Good Morning Saturday 19th November 2022

An early good morning from Northampton, seems fine and dry out. Am up early as I am on a coach trip today to Winchester cathedral Christmas markets. Never been to Winchester before so hope to get a bit of exploring in, and of course visit the cathedral. Weather forecast is cold and sunny.

Must now go and get showered etc, as taxi is booked for 7.30am to take me to the coach pick-up point. Shall ask the driver to drop me at Sainsbury's so I can pop in and use the loo before we leave!

Have a good Saturday everyone; enjoy your bus trips today Mick.

Good morning from a cold, dark E Kent. The forecast is for a max of 9C; a bit chilly for mid-November.
Had a restful day y3terday, reading and knitting. I have finished the Nativity shepherds and am now knitting sheep.
I had a successful, inexpensive, shoe shop. Those that fir orthotics are not very stylish, leave elegant! But, if the orthotics fit and the pain in my feet is reduced, so E it.
Nothing happening today as far as I know. Probably a stream of visitors for DL, I imagine.
I hope everyone is either on the mend or stable. Have a blessed weekend. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

No no no. The shoe shop was expensive !!!

Good morning from a chilly but peaceful Torbay.

Earlier this week, I had a call from one of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team to check on my progress after two weeks. Expecting to be offered some kind of follow up support/exercise class organised by them, I was disappointed to be told they don't run them any more. They will send a video link. ☹️ When I explained what my exercise class teacher offered and that I could take it gently and be seated, the response was an emphatic "No!' until after my 12 week follow up appointment with the surgeon in late January! I had been looking forward to seeing them all and participating, albeit in a very low-key fashion.

They've also said I can't go abroad so our plans for Christmas in France have been cancelled. As we needed to secure a hotel and ferry booking with it being so near Christmas, I had already booked both but on a flexible ticket. DH will go over in my car for a few days to fulfil necessary medical commitments and return with some French Christmas treats, mostly liquid!

Changing the Travelodge booking was easily and freely achieved online. Brittany Ferries was another matter (French websites….!), entailing a lengthy phone call and some expenditure. Having explained our predicament and that DH would travel alone to Caen on the 13th December due to my restrictions, the following classic dialogue ensued:-

Me: He would like to return to Portsmouth on the afternoon of the 18th.

BF: So that’s for two people returning on the 18th?

Me: ………. well, no…….. if I’m not going over, I shan’t be coming back!

I should add that I was speaking to a British BF employee based in Plymouth.

Sounds like a super day out, BlueSapphire. Enjoy! The shepherds look great, grandMattie!

Happy weekend, everyone! 🦩💐🦩🥰🦩

Good morning, very chilly here today, -1 right now, which means that trees will finally drop their leaves and my stove lighting season has started

I heard about the dreadful floods yesterday, so sorry that this is happening to many

My day yesterday was too inactive for me, knitting and pottering. I must remedy that today

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders.
Cold but dry. I thought the rain would never stop.
The Nativity scene is beautiful gMattie
I intended to get on with knitting but had an early night instead after a busy week.
Today I may go to a craft fair and I'm taking my Helpers to our new paper museum.
Ash sorry there is such a knock on effect from the surgery but you must give your body a chance to repair.
Your day out sounds lovely BlueSapphire
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Good morning, it’s a chilly dry start here.
DDog and I had a lovely walk yesterday morning in the glorious sunshine . but the haul uphill back to the village was really tough ☹️. I doubt I will try that one again !
Today we’ll get the bus to the village and walk back via the woods, a gentler route.
Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Good morning Mick and everyone from a dry Oxfordshire.
I woke up very early and started my Christmas shopping, it should be delivered before we go on holiday next Saturday and all done without leaving my bed!
An easy day today, pottering, sketching and maybe some water colouring and sorting clothes ready to put into spare room for packing.
Hope everyone has a good day and let’s hope the sun shines and No Rain.

Winchester is lovely, Saph, make sure you go into the crypt and learn about the diver!
Ash, I’m so sorry about all the restrictions, but better safe, etc. Exercise restrictions seem very severe…. Perhaps you could learn a little tai chi/qi Gung? Very, very gentle. Hilarious conversation with BF. Makes you wonder the IQ of such people, doesn’t it?

Morning Mick, morning All from a dry corner of Somerset. 6 degrees, not too bad.

Enjoyed our time with friends yesterday at the Wild Place near Bristol. Motorway trip for us was for once uneventful, very pleased. The only negative was the need to sit outside for breaks as our friend is very anxious inside with others around her. Not good for my pain levels leading to a very disturbed night, worth it though.

Hope to do an hour in the garden, the mild weather has encouraged some weed growth. Mr C will put the last of the garden furniture under cover and winterise the fountain. Not sure what else, suspect not much.

Take care everyone. Hope Saturday is kind to us all.

Ash sorry, forgot to say you must be more than disappointed at the ongoing restrictions. It’s hard for sure, please take care while you are home alone. Mr C will have valve surgery at some point, he’s already being lectured by our daughter in law speaking from her experience of surgery in her early 30’s.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from a chilly South Yorkshire. I hope it’s going to be a dry day. DS and DiL are coming down for lunch today. It will be lovely to see them. I took DD and her menfolk out for dinner last night at a very nice pub restaurant, as it was SiL’s birthday. As soon as I got out of the car I realised I hadn’t changed my shoes and still had my house shoes on. Fortunately a pair of Skechers so not as much of a faux pas as if it had been carpet slippers! The meal, as always, was lovely. GS and I mixed and matched a couple of starters as usual. It was a nice ending to a day which had brought some bad news. My brother in law - DH’s sister’s husband - has died. DH and I loved him dearly and I am devastated, for myself and for my sister in law and her girls. What a year it has been!
Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning from cloudy Leicestershire.

Woken up with a sniffle - hoping that is all it is.
A visit to Sainsbury’s this morning and walking with friends this afternoon.

Sorry to hear you are having to change your plans Ash.
Wishing everyone a good day.

So sorry to hear your news Greyduster.

Good morning everyone, we’re still in Granada it’s our last day here. It’s been a bit cloudy and wet but we did the the sun a bit yesterday.
We’re going exploring the Albaicin and Sacromonte areas today with lots of little shops and narrow cobbled streets to explore.
Tomorrow we’re continuing our adventure, I’ve got a friend from Inverness who now lives in Arahal, a little town just outside Sevilla so we’re meeting up for a few days. I’ve not seen her since before Covid so there’s lots to catch up on
Hope you have a lovely day Bluesapphire, Winchester and the Christmas market sounds lovely
Oh my goodness what a shame about your travel plans Ash but you do still need to take it easy. It’s good that you got the flexible tickets though but what a kerfuffle with BF!
That’s the sort of Christmas shopping I like Oops from the comfort of your own bed!
Hope everyone finds something to enjoy today and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Sorry to hear that sad news Greyduster sending condolences 💐

Good Morning Mick and everyone from Hull. I can hear it raining heavy outside.

Greyduster I’m very sorry to hear your sad news about your brother in law💐

Ashcombe it must feel very frustrating to have your plans cancelled and when you are so active to have to take it slowly but it’s only for a short time you will get there💐

Best wishes to Megs is it today she goes for her results with her family💐

I have just had a flood alert for our area on our community site but hope not🤞
We are going to our friends tonight who are going to cook for us. It’s incredibly kind as we never get invited anywhere really due to me being coeliac I think people are scared they make me ill.
There is a Christmas Fair on at a school a short walk away which we might go to. It’s a newly built special school which I would like to think my grandson might get into at 11 so I’d like to go over for a look.

Have a lovely day and safe journey to friends on the move and thoughts and hugs to those feeling poorly or worried. 🌻🌻

Good morning from a cold, wet Colchester.
DS turned up late last night and told us he'd been put on light duties due to an infected ingrowing toenail. It's being removed next week.
So it's back to the supermarket as we've another mouth to feed this weekend.
Love to all 🦩 x

Morning all

Ashcombe you must be disappointed in having to change your Christmas plans, enter to be safe than sorry.

Greyduster sorry to learn your sad news 💐

It’s grey and cold here in S E Essex, a small shop in Aldi first thing then I shall walk to the opticians to choose new glasses. This afternoon o shall finish writing Christmas cards along with wrapping up the gifts which I picked up on Thursday.

Have your best Saturday folks 🙋‍♀️🦩

Good morning from a brighter but chillier Black Country.

Fantastic autumnal walk yesterday with u3a walking group yesterday from Bratch Locks near Wombourne. Then cafe stop for hot chocolate. Then a lovely evening meal with MrJ and his DD.

Today we are off to a family get together to see Brother and SIL's new house near Worcester. Not often we all get together.

Your trip sounds lovely BlueSapphire I am a tad envious!

So sorry to hear your very sad new Greyduster sending love and condolences to you and his family.

Such a let down for you Ash but I suppose you need to follow the medical advice.

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning from an overcast, chilly, S Hants. Enjoy Winchester BlueSapphire I used to work there, my office overlooked the Cathedral.
Keep on enjoying your adventure brook have a great catch up.
Today, hopefully, is boiler day 🤞it all goes to plan.
Enjoy your day all 🦩🦩

Good morning all and it’s very still and grey here in Essex.

Dd still quite poorly and twin gs’s after recovering, have now gone down hill again. Only little gd seems ok , so I will take her to ballet this morning, then shop for us and them and see how the land lies. This ‘virus’ seems to be everywhere! Not Covid though! Someone told me they had it and it was worse than Covid!

Washing done and hanging around the house. I will make them a shepherds pie later. Just hope I don’t succumb!

Greyduster - so sorry to hear your sad news 🥀.
Ash frustrating for you but it’s still early days. Will you be ok on your own while your dh is away!

Take care all and keep well! 💐

Good morning all from a once again dry Black country. Yesterday I managed to get washing out on the line and it dried a treat.
Ash sorry to hear of your plans having to change.
BlueSapphire enjoy your day.
Condolences to you and your family Greyduster
Usual full English calling so will come back later to catch up.
Enjoy your Saturday whatever your plans and may you all find some 🌞.

Good morning all from a cloudy Glasgow, where its only 2°C. We even had a touch of frost the other day.

Ash, so disappointing for you, but you must be sensible and give your body a chance to heal internally. You must walk before, you can run.
I would have thought it would be very difficult to get travel insurance anyway, so soon after surgery. I remember how difficult it was to get insurance three months after major surgery and my GP was wary of allowing me to go.
That's shocking about the lack of cardiac rehabilitation it, is still available here, my friend's father started it a few weeks ago.
Believe it or not, I was deemed unsuitable for the exercise part, ( much to my relief, I was dreading the treadmill), too many things wrong with me, but the cardiac counselling was so helpful.
It did help me to come to terms with my failing health and the fact nothing could be done. Then Covid hit and it all stopped abruptly.

I really envy the Winchester visit. When I was well, DH and I used to do chartered, one day trips to Christmas markets abroad, Flying out early morning and back late at night on Saturday.
Happy days indeed!
As far as I know, there are no Christmas markets in Glasgow and Edinburgh this year. 😞

We had a lovely time with Dollie yesterday. DIL a skilled baker and the cake was delicious. I was exhausted and went straight to bed early.

My AWOL sister in law turned up at my son's with a very expensive present. We haven't heard from, nor seen her in six months, but over the last few days, I have had two texts, phone call and visit. Something is afoot!
We spent many a night in A&E supporting her, before my BIL died, then she cut us out of her life, with no warning. We have had this behaviour for over forty five years and I find it really unsettling.

brook, it sounds as if you are having a wonderful time.
I don't plan to do much today, just go the Vigil Mass tonight.
I am the official Saturday night sacristan, but another sacristan has been opening up for me, to take the load from me. I have begun to accept my limitations!

I wish you all a pleasant day and special good wishes for all, who are poorly.