Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

Tegan The Farne islands are known for artic terns.

I was playing with the dogs in the garden when one charged into my knee, I was momentarily paralysed. Think it might last as long as the tennis is on ?

The tennis is fabulous- I am having a short break at the start of the 3rd set. I have had my Magnum, dare I have a small one? Yes, Wimbledon will not be back for another year and with luck our Andy will be picking up the trophy. I need something to celebrate.

Soop Bracken is a very lucky girl. We just need MacS to open his heart and allow her indoors. I know that she is very timid but so was Rory a while ago before he took over.

WHAAAA HOOOOOO. Fantastic tennis.

What a great match! What would my younger self have thought of a 75 year-old granny sitting in front of the TV, yelling 'Go Andy! Go Andy!' at the top of her voice?
Roanic can only get better and he's already a match for most other players - a very pleasant young man too.

I beg his pardon for mis-spelling Raonic!

Woweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...what a spirited performance. Andy deserved to win. Milos must take the credit for some blistering 140+ mph serves. I'm absolutely delighted. As is MacS. Rory and Bracken are lurking beneath a shrub. It got awfully rowdy in our house.

Islestone rocks go right out towards the Farnes. When the tide is out the birds all congregate at the end of them. Annoyingly, with the weather being miserable it was only the last couple of days that I ventured forth late at night to see what was there. Won't be back till September and a lot of the birds will be gone by then. Had planned to go out to the Farnes as well [would have stayed on a boat though]but, again the weather put me off.

It seems the tennis ended well, then , good for those who enjoy it and also for those who don't! I do think there's something missing from my education and I should enjoy these things, maybe a gene missing. Soop thank you for your kind words. Today is more settled, have been gardening, always settles my emotions. I will speak to my friend tomorrow when her family are busy. I hadn't forgotten your friend and hope he is as comfortable as he can be. I like the sound of your 75th birthday lunch, just the right thing to be relaxed and have a good time. I've been wondering about lona and then it occurred to me she may not have an internet connection immediately, or is just too busy to report in. Time to think about food now, roast beef with the usual trimmings and some very nice looking strawberries in honour of Wimbledon

We saw a documentary about protection of bird colonies on the Farne Islands. Artic Terns are acrobatic. We often watch Gannets performing their remarkable skills. I love the way the wings close and the dive appears to be rocket-fired.

Tegan your pictures show lovely delicate colours. I had thought from an earlier post that you lived there, and I was about to say lucky you, but imagine - if you are going back in Seotember - that you are holidaying there, it's one
of my favourite parts of the U.K. Yes they will have gone home by then. They really are lovely birds but if you visit the island you need not just a hat, but something stuffed inside it, like a screwed up plastic bag, as I have seen people with head wounds from the birds' claws, despite wearing a woolly hat. The terns are very protective parents!

cornergran We have three pals who are very frail at the moment. One has advanced dementia and is in a secure ward. The other remains in hospital with a severe bladder infection. Another pal had already made a decent recovery from bowel cancer. He was beginning to look and feel well. That is until recently. Several secondary tumours (one very close to his kidney) have been diagnosed. When we stopped to chat with him about a fortnight ago, he looked like a different person - frail and painfully thin.

You would not believe this, tennis just starting, ring at doorbell, one of DH's friend on the doorstep! DH and I were just finishing lunch, DD and VPC in the sitting room where he was happily dozing on a boob, so no option but to smile sweetly, offer coffee in the kitchen and bear it! DH had "forgotten" to tell me he was coming. Someone is.n real trouble. Friend left at the start of the final game in te final set so I got to see match point, but nothing else

VPC slept peacefully for most of the afternoon so at least DD got a bit of a rest plus the tennis. Job done.

VPC is now trying out a bouncing chair for the first time -so far so good

The tennis was fabulous and Milos was very gracious in defeat. It will not be lone before he is holding the winner's trophy aloft.

Being technologically challenged I forgot that Lona needed internet connection.

I would like to have watched Heather Watson play in the mixed doubles but I need a rest from TV because I have the football to watch later this evening as well as sort out my bins etc for tomorrow and decide on supper.

Bellanonna In Cornwall, visitors have been known to be dive-bombed by gulls. The feisty Oyster Catchers nesting on the beach opposite, are small, compared with the bossy gulls that wait for a chance to steal their eggs. The Oyster Catchers are very vocal. A short kafuffle is quickly followed by a long period of calm.

DaphneB Your little grandson is kissable. Isn't he growing fast? He has such an infectious grin. I love his style.
Sorry that you missed the match. It was a stunner. Andy broke down and wept after the last point. Mind you, both MacS and I had misty eyes. The sheer determination of Andy was the mark of a true champion. Milos Raonic will continue to improve. I can see him lifting the trophy in the not too distant future.

Charleyg I'm well and truly knackered drained. MacS has suggested that a G&T is in order. A large one. Slainte!

I'm looking forward to hearing news of Lona's move. She doesn't need to rush into unpacking right away. The bare essentials will suffice for a wee while.
Here's to Lona flowers] and a group (((hug)))

and a and good night to you all.

The S.O. there Bella. We've spent a lot of time this year decorating it but it's now being rented out for the summer [it has to pay for itself]. Weare planning to spend as much time as possible there though. I'm hating the thought that someone is there now. I've always been a pretty rubbish bird spotter but, having read Bill Oddies Little Black Bird Book I'm determined to learn more. When we stayed at Middleham the other week I walked up to the moor and was greeted by the curlew that had been there last year.I missed Andy's winning shot as I was in penalty shoot out mode ie hiding behind the door.

The S.O. has a house there was what I typed...computer playing up....

My good wishes for those around you who are unwell soop, wouldn't it be good if our wishes could make others more comfortable? DaphneB that VPC is precious indeed. He looks very comfortable in his chair. Was very impressed at your transport of him. I still recall my terror driving our first grandchild, and his Mum, 40 miles, nothing has been so scary since. Such responsibilit. Just recalled being advised not to eat ice cream in the open by the harbour in St Ives because of the flying marauders. We have much better mannered gulls here, if they spot something they want they wait patiently in line until it is relinquished or abandoned. Most of the time anyway .

Lucky you Tegan, I love the Seahouses area, are you anywhere near there?
Soop, I love the sound of your birthday bash plans, I`m not a party person, so that sounds just right.
DaphneB, another lovely photo of VIB Flynn.
There I was, happily making plans for my solo holiday next year, when Himself decided to maybe buy a mobility scooter and join me! I know solo holidays are more expensive, but it was starting to look most appealing!
Following on from his decision, I was on the Luggie website, researching their scooters, when who did I see amongst the reviews but our very own GALEN! That MUST be a good recommendation !

What a day, 4 British Champions in one day.

5 in all

What a lovely mixed doubles, played in a great spirit. Now, I do hope that Jamie plays with Heather in the Olympics. They would stand a very good chance of a medal - gold, I hope.