Good Morning Friday

Good morning everyone from a rather soggy, cloudy Torbay, following overnight rain.

I hope your Dad doesn’t go a-wandering again Dwmxwg! It must have been very worrying for you all. I live near several care homes from which we see an occasional escapee. On one occasion, I rang the police on seeing one poor, elderly lady who was wearing just a nightgown and slippers in winter!

What is the saying about gardens, harrigran? For you and the many gardening grans……

“The kiss of the sun for pardon, 

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's heart in a garden 

Than anywhere else on earth.”



A verse from a longer poem entitled “God’s Garden” by Dorothy Frances Gurney. I’m glad you found time to enjoy the peace of your garden and I hope your DH is improving.

I'm sure you will have enjoyed your steam locomotive ride, Marydoll, a favourite pastime for olddudders and me. He has had a life long interest in all matters railway, having had a career with BR. I have to admit to ironing fewer items these days, Grandmafrench, on the basis that nobody sees certain items of apparel or visits to inspect bed linen or tea towels! This from a keen ironer in days of yore!

Congratulations to your daughter, Susan56 and good luck to her in her new post.

I have an early blood test so I must start my day. Wishing you all a happy one. ?

Good morning all from a wet Glasgow, where its 11 degrees.
We are off to Edinburgh today with my SIL and DD for our evening tour of the Forth Circle on the Flying Scotsman. Nostalgia beckons!
The scenery will be beautiful. There is something about the iconic Forth Rail bridge which, which never fails to amaze me, every time I see it.

I'm so looking forward to the trip, but a tad apprehensive as we haven't been on public transport, for well over a year. The thought of getting the train into Glasgow alone, without any fuss, is making me anxious. To add to that nervousness, there is a rise in the number of hospital admissions on the East Coast.

Before we could go, we had to take Covid tests for both the hotel and Steam Rail Tours, which is to be commended. How would we have managed all of this without the technology we now have?

Yesterday' visit to the hairdresser gave me a real boost, when I was given such a warm welcome from all the staff. What a fuss they made of me. I always feel that my visit to the hairdresser is like being on the therapist couch, a chance to unburden and of course a catch up on the local gossip news! I have now been going there since 1991, when I got a post in the school next to it! I have had my hair cropped, as it was becoming too difficult to manage. I like to think, I look ten years younger and quite trendy. I fear I may be delusional. ?
Borrheid, I was hoping for a glimpse of your mum, but sadly not!

Wishing you all a pleasant day and hoping those who are finding the mountain of pain and sorry, difficult to climb, have an easy day ahead. ?

Oh, I meant to congratulate Susan's daughter, no mean achievement, by any means! ?

Good Morning all from East Staffordshire where it is rather wet this morning.
Marydoll. Have the best day ever.
Off to work shortly, then Pub tonight.

Good Morning all, Mick we were in France in 2017, the village, Eymet, was a start point for a stage of La Tour, very exciting. Nearly forgot my manners…it’s raining here in S Hants too. Ashcombe MrJ does the majority of the ironing, his clothes, I reckon body heat drops any creases in my t shirts.
Marydoll have a wonderful time, I lived in Perth from when I was three for a couple of years, my first school was Perth Academy. I remember the imposing Forth bridge and being told ‘by they time they’ve finished one coat of paint it’s time to start again’.
Have a gentle Friday all, still hoping for news of those absent. Watch out for a soggy flamingo or two ??.

Morning all. Just back to confirm that my DS did his South Downs Both Ways ride yesterday and in under 20 hours. 200 Miles with 22,000 feet of climbing and 200 gates to open and close. He started at 4.00am and finished at 23.26. Exhausted but triumphant. Thank you to all the kind Grans who sponsored him on Just Giving (for Cancer Research). Much appreciated.

Good morning from a damp Leicestershire.

I am going to the Van Gogh experience this morning leaving DH in charge of the fish delivery, the flower delivery, plant delivery and Sainsburys. I just hope the crab doesn’t end up in the garden!

Well done Susan’s DD it must be a relief to get a permanent position.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Well done to him Gaga reasonable weather yesterday, a pleasure to be a tiny part of it. ??

A very damp good morning from south Cornwall, where in the night I listened to the rain spattering on my patio. Lovely. Wide awake for an hour at 3am, listening to Classic FM and reading A Year at the Chateau, which I bought at our town centre market on Saturday. Today, more sorting my art room, and sourcing lino, which I have discovered isn't straightforward. I don't want the tiddly little pieces available from art shops!

Have a lovely trip Marydoll. I love steam trains. My artist dad did beautiful paintings of them and when he finally lost the ability to paint (brain tumour) I sat with him and under his direction completed a commission of a painting of a steam train in Leeds station (with the agreement of the person commissioning it). Such a privilege. Have the best day you can, everyone.

One of dad's paintings.

Good morning from north Surrey. We don’t appear to have had the rain yet, am sure it’s on its way.
Thank you to all who wished my parents well after dad’s “adventure”. He certainly did give us all a fright, including himself. Sister stayed for the day with them and I had a message to say they were going to restaurant for early dinner, did I want to join. DH encouraged me to go, it meant letting him do school run and tea for the boys, I think the lure of fish and chips for him helped as I discourage when I am around. I had left my phone at home and was getting messages via DS’s partner, decided to go and then got stuck in an traffic jam so my journey took an hour instead of 15 minutes! However was glad I went as it was good to see mum and dad again in pleasant circumstances. Mum still looks very weary and dad was quiet but that is not unusual as he is very HOH even with his hearing aids and struggles when there is any background noise (I can empathise with that).
B9 your story of your dad must of been such a difficult time for you, in a way thank goodness you didn’t know of his “jaunt” until after the event.
Congratulations to Susan’s daughter on her new job, exciting times.
Marydoll have a wonderful day, look forward to your novella tomorrow ?
My shift for this morning has been cancelled so thankfully am here for the boys, just hear one of them get up. Have promised pancakes for breakfast.
This afternoon I will be collecting DGD1 from nursery and then stay for their tea, bath and bedtime. In between grandchildren I will fit in the gym and bathroom cleaning.
Wishing all a happy Friday

Alizarin, I have just shown my husband your dad's painting. He agrees with me, it is amazing!
We both love steam trains and everything about them. We had planned a holiday in Wales last year to visit the Welsh railways, it was not to be!

Good morning from the Sefton coast where it continues to rain. The wet stuff has exposed a leak in the guttering which I hope will be repaired this morning. Yesterday’s household maintenance involved resetting a flag which had been lifted by ants (difficult to believe but true).
Today I need to tidy up, something I’ve conveniently avoided for some time.
May a smile and the sighting of a flamingo brighten your day. ?

Good morning all from the Black country. Rain overnight but looking promising for a nice day at the moment.
Marydoll enjoy your trip and Alizarin your father was certainly very talented.
Tea at DS & DiLs today and then babysitting while they have a date night.
Well duster and dust met yesterday and have agreed to meet more often depending on the weather ?.
Enjoy your day and may you all find some ?.

Morning Mick and All.

A grey day in South Bucks.

Have a brilliant trip to Edinburgh Mary we look forward to hearing about your Flying Scotsman journey.

Love the picture your Dad painted Alizarin. I adore steam trains and we have a picture on our bedroom wall of Snowhill Station Birmingham from the 1950s/60s and it shows exactly where I used to travel by train from school and then work back to Stratford upon Avon where I lived. I feel I could walk into the picture and time travel. If only ?

I met up with two of my oldest friends (first time in 18 months) for a meal last night. It was just so lovely to be in their company We talked for 3 hours non stop.

Good morning from a grey, damp Colchester.

The weather means our patio won't be finished this week. British Summer ???

As it's Junemas today, (6 months after Christmas was cancelled) our meetup group are having a belated Christmas lunch, so I need to dig out a Christmassy outfit. I'll draw the line at rooting around for tinsel but one lady is bringing crackers?

Much love and Merry Junemas to all x

Morning Mick, morning All. Looks like some overnight rain, cloudy and dry now.

Reasonable day yesterday, some shopping accomplished with surprising ease at the big yellow and blue warehouse and a very excited call from our birthday boy were the highlights.

Your dad was very talented Alizarin, we also love steam trains. Took full advantage two years ago when we stayed within sight of Porthmadog station. Enjoy your trip Marydoll, sounds wonderful. Congratulations to your daughter Susan and to your son Gagagran. Enjoy your day dragonfly, hope all items reach their correct places without you.

We plan to visit a local museum this morning. This afternoon we will hopefully work out what we need to do around here maintenance-wise and how we can accomplish it before my threatened (OK planned) knee surgery. I foresee differing views .

Hope Friday is kind to us all.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s wet and much cooler than before.
Enjoy your trip marydoll it sounds very interesting and I hope you’ll have a great time!
Today the DGC finish school at midday for the summer holidays so we’re doing the school pick - they’re going to be so excited to be starting the holidays so we’ll be in for a boisterous time I expect.
A lovely picture Alizarin what a talent your dad had
Big congratulations to your DD Susan a really good achievement and another very well done to your DS gaga
Hoping everyone finds something to enjoy today and take care all whatever the day brings ?

Good morning from Shropshire.Dry at the moment but rain forecast later.

Thank you for all your congratulatory messages on DD’s new job.She was told yesterday she will be teaching year one.DGD will be in year one next year and wants to be in aunties class,sadly too far away?

Alizarin, your dad was so talented??‍?an amazing painting.

Glad your mum and dad are recovering from their ordeal Dwm.

FIL fell yesterday and hurt his leg.Ambulance called at 4.30pm and arrived at 3.30 this morning.No news yet.No one was allowed to go with him which is worrying as he is 93 and dependant on others for help with everything.He is in hospital in the same NHS trust as panaches dear husband so with panaches husbands appalling treatment in mind I think we may be in for a rough ride.

Thinking of all our absent friends?

Have a good day everyone and Mary enjoy your steam train ride???

Morning Mick and all

It’s grey here in S E Essex, and today we have the Imp and his brother (6) as it’s a teacher training day today and tomorrow.

I enjoyed my shopping trip to Chelmsford yesterday, money was flying out of our accounts ???

Off to a local restaurant this evening (walking distance) which will be nice.

Beautiful painting Alzarin , enjoy your train trip Marydoll
Susan well done your DD
Happy Junemas PittCity

Sending kind thoughts to all our missing morning friends ????

Keep safe and well folks ??‍♀️

Good morning all from a grey looking Essex. No rain as yet.
DH plans on going fishing so I hope it holds off for him.

Yesterday we sat in DB’s fabulous garden and had afternoon tea. It’s a huge plot with an orchard, vegetable areas and large flower beds. As they get older, it’s becoming too much for them. They have gardeners but they are unreliable . I felt sad as they love their garden and it must be so frustrating for them to see it’s decline.

We had cake and fizz with DS1 and family, for DG’s 12th birthday, in the evening. She looks very grown up now .

Today I’m having lunch with an old friend. We had hoped to sit outside but I dont think the weather will be kind. We always have plenty to chat about, - families, husbands etc. ?.

Gagagran what an achievement for your DS. ?

Alizirin what a fabulous painting. You obviously take after you DF with your artistic flair. ?‍?

Marydoll have a great day.?.

Wishing you all a carefree, pleasant day. ?

Good morning all from Polmont. We had lots of rain last night so no watering required today which is just as well as I'm not feeling great. Lots of joint aches so a gentle few days ahead. Enjoy your train trip Marydoll. I'm sorry to hear about your fil Susan. That is an awful long time to be left without an ambulance. I hope he gets home soon.
I have no plans and I'll take it easy today. I hope you have a good day all.

Good morning from a grey and wet NE.
Yesterday was a very pleasant temperature and I sat in the garden while I finished my crossword. DH ventured outside for a short time but had to wear a jacket and hat to protect him from the sun.
DD is going to bring some shopping this afternoon and will stay an hour. Not sure how long work will allow her to remain in the UK but I am making the most of her time here.
Enjoy your trip Marydoll, I am so envious. I grew up with steam trains being a big part of my life. My Dad built working model steam trains that he ran in a local park and I have a locomotive named after me.
Father even had LPs with soundtracks of certain famous locomotives leaving various stations.
Thinking of you all.

Good morning everyone from a damp and grey Northampton. I have some towels in the washing machine and am hoping to get them outside to dry.

Had a good walk yesterday evening, followed by steak and chips and a glass of Malbec in the pub!

Nothing planned for today, just the usual cleaning/tidying and then finish my book. Thought I had nothing left to read next, then remembered a pile of new books in the study; and there's always next month's book club read.

Hope you enjoy your outing Marydoll. Sounds a lovely day out. And Alizarin, what a talented father you had, lovely painting.

Hope the sun comes out eventually for us all.