Good Morning Thursday 10th April 2025

Good morning from a cold Bristol. I swear the early mornings are as cold as in February at the moment, though the afternoons are lovely. I try to sit out as often as possible in our little grassy area.
Two phone calls yesterday were served by extraordinarily courteous and helpful young men. Such a lovely change from the usual barely polite accusatory tones.
The book group went well. We had read “An Officer and a Spy” by Robert Harris about theDreyfus affair in the late 1890s. Fascinating and totally gripping.
Today, I have tai chi and need to bake for Saturday. I’ve got a VE Day ginger cake recipe. It requires an “18cm” cake tin! Barely the size of a large fairy cake. I suspect a mistake…
I hope all is good in your lives, (or at least not bad).
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from Malta where it is cloudy and a high of 21°C is forecast.

Yesterday turned out very hot but with a cool wind so the boys’ outdoor party was a great success. All very informal, in a lovely wooded area so the children could play on their bikes, scooters etc.

Thank you so much to all who sent well wishes, they had a lovely day.🥳

Today is my last day of childcare until after the Easter break. The boys are off to Sicily with their parents tomorrow for their first overseas trip!

Wishing a good day to all.☀️

Good morning from sunny s somerset

I feel as though I wasted 4 hours of my life yesterday. I took the bus to Wells and it was so uncomfortable, over an hour each way. Then Wells was not as I knew it, it still had a vibe but felt rougher, several young men drinking from cans, lots of tourists, untalented buskers. Tatty stuff on sale in the outdoor market, some decent food stalls but many foods were deep fried. I came home only with a card and was sad to see the change in ambience and the closed shops

I was so pleased to get to my little peaceful town with the clock chimes and immediately bought the freshest, reddest lovely cheddar strawberries, local cream and some sourdough salted crackers.

I had started tending my plants before I left, I had many of them and I finished by 6pm. I was shattered and the car boot now contains unwanted troughs and pots. I revamped every single plant and threw several out. Last straw when I was going upstairs with a plant and it slipped out of my hands, undoing the carpet cleaning from yesterday. Luckily I used lechuza pon as the substrate, not soil. Only one plant in my house is `normal` all the others are species of sansevieria and will not need repotting for at least 5 years

That was a worthwhile job. Today I may carry on with the spring clean as I feel as though I have recovered

Have a good day

Good morning from a chilly Torbay. The sunny days have been lovely but never warm enough for me to discard my jacket, grandMattie.

DH is due to arrive this evening for a month long stay. I think he will be pleased to see my improving levels of mobility and general health since he was last here.

That sounds like the perfect birthday celebration for your grandsons, Bellasnana. I expect you'll miss them (and they, you) but I hope you can relax and indulge your love of tennis.

Yesterday we enjoyed a talk at Wednesday Club about a local man, Babbacombe John Lee, the man they couldn’t hang!

www.babbacombelhs.org.uk/people/john-babbacombe-lee/

Wishing everyone as good a day as possible.

Good morning from sunny Lancashire. There’s a chill in the air , it’s 2° and sunrise is in 8 more minutes. It will soon warm up then.

Today my new mattress will arrive. Nothing else in my diary so I can relax after that.

Happy Thursday 🌹

Morning, early from me, I couldn’t get back to sleep and was listening to the delightful dawn chorus.
The heating has kicked in, 2 outside, sun expected all day.
Yesterday was a library visit, three old lavender plants dug out, I met a friend later for a drink, by 8 it was chilly again.
Stretch class today, three more lavender to come out and a more beetroot to sow.
I hope Ashcombe got out yesterday and those under the weather are improving, special best wishes to Grandmabatty for her op.
🦩🦩

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Grey and cool in South Yorkshire but we are promised a brighter day later. I slept very well last night but don’t feel refreshed. Yesterday’s writers group was poorly attended but fun all the same. I treated myself to a pair of linen trousers while I was out, although I’m not a fan of linen. You wear it for half an hour and it looks like you’ve slept in it, but they were exactly the right length and a lovely colour. Had a chat on the phone with my niece.
Walking group this morning and I will call in on DD and bring GS back here with me for an overnight as he is going to help me with a gardening job which will entail some digging. We will go out for something to eat this evening.
Glad the little boys enjoyed themselves Bella😊.
Have the best day you can folks.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. It was cold until the afternoon yesterday but then very nice sitting in my friend's summerhouse.

I enjoyed the theatre too. Today is supposed to be almost hot. Hair appointment and my DBiL for tea.
I must decide what to do about my poor old car.

Sorry you were so disappointed by Wells, Karmalady. It's often like that when I revisit somewhere. They are unrecognisable.

Hope your cataract op goes well Grandmabatty

Enjoy your new mattress Blossoming

I hope everyone has some joy today.

Good morning from Shropshire where another sunny day is forecast.

A hectic few hours yesterday looking after the children and taking them to their activities.I was very tired when we got home but have slept well and woken feeling refreshed.

Today we are going to visit mum.We will have lunch out then go to put flowers on my dad’s grave then finally check in on mum’s house.We have had a few viewings with one lady showing interest.

Wishing Grandmabatty all the best for todays operation🙏🏻

Safe travels to olddudders.

Have the best day you can everyone🌻🦩

Good Morning from Durhsm. Another area where is starts off around zero, brightens up later, but never seems the warmth of other regions.
The roof men will be back today and hopefully finish off the job. Another chap is going to look at my shed roof - a previous estimate to recover it was eye-watering.
Must risk going out to get some food shopping, as I have DGS2 staying here at the weekend.

Best wishes to all. X

Good morning Mick and all from another bright frosty morning in Cheshire. I'm having a smart meter fitted today. Don't want to have problems when they change the meters soon.

My days are punctuated with periods of deepest grief for my sister but her family came to visit yesterday which was comforting. The funeral won't be for a while, so I will go to my DDs for a week. Acupuncture helped yesterday.

I know how much others are struggling with ill health and family problems so sending kind wishes to all who have sadness and worries. Enjoy the sunshine. It will do us all good.

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.

My replacement as WI secretary called round yesterday for a tutorial and the handover. I felt a sense of relief. I will continue looking after the data base but that is a small job.

The local History society talk last night wasn’t too wonderful. The theme was Fishponds.

Not sure about today. A lot depends on the weather. OH wants to prepare everything for the Car Boot Sale on Sunday where he will sell his honey.

I have a click and collect from Waitrose, including a toy bulldozer for my great nephew in Australia. He will soon be 4. My number three niece is now nearly two weeks overdue with my newest great niece, so I imagine she will be called into hospital before long!

OH and I may go out for lunch locally, but as I said, everything is weather dependent.

Have a good day.

Morning Mick, morning All. A sunny day forecast for our corner of Somerset.

A wait and see day for us, no definite plans. I should iron but probably won’t!

Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning all from a chilly North Leicestershire- the forecast is 17 later.

I am having a gentle day today - popping to the butchers this morning and repotting some houseplants.

DGD2 & 3 thoroughly enjoyed dancing in the parade at Disney Land Paris and we have seemingly millions of photos to prove it.

Today, we have a Sainsbury's delivery, my choir is singing at Waitrose and then we are going next
door for drinks.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s cloudy this morning but it’s supposed to clear later, with sunshine.
After 3 nights of really good sleep, I was awake at 3.30 this morning so am feeling rather weary now.

A very quiet day yesterday, keeping DD1’s dog company while DD1 and her DH were in the office. When I got home I put a few things together, ready to go to Center Parcs tomorrow (hopefully). DD2 had an upset stomach with a high temperature yesterday and is hoping she hasn’t shared it with her OH and children.

grandmabattty I hope your operation goes well today.
bellasnana you’ll miss your little grandsons while they’re away. Have a good rest!
ash I hope your DH has an easy journey today and that you have a good time while he’s here!
Have the best day possible everyone.

Morning all from a chilly S E Essex

I am `DD’s wingman today as it’s the dreaded shopping day for new school shoes, trainers and clothes for her two boys, neither are fans of shopping but unfortunately it must be done, please think of me 🤪🤪

Lunch will be in M & S (boys choice, they love the toasties and cakes)

I m hoping to get some ideas for dinners over the coming days as I am struggling for ideas at the moment. We do not have any ready meals perhaps the solution is to eat out more 🤷‍♀️

I hope Marydoll is feeling better.

Thinking of Gingster and her DH 🌸

(((hugs))) to all our morning friends 🙋‍♀️

Good morning all and it’s dull and chilly here in Essex.

The days are flashing by with therapists and visitors.
Yesterday ds2 came to ‘work from home’ here and keep an eye on his dad, so I was able to do a big shop.
Dh is slowly improving and has excercises for his legs and speech.
Today the chiropodist is calling.

DH’s oldest friend is coming just for a half hour visit. They started Prep school together aged 7. He’s put all other friends off for now. It’s too tiring for him.

Dd has an ultrasound and smear test booked for today. Yet another department she’s under. These scans show everything up and I’m sure if we all had scans, something unusual would show up.

I think we’ll move into the hospital permanently! 😅.

Ash lovely for you to have Dh with you for a month ❤️.
Glad the party went well Bellasnanna. Make the most of your free time - the boys will soon be back. 👬.

I hope the day goes well for you all.🌱

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is a chilly 2°C.

A busy day yesterday again, but as I was relaxing dozing in the conservatory after dinner last night, I opened my eyes to see my beloved Dollie , standing there.😍
It was so unexpected, she leads such a busy life, that we never expect to see her in the evening. She wrapped her arms around me and wouldn't let go. It was better than any medicine.💕

However, DIL and I were chatting, when she told me some awful news about DH's golfing partner, who is also DIL's football pal. DH knew he needed a bone marrow transplant, but what we didn't know is that there are only two people in the world, who are a match and only 70% at that. His sons are not suitable donors.
DH was so upset, he is naive about medical matters and hadn't realised or buried his head in the sand as usual that his friend is so seriously ill, despite me trying to tell him.

Today, we have Babydoll, and I also have a Covid booster. It seems hardly anytime, since the last one.
Being immunocompromised makes me susceptible to catching anything doing the rounds, so I have them on a more regular basis, than DH..
I have tried everything to change the appointment, to no avail, unless I make a visit to Loch Lomond!
It is yet again, in a new venue for me, this time in Glasgow, I do not know, who decides on the appointment venues, but they need some geography lessons. DH's is in Paisley, yet we live in the same house!
I have given up on cereal for her, she has started throwing it everywhere, so yesterday, I made banana and pineapple muffins for breakfast today.
She will probably throw them away too and want whatever, I am having. The grass is always greener...🤣
She is two on Saturday, but the terrible twos have come early. She is very advanced for her years! 🤣

We plan a short trip down the coast afterwards, it will probably be busy, it is the school holidays here. However, a dose of sea air, will do us all the world of good.

Wishing you all a pleasant day, I mush dash.
Good luck, GMB!

Good morning, it’s a cool, cloudy spot here in south Glos, but hopefully sunny later.
Yesterday we enjoyed breakfast at the village cafe, it was very busy when we left which is great as the owner said the school holidays are always somewhat unpredictable for customers. After a delicious breakfast and coffee we walked down a long bridleway to the stream through bluebells and ransom, very peaceful and pretty. It’s a long haul back up but well worth the effort, we didn’t see another soul but plenty of birdsong all around us. The dogs enjoyed it, slept for several hours once we were home.
Today I have sewing group this afternoon, it’ll be lovely catching up with my friends after a break of several weeks.
I hope today goes better for the poorly and anxious ones here 🤗🌹

Good morning from a grey, chilly W Kent. Yesterday was busy in the end. Long phone call to a DF whose husband was admitted to hospital after problems with an operation. Later another friend came for coffee and is worrying about a future operation she needs. Later still DD2 arrived and was very upset about something her MiL had said to her. This is not a usual happening and I tried to calm things down whilst sympathising, I did wonder if MiL is quite well.
After all this I sat down and watched an ancient Lovejoy
Today hopefully calmer at art group
All the best for the operation GMB
Best wishes all round

Good morning. Dull at the moment in N. Bucks but will be sunny later.
I am being picked up just before 9 and am off to a WI county meeting. Looks like there are some good speakers to be heard.
Wishing all a good day with a smile along the way.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s sunny and a high of 20 forecast for later
A quick visit from me as we’ve got both DGC here and they’re both just up. We’ll be making the usual picnic and heading out somewhere later - once they’ve had a pre agreed amount of screen time!
Wishing everyone the best possible day, thinking of those with worries and struggles Take care all

Good morning from yet another sunny Black Country,

Pleasant couple of hours yesterday morning at a Garden Centre cafe with a friend. Then in the evening out for a meal with a group from Thursdays walking group. There were 8 of us.

This morning is the walk with said group.

MrJ's DD arrived after 10pm last night, and is working from here today.

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning Mick and everyone from bright but cool and cloudy Carlise. Yesterday's weather was disappointing, a sunny start gave way to cloud all day until late afternoon. I stayed in, I'm still feeling wambly after the covid jab. I shall seriously consider not having more if it's going to be Moderna which makes me unwell for at least a week.

I paced myself through chores yesterday morning but the afternoon was a washout, no going for a walk or gardening.
After a disturbed night's sleep, it will probably be another gentle day, I shall grit my teeth and get on with tedious admin and read my backlog of magazines. My free book is finished, I successfully forecast who would get killed off and what the twist at the end of the tale would be...not too difficult!
'An Officer and a Spy' was a great book, grandMattie as are all Robert Harris' books. It was he who wrote 'Conclave', I am looking forward to seeing the film when I can stream it.

I hope you all have the best possible day.