*Soop's kitcheners*

Thank you all. It was fabulous being able to drive again. When I returned from my appointment I was a bit nervous thinking about driving but after 10mins it was such a good feeling. When I left the house, DH asked where I was driving to, my reply was, 'anywhere'

So pLeased to hear about your friend Lona. It's lovely to hear that after what she has been through.

Brilliant news Agus!

Thank you very much Number. I hope you manage to get back to Tarbert again to see the changes Soop has mentioned.

Hello soop & everyone, I'm just popping in for a moment to say that you're all in my thoughts although I'm not often here.

Hope you feel brighter soon nellie, glad to hear you already are agus and I'm sorry to hear your daughter is in hospital again mcem for you all.

Galen hope you have a fabulous time on the cruise

KittyL well perhaps a tad less down beat at the moment. In a couple of weeks me and OH are off going on a trip down south the other side of London to see our son.

That will be a challenging journey 205 miles a minimum of 3.5 hrs with no major hold ups, being talked at all the way. The last such trip to the funeral of one of his aunt's was a nightmare but I am not going to dwell on that.

The 50 miles to see DGS is far more peaceful on my own. I know it so well the car drives itself.

Morning, all. and to everyone.

My only daughter is getting married in 5 weeks time, and until yesterday, she didn't have a dress. She's 35. I woke up this morning with this poem in my head, thought I'd share it with you:

The Dress Appears

We've had the Coast dress,
the Toast dress.
The "I'm so fat" hyperbole
"there is no wedding dress for me".

Then last night, another delivery.
An air of slight anxiety.
Lace over shoulders.
A glance, a smile and happy tears
as she turns towards me.

And finally, she's there.
My little girl.

(((Hugs))) and sympathy nellie that will be an ordeal

Lovely poem grannyknot and a huge relief I'm sure.

Agus - I'd hate to not be able to drive, it's freedom isn't it?

Hi baubles.

See you all later - I going up a mountain!

That's nice, gknot. What a nice way to wake up

I keep humming Ally Bally this morning. It makes me happy. Just an old-fashioned nursery song with a lovely lilt.

Grannyknot that sounds just lovely x

Haven't been around for a while..... and you've all moved on!
Right.... after three..... a rousing chorus of:
A life on the ocean wave........ for Galen, of course, who is about to embark ....

Phew! I've been busying myself with "stuff" all morning. Thought to myself...better pop in and see if there's anything new in the kitchen. What a lot of catching up to do. It's lovely to hear from all of you. You never cease to put a soppy smile on my face. Thank you.

For my Granspals who know and love Tarbert...it is still very much the same. The only big difference is the walk alongside the harbour that leads to the marina. That area has been landscaped (tastefully) and there are benches for picnickers and tubs of flowers...we think that it's a huge improvement.

Grannyknot your poem really is lovely. I think that you should print it for your daughter. She may have a personal "treasure box" in which to keep it.

bags I won't be able to get that tune out of my head.

Nellie Get yourself some ear plugs. Better still...hum bags's tune for the first 200 miles.

Agus you, my dear, are such a star. Very well done to you.

By the by, my son is paragliding in France. He managed to land in a tree top and had to be rescued by helicopter. [umm]...

I'm about to paint a portrait of a very pretty spaniel called Flora. If I can, I'll call back later. In the meantime, look after each other.

On board. Supping my champagne having had a delicious lunch.
Waiting for bags to arrive so I can unpack then relax.
Will report back when I can. The cabin and balcony are very nice. I've met my deputy butler but not the real one yet. He's taken my order for the vodka and tonic.
What more could a girl want?

Have a wonderful time Galen xx

Thanks!
I shall of course be thinking nonstop of you all!

Galen. Enjoy every minute.

Galen you must be sailing up Southampton water by now. I have just heard the siren as its very close to where I live. We did,the Baltic cruise 2 years ago. It was wonderful. Have a great time.

Good for you Galen Go and enjoy yourself, don't get so sozzled you will slide overboard.

soop Re Bags's tune which I think is "Coulter's candy", what is going through my head at present is "Goodbye Dolly I must leave you," and "I'm a Dingle Dangle Scarecrow". An odd combination indeed.

bags that wee song is a favourite of my DGDs'. We sang it almost continuously on the drive from Dublin to Glasgow a couple of weeks ago. The little one likes to nominate a different person's knee for each rendition, even the pets get a turn

Thanks, everyone for your compliments and words

Galen, have fun! And .

I'm envious, Galen. It's great to be at the very start of your holiday, anticipating all that luxury. Have fun!

Just catching up on yesterday's chat.

Freedom is exactly what it is Kitty I am rubbish at asking for help or relying on others. It's great to be back in the driving seat.

That was a close one for your DS Soop it's something I have no notion to do and certainly won't be inviting any more broken bones.

Thanks Baubles. Coulter's Candy is a favourite with each generation. I first heard it from my Granny so that makes it 5 generations at least. Our GDs love it too.

What a beautiful poem Grannyknot. The last line brought a lump to my throat.

Sounds blissful Galen Enjoy!

A very hasty hello. My pal has invited me in to watch Andy play Rafa...I have been shopping. Stocked the cupboards and fed the cat. And now...it's yell for Andy time. It's a glorious day. Sunny and warm. I should be in the garden but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

My son isn't on holiday in France. He's covering the D Day landing commemorations. I may have misunderstood his brief text...I believe he was jumping from a plane (not paragliding when he landed in a treetop)...I shall learn more once I get to have a proper chunter with him.

Thanks, Agus

Kitchen-ers, more wedding gear update, now that we have a dress! Look at these shoes she wants, aren't they special?

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/178876014/wedding-shoes-navy-blue-wedges-navy?ref=shop_home_active_9

Handmade shoes! Who knew?!

(She's getting married outdoors in a garden).

And now I'm humming Paolo Nutini

"New Shoes"

Woke up cold one Tuesday,
I'm looking tired and feeling quite sick,
I felt like there was something missing in my day to day life,
So I quickly opened the wardrobe,
Pulled out some jeans and a T-Shirt that seemed clean,
Topped it off with a pair of old shoes,
That were ripped around the seams,
And I thought these shoes just don't suit me.

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody's smiling

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmbUNF1Q4R8

I'll get back to work now.