Soop's newest kitchen for the gathering of kindly folk.

Thank you soop enjoy your wine later and I’ll probably be having one too ?
It’s been a cloudy cool day here in Inverness with the early morning mist lingering most of the day so that’s kept the temperatures down. I went for a warm up and a splash in the pool at the gym and then DH and I treated ourselves to scones and jam at one of the local garden centres. We then met up briefly with DD2 and DGS after school to exchange some shopping items - she’d been to Aldi and I’d been to Tesco so we got the best of both. Poor DGD who’d been feeling tired all week has now tested +ve for covid alongside SiL, luckily they’re not too bad with it. DD2 and DGS both had it in February so we’re hoping they don’t get it again just now, fingers crossed ?

Good evening Kitcheners.
Thank you Blossoming, Tilly* and Jax. MrM tested -ive on Tuesday and I did too last night. ?
I’m now looking forward to getting the important sightseeing done next week but my body wants to switch off mid afternoon.
I shall catch up with news in the kitchen now.

Good Evening Kitcheners.
Soop I’ve a lovely glass of Shiraz by my side. Enjoyed salmon on the bbq cooked by DH and had lovely jersey royals which Mick on Good morning mentioned which made our mouths water. They were lovely drizzled in oil with ground sea salt.

We’ve noticed our wild garlic is spreading under our rhododendron bush which we are chuffed about. The older ones are just coming into their white flowers. The smell is wonderful isn’t it.
To everyone have a lovely evening and weekend. I think we’ve quite a windy but sunny day tomorrow. Still a bit brrr out of the sun though.
Haven’t discarded my thermal vest yet lol. Speak soon x

Hi all, hurray muse all systems go, well, in the mornings!
We’ve had a cold wind here today, went to the local and sat outside, two hours was enough with no sun.
Sorted out lifts requested from calls yesterday, job done for this week.
So pleased your foot seems sorted blossoming hope that continues.
I have a glass too Shazza Tesco’s zesty white, my favourite, cheap and cheerful! Cheers ?.
Have a lovely evening all x

Hello Soop and all.

I don’t often post but always read of an evening and it’s been a lovely day so I’ve joined the tipplers with a cocktail - Smirnoff, blackberry liqueur and soda. I’ve christened it The Brambles of Delinquency as methinks if I have another that’s where I’ll be?

I’ll leave the makings on the side for whoever fancies joining me....

I’ll join you, I’ve never tried that Pantglas it looks delicious and very summery.
Cheers to you Jax?

Oooh that looks good pantglas thanks - I’ll join you if I may ! Cheers all?

Good evening dear Kitcheners. It’s been another sunny day here with a strong wind. Mr. B took me to Hobbycraft for a mooch this morning, most unusual as he isn’t a good browser! We bought some acrylic pens for a charity project. I managed to look, but not touch, at all the fabulous artists materials. I’m firmly resisting buying ‘stuff’ unless there’s an imminent need for it! I find pretty notebooks and sketch pads almost irresistible.

The foot is still pain free. My knees were hurting yesterday evening and that’s gone too. That may have been a side effect of the pills, I have been warned to expect some in the first week until things settle down. Onwards and upwards

Your day sounds wonderful Soop and it’s good to hear you soundings so upbeat. Marvellous news Muse, enjoy your freedom but don’t overdo it.

I’ll raise a glass of water, saving the wine until my tum is more settled!

Goodnight all, sweet dreams, TOYA.

‘Evening All’.

We’ve had such a good day. Took the Boy Wonder & L’il Miss to school on their scooters! They loved it as we went early and went through the park on the way. Who wouldn’t like 10 minutes in the sunshine that way before lessons?

Himself and I were like packhorses. We carried the coats ‘too hot grandma’ the school bags and a guitar in a vinyl case for the Boy Wonder .... and at home time (car) we were told the guitar teacher was off with Covid so there hadn’t been a lesson. Aargh!

This time tomorrow the plane we are on will just be arriving in Malaga. I love it there. No calls upon our time!

Rather late, but "Cheers", Pantglas.

Safe journey, Urmstongran, enjoy your next adventure in the sun. .

Warm thoughts for you all.

Morning all. Gorgeous day here. Hope you all have a similar one. Nothing planned will see what unwinds. Planning a takeaway for tea. Working again tomorrow so today feels like a very welcome pitstop.
Best wishes to all.

Another gorgeous day in bonnie Kintyre. Feels almost summery.

I've taken several photos of a sprightly, feisty eight year old terrier. She barely stopped rushing around long enough for a decent image. I may have two worth sketching out of a total of fifteen.

Blossoming I am delighted to hear that your foot is "behaving". Gout pain is dire.

Safe travels, Urms. Have fun. You deserve it.

brook Mmmm. Calorie-free scones, clotted cream and thick dollops of strawberry jam. My idea of a taste of paradise.

Pantglas The cocktail looks most inviting. It looks refreshing. Wouldn't say no to a taster-tester.

Time for lunch and maybe a frame or two of championship snooker. After which, I shall decide which image of the wee terrier is best for a portrait.

Back with you all a little later.

Just back home after a lovely time with DD2 and my eldest DGS who’s 8. He really enjoys playing the crazy golf in town so it was there first for a couple of rounds and then lunch in a gorgeous cafe near the canal and a look at the boats moored up nearby. Poor DGD missed her dance class and stayed home with her dad as they’re both testing positive
Whilst in town I picked up a quick and easy pasta dish from M&S to eat later so no need to do much now.
Please can I have some of your beautiful Kintyre sunshine soop as It’s still blummin cold here today, only about 9º as the mist hasn’t lifted and the sun can’t break through

brook I am sending sunshine from me to you. Lots of it.

I am sketching the terrier portrait. May be able to apply the base-coat tomorrow. The washing machine has beeped. No fancy tunes from my old faithful. I now need to empty it and do the rest.

Enjoy your evening. I look forward to joining you again tomorrow.

Failed dismally to catch upproperly, my apologies. I did see your foot is more comfortable blossoming. Hooray. A safe trip to urms and anyone else travelling. Good news covid has retreated for some, get well wishes to those for whom it has arrived.

We’re home from a few days in East Anglia. We had two days ‘holiday’ after a much needed visit to my friend of almost 70 years and her daughter, our Goddaughter, who is her carer. The sun shone so we could sit maskless in the garden. My friend is deteriorating. She experiences negative after effects of a brain bleed four years ago and sadly dementia which seems to have had its foot on the accelerator. A very special day for us all.

A sunny day in Cambridge saw us in a punt and yes, we did get out again without a crane , spending time in Kings College Chapel and Mr C’s choice of science museum. Another day was spent visiting Anglesey Abbey and Grantchester. All very enjoyable.

Back to normality now, well almost as we plan to have lunch out tomorrow. Reality will hit on Monday.

I know I’m a less than regular visitor now but be sure I do think of you all.

Cornergran a special visit indeed. We had one of those a long number of years ago to my friend who had a brain tumour. We spent three idyllic hours with her and her family. Blossoming I hope you continue to get better. Muse you,too. Soop I look forward to seeing your latest painting. Pantsglas I love the sound of your cocktail. I don't have the necessary liqueur though. Only a raspberry one. Housework day for me then a call from my dearest friend. I'm having a small vodka with lemon and then chilli with rice. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Funny old day with the weather, cloudy for most, a bit of sun and a keen wind. Sowed more seeds, Cosmos and Californian poppy's, a splash of colour for summer I hope, my new potatoes have broken through, really need some rain.
Your cocktail sounds yummy pantglas I have no liqueur, just vodka, a tipple I only drink rarely, I might need to try one of yours just to check if I need to buy some ?.
I walked the furthest I’ve done since covid earlier, feels good to do more. Dinner is on, chicken and garlic on a bed of cabbage, Cypriot potatoes for MrJ, I’m doing low carb.
Have a lovely evening all x

cornergran sounds like you’ve had a lovely time in Cambridge- I’ll be there next week when I visit my DD1. I know all the places you’ve mentioned, she lives quite close to Granchester - did you go to the tea room there? I’ve been to Kings College chapel, the science museums and Anglesey Abbey too. We’ve enjoyed lots of picnics with the DGC in the deckchairs on the lawns there
I’m pleased you’re home safely after your special time with your dear friend and I hope your god daughter is doing ok

Returning Cocktail Maker here - I happened by the blackberry liqueur in Lidl and knew it as Mura in Spain where I have a bit of a repertoire for early ladies cocktail hour...Hic? ??before we join the menfolk in the bar...?

Friends there have pool parties and as a poor relation, I reciprocate with patio parties ? - enjoy folks ??we all contribute!

Good evening dear Kitcheners. Thank you all for your concern, the gout is conquered for now and hopefully will never return! The change to my meds is making me a bit nauseous but it seems to be settling. I have almost caught up on the laundry and a few other things that were neglected while I was in pain. Your Cambridge trip sounds lovely Cornergran. I think Urmstongran should have landed in Malaga now, I hope she drops in to let us know when she’s settled in.

Thank you, Pantglas2, that sounds delicious. Calorie free, I hope?

You read my mind Blossoming
Buenas Noches Urmstogran ?.

Hello everyone! I have been trying to catch up.
We are back from our visit to Turkey which was a lovely break in a hotel we may well visit again. We did nothing really and came to realise that this lethargy wasn’t right. Of course, you have guessed that we have Covid. I think we caught it on the plane or bus on the way out.
Decorator hasn’t finished and won’t return until we are clear, so carpet fitters are put off, my DB & SiL have been cancelled and we are both coughing gently. It’s quite a relief to have a quiet week ahead. Thanks to 3 vaccines, we are not very poorly.
I hope I can get out in the garden in a day or so.
I hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202204/medium-956620-c4a24453-df21-4302-b687-28ef67467ff9.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202204/medium-181035-77fe08bf-abed-4f50-83de-5322fe559f25.jpeg

No tea at Grantchester brook, we were full of national trust fare . We sat on a couple of those deckchairs at Anglesey Abbey out of the wind with two robins for company. The trees were in bloom at Grantchester, very pretty. We didn’t stay long, walked across to the river and circuited round to the church before heading back to a warm hotel room. We love the area, visited Cambridge so many times over the years. It’s a long way to travel now and we’ve sort of shifted allegiance to Oxford. Oops. Wouldn't have gone without the need to see my friend and our goddaughter, we’re her primary and usually very distant support. It’s very hard not to be geographically closer to them when they both need me.

I’ll try to add a photo of one of the robins and also the blossom. Enjoy your forthcoming trip, it’s a wonderful area.

Good afternoon kitcheners hope you are all having a lovely Sunday.
I’ve just read through your Saturday news.
I’m loving the sound of the Cambridge trips, just said to DH we should have a break there because we’ve never been. Your days out with family and friends sound wonderful.

Really sorry to hear you have covid NannyTopsy but pleased you aren’t feeling to ill, the vaccines are holding up very well.
Looking forward to seeing your new pet portrait Soop.

We had a walk through Beverley today and I bought a top from Lakeland which is lovely quality.
We had a drive over to DDs for a cuppa. They had friends there too visiting and everyone was saying hi. Then a tiny voice said Hi clear as a bell and we all looked down at DGD baby B in her bouncy chair at six weeks old looking up at us all and we all said no surely not but it really sounded like she said it lol.
They live in a beautiful village and there is a farm selling their own strawberries from a vending machine. They are very special and so sweet worth the £3 a punnet. We’ll put Greek yoghurt on them after tea.
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone. Love hearing your news. Speak soon ?