Soop's new kitchen being built while she's absent!

Welcome back, *absent. Where have you bin?

Nannytopsy What are you? A star, that's what.

Izabella Your experiences seem magical, almost other-worldly. Fabulous memories to treasure forever.

Carillion With each day, your dear husband will showw signs of improvement. That is what we are all rooting for. Bless you both.

kitty The car is going into the garage all day tomorrow. The spare part arrived late yesterday afternoon. As you rightly say, they are a pain when they need attention and costly but, living as we do, on the remote west coast of Scotland, we need wheels.

Izabella your present holiday experiences are really a once in a lifetime- superb.

soop sorry to hear that the fish and chip prices have priced themselves out of your range.

Hopefully the car repair will not be too expensive but you will have peace of mind when you and MacS go on that longish trip to the hospital.

Carillion I would not be watching that film in any language- I would prefer to watch paint drying. It is now onwards and upwards for him. Please look after yourself- you have to eat and rest also.

I cannot believe I have not switched on the heating at all
today-unheard of in January.
TOYA

A phone call from Oban Hospital. My "rootle around the nethers procedure", under a general anaesthetic, is on the 21st. At last. It's been a long, tiresome time but now I can go forward just one step at a time....which makes me happy.

We've had visitors. I am running late. Just wanted to say that I shall return in the morning and that I am TOYA

Izabella that sounds a wonderful trip and what a wonderful gift to you from from the Creator of those beautiful creatures. Sadly such moments can be a difficult thing to photograph, I am never quick enough!

Carillion so pleased to hear such good news!

soop an appointment for that procedure is great!
You have to laugh at the terminology used nowadays! It is never an operation but is a procedure.

Delighted to read positive news carillion. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery

Good to have the date for your procedure soop, you know we’ll all be wishing you well. Hope the car is returned to full health tomorrow. Ours is off for a service, that’s anxiety raising enough.

No heating charley? Definitely needed in corner-land.

I began today with many good intentions to achieve outstanding tasks and have been totally sidetracked by folk calling in and a 3 hour ‘quick’ visit to a neighbour . Oh well, another day tomorrow not touched.

TOYA

Carillon so pleased your husband is doing well and Soop pleased you have a date for your procedure.
We have had a grim overnight in A and E with DH but home now and counting our blessings.
TOYA and will catch up tomorrow.

carillion glad things are going well for DH. Hope you had a good day today.
susan sounds as though you have been having a bad time. Hope DH is ok. Glad you are back at home now.
A date at last soop. You have been waiting a while.
TOYA?

Hope you can both rest tonight susan, your husband is OK and will be totally well soon.

Good news Carillion may it continue.

So pleased you are both home Susan you have had a frightening time recently. Let’s hope the antibiotics kick in soon.

Pleased you have a date soop.

Izabella, it was so lovely to read about your encounter with the Hector's Dolphins, the smallest dolphins of all. When I first visited NZ, 19 years ago, I decided I was going to swim with these beautiful creatures. I squeezed myself into the provided wet suit and, when we came across a number of them, in I plopped...and nearly died of shock. It was so cold! My sister, who, wisely, had stayed in the boat, dragged me aboard and revived me. However, each time, the more intrepid swimmers got close, the dolphins turned away. As a storm was threatening, the pilot decided to take us back to harbour. All the way back, the Hectors rode the bow wave and we had plenty of time to admire them. I think they had been taunting us!
As I read your vivid accounts of New Zealand, I often find that they mirror my own. I was, I know, very lucky to have a sister there who drove me around much of both islands..or rather shared the driving!

Izabella, your posts are wonderful to read especially as my bil and sil are coming to New Zealand on Sunsay for 6 weeks.

Morning all !

It was a fraught start to the day here as my granddaughter dreamed I had died !! She woke up in tears and nothing would do except to call me to check lol !! Needless to say she is now happy I am still alive ( and so am I obviously )!!

I guess I have reached that age where its a possibility :-)

Lovely story about the dolphins *Izabella) . My girls swam in the main pool with dolphins at SeaWorld on Boxing Day 2000. I swear they smiled all day. We have lovely photos of them.

Good news about the Op date Soop !

We are off out this morning as yesterday was rained off, Sam has his coat on and is chomping at the bit !

I shall be back later to check on you all ( please leave cake !)

N&G Your post made me chuckle. As for cake...as it happens, our pal gave us two enormous slices of hi birthday cake to take home with us. I may share with you, providing that lot don't barge in ahead of you.

anno What a fabulous experience you were treated to. Pods of Dolphin have been known to pass across the Sound (within sight of our home). I have yet to have the camera handy. Passing motorists stop to take in the view.
Dolphin apart - MacSporran went onto the beach some time ago, in order to photograph a glorious sunset. He saw a stag (to his left) and to his right, an otter. He did get photos of both.

Susan What was it that sent you to A&E? Pleased that you are now home. After specialist treatment, there is no place better.
Carillion You and your husband remain in our thoughts.

I was at A and E with my husband.His feet and legs began to swell at an alarming rate so we were advised to go to A and E.
Apparently a result of flu and not doing much and age related.He is on antibiotics now and ??is slightly better today.

soop so pleased to hear you have a date and it is actually on this year's calendar but I do appreciate the surgery has not been done yet!

Susan the end of last year was a total buggeration for you and this one is not improving. It sounds as though DH has lymphoedema. That dose of flu has done either of you any favours.

It is so quiet here I barely know the days of the week.

N&G I am pleased to hear you are still on this planet- did you double check because you also have not been very well.

I can say in whispered tones I am back to normal now but that was not an experience I would like to repeat any time soon. Thank goodness I am a hoarder so neither Tara nor I wanted for anything.

Carillion we hope to hear good news from your neck of the woods today and that DH is enjoying the food.
TOYA

Susan That will have been a stressful experience and some. Glad that your husband antibiotics and hope that they kick in soon.

Charleyg It is a funny old day. We usually go to visit our pal in the care home and do the weekly shop. I like routine! Instead, MacSporran has been traipsing about what with the car in the garage. He has now boarded the bus into Campbeltown in order to retrieve the car. After which, he's going to do the Tesco shop. I have not enjoyed today one little bit.

Carillion Thoughts remain with you.

Have decided to log off for today. I could dust and polish^. There again, I could make a brew and read my Rebus whodunit. I have opted for the latter. Lazy mare!

TOYA

Carillon good news about your husband.

Izabella what wonderful experiences you are having, dolphins are such beautiful and graceful creatures.

Soop good news that they are going to "look into your nether regions" , you deserve an answer and solution.

Off out for dinner with Mr.Gravy and his friend who lost his wife a few months ago, they had a wide circle of friends and we all try to include him as we would have done when she was alive.

TOYA

carillion hope things are going well with DH.
susan that sounds worrying. Hopefully it is sorted now.
charley glad you are on the mend and feeling better. I hope tara gives you some good cuddles.
ann hope you are ok too.
TOYA?

Good evening everyone. Have been trying today to follow our kitchen news properly. Glad to see the lovely news, so sad for the dear kitcheners whose news is not good. Your kindnesses in thinking of DH is something I cannot describe. Xxxx

Up-date...his surgeon is very pleased with the indications from the xrays and the feedback from physio contact is very promising. DH might come home before the end of next week. Feel I shouldn't have this much happiness but so glad for him. I'm a terrible sleeper but might try an early night tonight. Thank you again dear friends, sending love and TOYA xxxxxxx
Dear soop, so very happy to hear about your appointment ???

Good news Carillion.Hope you get a good nights sleep tonight.
Charley, glad you are feeling better.
Thank you all for your supportive messages over the last couple of months.Hoping to be a more cheerful member of scoops kitchen again soon??
TOYA

Excellent carillion. Sleep well, you both deserve to.

Hope your husband continues to progress susan, a horribly worrying time.

Germs improving here, hooray, a sea front walk and an excellent lunch while the car had its service today helped I’m certain. Grandchild taxi tomorrow, may be a fraught day.

TOYA, sleep well everyone.

Morning all !

I am looking at the ironing mountain I have to tackle this morning and wishing I had a friend like Soop !!

Germs are much improved here too Corner , we took Sam to the forest yesterday and that certainly blew the cobwebs away . The café there is trialling allowing dogs in to one end and Sam was the first recipient of this treat and to celebrate they gave him a special 'homemade' dog biscuit! There was much excitement ( Sam not us) and he did not let us down as in true Cavalier fashion he scoffed the lot and charmed the staff!

What good news Carillion . You must be so excited. Is the recovery period lengthy?

Hope you enjoyed your dinner GrannyG , its all a bit spartan here as Grampy and I try and recover from our Christmas indulgencies which piled on a few lbs ! How is it sooo easy to put off and such darn hard work to lose anything ?

Glad to hear you too are feeling better Charley , lets hope this is the end of the Christmas season germs.

I am off to make bacon sandwiches for breakfast - well if I have to do the rotten ironing I deserve a treat ;-)

Happy day all !

So pleased to hear that Sam was a model client and he enjoyed his snack. Unfortunately not every dog going there will have Sam's manners or upbringing.

Tara does not appear to want to go out today- she has been backwards and forwards for a couple of hours. I wish she would settle somewhere because she leaves doors wide open. I have not been able to teach her to close doors.

A friend of mine was admitted with cardiac problems. Each day the hospital says she is coming home so I have not visited. I am a bit worried about her husband, 92, who can't cook and they have a basic kitchen, no freezer or microwave. I cannot drive in dusk or dark so cannot cook here and take it to him. She is practically blind but copes well.

Carillion with luck DH is on his feet today and progressing well. Hopefully, you slept better because a few weights I think have been lifted from your shoulders.

N&G where does the ironing come from? I have not picked up an iron for many years. Admittedly I will not buy linen or silk but neither an I wearing nylon or polyester. A night in bed irons out any creases.
TOYA

Some days, in spite of the greyness outside the window, the upbeat messages from you lot make the sun shine within.

Super news from Carillion I am wearing a special .
corner is on the mend
Susan Continuing get well vibes for your husband and your peace of mind.
GrannyGravy Your friend will greatly appreciate the company of good friends.

Hello, dear Doodle

N&G Of course our Sam behaved beautifully. I wouldn't doubt it for a moment. He deserved the specially baked biscuit. Did it touch the sides of his mouth? Did he woof a thank you?

charleyg Tara is a feline. Tara will have her own agenda. Get used to it.