Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

Home sweet home! We travelled up through appalling weather around Bridgwater on the M5. All 3 lanes doing 20mph in a couple of inches of standing water and more rain than the wipers could cope with. It’s forecast to reach East Anglia overnight.
Change of shifts for DSIL mean we are off to Kent tomorrow to be there when DGS wakes on Tuesday and Thursday and take him to his childminder. I was looking forward to a few quiet days at home! We can take the laptop and write a quiz while we are there. We are running a village quiz on October 7th.
Lovely news soop!
TOYA

Welcome home nannytopsy sounds like a challenging journey though, bet you’re pleased to get back before you’re off again!
I hope the weather is good enough for your son and Dil to climb Ben Nevis soop fingers crossed
We’ve had a lovely day here, but started raining mid afternoon. We picked up DGS as he asked if he could stay for a sleepover tonight - so lovely that he asks to stay over even though he’s going to be 10 at the beginning of October. He wanted to play monopoly, not my favourite game as it lasts so long! Eventually finished though and he’s just gone through to bed after a bedtime hot chocolate treat
I’ve collapsed on the sofa with a cup of tea 🤣
Have a lovely evening all x

My neice and her husband did the three peak challenge this weekend with Red Watch fire station Dundee. Three highest peaks in each of Scotland, England (through the night) and Wales in 24hrs. It was in aid of the Firefighters charity. She is a nurse and her husband is a firefighter. Unfortunately although she did complete the three peaks challenge she was just outside the time of 24hrs but her husband made it in the time. All the more impressive as she has three young children and after having Covid struggled to climb the stairs at Ninewells hospital. So proud of her and her husband.
Otherwise an easy day for us as weather was horrible.

Nice that you’re still in the same town, Yia. It’s taken us quite a while to get to know what’s what where we moved to last year!
Hope you’ve managed to sort things out with your dd2, Brook.
Glad to hear of MrC’s progress, Corner.
I hear you re temperatures, Soop! We had the heating on for an hour this morning and it came on by itself this evening. It’s rained almost all day. I’m going to have to look out my gloves soon. So depressing.
You’re hitting the ground running after your hols, Topsy!
Well done to your niece and her Dh, Scapa. Most impressive.

We went to a soft play place with dd and the little ones yesterday. They ran around with all the others screeching like banshees but it wore them out so that was good. They came back to us for their tea, then GD stayed here for a sleepover. She didn’t wake us until 6:10am which was a definite improvement on 4:45 last time. 😂 I bathed her this morning and then took her home early afternoon.

I’ve since spent about five hours booking flights and arranging an ESTA to the US to visit our son next month. It took so long, much password changing, one time pass codes, repeated input of passport details, including multiple attempts to take a photo with the iPad camera. Oh, and details of dh’s long dead parents. Why???

Anyway, I think I have been successful, so that’s something to look forward to.

Take care all. Xxx

Hi all, well done to all of those tackling the Three Peaks this weekend, a mighty challenge and a worthwhile cause 👏👏👏.
Phew Nannytopsy that sounds scary, it threw it down with rain here, I’m glad I wasn’t travelling.
Oh, that’s a trip worth the effort SueD but it does sound tortuous.
I did get out for a swift walk at the tail end of the rain, all the scrunchy leaves are now boring to tread on!
Other than that, we watched MrJ’s football team win, went to the local, but didn’t win in the meat draw, then enjoyed a slow cooker beef casserole. My daughter was out collecting sloes, a kilo now in the freezer, destined for steeping in alcohol.
Have a pleasant evening all, what’s left of it 🙂.

It looks as if I've got at least 3 hours reading to catch up on...so I'll just say... I've missed you all. We got back at 2am yesterday from a much needed wonderful holiday. I'll be back later to tell all after I've read all your news.

Good morning dear Kitcheners. I’m having a tough time at the moment. I’m really struggling with mobility and finding it difficult to do very much. To add to the glums the plumber has failed to turn up despite making promises and I’m really disappointed.

Good afternoon kitchen pals, sorry to hear your mobility is getting you down, Blossoming and you’re struggling. I hope things improve a bit soon also that the plumber turns up - so frustrating
It’s eventually stopped raining here and the sun is trying to come out. I’ve hung a bit of washing out but keeping a close eye in it! I tried a new yoga class at the gym this morning, I’m a complete beginner and found it quite difficult but I enjoyed it. I’ll keep at it for a while and see what I think then
Well done with getting your flights and visas eventually sorted SueD they don’t make it easy do they! But definitely worth the hassle for a trip to visit your DS.
Looking forward to hearing about your holidays neine 😎
Well done to your niece and DH Scapa a fantastic achievement
Hope you’ve had a good day on the phones Jax

Hello everyone.
What a pain Blossoming! I remember waiting in all day for a washing machine technician. He finally turned up early evening and then complained that he couldn’t see the outlet pipe outside because it was dark!
Usual Waitrose trip today and I also took a bag of things to a Charity shop.
I spent time on WI admin. We have a meeting this Wednesday - Irish dancing.
I did my ‘poo test’ and posted it off. Always a joy and a delight. Not. I think another colostomy will be offered (my third) as I have a haemorrhoid.
OH is cooking tonight. I think it might be a curry.
Have a good evening.

Hi all, phones weren’t too bad brook thanks.
I’m sorry to hear your news Blossoming I’m not surprised you’re down, I hope another day will see you feeling better and a reliable plumber.
Not much else done today, apart from an earlier walk, quiz later.
The picture was not taken by me, the Red Arrows, from Southampton Boat Show on Saturday over Lyndhurst.
Enjoy your evening.

Jaxjacky I misread your post and thought your dd had collected a kilo of shoes and put them in the freezer! 🤣🤣
I’m sorry you’re not feeling so good, Blossoming.
Welcome home, Neine.

Today I’ve been for an eye test. It turned into a rather prolonged affair, for various reasons. I had to have drops in my eyes (which is maybe why I misread Jax’s post!) then a test where you have to click a buzzer every time you see a light had to be repeated. Lastly, the photos had to be repeated as well, because there was dirt on the lens! At the end of it all, they still need to repeat the clicky light thing again on one eye so I said I’d go back next week as my eyes were worn out and I had a headache coning on.

Not much is happening here, though it’s nice to see the evening sun after heavy rain earlier. I’m not ready for winter!

TOYA. X

I've finally caught up. I realised it was over 2 weeks since I'd managed to read everything and properly post. Our meal out on that Saturday was lovely. Very expensive but we were being treated which make it even more special. I had lamb with dauphinoise potatoes which was beautifully cooked. My friend from London arrived the next day...she is incredibly kind but also incredibly lazy and I'm sure without realising it expects to be waited on...I was in a lot of pain most of the time and DOH got increasingly more cross when she sat drinking her G and T in the sitting room while I struggled too prepare dinner. By the time she left on the Thursday I was weary with it all...it was the little things too like putting her plate by the dishwasher but even though it was empty she just left it on the side. I have to admit that on the Thursday morning even though I felt really grotty I went to my aqua class just so I didn't have to cook her breakfast.. I just said help yourself. It didn't help that while we were out on the Monday I notified my pright leg was very red and my foot very swollen. I thought it was the heat until I realised that the other leg and foot were fine. The surgery asked me to send pictures and the doctor called within the hour to say the cut that has been there for 3 weeks was badly infected and needed strong antibiotics if I was going to be able to go on holiday in the Saturday...initially I thought they had some purgative added to them and although I was hoping to lose a couple of pounds before I went away that was not the intended way. After the initial half stone weight loss in 24 hours...I just felt sick...then weary... So instead of happy pre holiday hormones raging through me....I felt and looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge. DOH had taken Friday off so help was at hand to do practical stuff and come Saturday morning we set off for our first holiday in 4 years. Bristol airport was heaving which came as a surprise given the school holidays were over. The food was very over priced and very mediocre but as we were not due to arrive at our resort until about 10pm we. decided to keep the sandwiches I'd make in case we were to late for food. ( We actually ate them on the transfer journey and zipped to the bar once we had thrown out case into our room and ordered 2 beers and 2 wines as they stop the all inclusive at 11pm and we got there at 10.20. ). The hotel was lovely... a short distance from the centre of Olu Deniz in a tree lined road with a mountain view. ( We watched in awe each day at the para ascending taking place high above us...they reach 17000 ft before coming down on the thermals to land on the beach... I'd have loved to have done it and pre hip op would probably been up there on the first day). Olu Deniz has changed a lot since I first went nearly 20 years ago. Far more commercialised with shops selling fake designer goods and bars with English football showing etc. I hated that and was glad that we were away from all of it. We went on a 12 island boat trip on the Tuesday which was very restful...we stopped at 4 of the bays and you were able to get off the boat and swim in the sea which was glorious. I managed to keep up my gentle exercises each day either in the sea or the pool and amazingly have lost 5lbs on my return and that's eating 3 meals a day and wine each evening. In fairness I ate small portions but didn't feel I'd rationed myself at all. There was lots of choice and it was all beautifully presented .... Which made eating healthily very easy. The temperatures were between 34 and 35 degrees each day and we both got a lovely tan even though we were under an parasol a lot of the time. We had to wait a long while for our luggage and too long for the car to be returned so from landing to home was 3 hours.. We arrived back at 2am to a tumultuous welcome from the dogs. The puppy had been most unsettled whilst we'd been away and threw himself at us. They all slept upstairs with us...I say slept...we went to bed at 3am and the horrendous storms started at 4.30...I think at one stage all 4 of them were on the bed with us. DOH woke me at 8.30 saying he had some wonderful news... He'd opened the mail that had come while we were away and his Decree Absolute had been granted. 4 very long years and some rocky roads had finally come to an end...it was the icing on the cake after a wonderful holiday. I'll be back to comment on your posts very soon.

Ahh the dreaded visual field test SueD I’ve had more than my fair share of them too - they’re quite tricky aren’t they !! Hope all is well though x

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people.
Welcome home, Nannytopsy and Neine, I'm sure your holidays will have done you good.
Soop and Scapa, well done to your family climbers, how fit they must be. Tremendous achievements!
Beautiful outlook from your balcony, YiaYia, what a lovely place to sit and relax.
Glad to hear that you are going to visit your DS, SueD, what a lot of tricky admin though!
Good luck with your new yoga class, Brook, I'm sure you're very supple... I always think yoga sounds so relaxing, but I'm very stiff, not good at getting up and down on the floor so I'm sticking with my wee walks and Aquafit classes.
Blossoming, I'm so sorry you're having mobility problems, I hope things improve a little for you soon.
Great photo, Jaxjacky, those Red Arrows fair get around.
Enjoy your curry, Ladyleftfieldlover!
I hope Grandmabatty has had a good day with her wee boys.
Mince and tatties for dinner, yoghurt for afters.
I made a big pot of lentil soup earlier, good cold weather food.
TOYA, have a good evening.

Crossed posts, Neine, I'm so glad you enjoyed your holiday, hope your leg is OK now.

Good evening Kitcheners. Today has had its challenges! Dgs1 had to be picked up this morning from nursery as he had a really sore head and aching legs. So we weren't far once I had him at home. Prior to that, dgs2 and I walked all round the small estate. He loved waving at people in cars who mostly waved back. I took them back home just after lunch and dgs2 slept for two and a half hours while dgs1 mainly lay on the couch. He had his flu vaccination on Friday and we think it's probably side effects of that. I visited mum tonight who was ok. She wasn't coughing at all but the nurses retested her and she is still full of COVID. Of course, she doesn't remember that! I'm about to have some steak casserole with crusty bread then apple crumble. Have a good evening Kitcheners

Lovely to hear about your holiday neine so pleased you both had such a good time

Hello everyone. Quick visit before I crawl into bed. The dreaded car insurance renewal has arrived. Mr C is now 80. It seems to be think of a number and double it time. I’m cross eyed and very stupid after staring at a screen for far too long.

On the positive side I booked our covid jabs for tomorrow. Mr C’s INR seems stable and tomorrow his very expensive new crown will be fitted so he’ll eat more comfortably. All very cheering.

You sound to have had a wonderful holiday neine, and good news in the post. It’s true, sometimes having folk to stay is far from easy. We have a friend who turns me into a waitress when she’s here. She’s completely unaware of what she’s doing I think and hope. How is your leg now? Hope mending if not mended.

Wishing you a better day tomorrow blossoming, so sorry life seems such a struggle.

You’re a marvel grandmab. Hope you feel more relaxed now.

I always, but always misunderstand the instructions for those eye tests sued and am either sent away and told to return or have to sit and be continually tortured. What a day you had. Hope next week is easier and your headache has faded.

Apologies to those I’ve missed, my head can hold no more. Off to bed now. Goodnight everyone. Sleep tight.

So first of all..Happy Birthday GrandmaB...I hope you have a lovely day..and it's the start of a great year too.
Urms...your wedding picture was just beautiful.. You and your Dad looked the epitome of what a wedding day should be...full of hope and happiness and love. It's obvious to me reading your posts that happiness and love are threads woven into each of your days and I wish that for you both for as long as possible. You are both in my prayers.
Soop... You are so talented... That is a lovely picture...you have caught the essence of him and the dogs so well. I feel your excitement at the imminent arrivals too. Were a few choice words said by Mr S when it became obvious that the bike needed to go back? I tried to get on a lilo last week much to the hilarity of everyone around the pool. Even with DOH helping I'm sure there was a moment when my bikini bottom disappeared into the nether regions. (It certainly felt like I was going to need tweezers to find it again). Eventually after what seemed an eternity and some gymnastic movements that will never be part of the Olympics I was on..... 2 minutes later I realised needed a wee so it had all been in vain.
Yia... I'm so very happy that you are finally settled and the grounds look lovely ( I'm assuming you don't have to be involved in the upkeep either). ..and a wedding too.
It looks like next year will be continuing the wedding theme (LLFL gets this years prize for wedding stories)
SueD...I bet you can't wait to be on that plane to see your DS...bless him ...it's been an emotional ride for you all and that first hug will be so special.
Grandmarie... The clarity of those photos was amazing...I felt the usual wave of panic and nausea when I saw the Chinook...my first love was part of the Swansea sky diving team that were aiming to get a world record for the number of people jumping at the same time. It was in Mannheim September 1982 and different oil had been used in each of the rotors and the helicopter engines failed shortly after take off. Some of them tried to jump but they were not high enough for their parachutes to open. Everyone on board was killed. I've winced at seeing helicopters every since.
Corner... I'm glad MrC is coming on so well now...and that you can start to relax a little.
Topsy...the weather on Sunday was biblical in Somerset. I was so thankful that we had landed before the thunder... I've been on a plane twice that has been hit by lightning and it's no fun. I'm glad you made it hope safely.
LLFL... Thank goodness whatever it was that made you feel grotty was short-lived. This time of year when the seasons change always seems to bring with it a range of nasties. Despite feeling ill you still made us drool with your descriptions of your latest cook up.
Ann....I hope you are feeling a bit happier...it's hard when other people's lives are sad and it does effect us especially if we are feeling a bit down anyway

I'm going to have to go as I've offered to take one of the Gala Girls ( swimming buddies from the GP referral group) to church. Her mum died last week and although I'm not sure if she is Catholic she asked if she could come with me to Mass on Thursday but I've got to fly to Glasgow so I asked if she'd like to go and light a candle and sit awhile.
I know I've missed loads of you out and I'm sorry but I didn't dare scroll back in case I lost what I'd written.
Love to you all.

Happy Birthday Grandmabatty
From 65 on we counted “the 5s as well as the 0s” to be special so I hope it is special for you.
I had a much better day yesterday in spite of the weather which is the same today.
I pulled my finger out and took delivery of a kilo of braising steak and made a slow cooker full of beef in red wine for the freezer and 3 cottage pies, single, and had one for my meal last night.

I invited a neighbour to come for coffee and cake this afternoon and then a sort of friend, cousin to a friend of mine, rang this morning to ask if she could visit next week and take me out for lunch.
Out tomorrow with another friend, shopping and coffee out so my social calendar is filling up nicely.
I am having to force myself but I think it is good for me to do it.

My scooter is languishing in the garage but I never expected to use it in wet weather.

Very best wishes to those under the weather and carers.
Have the best day you can.

Lovely Kitcheners. A very brief visit to tell you that over the next few days I shall be out of action. Guests arriving soon. Weather is disappointing. Never mind, we shall create our own sunshine.

Although I shall be absent, you will never be far from my thoughts.

Take good care of yourselves and each other.

Have a very special time with your visitors soop
I think it is family so that is extra special.

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. Enjoy every minute with your special visitors, Soop, you'll have lots to catch up on.

Many happy returns of the day, Grandmabatty, I hope you've had a good day and wee DGS1 is feeling better. I'm glad your Mum is OK. Enjoy your family evening. 💐🎂

Cornergran, it's so good to hear of MrC's continued improvement, please take good care of yourself too.

Neine, I am so sorry that the Chinook photo triggered such painful memories, how tragic for those involved and all who loved them.🙏

Annsixty, you are a very wise woman to keep up your social calendar, very good for the spirits and well worth the effort. When a dear friend was experiencing very low mood, her GP advised her to " accept all invitations ". It helps.

I've had a busy day, morning Mass, Aquafit class, then met my childhood friend for lunch in a friendly local cafe. Home now to start packing for our trip to Aviemore next week. DH packed last week!

TOYA wishing everyone a peaceful evening.

Good evening dear Kitcheners.A very happy BirthdayGrandmabatty. Hope you had a lovely day enjoy your evening.🎈🎂🎁
Annsixty You sound in very good spirits, so lovely to hear.
Neine It’s sounds like you had a great holiday,I relate to trying to climb on a lilo.🤣
Your holiday sounds good Nannytopsy.We love Brittany the seafood is special.

We are settling well most things are unpacked and put away, we have a few ideas but they can wait.We are off to our beloved Corfu on Friday.It will be nice to just chill as I still ache from head to toe.Greece is the place.

Enjoy your holiday Grandmarie.
Hope the weather will be better for your visitors Soop.
Get that flight booked Sue.
Thoughts as always to the Urms.🥰
Have a good evening everyone.

Hi all, from a chilly, dull, damp Hampshire, what a dreech evening.
Your restorative place Yia just the job.
Hope you’ve got the insurance sorted corner, without combusting!
ann good you’re out and about, rather therapeutic socialising.
Enjoy your visitors soop
Farm shop today, a blustery walk and admin. I’m negotiating with MrJ when the electric blanket will go on the bed, it’s duel control, so my indulgence. We were rubbish at quiz last night, it was fun, but no glory.
Enjoy your evening all especially the birthday girl 🎂.