Soop's Kitchen Extension

Happy Birthday Anno. Sorry I missed your toast yesterday.

It is my DGD's 13th birthday today so we are off to a Pizza place for tea. Her Father has arranged to run a disco for her at the weekend and my daughter is a little upset that she isn't allowed to take part. It's a bad time for my daughter; so sad he found someone new. I wish she could too.

Apologies for the miseries, put it down to my cold. Hopefully it is past the 'germy' stage or I shall be in trouble for sharing it around.

Anno Happy Birthday!Come on in and we'll make you breakfast!

Good morning gracesmum - I've got some nice Welsh farm bacon. I won't offer you any laverbread though as it is one of those things you have to grow up with.
Rory can have the rinds.

Oops rose not red

Just Rory and me and the bacon butties then? Are you all sleeping off anno 's bottle of red I wonder . Many happy returns anno and "bon courage" to all for the day ahead. Better get the coffee on,Rory, they'll be wanting it soon.

Jess.... still hoping too! Sister's move seems to have stalled, like all moves.
There's a horrible obvious joke about being Welsh and practising a version of Tai Chi!
Ariadne sorry to hear about the knee, here's a warm blanket for your knee Soop says Rory is happy to share, Agus has a 'wee swally' for you

Got a nice bottle of Argentian Malbec Rosé, so please join me in a glass - I'll be a year older tomorrow, but am not, as you will understand, in a celebratory mood. Just raise a glass to our absent friend and keep hopes going.

Elderflower Cordial is also good for coughs. 4yr old GD who is staying tonight has a bit of a cough. May just try the sloe gin remedy. Certainly help her sleep

sloe gin ariadne its great for coughs - not sure whether it works on knees though
when thank you. Second laugh of the day. The first was the swans (see above).

I've just run what my DDs and I call a 'Cleopatra' bath. Half a bag of Dead Sea salts from Holland and Barrett plus half a pint of milk mixed into the bath water. Soak for 20 mins. Very good to soften skin and sooo relaxing. Taking a glass of chilled Pinot to sip so I will leave the rest of the bottle plus another couple for anyone in need of a wee swally. (Theseus can translate for you Ariadne). . Slainte

when

Please can I have a drink? Morning at eye clinic with Theseus (all OK) afternoon arranging next stage with the knee, which has deteriorated to the point where I can only just walk.

So - what can a poor old girl have to revive her? I'm sure you lot can think of something. Pleeeeaaase!

I've spent most of today with grandchildren - a good distraction. Five year old asked me if he can marry a nana, but before I could explain, twin brother said 'well, I'm marrying mum!' 'That's up to you' commented his brother 'but you're gonna have to kiss her and stroke her hair!' 'OK, I'll marry Nell (dog), I like kissing her!'

Just popped in to check all was well in the kitchen. I've been with DGD2 most of the day until DGD1 came home. Daughter had hospital appointment and scans. All ok, we think. Good to have these girls to keep me busy - difficult time for us all. for everyone

OGM I still live in hopes of having lunch with you on The Island.
Oh its the kind of DIY Tai Chi that Chinese people of a certain age do in public spaces in the morning. Gocha.

I don't know where you live baubles but we used excellent kennels in Sanquhar, Dumfrieshire. Bit of a journey for us but, we were very fussy when our dogs had to go into kennels and I can highly recommend these. I'll dig out the name and address if this is of any interest to you.

DGDs staying with us tonight, now tucked up in bed and Granny in need of a wee glass of something.

Lovely conversation in here, need a distraction and a huge glass of wine.

Jess that old 'hiraeth' again. I am a tide watcher and when my sister gets to her caravan, the first question I ask is.... Is the tide in? Soon I shall be the only sister NOT on the island!
The Tai Chi is a joke! We do it in a friends large room, sadly there is only enough room for an adapted version, done sitting down or standing which is just as well as in a large room I tend to get over-enthusiastic (not done in Tai Chi!) and end up out of the door!
Tegan watched the Tidal Bay race on 'telly..... I thought Sam TD gave a peach of a ride (another member of his fan club!) No. 2 son was miffed with Kim Bailey tho' as he had seen the interview earlier!
graces my sister has a poodle/ cocker cross, she is a little minx!

gracesmum sounds a good choice. DS1 acquired the female version of Hercules Morse and DS2 actually does own HM according to various small children I've encountered when out with said pooch.
What is the name though, for a lurcher/poodle cross ? a Lurchadoodle?

Sounds like the dog of my dreams; I was wondering when there would be some poodle/sighthound crosses appearing.D'you know what sort of lurcher cross he is?

On the subject of dogs....I met my new "grand-dog" today" middle DD and BF having bought a house in London (a month ago after the most protracted and fraught house purchase ever,) finally moved in this weekend and went to collect their puppy today! A baby substitute if there ever was one, but that's fine as they are not ready for babies yet. He's called Basil , a miniature poodle/lurcher cross and is a total sweetie! If you know Hairy McLairy from Donaldson's dairy you'll get a rough idea. He's just 12 weeks old and amazingly calm and good. Poor Grace had to be shut in the garden as she is not good with other dogs, especially whipppersnappers in her kitchen investigating her dinner bowl!
We are lending a stairgate, puppy crate, loads of old towels and a big carrier bag of newspapers for the first nights!

Today has been strange - news? or not? Let's see what tomorrow brings.

JessM Well, the Staffie bitch story has a happy ending. It made me smile. We need a few smiles. I shall log off for tonight. Tomorrow is a new day. I shall be back to share time with all of you. Try to sleep tight.

Respect ogm Tai Chi is hard. Funny old atmosphere on this 'yer forum today, for obvious reasons.
There are a lot of tempting independent bakeries in this corner of the corner of the country. Have to steer past but today, please do try these very fine buttery eccles cakes. Pretty darn good aren't they?
Also, surprisingly, a posh chocolatiere has opened up around the corner. Want to try a bit of the fancy banoffee flavoured wares that my friend bought me.
(OGM you will be as surprised as I was!)
And specially for you OGM.... I timed my daily walk to coincide with the high spring tide at 10.47. There is something invigorating about a really high tide I think. Got to the "belgian promenade" to find it flooded so walked along the wall (about 300 metres), hoping not to meet anyone else walking along the top of the wall. (I was lucky)
One pair of swans, with wings raised in threat, was chasing off a younger pair - this is prime swan feeding territory. I had never seen swans swim with full power before as the youngsters fled. They were like Olympic canoeists the way those feet were paddling!
Then on church island I spotted a terrified and obviously lost Staffie bitch on Church Island. Suspect she was spooked by last night's fireworks and the last straw was a man strimming the sides of the paths. Walked back along the wall and phoned the council. As i was reporting her presence to the council dog control office they were taking a call from the owner. Result!

Tegan ((hugs))

Rory's daughter [one of many] was waiting on top of the smart kennel in which Rory used to reside. She waits for me to spot her, after which, she jumps down and lurks under the hydrangea bush. I place a plate of food on the roof of the kennel. The moment I close the kitchen door, she leaps on to the roof and enjoys her supper. She is a sweet, wee cat.

We went to Wetherby on Saturday; the atmosphere when Tidal Bay won was wonderful and the warmth of feeling from the crowd for Sam TD was lovely [is there anyone anywhere that doesn't love the lad?]. And great to see Kim Bailey win a big race [although annoyed with myself for not backing Wayward Prince who came 2nd at 50/1; I followed the horse all last year]. Darn it; wish I could get to Wincanton. We reckoned the racing at Wetherby was as good as anything at Cheltenham [and at a fraction of the cost as well]. PN and Mr Hales were running a couple of gorgeous Dom Alco's. Evere since Nipper won the Grand National they're been buying up all the good Dom Alco's they can. Oh to have that sort of money .