Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

I feel very proud of driving all the way to Walthamstow today and back with VPC - Very Precious Cargo! He had never done a long car journey but settled soon after leaving London and slept as far as Luton, only 20 minutes or so from home.
I think the next week is going to be totally chaotic, but I have packed DH off to bed and am in loco parentis while DD has the luxury of a bath - before the next feeding round begins.
Don't expect much sense from here over the next week!

He looks so peaceful there- good that his mother can relax in a warm bath knowing that Flynn is being looked after by his doting grandmother. If he is staying for a week, did you have a trailer attached to the car?!!!

Beautiful and peaceful baby. Wish I could sleep like that!

Just about needed it charleygirl!! Pram body, wheels, feeding cushion, "sleepyhead" (which you saw in the pic, it's a sort of soft bed which can attach to a frame beside mum and dad's bed or, as mum is here on her own, just sit on the other side of the bed so that she can just reach over to feed), a suitcase full of tiny garments(granny doesn't have a washing machine?) the sterilising unit, the electric breast pump, nappies, changing stuff, the car seat obviously, mum's wash bag and overnight bag.
My car has a huge boot and it was full!!
Just rather chuffed at doing the journey on my own as I usually have DH to make sure I am in the right lane changing motorways (M1, M25, M11 then a tiny bit of the north Circular) and to nag me about my driving
I coped perfectly and as youngest DD and SIL also live in Walthamstow, I now feel confident to drive to theirs on my own if necessary too.

Lovely photo's DB. What a little smasher he is. Looks so peaceful asleep

soop a pic of McSporran....... But he is NOT wearing a sporran( I feel cheated)
It's nice seeing the deer through the fence as long as they can't get in and demolish all the plants.I would like to see a pic of MrS (in full fig) and feeding a wildcat through the fence....that would really be something.

DaphneBroon I take my hat off to you for doing that drive, award yourself a stiff drink.?

Lovely baby DaphneB, enjoy your week.
A little 9 year old Portuguese girl who lives round the back from us, started talking to me a year ago,and nabs me now every time she sees me. Today she was walking with an elderly lady, and told me it was her Nana, come for a holiday. Luana told me her nana didn`t know any English, but we managed to greet each other and shake hands, and Luana was there to translate.
Soop, beautiful photos, as ever. We visited a farm at Snettisham in Norfolk a few years back, geared up for visitors, one of the attractions on offer was a tractor ride to where a herd of deer were, and being able to feed them some pellets. When we arrived at the spot, the deer were on the other side of a small lake. The tractor driver clapped his hands and they cam charging through the water, right up to us.

lona, hope your move went well yesterday ??

soop, sorry to hear about another uti. I hope the nedication is kicking in

broon, that looks like a very snug baby basket, and a very snug baby

thinking about your move lona. Hope all went well and the balcony is ready for visitors .

awww what a cute baby..

Lona have you unpacked the glasses? I will bring the .
My neighbour is so happy with her bungalow I trust you are the same with your apartment.

Lona at least now that you have moved you can unpack at your leisure and take time off whenever you fancy. Us lot will be over later but before Andy's match- sorry, nothing will make me miss that.

Daphne I also realise that apart from not having a washing machine you live in the middle of a desert, nowhere near a shop. If your daughter is relaxed and happy- what does it matter if he has brought the entire contents of his bedroom drawers with him.

You are braver than I am, I would not make that journey in 100 years. Nowadays I am much safer poodling around here.

cornergram At such times we feel the need to "be there" for the bereaved friend. If only we could wish ourselves to appear at a friend's side. We also have a close friend with a terminal condition. I think that your post is very wise.

Mumsy I guess that the young foxes were hungry. A bit of a buggeration for you.

Charleygirl MacS called me to look through the window. Rory was grooming Bracken. She lay on her side and he continued to wash her for some time. When he stopped, she reached a paw out to him as if to say...carry on, I'm enjoying the attention.

anno A birthday hog roast. Something different. What a good idea. MacS asked me what would I like to do on my 75th next month. We could have gone away and stayed in a hotel of my choice...instead, I said that lunch in the nearby village, together with the pal who's husband remains in hospital and Rory's two minders, would be perfect.

Picture of Bracken after spying the deer standing beside the fence.

It seems to have taken me a while to find the latest kitchen. The fresh from the oven croissants that I brought with me should be just ready to eat now. Glad to see that we have the same view and garden.

soop I hope you are feeling a lot better now.
I love the photo of MacSporran feeding the deer. We certainly haven't got any deer here but something has been eating all the shoots off 3 young fig trees and has pushed two of them over. maybe we need a fierce guard cat like Rory.

A horrible journey DB but well worth the reward of having your DD and baby Flynn with you for a whole week.
He really is a lovely baby, has such character in his face.

Lona I hope the move went smoothly. Now you can settle in at leisure. After you've got rid of us toasting your happiness in your new home. ???????

I think your holiday celebrations sound just right soop, I bet you will have so much fun and laughter. A tonic for you all.

DaphneB I'm impressed. That was a very busy day. Well done. VPC is adorable. I remember seeing Torben, peacefully sleeping, swaddled in his cot blanket and thinking - perfect.
I can well imagine how different your next week will be. Certain routines may have to be shuffled around a bit. Flynn is going to call the tune. I envy you pram pushing excursions. I've very happy memories of afternoons spent walking many miles in London.

rosesarered MacS does have a tartan sporran. I was very naughty (some time ago) because I added the image of him wearing it...and a hat...nowt else.

number What a delightful experience. Deer are such gentle creatures.

bags Thank you, dear pal. Medication doing it's thing. It's worrying to have on-going infections. Not a good thing (some medics say) to be taking antibiotics on a regular basis. Next month's procedure may bring about a positive result.

Lona Are you enjoying your new home? Please keep us nosy lot updated.

Andy Murray has a tough, tall, ace-serving wizardopponent waiting in the wings. I shall be on the edge of my seat from the start to the finish of the final.

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This bird was hovering over the sea last week; does anyone know what it is [I couldn't get any closer]. I assume it was a tern of some kind but had no idea that they could hover?

Hello dustyangel I could woof down a warm croissant with butter and honey. I wish A magnum has my name on it. Saving the treat for the match.

Tegan I shall ask MacS.

Could be a Sea Eagle(he thinks)

soop. Glad the antibiotics are doing their job. Don't worry, you haven't had too many. Husband is on them permanently. Just a small dose, and the medication changes every two months, but better than the alternative.... Here's wishing you a quick recovery from the nuisance that is a UTI.

Tegan. It could be a common tern. They hover over water before plunging in after their fishy prey. I watched them doing this in Northumberland, but I guess they do it wherever they are to be found.

Daphne. Flynn is taking on quite a character now. Good luck with the busy week and well done on the driving front. It takes courage and in particular with a precious cargo on board. I find myself driving like a learner when I've got one of them in the car.

dusty could it be a stray dog - plenty of them in the Algarve? My friend, who lives near Lagoa, looks after quite a few of them and pays for food and vet bills too. They live "rough" although I gather one now lives with her.

Yes, I've just googled it [forgot that, now I'm home I've got a computer that works properly]. It had a black head so could be an Arctic Tern [it was just across from the Farne Islands]. I had no idea that terns could hover like that. I must get some good binoculars; does anyone have a suggestion of the best sort to get [not too big or expensive]. My National Trust freebies just aren't good enough.

Decided it is probably a common tern....

Oh you are in the area where I saw them then tegan. I also saw Arctic Tern on Inner Farne where they spend the summer breeding. They attack people regularly and who can blame them really when their breeding grounds are invaded. They are beautiful birds.