Soop's welcoming and ever supportive kitchen,

My sincere apologies to you lovely lot for barging into our friendly kitchen and blowing a gasket. I had to vent my frustration. I knew that you would understand.

If I had not emailed the customer services, I would possibly be none the wiser. However, we needed telling and that makes me even crosser than what I am.

The lady on the phone didn't seem awfully bothered. That made things ten times worse. Our friend in the village has offered to lend us her sun-lounge small sofa and two matching chairs. Most kind and acceptable. Her husband will transport them to us. Thank goodness for friends who are prepared to step in.

Marks and Spencer have lost a hell of a lot of my respect. End of.

Anyone got oars to spare? It’s been falling down all day, the puddles are joining up forming lakes.

May I share your disgust with M&S soop? What appalling customer service. Your friends are incredibly kind and thoughtful. I’m so pleased they could come to your rescue. You’ll be able to relax and enjoy time with your family now.

Another one here with puppy envy although I don’t envy the hard work that comes with puppies.

I suspect we have plenty of time to complete Mr C’s domestic apprenticeship, Charley, as he pointed out to me yesterday there will be nothing wrong with my voice and I will be able to issue detailed instructions. Poor man!

Time to organise our evening meal. Look after yourselves everyone.

Happy family Birthday’s topsy ?
Good grief soop it’s a mega cock-up from them, I’d be furious, if they have a Facebook page or Twitter, shaming on there usually ensures a swift response. Hoping, selfishly, JL are more reliable, we have furniture due in a few weeks.
2nd jab done this morning, then I went to DD’s to sit for plumber arriving. Her car was there, rang doorbell, ‘sorry Mum, I meant to ring you, I’m off school with a migraine’, good job I love here and she’s ten minutes away only. We had rain forecast today, none, just cloud, looking at the radar we are sitting in the centre of a swirling low, like the eye of a hurricane, bizarre. I’ll get back to my new fascination, Flightradar24, I keep annoying DH by letting him know how many planes there are around, destinations and type! Enjoy your evenings all.

Blossoming An afternoon of pampering sounds like a splendid plan.

Puzzler I am extremely fond of swans. Your photograph is lovely.
There was an occasion, several years ago, when we would pass a single swan and I didn't like the thought of it being without a mate. I rang the powers that be, and reported it. They kindly responded and sent me an enamel swan lapel pin.

Yia *Harper is a handsome hound. I love the name. Very upper crust.

N&G Your Sam is even lovelier than I remember him from some time ago. How lovely that you'll be seeing the boys and their parents very soon. I can well imagine you making all manner of plans. We are looking forward to seeing son number three and his delightful partner at the end of the month. Four days of non-stop blether. It's been such a long time since we were last together. They are renting a beautiful, self contained cottage. We shall be taking them out and about.

Jax Between you and me...I have wind in the willows, too. Sometimes, it almost blows my knickers off.

Grandmabatty I am pleased that you are pleased with your haircut. As for lots of cuddles...you deserve every single one.

Doodle Oh, my, the days and nights I spent pole dancing (and more besides) in the Argy are but a distant memory. My leopard leotard is moth-eaten. Happy days! She murmurs with a sigh.

Grandmafrench Should you hear naughty rumours of my goings on in the Argy, you had better believe them. Hours spent in the cellar with a burly chappie who changed his name on a regular basis. I was escorted off the premises (a fireman's lift) on more occasions than I can count.

Urmstongran Many villagers also speak Gaelic. We did buy a beginners phrase book. Know a few simple phrases, but cannot profess to being eloquent.

Galen Bella lives up to her name. I demand limitless cuddles.

Nannytopsy A special treat for all concerned. Happy birthdays to your dear son and husband.

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corner I shall send you a slice of Kintyre .

Here is last night's sky...

Logging off until tomorrow. I apologise if I have overlooked mentioning any of our Kitcheners. You are all very special peoples.

Hello lovely peeps. Why does it feel like Sunday here? I know, it's because it's a national holiday. It's made me feel a bit out of sorts and I've not done much. Wonderful day, though, so no need to make excuses for lounging about.

Glad you sound nostalgic for the knees ups in the Argy (I remember them and your shocking behaviour, lady. That poor Doodle - it must have been like herding cats). You have now hopefully calmed down sufficiently to be of sound mind again today, soop. I'm with you in disgust, I'm ahead of you in anger and righteous indignation. BUT....just who can you depend on these days. "They're all bastids" as one might say. Who actually cares whether you have anything to sit on and whether they've taken your money and broken a trust and a contract to deliver and caused you untold stress? No one, that's who., apart from your kind friends. and certainly not some robot at M&S. I thought the Mattress Malarkey was bad, you arrange, you pay, you move it. And only then do they decide whether they are able - or not - to collect from your area? And it's a no? Oh well, never mind. I think Jax is right, they all need shaming but sometimes life's not long enough...I expect you'd still be in correspondence with BT if it was. Sending you a hug, bring forward that G&T, look forward to seeing your friends and one of your handsome sons, and just forget all those who you can dismiss with a haughty look since they're quite beyond the pale. Love to Fern.

Tell your Daughter not to forget to put enough stamps on the parcel - we have additional charges now since Brexit - Galen. We wouldn't want that darling pup to get lost in transit and I AM WAITING !

A new knee, a new you is forecast Corner. How lovely to think you'll be properly mobile and pain free again.

If you're reading this, dear Panache - you know how we all feel. xx Do hope that the weather is being kind in the Shire and you are now making up for winter weather by staying outside -growing veggies for the family, Izabella.

Aren't you clever, Grandmabatty. (GrandmaPercy?) I can grow plants but am not so good putting things together. Hope your tomatoes are a huge success. Mine already need supports. I planted, for a joke, 2 potatoes in a big tub. I now have five groups of big healthy leaves at the top of the tub, after piling up the soil week on week. I'm so looking forward to being able to harvest my huge crop.....??

Hope your DD is feeling a bit better and you're not worrying, Susan. Is it truly Friday tomorrow - even though it feels like a Sunday today? Right, I'm off this keyboard and away for an apéro before supper.

Keep soldiering on and searching for the fun in life, ladies. Each day, just one small thing to make you smile. Please take care and stay safe, whatever you're up to.

?‍♀️???

Meant to say Grandmabatty, you’ve probably done this, in case not, put something heavy at the bottom of the mini greenhouse, breeze blocks or similar. Unfortunately, I know to my cost, they can blow over causing catastrophe.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners. It's lovely to see everyone's dear kitties and pooches - really heartwarming. On the Millpond over the road from our house the baby cygnets have appeared - I couldn't tell how many as they were all in a cluster with mummy and daddy. We had them visit us on our pond for a few days last year and it always amazes me just how quickly they turn from that tiny ball of fluff into a beautiful swan . Buggerations indeed soop - hope M&S are hanging their heads in shame. Mr BA is running late after his Cardiff jaunt and not expected home until about 8.30pm so late fish, mini jacket potatoes and green veg here tonight . Virtual hugs to everyone in need of a little comfort and enjoy the rest of your evening

Good evening from a balmy Shire. As usual I am behind with most events in the kitchen, but I have spied a lovely Cockerpoo upthread. We have one here and he is delightful Luckily lots of space to run himself ragged. Such energy.

We had the most amazing storm yesterday (or was it the day before??) Lightening all around and lashings of rain and large hail stones. Our butts continue to runneth over. Today has been very warm and the dandelion clocks seem to have simultaneously let go or their charges. CH and I sat in the orchard surrounded by gentle falling 'snow' that wound its way around in an unpredictable and gentle fashion before falling to earth, only for a puff of wind to send them further on their journey.

CH is still in much pain and we await news from the hospital next Monday Meanwhile the rest of us are oohing and aahing following the moving of 6 tons of soil which naturally needed moving to an area where no machine could go!

We continue to enjoy birdsong and wildlife whilst making the best of life. However, for those of you struggling or unwell, I hope tomorrows dawn brings some relief.

Kate tells me Billy has arrived in his new home. I have a feeling he will settle well and be much loved. Time for supper now and second jab on the morrow. Sleep tight all

It’s been such a grey cloudy day here in Inverness today ... I’ve been waiting all day for the sun to just come out a little bit, but it was definitely a no show day. I’ve been in the garden most of the day, even though it’s still very wet and squelchy, but I did get some weeding done.
Your day sounds so lovely Izabella , some warmth sat in the orchard with the falling ‘snow’ and listening to the birdsong and wildlife. The simple pleasures that we can sometimes take for granted are the very best. The cygnets too BA - how wonderful.

Thanks JaxJacky. I'm going to attach it to a piece of fence that it sits in front of. The tomato grow bag should help anchor it too.

‘Evening All’.

The rain has finally stopped after being torrential all afternoon. We were asked to pick the grandchildren up from school at the last minute ‘if possible’. The 4 of us were like drowned rats on arrival at their house. Dripping coats hung to dry, play time, tea time, bath time with a capful of Dettol & 2 contented children in pj’s on the sofa when our son in law got in from work just after 6pm. Teacher mummy was still at work. Hey ho. It was good to be able to help out. I’m jiggered now!

Lovely photo of that cute puppy Galen. Proper chocolate box material! soop I would have been SO cross too. No wonder you came in here to vent. Quite understandable. Funny how people expect others to accept what they themselves wouldn’t!

Right seems the Man. Utd match is on after all - a lot of trouble outside the ground. Disgruntled fans (aka thugs) slashing the tyres of a Liverpool coach in the hope it was carrying the team. It wasn’t. It was a decoy. So game on & Himself has just settled down to watch it.

I think I’ll toddle to the bedroom with my book. Early Horlicks for me and an early night. Wishing everyone of us a peaceful night ahead. x

Ooh. Nearly forgot.
Maw sent this photo of Rosie dozing peacefully in the corner of her bedroom.
❤️

Well done Urms two children fed, bathed and in their pjs before 6pm .. I’m impressed .. super nanny watch out!!

??

Much love to Rosie and Maw.
Contented woofa ♥️

corner hope you don’t have to wait too long for your new knee.
Oh soop that’s so disappointing. I’m not surprised you’re cross. I would vent too.?
Galen what a lovely puppy. One of my grand dogs is a cockerpoo and he’s lovely. Great temperament.
Happy birthdays to your DH and DS Nannytopsy

Grandmafrench it’s funny how we always had to have the firemen out to the Argy when soop was around. Anyone would think she’d get herself stuck on purpose ??
Lovely photos again soop. Good to hear some kindly neighbours are helping out with furniture. I would send an email of complaint to M&S. They didn’t exactly make you feel like a valued customer,
Isabella lovely to hear from you but sorry that your CH is still in pain. Hope you get news soon.
Hello Urms ?. Thanks for the photo of Rosie. Maw I see she’s made herself at home already. ?

The granddog has just texted to book herself in for 10 days in June. She’s remarkably clever for a lurcher!
Similar colouring to Rosie but smaller and stranger fur!

Hello Izabella, lovely to see and hear from you again. So sorry that your poor CH is still suffering on. Hopefully some relief will soon be on offer.
Soop, I`m incensed for you, but after the way we were treated by SCS I can`t really say I`m surprised. Going on Facebook to show them up sounds like a good idea. I love your sunset pictures, you really should have a book out by now!
What a gorgeous cockerpoo puppy. And a lovely pic of a very contented looking Rosie. She`s fallen on her feet/paws after meeting you Maw.
Corner, good to hear that you`re on the way to a new knee.
I`m starting tom feel quietly confident of getting some photo of Billy tomorrow. He`s made 3, albeit short, trips downstairs tonight, and even spent a shot while on the settee. He`s got a very loud purr, and his tail is like a whiplash when it gets going!

Hellogirl it sounds like you are winning there! Would some cat treats tempt him to sit with you? They way to a cat’s heart is through his stomach!

Good morning from the Shire. I commenced posting on another thread trying to help out some poor soul, and posted the most inappropriate link. However, with help I think all is resolved. No matter, I shall muddle my way through and make the best job I can of everything else.

Hellogirl1 those purrs sound delightful, and we all await pictures with baited breath.

On an altogether unrelated matter - is it just us or is there an unprecedented ant population this year? Fewer spiders in the garden too.

Maw that is such a beautiful picture Thank you, and enjoy your new companion.

I will now reluctantly wake CH from his analgesia induced sleep prior to setting off for my second jab.

Take care all

An early-ish good morning to you lovely lot.

Your post, as always, is beautifully worded and much appreciated, dear Izabella. You continue to be an inspiration.

Hellogirl Billy is a happy boy. Louds purrs are proof. We are longing to see a photo. We are all delighted that you have a new, furry friend.

Grandmafrench Your description of Marks and Spencer's attitude towards the customer who pays and waits and waits and finally gets a brief phone call by way of an apology for their couldn't care less attitude...is so on the mark. I couldn't have put it better myself. I shall not be dealing with them in future. In fact, if I could, I would cancel the bloody order.

Doodle I seem to recall that you were miffed when the fireman insisted on giving me lifts between the bar and the door. I did introduce you to his mate...Brawny Bob...but, you wanted Muscle-bound Mick, and on a number of occasions we had handbags at dawn. All in fairly good humour. Naturally.

Maw and Rosie, a fond greeting from Kintyre.

Urms I have Horlicks envy. Must buy some when we next do the weekly shop.

At just after ten o'clock last night, I peered through the bedroom window. "Sweetie Pie" Fern was looking back at me. Naturally, she was invited indoors to enjoy a substantial supper. After which, she retired to her apartment together with a dish of diced, freshly cooked chicken.

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Almost forgot...last night's Kintyre sky...