Soop's super supportive kitchen (with a wing for poorly menfolk)

Soop your views are a delight.

I did my first Park run today - well more of a walk but I was second in my age group, despite my shoe breaking, and got the prize for the best hat.

I am really pleased I discharged my DH when I did. I am not sure about all the shenanigans going on in the men’s wing. They will be smuggling in the whiskey next!

dragonfly may I discreetly ask your bra size? We must find out the owner and it has been washed, after a fashion. Certainly not up to my or Izabella's high standards.

Not mine! 38FF up here! Thank you for the blondies - just right for a midnight snack. Took this at Curber Edge today

Just popped in. I know it’s late 12,15 pm and afraid to report a midnight feast on men’s ward and Dragonfly I think you maybe right as found a hip flask!!!

Nobody owned up and great hilarity when I mentioned ‘the bra’. Only words spoken ‘what happens on the wing stays on the wing’. A little worrying

Charlie I am not sure what you are insinuating but my bras are not balcony bras and are much smaller. I have not dared to venture into the men’s wing since I extricated DH. It is far to boisterous in there for me!

Hello the kitchen. That’s a lovely photo Nannytopsy of one of our favourite walks; Curbar Gap to the Grouse Inn for a pint and then back across White Edge. Glorious.
We were supposed to be watching junior football today but the pitch is like concrete so we are still in bed with a second cup of coffee! I was going to post this photo a few days ago, but could have take the same one this morning. They are queuing up at the feeders as we speak.
Well done on your park run, Dragonfly! DD and her menfolk do them most weekends. They seem to be very popular.
I, too, have been wondering why Panache has been off the radar for a bit. Hope they are okay.
N&G that choir concert must have been something to see! I should think Stevie enjoyed himself hugely and it will be something that both he and his mum and dad will remember for a long time to come! ??
Soop I love the photos you post - that view is worth a king’s ransom. There was a programme on TV about Kintyre recently - it made me want to jump in the car and go there!
There is much talk of balcony bras on here. It’s definitely not mine! If you find one that could double as a hammock, that will be mine!
Well, as we are not on touchline duty today, a short walk in the sunshine will be in order and then roast chicken for lunch.
I will look in later.

I have had some lovely memories revived this morning.
H and I used to be serious walkers "back in the day" and Curbar Edge and Froggat Edge were favourite walks when we used to take out caravan to Castleton which was very frequently as we could be there in 45 mins on a Friday afternoon.
We would be approaching from the other end to you both I think.
Our pub would be the Chequers Inn ,on the wooded hill above Froggat if I remember correctly.
Very happy days.

You really have got me going now, another favourite parking place to walk from was the Fox House at ?Longshaw?
I am going to see H this morning, I will see if he remembers anything at all.
I doubt it though.

Ann would he remember from photographs, perhaps?

Lovely lovely pictures on here. How beautiful frosty weather can be - it makes me appreciate our seasons. Those in hot climates do not have the joy of these.

Good morning everyone from our tranquil and glistening part of the realm. Nice memories of those lovely places in the peak. Any votes for the breakfasts at Grindleford Station?

Now then, I hope all are paying attention as I have an important report regarding the poorly ward a.k.a. the mens wing.

Following a successful interrogation just before lights out I have a full and frank confession from the recently appointed janitor regarding the 'bringing in' of a stripogram to celebrate a birthday with his mates. Apparently the menfolk were rather embarrassed and had said nothing for fear of upsetting their womenfolk, matron and the kitcheners next door.

Following my interrogation and dismissal of the janitor I hope things return to a more gentlemanly way of carrying on. I note the more recent concerns of Twin2 regarding the midnight party and existence of a hip flask, but I will be magmanimous and consider they needed to let off some steam having come clean regarding recent events.

So, a new set of rules to be signed by both present incumbents of the wing and any new admissions will come into play later. One red shoe (with kitten heels) and one balcony bra have been delivered to the previous janitors house this morning. His wife appeared perplexed.

So ladies, relax, enjoy the day if you can. I now have to prepare a report for our sponsors (a well known provider of cake.)

Anne yes Longshaw. Lovely. Curber Edge less fond memories. My horse bolted along there some years ago. I stayed on - just- but don't know how to this day.

Izabella DH and I were only talking about the cafe at Grindleford station the other day. We haven’t been there for a while. You piled on calories just reading the menu! Do they still have the grumpy notices up all over the place? The one I remember said “uncontrolled children will be sold into slavery!” I made sure to keep DH under control?!

Thank goodness you have found the owner of the balcony bra. I did feel awful having to ask wives but it had to be done- I was very discreet and absolutely nobody else knew who was asked or not.

If that lot are not careful they will be enjoying the nursing of the 40's and 50's with sanatorium style care with doors wide open enjoying the especially fresh air in that neck of the woods.

I think our inmates residents will be more grateful for the care they receive at home and most have almost been trained to help but there is work to be done there. They appear to think that a hospital corner is the corner of a building outside, not a hospital sheet on a bed.

If any ladies would like me to teach these fellows anything in particular, please let me know. Drawing is not one of my skills but I am sure I could manage a map to a kitchen if he is unacquainted with that room. The electrical appliances may take a bit longer- especially a cooker but time is on our side.

Definitely no pink or balcony bras here. I suggest toughening the penal regime poorly husbands unit. I prescribe a run/walk round the block followed by a cold shower before breakfast of unsweetened porridge. That would sort out the malingerers.

Izabella the problem is that one just cannot get the staff these days, hence the recent problem.

Izabella! My sister lives just a few yards away from Grindleford station.....I’ve never been to the cafe because when we visit the dear soul provides board and lodging. She is a forager and assembler type of food provider ? so next time we visit I shall treat her to a ? My DH will be over the moon! GN rocks!

Superb photographs. Marvellous posts from you lovely lot and a lot of laughter thanks to Matron, Izabella and other members of the let's keep that lot in the not-so-poorly ward behaving appropriately
Little did we know what a task it would be for the gamely volunteers.
So, who is the owner of the outsize balcony bra? Does is belong to the pole-dancer who was smuggled in dressed as a poorly patient? If so, I'm well shocked. In fact, I'm speechless. Whatever next.

My middle son phoned a short time ago. We'll be staying at his home when the family gather later this month. We talked about the possibility that the lump in my breast could well be cancer. My late mother had a double mastectomy in her late 50s and the cancer eventually spread to her liver. I tried to reassure him that I am unafraid. Once I have the verdict, be it on Friday, or later in the month, I shall deal with matters accordingly. I feel truly at peace within myself. MacSporran and I will keep each other's spirits aloft. That's for sure.

We'll be meeting Baggs on the day before the appointmnet. She always puts a positive spin on things.

I'm away to search for a wee gift to give our grandchildren. Something that they can keep as mementos of our visit. We've bought the two great grandchildren a xylophone each. Should make for a cheerful and noisy interlude when we're together.

You WILL be popular with two xylophones Soop! I shall listen out for them as you ho through Leicester station!
How calm and philosophical you are - would that we all were.

So good to have a chuckle about all the carryings on in 'the wing for poorly men folk', and a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers for going the extra mile to ensure propriety is maintained!

I am really hoping that all is well in Chez Panache and wonder if anybody knows.

Nannytopsy when the postie delivered the parcel to our son's house, he shook it and remarked, I think something is broken. Wrong! Xylophones are noisy, even when wrapped. Even more so in the hands of wee children.

Synonymous It does seem rather a long time since Panache called into the kitchen.
Panache...^us lot^ would welcome a visit, no matter how brief.

I'm logging off for today. Thank you for your company. Will do my best to join you all again tomorrow.

Yes Grey there are still some notices up at the cafe, but it all seems a bit tame since the old man died. Still a good hearty cholesterol fuel stop though. Massissimo she will not be the only forager in Grindleford!

soop you are such a lovely person. All you do for others and when faced with a serious situation for yourself bear it with grace and dignity. You have my admiration (and I am not easily impressed as a rule.) You and MacS are a team to be sure. Enjoy your family time and the inevitable music making.

dragongly I was impressed with the park run - well done to you. I am a tad tentative running outdoors in this cold weather I tend to go into bronchospasm in the cold weather, and if I don't I am very wary of slipping. I have had enough pop's in my life thanks.

Another one here who is wondering about Chez Panache.

Greyd I keep meaning to ask what lens you use? Well time for dinner cooked by CH, smells delish. Talking of men, all quiet on the poorly wing this evening. A sense of
doing as they are told calm has been restored!

Vacancy to cover backpacking leave. Medical professional, or generally decent type to cover for the poorly ward. Will need a rod of iron, strong professional standards and the ability to keep order. Start: end February. Temporary, but suitable candidates may have contract extended to cover April then December through January.

Ah well! I fall at the first fence on two counts; ‘medical professional’ and ‘generally decent type’, Izabella! When I was a child, pre-Beeching, we used to get the steam train to Grindleford from the little station at the bottom of our road. It was a great treat to travel through the Totley Tunnel and wonder if you were ever coming out! The cafe was just a simple tea room then.
I don’t have separate lenses on my camera - it’s a bridge, but it has a very good zoom facility. It does all the work - I just hold it!?

We had a decent walk this afternoon - the old chap managed three and a half miles, but it took about twice as long as it usually takes us. He has taken to calling them his zombie walks! Onward and upward!