Soop's Friendly Kitcheners and pets...

Bracken wanted to play Tag. She pats Rory lightly on his back and waits for him to indulge her. Last evening, Rory was far too tired. He'd only slept for the best part of the day. Bracken didn't get a reaction. I took the photo through the bedroom window.

soop the photo of the two babies is superb, but no pillows for Bracken? Both deserve comfort in their lives. I am a bit worried that Rory did not sleep 23 hours out of 24 - is he sickening for something? Nice to see them enjoying the sunshine and being together. Heaven knows where my lodger is!

Charleyg You know darn well that she'll return home when she needs you to wait upon her every whim. Cats are canny creatures.

I agree soop- when I want an early shower and wash my hair, madam appears around 10pm. A normal evening- 7-8pm a bite to eat, straight to bed, comes down a couple of hours later to entice me upstairs. I shower, go to bed and am then joined by Tara who loves her cuddles. On these very hot nights she collapses on the laminate flooring upstairs. It will be a lot cooler in the long grass near our houses. I think that she would like me to grow my front lawn to at least 4 feet and then she would not have to stray too far.

Charleyg Tara is related to the big cats (those that do indeed lurk in the long grass) Rory likes to lurk, in the shade, under the hydrangea bush. From wherever he may be in the garden he knows the sound of his cupboard door being opened. Out of the wilderness (our back garden) he appears beside me in the blink of an eye. All bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

I'm away to empty the washing machine. After which, I may take a very leisurely ride on the exercise bike. No need to scold me. I promise not to be silly. A gentle pedal does help to get my legs doing what they are there for...

Until tomorrow, my love to every one of you, and a special (hug) for harrigran

Evening all!! ( oh that brings back memories of watching Dixon of Dock Green with my Mum ).

It's true Charley next time we'll pop round to the nearest GNetter with a cat and get a mouse for free !

Glad you got some sleep, even sitting up Harrigran - there's a saying I like that says ' always be yourself....unless you can be a unicorn. Then be a unicorn ' !! Hope you're feeling a little recovered after you marathon at the hospital ?

I was surprised to see today soop no giant foot swallowing machine but a little gizmo that they slid an iPad into and it all worked from there ! Proper Clarks shoes were purchased for Miss Laura today and then pencil case and content shopping! Oh and cake and a coffee for Nana of course . Picture of pencil case ...and Miss Laura attached.

Well your long ago ballet lessons have stood you in good stead .

The dynamic duo look very comfortable on the steps too .

Laura looks delighted with her new pencil case and contents. I was under the impression that they would be taking laptops to school soon! NanaandGrampy you must be so proud of her, she is a pretty young lady and looks so happy with today's purchases. I am pleased to hear that Clarks shoes won!

Re mice, there is one GN who lives close to me, she does not have a cat so mice have decided that her airing cupboard is just the place to rear the young. Maybe they would supply Jackson with the necessary?

I hope that the "new" estate agent will be able to rustle up some viewings. Have you checked on line to see if the photos are up to scratch?

Good afternoon. And a bright and sunny one it is too.

NanaandGrampy Miss Laura is lovely. Her winning smile says it all. I think that her choice of pencil case is spot on. Owls, I love. Nana deserved real cake...beats virtual calorie-free every time.

Charleyg I cannot know for sure but I believe that a wee toad that has appeared first on the backdoor mat and last night on the front door mat was brought in as a wee gift from Rory. Either that, or it decided to "case the joint". Anyway, it is back in the garden.

Do any of you lot do this...
Walk along the garden path thinking - I'll enjoy a peaceful afternoon reading my book. See a huge bank of flowers in need of dead-heading. Think - I'll just spend 30 mins tidying up. Two and a half hours later - wheelbarrow has been emptied thrice. Finger nails are awfully grubby. Jeans and jacket in the wash. Shoes muddied and full of seeds and stuff.

Who would have thought that a tiny puppy would need so much attention? Virtually no time for any house work this week - well, that's my excuse. Finally, the big day has arrived when Oscar can go out into the big wide world and guess what? he wasn't at all keen. In fact, he had a sit down strike in the middle of the road, but he is still very young. The photo shows what he thought of his new collar and ID tags. Talk about a hang-dog look!
It's DS's birthday today so Oscar is off to meet the ill-fated Boggit who luckily has recovered completely from his road accident. His fur is growing again but DS says that when he came home from the vets he had a scar running the length of his body and looked like a Cornish pasty.

Envious of your sunshine soop. We seem to have proper Bank Holiday weather here in North Yorkshire - drizzle. Your garden looks really tropical with those huge gunnera plants. Lovely to have happy memories of your friend whenever you sit on his seat. The plants which we have been given by friends and family have a special place in our garden.I still have a Christmas rose plant which was a cutting from my Grampy's plant which grew outside his front door. Ours is planted outside our door too. Apparently, they help to keep away demons!!

oldgoat Oscar's face says it all! He is more than happy to stay indoors why bother with the great outdoors? He is gorgeous.

soop that would never happen to me- I AM oblivious to dust and weeds especially if I want to do something else like sit in the garden, feet up with a cup of coffee and something to read.

I went to buy a new mixer tap for the kitchen today and I seemed to know more about what I needed than the salesman- he had to get help. I needed low pressure and a bar of 0.5, simples. I had spoken to the plumber yesterday because until then I thought that a tap was a tap, but no.

The one I bought was actually nearly half price so being Scottish I had to have it! One happy customer.

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201608/medium-210100-p8274299.jpg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201608/medium-312454-p8274302.jpg%3C/span%3E

oldgoat Oscar is a darling. I love his expression. So pleased to hear that Boggit recovered from such a nasty accident. It was touch and go. Cats do have a strong constitution. Well done, Boggit.
Yes, it has been a reasonable day in Kintyre. I've worked most of the day in the garden. I shall add a couple of photos for you. Which of the two photos makes you smile? I bet I know the answer.

Charleyg You never cease to amaze me.

I'm away to clean myself up in readiness for a much needed G&T. Until tomorrow

soop you got it in one! Of course Rory wanted and needed a cushion to make his life more comfortable on that lovely bench. Perhaps another cushion beside it for Bracken? We cannot leave her out can we?

You should be resting- I am aware that you are unsure of its meaning- I will have a few words with MacSporran - he is always amenable when it comes to taking care of you properly.

I went out today to buy fresh food for the next 2-3 days and came home with fish, fish and more fish. I am so looking forward to it. It is sea bass tonight so I may open a bottle of wine. It will last the 3 days, Monday being a BH. I will not be joining the AA just yet as I only open a bottle every 4-6 weeks.

oldgoat so pleased to hear that poor Boggit is slowly getting better.

Pleased to hear that Boggitt is improving steadily, love the Oscar pic!
Soop, I wish I could get down on my knees, you have my undying admiration! Glad you have nice weather, it was lovely here this morning, but we`ve had heavy rain and thunderstorms all afternoon, our local Tesco has been flooded and customers evacuated. Our yard and the road at the front are about 3" deep in water.
Silly me bought a pair of slippers in town, when I got them home I thought they looked a bit big, they`re not size 6, they`re size 9, this idiot looked at the tag the wrong way up!

Oh how I would love some of that rain! 5 drops here, did not wet my windscreen. We were promised heavy showers but as usual, zilch. I can do without thunderstorms, you may keep them numberplease.

Poor Tesco being flooded, especially on their supposedly busiest day of the week.

I think a trip to Spec savers for you! Hopefully they will have your size when you return the size 9! I also look at the size of slipper because some size 6's, my size, are tiny.

I tried, Charleygirl, we had such a dark sky this morning for our boat trip. Lots of blowing cleared the rain away from us, had hoped it would reach you, sorry obviously didn't try hard enough . It did work for us, little sunshine but no rain, so a lovely trip out. I just love being on the water, Mr C is very tolerant fortunately as he is less enthusiastic but never complains and fetches regular cups of tea from the cafe while i sit on deck and watch the coast go by.

Pleased we avoided the storms number. It's not just you, I have the same issue with size six, usually get a second opinion! It's easily done and I have been 'saved' a number of times. Doesn't the obvious catch us out sometimes?

Oldgoat, Oscar has raised a smile here as his refusal reminded us of our last dog who was expelled from training classes as he refused to walk in the hall. Hopefully Oscar will become more biddable, ours never did!

Soop, so admire your energy although we did something similar this evening, returning home we took cups of tea into the garden to relax which had me dead heading and Mr C weeding. Having said that we were only 15 minutes and it was relaxing. feet are up now. Hope yours are too

Laura is a young lady of exceptional taste n&g, sure she will love using it. She looks very happy with her (your?) purchase

Hope everyone has a peaceful night.

Three hours of torrential rain on the motorway, physically drained, ready fo my bed.

Oh, the shame of being expelled from doggy training class cornergran ! I think Oscar is exhibiting his schnauzer stubborn streak. I'd better sign him up for corrective training classes immediately.
Was your boat trip out on the Bristol channel? When I was in the first form at secondary school we had a memorable trip to Steep Holm in vile weather and had to shelter from the rain under a tarpaulin. Never again. I'm really scared in small boats.

Our dog wasn't the least bit concerned, Oldgoat! We slunk out with heads hanging. Yes, the Bristol Channel and the Avon on the Balmoral complete with bar and restaurant, no need for a tarpaulin. It was fun, loved sailing under the Clifton suspension bridge, worth the hassle of the trip to join her. Will try a different embarkation point another time. Looking forward to the tales of Oscar, , would love another dog but practicalities make it a bad plan so common sense is prevailing.

Feeling very sad, my friend's brindle greyhound had to be put to sleep this evening. She was the same age as Grace and they were actually related. Her human is in bits as am I, as I loved that dog like my own. RIP Gertie, good and faithful hound

That's so very sad. I remember when we had to do it. I can really empathise

A difficult thing to do daphne, my sympathy to you all, understand the sadness as we've been there three times. It's the hardest responsibility of having a dog, cat or any animal in our life.

Daphne poor old Gertie- I know just what you are all going through.

cornergran that was great the weather improved and you were able to enjoy your trip on the water. It can be so relaxing, especially as you are not doing any of the hard graft like steering the vessel!

I am so upset that you did not try hard enough re sending the rain in my direction. It really was not enough for my windscreen even getting remotely wet. I wonder if my wipers still work, I have not used them for I think well over 5 weeks now.

It is dull here today but very muggy. I forgot tomorrow is a BH so my bins are all ready for Tuesday now. Things like that pass me by as I have been retired 14 years at the end of next month, but stopped all my part time jobs in 2009 when I broke my ankle and my life has been on hold since.

you lot please give some thought to a small, select group who have not seen rain for weeks. Do the rain God dance or something, I am desperate

Thank you, just a reminder of dear Grace's age and mortality. My friend got Gertie just before Grace came to live with us and we were chuffed to find from their breeding lines that they were related!
Onwards and upwards, though, enjoy each day as it comes and today I am looking forward to seeing a little girl who will be TWO on Tuesday and all her family. Next week a certain baby and his mummy are coming for a few days while Daddy is in New York, so better get my skates on!! (Expect pics.......)

A 2 year old will keep you on your toes and pics of master Flynn are always wanted and admired. I just hope that Grace's life is not going to change with a young lady visiting. Grace needs her sleep and an undisturbed one please.

It will be lovely to get to know young Flynn better but he looks to me as though he may have everybody well wrapped around his little finger. His Daddy will get some sleep if away for a few days!