Soop's super supportive kitchen.

greyduster, back spasms are a total buggeration. Once had one at breakfast time, when, fortunately one son was still at home. He had to pick me up off the floor. I always found that pelvic tilts (think Elvis) helped to loosed things up. But take all the painkillers you can. There's no point in unnecessary suffering.
Soop and McS - what a distinguished couple you are. Lovely photography too - makes me nostalgic for the Highlands.

Just back from a holiday in Derbyshire - wall to wall sunshine and lots of lovely sight seeing.
I’m sorry for all who are going through bad times - I also suffer from back spasms and they are a “buggeration” too far!
Lovely photos Soop - you both look so happy.
Callgirl I think you and I share a fear of hairdressers? I went to a new one today and she was just lovely and I’m very happy with the cut. So much so that I’m going back for colour soon! Wish me luck!
It’s lovely to be back in the kitchen.

Not had chance to visit today but just popped in and seen the lovely photos Soop - what a handsome couple you make

Son no 2 en route from NZ to Munich somewhere - his phone died, his tickets were issued in the wrong name and his flight was late setting off so he was stressing he wouldn't make the connection in Bangkok. We don't have an arrival day/time so have no idea if he's there yet - a long way to go for a stag do! So close and yet too far away to meet up which is sad.

DiL no 2 in NZ sent parcel to me only put my parents address on it - the house was sold 8 years ago! Just shows where their heads are at the moment. Luckily the DPD man knows me and came back later with it.

Glad you had a good holiday Overthehills - the weather has been very kind and Derbyshire is beautiful.

GD sorry to hear you're in pain - my other half is taking the turmeric capsules and seems to be in less pain!

The 'she devil' is scratching at the door so it's obviously feline supper and bedtime so have a good night all.

Oh my Overthehills, you`re getting very brave. Good luck on your next hair visit. I`m off there again tomorrow, fingers crossed for a good result. Glad you had a good holiday, were you in the Peak district? We used to love Matlock Bath and the Heights of Abraham, I love cable cars!

I’ve not made it into the kitchen of late,but am glad to see these lovely photos soop it looks like you two lovebirds had some great fun on your trip. I’m so glad you were well enough to enjoy it all. You certainly chose a great location, we spent our honeymoon on Skye and keep promising ourselves a revisit, maybe next year for the big 50!

panache good to hear you’re getting out in the fresh air a wee bit, it sounds like that man of yours knows just what you need to help you recover your strength.

greyduster sorry to hear that you’re not having such a great time. Hope things pick up a bit for you, back pain is so debilitating and even more so when you’re feeling low anyway.

I’ve a full on volunteering day tomorrow and really need to get to sleep, all the more so as I’ve been fighting a head cold for the last day or so and am feeling a bit groggy. But hey ho here I am trying hard not to fret about family stuff which seems to get more worrying by the day, But I know others have big concerns too so wish you all well whether it’s physical, emotional or practical things that are tugging st your heart strings tonight. x

Just an early morning message to say that hopefully I shall soon be back firing on all cylinders,although reading through I rather think that as we age if some thing does not knock us sideways then something else has a go!!!

Trusting that generally all is fairly well in your worlds,whilst for those that really have some mighty battles may you find renewed hope and strength to meet the new day.

What glamarous hosts we have here in the kitchen,just as well you don`t have skype at this time of the morning I might well shock you all!!!

Enjoy the day and hopefully all goes according to those plans you have in your head.

Lovely to see you back in business Panache but rest and slowly get your strength back.

Love all the photos soop and so pleased you had such a lovely time away. The hotel you stayed in is super.

and for all those going through tough times and those recovering.

I am really upset because our little cat didn't come home last night and still hasn't appeared this morning. Himself, who is much more phlegmatic than I, says it is too soon to worry unduly but that does not make me feel that it is so! We have called and rattled his little 'treats' box for ages but no joy. I am so hoping that nothing bad has happened to him. We haven't had him a full year yet so he is quite little. We got him from the Cat's Protection who told us that his mother was feral so perhaps it is the call of the wild. I do hope not. On the other hand he is very handsome and gentle so would seem to be the perfect pet to someone else maybe. He is chipped. It is the not knowing that is the worst. I know that some could say that he is only a cat but - he is our little cat.

Synonymous I feel so sorry g=for you, I know how you are feeling because if Tara is late a couple of hours I start fretting.

He may be only a cat but he is your special precious baby boy.
Do you know where his hideouts are? Could he have got locked in your shed or garage? Have you asked neighbours to watch out for him?

As a very last resort have you rung a local vet practice to ask if any animal had been handed in? Luckily he is chipped. I do hope he appears soon, hungry but none the worse for wear.

A very good early afternoon to all our Granspals. Have finished the ironing. Back home to enjoy a belated breakfast and lashings of coffee.

Synonymous I am worried on your behalf. Our Rory stayed home at nights. He flatly refused to go any place other than MacSporran's lap.
Please keep us updated. Stay vigilant. What is his name?

Panache stay rested. That is an order.

granniequeenie Thank you for your caring post.

Willow500 buggerations galore for your dear son. His experience sounds like a major frustration nightmare. I wish him a satisfactory outcome.

anno If I were to do an Elvis pelvic tilt I would need to be taken away on a stretcher.

Overthehills I shall be making an appointment with the hairdresser for a drastic trim. My hair is far too long. It takes an age to wash and dry. I'm not prepared to put off the visit to the salon beyond seven days. Seven days in which I shall fret that the trim will be too short. Can't win!

synonymous I am sure he will be back. My son has two male cats and they have a tendency to go awol, but do return. One of our cats went missing for about three weeks once and after all our fretting and searching, she strolled in one day as if she’d only been gone an hour, looking sleek and by no means hungry. She never did tell us where she’d been !
Being slightly more mobile today, I optimistically decided to have a walk down the lane to collect some sloes. This was no more of a good idea than trying to put my socks on this morning and struggling to get up off the floor, where I had ended up! The resident “Just call me if you need anything” man had disappeared into the garage where he was completely oblivious to me needing anything! I will get there. I have to, as the mysterious disappearing plumber came yesterday to say he will be starting on our downstairs cloakroom (at last!) on Friday, so if I can’t get to the upstairs bathroom, I am going to be in all kinds of trouble!
Good to hear that you are on the mend, Panache!
Gq was it Will Shakespeare who said that troubles come not as single spies but in battalions? He wasn’t wrong, and when you can’t do a damn thing to sort them out, it certainly weighs heavily on you. I hope that all who are thus troubled find a space to let some light in.

Greyduster Good post. (hug) from me to you.

Just popping in ro check on everyone!

Your talk of hairdressers has reminded me that I have to be up a sparrow's worst tomorrow. Our hairdresser is a friend and lives in our village and has asked for a lift in to work from DH as he is her first appointment! It's a matter of pride that my hair should look good when I see her!

Panache lovely to see you and you sound much more upbeat!

gd I can lend you a commmode if it helps! Oh lordy, what an awful thought that is (not you obviously - just as a concept!)

Minnie (the kitten) was seen on the trellis between us and next door this morning before disappearing down the other side. Dh was like a cat on a hot tin roof until she came back. Please keep us posted synonymous and try not to worry.

We had a trio at the Memory Cafe today. To my mind they weren't brilliant but when they started to play rock and roll we had 3 couples up dancing while the others sang along. It was very uplifting.

Take care everyone till I get back.

Synonymous, I know it won't be much comfort, but one of my DiL's cats, when she was only about a year old, disappeared and they did everything to find her. Flyers were put through letter boxes around the neighbourhood and the family had given up hope when, five weeks later, there was a phonecall from someone who thought it was their cat in her garden - a good km away. It was! No-one knows where she had been but since then, she has never strayed from home. I do hope your experience is similar - though perhaps not five weeks.

Thank you everyone for all those kind messages. It is funny how much better you feel when you know others are with you in thought.
His name is Smokey and he is grey with faint markings of slightly darker grey and has big golden eyes. He is very sweet natured and never puts his claws out, loves to play with us and will do anything for a treat. He is just a baby really.
I have asked the dog walking fraternity to keep their eyes open for him and I know they will because they do know that neither Himself or I are mobile. I have phoned vets and everyone else I can think of so now I guess we sit it out. He must have known that I had received his next lot of flea, tick and worm liquid from the vet's!
I know he may well just stroll in as if nothing had happened and I hope he does, but its the not knowing if he is hurt, even Himself was a bit choked up at lunchtime which is most unusual. You think you know how much they have snuggled into your heart but you don't really know until they aren't there, whatever has happened. Must pull ourselves together and get on with doing something!

Synonymous I know exactly what you're going through. PLEASE Smokey hurry back home. When you do, we'll all eat cake.

Well, I've made a hairdressers appointment. Last time I was seen (by a super lady in Campbeltown) was about eleven months ago. It is now beyond a joke. Too long. Too wispy. Too everything! Next Wednesday (gulp) I shall have at least four inches off. If I'm totally happy with the result, I shall share a pic with you lot. If not, I shall take me off to a nunnery.

Until tomorrow ^when I hope there will be happy news from Smokey's "Mum", I shall away to do my own ironing.

Hoping that Smokey will be home soon Synonymous - I know exactly what you’re feeling.
Good luck Soop but your hair looked lovely to me. I’m starting to have doubts about my colour appointment.
Greyduster my DH is the same - but they mean well!
Hope everybody starts to feel a little bit better day by day.

Synonymous we are going through the same (well, the family is) - hope they are both off on an adventure together and will both re-appear safe and sound.
It's the not knowing.

synonymous, I hope the wandering kitty turns up safe and well - he sounds like a real little sweetie.
Sorry to hear you’re still sore round the edges greyduster, good news/bad news about the reappearance of the plumber I guess. For me there’s nothing like the prospect of no accessible toilet to make me immediately need to use one frequently! What is it about these men that means they vanish at the vital moment.

Those of you aware of my ongoing gas fire saga aka serious the falling out with the old boy, the sort that almost required the use of the frozen leg of lamb, will be pleased to hear that the gas fitter is coming tomorrow, 2 weeks earlier than we’d been told to expect, to install the new one, Well I hope he is, I had a confirmation voicemail from the shop today, sadly I accidentally deleted it before listening to it - I’m keeping quiet about that!

I must away, I need to give the old boy a lift to a committee meeting...not sure how much business will get done, they’re planning a beer festival so of course there will be sampling to do! If I don’t get back here later, apologies to any I’ve ignored. xx

Evening All

No nunnery for you soop, it will be a good outcome, I’m convinced of it.

I’m wishing smokey a safe homecoming. We’ve never had cats, Mr C is allergic, but a Houdini dog was awol overnight just once, none of us slept. He was found safe in police custody the next morning.

Any improvement greyd? That’s really not funny, maybe some medical advice? When it happened to me I was prescribed a short course of muscle relaxants that had me asleep for 48 hours but did the trick.

Best be off, food about ready. Pleased to report the foot no longer hurts, can cope with the swelling . One happy soul here.

Another one here hoping for an early and safe return for Smokey, he sounds lovely.
I don`t think you`ll be going to any nunnery Soop, but you can`t improve on perfection! Your hair always looks good to me, but only you know if it gives you the irrits. I went for a perm this afternoon, and am quietly pleased with the result. I`ve actually found that the young students at the college always do a better job than the hairdressers I`ve been to over the years, and at a much lower cost.
HOORAY, the offending mucky old settee has gone! I contacted the council yesterday on their website, and today a large council truck came and removed it!
GreyD, I`m glad you`re marginally better, and hope you won`t need that commode. When our bathroom was being turned into a wetroom I`m sure the plumber chappie got mightily fed up of keep installing and uninstalling the old toilet for me and Lynne. How come I always need to wee more in difficult circumstances?

For back problems I swear by Deep Heat, and a handy husband to rub it in.

There was an interesting article in the Times yesterday re backs and placebos. Placebos won hands down! My back spasms have been so painful, I dont think I would agree with the survey in the midst of the spasms

I suffer back spasms too and find the stick on heat patches work best for me.

Good morning dear Granspals in the kitchen.

I must confess that I was hoping to see news of Smokey's return.
To make matters worse, Jalima's family is also having a fretful wait. Cats! They are wonderful creatures. They also have minds of their own. That's okay. All we wish is that they wouldn't wander off without as much as a by your leave.

Back spasms...all those who are dealing with such buggerations, this is for you. Gentle (hugs).

callgirl1 Wherever I go, the first most important port of call is a place to pee. I'm fussy. Aren't we all. As long as the convenience is clean and fresh I'm relieved. Excuse the corny pun. I loathe messy, smelly loos. Would sooner find a decent hedge to lurk behind. Daft as a brush...me.