Good Morning Thursday 13th August 2026

Good morning! Dear lordy it’s already 19° here and despite having the fans on, windows open etc I’m a crabby b…..r already!
Not a good start to the day 😄

As you may have guessed I haven’t slept much, let alone well, but at least I have absolutely nothing to do today except put away an Ocado delivery first thing.
My cleaner came yesterday; oh my goodness I’m amazed at the difference she’s made. I think I must have been just tinkering around at the edges of cleaning or something!
She’s coming every week, aren’t I lucky?!
She even dusted the ceiling light shades 🫣, I must be a right slattern……
I had my stitches out in the afternoon, blue fishing line was used by the look of them 😄, all’s good. DH took me, he’s being very solicitous ( I suspect that DS had a word), I did raise my eyebrows at him scurry around tidying up his muddles first thing yesterday- definitely a huge bonus point to having a cleaner!

Anyway, I’m doing well, the Thoracic Specialist Nurse phoned yesterday and reinforced the fact that I must rest, it’s not optional, for at least the next 6 weeks….. I think it’s going to be all too easy to do too much so will heed her words.
Follow up with the consultant in two weeks, fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Love and best wishes to you all x
🌹

Good morning from s somerset, very hot with intense sun today

It was too hot to do anything much yesterday, the only thing I did was sort seed packets and have thrown a lot in the bin, they were out of date. The ones I have now are sorted with labels written and ready for spring sowing. At least I have clarity now and have ordered the missing dozen

I went into the hot garage for something at 8.30 pm and was distracted by the shallots that were doing their best to remain in good condition. I spent quite a while cleaning them up, also the garlics and onions and of course tidied the mess I made. I brought them all in and now they are residing in ventilated earthenware containers. They will be fine and I was past my bedtime

I could not sleep, far too hot and finally I got up at 4. I have a family gathering next weekend, including vegans so I did my organic veg order, which arrives on friday morning, 21st. There are far fewer available veg than in a normal year. DS and partner will spend many hours travelling from Aberdeen and everyone else will join them here

I have no intention of doing anything involving energy today, my sewing is on the back burner and will stay there. I will plan and plot and doze and maybe get to the allotment on my bike before dusk. The road is closed to cars or I would drive there

The seagulls have started screeching, everyone will wake up now

Good and cheerful news from you Roses xx

Good morning from my patio swing seat in Cornwall where I've been reading by torchlight since 0430, watching the pretty pre-dawn sky change colour and relishing the cool air before the heat hits. I had to put off my granddaughter's visit yesterday due to my breathing problems but my son, her uncle, stepped up and took her for the day and they had a great fun time judging by the photos he sent. The day was capped by a breathtaking eclipse which they watched from a beach. I stayed indoors and enjoyed the strange shadows it created.

Today... sewing and watching films and prior to that a quick trip to Wetherspoons for breakfast.

Good morning from Bristol. Hot, hot, hot 🥵
Sorry about your bad night, r&l, but as you are under orders to rest, you can catch up today! Glad that the play is being well received Ash.
I’ve only just woken up, must be a record for me. I was beyond tired yesterday, the heat and too much to do.
We have a new volunteer from AgeUK at the FAB cafe. She does what she wants and confuses everything; I try to ignore her but it’s not always easy. She is only with us for her PhD so obviously “knows everything”! I find her very wearing.
I barely had time for lunch when I had to go to the other village for the library book group. I took the opportunity to get a few things, including cash from the building society.
Again, I walked there and back in the searing, exhausting heat.
Barely time to cool down, pack my backpack to catch the bus to the Downs and meet DD and family for dinner and the eclipse. Of course we has a ghost bus and the next one was packed; the traffic was horrendous due to both the time of day, and everyone going to the Downs.
Only DD and Iris arrived, on their bikes; DGD1 is with friends in Cornwall, DSiL was on his way home from his job in Cardiff…
We ate and watched. It was very hot and we had to decide between being in the shade and not so hot, or in the sun to see the developing eclipse. We ate a picnic dinner.
The whole of Bristol was there, with very excited 20sand 30s, most of whom were brandishing various colanders and cameras obscuras to see the eclipse. There was one sweet couple with whom I shared my glasses (ordered early by DD 👏). There was one girl was very excited.
The eclipse was less exciting that the one in ‘99 but fascinating nevertheless.
I was very tired and left soon after the maximum cover, Gita bus home almost immediately.
I was so very tired that I was asleep by 9! Of course, I woke up around 130 but told myself that all I wanted was the loo, persuaded myself that I needed more sleep and only woke up just now. Curiously, my sleep was full of disturbing dreams, not exactly nightmares.
I’ve only got t’ai chi today, but think I’ll miss it as my ankle, although improving a lot, is still pretty uncomfortable.
May you all stay cool, safe and well today (after which the temps will start dropping a little 👏). Carpe diem 🐦‍🔥❤️🦩🦩🦩🦩

All the best to those with A-level results today.

Good morning from Malta where we expect a sunny day with a high of 39°C. Apparently we have been having temperatures 2°C above the norm, on average. It doesn’t make much difference as August has always been the hottest month.

Had a lovely morning with the boys yesterday. DGS2 played happily for over an hour with two plastic bowls, a jug of water, a cup, a whisk and my bag of reusable ice cubes! I think he learned a lot about water displacement!😅

DD3 picked them up at 2.30 . They have gone to Gozo for a few days as it is the feast of Santa Maria on Saturday which is a big holiday here.

I have got Milo dog and JJ the canary in residence while they are away. Must say I slept so much better last night wth a little dog curled up on my bed! No, I mustn’t be tempted to get one.

So glad to hear you are feeling so much better dear RosesandLilac. I hope you manage to keep cool and perhaps have a nap to make up for your unsettled night. Your new cleaner sounds like a Gem!🤗

I have no plans for the day other than a bit of laundry that needs doing and a bit of tidying up after the boys’ visit. DGS2 always leaves a labyrinth of wires around the place!

Take care all and I hope you have a good day.☀️

Good morning from Sheffield

I’m sorry but I was disappointed with the eclipse last night. Admittedly I didn’t have any glasses so I couldn’t get the full effect.
On the tv they said the birds would stop singing, there would be a strange wind and it would get dark. We toddled off outside with our colanders and paper.
We sat there and the light did turn to a golden twilight. No wind ,in fact it was very still. We watched a pigeon preening himself on the roof. He was cooing away totally unconcerned.
Couldn’t see anything through the colander. So we went back in and watched the tv instead. A photo of DH preparing for the event.
I hope others had a more exciting experience
Take care everyone

Good Morning everyone from the central south coast where we are set for another hot day once the sun gets going.

We sat in our back garden and watched all the birds going home to bed as the light gently faded once the eclipse started. It didn't get dark - more like an early dusk and we agreed it had all been a bit overhyped. The sun did come back out but the heat had eased which was very welcome.

It is our WI strawberry tea event today and I have already sent apologies. I am still struggling with the aftermath of my fall injuries and the heat, which we are promised today, totally saps my strength. So I shall join you Roses resting in the shade. Glad your recovery is going well.

Take care everyone and special thoughts to all with struggles, worries or health issues of any kind. May today bring some relief.

Good morning from a sunny S Essex it’s already 18° and predicted to reach 32°

The cleaning fairies 🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️ are here first thing, then DD and The Imp are coming for lunch, The Imp wants to swim, so that’s him sorted.

You must rest Rosesandlilac 🌹🪻

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from an already very warm South Yorkshire. I slept a straight seven hours last night. It’s going to be very hot later - 34 by mid afternoon. Our walking group is cancelled because of the Met Office warning.

I went and picked up a new kettle I’d ordered yesterday and my car was like a sauna even before the air con kicked in, so I decided no more car, and just confined myself to indoor activities. I froze an awful lot of plums, sorted out and disposed of an awful lot of useless paperwork and there will be more of the same today. Rain is forecast for tomorrow. We can only hope!

Have the best day you can folks!

Good morning from Stockport.
Love the the photo Melanie it is a fact that here in the north the eclipse had very little effect, proper glasses or not.

It was incredibly hot yesterday and today is forecast to be worse.
I spent the day with the fan on full and the curtains drawn.

My new cleaners are due again today.
In spite of being initially pleased last time I did realise over the next few days things not done or not done well that today may be the last time, I shall be disappointed though.
I thought is was one problem solved.
First world problem though.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. A warm day forecast.

I'm going to visit a nice cool church.

I was invited to a neighbour's yesterday to watch the eclipse and share party food.
He had a pack of 25 of the special specs.
It was pretty good until it was itself eclipsed by clouds.

I didn't buy the house I had wanted, after all. It's been sold now so I can stop thinking of it.

I'm glad to hear you are recovering well Rosesandlilac in a nice clean house.

Fingers crossed 🤞 for all those waiting for exam results.

Wishing you all a happy day.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. A hot day is forecast so I shan’t be doing much today. I went home yesterday to meet the fitter who was installing new blackout blinds in the porch and across the back door. They look very nice, hopefully they will help lower the temperature a little.
The eclipse was interesting, I watched it on tv as I knew I wouldn’t see much through the trees at the end of DD’s garden. The sky was an odd colour and the wind got up for a few minutes and it wasn’t quite as hot afterwards.
The dog was eating normally yesterday, but left me a “present “on the kitchen floor this morning!

A walk to a supermarket for a paper, then staying indoors today. I’ll eat with DD2 and her girls this evening, as her OH is out on a works dinner.

Take it easy today rosesandlilac be careful how you put the shopping away. Good that your cleaner is so efficient.

Hoping that those awaiting exam results today get the results they need for the next stage of their lives.

Have the best day you can today, stay dry if you’re in the north and keep cool in the south!

Morning all from a soon to be scorchio West Oxfordshire.

I hope you’re resting R&L!

I ended up going on my own to Oxford yesterday. OH still isn’t well but hasn’t sent off his Engage Consult message yet! The Ashmolean exhibition was very good and I had lunch in the rooftop restaurant.

The eclipse was slightly disappointing, the birds carried on singing and it didn’t really get dark. The 1999 version, which we saw in Devon, was far more impressive.

It is younger son’s 41st birthday today. He is sway for a few days. I sent his present by Royal Mail last week and it arrived the very next day!

Of course it is that bi-election today. Farage, Count Binface and 32 other candidates! A three feet long voting slip.

I don’t think I’ll be leaving the house today. It will be ridiculously hot so I may just carry on reading my book group’s choice for this month. A fictional account of the effects of global warming!

Have a good day and keep hydrated.

Good morning from a warm and getting warmer N. Bucks.
Disappointed with the eclipse. We made pin hole boxes which were useless and didn’t notice any change in the light, neither did the birds. I’ll have to remember the one in 1999 which really was spectacular.
After a few household jobs I am off to a ‘Make your own Journal’ class at our local museum. We will be outside in a marquee with open sides. Probably rather hot but I’ll take my personal fan with me.
Choir this evening.
Wishing all a good day , hope you can all manage to find a shady , cool spot.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 15° and sunny. The eclipse was a non starter here because of cloud cover. It was like twilight and there was an eerie hush. Rosesandlilac definitely rest!
Yesterday I went to see the boys before school. Dgs2 hadnt been keen to go with a "sore tummy" when he got up. He also did not want to wear his shirt and tie. When I arrived shortly after my aunt and uncle, both boys were very excited. The novelty wore off! Dgs2 was happy apparently when he met up with his wee friend in the school playground. In the meantime, my aunt and uncle and I went for a breakfast roll at Tesco. I hadn't realised it had a café and I've been going for ages! After that, I tidied up the house. There were toys in every room and the living room was littered with Lego. I hung out a washing too. Dgs2 seemed to have a good day, although he claimed the school playground doesn't have toys! Dgs1 is a man of few words. The Clint Eastwood of primary school. When asked, he said it was "fine."
Today I will head to the school myself to see what state the library is in and do an hour before it gets too warm. Then home to iron. I have no other plans. Have a good day all.

Good morning Mick and everyone from sunny Carlisle. It's 19°C already here too. I've got the windows open as it's even warmer in the house so I want to get it as cool as possible.

Just various little jobs done yesterday. Not in the garden unfortunately, I'm waiting for more rain, the benefit of the previous few hours of it have gone and I'm starting to water again.
Yesterday evening I walked out to view the eclipse, rather slowly as my calf muscle damage doesn't allow a normal pace and leg action. I walked towards the next little village and found a convenient roadside bench where I made myself comfortable for the next half hour or so. I had eclipse glasses and watched the moon swallowing up the sun until only a narrow crescent remained. It got strangely dimmer, not the usual twilight and there was a strange atmosphere...can't explain it really. The birds noticed, they disappeared into the hedge where I could hear them singing little bedtime songs, a skein of seabirds flew towards their roosting area but the young beeves in the field behind took no apparent notice.
I went home soon after the maximum passed.
As to the lack of real dimness, apparently the Earth was receiving only 10% of the sun's light but our brains figure we are getting 50%. So said an expert on the BBC. Makes you wonder what the brain is wrongly telling you at other times!

Today my calf muscle seems no worse for probable overuse yesterday. It will get a rest as it's going to be too hot for me, blinds will be down and drawers will be open as I'm going to sort and hopefully chuck unwanted files, paperwork and maybe clothes.

Good to read your post R&L. Mind you do rest! Not easy though is it...

And wishing you all a pleasant day.

Good morning from Cambridgeshire where we should reach 34 degrees today.

Melanie your photo made me laugh. We sat in the garden with the bbq patiently observing but because of eye issues was very careful. It just went very dull a strange grey Smokey sky and gradually lightened up again quite weird but the birds carried on as normal.

I am off to DD2’s house again today (they are on holiday) to undertake Mrs Mopp duties. I volunteered to do a complete clean up operation whilst they were away, I am enjoying being able to help but will need to get cracking early today due to the heat. This afternoon I will hide on my sun lounger under the trees with my book.

R&L 💐.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from Suffolk where we are awaiting news of DGD2’s results. I don’t think she will have slept much!

The eclipse here was a non event and apart from the sky darkening slightly for a few minutes at about 7.15pm that was it.

I’m off to my stretch class as usual on Thursdays and shall be home by mid morning when I intend to stay indoors,sort out some paperwork and read…an easy relaxing day.

Thank you R&L for your health update. It sounds as though you know what to do and are doing it!

Good morning from a rather warm W Kent where a quiet day will happen hopefully. Yesterday was great we met our old friends and had a three hour lunch before they had to travel back to the Midlands.
DH and I watched the eclipse shadows in the garden, most spookily on the back of a garden chair! I thought it would be really dark but we did have the strange windy happening at the end
R&L lots of rest glad the stitches are out
Best wishes

Good morning all from an already hot North Leicestershire.

Today we are going to have lunch at the marina - hopefully it will be a bit cooler. The rest of the time will be soent in the cooler end of the house.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s very warm with a few white clouds
Yesterday was so hot here, about 30° in the afternoon which was much too hot for me. I don’t know how so many of you are managing with temperatures like that day after day. Thankfully a bit cooler here today
After a busy few days there’s nothing that we have to do today so we’re off out for lunch somewhere later. We might go to the beach at Nairn and sit looking out over the sea. There’s also a NT property nearby so we might have a walk there too. Whatever we do it’ll definitely be a day away from housework, gardening and the gym.
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is 15°C.

Belated condolences to Whiteswan.

Good to read your positive post R&L. please ask your DH to put away your Ocado delivery. I was six weeks post surgery, before I was allowed to lift a kettle. You will still be healing inside.♥️

Yesterday, my plans to work in the garden, did not come to fruition. I spent the morning looking for the missing sandals and became sidetracked by doing a shoe cull.
Six pairs of shoes will be going to the charity shop. However,I haven't made any difference to the shoe shop stock! 😉

Later, we had a surprise visit from Dollie and her mum. She wanted to show us her newuniform and entertain us with her news about school.
She was so excited to have been appointed Stair monitor and a wet play monitor for P.4. So much responsibility, at such a young age.😉
DIL brought me a box of biscuits, she never brings anything, when she visits.
Then she spoiled the gesture by saying: I bought these at Christmas, they are only slightly out of date! 🤣

The eclipse was a non-event here. Cloud obscured the sun, so there was nothing to see. It was eeriely quit.
We then had torrential rain and a touch of thunder. It was actually quite unsettling.

This afternoon, DH has a face to face appointment with yet another GP. This is GP number eight, I think, I have lost track.
I have a list as long as my arm, with my concerns. I will be surprised if we get anywhere. There has been no continuity of care at all. 😕

Marzipan, I hope you feel better. I am struggling too, my chest is quite uncomfortable and I have been overdosing on Ventolin.

I wish you all the best and a pleasant day.