Good Morning WEdnesday22nd July 2026

Good morning from the Manchester/Cheshire border. I’m a regular reader, but an infrequent poster. Happy birthday to GG13 and Gingster.
As I’m more or less housebound now, I do appreciate reading about people’s ’ramblings/musings/novellas/adventures. The photos are very welcome too. I enjoy reading about visits to restaurants, schools, parks, garden centres, hairdressers and jollies with grandchildren. I tend to read them in other people’s accents as well. A very generic Scottish one unfortunately but it does feel like chatting to someone new.
My grandsons will be here in a month for just over a couple of weeks. The whole family were here at Christmas for a few days. The boys stayed last summer for a couple of weeks, on their own and we had such a good time together. We’ve been planning what we are going to do when they are here. DGS1 (age 11) wants to have a Portuguese day, when he makes all the meals, so this is what we plan on our video calls. DGS2 (age 9) wants to go on a midnight walk, with my OH, who sometimes goes on an evening walk, just a couple of times round the block, that should be fun.
Today, I’ll be reading a book about a district nurse, which became the film “Nurse on Wheels”. My own nurse just comes once a week now thank goodness, but it has been an ongoing issue since January. I’ve been doing an online supermarket shop, very slowly adding to it.
Thank you to all for expanding my four walls and sharing your lives.

Same price sadly FG😢
Yes, Cartmel is lovely, I often do a day trip up that way. Last time in Cartmel, I bought a lovely art deco scent bottle in one of their interesting individual shops.

Thank you Bellasnana. I like to hear how GNs live in other countries.
That heat does sound a challenge. The electric roller blinds must help and a partial basement area must be a cool area. I wonder if they will become a feature of new builds in the UK.

Offsetting high heat and bitter cold will have to be taken into consideration here now. .

Thank you dear good morning friends for all your birthday wishes 😻

It sounds a lovely place
Maybe next spring …

Cartmel

Not a ramble at all Bellasnana it was a very interesting post thank you!

hollysteers I hope that typo meant the amount charged was incorrect or didn’t just mean the same expense that covered a shorter period!
Ouch.

I’d like a mini break north of you hollysteers at a place called
Carmel
Have you visited?

Final try

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I nearly have a GN twin! Hi Beechnut! 😁

👋fgt

Happy Birthday to the Gtwins 🎉

Try again

Good morning Mick and all from a dull northwest coast. I have a concert tonight so will have a warble and make sure I have memorised my new song. My best memorising trick is to write the words out like lines at school which is tedious but works.

Then off tomorrow to the south for my BIL’s funeral and a request for no black. I find black easier as I know where I am…

My solicitor came back to me to explain the charges and there had been a typo, the bill stretching back to 2018 when the work was for 2025.
I’ll throw some things in a bag for my trip and hoping to get away with my smallest suitcase, I do hate packing.

Birthday greetings to Gingster GG13 and thoughts to all.
Pretty cottage in the next village where I take a regular walk.

Happy Birthday to Gingster and GrannyGravy two lovely ladies.

Beautiful garden Marydoll and yes sooo green

Good morning to you all. Gosh, the garden is looking tired even though its watered every evening.

We had tea and cake with the othe GPs yesterday afternoon. They have the most beautiful garden tended mostly by her as her DH has RA. DH said they could open it to the public.

Happy Birthday to both Gingster and GG13. Hope you both have a lovely day.

Hope MD and Melanie and others improve asap.

Just popped back to wish the happiest of birthdays to GrannyGravy and Gingster. Hope you both enjoy your celebrations.🥳🥂🍾

I have just walked up to the Post Office to collect the mystery parcel, which turned out to be a birthday gift from a dear friend. It is a huge garden thermometer in the shape of a bee (I collect bees!) which sticks onto the outside of the window. Very appropriate at present to see how hot it gets!

My FitFlop gave up the ghost just as I arrived at the PO so I hobbled up the steps feeling somewhat embarrassed. I then went to the pharmacy to make an appointment with the GP and they kindly taped my sandal up which held for the walk home.

In answer to the questions regarding coping in the heat. Whilst we are used to high temperatures in July/August, this present heatwave is extreme even for here.

I’m lucky as my maisonette is semi-basement so is easier to keep cool in summer and warm in winter. I usually open the patio doors at the front and back creating a through draught, but with over 40°C it is pointless opening windows as the heat outside is stifling, so I keep everything closed, I have a blind over the front door and electric roller blinds on all windows so keep them lowered if the sun is on that side.

I also have a/c which I keep at 25°C and sometimes need a fan on as well. At night just a fan is enough, I don’t like sleeping in a/c.

I’ve always looked on extremes of temperature as a challenge. A bit like when we hadn’t got much money and I would make a nourishing meal for the family which didn’t cost much.

When I first came to live here in the early 80’s, there was no a/c anywhere and we just had to find ways to keep as cool as possible. My husband used to tell us how they would sleep in the balconies when they were children to try to keep cool!

I love your garden Marydoll, it looks very inviting. The begonias are beautiful too, they remind me of my dear late brother in law who was also very dedicated to his garden and begonias in particular.

Sorry for another long ramble. Have a good day all.🤗

HelterSkelter1

If I put a pic of my garden you would think you were seeing the opening scene of Lawrence of Arabia.

😂

That's the bonus of living in Scotland, all that rain!!!

grannygravy and gingster A very happy birthday to you both🎂x

If I put a pic of my garden you would think you were seeing the opening scene of Lawrence of Arabia.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders where the sun's up!

Back not right but possibly less painful and more manageable.

It's the Frenchies last day. I'm driving them to the foot of the Pentland hills and leaving them there. They want to climb.

We had a lovely lunch in the garden yesterday with my DBiL and DSiL , she who was recently widowed. It was so nice to be with them again.

I have yarn group this morning and community lunch. This evening we have been invited out to a friend's.

Happy birthday Gingster and GrannyGravy. Enjoy your special day.

Such a pretty haven of a garden Marydoll

I hope it cools down soon Bella

Keep cool and hydrated everyone.

Morning from sun in S Hants, another ghost of a garden here, little is surviving.
Happy Birthday GG13 and Gingster 🥂🎂 have a lovely day.
How thoughtful of the cyclists gagagran.
New dentist today, doubt it will be a cheery appointment, my teeth are lousy.
Enjoy sleepovers, visitors and trips out.
🦩

Good morning Mick and everyone from bright Carlisle where it will no doubt be too warm for me to be out and doing soon. I don't mind cold, I just like it cold and sunny!

The days are getting tedious...a bit of housework and early deadheading in the garden followed by an afternoon of reading. I don't fancy going for a drive and walkabout anywhere in this heat. I have been thinking myself cool, looking at Arctic holidays and studying a tome of photos of Scott's Antarctic expedition, chilling indeed....

Today, I have been for my early walk and am ready to tackle the ironing when I've had a second breakfast! After that, who knows? There's always something to do.

Happy Birthdays to you both GrannyGravy and Gingster, wishing you both an enjoyable day.
Marydoll, lovely green garden!

Happy birthday 🥳 🎂 gingand gg

Happy Birthday, Gg and Gingster 🎂🎂

Good morning from the Essex coast.
I've only just woken up so haven't read your posts yet but I wanted to wish GG13 and Gingster a very Happy Birthday. I hope you both have a fabulous day xx

Marydoll your garden is beautiful. Fgt scotland is often sunny, particularly in May, June and September. It isnt always warm!