SOOP's kindly Kitcheners.

This is madness. I cannot find my way to add a photograph to my album. Heck! What am I doing wrong?

pompa what do you recommend?

I'm about to add a photo of me standing in front of the mighty gunnera that is taking over what we call the "wet garden". The leaves are gigantic *MacSporran will measure one later.

Dear janer I do hope that your trials and tribulations quickly resolve, you must long for a period of tranquility
And, as soop says, look after yourself. Backache is a real bummer isn't it?

My sympathies POGS to your DH, bamboo can be the work of the devil to destroy. I set fire to ours then as it regrew sprayed it with roundup/Resolve until it succumbed. It took several times over the season to kill it but it worked.
I can imagine your DH's language, mine even took a pick axe to it after wrecking two garden forks and a shovel.

Pampas grass always benefits from just the burning bit, usually goes up like a rocket!

Hubby sends MacSporran his sympathy soop, re 'blitzing the jungle'.

He has been trying to dig out 4 clumps of bamboo growing in our daughters garden. 2 bent forks later he has given up.

Does anybody know apart from a jackhammer or a grenade how to get rid of the blasted stuff. Does setting fire to it once cut down work or give it new life?

Pompa, are you there?

Hello to my lovely Kitcheners...

bags dear pal, I haven't sampled a MiniMagnum. The very notion of keeping a stock in the freezer would, for me, be a BAD one. I do not possess a cast-iron will (as do you!)

janer You certainly have had a great deal of stress to deal with recently. I know very well how bloody awful depression is for not only the sufferer but for those family members who want to be supportive.

Thank goodness your daughter has at last sought the medical help that she urgently needs. Please keep us updated.

As for your friend's "stylish" headgear...I hope that he continues to take better care of himself. There is a heat-wave heading this way.

And you, dear janer need to look after yourself. That back of yours is going to need a good, long rest. The garden will have to wait.

Nellie Your grandson knows how to pull your strings. Crafty little tyke.

Lona Hoorah for you and your happy family gathering. I can sense your contentment.

JaneRowena My DGS keeps telling me that his Grandma, who lives very near to him, (I'm Nanan) has mini magnums in her freezer. I am quite sure he is dropping hints at me. He is crafty subtle enough.

I am sorry about the stress you must be getting from worrying about your family's health.

Mini magnums... work of the devil! I have had to wean myself off them. It was hard, very hard. I'm sure there ought to be an organisation to help me somewhere. MMA.

I have kept off here for a bit, life has been a bit fraught. DBH is off work with depression, DS has confessed to being in bed with same for two months after Xmas, I had no idea. DD was feeling very ill with revolting symptoms, so I bullied her and bullied her until she went to the Drs and she had an exploratory op yesterday - two tumours in her colon, and probable Crohn's disease. The latter apparently often leads to cancer, so now a three week wait to see if they are still benign or not. So a very late night of teary messaging from her - accompanied by photos of offending colon! Which I actually found very funny. Sort, of have a look at my pet tumours! Your own personal internal Crimewatch - put a face to that tumour!

On the plus side, DBH's tablets are starting to take effect, DS decided to come home to be company for me while his DF is not exactly brilliant company (no pressure from me whatsoever, I think DS wanted to confess to his own problem perhaps) and so at a time when I can scarcely move because I put my back out badly, I now have two more or less willing helpers to do the heavy work in my garden. What a luxury.

soop I think I need to see that photo, to cheer me up! Although just thinking about it makes me laugh. A friend of mine has had several large cancerous moles removed from his balding scalp, he now has to wear a very cute little thin stretchy cotton hat at all times. It looks like a ski cap to me. He had been embarrassed about it, until I told him how stylish he was - I had no idea that he was wearing it for protection, I just thought he liked wearing hats and couldn't be bothered to apply sun cream!

Isn't that lovely, Lona,

anno, there were so many people at Clumber Park you would have been hard pushed to find a space to put down your picnic blanket - it was heaving.

I do ann , thank you

That is a lovely post Lona we must take our precious and happy moments when we can and treasure them for when things are dark and unsettled. I am sure you know just what I mean

I've just had a glorious afternoon with my DD and my three dgds. They've eaten me out of house and home and made me laugh and sing so much that I've got no voice left!
So nice to have no family stress at the moment (fingers crossed)

My faves are the almond one and double caramel. I can't decide which I like better of those two. Classic is fine too. soop, dear pal, you do realise it's your fault I've gotten into MiniMagnums, don't you?

Charleygirl It is hazy and much warmer than of late. The sunshine (proper) is expected on Monday. MacSporran has been blitzing parts of the garden that resembles a jungle. Rory has does nowt. I understand your feelings regarding Tara's brief absence. We are that way with Rory. One of us is forever asking...where's Rors? Daft as two brushes. He was more than capable looking after himself in days gone by. Now, we fret if he wanders from the back door (in order to enter by the front door.)

The ladies tennis was entertaining. I am so looking forward to Monday and the start of wonderful Wimbledon. Come on Andy!!!

Must get in a stock of Magnums. Dark chocolate. My mouth waters at the very thought.

I do not know what the weather is like in your neck of the woods soop but it is a scorcher here in London. I have been to the gym but will have a shower later as it is too hot at present.

Tara has been out for hours, hiding under a bush somewhere, keeping cool and away from playing children. I hope that she pops in for a pit stop soon so tthat I know that she is okay. I do worry about her.

bags What a star. Thank you for coming into our kitchen with goodies. I shall enjoy my Magnum during the ladies tennis final this afternoon.

*MacSporran's scalp looks a lot worse than it feels. It's awfully lumpy...a bit like the surface of the moon.

pompa enjoy time spent with your granddaughter. Remember to wear your hat in sunny Scunny. You know it makes sense.

Charleygirl Heck! Yes, we shall need to open yet another extension before too long. Never mind. We shall keep the same name. Makes sense not to confuse matters. I shall put a very large bottle of bubbly to cool in readiness for the re-opening.

Galen Don't even hint at that image. MacSporran loves me BUT if he ever guessed that I shared such a thing he would be mortified.

kitty, when we lived near Nottingham we used to have picnics in Clumber Park of which I have fond memories. Have a lovely afternoon there.

Right! I'm having a break from spot scrubbing a carpet with a toothbrush because my ruddy steam cleaner trips pff the mains electricity. Big box of Magnums here. Tuck in before they melt. I'll make a huuuuge pot of tea for after we've scoffed them all.

Gentle pat on the bonce shoulder for MacS. Hope you are feeling good today

soop we crossed posts and I missed the update about poor MacS, I hope it isn't too painful. Give him my best wishes please xx

Galen That photo of MacS in triumphant stance and almost nuddy was for a very limited time only,a never to be repeated, special event!!!!!

We are going to Clumber Park! Stupid autocorrect!!

Annsixty that is good news. The poor girl has had a tough time. She sound a brave young woman. Thank goodness for a commited and skilled plastic surgeon.

Really good news Ann. You must be thrilled. As you say, good old NHS!

We are going to Climber Park today to meet up with DH's brother and SiL and have some lunch. My SiL has become quite withdrawn since their son died in November so this is a step forward!

Off to sunny Scunny soon to look after GD while in laws move.

What wonderful news ann60. Your GD must have been through so much to reach this point and now has so much to look forward to. Good old NHS!

I must have missed that one!

soop are you organised for yet another move so soon after the last?

I am taking antibiotics so I will not be able to have a glass or three of wine.