Good Morning Friday 28th August 2026

Good morning, a sunny start here in N. Bucks. We did have some gentle rain for about an hour yesterday.
I am about to put some washing on and the do a little bit of housework.
I have an online art class and the I will see the blocks of my quilt together.
Hollisters lovely painting. Coincidentally ,I painted lilies yesterday too.
Healing thoughts for those who with illness and other troubles. A good day wished for all.

Good morning Mick and everybody from a very wet Carlisle. I won't complain, my soil is drying out once more.

Yesterday was a quiet day physically except that I couldn't resist going out in the garden briefly to test out my shears which I'd sharpened. I'd done a good job! Those overgrown bushes rapidly cut down to size.
Apart from that, it was brain work on the computer, part being booking 2 trains, a process involving naughty language as usual.
I'm also trying to get answers from the medics re having an infusion for osteopenia but seem to be being passed from surgery to hospital and vice versa. It will have to wait till next week now.
Today will be a wet trip into town to collect a prescription and get various items, and I'll probably treat myself to a coffee.

Madeleine...a truly horrible time for you...it must be a cloned plate causing the trouble, are the police on to it? Fingers crossed it's sorted today for you.

And very best wishes to everyone struggling with problems.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where we’ve grey clouds with light rain
Oh goodness madeleine so sorry to hear about your awful day yesterday, I hope it’s sorted soon
I’ve a volunteering session this morning and then I’m going into town this afternoon for a look around the shops. I probably won’t buy anything but it’s nice to have a browse
Hoping everyone has the best day they can, take care all 💐

Good morning everyone from a damp Lancashire.

Thank you so much for the lovely good wishes from so many of you yesterday ahead of the Child in Need meeting. 🏵
The meeting went ok; his parents attended via Teams and the Health Visitor and Social worker were here in person. They both have to see him physically each month to be able to keep up their records on his progress. We had a discussion about expectations around contact visits so maybe things will improve.

We have struck gold with the Health Visitor and Social worker. I've said on here before how lucky we've been in this respect.
When something goes wrong, social workers often get a bad press, but the ones we've had dealings with are so dedicated.

Madeleine, well done on getting your new antibiotics!
DH had a similar experience to you re car fines. He had several letters to our address but with another man's name and car make and registration on it saying money was owed for something like straying into a bus lane during peak traffic times.

It took about 4 months to sort out and DH was also stressed about it affecting his reputation. It was also about the time his Mum was dying, so an added stress at a difficult time.
I think he involved the DVLA in the end to prove the car in question had never been his.

Teeth and eyes seem to be a recurring theme on this thread at the moment. Wishing all affected a speedy recovery.

I'm taking the little chap for a hair cut this morning.
We've ordered him a bed and mattress, due to arrive tomorrow.
Our DD is back tomorrow for a couple of days so she'll be an extra pair of hands to hold parts together for whoever of us builds it.

Wishing all of you the best day possible. 🌻

Hollysteers absolutely beautiful, such a calm painting while all the hammering and banging going on!

Good morning from a bright W Kent.
Madeleine I hope you get the car problem sorted out soon
Our day out yesterday went well and a few more books have found a new home.
Hoping to see DD2 today before her return to schoool
Best wishes

Good morning from Shropshire.Dry at the but more rain forecast later.

Yesterday we had a lot of rain throughout the day with torrential rain and a thunderstorm in the evening.

I have a hairdressers appointment this morning then DD will bring the children over for their usual Friday night sleepover.I have a drs appointment this afternoon so DH and the children will go into town and I will meet them after my appointment.

madeleine what a terrible day you had yesterday.I hope the parking issue is sorted soon, I am so cross and upset for you.I hope your leg improves and that you can avoid going to the hospital.Take care💐

I hope your mouth is settling down Marydoll.

Wishing everyone a good day🦩🌻

Morning all from West Oxfordshire. We had a fair bit of rain yesterday and there are a few spots of green on the lawn!

Only three of us had read the book yesterday at Book Group. It was still fun though. We will look at short stories for next month.

I am seeing a podiatrist this afternoon. My right big toe is now playing up.

I will make a new chocolate cake recipe this morning. I have a tub of sour cream which needs to be used up.

Finally I would like to cut out the backing fabric for my quilt.

What a pain Madeleine. I hope you get it all sorted pdq.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders.
I'm slightly hungover after celebrating my house selling and buying with friends who are staying with me or who have been organising the rooms for this weekend pottery and book sale. I cooked pasta and we opened the champagne. 🥂🍾

A sad note: my lodgers, who've been in the granny flat since January but are leaving to go home to Nepal in a couple of weeks, told us they know people who are involved in the flooding tragedy unfolding there.

Today I have my volunteer shift at the community café. All my usual activities will continue after the move as it's only 10 minutes further to walk. It might even be good for me.

I hope you have had some proper attention for the cellulitis Madeleine.

Thinking about all with health worries.

Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning all. The rain yesterday was short lived with one clap of thunder and the day turned out very humid and uncomfortable.

Oh Madeleine, what a time you’re having. You can do without all this frustration whilst not feeling at all well. Let’s hope the helpful Nichola can sort it all out for you. Try to relax and keep calm. You are an amazing lady. 💐.

Today we have a dentist coming to have a look at Dh. He desperately needs Some treatment and hopefully he can cope . Last time he saw a dentist he had a stroke.

I hope all poorlies find some improvement today.
🌻

I pulled a large amount of 'sticky willy', I've no idea what the proper name is. When I stopped, I was covered in the small green pods, my gardening gloves, trainers and trousers were liberally bedecked in the stuff
It’s a pain, isn’t it Grandmabatty
It’s also known as Goose grass or cleavers.
Our old dog used to get plastered in it, so difficult to get rid of it in a longer haired dog.
Tiddler eats it….but then she’ll eat almost anything!

Good grief Madeleine, what a dreadful added stress for you. I hope it all gets resolved very quickly and that your leg starts improving very soon 💐
It’s bright and sunny here on the hillside in south Glos, storms are forecast but we’ll see. We didn’t have any rain during the day yesterday.
I had my follow up appointment, as suspected the nodule was cancer and a second nodule behind it, unseen on the scans etc, was a different more aggressive one. Luckily no spread, lymph nodes clear.
So, five years of six monthly alternate CT and X-rays, which will quickly pick up which nodules are changing and appropriate treatment will be done.
All good!
I came home to find a vegetable box on my doorstep; I’d entered something for a free box some months ago and forgotten all about it! So that was a lovely surprise! It’ll keep us going for a while 😋
I didn’t sleep well but I have several bits and pieces to sort today including more bloods before a trip to the Blood Disorders clinic 🙄, somewhere different!
Best wishes to everyone x
🌹

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. Normal service is resumed, with blue sky and sunshine again. We had a thunderstorm yesterday morning, followed by two hours of steady rain. Another shower in the afternoon and overnight. I had to clear a blockage in the downpipe leading to one of the water butts but that one is now full. The others are slowly filling again. The garden is looking a little better, but obviously more rain is needed. One of the 8 year old DGDs is going camping this weekend with her uncle and his partner and her cousins, hoping it’s not too wet!

madeleine what a worrying time for you, I hope that Nichola can sort out Enfield Council for you today and that your cellulitis improves soon.
bellasnana I hope you’re not too uncomfortable in the extreme heat today. Enjoy the sleepover with your treasures!

Thinking of those who are struggling for whatever reason and hope that life improves for you all.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 15° and wet. It looks like it's on for a bit. Madeleine that's really unfair for you! I truly hope it can be sorted. I'm cross on your behalf.
Yesterday I did a quick tidy in the school library then home. I decided to weed. I pulled a large amount of 'sticky willy', I've no idea what the proper name is. When I stopped, I was covered in the small green pods, my gardening gloves, trainers and trousers were liberally bedecked in the stuff. I hung out a wash too. Later in the afternoon, I weeded some of the drive too. The state of the place is still bad but less bad. Dd messaged me to tell me dgs2 got the first award at assembly for his class for enthusiasm and a house point for sitting nicely in assembly to boot. He was very pleased.
Today I'm having a very quiet day. A couple of admin things to do then I might pick up some cross stitch. I have no plans. Have a good day all

Good Morning everyone from the central south coast. It looks as if we may have another warm and dry day. No sign of the rain we need yet.

Well, the anticipated visit from DD and family, en route to a festival, didn't occur. It got to 11am and I thought there must be traffic jams holding them up but then decided to check online, the date when the festival starts. Light bulb moment! It's next weekend, not this!. So it will be Thursday 3 September when they turn up!. Hey ho!

We have a Tesco delivery this morning and I must try and do the ironing now that I have managed to get some more movement back into my arms using my infra-red massage wand.
DH will cycle to the pharmacy where my repeat scrip awaits collection. They have started sending a message when it is ready for collection which is really useful.

I am sending anecdotes about my Mother's family to one of my Manx nieces who has requested them. She wants "stories behind the names" and I am happy to oblige. She seems to be appreciative so I shall continue raiding the memory bank.

Best wishes to all with struggles or worries of any kind and hope today brings some relief and comfort.

Madeleine I read somewhere the other day, a blog by a barrister and parking fines have been vastly changed. I believe that the maximum fine by external companies, is now capped at £50 and cannot be increasing to a ridiculous amount. I hope you get this sorted, this external stress is no good

Good morning from Belfast where it is damp very heavy rain last night. My goodness Madeleine what a day you had you coped very well. Thoughts are with you.
I am getting the kitchen painted after a lot of nagging. Ceiling done walls next. Now I have blinds to wash. Pictures to be cleaned. No painting today DH is going out.
Yesterday DD and I went out looked at more glasses this time success!!!!
We ended up having coffee and on to the Range were I got bulbs.
Wishing you all the best day everyone.

Oh Madeleine I’ve just caught up with your post and am seething on your behalf. It puts my day into insignificance.

Good morning from s somerset, it feels as though we are settling in towards autumn with rain this afternoon and cloudy but sunny skies all day

I have just put my small organic delivery away and filled 7 small pots with strawberries, I love frozen strawberries plus a tsp of maple syrup with my kefir.

A new pattern was printed, cut and stuck together yesterday, with lots of alterations. A dress called Valerie by Forget me not. It was such a lovely calm and peaceful day of pottering and hygge, culminating in me browsing one of my professional books. Lots of self-care for me yesterday

I did get myself a treat yesterday, online as I decided not to face the road works on the road to Wells. A sewing machine foot, it would be nice if it arrived today.

Today I have to sew the buttons on my Kelly toile dress and have already taken another toile fabric from my stash for Valerie. These fitted dresses cannot be hit and miss so a toile is essential. The sewing at the moment is mindful and slow, difficult at times but adds towards the hygge vibe. No radio, no noise

Good morning from a wet Morecambe Bay. CDog has had me up for the last hour so I’ve had a clean round in the kitchen before posting. He’s very restless for some reason. DH was up with him earlier in the night which I slept through.
Yesterday’s trip to the dentist was painless for my mouth but not so for my purse. The money I’ve spent over the years on dental care is eye watering.
I got an earlier train than was necessary as I fear for last minute cancellations or delays so spent some time in Manchester Art Gallery before the appointment. It’s years since I’ve been in there and it must have been refurbished as I don’t remember some of the galleries.
I headed back to a different station than I usually go from and while working out which platform and where to go I actually let the train I wanted close its doors on me as I hadn’t realised it was my train. By the time I’d read the information board it was too late. I then had 50 minutes to wait and no waiting room. At least the next train was the express train so the journey to Lancaster was a touch quicker. I then almost missed my bus as it pulled in at the wrong stand. Fortunately I’d spotted it driving in. I was tired, hungry and thirsty when I finally walked in through the door. Thankfully DH’s leg is a little better and he was happy to take CDog for his last walk without me.
Today will be a day of doing very little other than essentials. It’s set to be wet again so I have an excuse not to garden. I’ll get back on track next week.
Thinking of all with much bigger problems. Take care everyone 🌸

Good morning from a dull northwest coast. We have had lots of needed rain.
Workmen here yesterday and I have a new bedroom window but a section of my new front porch hadn’t arrived so they are returning next Wednesday to complete it. The front has been knocked out, but thankfully I have the front door intact in the meantime.

I’m sleeping better in my son’s bedroom. Still called that, although he lives away and sleeps here occasionally. Lovely dreams too. Maybe a change is as good as a rest.

Into the city this morning for root touch up and trim.
Thoughts to Madeleine

Watercolour painted yesterday amidst the banging and hammering🌺

madeleine, so sorry to read about your latest stressful situation. Sending a big hug and hopes that it can be sorted out soon. It really is dreadful to be accused of being somewhere when you hadn’t been anywhere near.😞💐

Oh, my poor madeleine, I hope that Nichola will be able to sort your problems out today. 🫂❤️

Good morning from Malta where another very hot day is dawning. 45°C later.🥵

I have Milo dog today as well as DGS2 whilst his brother goes to his occupational therapy session. Then I have my hair at noon, not looking forward to dragging out in the hottest time of the day.

Tonight the boys are coming for a sleepover so I shall love having their company.

Wishing you all a good day.☀️

Good morning Michael and all GN's from a very dark and still morning in North Yorkshire. Have been awake since before 4am and am utterly exhausted from a tough day yesterday. I havent even read yesterdays posts, but todays plan - if there is even a point of making one - is to recuperate, catch up with all necessary jobs and contacts and try to at least pretend that I have some control over my day!!

Yesterday , I was in a lot of pain, and the worst thing was that the cellulitis which had been improving very slightly, was worse. More swollen, redder and if I pressed the skin it took a while for the skin to even out. The worst thing was that I only had one tablet left and again being bank holiday, doctors would be shut, and the chemist unavailable. So yet again, I had to shoot off on the yellow peril, and queue up to ask for another emergency appointment. I was feeling ill, slightly sick, and whilst being prepared to wait my turn, be courteaus to the receptionist etc., underneath I was both miserable and ready to rage. It was the same person I had seen previously. But ah ha , I have registered with her now! I fixed her with an icy stare and quietly said "I need an emergency appointment today, am prepared to wait or come back , but MUST be seen.
The message has got through , and she quite meekly said " one moment" perused her list and offered me an appointment at 10.30, so I was able to smile slightly, and in a pleasant tone , thanked her and said I would be back. Well I was actually on the yp and can take it in the surgery, so carefully turned round to go out , but inside I wished I could have done a wheelie and yelled Ye Ha!! So my back and leg were so painful and the appalling state of roads and paths did not make it any easier, but I was able to get my fresh bread and then went back. I was very pleased to be seeing the doctor I had seen previously and so didnt have to go through the whole rigmarole from the start. She looked at it carefully and said yes I needed to have a further course of antibiotics and continue taking them without a break, that if it didnt at least stay the same or improve, I would need to go to the hospital. So then it was off to the chemist, where again I had to wait, but not the length of time from the previous week. ( I am now thinking of getting a metal plaque to go on one of the seats with my name on, as I seem to have spent more time sat on that hard thing this last couple of weeks than anywhere else.) They sorted out my meds and I was thankful to get out and escape, and had planned to go to Cafe Nero, and have a well deserved coffee, but had a text from the cleaners, asking if it was ok to come early, so abandoned that and shot off home.

I had put washing in before I went to the doctors, and so just unlocked the door dumped stuff down and got the washing out from the washer and went down on the buggy to hang it out on the washing lines. Was glad to get it out in the fresh air, but by this time I was really feeling physically exhausted and mentally in need of a rest and some Bach to calm down and listen to , whilst I had my coffee.

As I came back up the path on the yp I saw a man walking away from my door and called out and asked if he was looking for me. He pointed to my car and said is this yours, and when I replied yes, said that he had just put a letter through my door and I needed to read it and contact him quickly regarding the situation with the car. I had no idea what he was on about and on asking him. he informed me that there was a judgement from a magistrate and I needed to pay this immediately or they would be coming to clamp the car and could remove it if I didnt pay!!!! I asked what this was about, and this goes right back to last january when I received 3 letters all about different incidents, which said that my car was seen and photographed parking or whatever illegally in Enfield on various dates. That the fines were outstanding and would be increasing etc etc.

As I havent been to Enfield for probably 20 years, I thought it was a scam, but it was on Enfield councils paper, so I took the letters to upfront to seek help from the people there. I knew if I just rang up about it they would be unlikely to believe me, but fortunately on one of the dates quoted I was in a meeting here, and for fire risks etc , we all have to sign in, so I could actually prove that I was not in Enfield and had witnesses. But what worried me was if some criminals had cloned my number plate and that there would be further problems and difficulties. So at that time Nichola was brilliant and we went through things and she had also had another person with the same thing happening to them. So besides sorting things out she had informed the police etc etc. There was much to ing and fro ing but then she said that enfield had cancelled it all etc., and of course as she is with a council run support group, her word carried more weight than if I had just tried to deal with it myself. So after all the hassle we thought it was sorted.

However for no understandable reason it turned out that for 2 of the 3 occasions these letters referred to , they had been cancelled and made sure that there was no connection with me. BUT the third letter had not been cancelled, and so the fine had risen to £539, and nothing of course had happened ,hence the arrival of the bailiff etc. Well I immediately rang Nichola, and she was working from home, so I had to collect up what paperwork I had and the offensive red edged letter from this man and again on the yellow peril went up to her house. She was busy toing other work , but had to put that to one side whilst we went through stuff and she got the lap top sorted and then rang this horrible man, who stated that , they did not get involved with the concerns, and we needed to get in touch with the appeal people etc etc, or he would be coming to clamp the car or take it away. Despite Nichola explaining her role and what had previously happened , he said that made no difference and that I could pay the amount and then IF!! the appeal went through I would get the money back!!!!!!!

But I was not in frightened or bewildered mode!!! I was in icy fury mode. I said to him that I was a pensioner on a fixed income, and if I paid this fine - that I did not owe - in the meantime what was I meant to use to buy food or heating until they deigned to give me my money back. To which he replied that it was not their concern etc. and he was empowered to take the car or put a clamp on that day. Well as at the moment I have all this added hassle with the cellulitis , and might need to go to the hospital etc, that it was a bank holiday coming up and life was bad enough right now , I then thought I might have to dash back to the flat, get the car and go and hide it somewhere that they could not find i! I do have a garage here, but it is very old and no electricity in it and was there from something like 40 years ago and my car wont fit into it. All this was going on and I hadnt even got to lunch time yet!! I then had to get back as the cleaners were going to come early.

I was so glad to see them and they were their usual efficient people and besides all the usual efforts had also been able to pick up all the pens , knives etc etc that I had dropped in different places but couldnt bend down to pick up.

So eventually I went and picked up a friend in the car and we went for a little drive up onto the moors, to calm down and let the sounds of the country, the water and the trees and hardly anyone else about, but the heather beautifully purple, the partridges wandering about and the rabbits in and out of the ferns. I needed that to recover from the day from hell, and so today I will be contacting Nichola to see what is going on with the saga of the car .

You see how I like to be special? Why should I only cope with a bad back and cellulitis , when I can add more excitement and hassle for my day. So my original plan, when I had hung out the washing, had been to make a coffee and read all the posts, but the day ran away with me.

I feel as though I have done 7 rounds with Muhammed Ali, need to now go through all the jobs that got left from yesterday, catch up with what is happening re this fine etc. Well I have to say at 81 years old this is the very first red letter I have received, couched in aggressive terms etc. The further worry for me, is that because I have always been on limited means, I have been extremely careful to pay bills, keep in the black and have a good credit rating. This hassle could blow my good name sky high, and if this misinformation goes to banks etc it could affect things in the future. I know that man is only doing his job, but it really grates that I KNOW that I dont owe anything and I have been put through all this stress anxiety and worry and it isnt even sorted out yet. When I have done nothing wrong it makes me furious.

Ah well I am getting a bit stressed up writing about it, and so I am going to take a break, and as it is just gone 6am now will get some breakfast and a much needed coffee and come back for part 2 and to read all your posts. Hoping that you all have NOT been having a similar day! Be back later