Good Morning Friday 11th August 2023

Good morning from a sunny Bristol. It looks lovely out.
Mt neighbour took me to the Downs overlooking the Avon gorge to see the hot air balloon practice run, but sadly the wind was too strong for flights. I’m told the static night ballon festival took place.
I’d had a tutorial on making a patchwork star on Wednesday evening and spent the day fiddling. Not happy with the result, but it looks ok.
Today, my neighbour is taking me to coffee to her friend’s flat. I’ll try to get some flowers, otherwise it’ll be some homemade apricot jam. More patchwork potter: I’ll back and quilt the squares before assembling.
Having cancelled last night’s dinner at her house, I’m off to DD’s tonight.
Hugs and prayers to the poorlies, urms, marydoll, kalu and everyone else in need.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Morning all from a warm Sydney afternoon. I went with my sister this morning to meet some of her friends for coffee at the beach. We then visited her daughter - my niece who is getting married next month in France. I have been sitting outside reading The Marriage Portrait, which is brilliant. My brother should be arriving soon, with his daughter who is getting married tomorrow. Have a good day!

Good morning all from South Lanarkshire. It’s warm and dry, lovely.

We had dinner last night with my visiting cousin, he lives thousands of miles away yet I see him three or four times a year and always have a very pleasant time.

Childminding day today so we’re off out early to drive over to the Capital. I don’t know what the day will look like as I’m not sure if DDoutL will be working all day or only for a few hours.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from a rainy Cornwall. Thank you very much for yesterday's kind thoughts and messages concerning my frog and the fallen tree. In response:
Whitewavemark, sycamore burns easily so it's ideal for a quick start in a woodburner. After one or two years' seasoning of course!
Grammaretto, the tree fell because we've had gale force winds and it was growing on top of a dodgy wall; sycamore will seed anywhere.
Dustyangel: my allotment is very small as allotments go, a tucked-away tree-surrounded (minus one now!) corner plot more given to herbs and nature than vegetables, but I couldn't tell you the actual size.
Marydoll, ah, sorry too late - my friend has bagged the wood for his woodburner!
Nannagarra, I didn't get to Wetherspoons but will post a rooftop photo next time I do.

Today I fancy going to Perranporth on the north coast and walking in the rain. The sand there is lovely and firm for crutches. There's a direct bus from just across the road.

Your patchwork is always lovely grandMattie. Those pointed corners must be hard to do.

Good morning from a bright, gentle morning in Torbay.

It's great to hear how your social life is taking off, grandMattie and I also think your patchwork looks fantastic.

I guess Edinburgh will be buzzing with the Fringe Festival, baubles. One of our young techie team members is working there next week, which is a great opportunity for him.

I’m glad you sound as if you’ve recovered from jet lag, LLFL and Sydney is delivering in terms of the weather. My DD2 and family will be visiting there soon from where they’re staying with DD1 near Melbourne.

Last night we sweltered in the theatre after a muggy day. A wonderfully warm audience, who even applauded our gallant platoon when the tabs opened, resulted in our best performance so far. A lively bar session followed where audience and cast socialised until quite late!

A quiet day at home is needed! Thinking of our absent and poorly friends. 🦩🥰🦩💐🦩

Good morning from a cloudy North Leicestershire. The sunrise was lovely but cloud has since descended.

Our gardener is coming this morning and DH is off to the gym. I need to go to the butcher's and then visit my friend who is 79 today.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning from the Essex coast.
DH finally had his BCC'S removed yesterday. It took over two hours and he looks very battered and bruised. I drove us home and he went to bed to rest.
I don't think he slept well as he is now asleep in the lounge.
I'm not sure if we will be doing anything today, I'll see how he is when he wakes up.
Lovely patchwork GM, you are so talented.
I hope you all have a pleasant day with some sunshine ☀ xx

Good morning. First timer here so hopefully doing things correctly! We've had beautiful weather here in this east Kent corner for a few days and today looks bright and sunny too. Last day of visit here with DS and grandchildren. So off to the sands for a splash about and and and a lovely ice cream!Then off tomorrow to Italy where it's set to be 30° which I haven't experienced in a while!
It's been 4 years since we went away so looking forward to it....if not the boarder control wait at Dover!

Good morning all, from a warm and sunny Co Durham.
Dear sis and BiL arrived on Wednesday it’s been a while since we’ve seen them. We decided to go to Durham city yesterday to do the tourist ‘thing’, they both went to Uni there eons ago 😀. We did the park and ride, but nowhere did we see notices saying the return journeys were not from the usual stops. The weather was so hot and muggy we didn’t walk far but repaired to Wetherspoon for lunch!! Very nice too. Then we walked a long way trying to find the bus back to the park and ride. Four hot and bothered people arrived home and did nothing for the evening.
Hope everyone has a good day, thoughts are with those who have difficulties.

Morning from an overcast, warm S Hants. Welcome Fassie hope your journey is hassle free.
Sounds like a party to me Ashcombe!
So clever gMattie you’re very patient.
Coffee at the beach in Sydney sounds so much more exciting than the same here llfl.
A faffing day yesterday, today I’m going to pick up new towels, ours are ancient, they will go to a friend who has dogs.
I need to water nematodes onto my veg plants, cabbage whites bah! Later Tesco delivery, MrJ is playing golf.
May you all find little ray of sunshine today.
🦩🦩

Good morning all and a warm welcome to Fassie. Safe travels tomorrow 🤞.
It’s overcast here in Essex and hopefully cooler today. Draining heat yesterday - it doesn’t suit me.🥵.

Today Dh and ds1 will go to the tip and then (hopefully) DS will have a rodent ulcer removed from his forehead. His experience with our local nhs has been dreadful. Trying since January to have this done, he had an appointment 3 weeks ago . When he arrived the consultant said it was a review of the op. 😳. (Which hadn’t been done yet). Yesterday he went for his venesection (haemochromotosis). He was told he doesn’t need it as his levels from blood test was ok. It took him an hour to get there and get parked after taking a day off work. They could have phoned him 😤. Fingers crossed for today. 🤞

I’m glad your DH’s op went ahead Sar. 👍.

Today we’ll meet up with our Friday friends for a light lunch and drinks. We haven’t seen them for a few weeks so lots to chat about.

LLF I’ve just read The Marriage Portrait for book club and enjoyed it.

Best wishes to all 🌻

Good morning from a dry NE.
Yesterday took advantage of the dry weather and sprayed all the weeds on the patio and front drive.
Today I am going out for lunch with my friend, an Asian meal at the restaurant in a spa.
DD arrives in the UK tonight, she will be on holiday for two weeks, one of those we will spend in Yorkshire.
Thoughts are with poorly people.

Morning all from a grey S E Essex.

We have The Imp and his 8yr old brother (his chicken pox is really bad, absolutely covered from head to foot) so it’s going to be indoor play.

Have a good day everyone 🙋‍♀️🦩

Good morning from the cloudy South Downs.

Yesterday enjoyed just pottering about in the sun. Met up with fellow dog walkers and sat in the park chatting whilst the dogs lolled about under the trees. They are all old dogs and very chilled out, but clearly friends as they run to each other on meeting up. There are 4 of them and sometimes more depending on who we meet. I used to tramp over the downs for at least a couple of hours every day, but now Duncan is content with his park stroll - he couldn’t manage much more.

Welcome fassie good to have a newcomer🙂. I love Italy. Are you motoring down? That is a long way! Enjoy it all.

Meat day today - lamb rump pot roast with carrots and broccoli from the garden.

Enjoy your day all

Good morning all from an already clammy Glasgow, where it is 17°C and wet.
Yet another disturbed night, full of bizarre dreams about a natural disaster in Australia. Heaven knows what is going on in my brain!
I have discovered a marvellous invention, a long skinny hot water bottle, which cover both painful shoulders. The only problem is that between the bottle and the clamminess, I'm having a hot flush while I am writing this.!!

I woke up to the sound of DH manipulating a ladder at the top of the stairs, trying to change a light bulb. It turns out the socket was live! 😱
I specifically asked him not to do it, until I was there to hold the ladder and supervise.
Why are men so stupid thrawn?

GM, I am in awe of your sewing skills, what a great talent you have. It's great to hear that you have made a new and kind friend.

Yesterday, I experienced an episode of road rage, which left me quite shaken.
I was stuck in a jam at temporary traffic lights, just after I had come out of our street. I had left a gap to allow cars in and out of a busy side road near a difficult junction, to avoid the junction becoming snarled up, as it often does at the best of times.
In my mirror I noticed a car impatiently edging closer to me, trying to turn into the side street.
To my utter astonishment, the car mounted the wide pavement, drove along it and stopped on the pavement, right beside the passenger side of my car.
The elderly driver started shouting and gesticulating at me, because I had left an opening to let people out (as everyone does) and he wouldn't be able to turn left, to avoid the jam, until the lights changed. He was planning on using the residential road as a rat run.
It would have caused chaos if I had blocked the opening. By the time the lights changed ,I was shaking like a leaf.
To make matters worse, I encountered another three sets of temporary traffic lights within five minutes, one of which was permanently stuck at red! 😡
The irony is, that I had taken a different route to the surgery to avoid road closures. It is a nightmare here at the moment.

A busy morning ahead, I plan to return the rest of the surplices to church, to get them out of my utility room and then pick up prescriptions, some which needed ordered.
Because they are CDs, the cannot be ordered in advance, it's a bit of a pain. .

This afternoon, after the golfer returns, we are off to see Babydoll and taking Dollie with us. My two sons don't often socialise, so we are trying to ensure that Dollie and Babydoll get to know each other.
Hopefully the rain will go off and we can go out with the pram. It's a great walking aid, as I seem to have become quite unsteady recently, having a had a few spectacular and undignified falls .
Unfortunately, we three will be fighting to push the pram. I wonder who will win?

Baubles, Edinburgh will be heaving with tourists, due to the Fringe and cycling. Will you give Portobello a miss?
DD and I used to have a day out, just to see the street shows, do a bit of shopping and have lunch.
We saved up all year, so that we could have a free and indulgent day. It's all too exhausting for me now. 😪

I wish you all the best of days. I think LLFL's family wedding is today. If so, enjoy!
As always, the poirlies are in my thoughts and prayers.

A warm welcome to Fassie.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 18° and damp. It's raining. GrandMattie the star quilt is just lovely. Ash I'm glad the show is going well. I like the idea of an audience q and a afterwards. Fassie welcome to Mick's thread.
Yesterday I had a lovely catch up with two friends; one of whom has recently had a baby. He was well behaved and smiley most of the time. We met in Cumbernauld instead of Glasgow because of the cycle races. I hadn't eaten at this particular restaurant before and it was really nice. Surprisingly quiet too, so we were able to blether away easily. Last night I visited mum and was given an update on her. She has small vessel disease which has caused mini strokes. Both my aunt and I have thought for a while that was probably the case. The hospital are hanging on to her for three months to see if her confusion disappears. It's a bit of a relief as it means social work won't be involved just yet.
Today I'm doing nothing except pottering. A nice, quiet day ahead. Have a good day all

GMBatty, you must be relieved that Social Work won't be involved at present.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. Sun's up!
My unofficial campers have left. My official helpers have asked if they can stay an extra 3 days.
Yesterday I went to an excellent talk on the makng of the film Chariots of Fire by the technical director, Tom McNab who is 89 and still a most impressive speaker.
Work today in the community shop.
I will harvest plums later.

Have a lovely last day with your family fassie
Glad your DH has had his BCCs removed Sar
Sending get well wishes to all those who are poorly.

Good morning from sunny Colchester. Going to be hot today 26°. My summer dresses are finally getting an airing as we were away in a cool rainy US during the last hot week here.

This morning I am going to a coffee morning for the volunteers at the charity shop. We now have lots of new volunteers encouraged by our new managers, so it'll be quite warm and crowded.
We then have a lunch date with our baby DGD and her family 😊
Love to all 🦩 x

Good morning all from another beautiful sunny day in Sefton. Sun is forecast all day. Better get the washing on!
2 Zoom exercise classes this morning, peg the washing out, prep tea & get to DS1's house by midday to look after GD1 for the afternoon. Garden games & the play park I think. A busy day.
Take care all.

Good morning everyone from a warm and sunny north Kent - summer for a few more days!

Yesterday was taken up with moving some dust around the house, a visit to the osteopath who massaged my stiff thumbs before a session of acupuncture which makes such a difference. I can now twiddle my thumbs with the best of them!

Friends are coming later this morning for lunch. We meet up every few weeks for a meal and a catch up so it will be good to hear all their news. DS and family arrived home safely after their trip to Canada and DD and family are due back tomorrow from their holiday in Rhodes which is going well judging by the photos.

Welcome to Fassie. Good luck with getting through Dover and enjoy Italy; my favourite country.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Marydoll I certainly am. It's a warning to all, regardless of age and state of health, to get power of attorney in place. Mum just wouldn't do it.