Good Morning Saturday 3rd October 2026

Good morning from Malta where it is still dark but the forecast is for much the same as it has been all week, a mixture of sun and clouds with a high of 28°C.

I went for my hair yesterday, had the car filled with petrol but then CBA to go shopping so returned home and lay on the bed. I haven’t been feeling great this week. Not anything I wish to share on a public forum though!🙈

I’m getting up to watch tennis as Carlos Alcaraz is playing, however I am meeting my friend for coffee at 9.15 (she always likes to meet early) so I shall probably not be able to watch all the match as I will need to get ready.

The boys are coming for their weekly sleepover later. They always cheer me up, bless them.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.☀️

Good morning from Bristol.
Sorry you’re not feeling bellas, mayyourvtreadures cheer you up. Good news Mick, that you’re being so carefully monitored.
I’ve only just woken up after an unprecedented amount of sleep. Good as I have a very busy weekend with the vicar retirement parted . I didn’t go to last night’s one though…
After all the busyness of housework,Metz., I had a quiet evening in preparation for today.
I’ve got the ‘flu/covid jabs this morning at 8 am, then after breakfast, am serving coffee in church..
In the afternoon, I’m making a large cottage pie for 8 for the farewell lunch tomorrow. I suspect it will go on, with many speeches and probably, tears. I wonder if his wife will show up? I’ve seen her just once in the 3 years I’ve been here.
As I normally feel, absolutely rubbish for a few days after the jab, I shall try to take things easy, but life has a habit of taking over…
May you have a blessed Sunday. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from s somerset, the weather is grudually cooling, not surprising for october. I have another big wash set for today, just taking advantage while the weather is dry

A mixed bag yesterday, lots of house things to do, a film to watch and I simply print and re-make a favourite pattern in my changed size when I have nothing to do. My big paper sack is very full of paper scraps for the tip

I want to go to the allotment but have to cycle there, it is too early for my tooth socket. There is still ache at times and a painful ulcer developed, which will all disappear within another 5 days. Healing is very much on schedule and I was prepared for this but my immune system has to work hard to replace tissue and bone. I have dense bones

Today has to start with a walk to the shops, I need some supplies for the weekend and then I will get on and changeover my wardrobe. I need to do this properly and everything will have to come out. Yesterday I wore a long-sleeved transition blouse made in double gauze and I was very comfortable, that tells me it is time

This wardrobe changeover is a bit of an intense job and I will need to start with emptying my smaller wardrobe which holds winter clothes and coats. Then the flighty summer thing will go straight in there. No packing anything into boxes under the bed this year, no need

I hope I am finished by lunchtime, I want the afternoon for rest and knitting as always and I get my second wind after 4 so might well cut out my first quilted top then

Metz = etc. !

Wideawake early once again. Good morning all from a dark and chilly N Surrey. I wish I could aleep for longer every night.

A quiet day in the garden after a quick shop. I bought some new short handled Spear and Jackson loppers. They say razor sharp and so they are. And in a sale. I made short work of clipping down and back a shrub whose name escapes me completely. It has holly type leaves and yellow scented flowers in winter/spring. Oh dear get working brain. I will cut down and dig out some lavenders which are too straggly and dry now and replant with new ones. And rake into a pile what looks like the last of the conkers. Many fewer this year thank goodness. The leaves not yet dropping. Sweeping them up takes weeks of effort sometimes helped by the wind which can blow them into neat piles.

I have the weekend to do all this and it looks to be dry and not too warm. Ideal.
Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend.

Good morning from a dark and mild Herefordshire.

After doing my food shop yesterday I got stuck into cleaning the kitchen. Bit silly really as it was a nice day and time could have been better spent in the garden. I have lots of bulbs to plant.

karmalady I remember feeling exhausted after my tooth extraction. It's the sort of thing people generally have difficulty understanding until they've experienced it, I have found. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Welcome to poppy68 who joined yesterday.

DS and his girlfriend are visiting today so will probably end up in the pub this afternoon.

Have a nice weekend all.

Good morning from Wiltshire. I’ve woken really early for me, at 5am.

DH tested NEGATIVE after 11 days of positive covid tests yesterday, so we picked up DGD3 and DGS2 after school not having seen them for the best part of 3 weeks due to this virus. They were like 2 different children. Not a single spat between them and both very chatty. GS said he wants to be an engineer when he grows up but “I’ve got lots to learn first”. GD started writing a book “with chapters with 6 pages in each” she said. Unfortunately the word marvellous which appeared in the title was spelt marvelus.😂

Today we are having a light lunch in Hungerford with DS and his gorgeous dog Luna. He’s the only one we will see as the rest of the family are tied up with swimming and drama classes. Then we will drive onto Reading and stay overnight with DD1. We will eat in the fabulous Indian in Twyford.

Kitty I remember you saying your DH was a fan of the Ezra Collective. They have just become the first UK jazz band in history to reach No 1 in the album charts with their new album Here Because of Hope. We have had a listen and it’s great (apart from the track with rap on it, a genre I hate).

I’m sorry to read your DH has health issues Gelisa. I hope he won’t wait long for a referral.

Grammaretto I’m so sorry your buyer’s sale has fallen through. It must be a tremendous worry for you.

Wishing you all a good weekend.

Good morning from Sheffield
Is it Mahonia HelterSkelter?
I had a very decent nights sleep. I had some magnesium last night. I wonder if it’s that. I try all these things that are supposed to help you sleep. They work for a couple of nights and then I slip back to being awake.
Hoping for a cycle ride this afternoon. Hubby had his flu jab yesterday so will see how he feels when he wakes up.
Sorry to hear of your latest health worry Michael. I hope all will be ok.
Take care

Good morning from a dark but dry Torbay.

I hope you had a fair wind to sail over here from Exeter yesterday, Poppy68. There are many hidden coves along our beautiful coastline which were handy for smugglers in the past!

Today, I’m feeling much better following both vaccinations on Friday (Covid and influenza). Online research informed me that having the Covid vaccination near an arthritic shoulder can cause issues! 🙄 Last year I had no problems (no arthritis in my shoulder then) but this time it caused me to cry with the pain at times and DH had to help me dress!

We had hoped for a morning doing errands in town with lunch yesterday but DH went alone whilst I stayed at home and tried to distract myself from the pain. I’m pleased to say I’m fine this morning. I hope my experience won’t discourage Ekwanimitee or others from having both vaccinations together.

Happy weekend, everyone! 🦩💐🦩🥰🦩

Thank you Gillymo now is when I appreciate being at home and to have my own slower schedule

Helterskelter mahonia?

My poor Ash, I hope the pain has eased off now!

Thank you Melanie and karmalady. I should have remembered it as I usually shout the name out loud like the tv advert for Covonia.
I have probably cut off the flowering tips, but it was too tall and will regrow. I cut it down to ground level a few years back and it regrew from one tiny green leaf which was left. It is a bush in the wrong place and obscures my view from the kitchen patio doors down the garden. Not that after this summer is there much of beauty to see.

Good morning, it’s dry and cloudy here in south Glos. I haven’t slept well for some reason 🙄 but nothing much happening today so it won’t matter.
I finished sorting out my winter wardrobe yesterday, two big black bags ready for the charity collection and I have still got too many clothes!
I’ll do another sort out over the next few months as I wear and reject/keep items. I really need to accept that I rarely go out and I can’t remember the last time I needed to actually dress up, it must be several years ago!
I am going to make an effort to dress more smartly rather than just rewearing the same few items. I also need to start wearing jewellery, I can remember the last time I wore more than a pair of earrings. Lazy me….😊
I did swatch my botanical watercolour paints yesterday, a small selection of the most useful ones, so I have no excuse for not getting on with it.
An hour’s gardening and one border has been tidied; I need to take a saw to some dead parts of the older rose bushes, too thick for secateurs or loppers. I’ll do another section this morning.
Beef casserole for dinner with jacket potatoes or mash, all ready to reheat after making it in the slow cooker.
Have a lovely weekend x
🌹

Good morning Michael and all GN's from a very dark morning in North Yorkshire. Yet another rubbish night, surely I must get a decent nights sleep soon? Ah well, it will allow me to be down for the Yorkshire Post very early today. The yellow peril is earning its keep, as it helps with the frustration and cost. I can at least get going on that , even if every tortoise could pass me when walking! So it will be a two trip morning, as I will go first for paper and a couple of things from supermarket, but need to go for fresh bread from my local shop ,and a quick check on the market a bit later. Good job I have lights on buggy and now must look out my bright yellow jacket to be ready for being more visible in dark days. Part of my autumn change is to go through all my coats and jackets and see that there are a pair of thermal gloves, a bright yellow thermal hat and a white opaque plastic bag in each one. My safety and be prepared routine for the winter. The clothes allow me to have something warm to hand , especially for those days when you stay out longer than expected or there is a weather change you hadnt bargained for . The white opaque bag I recommend to you all to have with you. It fulfils two needs. You have a bag with you when you suddenly need some bit of shopping or if you start to see some lovely blackberries in the hedge to harvest, But more importantly, especially in a rural area , where there may not be a path or lighting, if you hold the bag at the side facing the traffic, it will be picked up by the headlights of cars and you will be much more visible than just your clothes, I know this from being a car driver too and it definitely works on those darker afternoons, when the clock goes back and people havent quite got into winter mode with torches and bright colours.

Yesterday was a mixed day of good and bad. I did not have a good day pain wise and that led on to much frustration, as I tried to reconcile what I wanted to do with what I was actually able to do!! I was very slow to get going, and even taking some painkillers early did not seem to have much effect. However I managed with some effort to get to the library for the mornings bocca group only 10 minutes late, having negotiated all the pain barriers getting up that flipping ramp etc. Smaller crowd than usual, but I was pleased that he had brought the curling things. My much preferred game, and I am struggling a bit to learn to use the stick with it, rather than bending and using my body, but I will learn. What you miss is when you use your body, that hand eye coordination works well and I can judge distances and do quite well. Using the stick and sitting up instead of bending down, it is more difficult to judge and at the moment frustrating as I tend to over push the stone. Ah well I will learn, and it was absolutely the right thing for me as we did it in teams. There are a couple of men and a woman who obviously have played the real thing in the past and are very good at getting close to the target. I cannot judge that well enough yet, but have found my role in looking to see where the opposition stones are and going in for knocking them out . I am getting quite good at that and it is both fun to do, helps me judge the way the things work and very satisfying to send their stones flying out of the way, to allow our side to have space to win. It really is very good as concentrating on what I am doing, helps the pain to take a bit of a back step, and even just hitting something as I want to , cheers me up and makes me feel that I can still do something well. I think I shall look into seeing if there is any club anywhere close by that I could join to play this. It would be a great anti frustration game, and I use my (rather silly but helpful) ability to think of someone or something that has annoyed or upset me when I take aim. So my silent weapon is in my head as I say "Donald Trump" or "Nigel Farage" or "B....potholes " and send the stone with force to beat the opposition! Well I shall look into that in the future.

After the session was over, I waited to get a catch up with the librarian who had told me that she had some news on my campaign to sort out the ramp etc. She was busy for a while but there is always something to enjoy in the library, so no problem. When she was free she brought me up to date with the goings on in the various departments and areas behind the scene. They have of course been passing the buck from pillar to post, but of course my complaint has meant that she has been able to pursue it through the many byways and turns, and whilst we have not yet got a date for things to be done, she has now got to the correct people and notes and messages have been circulating and I am doing my bit, as she is able to tell them that this person will not be put off or letting it rest, so however much it takes we will succeed in the end!! We smile at each other, and recognise how we are similar people and look forward to many possible plans in the future, but at the moment stick to the rules , but think I have actually found a new friend through this too!! So although I had a very frustrating day physically , felt that some progress had been made with this scheme. I then left to go and get my D and S paper and as it was sunny and too nice to rush back to jobs, I carried on and went off to my good fish and chip shop. They are used to me now, and so I call out through the door way and they cook me a piece of fish and the lady brings it round to me and I pay her. Then I went into the park and sat out and enjoyed my fish, carefully depositing my box into the bin afterwards of course. Felt better for something to eat and a breath of fresh air and then came home, to do a bit of sorting. Wasnt up to doing much and ignored the ironing, just couldnt even contemplate putting the board up or anything, so not a great deal done . I did enjoy watching Downton Abbey without falling asleep in the chair and some of the great "bon mot" from Maggie Smith as the dowager Lady Grantham, and before that came on , by chance found a play for today on channel 5 with Phillis Logan in it and another actress that I cant remember her name , but was always playing bossy women in things like Heartbeat. so good to see them still acting , as older women. About time we had some decent plays on after all the rubbish cheap programmes in the summer.

So today, I have quite a lot of things that I need to do. I have lists of jobs, including boringly sorting out my next contract for electricity, checking on my mobile phone contract, getting in touch with the various people about the eye situation and then trying to come to a conclusion and contacting the hospital with my decision. Then I am waiting for my son to confirm his new phone number to me so that I make sure I have the right one, and am trying to go through the calendar to find a convenient date for them and me to organise a trip across to see them. The hospital appointments etc keep messing up my forward planning, do they have the equivalent of the "borrowers" who let them know your plans so that they can wreck them by arranging your appointment right in the middle of all your other plans? Well we shall see how things go, and I will be flashing my bus pass more often and learning the bus stops that suit, and how long I need to allow for a journey somewhere, by bus rather than car times.

I am going to look into going on the Moors bus soon and also want to work out a way of getting to the coastline bus that goes down from I think Saltburn or Redcar right down to Whitby area. I would manage to struggle up the stairs to have the pleasure of a great look out, but think I must work out what rucksac to use, to see if I could get a cushion into it to at least give me a bit of comfort for my back. Well who knows, it might be cheaper to go out on the bus on cold winters days than stay at home and put the heating on!! Hey we might set up a GN's travelling meet up, with the top deck of long distance buses being turned into a GN party, with the news noticing the unusually large amounts of travellers on their top decks!! How about it folks?

Well here is beloved Bach and the sky is clearing a little so that I can see the outline of the tree against the sky. Looks very still but no sign of the promised rain yet. Too early and dark to see the squirrel or pigeons out yet. I might miss them if I get off early this morning. Hope you have a good trip today Mick and get an early CT scan appointment. Bellasnana, hope that you will have a better week next week, and can watch some good tennis too. Lovely that you have your grandchildren to enjoy and cheer your days. I wish my grandson lived nearer to me, but I wouldnt want to leave my beloved Yorkshire to be over there. You never know with families working , when they might have to move and then you would be stuck in a place you didnt choose or like and they wouldnt be there. So I accept that travelling to meet them is just part of my life these days.

Well I hope that all GN's get up to a clear morning and that plans work out or are improved by something better turning up. May we all meet or get in touch with friends to start organising our autumn / winter meet ups, and reluctantly put away our summer things and get the winter stuff out . I shall be wearing the same old things but will look to see which of my things are now in fashion , as I find what goes around , comes around, so who knows this year I might be bang up to fashion with my ancient trousers and tops? Each to their own, but I am so glad I dont really give a toss about fashion, as I couldnt be bothered - nor afford - to spend ages trying on things and wasting ages going round shops and faffing about. My priorities are comfort, ease of wearing, and no awkward button holes and zips at the back etc. I have my big jacket , which I bought in a sale for my trip to the artic so I have that ready for use when needed. In the meantime lets enjoy those autumny days and I might look around for a wood I could go to and get myself a couple of lovely conkers. Enjoy your day folks and I shall enjoy reading your posts when I get back from the paper getting

Good morning from Morecambe bay where it is dry with a pleasant autumn day forecast. I may take advantage of it and take DS2 into the Lakes where the autumn colour is just starting.
Thank you for your good wishes for DH. He’s very accepting of all that’s happening and still feels positive about the future. He’s the eternal optimist where as I am quite pessimistic. I try not to be, but just feel I’m the realistic one!
We do have a large bag of gravel on the drive to top up the paths which we ordered a couple of weeks ago but the delivery was delayed due to a problem at the quarry. I have told DH not to move it because if the leg problem is his back, he may make things worse. I will get it moved bit by bit just a bit slower than planned. DS2 offered to move it yesterday but with his difficulties he isn’t really capable either! I have visions of a 1970’s style comedy situation unfolding should he try to help.
Talking about DS2, he’s just got up. I can hear the shower. It’s been a lie in for him as he’s usually up for work at half four.
I shall get up and start the day too so I’ll wish everyone a good day free of pain, worries or sadness. Take care🌸

Good morning from Durham. Streaks of pink across the sky look wonderful.
I’ve Little Dog here again, as DD2 will be out most of the day and he’d just be left in his own - we’re company for each other and he gets me out for a walk.
Nothing on today- I avoid shopping at weekends, leaving it to those who have no choice - I have the other 5 days to shop at leisure. I’ll continue with tidying the garden and sorting out more stuff in the garage.

Best wishes to all. X

Good morning from damp South Lanarkshire.

We had absolutely torrential downpours yesterday, the weather was wild. Hopefully today will be better.

So sorry to hear about the setback with your house sale Grammaretto.

A new bed frame for the spare room was delivered yesterday, I’m not looking forward to DH putting it together, there could very well be swearing.

I think we will go for a walk on a beach today although I’m sure it will be bracing.

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

A quick good morning from a bus (just me on a double decker) in Cornwall, with coffee in a travel mug and my breakfast goodies in my pack back, on my way to a hospital appointment some distance away. After that I'll take another bus or two to the nearest stretch of coast. I love starting out early while it's still dark and the town is waking up; so atmospheric.

Good morning 🙋‍♀️

Just local food shopping this morning, then I want to try and finish my book this weekend.

Thinking of our poorly friends 🙋‍♀️

Good morning everyone from mid Essex, dry and sunny again. A fine day is forecast, but cooler than of late. The gardener came yesterday afternoon and cleared a large patch of seedlings which were 90% weeds. I have some bulbs to put in that space if/when the ground is soft enough. I’ll attempt more gardening today, nothing else planned and I don’t think either of my DDs is planning to visit.
I should do some tidying, the dinner table is covered with papers again, but will only take a few minutes to clear.

bellasnana I hope you feel better soon, enjoy the sleepover with your treasures tonight.

gelisa be careful moving the gravel! Have a good day out in the Lakes.

Have the best day possible everyone, I hope all the planned days go well.

Good Morning everyone from the central south coast where we are promised another lovely day.. Autumn is my second favourite season (after spring) and we are certainly having a lovely one this year.

Yesterday, our plumber turned up early, as promised, drained the cylinder and fitted the new pump etc. He is so obliging and we are lucky to have him as our callout plumber.

I had a better day health-wise and practised the stairlift operation so now feel competent and comfortable with it. DH likes to sit on the bench in the hall and wave as I ascend to bed. Makes us laugh anyway! He calls it my chariot.

Today should be a quiet one after a busy week. DH is out for a coffee and cake ride with his club this morning but back for lunch. I really need to make a shopping list of bulbs I need to go in the pots when we empty them. They are still very floral and lovely and I don't want to empty them yet.

Hope we all have a good day with some comfort for those in need. Go safely and don't overdo it our active GNs!

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where the sun is up and it’s going to be a warm day. I slept fitfully last night.

DS was supposed to be coming down to spend the day with me but he has a heavy cold and doesn’t want to pass it on to me so he’s cried off. He also has an important family wedding next weekend and needs to get rid of it before then. I have to admit I’m disappointed - he had to cancel his last visit - but I understand.

Today I will do a food shop, spend some time looking into new insurance contracts, which will be a whole heap of fun🙄, and carry on tidying away spent garden plants. It’s going to be a long weekend.

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning from a brightening Leicestershire.

My grass seeds haven’t germinated which is a nuisance. I will try again in the spring.

Today we have flu jabs, I need to go to Sainsbury’s, Next and the market so lots of running around!

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

Good morning from a golden glow sky in Suffolk. We still haven’t had any rain and none in the next week’s forecast. On last night’s local news there was a warning that drought restrictions could continue into next year. Although it’s lovely to have these balmy autumn days a downpour or 2 like some of you seem to have experienced would be most welcome in the East.

We have no plans for the weekend other than a food delivery later today so I think we’ll be relaxing with a book and kindle and a little more tidying up in the garden and the usual dog walks.

Hope today is a good one for all.