Good Morning Thursday 28th September 2023

Good morning from cloudy and cool East Lothian. We hadn’t been out, apart from for shopping, this week, so decided to head west and investigate Bo’ness and Linlithgow, neither of which we had been to before. It stayed dry while we were in Bo’ness so we had a pleasant wander along the main streets and visited the small but well-stocked bookshop. I like to support independent bookshops so always buy something - preferably for someone else as I have quite a large number of books already 😀. The rain had started by the time we got to Linlithgow so we dived into the first cafe we came to, for a bowl of soup and a sandwich. We were entertained listening to the banter between the staff and a couple who came in just after us who were obviously regulars. I had hoped for a walk along the canal but it was too wet for enjoyment so we just walked through the town, enjoying the sense of history evoked by the buildings and many old passages or ‘wynds’. I had forgotten that there is also a bookshop here! “Far From the Madding Crowd” is on two floors and is absolutely packed with books. I concentrated on the basement where there are children’s books and bought Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy’s beautiful “The Oak Tree” for the youngest GDs.
I ‘waved’ to you, *Grandmabatty” as I know Polmont is not far from where we were.

Unfortunately, the campervan, which had been sending us urgent messages about needing Adblue, was no happier when it was filled up and was showing a warning saying that the exhaust filter was full. It is supposed to clean automatically while the van is being driven. After much perusing of the handbook we drove home with the warning light still showing and today DH spent the morning phoning round garages for help. None had available slots so he tried the breakdown service and they said the automatic cleaning needs high revs to work so DH is now driving in a lowish gear along the A1 😬

I made a Guinness chocolate cake which is residing at DD’s waiting for me to go round and make the frosting for it.

I note that several of the Scottish grans are childminding during the teachers’ strike. We have seen several grandparents here with school age children who must have been sent over from the west as the schools here are not affected this time. I hope the schoolwork is going better today for Stilllearning’s GCs 😂

Have the best day you can, according to your circumstances and strength to those struggling.

Good morning Mick and all from Cloudy Chambers northwest coast.
The piano recital yesterday was very impressive, young man, only 15 and such a virtuoso. After that I enjoyed a prawn sandwich and then on to have my nails done. I bought a Chanel style jacket for £5, so apart from feeling a bit odd after my flu jab and the frozen shoulder, it was a perfect afternoon. My secret parking spot was free too.
Town was pretty quiet because of the weather. Today for annual eye test at the optician. Life seems to be all appointments at the mo.
I’m hoping my DDs cold doesn’t prove to be covid. She’s due to arrive on Sunday for our Isle of Man trip.

Mizuna that’s a great thing to do. I’ve often felt sorry for people in hospital with no visitors when I have been a patient myself and then with terminal patients, I do admire you.
Thoughts as always to those with troubles 🌹

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s dry and seems mild enough out.

Here’s Matt.
x

Good morning all from the M90. I'm on the bus to DD and the DGD.
I slept through my alarm and missed my bus and my cuppa into Edinburgh but a kind neighbour drove me to a later stop. There I met several grans doing their childcare duties while schools are closed like Marydoll
It's great that you and MrMD can help Dollie.
I do recall our DD wanted to make a family tree for a project. DH made her one going back to Robert the Bruce!
Some of the other children just put Grandpa, auntie etc. Not sure DD was best pleased.

What a nuisance gMattie
Hope your consultant app goes well Jax

Have a lovely day everyone.

Good morning Mick and all from cloudy Lancashire where it is currently 14°C

Storm Agnes wasn’t as fierce as predicted here, thankfully. Today I have my flu jab booked at a drive through clinic. I haven’t been to one of those before.

Hope we all have a good day 🌻

Good morning from East Yorkshire where we have a cloudy sky but a mild 15 degrees.

Thank you for my birthday wishes yesterday. We did go to Beverley in the morning. White stuff have a 20% off sale so I bought a dress and have my eye on a couple of other pieces I might order online. The family came round later armed with a cake made my DIL with help from GS. It was a lemon one and delicious. GS had drawn a picture of some of my favourite things. As always the 2 gc kept us entertained!

I didn’t sleep well last night. I think it was possibly sugar overload from cake and chocolates. I have ended up with 6 boxes of chocolates 😬 why would anyone buy you 3 boxes?
I am meeting a friend for coffee later I might take a few boxes for her. Her Nanna is in a care home - friend is also a nurse so could take for the ward.
Apart from that I have laundry and housework to do then pick up gs after school. GD and DIL will also pop round later.

Hoping H has a happy birthday today. A visit to a toy shop what’s not to love.

I know what culling clothes you will never get into again is like Marydoll it’s heartbreaking. I’ve dropped a few pounds but will never be the size I was. That was obviously down to the classes I used to do at the gym. Those were the days!

Good morning Mick and everyone from grey Carlisle. The wind shrieked around the house last night and blew over the plants in pots waiting to go in the garden. That seems to be it. I went to bed thankful I wasn't still living in my very exposed bungalow and conservatory down on the west coast.

My head cold proved mild but it has all settled on my chest where I am painfully coughing for England. Won't stop me getting on with the ironing shortly, it's just a nuisance really.

I shall also get on with boring admin which I made a start on yesterday and I also have hundreds of photos to edit. I am deeply envious of the guys with the big long lenses having seen their results but don't envy the carrying around of them, not to mention the £££££ I know they cost.

You are going to feel so relieved when that bathroom saga is sorted GrandMattie, these things can weigh you down, they do me.

Have the best possible day everyone.

I'm so cross on your behalf gM, mainly because I've been through the same sort of experience. You seem to be coping admirably with it.

Taichi, I doubt that asbestos was ever the issue. I suspect it was the new surveyor showing how worthwhile it was to employ her. I just happened to be the one she picked on!

Morning from an overcast S Hampshire, it was windy last night, calm now.
Our gas meter was very efficiently changed yesterday afternoon, now we’ll get an estimated bill for the last three months.
Haematology consultant to call today, I’m not sure what to expect.
Happy Birthday to the grandchildren today, the excitement of choosing your own present!
Safe journeys to those travelling and hugs to those struggling.
🦩🦩

Good morning all from a stormy Glasgow with heavy skies promising yet more rain.

Huge brownie points for me yesterday as I managed to track down sweets DH has a craving for, treacle toffees, cinnamon balls and cinnamon chews. I got a fair haul to keep supplies going and DH was so pleased he awarded me with a treacle toffee and a kiss.

Mizuna it’s such a privilege to sit with EOL patients something I often did until relatives arrived. To do this voluntarily is a selfless act and admirable but you will find it rewarding as you comfort those patients.

I have battened down the hatches and going nowhere in this awful weather today.

Gentle hugs and strength to those of you with troubling times and sadness.

Good morning everyone from a grey and overcast Northampton, hopefully staying dry today as I have just put the towels in the washing machine.

A good book club yesterday, with a lovely M&S chocolate cake (almost more important than the book review!). Positive reactions to the book - 'Small Things Like These' by Claire Keegan. Waiting for next month's book to arrive in the next few days, Carol Shields' 'Stone Diaries '.

Sainsbury's delivery this morning. Will have to rethink dinner tonight, as they have just let me know that the fish I ordered is not available. Could be a bowl of soup with added new potatoes and veg. Or jacket potato and beans. Don't really fancy anything I have in the freezer.... I wanted fish.....

Tap and ballet classes after an early lunch.

A good day to all.

Good morning everybody from a sunny, windy, cloudy Angus coast. We didn't suffer from Agnes, only getting the tail end of it, but it sounds as if it was a corker for some.
Mizuna that's a marvellous thing you're volunteering for and I'm so glad things are going smoothly for you. Love the photo of the blackbirds btw.
Glad your meeting with The Teflon Kid wasn't too stressful grandmattie. Is the asbestos still an issue? Happy Birthday to Iris on Monday - something nice to look forward to. And we're all looking forward to seeing your 'very pink' patchwork.
Susan happy birthday to H - I know he will love every child's dream of being let loose in a toy shop!
LLfl I'm glad you were able to see your GP and get medication for your trip to France. Have a lovely time.
RoseandLilac enjoy the last day of your painting break.
Brook such a shame you have to delay your Cambridge trip, but probably for the best as you say.
Well, for me it's Thursday, so it's tai chi followed by the fish shop - and a lazy afternoon no doubt!
Have a pleasant contented time today everyone, and thoughts with all going through the mill at present. Keep on reminding yourselves - this too shall pass

Good morning everyone from a cloudy but mild north Kent.

Yesterday’s visit to Canterbury Cathedral to the light show went well. Met up with DD and family for a meal beforehand before making our way into the cathedral. The theme this year is the Renaissance; some wonderful light displays showing scenes from paintings. The best bit is how parts of the cathedral that you don’t normally notice are illuminated in all their glory. Was also good to see GS1 and GS2 and catch up on some of their news.

Today will be spent finishing off a watercolour painting and then this afternoon will be spent mowing the lawn.

Hope you all have a good day.

Good morning from an overcast NE.
It was a noisy windy night and had to wear earplugs to get some sleep.
SIL and I went shopping yesterday and took advantage of the 25% off wines in Sainsbury's.
The shoulder I had the covid vaccination in is still uncomfortable but otherwise I am okay.
No plans for today, maybe some housework.
Thoughts are with poorly people and their carers.

Good morning from a calm,dry Suffolk. We didn’t experience any wind or rain yesterday and we have been promised sunshine later,but no sign of it yet.

Had a really lovely meet up with Gingster yesterday and look forward to others when she is staying at her seaside home.

Today I have my usual Thursday morning stretch class and then a pedicure in a local market town. I can’t decide whether to go for a bright coral colour or an autumnal dark purple but realise,in what is going on in the wider world,I’m so privileged to have this as a decision to make today.

U3A book group here this morning discussing “The Whalebone Theatre”- highly recommended - but nothing else planned though the ironing is always available if desperate.

Hope the various GC bring joy and that the day goes to plan.

Good morning from North Yorkshire. Very dark clouds but the wind has calmed down. Garden furniture is scattered!
Another chat and cuppa session with the parent carers this morning then a friend is coming round.
I didn’t go to the hospital as my friend (a different one) was discharged. Saved me a trip in the storm.
Have fun with Dollie Mary. So many children are missing out and becoming disaffected by school.
Hope everyone has a good day.

Good morning all and the forecast is for another bright day.

Yesterday I met up with Liberty and we had a lovely coffee and chat. It’s so nice to actually see new friends and put a face to a name. We’ll do it again !

Not sure what’s on the cards for today but this evening I have my book club gathering. I’ve read the book again to refresh my memory and I’m glad I did. A lovely gentle book.

Hoping you all have a good day.🌻

Good morning all from very dull Harrogate- still quite windy.
What a lovely thing to do Mizuna.
I don’t envy your task GrandMattie
It should be a relatively easy job re-doing the bathroom!!
Yesterday had a trip to Ripon on the bus DH likes a wander round Home Bargains. Went into Wetherspoons for a cuppa, some men seemed to be there for the warmth. An old fellow was doing his crosswords in his paper, another was working on his laptop, all for the price of a coffee. They were there when we arrived and still there when we left!
Today is Sainsburies delivery day, after will probably take a walk into town for a few extras.
Have the best day possible folks

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s dry now after lots of overnight rain and still looks a bit windy
Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today, hope H enjoys Smyths SueD and your DGD Smiggle kitty!
The DGC stayed over last night as their school is also closed today and we’re helping out with childcare. They’re both just up and messing around - could be a long day!
I was supposed to be going to visit DD1 in Cambridge later but they’ve all gone down with a nasty virus so I’ve postponed for a couple of weeks. I’m a bit disappointed I won’t be seeing everyone of course but it’s for the best and gives them time to rest
Enjoy helping Dollie with her homework Marydoll have fun!
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning, it’s dull but dry here, we seem to have escaped the storm and yesterday turned out to be warm and dry.
Marydoll my Granddads cousin was a Titanic survivor, not sure what relation he is to me though, probably something umpteeen times removed!
Cleaning the spare rooms today whilst MrOops gets a hair cut, still eating leftovers so no cooking either.
Such a lazy week so far.
Have a good day everybody, thoughts are with those who are stressed or unwell.

Good morning from a cloudy W Kent. Off to art group this morning and then we intend to have a good walk this afternoon.
Enjoy your painting Roseand Lilac and your day with Dollie Marydoll
All the best

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.
I saw my GP last nights. I was her last patient at just after 7 pm. It seems I have borderline cellulitis! She thinks the extreme tiredness and then fainting episode was the build up to cellulitis which seemed to appear overnight. So I have antibiotics which we collected last night. She checked I had insurance for our trip to France but thought all should be well. Today will be spent packing, checking in on line and doing a bit of housework. I like coming home to a tidy house. Oh, and taking a key to my friend who is feeding the cats. Have a good day everyone.

Good morning from Colchester where we're forecast another warm, dry day. Rain arriving tonight though.
I'll change the bed and get the ironing done this morning. I'm helping in the charity shop for a couple of hours this afternoon as they're getting a bit behind while a new manager is trained up and some volunteers are on holiday.
Love to all 🦩 x