Soop's comfortable, cosy, friendly kitchen...

Sitting here waiting for Kate to come and do my packing. I can’t do it myself with my arm and back and I go tomorrow.
The butler will unpack once I’m on board and then I’ve nothing to do but eat drink and be waited on while sailing down to Gibraltar and cruising the Mediterranean while gossiping with my pal Bella.
It’s a hard life, but someone’s got to do it!

Good morning.
Oh, * Greyduster* your account of the cat and your husband brought a smile to me. I can just picture the scenario! ??
Hope today is kind to you all. Don't forget, I think the cafe has got some lovely lemon drizzle cake today to have with your beverage of choice, so don't forget to linger a bit. ?

A beautiful morning again. I could get used to this! The sunlight on the red maple is glorious and a contrast to the various shades of green - if only so much of that green wasn't mare's tail! I'd love to take a flame-thrower to that pernicious weed. All advice gratefully received.

Hi to all kitcheners from a nicely warm and sunny West Wales.
Weather looks promising and yes, the holiday makers are happily "making hay whilst the sun shines"......and the businesses rubbing their hands with glee every time their tills go "ping!!"

Our paddock, firstly overflowing with dandelions,then a haze of golden buttercups, whilst daisies are now making their appearance,it is certainly in need of a mowing so that means "one man will mow a meadow" this afternoon..........before it gets too long and lush!
The greenery is certainly shooting up this year.Next it will be a plethora of hedges needing trimming..........a gardeners work is never done said one wise poet whom obviously new a thing or two.......

Good to hear the cold has improved Greyduster,although feeling a heavy hand on your chest maybe saying .......go carefully.I felt just a tad responsible since it seems you picked it up in ...........Wales.
We do happily give folk lots of nice things but colds and the like we rather keep hidden away from public gaze!

I am sure Grannie will win out at the day goes on Maw,though it will make the job more like a hard slog!

Thanks Cornergran and Mapleleaf............I aim to be a lot more positive AFTER this darn `op which has been hanging around me like a bad smell since before Christmas.

Superb sunset Soop,that`s the sort of ambience that truly gets your heart beating just that tad faster,quite a masterpiece.

Whilst having a pleasant sit down in the Town`s Square yesterday,enjoying the lovely warmth of the sun on our backs, and doing a spot of people watching, we were quickly espied by this pair of pigeons.............obviously well used to folk sitting there on the Square eating this or that.For all the while we sat there they encircled us at least a dozen times,looking up with hopeful eyes.........it really was quite a picture but as per usual,no darn camera like you lot.
So memo to self...........must get myself a camera if I wish to be welcomed in Soop`s kitchen!

On that baleful note I shall "love and leave you" with the message,do have yourselves a great day and may the sun shine..... healing all those colds and niggly aches.

Hello kitcheners. After feeling truly shocking yesterday, I feel rather better today (but still feel as if someone is sitting on my chest! I wish they would get off!); must have been your toddy, Maple - and the bratwurst. I absolutely love bratwurst!
Hang in there, Maw. Chances are Flynn will settle as the day goes on. Chicken pox is horrid and uncomfortable, and bound to leave him feeling a bit battered.
We had a cat in our garden yesterday - not unusual, we get them all the time, and they are sent on their way before they can leave us any presents! This one was a Persian with bright blue eyes. DH spotted him sitting keeping my Buddha statue company, and went out to evict him in the usual manner - which consists of him doing a sort of impression of a New Zealand Hakka with lots of arm waving and barely intelligible vocal offerings along the lines of “gooorrn gerraaatoffittttt!!!!” Well, the cat then did his own version by fluffing its fur, yowling, hissing, spitting and refusing to move! This stand off lasted some minutes before DH decided discretion was the better part of valour and retreated, leaving the cat glaring at him but holding his ground. If I had been well enough to laugh without it hurting, I would have split my sides! A few minutes later it strolled slowly away with a sort of “I may come back, and if I do, you had better not try that again” air about it! I thought I knew all the local cats, but think this one is a newcomer. Don’t give much for the chances of any other cats (or small dogs) that may run across it?!

I know that feeling Maw. It will get better as the day goes on and TG for CBeebies!

CBeebies has got us over Dada’s departure, so far, so (quite) good, but missing his mummy
I wonder if the chickenpox set him back a bit, as I hate to see him sad and granny, however well meaning, is not quite agood enough substitute

Yes, * Doodle*, I’m making my aunties special fruit cake tomorrow - I’ll make an extra one and bring it along. I’ll bring a strawberry gateau too, with lots of cream.

Glad to hear your leg is showing signs of healing, panache.
Best wishes for the big op on the 29th.

What a beautiful photo of the sunset, soop

Hope little Flynn soon starts to feel better, Maw.

Colds make us feel miserable, don’t they greyduster, so hope it’s not too long before yours is gone - a nice hot toddy from the kitchen should help.

To everyone else I’ve missed off my list who are suffering with ill health, take care.

Oh dear Flynn was not too happy to see me as he had been expecting Mama
It was his first day back after chickenpox and he had not had a good day.
Franklynwith D away in Manchester all week he is totally discombobulated and while SIL is doing a grand job, little one wants a Mama.
They are going up to join DD in Manchester for the weekend , but she will have to stay now until the play opens (next week I think)

maple really! Bratwurst in the kitchen! We want gorgeous gateaux and did you bring any of that? #everhopeful

Good to have that ceiling finished jane, well done you.

Ahh, the dreaded sat nav, we ignore ours and it sighs at us. Pleased you arrived in one piece maw, how lovely to be on pickup.

Relieved to hear from you charley but sorry to hear about your pain levels. You were an inpatient for a long while, you must have been a good patient for them to keep you that long. Sending pain reduction vibes.

That sounds positive panache, always like to hear some good news.

Hugs and love to ann, please don’t think you can’t tell it like it is here, we’re all rooting for you.

What a difficult visit greyd, you could do without that cold, get better soon and I hope there’s something positive for you on the horizon.

Good day for me today, a protracted lunch with a GN pal, so lucky to have found her. Then a lovely walk along the sea front with Mr C. Coffee stop and an ice cream watching the seagulls paddle and argue with each other.

Please take care everyone, too many poorly people about.

Hello, everyone.
I’m just popping over from the Argy Bargy cafe if I may for a nice sit down in serene surroundings to have a piece of lemon drizzle and a cup of tea. It’s a bit chaotic over there, and I’m all of a fluster ‘cos I’ve lost my van keys so can’t offload the bratwurst I’d bought specially for them. If I find my keys, would you like some?

MawB, we bought a satnav in 2010, ready for our trip to Fife. After she sent us wrong for the 3rd time, David chucked it in the boot and passed me the atlas!
CharleyG, sorry you`re in such pain, hopefully Tara`s return will help to alleviate it. After I had my TKR nearly 5 years ago, I said never again, then 2 years ago they said the other one was getting to the same stage as the first, but I`m still resisting getting it done.
Jane, seeing as you`ve painted everything in sight, I hope it`s a pretty colour?
Soop, beautiful sunset.

Good news to report............some healing at long last to the area of operation on my leg,lots of elevation has also reduced the swelling .............AND.....it looks as if this big `op is definately going ahead on the 29th........so it will be a very happy Whitsun, battling the holiday traffic as we make our way along the busy roads to this Hospital in another County.

I shall be a lot happier when I am on my way heading back towards home sweet home!

Helloooo from E17, can you hear me up there?
TG I totally ignored Satnav on this last leg of my journey to DD’s. I was actually parked outside their house and “she” was still telling me to turn right and that it would take another 24 minutes! ???
Right got to walk round to nursery with the buggy for littlest fella now!

JaneD3 Seconded. I've just this moment returned from a in the garden. It is a very pleasant afternoon.

Tomorrow morning I shall be doing the ironing for my pal. After which, we go to the hospital to wish her Mum a happy birthday. I may not be calling into the kitchen until late afternoon.

In the meantime. A (((group hug))) and very best wishes for a pleasant end to Tuesday.

That's quite a mouthful Soop!
I announce that the ceiling is painted! (so is the floor and my arms and hair)
A well deserved cup of tea in the garden is called for.

By the by...my son and his mate will be Vol Bivouac Paragliding from the Atlantic end to the Med of the Pyrenees. Sounds like a spirited adventure.

tanith When this lot are in top gear I also lose the plot from time to time.

Thanks soop and lovely sunset picture. I love topop in to read but I lose track of who everyone is so don’t comment much ?

Hello Alygran and tanith. The more the merrier.

Here is yesterday's sunset for you to enjoy. It's a good deal warmer and less blustery today.

Awww! you lot are a tonic. Thank you.

Charleyg I'm pleased to hear that surgery and hospital stay are over and done with. You were missed. Have you someone to care for you during this period of recovery?

Ann Yes, please come in to bring us up to date. You are missed.

Care home visit was, as usual, stressful. M couldn't find one of her slippers. A gentleman resident kept trying to take her cup of tea. Another lady appeared to be cross and said she couldn't remember why. Rescued M's lost slipper. Took her (in her wheelchair) into a quieter area of the sitting room. Parked her beside the window with a view of Campbeltown Loch. By the time I left, calm had been restored and M raised a smile.

charleygirl so sorry you are in so much pain. Tara will be so pleased to get back home with you. Wishing you a speedy recovery
ann sorry to hear your troubles continue. Any sign of help on the horizon?
jane good luck with the painting of the ceiling. Will it be painting by numbers, angels and cherubs ....or just plain white .

Ann60...........although only a newcomer I have been following your difficulties for a while and can only underline the thoughts of all those whom truly know you and your situation better............but please do share if and when you feel THAT need,speaking out certainly helps release that inner pressure.
Sending my own posy hoping it helps just a tad

Hello the new kitchen - managed to find my way here after an internet free weekend in the Principality. I had my phone but was wary of using up my data and I find it difficult to type on it anyway. I missed being with you all on wedding weekend!
My SiL had forgotten we were coming, despite DH having spoken to her the night before and their other sister having left her a note, in big letters, pinned to the board in the kitchen before she went away. She is getting over the fall she had last week pretty well, but forgetfulness is now very much the order of the day. She is far worse than last time we visited her. Her long term memory is great - she can remember stuff even DH can’t remember - but immediate conversation goes around on a very short loop and she struggles to remember what day it is (but then don’t we all sometimes). It is very sad. She is still driving short distances though - when she can remember how to turn the engine on - and she does ok at the moment. She has an appointment for a memory assessment on Friday, if other SiL can persuade her to go (she has refused once) so we shall see.
I have a hideous cold at the moment so it is all doom and gloom here I’m afraid. I shall keep my epic sneezing fits to myself and spend the day avoiding everyone I think!
Charley I am sorry to hear you’re struggling and in pain after your op. I hope that there is some improvement soon.
Galen that arm looks truly shocking. Made me go cold all over! Look after yourselves, ladies.
I will look in later.