I've had a reply from My Shotley! (And you thought I was joking when I said I'd e-mail them)...

"Hi Phil

I wondered when you’d notice! I do apologise for removing the link, which I was asked to do long ago, probably over a year. Someone had mentioned to the local policeman at the time that a local website was carrying some less than complimentary comments about a local shop (sorry can’t remember details). Knowing that I edited MyShotley he came and saw me, I found that the link to your site was the source of the displeasure. It was suggested that I stop linking to it!

But as I was a fan of your blog my reluctance to remove you for long meant that you remained in spirit, as a kind of reminder. Hadn’t since got round to reviewing the situation. So... consider yourself reinstated."

I've been the subject of a police report!! YES!!! This is how Nelson Mandela started. Give it twenty years and I'll have the Nobel Peace Prize.

Although if Shotley Gate Village Store were so unhappy with me mentioning that they don't sell skimmed milk, you'd think they might have e-mailed me before contacting the police. Or possibly rung the local dairy and changed their order. But hey, they're a local shop for local people, and I was spending a lot of my time in Brighton. If only I'd been lactose intolerant, none of this would have happened.