Good Morning Thursday 24th August 2023

Morning all from Orkney. Visit to Birsay yesterday on a lovely sunny day. This area is where my great grandmother and great great grandparents were from. You can see the causeway in the photograph where you can walk across at low tide to view Kitchener’s memorial. Hope all other travelers are enjoying their journeys.

Good morning from a cloudy W Kent. A bit rushed this morning but yesterday went off as planned, DDIL has had her operation and is now home resting. We took DGD1 off to a beautiful local garden that has a small cafe and filled her up with cake ready for today's GCSE results (she passed the lot at all sorts of different grades). We now await DGD2's results later today. I feel as if I am in a whirlwind as generally life is pretty routine.
Thinking of all those with illness and problems.
All the best.

Good morning Mick and all from cloudy and damp Lancashire, where it is raining.

Today will be a repeat of yesterday, apart from a visit to Morrisons in collect my prescription from the pharmacy and do a little shopping in the store. How will I cope with the excitement

As always thinking of all dealing with troubles.

Have a good day all whatever you’re doing🌻

Good morning from the Essex coast where it has rained overnight but is still very muggy.
Yesterday was spent washing and catching up with admin. A long chat with DD1, who along with SIL and two of their girls believe they probably have covid. It has put a stop on the building of their loft extension as the builders don't want to come into the house. I don't blame them.
Sorry to hear that the Imp has chicken pox GG, I hope he is not too itchy.
I have already done a huge pile of ironing and must go along to the pharmacy to see what is happening about a prescription that I put in.
Thinking of all with worries, illness or sadness, much love xxx

Good. Morning from overcast Harrogate.
GrandMattie. You could send your furniture to auction? You might just cover transporting it or you might make a fortune? I find charities too pernickity
Well a few hours have sped by, DGS has arrived and is watching the DVD of Alice in Wonderland, his current favourite. His dad bought him a o jet watch, so dgs now thinks he is the mad hatter! Tomorrow I shall have him, too , so might not have time to post. Have the best day possible folks

All this talk of unwanted furniture makes me shudder at the job my children will face when my over-full house is given up - though interestingly the mid-century teak which we gave away is now desirable. Funny thing, popular taste!

Domestic day awaits with some silver polishing probable, but nothing in particular. Another lovely sunny late summer day here, so outside will be better than inside, I think.

Good morning Mick and everyone from Carlisle where it has been raining but now looks as though it is drying up, possibly only temporarily!

Yesterday I took more books to the charity bookshop. I was pleased to see that one I'd donated last week was on display in the window at a good price.
My other errand, to collect a prescription, didn't go so well. My eye drops were not in stock nor were they at the next pharmacy I tried. The latter directed me to their branch in an area nearby to home where I finally got them after lunch. They're necessary for my eyes to function, I don't produce tears so I'm alarmed at the thought of not being able to get any. The original chemist did have them online so I ordered more, paid for by me. I think I need to keep a good stock in in case of future problems.

Charities are picky as I've also found out grandMattie. One refused to take 2 modern pieces because they said they couldn't make a profit on them...they have to pay the van men.
I thought the Salvation Army also supplied re-housed homeless people with furniture, those people presumably preferring anything to nothing. You could try Freegle?, there are folk who like to upcycle old furniture.

I have a telephone appointment with the private cardiologist after lunch but for now the ironing beckons.

Have a good day all.

Lovely pic Foxy. Are they in your garden - The Three Foxateers?
I’m fond of Autumn (and sometimes Winter) too, but it’s the long dark nights I don’t like. Walking DD2’s little dog at 10pm on a Summer’s evening is just one of the best things.

Good morning from an overcast muggy Durham. Not happy I’ve missed the garden bin collection but my own fault.
I have an empty - beside myself with joy! I’m going to wash my hair, titivate, fill my car with motion lotion (petrol) and think I’ll head down to Harrogate - one of my favourite places (long story).
gM I donated a sofa that was the wrong colour, barely used, complete with fire safety tag and was told they’d take it away as a favour! Talk about a gift horse.
Best wishes to all. X

Missed this which wouldn’t post
Take Two

Missed this

Good morning from Foxyland where it looks like another (boringly) sunny day. Bah, humbug I hear you cry! But once we get to GCSE results day I know Summer is over and I am ready for Autumn- crispy mornings, new school bags with new pencil cases and those wonderful pics of tinies in their slightly too big school uniform at their front door.
Bring it on!
Next doors builders kicked off again at 7.30 like yesterday, only this time I didn’t feel the panic that it might be BT Openreach , leaping out of bed and into clothes and decency . It wasn’t, of course. They did come eventually but a dotty line of spray white paint up the drive and front lawn is as far as they got.
With caring thoughts to absent friends, especially all with pain, sickness or worry to cope with, wishing you all a pleasant day.

Good morning all and what a change in the weather. We’ve had glorious sunshine all the week we’ve been here at the Suffolk seaside and it’s absolutely hammering down with thunder crashing all around. Poor lil pooch doesn’t like it.

Yesterday was lovely with our afternoon tea in Aldeburgh. We sat inside Liberty as the patio was very busy and we were worried about wasps. It was so peaceful and calm. We sat by the window and people watched. The only grumble was the scones were a bit overdone , more like rock cakes but never mind! It’s carnival week in the town , so things were getting ready. Hope the rain disappears for them.

Today we’ll clean and tidy the cottage as we leave tomorrow. DS2 and family plus his mil will be coming in a couple of weeks, so I’ll change sheets and make an extra effort with the cleaning 😤😏. We Had hoped to stay for the weekend but I’m meeting my ‘old’ pals at the Olympic Park on Saturday. (it had slipped my mind).
This evening is Book Club so I’ll try to finish the book today. I’ve read it once but that was a few weeks ago and I’ve read others since and I’ve forgotten some of this one. 🤯.

GM how annoying for you. I can understand your frustration.
GG what a shame you had to cut short your holiday. Hope the little chap isn’t too poorly.
Sar glad you had a lovely boat trip to Burnham. I love it there.
Mary your hairdressing visit sounds delightful, chatting with old friends. More a social occassion and never mind the chaos . A sad funeral! 🙏.

Hope yours days are ‘good’ ones.🌻

Good morning Mick and all from a wet northwest coast.
Off soon for a repeat blood test with a request to drink lots of water (plus lots of loo visits😁)
Sang a lot yesterday as I have a lunchtime concert coming up with fifteen songs, one after another. I might ask my pianist to play something halfway for a little break, which he’s done before. Now what to wear!

Made the mistake of listening to a story by Elizabeth Jane Howard just before sleep which turned out to be about a haunted car and the poor girl who bought it. Creepy, but good.
Thoughts as always to anyone with troubles 🌹

Good morning all from SUNNY South Lanarkshire. Apologies for shouting but it has been a while since we’ve had such a lovely start to the day.

Your salon sounds fun Marydoll.

I hope the Imp isn’t too unwell GG.

Smashing photo Sago.

I’m another with a hair appointment today, fingers and toe nails to be done too. I’m looking forward to it, I feel ancient and look tired and definitely in need of a little tlc.

Wishing everyone the best possible day.

Good morning from someone still under the duvet in rainy Sefton. I’ll have to get a wiggle on as DGC and mini DGdog are due very soon.
Whatever your weather and plans, I hope you have a fruitful day. Thoughts to those for whom life could be easier.
🌻🌻🌻

A very busy week for us again 2gc here again for 2nights then Saturday on a stall for yearly fest ,then other 2gc overnight from Sunday don't know whether I am coming or going 😀 Hope exam results are good . Have a good day all.

Good morning everyone from a bright and sunny 🌞Northampton. A bit of pottering this morning, hang the washing out, a Sainsbury's delivery to sort.
Then a very early lunch and our to my two dance classes.
Then I plan to sit in the garden and read.
No cooking today, as there is macaroni cheese left over from yesterday - I don't mind having it two days in a row, as it is a favourite meal!
Happy Thursday to all.

Sorry, I pressed send by mistake there! The only thing I have to report is the existence of two baby fish in my pond, the result I think of last year's spawning judging by their size I first saw the little black one a few weeks ago, but wasn't sure. And then the other day a little gold one was by his side. I love to see the cycle of life continuing like that.
It's tai chi with the advanced class this morning, then a spot of shopping and pottering - not a great amount to report!
Enjoy that sausage sarnie Mick, and your trip out.
Grandmattie you'll be glad when this time of upheaval is behind you - as it will be. But the getting through it isn't fun. Enjoy your tai chi.
Poor little Imp - I hope he's not too poorly. Chickenpox seems to be the only one of the 'childhood ailments' still among us. Or am I way out of the loop!
Enjoy your days everyone, and the warmth of the sun x

Good morning Mick and all from an overcast Oxfordshire, I finished sorting the crockery yesterday, another job ticked from my list and a couple more boxes for the Charity shop.

GS is back home from his travels in Europe, he had such a good time, now getting ready for University. He would have stayed longer but underestimated the costs involved.

Doctors later today for my annual check up, most of the weight I lost is back on which I’m really cross about, it seems that ‘just one more slice of cake, it won’t hurt’ wasn’t such a good idea after all.

I also need the hairdresser, mine was ill and missed our last appointment, I’m loathe to contact her to make sure she will be here for the next one as I’m due to go to a wedding , I was a bit cross that she didn’t let me know that wouldn’t be coming to our last appointment, I phoned and asked her if she was ok and she said she wasn’t feeling very well, but forgot to let me know. As she only sees 3 people 2 days a week, I found that odd, I think she wants to trim down her list of clients as she has a ‘proper job’ now and wants to get more hours with them, I’ll hold my tongue until she ( hopefully) turns up next week, as I look like a badger.
Love the photo Sago it sounds as though you are having a lovely holiday.
Chickenpox is horrid, I remember when the girls had it, then MrOops caught it from them, it wasn’t a fun week, I still haven’t had it!
GM the Charity shops that collect furniture are extremely picky, which is why so much good stuff ends up at the tip.

Enjoy your day everyone, safe travels to those on the move, best wishes to those who are unwell and hugs to those who are stressed looking after loved ones.

A chance in a million, Sago! A photo worth entering in a competition, I would have thought. 👏

Good morning . Hopefully the weather will brighten soon.
DH has to go out early to collect his new glasses. DGSs 1 &2 are coming for the day. We have planned a picnic at a country park. We will also pick up MIL so she can join us.
Later we must pack for a few days away. We were going to Bournemouth S we thought the Air Display was on, but it is next week! We have now booked a cottage in the Wye valley .

Hope all Celebrations, journeys and holidays go well. Thoughts with all struggling in any way .

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is 15°C.
Where is this heat you are all talking about?

GG, sorry to hear you had to cut your holiday short, I hope the Imp isn't too uncomfortable.

Lovely to see you back, Llfl.

GM, when mum mum died, we couldn't get rid of her solid dark wood furniture, your experience is not uncommon nowadays.
When we built our downstairs accessible shower room, we were overwhelmed with choices. The best advice given was to choose taps etc with a ten year guarantee, some taps only come with a one or two year guarantee. They should see us out! 😉

I arrived at the hairdresser's yesterday to find it chaotic and very noisy. Usually it is empty on a Wednesday, which is why I go on a that day.
The two stylists were run ragged and there was no sign of the owner. Then my stylist of fifteen years told me she had resigned! 😱
The owner seems to have lost the plot. There were no rubber gloves and they had run out of hair colourant. I have been going here since 1991, when I started teaching in the school nearby and have never seen it like this. It hasn't really recovered since the pandemic.
It turned out to be a very enjoyable visit. An former schoolmate, an ex colleague and a parishioner, whom I have been trying to contact for ages, all came in. I haven't enjoyed myself so much for ages. The stylists were trying to do work on two clients at a time, so we all just sat and chatted, whilst waiting.
At one point my form classmate got up and washed her own hair! She suggested that she wash the clients' hair and I could be the receptionist (the phone didn't stop ringing) and do a bit of sweeping up, 😉
On the way home I stopped at the new B&M for some items for church. A lady approached me to tell me that my hair colour was beautiful. I smugly told her, it was my own and had never been coloured! 😊
I was away for hours and DH was getting worried, because I forgot to put the tracker on my phone on.
It is not that he is controlling, he just worries that I may become unwell, when I am out and about. (As has happened in the past.)

Today is the funeral of my friend's daughter, so I must get a move on. I need to wash my hair (despite the hairdresser visit). After a restless night, I look as if I have been dragged through a hedge backwards.

I will light candles at Mass for all the poorlies. I hope Mr Corner is behaving himself!
Have a good day folks! I have Avila envy. 💚

Good morning everyone from Harris where we’ve a showery forecast but not too windy
Hope the Imp is much better soon GG, poor thing, lots of cuddles
A lovely photo Sago thanks for sharing
We found more gorgeous soft sandy beaches yesterday, more for walking along though than for sunbathing on, although some very brave people were in the sea. More exploring today, the roads are narrow and twisty with lots of single lanes and passing places so it takes a while to get around anywhere, but the slower pace of life is good
Hoping for good news for all those waiting for exam results today
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning from a hotel in a Birmingham where we will go down to breakfast shortly.

A visit to the Rep last night to see Noises Off. Liza Goddard and Matthew Kelly were part of the cast. It was vey fast moving and I probably missed some of the jokes with my poor Hearing, but it was very enjoyable. A meal of fish and chips beforehand!

Mooch around the shops before the train home.

Have a good day everyone.