Ooh Hello! How nice to see you at my front door! C’mon in ... ?

Two late Amazon deliveries in boxes, some leaves brought in by the dog etc.
I'm sure you don't want to see mine ?

Can I come to yours, Urmstongran, please?

Hi there ixion, I think I’ve had too much sherry. I had to work out what you were saying. I thought “who puts salt and vinegar into red wine.”. Actually thought ‘to make mulled wine?’

Duh. Took a minute there before ‘cockles’ came into play!

I think it’s time to call ‘time’.
Uber’s anyone?
Train into Manchester, just across the road? Liverpool Lime Street other direction - next train due in 15 minutes. Grab your coats, down in the lift and over the road.

Thanks for coming everyone and an especially big thank you to those who joined in and opened their front doors. It’s been lovely having you join me and sharing this evening!

???

merlotgran

I thought it might be a bottle party, Urms so I’ve taken the liberty of bringing my namesake plonk. Oh and some mulled wine sachets to warm the cockles. ??

Well, that'll be a first for me!
We just used to heat them up with a touch of salt and vinegar.

Thank you merlotgran! It wasn’t as such but it’s always extra nice when someone turns up with extra supplies. Most welcome!
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I thought it might be a bottle party, Urms so I’ve taken the liberty of bringing my namesake plonk. Oh and some mulled wine sachets to warm the cockles. ??

Aldom you have a lovely hall.
Actually if you don’t mind & it’s not too late, could you pop over and bring the chair? Everyone is sat down, chatting and comfortable but to be honest although I’ve been circulating earlier, I’d quite like a sit down myself and I don’t like mention I’ve nowhere to park!
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That black labrador has fur like velvet LtEve. Beautiful!

LtEve how lovely to meet your boys! Such gorgeous dogs indeed. This place is a ‘no pets’ development so it certainly wouldn’t suit you. We love dogs. Had 3 of our own over the years. A cavalier King Charles, a beautiful boy, then when he died, 2 lovely roan cocker spaniel sisters with gentle mouths and sweet natures. However, with our ‘here & Spain’ lifestyle nowadays, this suits us fine. Thank you for sharing the photos!

Absolutely perfect timing Josieanne! Your downstairs loo is gorgeous indeed. Truly. That said, right now with this queue I think they’d settle for a Portaloo ?
We’ve all been there.

Well, well if it isn’t you merlogran! Shame about your carpet. That said, we don’t have any either in here so you’ll feel right at home! Now I know you’ve come a long way. And It’s SO good to see you! Mind how you go - don’t trip over LindaPat’s shoes there by the door. No, absolutely no need to take your Uggs off. I’m sure there was a thread about that yonks ago. I agree, some do, some don’t. I’m in the ‘no need camp’ but each to there own is my motto.

Now, what would you like to drink? Coffee? Sure thing. Go down the hall into the main (only) room and find mokryna if you will. She’s good with teas apparently but at least she’ll know where the mugs are and the Douwe Egbert’s next to the kettle there. If you fancy a slug of Bailey’s in it help yourself. It’s on the bottom shelf in the hall.

Oh hello LindaPat you okay? Yes that door lock can be a bit tricky (not). Anyway all’s good eh? Ah yes grandMattie’s not one for talking at times but I do think she was just probably in a bit of a rush just now. ‘Nature calls’ and all that.
Yes it is hot in there. Ask someone near the click door to open it, let some fresh air in. Actually isn’t that what we’re supposed to do anyway every now and again if we have a gathering? I’m sure Professor Whitt’s said something about it. Aw merlotgran if you feel happier putting your mask on that’s fine.

How’s the champagne GrannyGravy? KNEW you’d like it. Please do. It’s there to be drunk (now, it seems). Hey ho.

No, I didn’t think we had vodka JaneJudge. Anyway glad you found the malts. Yes, lovely aren’t they? Yes that Talisker Storm is smokey isn’t it? Absolutely. No ice. Himself has been on enough distillery tours this last few years to know that too.

Yes I was wondering if anyone would fancy some nibbles. Impromptu means ‘oh heck’ ha! I do wonder whether grandMattie might have brought a tin of her mince pies with her? They’d go down a treat. Oh she’s still in the bathroom. Yes I agree, there is a bit of a queue ...
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* Josianne* you have taste. I do like the way you have decorated you loo.

Good evening Urmstongran, thanks for the invite to your cosy home. I hear you're short on bathrooms with all these guests. Can I offer my loo by the front door? I know a lot of GNs enjoyed the photo last time.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202112/medium-373580-985effe9-2016-45a5-9e5b-80f188a8e290.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202112/medium-354805-00527b0a-d92b-49a4-8dbe-f1e3a692eb00.jpeg

If you came to my door you would be welcomed by my two gorgeous boys, have a tennis ball thrown at you by one and frisked for stray biscuits by the other. A ‘sharpener’ as Bertie Wooster called it together with a comfy seat would be offered. Visitors are always welcome so long as they come in peace.

Aw EnaSharples couldn’t we persuade you to join us? It’s not posh here - just a stones throw really from Coronation Street. Bit rowdy tonight but that’s only a one off. GNetters do lime to paartay once they get through a door.

Oh gosh! You still waiting grandMattie? That’s not nice.
Here, let me bang on that bathroom door for you. Blooming heck, someone must’ve asked ‘Alexa’ to turn up the volume! I’ll go in there in a moment. I can’t hear myself think.

“*LindaPat*”‼️ “You okay? Can you come out now please❓“

Here you go mokryna all yours. Don’t worry about the tea I’ll blow on it

Nope. No one at the door. My mistake, Just looked out. Here’s the view looking out across the communal decking...

Sparklefizz! I ❤️ your coffee table. We have exactly the same one I think. Space for us really as the lid lifts up. Goodness only knows what’s in there. Right now it’s full of glasses. Can’t see the wood for trees. Heck someone’s found the shot glasses! Jäger bombs all round I think. I didn’t have any of that in. Obviously someone’s brought it with them. Actually my money’s on LauraNorderr as that green leather shoulder bag she hefted in was some size wasn’t it?

Yes MawBe sorry. Be right with you. Yes, glasses right there in that cupboard above.
Be careful with that wire on the champagne there GrannyGravy twisting it like that. God you’re keen gal. Must be getting a breather from The Imp! I think you’ve deserved that fizz. Yes you’re right. There’s a proper name for that wire over a champagne cork. Ask grandMattie. She’s posh and has intelligence and knowledge about irrelevant stuff.

Ooh excuse me girls I think there’s someone else at the door. God yes JenniferEccles I’d die in real life if you all turned up! Not for myself as such (it would be buddy lovely to be honest) but Himself and my family don’t know I’m on GN. I hide in plain sight in Urmston, amongst 41k people...

Grandmadinosaur

Oops sorry Urms that full glass of Sherry made me nod off yes I’d better have a cuppa or I’ll be looking to get my head down here for the night. Milk no sugar thanks.

Here * GrandmaDinosaur* would you to pass me you glass in exchange for this mug of tea. Take care it’s a bit hot. Anyone else for tea?

Couldn't possibly open the door in this hairnet but will drink your good health my dears.

Hey everyone! Look who’s here! JaneJudge GrannyGravy (who’s gorgeous fireplace wouldn’t fit into my small main room) and MawBe clutching that dog bed! Rosie isn’t using it tonight. Maw knew she’d be on that sofa the minute her back was turned! Glad you brought the dog bed MawBe were running short of seats in my small apartment! Yes, you sit down there on it ... that’s fine, just next to Grammaretto. She’ll budge up I’m sure. No don’t you worry about getting yourself up off the floor Maw there’s enough of us here to heave you up later. No probs.

Now what to drink girls? JaneJudge I’m not sure about vodka. Funnily enough it’s about the only spirit I don’t buy in and as you know Sainsbury’s is closed now. Next time I’ll be more organised. This was one of those ‘off the cuff’ nights that often seem to work out well don’t they? Well, less stress anyway. God we all remember preparing for a party night don’t we girls? The anticipation was often outweighed by the anxiety! Well the bar is set low tonight. I think that’s why Kandinsky has joined us.

Right GrannyGravy what can I get you? There’s a smidge of Viognier left but I think that’ll do for a top up later for someone (who?) who was drinking it earlier. Perhaps a large glass of Chardonnay? On the other hand (knowing you’re a bit classy) there’s a bottle of fizz on the bottom shelf of the hall table. It’s real champagne! Lanson I think. Okay it won’t be chilled, I agree but by the time you’ve enjoyed the hit of bubbles from that first flute, the rest should be pretty darn nice.

No MawBe I’ve not got any mulled wine. Yes, I know you’ve got German ancestry and you were hopeful of a Glugwein (? Sp .. god these teachers) but as you can see this is only a small place and less has to be more. Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say so. (She does have lovely manners). Rightoh, no worries, I’ll see if there’s some Sancerre at the back of the fridge.

What’s that Kindansky? Oh good question! How did I come to appreciate Viognier and Sancerre? No, you are funny. Himself was never a sommelier. I think that’s a rumour that just grew legs! I read a lot you see and if a novel mentions something, I just have to try it.

Oh sorry grandMattie you’re having to wait in the hall there. Yes, we only have the one bathroom. Oh really? Have you knocked? Maybe LindaPat is just having a struggle with those tights?

Oops sorry Urms that full glass of Sherry made me nod off yes I’d better have a cuppa or I’ll be looking to get my head down here for the night. Milk no sugar thanks.

Knock knock!
C'mon in ....... (it doesn't usually look this tidy!)

Urms I would love to see your face if any Gransnetters really did turn up at your front door!
You have said which part of Manchester you live and several mentions of where your apartment block is in your town, so it’s not inconceivable that someone reasonably local could think, what the hell, I’m taking her at her word?

Bit far for me from Berkshire though, especially as I really avoid driving in the dark!

Cheers Urms, the hostess with the mostest ?

Actually mokryna would you mind putting on the kettle? I think one of your teas would be just the ticket for GrandmaDinosaur. I couldn’t help but notice her mug is empty again. She’ll thank us in the morning.

Goodness Dotty could you ask ‘Alexa’ to turn the volume down a bit? I’m sure I heard a knock at the door. Just off to check.