Soop's Extended Extension.

Knock, knock, can I come in? I've been feeling a bit "out" of things recently. Too much argy bargy on some threads and whingeing on others! Plus just a bit down at times- that nearly black dog that makes you wonder if this is all there is. However being self centred never solved anything and realising others have real sorrows in their lives has given me an overdue kick up the wotsit. So to all who need them and if I may I'll just hunker down in a corner until I feel up to making the coffee contributing to the craic.

Shove up Soutra I'm joining you. What is there to eat? Oh no, I can't, it's a 5:2 day. [hrrmph emoticon]
I am half listening to a play on Radio 4 about a hypothetical conversation with John Betjeman. His character has just said 'if I come back, reincarnated, I want to come back as a lady's bicycle seat'

Well Soutra and Gally I hope it's alright if I just open up Soop's paino and play some gentle background music whilst you both sit awhile? I've put a tea bread and some best butter (my Mum's description) on the table so help yourselves and a nice cup of tea whilst I serenade the pair of you! I'm sure soop won't mind.

Piano even ( don't know where paino came from!)

This is very civilised (unlike other places) OK if I watch a wee bit of curling too?

Soutra darling girl. I'm about to make you a pot of tea and I shall butter a crumpet for you, too. Never feel "shut off" when you can meet with so many good-natured Granspals here in the kitchen.

kitty You're right. One son lives in the heart of Leicester and the middle son lives in the neighbouring county of Rutland. And, YES when we're all together for a bit of a do, there is a bit of a din.

Gally and Dusty Today should be one of my 5.2 days. However, MacSporran invited me to have lunch and a glass of bubbly at the Royal in Campbeltown. A lovely treat. Just this minute returned to a grumpy black cat who demanded food before we unloaded the weekly shop.

Agus It takes us about an hour to drive to Lochgilphead. When we were "rich" I used to have my hair dressed on Fridays...OAP prices. Have since managed to do my own hair, 'though I do visit the hair salon on rare occasions, such as when we're going to meet up with family.

Chaleygirl Oh how I wish that I could ask you to Rory sit on the rare occasions when we go away for a very short spell. It really is a great worry for us. We have a good friend who calls in twice daily and sits awhile with Rory. We still fret over him, and daft as it may be, we long to return home to him. He would be terribly unhappy in a cattery. MacSporran won't even consider the option.

Now for a really SPECIAL item of news. Are you comfortable? Then I shall begin

At teatime yesterday, MacSporran was emptying bits and pieces from the bottom of the vegetable tray. He shouted..."you'll never believe this..." he bounced into the room and flashed his wedding ring which was back where it belongs, on his finger. Remember, he thought that he had thrown it away with a paper towel when he washed his hands at Oban hospital. He was overjoyed to find it all these weeks later.

It is icy cold outside. The wind in Campbeltown almost blew me off my feet. I'm making a and will return to watch the ice skating programme on television. Wow! I would love to be able to skate. It must be an amazing experience.

PS I being really silly now but how lovely if this was for real !! How far is Kintyre??

Gaga Would you please play 'Funny Valentine' and 'As Time Goes By'. I shall enjoy listening to your pianso playing as I watch the ice skating.

Soutra We're a three and a half drive from the outskirts of Glasgow. I would love to have open house for you lot...cannot think of anything more uplifting.

That is wonderful news and just in time for Valentine's Day too

Soutra I missed out hour drive from Glasgow. A very long way on the very edge of the west coast of Scotland.

Finding the ring on Valentine's Day. Sopo romantic. (heart)

Oh well done MacSporran - isn't it funny how lost rings gravitate to vegetables? My Mum's lost wedding ring was found in a potato from the veg patch. What a lovely thing to find on a bleak and wet day!

Tinkling away for you Soop - just background gentle stuff. It's lovely being able to do that in your warm and cosy kitchen. Thank you.

I feel safer putting Tara in a cattery because she would not like to spend even a night here on her own even if a neighbour fed her etc. She would scratch furniture.

When I broke my ankle and was in hsopital etc. Tara was in a cattery for 6 weeks. From the expression on her little face when she came home, she thought that she would never come back here again. Poor little mite did not understand.

She was away for 2 weeks when I had my knee replaced last year so she does not like me to be away for long now or she gets anxious.

Thrilled to bits to hear that MacSporran has found his wedding ring, and just in time for Valentine`s Day too!

Charleygirl ...and apart from the worry re Rory, we also have thoughts of Tortoiseshell cat niggling away. Our friend will put food out for her but she comes and goes as she sees fit. If the weather is bad, the food can be placed just under the wee chalet shelter. The robin is partial to cat food if she isn't on the spot to eat it. We always said that we would not have any more pets. We needlessly worry about their welfare but it's in our nature to fret and fuss and all that nonsense.

Tortoiseshell came to the wire fence late yesterday afternoon. She stood one side and Rory sat on the other side. Tortoiseshell was rubbing her head along the wire and the fence post. She came through the gap and they stood inches apart. Rory then sat on his backside and Tortoiseshell did a lot of nudging close and scampering away. He's a real softie. MacSporran and I stood by the window and loved seeing them behave in such a sweet manner.

Thanks, Gaga...back to the ice skating!

Wonderful news about your ring soop, for you and MacSporran to toast each other this evening.

That's happy news, soop. Good to see the wedding ring has re-appeared.

soop delighted to hear the lost wedding ring has turned up!

I meant his ring of course.

Yes, that was excellent news, especially today.

My 12 year old Tortie will be going to the Cattery for the summer months while DH & I are off on our Grande Tour. I've mixed feelings about leaving her but the one I use advertises itself as 'a country club for cats' and I know she will be very well looked after.

DD & DS are both very allergic to her so they can't have her in their homes.

Anyhoo hello all, it's nice to see you. I'm getting close to my retirement date so I've reduced my hours & now have Friday afternoons off. One of the things I'm looking forward to is being able to pop in here more often.

If you make it as far as The George in Inverary Soutra let us know

Now that is a thought! We need to do a tour of the rellies when the weather is better-maybe in May which will involve at least Edinburgh, the Borders and the Ayrshire coast (Girvan and Turnberry.)

Soutra From here it would take me about four and half hours to get to Edinburgh. If you reach Edinburgh, you could meet with a few Granspals. Living as we do on a peninsula, I prefer to stay with the west coast.

baubles It really is a treat to know that you'll be calling by more often. A country club for cats sounds very upmarket. Even so, apart from the short time that Rory has lived with us, the only life that he has known, has been lived in the wild.

Thank you for all the kind remarks made on finding the lost ring. Funny thing is, I was wondering whether to suggest buying a replacement on Valentine's day.

It is a fabulous day here in bonnie Kintyre. Snow capped mountains...a very choppy sea...almost clear blue sky. Such a shame that the wind is bitterly cold and blowing a gale. Keep safe and warm.