Soop's kindly kitcheners and pampered pets...

soop I hate to say it but I am on MacSporran's side. It is one thing keeping the door open in summer but I would refuse to allow it in winter because of the loss of heat. I will not leave the lounge door open to the hall during the winter months for the same reason, it would be freezing cold here. It is going to take a long time for her to trust you. She is so lucky to have a cosy dry bed outside.

Charleyg I was pulling both your legs. Andy! Andy! Andy! All the way to the finish.

Right...Bracken was caught in a humane cat trap together with her sister and mother. We took them to the vet and all three were spayed before returning home, being set free from the cage, and running off into the forest. Rory introduced his entire family to us. He had the snip some time later. Bracken will not allow us within close proximity. She'll happily sit alongside Rory in the utility room (with the back door ajar) MacSporran tried very hard to reason with me. How can we keep the door ajar in this weather? All the heat escapes through the door. I listened. I couldn't agree to keeping it closed and shutting Bracken out. We've compromised. She can sit indoors all evening with the door slightly ajar. However, should MacSporran need to visit the utility room for any reason, he's to be allowed to do so. Bracken will scarper. If the door isn't closed, she'll return, eventually.

corner You are a good friend. With the right support (not all from you) your friend will be able to cope and recover.

I'm off to prepare for the match. Andy really has to remain focused. It is bound to be a testing encounter. I believe that he will succeed.

Thank you for your company. Stay cosy and safe.

Gagagran that is the type of weather I was expecting here in London but it has been dull, slightly damp and now getting cold.

This may be a silly question soop but are you certain that Bracken is a lady? Have you "examined" the evidence if she runs when you get too near?

We have nearly been blown away overnight,here on the south coast but it has moderated somewhat now. We have torrential rain to look forward to this evening. Oh joy.

soop I forgot to ask does Bracken allow you to stroke her at all or does run? At least she has comfort inside and out and it is good that Rory is friends with her.

What a lovely blue sky soop, just a tiny bit green as we have unremitting grey and damp. Our friend has two family members - anywhere. They are fairly close but one is older, the other younger but with a busy work life. There are long term and kind neighbours and many friends so she need not be alone. She has as much of a care package as she will accept. There is a place for stubbornness, this isn't the place! Still none of us like others to make decisions for us so we try to support her choices and not dwell on the risks. We'll keep an eye as our company is welcome, but it will have to be a long distance one at times, she is getting stronger which is so positive. The worst has passed now and she is looking forward to a Christmas meal with her family in a favourite restaurant. We've a mix of home and grandparent duties this week, should be a good week. Haven't got to the baking yet, but I will, maybe!

soop I nearly choked on a biscuit when I read that you did not know for whom to cheer!!! Surely it is Andy? It will be a good match but he must be exhausted having had a harder time than Novak to reach the finals. Apparently Novak has won the last 6 matches between them but Andy is at a disadvantage re tiredness.

Tara has worked out that I no longer will open the front door for her as she has her own personal cat flap. She does hover in the hall and I will let her in but I am not the doorman, he is on permanent leave so she has to make up her mind- freezing cold outside or a warm house. The cold usually wins.

Another stunningly beautiful day in bonnie Kintyre. There is barely a ripple on the sea. The sun is illuminating the autumn leaves.

Charleyg You're having a laff. Cats are masters and mistresses of their own destiny and owners. Rory asks to go out (politely)...he then changes up his mind (as Torben would say) and asks to be let back in. This arrangement could continue throughout the day. Why? Because Rory says so. Neither MacSporran nor I have the guts to ignore him.

I know that you'll enjoy your Granspal coffee morning. I have a date with bags later in the week. It's always a great treat to catch up with her.

corner You can only do your best for your friend. I'm sure that she'll understand that you have other commitments. Does she have family living close by? Will there be a care package in place for her?

Some of you will remember that MacSporran and I toyed with the idea of building a wee hoos on the orchard plot belonging to our friends near the village. We didn't go ahead but they had a prefabricated cottage installed. It's lovely. Very spacious inside with lovely views over farmland. They run a guest house. the cottage is also let out to holiday makers. Picture coming up.

Andy versus Novak. Now, who shall I yell for? I am all of a twitter and there is an entire afternoon before I can settle down in my favourite chair for the final.

cornergran it is the one word she understands obeys. At present she cannot read but who knows what may happen later? She is out now and I will see her around 10 hours from now I hope.

After your busy week with friends staying, it will be nice to do next to nothing for a change.

I have a GN coffee morning next week with 2 other GNs. We have been meeting for over 2 years, get along like a house on fire and interestingly I doubt if we would ever have met during our working lives.

I have been eating my way through my freezer to make space but fancy spag bol today so I will have to go out to buy some mince.

Hmm, does understanding 'no' mean she listens and obeys charlie? How could you post such an offer, she will read and retaliate ! .

Have post busy day buzz again, so catching up. Love all the photos of,people and places. I try but the outcome is never quiet what I intend. We get the sunrise rather than the sunset, spectacular at times, so people tell me who are earlier risers. .

Our friend will need a fair bit of help now she is out of hospital, we will try to keep to a day a week but have many lovely pre Christmas things that are likely to hamper us. Feel guilty already .

Quiet day planned for Sunday, bit of cooking (sausage rolls for the freezer ready for Christmas if I can keep Mr C out of the kitchen) and a fruit pie for pudding. That will do I think.

Some granny duty and a meeting or two next week, nothing major, be nice to have some down time

Take care all, sleep well. .

I also was on the edge of my seat watching Andy play.

Black and white cat aged 11-12 years old, very fit and acts like a 3 year old, up for adoption. Spends all day outdoors, will sleep on your bed most nights but does prefer her own room. Always uses a litter tray. Eats the same type of food every day without complaint. Knows her name and understands the word "no".

Reason for disposal? She is driving me crazy with her screaming and howling when she wants to go out early in the morning. I keep her in because it is too cold for her at present. Any takers?

Dusty That is a stunning sky.

kitty Teddy's latest picture is the tonic you deserve.

I've been spellbound...watching Andy fight the good fight. What a match!

It's getting late and I've much to do.

Lots of love to you lot...

Photo taken mid afternoon. Lovely light on the Paps of Jura.

DaphneB I can see the joy in your expression. Flynn is a darling. Your hair is amazing.

thank you for the nice compliments

I could take them (well possibly), just can't post them

kitty I've not much talent, just very lucky to be facing west, so I only have to be careful to avoid the (last of the line) electric lamppost that is in the way.

Lona you beat me to it! I was just admiring Daphne's hair and wishing mine would go that lovely colour.

I'm a tiny bit envious of those with very small grandchildren too. At lunch today, DH and I were admiring the almost one year old DGD of the restauranters that we go to. We agreed that we would have to wait for great grandchildren to arrive before we would have any little ones in the family.

I could post them (showoff!) I just can't take them!

I was going to say she's 5 and is a budding photographer/film maker.

kittylester they are posting real photos - I have only just fathomed out how to post something from the internet!
I still have to learn how to download photos from a phone to the pc. I'm going to ask DGD to help me, she's and is a budding photographer/film maker.

Lovely photos everyone - it's not worth taking any here as it's just grey and miserable out there today.

Wobblybits we believe you.

Wobbly Your little gd sounds really cute (not a word I use often but, she does!)

So glad kitty that Teddy is looking ' in the pink' as it were, bet his mum is exhausted!
I was just thinking how fabulous Daphne's hair looks, I really wish mine would get a move on and whiten up. Really, after the last few years it deserves to be white! ?

Fab photos Dusty.

Could you all stop posting them now - I'm feeling far too inadequate.

Fabulous picture of Flynn DB and I love your hair.

Great pictures, soop. I am envious of people who can take good photographs.

WB, are you sure your DS isn't in prison - you are protesting too much in my opinion!

How pleased your brother must be to be home and it must be a relief for all the family NandG and the photo is wonderful.

I've had a photo of Teddy looking full of health, meanwhile, the rest of us.......!

DD2's FiL was rushed to hospital on Thursday with a clot on his LVAD and was expecting to have an op on Friday by which time the clot seems to have dispersed. They are keeping him in for observation. This is the 3rd panic stay in about 6 months and his poor wife is worn to a frazzle. She is expecting the inevitable (sooner rather later I suspect) and finds the continual panic station and then 'as you were' very tiring. Sorry to say, he is not a good invalid.

So beautiful, Dusty!

We are having lovely clear days at the moment. Bit chilly in the mornings and evening but really warm in the middle of the day. We still have all the doors and windows open at the moment. As it starts getting dark the temperature will drop.