Soops kitchen, a place of reflection, refuge and at times revelry.

Relaxing this morning in preparation for some busy days ahead - Alnwick Castle and gardens, Bamburgh castle, Bowes Museum, Durham, Nostell Priory , Cragside and I can’t think what else!
I felt very tired after yesterday’s heart check. I’ve had very little personal experience of hospitals (plenty with Paw over a 25 year period though) other than having babies 40-50 years ago and was pleasantly surprised.
The 2 cardiac nurses whose names I missed, were so kind and friendly, putting me entirely at my ease, before, during and after the procedure.
Likewise the consultant could not have been nicer, at all times friendly and considerate of my comfort and feelings.
Finally the two medical students who observed were charming young people who will I’m sure make wonderful doctors one day.
We hear so much doom and gloom, this was an eye opener- from the friendly and helpful staff who checked me in, the clean and cheerful surroundings , the treatment and care I experienced , to the wonderful “Gaynor’s Garden” outside the unit where I could relax in the sun afterwards while waiting for my lift.
I haven’t caught up with everybody’s news but wish you all the best day possible.

Beautiful Yia very calming.
Well that’s better news corner bye, bye rattus and you have wheels.
Enjoy the adventure GrannySomerset hopefully you’ll adapt to the bed.

Last nights sunset.Peace tranquility and reflection!

Away for a few days with DD and DSiL staying in lovely holiday cottage in Devon. All I have to do is be ready on time and pay up and it is a real break from my usual life. The only downside is that my room has twin beds which are only 2ft 6in wide and I spent the night waking up alarmed that I might fall out. So far I haven’t. Wonder what today has in store?

Thank you for your kind messages we’re in Edinburgh just now and getting on our cruise ship about lunchtime. Lots of time to explore the ship before sailing away late afternoon. It’s about 15 years or more since we’ve done a cruise so looking forward to a different adventure this time!

Thank you for the cake Redcar but so sorry to hear about the bereavement 💐
Double good news corner enjoy the car and your garden again!
Enjoy the wedding at the weekend nannytopsy and safe travels
Hope everyone in the quiet corner is doing ok, it’s good to have you back Maw, take care all x

Cornergran I'm so pleased for you that the rat issue seems sorted. I was a big fan of 'Hill Street Blues'. I loved them all.
The ballet was excellent and so was dinner at Ciao Roma. Edinburgh folk will probably know it. It was quiet when we arrived but very quickly filled up with pre theatre people.

Morning everyone. A quick visit with some good news, for once, I’ve been a right misery for a while.

We get our car back today, the local garage have pulled out all the stops for us. There’s a question for me over can I trust the car, but that’s for me to manage and give my head a wobble. The part failure was as the garage said unexpected due to the age and mileage of the car. On their advice we’ve entered into a dispute over the cost with the manufacturer which I’m sure will rumble on. Having transport again means we can go to a family birthday gathering this weekend, very happy about that.

The other good news is ratty seems to have gone. The bait has been taken and no sign now. It makes a positive difference to be able to go out into the garden without expecting the patter of tiny paws.

That was good news maw, I’m pleased for you.

A hug fgt, one of those unexpected trip wires. You’ve reminded me how useful I found reflexology. Time I re-visited I think.

Off I go. Best wishes to you all. Mr C was talking about Hill Street Blues (anyone remember that programme?) so let’s be careful out there.

I’m very fond of carrot cake Redcar! Thank you very much x

Warm and humid this evening after a very warm afternoon, spent at the local hospital having an infusion of a drug which will hopefully stop my bones from breaking as easily. Needless to say no aircon in most of the hospital! Fortunately I had excellent instructions on how to find the room I needed otherwise I might still be looking for it!!

Good to see you maw, enjoy your holiday.

brook have a lovely time on your cruise.

My cousin and his wife were planning on visiting tomorrow on their way home from Norwich but have had to return home today as his wife’s mother sadly passed away on Monday night. She was 103. I am left with a number of cakes, so have left a carrot cake on the aside in case anyone is hungry!

Thinking of those in the quiet corner.

Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone, especially the football if you’re watching it. I shan’t be watching but no doubt will hear shouts from the neighbours if England score!

‘Evening All’

It’s been a muggy teatime here but at least there’s finally air about. I’d have loved to get in the pool with L’il Miss at the leisure centre earlier when she had her lesson.

I did think of the electric fan in the wardrobe earlier but then I filled up quite tearful - too many sad memories from times when Himself said his ‘thermostat had gone’ while at home after his iv chemo sessions. To be honest I’m not sure that I’ll ever be able to use it again. I may give it away. Better to be melting than crying.

Nice you’ve popped in here Maw it’s been a while. Good to hear your investigation went well.

I thoroughly enjoyed my reflexology Jax thanks for asking. I’m rehydrating now, sipping lime juice cordial (Roses, my absolute favourite) with ice cubes.

I hope England win but I won’t be watching. I’m going to tune into Netflix now. 😁

Evening, the afternoon sports day proved very successful for the 11yr old, he is house captain and his house won 🏆

Good to see you Maw

DH has gone out, I am reclining on the sofa, scrolling GN and wasting time until the England game.

Hi all, we’ve just said cheerio to our unexpected visit from friends last seen 5 years ago, what a joy it was, I’ve invited them back Saturday. They’re back to Wales in their camper on Monday.
Hello Grannmarie good to see you, I’ll be back to my strength and balance class as soon as I can manage it.
Have a smashing cruise brook new sights and scenery for you both.
Hope you enjoyed your treatment today FGT and are very relaxed.
Right, MrJ, chief chef is at the chip shop, enjoy your evening all come on England ⚽️

Good evening, lovely Kitchen people!🥰

Enjoy the wedding, Nannytopsy, I hope the sun shines. 🌞

Hello 👋 YiaYia, I'm OK thanks, keeping myself busy. Super photos, enjoy the rest of your holiday. It'll do you both a power of good.

Good news, Maw, now you can enjoy your holiday.

Safe journey and have a wonderful cruise, brook, a different experience for you and DH.

Your ballet sounds very entertaining, Grandmabatty, a wee bit different!

Redcar, such sad news, thinking of you. 💐

FGT, be gentle with yourself, it's still early days, I'm a year ahead of you and it still doesn't seem real at times.

Good for you, Jaxjacky employing your cleaner! It helps you to recover. I've recently done the same, the osteoarthritis in my shoulders and knees makes it difficult to do cleaning that involves kneeling ( oven) or stretching ( windows). Strangely I feel I should be busy while she cleans so I do some ironing, gardening or admin. 🤣

Hope it stayed dry for your wee one's Sports Day, Grannygravy.

I managed my Aquafit class yesterday and I am booked for the NHS Strength and Balance class tomorrow. I'm coming to the end of my 20 weeks' allocation so I must look for a similar class to follow up.

Thinking of everyone, especially those with illness, worries or sorrow. Kind wishes to all in the Quiet Corner. Wishing everyone a peaceful Wednesday evening and a good night's sleep. TOYA

I’m glad you got good results Maw. Nice to see you back!
We lived in the NE for a while and loved the Farnes. I don’t remember the boat trip being too bouncy but then again I was only in my 20s! Enjoy your trip. We are heading in the opposite direction tomorrow to a wedding in Wiltshire, then Dorset then east to Kent, to pick up DD’s dog before we come home on Monday.
And then relaaax!

I haven’t posted for a long time but have followed your lives, your ups and downs, your smiles and sorrows with interest and I hope empathy.
I too was saddened to read about Jeremy Clarkson whom I have grown quite fond of since the advent of Clarksons Farm.
Too many men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer (and too many also not testing and finding out)
6 husbands of friends, family members etc have been diagnosed in the last 5 or so years and happily -for them- four of them caught it in time and have made a full recovery.
Sadly the other two had it spread into liver, bowel, or bones and have died.
I wonder if not being able to see a Dr during the pandemic has contributed to this upsurge - bearing in mind how hard it can be to get a man to actually make a doctor’s appointment.

I have just got back from two hours of poking , prodding, and testing at MK hospital to try to find the cause of my breathlessness. A Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram which took my heart rate up to I think 140 ish was not painful and seemed very thorough and has come up negative ie my heart is OK.
( Maybe lose some weight? ) But they were too kind to go there.
Lovely consultant, 2 cardiac nurses and 2 medical students so not a lot of dignity left but they were all very kind and friendly. Now all I have to do is let my heart rate go back down to normal-so no excitement. George Clooney will have to wait another day to pop round.
I am also now clear to enjoy my Arts Society holiday in Northumberland starting on Friday but may still give the (optional) 2 hour puffin spotting boat trip round the Farne Islands a miss. It’s not exactly Lake Como is it?

JC had his surgery 4 August last year apparently so hopefully he’s had a better prognosis since.

I hope it stays dry GrannyGravy

Jazjacky yes really sad. I saw Jeremy’s short social media post, he looks rather gaunt and visibly upset 😢

One of our AC was at his pub at the weekend.

Well first half of Sports Day is over, only rained lightly twice ☔️
A couple of hours at home then it’s back for the second half (Yrs 3-6)

GG13 sad news on Jeremy Clarkson’s health today, we’ve watched his farm series from the start, very funny in parts, but with serious struggles too.
Dull, damp morning.
Have a decent day all.

Hello kitchen people, and especially FGT🌷

I planted up a hanging basket today (our gardener doesn’t do everything!) with mainly pink and purple flowers.

I visited friends until after 4. I whizzed home as I had to have dinner ready early as OH was going out. I made a sort of pasta bake with cheese sauce and bacon.

Sleep 💤 tight.

fgt U hope you can sleep at night and are not lying alone with your thoughts and feeling empty.

As others have said, this feeling will recede, but that isn't exactly today. You just have to take each day as t comes and prepare for your next trip to Spain.

You can scream and yell at us, we understand.

FGT a gentle hug from me too.

It’s been cloudy and warm here and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we will have the forecast rain tonight.

Hugs to you FGT.
We have emptied and refilled some big plant pots and a trough, hoping the new rose I was given will enjoy its home. It suddenly got very warm at about 4 o’clock. DH (aka the butler) is making Pimms, as I need a long drink to rehydrate! 😉
One more lot of washing to peg out and I’m done.
Hope everyone has a good evening

fgt I think it’s the realisation that ‘this is it’ that is so hard to deal with.
You just have to do what you feel like doing (if anything) and if you feel like sitting and crying, then that’s ok too.
Sending you a hug.

You e been busy, busy FGT today your grief had space, that’s very much allowed, it means you can be understandably sad and weep.

A cleaning lady had a try out today, she used a toothbrush in the shower and will be back.
Lovely surprise this afternoon, friends we made in Françe, who live in Wales are touring across the east/south of England, they’re calling in tomorrow. Much reminiscing will be had.
MrJ is at bowls, I might not watch football - what a rebel eh 🙂
Have a pleasant evening, wave to the quiet corner, I miss Blossoming.