Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

I think the tench in the pond aren't helping!
My sister gave me 3 golden tench assuring me they were pretty and would help eat the algae - I think I was gullible! Since then I've only seen them when we cleaned the pond (2 years ago) when we found they'd bred and we now have at least seven!
Never get baby goldfish despite having at least eight but have seen what I fear are four baby tench [despair] about an inch long.
Any fishermen/women in the kitchen? The largest one is about foot long!

My wildlife pond is like pea soup. Barley straw takes a while to work, especially as it is still quite cool.

Charleygirl I hasten to add that I've cleaned the windows regularly during the 19 years, and he needed a lie-down afterwards

AlieO is constantly in my thoughts too, so sad.

On a different note my pond resembles pea soup, I've never seen it so bad. Nothing's been done to it, so am flummoxed Has anyone got any tips that might help? Straw bundle isn't working.

Yummy cake crafting, definitely need more tea too-the wacky Tintagel party last night has left me jaded......

Alie, with you in spirit - so sorry it can't be more than that.

Mishap Pop the corks and celebrate! Welcome to the world Thomas Bernard. Delightful news. Well worth the wee wait.

Going to Oxford today but I may drop in later.....feeling a little better today but here are so many things to sort out......

Bogoff The cake (what's left of it) is in the old fashioned cake tin. The one with a pastoral scene on the lid.

Good morning dear Kitcheners It is a special treat (for me) to pop in and smell the coffee and freshly made toast. Heather honey...yes please.

Bellanonna You have a way with words. I can share the bluebells, primroses, and smell the wild garlic. Birdsong is indeed utterly bewitching when one is out for a stroll on a sunny day. The blackbird has a song that stops me in my tracks.

No sunshine hereabouts. It's piddling with rain. I shall therefore open my paints, prepare my brushes and continue a portrait of a handsome rescue dog.

AlieO is very much in my thoughts.

Got coffee in hand, now who's got that fruit cake that Crafting bought ?

Need a tea transfusion. I'll just put the kettle on and some toast in the toaster. I still have some heather honey left in the jar.

Oh I am just about ready for another coffee, morning all.

Coffee pot on again, Good morning folks.

Twice in 19 years- wow, did you go to have a lie down when he said he was going to clean the windows? He definitely must have a rest- we cannot overstretch the poor man- I really am impressed, twice in 19 years.

It has rained all evening but I managed to bring in my washing. Rain is also forecast tomorrow but we should have sunshine in the afternoon in the SE.

Oddly enough, loopy, there is a full moon tonight! Useful illumination for a certain party some of us are about to attend. All welcome.

Charleygirl I fear he must have had a brainstorm - that's only the second time he's done it in the 19 years we've lived here !
Not really sure what got into him, it isn't a full moon is it?
If he gets the urge again I'll send him your way, it may be a long wait though

Bucketing down here, you're welcome to have it!

Soop. What a lovely comment - be extra nice to each other.
The royal names are lovely. I too named my second daughter Charlotte Elizabeth 42 years ago.
Just back from another bluebell foray. Huge carpets of them interspersed with patches of stitchwort. No wild garlic at this particular place. Lots of primroses on the banks and lots of birdsong, mostly chaffinch, blackbird and song thrush. A wonderful medley.
Thoughts still with AlieOxon. I know I don't know you but I feel for you deeply.
Thank you to everyone else who welcomed me! X

Apparently rhe rain is coming in this diorection tomorrow so I have not bothered to water the hanging baskets.

looplou do you think that your husband would be kind enough to clean the windows here? He will be well looked after and Tara will love him. The grass is fine and gets cut this Friday, weather permitting.

Lucky you Charleygirl! Not seen much sun today and now it's flippin' raining (not surprised, DH cleaned the windows and mowed the lawns!)

Oh AlliO- I am so so sorry to hear this- how tragic and sad. Parents should never have the terrible pain of losing their chidren, at any age.
Just don't know what to say, but my heart goes out to you.

soop we do try to be kind to each other on this thread, using humour where possible. It is some of the other threads which I think have turned so personal, spiteful and downright nasty.

One should be allowed to vote for whoever we like without an explanation as to why we chose that person/party. That is my total contribution to politics- I am backing off!

It has been a lovely day in NW London- Tara and I sunbathed outside for a while- she has retired to bed having had an exhausting day.

AlieO I was out all morning doing my pal's ironing. It's a beautiful, sunny day in bonnie Kintyre but having heard your sad news, I have come down to earth with an almighty thud.
Safe travels tomorrow, AlieO. It's right that you spend time with family at this time.
A virtual armful of spring from me to you.

I like the name Alice. MacSporran chose Charlotte.

I'm afraid that the wind has gone out of my sails. It's best that I log off for the day. I shall return in the morning. Be extra kind to each other. Bye for now.

Grandson, Charley - sorry if I wasn't clear.
soop I was beginning to wonder where you were!

Thanks for all sympathies, and hugs, folks. I am going to Oxford tomorrow to spend a little time with family.
Maybe spring will com back to me sometime......

I hope that she is known as Charlotte and not eg Lottie.

My heart goes out to Alie her daughter's partner and 14 year old granddaughter.

Bella I do hope that your DH is beginning to feel better. Your grandchild will keep you on your toes but I do appreciate that you need some rest. At least the house is being cleaned, one load off your mind.

My choices were so unmemorable I've forgotten them!
Definitely a genius annodomini, for you

Wish I had put a bet on that combination of names. Yesterday I made a list of possibles and came up with exactly those ones in that order. A genius or what? I'm so pleased that they used Diana as one of the names.