—and he beamed: "You did something about it!" I did, as the alley was cleared shortly after I flagged it.
Dog Duties & Saturday Shuffle
Back home for Tansy's lunch (her internal clock is impressively precise) and just in time to swap dog parenting duties—my wife back from yoga, ready to take over the afternoon dog walk.
With the dog fed and the leaflets packed, I loaded up the car for another delivery run—this time a longer one, clocking in at 3.5 hours. But honestly? Couldn't have asked for a better day to be out and about. Blue skies, friendly faces, and a surprising number of people stopping for a quick chat. Always a bonus.
A Rare Takeaway & a Bit of Espionage
By the time I got back, the idea of cooking dinner had lost its usual charm—so we caved in and ordered a takeaway. A rare event in our house, but very welcome when time's in short supply.
Rounded off the evening with a bit of telly—Slow Horses, which has quickly become a favourite. If you haven't watched it yet and you like your spy dramas gritty with a bit of humour, it's well worth a go.
Today's Step Count: 23,833 (19.8km)
A day of small wins, sunshine, and satisfying conversations. There's something lovely about being out in the community on a warm spring day—especially when the trees aren't trying to poke your eyes out anymore.
On to Day 9!
Day 6: Blossom Hunts, Lost Addresses & Lovely People
Morning Routine & the Elusive Addresses of Eden Village
Up at 8:30 am again. Usual two cups of tea to start the day, then emails while Tansy did her morning garden patrol routine.
Took her for a gentle meander through Albany Park—lots of good sniffs and a couple of enthusiastic squirrels.
From there, we headed to Eden Village for a "quick" round of letter deliveries. Seventy-five minutes later... we'd managed just 15. I now have a deep respect for posties and delivery drivers navigating that maze daily. No wonder so many folks have added their road names under their numbers—essential signage if you ask me. There were some absolutely stunning blossom trees in full show-off mode. Couldn't resist snapping a few photos—Mother Nature really does know how to put on a display.
Postal Votes & Blossoming Connections
Gave a quick call to someone I'd spoken to earlier this week—it was a Swale Borough Council issue, but I'd followed up with them to get some answers, so gave him a ring to pass on the info. Felt good to help, even in a small way.
Also discovered one of our postal voters is residing in France. Much as I'd love a quick jaunt across the Channel, time wasn't on my side today—so I splashed out on a couple of stamps. Let's hope it's worth it!
Domestic Duties & the Art of the Grocery Delivery
Back home in time for Tansy's lunch and our weekly food delivery. As the official packer of the household (self-appointed, but widely acknowledged), it's my job to get everything into the fridge, freezer and cupboards with maximum efficiency. My wife would freely admit I do it better—and she's quite happy for it to stay that way.
Afternoon Delivery Dash – With Bonus Sunshine
Headed back out for a solo three-hour delivery run in the afternoon. Weather was glorious, so the shorts made their first appearance of the season.
Had a bit of a challenge trying to get access to Beatrice Lodge Spoke to a lovely lady resident there who had her patio doors open. Explained what I was up to, and she offered to deliver all 50+ letters inside herself. Absolute star.
Today's Step Count: 24,608 (20.1 km!)
A full-on day, but full of small wins, thoughtful chats, and beautiful weather.
If you're out and about this week, keep an eye out for the blossoms—and for me, probably squinting at a house number or two. And if you're that kind lady at Beatrice Lodge—thank you again, you really made my day.
See you on Day 7!
Day 5: Goats, Eggs & Good Conversations
Morning Routine & Goat Day Begins
Up at 8:30 am again today—consistency is key! Took my wife a cup of tea in bed since she's still full of cold and sounding very sniffly. My own day kicked off with the usual two cups of tea with goat's milk, of course. It is goat day, after all!
Eden Village Leafleting
After tea and admin, it was time to head out with Tansy for an hour of leafleting around Eden Village. She enjoys being part of the campaign trail—even if she's mostly just sniffing things and trying to spot cats.
Farm Runs – Goats First, Then Eggs
Back home to feed Tansy, then straight into the weekly farm circuit. First stop: the goat farm. Picked up our milk and had a catch-up with the kids— the baby goats kind. Took the mums the usual carrots and bananas. Next stop: the egg farm. It's always a good feeling supporting these small local farms and knowing exactly where our food is coming from.
Afternoon Drop & Lovely Conversations
After the farm run, it was back out again for two more hours of leaflet deliveries. Had three phone calls in response to the recent drops—really heartening to know people are reading them and reaching out. Popped by Spicers retirement homes on Bell Road with some leaflets, and what a charming little place that is.
Evening Push & Raw Milk Restock
Got back home just as our weekly raw cow milk delivery arrived—sorted and stashed that away, then had a quick bite to eat before heading back out for one last push. Another hour in Eden Village as the sun dipped down.
Today's Step Count: 22,754 (16.7 km!)
Tired legs, but a full heart. It's days like this that remind me why I'm doing this—it's about people, place, and that sense of shared community.
As always, if you see me (or the ever-loyal Tansy) out and about, give us a wave or stop for a chat—unless you're a cat person (just kidding... mostly).
See you on Day 6!
Day 4: Keeping the Momentum Going!
Morning Start & Tea Time
Up at 8:15am today, though my wife was up and out much earlier for the 5:10 am train—early start for her, but not so much for me! The usual routine kicked off with two cups of tea to set me up, and then it was straight into the caffeine for the rest of the day. Coffee is my fuel, no doubt about it!
Leaflet Deliveries & Chatting with Locals
After Tansy's walk (yes, she got her morning toilet run around the park), I grabbed the leaflets and headed out for 1.5 hours of deliveries. Thankfully, no breakages today—phew! Had a few nice chats with people who told me they'd be voting for me, which always boosts the spirits. I'm really feeling the community support on this one.
Back Home for Lunch & More Deliveries
Once we were back home, it was Tansy's lunch break—she probably eats better than we do most days, if I'm honest. After that, it was time for me to head out solo for another 2.5 hours of leafleting. The good news? I got a text from the guy whose light I knocked off yesterday—he'd fixed it! Crisis averted.
Tansy's Grooming Session
The evening brought a bit of excitement for Tansy—grooming time! She's had some unfortunate experiences with local groomers (let's just say she's not the easiest customer), but she's settled in nicely with Holly at Charm Lodge Dog Grooming. Of course, I had to stay and keep her in check because she's a bit of a wild one when it comes to grooming. But, all in all, she's doing well, and it's a huge relief to find a good groomer who can handle her antics.
Evening Walk & The Wife's Cold?
Back home for a quick turnaround, and then out for Tansy's evening walk. My wife's been sniffing and blowing her nose a lot, muttering about whether it's hay fever (which she hasn't had in years) or a cold. Made her a tea and switched the heating up a notch!
That's Day 4 wrapped up! Another productive day on the campaign trail, and things are definitely moving in the right direction. Fingers crossed for even more momentum tomorrow.
As always, if you see me or Tansy out and about, don't hesitate to say hi! And remember, we're always up for a chat—just keep it cat-free!
See you on Day 5!
Day 3: Campaign Trail - One Step Closer!
Morning Start & Tea Time
Up just before 8 am today, and it was the usual routine—two cups of tea and a quick check of emails to start the day. I've got to say, that first cup of tea is essential for getting the brain in gear!
The First Walk & Local Visit
After Tansy's morning toilet walk around the park, I received a call from a local resident who wanted to discuss some concerns. Always happy to help, I popped round to meet him while Tansy waited patiently in the car. He had some valid points regarding the state of his road, so I snapped a few photos and reported the issue to KCC. If I get elected, these are the types of issues I'll be able to push harder for – a little more influence on the local level! I also helped him with a Swale Borough Council matter while I was there.
Campaign Mode: Leaflet Deliveries
After that, it was time for some leafleting. Tansy and I hit the streets again for an hour of delivery. Now, the usual chaos followed—this time involving a minor mishap. As I was standing up from posting a leaflet, I caught a light fixture with my head (the light, not my head, thankfully) and knocked it off the wall! Oops! I quickly popped a note through the door to apologise and asked them to reach out if they needed anything. Fingers crossed they're understanding!
Afternoon Deliveries & Dog Walker Encounter
Back home, it was time for Tansy's lunch. Then, I was off again between 2 and 4 pm to distribute more leaflets while she chilled at home, waiting for her dog walker. Funny moment—on my rounds, I ran into the house owner whose light I had knocked down earlier! They were very understanding and appreciated the note I left. Crisis averted!
Wrapping Up & Feeling Progress
By the time I got home, it was all about sorting letters and planning the next batch of deliveries. Over 7,000 leaflets handed out so far—feeling good about the progress. There's still a lot to do, but it's all coming together!
So, that's Day 3 in the books! Another successful day, and the campaign is definitely gaining momentum. Thanks for reading along—Tansy and I will be back at it tomorrow!
P.S. If you spot me or Tansy on our rounds, feel free to say hi! And remember—if you're in a cat-free zone, we're always happy to chat!
Day 2: The Campaign Trail Continues!
Morning Rude Awakening
So, at 8:30 am, I was rudely kicked out of the bedroom. Apparently, my wife had a big workday ahead and needed her desk to get some serious work done from home. Normally, I'm up around 8:15, but hey, I guess today's an exception. I wasn't too upset about it – I had my two large cups of tea to get the day going!
The First Walk
By 10 am, it was time to take Tansy out for her first walk of the day – just a quick 45-minute toilet walk around Albany Park. A good way to stretch the legs and get Tansy moving before we hit the real campaign trail.
Campaign Mode: Activated
Back home, Tansy got into her official campaign gear – her snazzy new rosette that she proudly wore for her duties. Once she was ready, we hit the streets for a leaflet drop. Now, anyone who's seen Tansy on her walks knows she's got a bit of a... well, "character." For instance, she hates cats – really, it's a full-on rivalry. As we walked past one house, a cat decided to make a surprise appearance from a box outside. Quick reflexes were required – I spun around fast to avoid the potential disaster. Thanks to my quick reaction, I managed to avoid catastrophe. Tansy only caught a quick glimpse of the cat, but danger was averted – phew!
Quick Break
We got back home around noon, and I quickly did a vacuum round to tidy up. While I was at it, I noticed the Five Parishes leaflet box outside our house was looking a bit empty, so I printed a few more to restock it. The folks over at Five Parishes are doing fantastic work, and they really need our support. If you're in a position to donate, it'd be much appreciated – check out their website fiveparishes.org.uk
Afternoon Deliveries
The afternoon was all about leaflets. From 2 pm to 5 pm, I was back out on the campaign trail, delivering as many leaflets as I could. Tansy got a bit of a break and another walk with Rebecca from Bee's Pet Services. A lovely, sunny day meant plenty of people were out washing their cars and gardening, so I got to say hello to a few residents while dropping off leaflets. It's always nice to chat with people and hear their thoughts.
Dinner Time (and Fuel for the Day)
When I got back home, I cooked up a quick dinner for my wife, who was still hard at work upstairs. She didn't leave the house all day, so I figured I'd at least get her a decent meal. After that, I finished up folding my last few leaflets while eating my one big meal of the day – 4 eggs + 2 sausages + cheese + butter = fuel!
Final Walk of the Day
By 7 pm, it was time for Tansy's last walk of the day. I swear, the dog could walk all day and still have energy to spare!
So, that's Day 2 in the bag. Another busy one, but it feels like we're making progress. Just 24 days to go. I'll be back with more updates tomorrow. Thanks for following along!
And, of course, if you spot Tansy on her walks (just try not to get too close if you're a cat lover), don't forget to give her a wave! She's one hardworking pooch!
25 Days to Election Day: The Countdown Begins!
Well, here we are – 25 days to go until Election Day, 1 May 2025! As an independent candidate for the local county elections, the nerves are starting to kick in, but there's also plenty of excitement. My wife (who, to be fair, has all the good ideas) suggested I start a countdown blog/diary to document the journey. So, here goes!
Day 1: The Countdown Starts
Woke up at 8:15 this morning and started the day with my two cups of tea – because, honestly, how else does anyone get through the day? No breakfast for me though, I only eat once a day in the evening. After a quick check of my emails, banking, and the usual news updates, I was ready to crack on.
Then, a message popped up from a concerned constituent about a development on Rock Road. It's a building issue, so it's technically SBC's problem, but I offered my support anyway. That's what it's all about – being there for the community, no matter what.
Morning Walk with Tansy
After that, it was time for Tansy, my four-legged campaign mascot, to get her morning walk. We headed off in Albany Park, then made our way along the High Street, up Highsted Road, and finished in Eden Village. A nice 1 hour 45 minutes out in the fresh air. Tansy's always got my back when it comes to getting my steps in!
Afternoon Hustle
Back home, I quickly weeded the front of my property. The council's due to spray with glyphosate soon, and I'm trying to get ahead of it. Technically, they shouldn't be spraying if there are no weeds, but I've learned that doesn't always stop them. The use of glyphosate is something I feel strongly about – especially when it has such an impact on our pets. If your dog's scratching after the council sprays, that's probably why. It's toxic and harmful to the environment, and I'd love to see a change in how we handle this.
After that, I was in the kitchen preparing tonight's dinner – roast lamb. My wife took Tansy for her second walk of the day around 2 pm, while I popped out to Sainsbury's to do a bit of shopping. I also picked up 1700 letters from my sister and brother-in-law (who were kind enough to stuff them all for me – thanks!) before joining a meeting in Rock Road to offer support to residents dealing with building issues. It's important to stay involved and help out where needed.
Campaign Dog News!
Back at campaign HQ (also known as our living room), my wife got crafty and made a Swale Independents rosette for Tansy to wear in her official capacity as "Campaign Dog." I also received a photo of Coco the dog holding one of my leaflets in her mouth, looking adorable and very much ready to join the campaign. If I could count on the full backing of the canine community, I'd have this election in the bag! (Although, let's be honest, I might need a few more votes from humans...)
Dinner Time & Another Walk
Dinner was served at 6 pm – and my wife gave me 10/10 for the roast potatoes (she claims it's hit and miss sometimes but I beg to disagree!). After that, it was time for Tansy's third walk of the day. I think she's officially the most walked dog in Sittingbourne at this point – no one can beat her!
Tansy is still not exhausted, and will now be on patrol in the garden all evening!
25 Days to Go...
So, that's Day 1 done! Just 25 more days until Election Day. If today's anything to go by, it's going to be a busy month ahead. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to May 1st.
Thanks for reading – and if you see Tansy on her walks, make sure to say hello, just don't try to stroke her! She's one of the hardest-working dogs in Sittingbourne, but also one of the grumpiest!
