What I did today.

That's so true soop, beautiful words.
I'm glad to hear that you and Mr soop are feeling chirpier and ready to face the challenge!

.....*soop*, that's so appropriate . Enjoy the time with your pals in 'the orchard plot' today - there's always a way through....

Hello again, we had an in-depth chat with our friends who own the orchard plot. We've a list of practical ways in which to tackle the project and hopefully manage it within budget. On our return, we had an email waiting from the firm who had given us such a disappointing/confusing final estimate. It's not difficult to accept that an additional £10,000 was justified. As for the extra £20,000+ this figure remains a mystery.

Went for my first Senior Swim centre at the new Sports Centre about 2 mins bike ride from my house!

Only three of us there but it was a clean enjoyable swim (with a life-guard watching over us) as a cost of £3. Loved it an will do it again. I'll make Friday a regular routine first, then see if I want to add extra day a week.

We all said what an odd time 9am-10am is for a Senior Swim session. Here bus passes don't apply until 9.30am. Doesn't apply to me as I cycle but could/will affect other bus pass users. We mentioned it, but it's too late to change their programme.

Marelli, so sorry to hear your sad news I hope that she isn`t deprived of her husband`s company when the time comes, and best wishes to him as well when his operation comes around.

Bless you, number.

That's really nice soop.

I mean the Kahil Gibran thing.

Thanks jings I think so.

What a glorious, sunny day, with blue sky and fabulous autumn colours in the garden and up the field. Warm enough to be out in a t shirt, enough breeze to dry the washing and I even managed to enjoy digging and heaving rocks around. Can't be many more of those to come.

Overslept this morning and was slow to get going; still enjoying the memory of last night's ballet - Matthew Bourne's new version of The Sleeping Beauty. Wonderful choreography that told the story with great dramatic effect; great dancing, characterisation...oh, just everything!
Made it to the gym this afternoon and am now in recovery.

Mamie - Same weather here - lovely - but no rock heaving.

Trekked somewhat across Scotland to meet up with DD2, who was trekking towards us from the other side . Tired now but in a nice way.

Been clothes shopping at the Metro centre. I really enjoyed it because the clothes weren't for me, I bought them as presents for GDs. A happy find was Zara kids, spent a fortune in there. Shame on M&S for not having any tights in the sizes I wanted, back to online shopping.

I went to an appointment with UK Biobank, a long term health reasearch project aimed at a 500.000 person cohort study of those between 45 and 69.
Its a study into role of nature and nurture in health and disease. I first contributed a few years ago. Today I did all sorts of stuff. Hearing tests, heart rate and activity, lung function. I gave blood, saliva and pee and had a free butty and a cup of tea when I finished.

On the way I called in at a big M&S at Handforth Dean. Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Cheadle way.Very posh too it is up there. It is quite funny as I immediately noticed the very well dressed obviously well heeled women.

My usual branch is in The Potteries or Crewe. How the other half live eh!

Just opened the thread - I am so sorry to hear your news, Soop.
I hope things look better for everyone in the morning.

My daughter is very happy in spite of her broken ankle. She nominated a friend who works voluntarily at Riding for the Disabled six days a week, in a national 'Local Heroes' contest. The friend won, and will receive over $2,500 for a holiday and spending money. She had been feeling a bit unappreciated by the committee, so she is very happy.

NellieM that's my local M&S ad I can tell you we're all terribly posh!

That's my M&S too. I feel embarrassed parking the scruffiest Yaris in Cheshire in the car park among the 4x4s and Beemers. Not sure how posh the stock is, but I'm invariably tempted by the good range of cashmeres.
NellieM, a few months ago I also went for a Biobank review. I was pleased to find that they now had their own HQ in Stockport so that I didn't have to trek in to the Manchester Science Park. It's an impressive project, isn't it?

Spent Sat a/noon keeping our lovely church, started in 880 AD, open for visitors. People came in from France, Russia and NW Scotland! Plus a couple who were married in the church 35 years ago. I was busy making teas and coffees. Our organist (who has been organist at the church for an amazing 52 years!) dropped by and gave a short, impromptu recital which went down well.
A very happy, undemanding afternoon.
Off to see a modern production of Medea this evening, saw 'Tis Pity She's a Whore earlier in the week. Very good production indeed. Saw a French film yesterday afternoon about a trainer of Orcas who loses both her legs in an accident at work, then starts a very intense relationship with a prizefighter. Much passionate sex and violence follows.
The life of a retiree!

Was that Rust and Bone isthis? Very good reviews and possible Oscar nominations; plan to see it in the next couple of weeks.

Last big job in the new house now done! The bathroom (nice white suite etc.) was half tiled (floor included) in large, lilac / pink ceramic tiles, with a flowery border. It's now white, with a creamy stone mosaic border, and a floor covering to tone in. Love it, love it!

Just "stuff" to sort out now. You know, all the bits and pieces which you really don't know what to do with. Or with which you don't know what to do. The loft calls....

Sounds lovely, Ariadne - Enjoy splashing about.

Oh, I will! Have had to have showers all week and I do so love my bath. I also slipped earlier this week getting into the shower in the en suite, and smacked my lower leg on the base of the door. It is now impressively technicolour with bruises. My leg I mean.

Ariadne - you will have to join Mishap in the A & E dept. The new bathroom sounds lovely. I wouldn't look at flats that had only a shower - there is nothing nicer than soaking in a a deep bath, perhaps with some candles lit, a glass of wine and some soothing music.

I had a long pm on Facebook from my grand-daughter-in-law, who keeps me up to date with everything my great gds are doing. Good job, as my grandson is useless at communication! She tells me Bryony, who is 5, is doing very well at school and loves it. My eldest gd is also very good at sending me news and photos - I know I am lucky to be able to figure in the lives of my great-grand-children and I am very grateful to their mums.

The weather has been wonderful here all week, so I have been able to enjoy long walks in the crisp Autumn air, with blue skies, and snow on the higher peaks.

I saw rust and bone as well isthis and crimson. It's brilliant - felt as though I didn't draw breath the whole way through. Marion cottilard is amazing.