What I did today.

Last big job in the new house now done! The bathroom (nice white suite etc.) was half tiled (floor included) in large, lilac / pink ceramic tiles, with a flowery border. It's now white, with a creamy stone mosaic border, and a floor covering to tone in. Love it, love it!

Just "stuff" to sort out now. You know, all the bits and pieces which you really don't know what to do with. Or with which you don't know what to do. The loft calls....

Was that Rust and Bone isthis? Very good reviews and possible Oscar nominations; plan to see it in the next couple of weeks.

Spent Sat a/noon keeping our lovely church, started in 880 AD, open for visitors. People came in from France, Russia and NW Scotland! Plus a couple who were married in the church 35 years ago. I was busy making teas and coffees. Our organist (who has been organist at the church for an amazing 52 years!) dropped by and gave a short, impromptu recital which went down well.
A very happy, undemanding afternoon.
Off to see a modern production of Medea this evening, saw 'Tis Pity She's a Whore earlier in the week. Very good production indeed. Saw a French film yesterday afternoon about a trainer of Orcas who loses both her legs in an accident at work, then starts a very intense relationship with a prizefighter. Much passionate sex and violence follows.
The life of a retiree!

That's my M&S too. I feel embarrassed parking the scruffiest Yaris in Cheshire in the car park among the 4x4s and Beemers. Not sure how posh the stock is, but I'm invariably tempted by the good range of cashmeres.
NellieM, a few months ago I also went for a Biobank review. I was pleased to find that they now had their own HQ in Stockport so that I didn't have to trek in to the Manchester Science Park. It's an impressive project, isn't it?

NellieM that's my local M&S ad I can tell you we're all terribly posh!

Just opened the thread - I am so sorry to hear your news, Soop.
I hope things look better for everyone in the morning.

My daughter is very happy in spite of her broken ankle. She nominated a friend who works voluntarily at Riding for the Disabled six days a week, in a national 'Local Heroes' contest. The friend won, and will receive over $2,500 for a holiday and spending money. She had been feeling a bit unappreciated by the committee, so she is very happy.

I went to an appointment with UK Biobank, a long term health reasearch project aimed at a 500.000 person cohort study of those between 45 and 69.
Its a study into role of nature and nurture in health and disease. I first contributed a few years ago. Today I did all sorts of stuff. Hearing tests, heart rate and activity, lung function. I gave blood, saliva and pee and had a free butty and a cup of tea when I finished.

On the way I called in at a big M&S at Handforth Dean. Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Cheadle way.Very posh too it is up there. It is quite funny as I immediately noticed the very well dressed obviously well heeled women.

My usual branch is in The Potteries or Crewe. How the other half live eh!

Been clothes shopping at the Metro centre. I really enjoyed it because the clothes weren't for me, I bought them as presents for GDs. A happy find was Zara kids, spent a fortune in there. Shame on M&S for not having any tights in the sizes I wanted, back to online shopping.

Trekked somewhat across Scotland to meet up with DD2, who was trekking towards us from the other side . Tired now but in a nice way.

Mamie - Same weather here - lovely - but no rock heaving.

Overslept this morning and was slow to get going; still enjoying the memory of last night's ballet - Matthew Bourne's new version of The Sleeping Beauty. Wonderful choreography that told the story with great dramatic effect; great dancing, characterisation...oh, just everything!
Made it to the gym this afternoon and am now in recovery.

What a glorious, sunny day, with blue sky and fabulous autumn colours in the garden and up the field. Warm enough to be out in a t shirt, enough breeze to dry the washing and I even managed to enjoy digging and heaving rocks around. Can't be many more of those to come.

Thanks jings I think so.

I mean the Kahil Gibran thing.

That's really nice soop.

Bless you, number.

Marelli, so sorry to hear your sad news I hope that she isn`t deprived of her husband`s company when the time comes, and best wishes to him as well when his operation comes around.

Went for my first Senior Swim centre at the new Sports Centre about 2 mins bike ride from my house!

Only three of us there but it was a clean enjoyable swim (with a life-guard watching over us) as a cost of £3. Loved it an will do it again. I'll make Friday a regular routine first, then see if I want to add extra day a week.

We all said what an odd time 9am-10am is for a Senior Swim session. Here bus passes don't apply until 9.30am. Doesn't apply to me as I cycle but could/will affect other bus pass users. We mentioned it, but it's too late to change their programme.

Hello again, we had an in-depth chat with our friends who own the orchard plot. We've a list of practical ways in which to tackle the project and hopefully manage it within budget. On our return, we had an email waiting from the firm who had given us such a disappointing/confusing final estimate. It's not difficult to accept that an additional £10,000 was justified. As for the extra £20,000+ this figure remains a mystery.

.....*soop*, that's so appropriate . Enjoy the time with your pals in 'the orchard plot' today - there's always a way through....

That's so true soop, beautiful words.
I'm glad to hear that you and Mr soop are feeling chirpier and ready to face the challenge!

After yesterday's "blip" Mr soop and I are beginning to rally...thanks in the main to you lot. We're off to see friends at the orchard plot for a . I shall be back later to catch up with all the news. In the meantime, I've selected an appropriate passage which sums up my feelings for my dearest GN pals...

'And in the sweetness of friendship
let there be laughter.
and sharing of pleasures.
for in the dew of little things
the heart finds its morning
and is refreshed.' Kahil Gibran 1883 - 1931

Marelli it is very sad and one feels helpless in these circumstances.

Marelli my heart goes out to you.

celebgran - isn't that so very true! As I sit here (cereal dish, empty mug by my side as is usual for this time of the morning!) I can see from my window the now bare oak tree - and all over it, with the low sunlight catching them, are perched a flock of collared doves.