Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for the sharing of...

Seems you have found an outlet that suits you Maw and I am so pleased for you as I gathered you were very unsure about "going alone".I would imagine it is very much down to your travelling companions too.Hopefully this ensures there will be many such trips, with others daring to follow you

I am not sure what you mean by an “outlet”, Panache dear.
No, I was not “very unsure” about going alone, if I had been, I should not have gone. But I think most people might agree when I say I think holidaying alone can be a big step, so while I was sure that I am independent enough not to need a travelling companion, nevertheless it is nice to be able to turn to someone and say “Isn’t that lovely?” Or whatever.
I am always very comfortable in Germany anyway, but what made this trip so memorable was the sheer “niceness” of all the others in the party, we truly gelled as a group, had much in common, appreciated similar things, despite being entirely different individuals. Very convivial and mostly with fascinating backgrounds.
I would say I was about the middle of the group age-wise - some in their sixties, some in their seventies and even a tremendously sprightly and energetic man who reluctantly admitted to 85!! I think most were couples, - 2 women travelling together, 4 men on their own and me - those travelling alone, not necessarily single but with different holiday interests from their other halves.
By the way I like the sound of your Chinese Buffet- a welcome change from the Ensure I expect!
You sound very happy in your current accommodation which is lovely. Has the house sale progressed?
TOYA

Glad to hear you are home again Maw safe and sound. Have you picked up Hattie yet? She will love a comfy sofa so she can rest her eyes.

Life goes on here with the stairlift saga. A delivery man handed me a small parcel earlier- I was expecting a brand new chair seat- this is a non slip cover for anything. I am losing the will to live here.

Even my new fridge freezer is not for the faint-hearted. I cannot get my head around the eco fuzzy button. Setting the T almost took a degree in something. I expected to plug the thing in and time would cool it down- silly me.

I think Hattie needs extra cuddles having been deserted for a week. Pleased to hear you enjoyed your holiday.

Panache I do hope that the sale of the house is progressing well with no hitches. It must be so good not to have to consider cleaning anywhere nowadays- the size of the house must have been a trial.
TOYA

A cheery good afternoon to you lovely lot. It was no surprise to find so much activity in our kitchen. You never cease to amaze me with your busyness.

Panache The episode of the dear man with the toppling scooter made me laugh out loud. Please do encourage Mr P to commit such happenings to pen and paper or even the computer. You never know, a television series may be recorded. You will earn a bob or two...

Charleyg Surely things will come out right eventually. When next you are visited by a delivery man, hold him hostage until you are promised a resolution to all the stuff you're struggling with.

soop you’ve been up to mischief again in the Argy. lemons on her way to M&S for a balcony bra.....save us ?

Sorry maw I meant to say lemon’s ?.. Really glad you had a good trip but I bet a certain lovely lady is very glad to have you home

N&G Another birthday treat to look forward to. I would love an invite.

Galen You are a lady of distinction. Pearls galore! Frocks a plenty! All you need is us lot to share your cabin/suite and you will for nothing. Mind you, you will need to reward us with plentiful cocktails.

Doodle I merely mentioned having tried on a M&S "balcony bra". MacSporran approved. The bra fitter persuaded me otherwise. She said something along the lines of...try one of our bras that "contain" rather than magnify your assets. Bloody cheek!

Bloody cheek indeed soop. I once asked an M&S bra fitter for the location of a certain type of bra, she asked ' What size?' I told her, she looked at me with a half sneering half disbelieving look and said 'really?' As you say bloody cheek, why oh why didn't I just roll up my top and show her the label ?
Thank you all for your good wishes, it means a lot. I am still prostrate and listening to the cricket, at least that's going well.

Panache I too enjoyed the mobility scooter episode, never a dull moment in your new abode.
TOYA ??

Lins1066 Is England doing well? Sorry to hear that you are still in pain. It will take some time to recover. I trimmed my toe nails earlier. Was aware that, getting myself down and up again, without mishap, had to be done with caution.

I've been painting the watercolour of the very pretty Wilma. Have decided to prop the portrait up in the sitting room. Later, as I read the paper and enjoy a G&T, I shall scrutinise my efforts thus far. With watercolours it is essential not to "fiddle" and cause the paint to "muddy". Having had no formal training, I am continuing to learn from experience. When I succeed - I am thrilled. When I fail - I begin again.

A blustery day. MacSporran shampooing the car. We both enjoy Saturday evenings. Not that we fail to enjoy every morning, afternoon, evening of every day of the week. It just seems more special on a Saturday.

I may do a wee pile of ironing. Have been thinking about it throughout the day. The washing machine needs emptying. A woman's work is never done. Or so "they say".

Please take care of yourselves and I look forward to joining you again tomorrow. TOYA

Hello everyone in the lovely kitchen,

soop since I told my DH that you'd sent a group hug he's been standing much taller! He's not been so chipper for ages. Thank you xxx

Lins I hope your back is easing, please take care. X

Susan56 I loved your post. Can identify with it so much. ??

Dear Maw, glad you're back safe and sound and really pleased it was such a nice time for you. X

Not much news here, DH saw consultant yesterday who said, in translation, the procedure will be difficult for DH but also for the surgeon. He will consult the consultant anaesthetist before a final decision is made for the back op.
Still have optimism but real backward step was the local GP, in line with new French guidelines, has reduced DH's strong painkillers by half. This will cause him issues.

He never complains but the pain is relentless.
Will phone DiL this weekend, who is a GP, for some advice. We have never done this before as have never wanted to compromise her but things are getting difficult for his pain threshold and just want a chat really.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and comfortable weekend and TOYA XXXX

soop England are currently 237 for 4, they have just lost 2 wickets, but are 306 runs ahead.
Enjoy reading the paper and your G&T.
To all those with plans, have a lovely evening. To those with none, have a restful one and enjoy the late afternoon sunshine.

Evening All. Welcome home maw, the holiday sounds to have been just right.

Back pain is foul lins, I’m currently sat with feet up and a hot water bottle trying to get mine to settle down. A right royal pain. Wishing your husband a speedy resolution carillion, he must be pretty tired of hurting. Hope your’e resting dragonfly. Tedious but necessary.

Did you iron soop or was today not the day for it? Enjoy your evening.

Oh blimey charley, your patience must be wearing thin. Please be careful on the stairs.

Have fun at the seaside kitty, you got your bucket and spade?

A quiet place to practice seems a good plan galen. Be brave, I know you can do it. I’m sure you won’t copy my Dad whose over enthusiastic cornering destroyed a Christmas display of teddy bears in a large supermarket. The staff were remarkably calm about it .

It seems you have entertaining neighbours as well as varied and enjoyable meals panache, definitely the right move. How is the sale progressing? Hopefully not faltering

Did you make it to the Church for cake n&g? Some of life’s decisions are hard .

TOYA and be good everyone.

corner sitting with your legs elevated stretched the sciatic nerve so may increase the pain. You should either lie flat out in bed or sit normally.

Carillion that is a total buggeration for your DH. What do the powers that be think people like him will take for pain relief> Two panadol? Maybe your DiL will be able to think of a combination of drugs which may suit him.

corner it is a good job I have a sense of humour but it is wearing thin. I feel sorry for those who are unable to look after themselves. I think all of the staff at the call centre know me and are probably saying "it's her again, whose turn is it now?" I am very polite and fortunate to be semi articulate so I can hold my own when I hear the excuses.
TOYA

soop if McSporran is not too busy, I could do with a shampoo ....and if he has the time, a trim and blow dry would be appreciated ?

Feeling so sad for all of you who are yourself or who have a partner in pain.
It is relentless.
I have had a quiet day but the weather has been beautiful.
I hope this is the start of some decent weather for a week or two.
My S and his partner have taken her D to uni today.
I haven’t heard how it went, it took me back 36 years when we took our D and just how upset I was on the way home.
Leaving them seemed so hard but is it still the same today?
I am sure 18 year olds are far more mature these days.

Evening all,

Well, we went to the church ..... and it turns out we were 2 weeks early !!

I have no idea how I managed that but there was no cake ! So I have been grumpy all day ! And of course Grampy is making the most of my error ! ?

I love Germany too Maw ! We lived there for a while , in fact it is where Grampy and I met ?.

I shall catch up with everyone tomorrow ....

So much going on in (and out of) the kitchen today. I wish I could manage to comment on everyone's posts but my mind is occupied with the last night of the proms. I'm so pleased to see you back Maw, having enjoyed your foray into the hinterland of Europe.
Charley, with any luck, that seat should be with you by the beginning of the week. If not, I wonder how they would react to a platoon of grans descending on their company HQ.
soop, I would welcome McS's ministrations on my scruffy vehicle which I swear has lichen (or maybe algae) growing on it. (blush)
Watching the BBCSO playing tonight, I'm cheered by the sight of the women of the orchestra and choir wearing their own bright colours rather than the usual 'uniforms'. The backless violinist looks a bit cold though. Wonder what the traditionalists would say if the men sported colourful tuxes.
N&G, yet another birthday party! I gave up going to GCs' parties when the volume of noise became too great. When my own DS2 reached 7, that was it! I had two kittens who threatened to leave home. DGD2 who is 17 in 10 days, will be with her Army cadet company on an exchange visit to Australia on her birthday. They're going on the non-stop flight to Perth. Her teachers at 6th Form have given her some work to take with her...really?
Hope that some solution can be found for your DH's pain, Carillion. Doctors have difficulty gauging the level of patients' pain, unless they have been through it themselves, not that I'd wish any such thing on my very nice, competent GPs.
ann, I must have been the hardest hearted parent ever, as I felt nothing but relief when I dropped DS2 and his possessions off in Glasgow to start his university career. I was happy for him and eventually all my hopes and expectations were justified.
Loving the American mezzo, singing a medley of songs from musicals. She's everyone's idea of an operatic diva. Not by any means skinny, and very cheerful.
If I've missed you, just take it from me that I've been distracted.
TOYA

Like anno I have been watching the proms. Though I am so familiar with Danny Boy, I truly didn’t know the words, which were subtitled on screen. Oh how moving the words are when someone you love is so very unwell. Sorry to end the day on a sad note. Hope you all have a peaceful night and a good day tomorrow. TOYA ?

Isn’t she a wonderful singer? Sadly I fell asleep during the sea shanties and missed all the fun!

I had a long post yesterday that disappeared into the ether??

I am trying to keep up with this oasis of peace that is soops kitchen, but my house is neither an oasis or peaceful at the moment. GC seem to find more time at the weekends here than in their own home due to ACs social lives????

We think we have a few hours mid-day when it is just us, so of course we have arranged to pop down the road to visit son and DIL who are getting ready for their second child on 23/09 (C Section) they have a 2 yr old so I am on call for the next few weeks as DIL will be recovering.

It is another sunny warm day in SE Essex, and no doubt our roads shall be busy as it is Leigh-on-Sea reggatta today.

Sympathy to all those who are suffering pain or indeed their family. Relentless pain does wear you down.

Enjoy your Sunday

TOYA

Just popping in to tell you that i have just become a great aunt again!! My niece gave birth to a 8lb 11 oz baby girl at 2 am - 16 mins after she arrived in hospital. She was home by 7.30. She is to be called Darcy!

Congratulations kitty I don’t think I will ever be a great aunt. We only have 1 niece and nephew and they don’t seem to want children. I love the name Darcy.

Gravy you are lucky you have so much involvement with family. I miss that.

So sorry to hear so many of you are in pain. I hope your DH gets his meds sorted out soon.

Yes corner I am resting but as you say it is extremely tedious. It is such a waste of this lovely weather but I was so tired last night I missed the end of the proms! Why does doing nothing make you so tired?

Btw I loved the stories of the mobility scooters - had me laughing out loud!

Good morning kitcheners. I have just one post it note stuck to the corner of my screen so there must be some of you I have forgotten. So apologies to those of you who do not deserve to be ignored by my failing memory.

We are currently enjoying a birds eye weekend views of the beautiful firework displays over the hill whilst the illuminatrions are on. Such a good view from our eerie without battling crowds and noise in our adjoining spa town.

Yesterday I awoke to an unusual site of 8 blackbirds on the grass. Not knowing a collective term for them CH informed me it is a cloud of blackbirds. Sounds quite magical and heavenly. They seemed content gardening as only they can darting and rustling around in search of sustenance.

I misread a post and was trying to work out what Argentinian balcony bras were. A new fashionista concept perhaps, but luckily soops later post cleared the fog for me. As for N&G's too early trip to wherever it was (sorry) we went out to a meditation and relaxation taster day yesterday to find everything quiet, then CH realised I had the date wrong by a MONTH. So you are not alone.

maw thrilled the trip was what the doctor ordered as we say and kittylester congratulations on an exciting addition to your clan.

Carillion is there any way your GP can refer to a pain clinic consultant? Worth the wuestion as pain is so debilitating. I continue to hope that all is still going well on the housing front Panache.

A restful day here, CH baking sourdough bread, some mind games for me and probably an afternoon nap as I am going through a very tired phase.

TOYA

How lovely to hear from you Izabella you are truly an inspiration, enjoy your restful day.
Every day is a restful day currently but I mustn't moan, I am doing what I can.
After yesterday's glorious weather it is dull and damp here in Stockport.
An easy evening meal yesterday and I think I will plan another one today.
Just getting getting lazy really.
Have as good a day as you can everyone.
TOYA