HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Strange though it may sound this will be the last blog until the New Year. We will be closed from Christmas Eve and we will reopen again on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012.

Friday night saw us partying!! We had our Christmas bash and a good time was had by one and all. Some were still going strong in the early hours!!!!We are sending parcels out on express carriage, so are still wrapping and packing. The couriers are very busy but we are hopeful they will arrive well before Christmas. On the spares side we are up to date sending parts out as they come in, assuming we have them in stock.

Last Saturday we had the sheep scanned to see if they are in lamb, and how many each one is expecting. Knowing this enables us to ensure that each ewe gets the amount of food they need, particularly in the later stages. Talking of new arrivals, Maureen has become a Great Grandma and is expecting another Great Grandchild any day.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year from all of us at Adventure Toys. Until next year, take care, Julie.

TWELVE SLEEPS LEFT

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Our Christmas party is booked and we are fending off colds with satsumas, anything to keep our vitamin C levels up!!! I thought I'd read somewhere that chocolate has the same properties, or is that wishful thinking!! I did have plans to share a friendship recipe with you, being the season of goodwill and sharing. The idea of a group of friends feeding a base culture,sharing the mix and then making a cake really appealed at this time of year. Spot the fatal flaw in my plan!!! How do I get a starter culture??and how do I get it out to you all??

Last week our boss headed south to Milton Keynes for a meeting with the European Managing Director of Little Tikes. They had an opportunity to see prototypes for new toys in the development stage, as well as those that will be on the shelves come the Spring. They came back quite excited. There are some fantastic products coming through as well as the old familiar ones, so watch this space. We will try and tell you about them as they come through.

BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

Saturday dawned, there was no snow and the forecast was not too terrible, so no reason to not to go to Northallerton for market day.

Bright eyed, Lou arrived on the market inspectors doorstep at 7.50am to see if we could have a stall for the day. Rumour had it that if you were there for 8.00 you stood a good chance of getting a pitch. We were third in line, but feeling hopeful. By 8.30 we had been allocated a plot, which was just outside Boys, sandwiched between picture frames and hoovers. Lou, Maureen, Neil, Tom and I sprang into action. We had the gazebo assembled, carpet laid (to protect the toys from being scratched, nothing to do with keeping us warm!) Toys were unloaded out of the van arranged and ready for customers before you could blink. Maureen and Tom departed for breakfast, Neil had some sheep to see, leaving Lou and I to brave the elements.

We were ready to face anything, armed with coffee in one hand and a mince pie in the other. As I have always been told, an army marches on its stomach!! (which is probably why I'm not five foot nine and a size zero).We had brought an assortment of toys, the Little Tikes Mobile was built and was catching peoples eye. One little boy was in the car, safety belt on and being pushed down the high street with his bottle safely tucked away in the bonnet before we could pocket his money. The dolls house was also drawing admiring looks. Every time it rained we ushered people in to keep dry. No, no similarity to a Venus fly trap!! We met some lovely people, some who were local, some who had moved to the area recently, and many who had just come through for the day.

Time flew by and before long it was 4.30pm. We had had gusts of wind, showers, sunshine and several laughs. We had introduced ourselves to the local inhabitants and reminded them that we were just down the road and had they visited the shop? When asked if we would be there next week we were suitably non committal. Our knight in shining armour came to help us pack up as the cold was beginning to set in. All in all a good day!! Julie