Soop's comfortable and friendly kitchen...

mcem - me too. The knees have convinced me, tho' the hip didn't, that I need a higher loo and a walk-in shower. My bathroom is dated and needs renovation, so may as well go the whole hog. Having recently experienced my DS's new en suite, I am suffering from shower envy.
A hot afternoon has turned into a steamy sauna-like evening and I feel sleepy! I am thinking of making a feature of my 'drought resistant' garden. In other words - flourishing weeds.

Good afternoon all from Exhausted of Tunbridge Wells (not actually - well not the Tunbridge Wells bit anyway!). GS has been here for a two day stay since early doors and he has been a joy. Why he is not a joy when his parents are here with him is a mystery I fear I shall never solve. He was a complete pain in the neck yesterday evening. After much negotiation about the best day to do what, we opted for swimming this afternoon, and this morning Grandad was sent into the depths of both cobweb hung shed and back of the garage to find missing bits of the swing ball that hasn’t seen the light of day for a few years! He grumbled. A lot. But enjoyed it once the game was set up, and apart from me getting hit on the head several times, it was, er, fun! They also had a water fight, finished a jigsaw, and are now having some quiet time. Cricket has been mentioned for after tea, but I have called time on that as it is far too hot and sticky. We may have a walk down the lane to see if any blackberries are ripe instead.
Soop I hope you are feeling better and your bruising is not too spectacular or painful. I suspect that is a vain hope though after such a nasty fall. Magnum poultices should take the bruising down nicely!
We got rid of our bath, Charley, and I have had occasion to miss it since, though I only ever used it twice when we had it. I too like my lovely shower, and given my current difficulties, which can only get worse, getting in and out of a bath will be the last thing i need! How are you coping with the heat in the steaming metropolis? Bad enough up here!
Panache we have our eye on a particular one in upper Solva - one of my favourite place on Earth, if you discount the very narrow road on the way up to the woollen mill, which we always try and visit; I keep my eyes shut (but not when I’m driving)! But next year is a long way off yet!
Well, apologies to anyone I have missed. Time to feed the troops!

Just popping in for a quick catch up. Please sit still in this heat ladies! There have been dire warning about looking after the elderly - did they mean us?

None of DD1's family took any notice of any dire warnings as we were invited to attend an 'Enterprise Afternoon' at the children's school. Teams of children were given £5 and told to turn it into as much profit as possible. The proceeds are being sent to help a school in Africa where one of their teachers spends her summer holidays.

There were all sorts of stalls, DGS and his friends were making candyfloss and I was brave enough to buy and eat some. Even after seeing the state of the children's hands and nails!!

There were cake stalls, cookie stalls, drink stalls, 'tattoo' stalls to name but a few. I gather a bumper sum was made - in DGS's case it included the original £5 as he didn't hand that over to his mum to pay for ingredients!

Sounds like a budding entrepreneur Kitty! I’m looking forward to the GN meet in Market Harborough if only to have a longish sit in an air conditioned car!!

soop that is very sad news. She sounded like an incredibly brave lady, gone far too soon. My heartfelt condolences to all who loved her. My sister died aged 54 of the same wretched disease. So sad.?

Heartfelt condolences from me too Soop............that disease has so much to answer for,as you probably know I am far too acquainted with it.
Not the best news when you are already bruised and batttered for sure.
You are getting your share of sad news......thinking of you and sending a big virtual hug,I think you maybe in need.

Having spent the weekend with DH’s cousin and his wife, we are once again seriously considering moving.whilst the 2 our, 2 down cottage they downsized to was lovely, it wouldn’t be big enough for us with the dogs,but they are just a walk away from the town centre, a car park just up the lane for visitors, and I’d forgotten what a lovely town it is that they live in (I lived there for a few months myself when I left DH1). Trouble is,we currently live in a bungalow, but they are as rare as hens teeth, so we would maybe have Togo back to a house. We’ve been perusing the estate agents’ sites today. Is this just a mad (heat induced) dream or will we go through with it?

2up, 2down, sorry didn’t proof read before pressing go

That is very sad Soop, my condolences
As my Dad would have said “That was no age”

I have just spent a happy 15 minutes in my tiny garden. Nipping out tomato plant, dead-heading petunias and lifting all 10 window boxes down on to the path and all in pouring rain.
T-shirt is wet! Hair is too, so it's now shower and pj's!!

greyd it is hell on earth in London- I live iin NW. We have been threatened with 35C- I could hardly tolerate the 30C today. All I did was hang out clothes.

Tomorrow I must make the effort to buy a loaf of bread, it was beyond me today. I am lucky my house is supposedly cool compared with others.

Tomorrow evening after my physio I am going out with friends for a lovely meal- do I want to? no. When the time comes I may work up some enthusiasm.

Charleygirl I urge you to go out while you can, the time will come when you can't.
My GD came today and we did a brilliant job of clearing out a spare room, it was full of junk and now it isn't.
When she had finished I suggested we went out for a pub meal.
She was undecided but she had a shower, changed into clothes she keeps here and off we went.
Very simple, very unpretentious and we really enjoyed it.
She has gone home now, the house is almost ready for my D coming tomorrow and I am in bed.
A good night to you all.

Ann I hear what you are saying but it is so hot here and I am using crutches which takes up more energy so I am knackered quite quickly.

I do hope that you have an undisturbed night's sleep and that it is not too muggy for you. Apparently it is 26C here at present. I am going to melt in a shower.

Evening All. I’ll whisper this, it’s been cool here today, cloudy for the most part and totally refreshing other than no rain in the clouds. Oh dear, charley, you do sound to be melting. Our know it all Goddaughter recommended freezing damp flannels and applying them to any part needing cooling. One of her better thoughts, it does work.

There’s a dog barking steadily somewhere. One of those yap, yap, yap yappity yap patterns. Mr C is asleep, the removal of his hearing aids making him blessedly unaware. I feel sad for the dog, it sounds unhappy. As will I be very soon.

I’m so sorry for the loss of a brave woman, soop, hope you are being extra careful, bruises on bruises are not a good look.

Manic day here today, all sort of OK but no room to sit and stare. Your days sound equally busy greyd and ann. Fruitful in their different ways.

Good luck with that decision nonna. We followed our hearts 5 years ago and downsized to our little bungalow (it has a higher loo and walk in shower, there has been reason to be pleased we have both). Sadly a change in family circumstances has had me wanting to turn the clock back but setting that aside it was a good decision, we’re happy here.

Hope you have survived the candy floss kitty, I love that type of event, it reminds me how we tend to underestimate children and their abilities. Sounds fun, if warm.

Sounds as if grampy has been proper poorly. Pleased he is on the mend now. Poor Sam, he must so want to take his coat off .

Ah, Magnums. Well, any type of ice lolly or ice cream is fine by me when it’s hot. As long as it isn’t one of those whipped ones from a van, much prefer proper old fashioned ice cream.

Best try for sleep. Had two nights with very little and I can feel my head shutting down.

Stay well and cool everyone. Please be careful out there

Oops, sorry panache, told you my head is shutting down. You sound a bit poorly, rest if you need to, feet up is a very good idea at times.

soop condolences. I agree with others, that was no age.

corner a walk in shower and higher loo would be ideal for me. If it is cooler in your neck of the woods you may well have two unwelcome visitors very soon. The sea I believe is close by- that would cool me down.

I did sleep last night but I have no idea how. Another humid night tonight and I am going out for a meal this evening- hopefully the gossip and laughter will make sleeping easier.

I do not know how Tara tolerates her fur coat.

Well, it seems we’re off out. I’m a decidedly grumpy Corner this morning, afraid you wouldn’t like it here today charley . Mr C has decided an outing is called for, suspect he doesn’t like the idea of a quiet day with me grumping, can’t think why Best get going then. See you all later. Wish Mr C luck. .

Corner I love those whipped ice creams you get from vans (but any ice cream will do!) dripping with raspberry sauce and sprinkles. We had one after our walk last week, sitting by a river in a spot popular with children of all ages! It will be thronged during the holidays, especially with this weather, but there is precious little water at the moment to paddle in and build dams and sail stick ‘boats’ down the rapids. Happy days.
We are taking a canoe out on the lake at the country park today. I expect GS will sit in the middle and pretend to paddle while ‘the olds’ do all the hard work! My son is coming down later for an overnight stay as there is a football match between their team and Inter Milan which DH has got tickets for. GS is going to wear his Inter Milan shirt (he seems to have an international shirt for every occasion!) so I am not sure how that will go down with the home supporters !
Ann I hope you enjoy having your daughter with you - it will help to have her there to talk things through with.
Charley hang in there. Like you I am truly beginning to hate this unrelenting heat.
I will look in later if I haven’t fallen into the water. Come to think of it, that might be quite nice!

Despite the exhaustion, I do wonder if we are “getting used” to the heat? Not necessarily enjoying it more, but not fighting it.
The trouble is that usually we get no more than a few days of any particular temperature so we don’t need to adapt.
I have adjusting by reconciling myself to doing as little as possible, and that either early morning or evening.
Lethargy rules at the But an Ben!

Until a few minutes ago, the sky was grey and I was hoping it would be cool for a while this morning, but all of a sudden, the sun has broken through and the sky is blue again. Need to get a move on as am going to meet a friend for morning coffee - or maybe something cooler!

Morning all !!

Its another blue sky day here. Rain is a distant memory. Although last night was intensely muggy I am NOT complaining. Winter will be here in a heartbeat and those dull yellow/grey skies weigh heavily on me. So I am sitting here , typing away by an open window in my swimsuit at 09:30!!

Grampy, now fully recovered is putting up the giant paddling pool for the arrival of the big kids tomorrow
( and I shall be testing it as soon as its full !) One of these days I shall find myself stuck in there and the fire brigade will have to be called with the heavy lifting gear :-) ...but until then !!

I'm with you Maw , I do anything I have to first thing and its all downhill from there on in …..and I just don't care !!

I haven't met an ice cream I don't like Corner and like you grey I memories of dripping cornets...with a flake! In fact I have bought cornets and flakes this week in anticipation of the bog kids arrival ( that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it !)

Sam is getting an outside bath this morning , a simple spray with the hose is just not enough , he needs to be soaked through to his dense undercoat. I suspect he will not complain. We have taken to filling his numerous water bowls with iced water and have noticed how he likes to fish out an ice cube and lick it to nothingness .

I am sad to hear of the loss of your friend Soop , I hope your care home visit does a little to lift your spirits ( try not to trip over anything ;-) )

Charley I feel for you , I suggest opening the freezer door, placing your chair in front of it and enjoying the coolness > Id climb in mine if I could !!

Ann hope you got a decent nights sleep!

Nonna , we downsized massively just before Christmas last year and haven't regretted it for a minute. Do what makes you happy because this is not a rehearsal ( as my Gran used to say).

Right, I am off for breakfast - I wonder if they do a specific magnum for breakfast eating ?????

Big kids..... not bog kids....although these two are not averse to a bit of dirt!!

I missed yur sad news soop. Can I add my condolences to everyone else's - such a young age.

I hope you have found the Care home visit uplifting rather than depressing.

An early start today, in theory. Just woke up !

Am trailing in............ feeling my age and panting like our poor dogs!!!
Indeed I think I would prefer taking a flight to warmer climes at times of my own choosing............whilst staying put in damp old blighty already feels rather nice!!.............so what has happened?!
You are feeling very rattled,unsettled and certainly we all seem to have no mojo these days............or is just me??

One pine tree has been eradicated and my man is dripping pools of plain sweat.......that was not the most pleasant job, and especially as we too are in the throes of down sizing massively NonnaW............understanding exactly where you are coming from.
More to the point an ideal 2 bed 2 bath apartment has just come on the market in our town of choice and with a sea view to die for.............that makes it even worse since we just cannot find the reluctant buyer,and not likely too until this darn heat cools down!

I think we could all do with Sam`s kind of treatment N&G...........I can hear his happy murmurs as he is in the firing line of that shower!Did I hesr mention of paddling pools too.......someone knows how best to cope!

Solva is certainly much sought after Greyd........and actually a cousin rents out a property in Upper Solva........whilst the winding road up to the Mill you mentioned would eventually bring you to the little farm I grew up in ............small world is it not!!
I was only kidding about Cornwall by the way because I think it is absolutely gorgeous there!
(Perhaps not ^ quite^ so as Pembrokeshire!!)

You don`t miss much Corner......I am not completely my old self its true, but hey,worse things happen all around us daily.
So we plod on with hope in our heart.

Whilst the mere thought of a boat out on a lake is something that has caught my imagination.Whilst I have no choice so I think I will simply stay put within these 4 walls,obeying instructions on how to keep alive...........to be honest though our temperatures are not nearly as high as you lot seem to be coping with.
I simply say go easy on yourselves,keep drinking those cool drinks,licking magnums.............and just resting rather than exhausting yourselves...........the daily chores can wait.

I will return.........