Today I have been mainly Vol. 6

Bags Good that all is well.

Took my friend (who has breast cancer) to Arley Hall gardens late morning.
They are beautiful, but it was sooo hot!

Sat and chatted under a shady tree for a while, she's had a lumpectomy and now has been told she needs a mastectomy and a long course of chemo
She has decided to wait a while to recover from the first op, (and shock).

Had a light lunch and then I took her home (thank goodness for aircon in the car!

Slobbing now in my cool sitting room

What a good mate you are, Ella . I hope your friend's treatment will be successful.

So do I Butty, can't bear to think of the alternative.

I hope all goes well for your friend Ella At times like this you really do find out who your true friends are

Best wishes to your friend Ella and to you I have a friend who is having chemo which has knocked her sideways and it's sometimes hard to do the right thing at the right time.

GA sit down . Sad to hear about your fish. One of the reasons we got rid of our pond was that the pesky heron kept taking the fish. Actually, I love herons but that one took the michael!

It will be good for her to have you around during her next load of treatment, Ella. A good friend at these times is so very important.

It is very hot here, but all the doors and windows are open, the cricket commentary is burbling in the background and the sun is nearly over the yardarm and the arthritis has receded!

After an exhausting day at work yesterday and then doing the school run afterwards [was getting ready for bed at 6 ] I was woken up just past 8 this morning by my neighbour cutting his hedge . Which made me think back to Bags asking if 10 o'clock was ok to start working in the garden and made me want to give a heartfelt thanks to her for being so considerate [wish you were my neighbour, Bags ].

GA me too, 23 pots of gooseberry jelly and blackcurrant jam ( the blackcurrants had been in the freezer, waiting to be made into jam, all year and with this year's crop imminent, the deed had to be done!)
Each year the goosegogs crop exceeds that of the previous year, about 60 lbs this year (shared with my neighbour).
Some are frozen for later, sorted into good quality/not such good quality, the former for puddings. Some are given away to friends.
Don't want to see another goosegog!

Ella for you and your friend. I hope her treatment goes well.

Ella, sometimes there are no words.

Thank you, at the moment she is in a state of emotional bewilderment

I bet you are too Ella It makes you feel so helpless doesn't it? Not much you can do but to be there and be led by her.

I asked for advice here when my friend was diagnosed and got lots of helpful suggestions but she says what she appreciates most, at the moment, is texts and phone calls at odd times. I often seem to ring when she is ready to off-load!

(((hugs))) to you for being a good friend.

Been to the dentist - at least my teeth are OK! Off to get some fresh fruit and veg in a minute - should really have got it all on the way home. Forgot. Idiot.

Ariadne a seems appropriate.

Won't bore you with details about work this morning but just want to let off steam ....

Feel better for that!

Tegan flowers and (((hugs))) - it sounds difficult at the mo!

Thanks kitty .

Have just finished unpacking & sorting holiday things, that's always a bit of a chore for me. Back to work tomorrow hi ho!

Tegan A good blaspheme sometimes helps!

kitty, This is her second lot of cancer, she had ovarian about 6 years ago, and now breast, so she is very angry.
I often send her very rude,funny cards and it makes her laugh and she cheers up a bit.
This time isn't sounding too good, she has had a lumpectomy which is causing problems, has to have a mastectomy and also 2 different lots of chemo.

She's a feisty woman with lots of grit, but this is hard for her.

Ella - (((hugs))) and more for your friend.

Today, I tackled the Everest that was my ironing pile - should have lost at least a stone [hollow laugh]

Then I went to see mum and was greeted with 'Well, you took your time coming back after you'd smoked all my cigarettes - you little b****r' It is difficult to remember sometimes that my Mum is the original Mrs Bucket. At least this time we were spared talk of men's bits and pieces!

((Hugs)) back kitty and a

If anyone is interested (which I doubt) my blog on my last cruise. Is now on silvertravel adviser

I shall take a look while I sip my preprandial Sauvignon, galen