Soop's friendly and welcoming kitchen.

Meant to say soop, you are the kindest person I know!

Topsy, hope your phone call isn't too difficult.

Afternoon all!!

I do wish you would all sit still!!

Topsy you look fabulous, as does the cake! Is there any left?

DD2 went to the zoo with a class from her daughter's school they were lucky enough to see a couple of alpacas having a special cuddle and the extremely young teacher go a very strange shade of red.

I'm glad you got that sorted corner!

nonna, you sound as though you had a thoroughly enjoyable day all round. I hope your house situation is sorted soon. And yours panache. I hate being in limbo. My default position is to get organised and organising.

My lovely uncle used to take me to Belle Vue Zoo whenever I went to stay with them. It was just the two of us and I felt very special. One year he put 2 pegs in his pocket for when we went round the monkey house as I always complained about the smell. He's 90 in a couple of weeks.

GD I do hope your tinnitus reduces quickly. Dh gets it a little and gets quite ratty with it. I'm sure you don't do that.

We had community speed cameras in the village a few years ago which I volunteered for. We found that they seem like a challenge for some people and made us a target of abuse. There were, obviously, lots of good comments but it wasn't all sweetness and light.

I will own up to having done 3 speed awareness courses - don't think they are working for me. Although, I do manage to only get caught every 3 years!!

I'm actually quite upset by things outside the kitchen, as one or two people will be aware, and it is not a feeling I associate with GN.

Expecting a difficult phone call. We had an incident with a younger family member whose social drinking has become more serious. His wife wants to talk to me ...

I have lost my message - AGAIN and my feathers are well ruffled. Buggerations with bells on...

Lovely photos. Nannytopsy I agree, you look elegant. I'm pleased that the day went well. Is the cake calorie-free? I thought not.

N&G When I was a wee girl (don't laugh) I asked my father why it was that a mule had "five legs". I loved playing kiss chase at school. I clearly remember two of my pals "capturing" Iain, a sweet boy that I liked, and I got to plant a big kiss on his cheek. He went a deep shade of beetroot.
Sorry to hear that Sam has further eye problems. He has had more than his fair share of such bothersome problems.

~NonnaW The mere sound of the Spitfire's engine can bring a lump to the throat.

Maw You "speeding episode" made me chuckle.

Greyduster Tintinus That you could do without. I understand from a friend of mine that it is ghastly. She used to feel dizzy and awfully sick. Please relax and get well soon .

NannyJan Enjoy the 10th birthday celebrations. Eat lots of cake. I would, if I could.

The task that has kept me busy all morning is completed. We found a "talking short stories" CD that we hope our pal in the care home will enjoy. The previous long story was too long. He had to repeatedly return to chapter one because he couldn't remember the plot. On six separate CD's he'll have a total of 7.5 hours of stories ranging from one that is 15 mins long to one that takes just over an hour. His eyesight is not as keen as it was. I have therefore made a list in extra large print of every story title together with the author and the person telling the story...and the duration. He will be able to select a story to serve his need. And, he's to be allocated a much larger room. We're making a large collage of photos that he likes of home and family. I hadn't realised until after the art show that his wife had purchased a painting of mine - 'Croft in the Glen' for his new room. It's good to make his stay (over 3.5 years now) as pleasant as we possibly can.

Hooray. The rain stopped and once the project manager and the labourer had a shared understanding of which way was left all was well. Project completed. Looks good so we’re both happy. Phew.

Sorry, greyd meant to sympathise with the tinnitus, right nuisance especially when a new noise arrives. Pleased tap-gate was resolved amicably.

Right, off to take the car to the garage, can’t wait .

Well we had a great afternoon and evening on Saturday. Our ‘hosts’ were well organised with a folding trolley/cart in which to put most of the paraphernalia required (chairs, coats, blankets and of course several cool boxes and bags of food). We set up camp and then we took turns to wander and ff to look at things. DH and I went into the hangars to see some of the lovely old aircraft they have there, we also saw some beautiful vintage cars. Later we walked over to see the Swiss gardens, really beautiful. We took the opportunity to get a lift back in one of the 3 old buses they had running, which was an experience in itself. The music in the evening was fabulous and matched by the flying displays of those lovely old aircraft. I confess to a tear in the eye when the Hurricane put on a display and again when the Spitfire flew. Love those aircraft.

Yesterday we took ourselves off to look at a couple of houses, and are waiting for one of the estate agents to get back to us about another one we want to see. No feedback as yet from our viewers on Friday.

topsy glad the wedding went ok and your outfit is lovely.

panache I hope you are taking it easy today, and good luck with the viewing.

Good wishes to all those with family worries, fingers crossed for you all.

corner the sun is shining here but it is a tad humid. I have suggested before that you move because you appear to get more than your fair share of rainfall in your neck of the woods.

topsy a fabulous outfit.

N&G poor Sam that dog really is hard done by.

Good luck there, Corner. Hope the rain stops there soon! There is muttering going on here too. I had a leisurely shower and when I came downstairs he was walking about with a tap in a box in his hand. “Oh, I didn’t realise the delivery had come”, says I. “That’s because you were glued to your iPad! And this tap is too big!” The tap is not too big. If it had been I would not have chosen it. I have smoothed his ruffled feathers, for a while at least!

Much grumbling in corner-land this morning. We decided on a small garden project, gathered the necessary ‘stuff’ yesterday, the project manager and labourer are all ready to go and it’s raining. Now comes the dilemma, does the labourer change out of his gardening clothes or not? Will the rain stop soon? Maybe if he changes it will guarantee a dry spell? There’s a lot of muttering, the project manager is in hiding . Maybe coffee would help.

I’m sure Grampy will love the speed camera, he’d do well here, our access road seems to be a race track since the traffic calming measures were put in. Something about trying to get through before the car coming in the opposite direction. Not sure that’s the intention .

Poor Sam, he has my sympathy, as does your bank balance if a specialist is needed. What else can you do though?

The muttering hasn’t stopped, neither has the rain, I’m off to make coffee and hope.

Hello, the kitchen! I am loafing this morning while DH is up and about doing stuff. I woke up with terrible ringing in my ears last night. I have had tinnitus for years, but I usually manage to ‘tune it out’ so that I don’t notice it too much. The plumbers merchant is delivering all the stuff for our new downstairs cloakroom this morning. Then all we have to do is get the plumber to fix a date to start. That will be the hard bit!
Topsy I’m glad the wedding went well and you look fabulous - I wish I could ‘carry off’ a hat; I’ve never worn one to a wedding, not even mine! Cake’s a smasher too!
N&G Grampy would not get a lot of excitement out of me with his speed camera - I still have a man with a red flag walking in front of the car!! Sorry to hear Sam is having probs with his eyes again, poor little chap.
NannyJan if your DGD is anything like GS and his pals with cake, it will be a case of “you’ll be lucky”! But I do hope they left you a slice, and if I may, I will have a piece of your banana cake for later, thankyou!
Callgirl there has not been a Belle Vue Zoo for a long time, but I remember being taken there as a child and, later, taking our children and my nephews there for the day. I have to say that, by then, the whole place looked rather run down, and I think it closed not so long afterwards. I liked the story of the nuns and the elephant!
GS starts his Summer School week today so we are off over to DD’s later to be in when he comes home. We might get a walk round the woods beforehand.
I had better shake a leg or I will be getting black looks from Himself!! I will look in later.

Naughty Grampy !
The only time I offended (was caught) was for doing 37 mph down a country road only I hadn’t realised I was still within the speed limit.
I got the points and the fine!
However when I admitted to my form in school the day the letter came through( Sixth form tutor) that I’d been done their reaction was “Way to go, Miss! Was it on the M1? How fast were you going? “
Totally wrong of course, but my street cred went up immeasurably

Morning all !!

Callgirl and Maw , both those made me chuckle. Brought to mind watching a wildlife programme with our youngest daughter many years ago. Out of nowhere a cheetah chased a gazelle and brought it down in full glorious technicolour. Our little girl asked her Dad ' What's he doing' ? He quickly replied ' Kiss chase!!' .

Who remembers kiss chase from the playground where you chased a boy and if you caught him you kissed him? last played when I was about 8 I think?

Cake looks wonderful Topsy , glad you had a wonderful time. And I love your hat!!! Cant beat a good wedding hat !

Grampy is off for Community Speed camera training this morning ! So I have a couple of hours to disappear into my craft room.

Then Sam has yet another vets apt. His eyes seem better for a day or so when we stop the drops then suddenly they are all nasty and sticky again. I see a very expensive specialist in his future as we have rules out all the usual suspects like conjunctivitis, dry eye, entropion etc.

Hope everyone has enjoyed a few cooler days as it looks like the hot weather is coming back !

Pop's head round door with a Banana Loaf, to see a frenzy of activity over the last few days!

So pleased the wedding went well NannyTopsy and you look very glam in your outfit! The cake looks fab.

My DD is going through the pain of selling and buying a new house at the moment so hugs to those going through the same stressful process

It is DGD's 10th birthday today, (No.2 of 4 DGD's), so I am off there later bearing gifts and cards! I am sure there will be a cake to sample, as she had a sleepover with friends Saturday night! Hopefully there is some cake leftover!

Looking fabulous topsy. So glad that all went well. Congratulations to the couple!

Another damp start here. The fields where the Horrible Hounds run free have just been rotovated, so I predict an early arrival of the winter mudfest.
Why do spaniels have velcro feet? answers on a postcard please

You looked great Topsy, glad you all had a good day.
N&G, your post put me in mind of the time I was visiting Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester (is it stll there?) with then 11 year old daughter and her friend. We were in the elephant house when a male elephant decided to display his assets as only a male elephant can do, oh my, he was a big boy. Trouble was, he chose the moment when a group of nuns were walking through!
The show tonight was brilliant. This was the 3rd Four Seasons tribute act we`ve seen, but it was head and shoulders above the others. If you`re a Four Seasons fan, and you get the chance, go and see Let`s Hang On, the name of the group.
Mia was on the doorstep when we got back, waiting for her long overdue treats!

Can’t get to sleep - still buzzing! DGS (4) and DGD (2) were like whirling dervishes at the rehearsal but behaved like little angels on the day. Even the weather was kind - some sunshine and a comfortable temperature.

Lovely Nannytopsy.
I am sure it was a wonderful day to remember.
Now breathe! ?? ?

Delighted you all had a wonderful day. The cake is a triumph, love the hat and the outfit. Congratulations to you all.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201808/medium-226108-ad714765-0a1c-4089-b57a-1af88f6de387.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201808/medium-443569-6b01ce6d-3368-4c06-9d24-fba22328df7b.jpeg

Hello everyone! I’m back ?. The wedding was wonderful and we had a great time. The vicar caused a great deal of discussion and no one who was there will forget his sermon ?. I send virtual wedding cake to you all!

Hattie always was hard done by!

Maw Hattie is a star!

Lovely to have drop in, corner. Believe me, I am bowled over by the amount of activity in our kitchen. As long as folk continue to share whatever it is they wish to share, the kitchen serves it's purpose.

I like reading the upbeat news. I also sympathise with those of us lot who are quietly tearing their hair out with a variety of buggerations. The selling of property has to be one of the most stressful episodes in one's life. I hated every moment of it. The worst bit was...having to keep the house extraordinarily clean and tidy. Not something I like dedicating my time to. Much rather be up to my ears in paints and stuff. As indeed I am right at this moment. What I would really appreciate is a garret into which I can disappear and be truly arty farty.

The sun is shining. It is warm. In fact, it's rather humid. The garden is continuing to look more and more like the Amazon rain forest. All manner of plants jostle for space. I should do some serious dead-heading. Maybe tomorrow.

Best wishes to one and all. I trust that the week ahead is kind to you.

Just wanted to add N&G that when Flynn was here he curled up in Hattie’s utility room bed, Basil (their dog) appropriated the other one at the foot of the stairs and Hattie was left with only the sofa!

Thanks for many kind welcoming words. What friendly people you all are. The unpacking churns on. ‘He’ has finished his first round, of course, , andwanders about pouncing on any stray item saying ‘what’s that doing there??’ Or moving my lists notebook if I put it down for two seconds. Maddening. But I know we’re v lucky in that the overall move went well.
Panache I do feel for you and the struggle you’re having with your lovely house
I have seen that people on this thread frequently bring cake. I offer my own favourite of tomato sandwiches made with (whisper) butter and (promise not to tell) proper white bread. I over indulge at this time of year until excess of tomatoes gives me mouth ulcers.

N&G, like the time Will announced “Granny, that pigeon is giving that other one a piggy back “
Hmm, yes dear.....