Back again

Not the best kept Blog this one I must try and get into the swing of things.  Shops still there and we reckon we have done ok to survive this long.  There have been some worrying times though and progress is still a bit of a hard slog.   Hard work can pay off though,  we have been put forward for the local Retail Business of the year award and are looking forward to a night out at the award ceremony this month.  We are chuffed to bits just to have been nominated and anything else would be a big bonus.  Getting all excited now,  having the shop gives us a new enthusiasm for the run up to Christmas.

Merry Christmas to Everyone

Busy Weekend

A bit behind here I know but what a weekend (Sun 20 March) ,  Kath and I are both shattered.  If your quiet you will probably hear her snoring her head off while she recovers from the weekend activities.  First of all we both have to wish Kath's brother Ray ANDRE and his new wife Eileen a happy and rewarding future. It is obvious to everyone that they both mean a great deal to each other and we are sure they will both be very happy together.
Having said that, Ray had the look of someone who knows he is doing the right thing but  has never quite grasped how he managed to get there. Eileen looked the biz and I have to say Ray is a lucky man which I am sure he realises.  Anyway best wishes to the both of them.

The shops looking good these days,  we have had lots of nice comments from customers old and new.  Its always good to see new faces isn't it?  What with the wedding and two parties to cater for I am quiet shattered watching Kathleen blowing all them balloons up. Because of the wedding we went through the week to stock up on Mothers day and Easter cards,  hope you like what we have chosen.

Some Gift ideas

Sunday morning we were in the shop blowing up more balloons for a customer before trotting off to Tynemouth Market, another lovely day watching the world pass by the stall.

They didn't all pass by this week though, some people liked the goods enough to buy something and we came away fairly happy and gave us the optimism to carry on next week

Market Day

Bridge over the Rail lines.  The Market is on either side of the lines and relies on the train passengers as well as day trippers into the village

Get down to Tynemouth on a Sunday we have just had our second week down there, minding our little stall and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Up at 7:00am for our first day and all excited the stall was set up and we spent the rest of the day chilling out, what a relaxing experience it turned out to be.  I took some pictures of the day which, is what you can see in this post.  As I mention we have actually had two weeks on the market now.  The first week went fairly well for the shop, after all that's why we are here, but the second was a bit dis-heartening.  The more regular traders (some have being going for over 10 years) put the poor trade, down to the current refurbishment of the rail system which is currently underway.  Still enjoyed the time spent there though.  Quite a few comings and goings but no one putting there hands into their pockets.  Still there is always next week

Busker at the Station

His collection looked a bit thin when I passed,  he was obviously having a bad day like the rest of the traders. I was quite impressed with the vocals though.

 

Tynemouth Station was built around 1882 and is now a Grade 2 Listed Building. The architecture of is something to be admired and should be quite spectacular once it has been restored. 

Starting out

Fast forward to today.  The cold weather at the end of last year and the economic situation set us off on a bad start to getting people through the door and has given us a few sleepless nights.  But we have had some really nice comments and feedback from those who ventured through the door.  Ever optimistic we have made the decision to branch out and develop our little empire....we are going to market. (Lifes just full of experiences isnt it?).We have an excellent village next door to North Shields, Tynemouth, and every Saturday and Sunday, the Metro Station has an undercover market which is very popular with locals and tourists alike. Tynemouth station is an old victorian Railway Station with lots of character but in need of some TLC and restoration work,which is it seems is about to take place in the not too distant future.  Anyone who likes to rummage and pick up a bargain calls in, its a pleasurable experience and together with a wander around the village and down to the sea front, one not to be missed if your in the area. 

Hi All from Wishing Well Cards

Hi and welcome to my first attempt at writing a Blog.  This is or is intended to be a bit of an information sheet about the goings on at the shop we have set up called Wishing Well Cards and Gifts Ltd and our experiences in getting it up and running.  Perhaps when I have got the hang of this there might even be some pictures.
We are in the town of North Shields up in the North of England.  When I was a bairn we lived in the county of Northumberland but some bureaucrats decided to change the country around  and created the ridiculous name of Tyne and Wear.  For me and many others we are Northumbrians and always will be.North Shields is historically known for its links to fishing and ship building/ repair.  Both industries have been in decline for some time now along with another prominent industry in the area - coal mining, which has all but disappeared.  We can still claim to have a ship repair industry although much depleted and the area has used its skills in engineering to diversify into the offshore industry and  other areas.Still North Shields struggles on and many a happy day can be spent taking a stroll down to the fish quay for some of the best fish and chips anywhere and along to Tynemouth Priory.