Good Morning Wednesday 5th July 2023

hollysteers: My fault - I should have explained more fully.

Thank you for the humbling compliments. It just seemed like the obvious thing to do at the time. Others would have done the same .... and I had been the recipient of kindness in the form of a delicious Sunday roast from another neighbour two days before.

This beautiful young woman is from India and fell in love with England whilst studying (up to Master's level) here. She was a most considerate neighbour whilst living in my block and she attended my church with her fiancé. In fact, yesterday, she offered DH and me an invitation to their wedding which will take place in India! Such a journey would be too much for various reasons but we might settle for going to a post nuptial celebration in this country.

GrannySomerset I had a voucher like yours for Mr B’s before lockdown when,of course, the meeting,coffee and cake couldn’t happen . I was offered the chance of waiting or letting them choose books for me based on a very detailed questionnaire I filled in. I chose that option and they introduced me to several authors whose work I hadn’t read before.

They also offer a service for youngsters who fill in a questionnaire online. We bought one for our eldest DGD who lives in Bristol when she was 12 and she was thrilled when her package arrived beautifully wrapped every month for I think 4 months.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

Correction Ash, I see there is a Preston near you, silly me.

Glad your knee is feeling so much better Taichinan. MrB is current in the kitchen putting the supermarket shop away, I shall go and reorganise it

Good morning Mick and all from Cloudy Chambers northwest coast.
Bad night as dropped off in the chair after the music club in the afternoon, then a broken night’s sleep as the cat bothered me (no cat flap as she’s officially my neighbour’s cat, with their blessing). My son has my car at the moment so I took the bus to the music club. Only two stops, but I had music and stuff to carry. I wore harem pants and a psychedelic top with big earrings, felt very summery and full of eastern promise😁
Must organise packing for hols today.
Ash so kind of you, but did you drive to Preston in Lancashire??
Hope you enjoy the day as much as you can Mick and thoughts to all with troubles.

Good morning everyone from sunny Lancashire. You sound brighter today Mick.

Yesterday I finished off the laundry but my plans for the afternoon went awry as I had to visit the GP due to a flare up of an old problem. I have yet another prescription to collect today and may take the opportunity to do a little shopping.

Karmalady the tracking doesn’t really bother me but I find it sad that we are losing so much human contact. The only shop I have a loyalty card for is our local farm shop, and that is handwritten rather than swiped.

Safe journey Grandmattie, glad you enjoyed your holiday. I was studying for an Archaeology degree in my spare time when I suffered the brain injury and I had to give it up. I managed to return to my job, WFH with a number of adjustments.

That was very kind of you Ashcombe.

I hope you have a more restful day Grandmabatty thought yesterday sounded fun.

Sorry you’re feeling rough Mizuna, ginger tea is so good for nausea.

What a lovely surprise to see Babydoll Marydoll, you must surely have cabin fever by now.

That sounds like a wonderful gift GrannySomerset I haven’t heard of anything like that before.

Thinking of Kalu, Urms and all who are dealing with illness right now.

Have a good day all 🌻🌻🌻

A late good morning to you all from a cool Angus coast. I haven't looked at the weather forecast but it seems as if sunshine and showers might be the order of the day.
Good to see you seem to be feeling a little stronger Mick and that a spot of pram pushing therapy seems to have been doctor's orders for you Marydoll. With the Return of Dolly your cup will be full to overflowing!
Ash that was true kindness yesterday and definitely going that extra mile. What a lovely lady you are.
I had a wonderful tai chi session yesterday because for the first time in nearly five weeks I did the full set - not once, but twice! I was beginning to feel that old age had taken me over, and I was becoming quite miserable about it. My knee is beginning to function again as a knee should, and Mr Google (via a NHS site) was not wrong when he advised that a sprained knee would take anything from 4-9 weeks to heal. (Mind you I suddenly remembered in the evening that I had taken some neurofen before the class which obviously didn't hinder progress😉.) So now I'm eagerly looking forward to tomorrow's class.
Today DS2 and family in Lincs are picking up their luxury campervan and heading up to the Isle of Skye to celebrate DiL's 50th. Unfortunately the weather forecast is not the best, but it's such a beautiful part of the world that they can't help but love it the midgies less so.
I'm so glad you ended up enjoying your stay on Orkney*grandmattie*. It is utterly fascinating. Wishing you a problem-free transit home - where I know you will enjoy the comparative warmth!
Now off I go to tackle my kitchen, which looks as if a bomb has dropped on it for some reason, before another pleasurable afternoon 'at Wimbledon'.
Take care everyone, and enjoy your day x

Good Morning from very overcast Harrogate. I still can't get on GN from my iPhone, have contacted the officein the hope it can be sorted. It is so inconvenient waiting until I have time house my MacBook.
That was a lovely thing to do for your ex neighbour Ash
Sounds at last like you are feeling the benefits of your hospital stay Mick
You also sound a lot better Marydoll being with the small GC can be a tonic. I was at DGDs sports day yesterday, her team was first although she herself didn't get any prizes, but she was pleased as punch that her team won, and insisted her medal was real gold, as any 7 year old would!
Hoping to do some shopping today, but no idea where I shall be taken!
Have the best day possible folks!

So glad you had a wonderful day, MaryD! Onwards and upwards. I can’t wait to see photos of a purple and sparkly rollator. What is one of those?

Good Morning from an overcast S Yorks where I am puzzling as the forecast says overall light rain but only shows pictures of sun.

I've a Zoom at 10.30 and cleaner coming at 2pm to help shift clothes and light furniture in the bedrooms so the wardrobe, chest of drawers etc is light enough for the painters to push around next week.

It's a bit early to do it but the only time she could make it. I might have a decluttering some socks etc never worn in the process.. I have always wanted a carefully neatly laid out sock and undies drawer but never made it.

Bests for poorlies and difficult family times, and may walks and other outings be enjoyed.

Mattie it was a bumble bee and no stinger was left behind. As I understand it only honey bees leave their stingers behind. I felt very sorry for it though. I try and look after bees. It must have been battered by having four of my fingers raking towards it like a fleshy combine harvester! I will make a note of your advice for future use, while hoping I don’t need it!

Good morning everyone from the Essex coast. The sun is trying to make an appearance, better than the torrential rain we had yesterday.
Ash that was a lovely thing for you to do for the young lady.
I had a very long telephone conversation with DD1 yesterday. She is really struggling with family problems at the moment plus is in the middle of having a loft extension built. I can only offer words of advice, but I do feel a little helpless.
I shall go out for a walk later and then watch some tennis this afternoon, hopefully there will be some today.
Have a lovely day everyone xxx

Good morning. A bright sunny start this morning but still breezy and clouds are rolling in.
This is our last full day with our friends. Lifeboat coffee morning then lunch down by the harbour. Trip out this afternoon to a small village. Pasties and baked beans this evening.

Wishing all a pleasant day .

Morning all from S Lanarkshire, looks lovely and bright but I shall be away a lot of the day so won’t risk hanging out a washing, too bad.

I watched a recorded programme last night of Susan Calman visiting Shropshire. I can’t remember who on here lives there but I had no idea it is so beautiful. I don’t suppose it will happen now but I wish I had visited when DH and I used to take car trips around the country, really lovely area.

Exercise class and eating out afterwards with a couple of friends who also go and I’m looking forward to that.

Such a kind thing you did Ashcombe.

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

Good morning everyone from a bright and sunny 🌞Northampton, but showers expected early afternoon,; definitely cooler now, only 13° at the moment. I have gone back to my furry dressing gown!

Luggage labels and transfer information arrived yesterday for my cruise, which is unusually early, another three weeks to go yet. But seeming very real now.

I indulged in some online retail therapy yesterday! A dress I have been after for some time eventually appeared in a sale yesterday; so decided to go for it, as there were only three left in my size nationally. I had already tried It on in John Lewis,.so know it will fit, but thought it was much too expensive. It will do nicely for a formal night on the cruise. Now I need some shoes/smart sandals to go with it!

Kitchen tidying this morning, dust round upstairs, an early lunch. Then I am off to the cinema this afternoon to see the new Indiana Jones film, but mainly Harrison Ford! Hoping to dodge the showers.

Tuna fish cake and new potatoes for dinner tonight.

Have a good Wednesday everyone.

Good morning from Durham. Still windy, but dry so far. I had to ask my dentist for more antibiotics yesterday, as the abscess is making a reappearance. He says I’ll lose the tooth at some point, but I hope to hang onto it, as long as possible!
Nothing planned for today, other than getting DGS1 from school, but with little dog here, I can’t go off somewhere for too long.
Glad to hear that Marydoll is feeling better - baby steps. Mick too seems brighter.
Best wishes to all. X

Off out shortly to independent bookshop in Bath for a reading spa, a present last year from my lovely friend and neighbour. A discussion of what I like to read and some suggestions made, £60 worth of books and coffee and cake are all featured. A simply wonderful gift and I shall enjoy every minute. Will take the opportunity to try to buy some shoes too since nothing feels comfortable these days - obviously not at the book shop!

Will read all the contributions later but need to hurry - and am out of practice at doing so.

Good morning all from an overcast Black country rain overnight.
Haven't read through yet slept in in no nursery pick up its school transition day.
Our fox has progressed from leaving eggs in the plant pots we found pizza in there yesterday.
DH has his PSA blood test today at the moment it seems to be all medical appointments.
Best wishes to anyone celebrating, safe travels those on the move and virtual hugs where needed.
Enjoy your Wednesday everyone whatever your plans and may you all find some ☀️.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders.
I overdosed on tennis yesterday and slept in.
Yarn group today and may tackle the garden. How does it go from moderately tidy to a jungle in 2 weeks?
I've a garden designer coming to make things in my pottery tomorrow for a client. I wonder what.

Such a lucky neighbour Ash a pity you didn't meet sooner perhaps.

gMattie I was once driven across South Ronaldsay by a potter/archeologist who pointed out all the probable sites as yet undug. They were everywhere.
I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Hope you all have a nice day.

Good morning all and there’s a very chilly wind but bright here on the Suffolk coast. Last evening the heavens opened for a good few hours and we even lost the tv reception.

We had a beautiful walk in the forest yesterday morning and didn’t see another soul. It felt quite magical ! Dh always says I hope we see some deer but never do …until yesterday and we saw a shy little muntjac.

Our friends popped in for a cuppa and we sat in the summerhouse with tea and cake. We’ve known them for 50 years and always caravan holidayed up here with several other families. We bought our cottage 23 years ago and they bought a lodge about 10 years ago. We’ve been close friends up until a few years back when my Dh had ‘issues’ with them . He’s still very cool with them and we don’t meet up very often. 😤. They are the nicest couple! 🤔.

Wimbledon watching this afternoon after dog walk and a potter in the garden.
Oven man hasn’t called with quotes . I hope he doesn’t really as we didn’t take to him. 😏

Ash kindness personified! . What a lucky girl she was to knock on YOUR door. 🌟.
Hope your journey home isn’t too long winded GM 🤞
Lots of ‘doings’ on here today. Enjoy!
🌸

Gduster, when I kept bees, a fellow beekeeper who was a GP, for stings he recommended: spray of antihistamine on the sting which had been removed, take 2 antihistamine pills and a poultice of aspirin (crushed with a little water) on the sting. Worked every time.

Good morning from a dry, bright NE.
Yesterday remained dry so I cleaned the downstairs windows and then sat in the garden for half an hour.
Lovely to hear about your trip to Orkney grandMattie, my DS and family have been several times and they are actually in one of those TV programmes, they were on the viewing platform at the dig.
SIL coming this morning and we will do the Sainsbury shop.
Have a good day all.

Good morning from yet another dull Black Country, where it was quite chilly yesterday.

Dentist yesterday for a check up. Very small filling done (didn't need to drill etc) £70! Was only in the chair less than 5 minutes.

Over to Mums today, take her to lunch and a trip to Wolverhampton to have her tubing changed in her hearing aids.

How kind of you Ashcombe not many would go the extra mile like you did.

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning all from a bright Glasgow, where it's 12°C.

You do sound brighter today , Mick, but don't push yourself.

multi, you will be glad to get that dressing off tomorrow.

Karma, I have no problem, swiping my Nectar card, anytime you use a bank card, phone, laptop etc, you are tracked. There is cctv everywhere. It's unavoidable in modern society and I have saved a fair amount, using loyalty cards.

GM, I would have loved to visit all those sights. I had to study a science, as part of my modern languages degree, so I picked archaeology. However, going on a dig in the unpredictable Scottish weather, is no fun.

What a good and kind neighbour you are, Ash, saving the day for that lady. She must have been quite anxious.

Yesterday was one of the best in weeks. DH asked if I felt up to seeing wee Babydoll. 🥰 (Driving is still not an option for me, yet), of course I jumped metaphorically speaking at the chance!
DIL, asked if I wanted to take the pram round the block, to let her get some chores done. We had a good laugh, when I said the pram was a great walking aid, I felt so confident. She suggested I get a rollator, but knowing me, it would have to be be designer, purple and sparkly. 😉
I am not quite at that stage of buying one yet, but did fall asleep exhausted, when we got home. Slowly, but surely progress, is being made!
DH took a photo to show our children and DD said she thought it was my late mother pushing the pram. For various reasons, I was not amused!

We have to go up and drop provisions at DS2's today. Exciting stuff They return from holiday in Portugual this afternoon and I have missed my darling, Dollie so much.
In saying that, we have received videos from her, where she has proceeded to fill us on every nanosecond of her day. Who does that remind you of? 🤣

I wish you all the best of days and of course prayers for all who are struggling.💐

LauraNorder I describe our childcare days as organised chaos 🤣🤣🤣.
I love them dearly but the younger ones can be lively
We have the nearly 14 & 15 yr old GSs for a week soon, they have already decided that they are far too old for the GC’s bedroom (filled with toys, large tv and Nintendo Wii) they have chosen a guest bedroom each. We will only see them when they are hungry or we go out (drag them with us) sometime, they are bringing their computers and bits 🙀