Soop's Friendly Kitcheners and pets...

Ok! He's like most babies :- boring! He eats sleeps and excretes! I like them when they develop more personality.

Hello Galen...how was your first meeting with the new baby?

Good afternoon yet again. It's piddling with rain outside the window. The best place to be is here with you lot in the cosy kitchen.

First things first...DaphneB you and your husband are foremost in my thoughts at the moment. I'm hoping that your journey to the hospital wasn't too taxing and that you are being given the best kind of attention. You've both been through a harrowing week. and (((hugs))) xx

A special thank you to our crafting queen...aka NanaandGrampy. I was delighted to receive the beautiful card that you've created for me. It will join other treasures in my keepsake box.

Charleyg You have made me chortle. I love your wacky sense of humour.
The new hospitals are vast...as are the car parks. Finding the appropriate entrance deserves a medal.
One trip to the loo, hey? I have to traipse to the bathroom at least four times during the night. I'm so used to it I would think something was very wrong if I went right through the night.

oldgoat Brag as much as you wish. Us lot know how it feels to have the perfect pet. Oscar is welcome to join us in the kitchen.

millymouge Even I was "dizzy" in my youth. Hard to believe, I know. It is a fact that young peeps always seem to have no problem winding grandparents around their little fingers. Yes! There may well be muddy clothing to wash and air, showers for the cleaning of and a nourishing breakfast before returning (by car) to the festival. It's what we do.

cornergran You can always rely on a decent and at garden centres. Treat yourself.

Wish I could have a dog.
I thought I was going to slow down while waiting for retirement next March. No way! I'm working 4 days a week for the next two weeks.
I'll be knackered a little tired!

Been pouring here but at least it encouraged me to do some housework. Off to the garden centre now for what the TV programmes call some 'hard landscaping' - ok slate chippings . - for the seating area that is half made. Hopefully a nice cuppa and check out the plant bargains. It's good being retired .

Your journey to the hospital sounds exhausting charleygirl . Hope you manage it in under the hour next time.
We tucked Oscar up in his crate last night with a (cool) hot water bottle and a blanket smelling of his mum. He just whimpered a bit then we didn't hear another sound out of him til this morning. He went to the vets today to be checked over and given his second vaccination and met another little puppy about his age. They growled loudly at each other! Just trying to arrange to attend a 'puppy party' as he obviously needs socialising. Only one more week until we can take him out for walks then he will meet lots of dogs - our village seems to be full of them, especially the dreaded 'designer dogs' annsixty.

Haven't had time to catch up but intend to just as soon as I've had a much needed

Don't go too far. I'm looking forward to a wee blether.

I slept like a baby last night- 11pm until 8am with one trip to the loo.

oldgoat I cannot believe how well trained Oscar is at such a young age. He is delightful.

I spent around 20 minutes yesterday queuing to find somebody who could give me directions once I arrived at the hospital because there are so many outbuildings, well scattered.

The bus was very busy so that meant people coming and going and pushchairs take longer to get on and off. It took me 35 minutes to drive from home 2 miles down the road, park and then cross a very busy road to the bus stop. Turned out to be the wrong one so I had to cross another busy road. All of this hobbling around using my stick! On average I can walk 200 yards and then I need a sit down.

I will use a different bus stop and will be able to park closer to it so I am sure I can shave 30 minutes off the 90 minutes. I at least know where I am going so mission accomplished. I knew where the hospital was but not the outbuildings. All sorted.

Back again. Hope that cake has gone, even virtual cake would be too much after the amount that has disappeared here Had time to read through now, goodness, its so hard to keep up.

N&G, I don't know whats worse, the ouchy or the sicky tummies, feel for the 'nurse'. Hope your new top will be appropriately inappropriate, isn't it lovely to have a reason to not buy sensible clothes?

Pleased you feel calmer now crafting - you deserve as much cake as you can eat!

Hope you are taking it easy, soop, these procedures have a tendency to wear us out as we mature - or that's what I have noticed. Less of the bounce back. Your walk at the harbour sounds just right.

Oscar is just adorable, Oldgoat, he sounds a very well behaved puppy, so lovely to have a dog from the very beginning to make one of the family

I do just the same Charleygirl, always reconnoitre (is that how you spell it?) any important appointment location that is new to me, sometimes drives Mr C mad, but I can't rest until I'm sure I know where I'm going and have serveral alternatives ready - just in case . Can't believe the time it took, though. We lived on the edge of London when we married, all those years ago, but moved away shortly after. Must admit I find navigating there very scary now, but then I find any city I'm unfamiliar with scary. The joys of getting older, or maybe just more sensible.

Oh dear Milly, agree with you not the place for new clothes, still as long as they have a good time, guess the first lot will be returned, or maybe find their way to Ebay.

Housework tomorrow for me then a trip round the local DiY stores looking for slate for the garden - not sure I will cope with the excitement

take care all, especially anyone with sore bits.

Am hoping for a fine weekend, although rain is forecast here. Eldest GD and partner, both 23 met at uni, are using us as a base for a music festival at our nearest city. To date they have 4 tickets as each didn't know the other was getting them (they live together so don't know how,that could happen). Today GD texted to say that the clothes she had bought to wear there hadn't arrived so she had ordered some more and they would be arriving at ours tomorrow (my first thought was what are you going to do with the other set and if it's going to be muddy you don't want anything new). DH is primed to take them as near the venue as possible and one of us will be venturing forth in the early hours of the morning to bring them home for a shower and breakfast before taking them back for the next session. Thank goodness it only lasts for 3 days we shall be exhausted. She is a georgous girl, just a bit dizzy.

Oscar is just gorgeous!

I suppose I should really be posting this on the Bragging thread but I have to tell you that Oscar is a fabulous little dog. He's only nine weeks old but already comes when his name is called, chases and retrieves a ball, stayed in his bed and didn't come begging for food when we ate our dinner and, best of all follows me around wagging his little spiky tail. Can you tell, I am besotted!

I agree, Oscar is very cute. Such a pity I do not live remotely close to any of you because I would be more than happy to dog or cat sit, especially as my lodger Tara is away from the house for so many hours.

I love the two black cats also- they have found the perfect home, landed on all 4 feet each and taken the house over. What are their names?

I will be able to shorten the 90 minute journey by changing the bus stop and parking outside Halfords which is close by. I also know where the loos are at the hospital, so that is another few minutes not having to queue and ask. I had to negotiate 2 flights of stairs down as directed but there is a lift I have found- more minutes saved.

Today I think it took me at least 15 minutes to walk to the bus stop because I had to cross a busy road and I can only walk about 150 yards without a sit down. At least the bus fares were zilch as we have Freedom passes in London. A mini cab would have been around £20- rather OTT but I wanted to explore every possibility.

All I need now is the appointment before I forget how to get there!

Aw, Oscar is gorgeous, I want a cuddle!
Soop, I`m pleased to hear that you are recovered enough to enjoy a stroll round Tarbert harbour. Love the latest Rory pic, he probably feels he can relax more, now that his mum and dad are safely back home.

Feel free, Crafting...the cake is virtually calorie-free and a little goes a very long way.

Charleyg That was a very sensible thing to do. All the way from here to Loch Lomond, is a pleasant drive. Thereafter, the traffic starts to build up and it's a drag into Glasgow. Once in Glasgow, if you happen to be sitting next to my dearly beloved, the route becomes nightmare-ish. I know the moment MacS slaps his hand on the steering wheel that we are, lost.

annsixty In "my day" children played almost the entire day in the streets. I have fond memories of charging around on tinny roller skates or on my bicycle. Never a dull moment. There was no internet/smart phones and the likes. Imagination was called for.

cornerg Blow the "slow start"...^us lot^ are ready and waiting to sample your baking. The freshly baked aroma is making my mouth water.

We also benefit from free bus travel in Scotland. We could travel to the hospital by bus. Only draw back is that they are not all that frequent. They also take a good deal longer to complete the journey. Appointments are not that flexible. Miss one and ...it's a buggeration.

Ahhh! They're all so gorgeous!

oldgoat I love Oscar he looks so soft and cuddly. How lucky you are to have a new puppy.

Thank you everyone for your sympathy. I have calmed down today. Shouldn't really get in a strop about cancelled ops when others have much worse to cope with. It's just the anti climax of getting yourself ready for it.

Soop glad you were able to have a little stroll today. That must do you good.

Cornergran, thank you for the treats. Would you think me terribly greedy if I had a slice of cake and a meringue I do like them both.

ann60 how are you feeling now. Hope you are coping ok.

Quick visit to leave some lemon and almond cake and meringues, baking got off to a slow start! Love the puppy picture, wish Mr C would agree to us being a dog family again. Ours were Lhasa Apsos, not that different to a Shitzu in looks. Lots of grooming ahead when the fur grows . Ours were real characters and are still missed. Must be off. Need to do a food shop. Will try to pay more attention tomorrow. Keep safe everyone.

Whoops. No 'it' on the end of the above.

Ninety minutes for a 10-mile journey charleygirl. The traffic must move exceedingly slowly in London! Good to have done a dummy run though, especially when you have appointments to keep. Now you know that you can do the journey, that's one less thing to worry about it.

Well it will keep you off the streets as my mum used to say Charleygirl
What did we do before all these appts filled our days?
Do you travel free in London as we do?
If I can get a lift to the railway station ( 5 mins) I can then get to any number of Manchester hospitals, almost door to door, for free. To visit my local hospital again 5 mins, it costs me approx £12/14 for taxis as I can't expect people to hang around waiting about for me and minimum parking is £3 .

Rory is having a well earned nap because as usual he overdone it and exhausted himself doing nothing!

In the near future I am expecting an appointment to visit a hospital which is under 10 miles from me. I have no idea of the route and it is ultra busy being London so I decided to do a dummy run today by bus and I am so pleased that I did. It was a 3 hour round trip door to door but at least I know where I am going. The department I needed to find could not have been more isolated.

A young fellow thought that I was lost and wondered if I needed help to get to the ambulance bay!!!! An ambulance home would have been appreciated but I have a feeling that they do not run a taxi service but I did manage to get on the bus! Closer to home I had parked at Wickes so I now know roughly how long it will take me. It will be several appointments and I think it will be the entire day each time when I add in waiting around.

Oscar looks like a lot of mischief to me. I am sure he will be ruling the roost before long.
My friend has been this morning bearing photos of her S's new Shitzu(sp) her D's family already have one. I never liked or even approved of designer dogs but they are both totally adorable. They are called Alfie and Archie, but the cost rather shocked me.