Good Morning Wednesday 3rd April 2024

I’m worried about travelling alone (very Kate at night) in a country where I don’t speak the language. I speak three but Greek isn’t one of them…

Good morning from North Yorkshire. It’s raining.
I came home yesterday from DDs. We had a busy weekend with gardening and fence painting and a lovely trip to Liverpool to do a mystery trail. DD was at university there so knows the city well (including where to park!). DD1 and family spent the weekend in Holland. DGS was playing in a football tournament. They came 3rd. A lot of time was spent on the coach and waiting in queue at Calais.
Today I must go shopping then start the charity accounts for the year end. Then perhaps some crafting.
Ash what a blow! I’m so sorry to hear your news it must be such a shock. 💐
GM safe travels.
Have a good day everyone.

Good morning from the usual damp, grey W Kent.
Ash so sorry to hear your news I hope solutions are worked out soon.
I need to go to a local jeweller today and have a couple of rings cleaned and valued. I am passing them on now much as I love them as I can’t get them on any longer.
DGS4 is 21 today he was such a little scrap when he was born and now nearly 6ft.
I hope all appointments and meetings go well

Good morning all from a cloudy Glasgow, where it is 7°C.

I was so sorry to read your news, Ash, you must have been shocked and to be on your own to receive it into the bargain, must have been awful.
You will have a lot of adjustment to do in your life. However, it is amazing how resilient and adaptable we can be. I know that from experience.
I have have temporary spells of not being allowed to drive and it has certainly impacted on my life and independence, so I have an idea of how it feels. I dread the day, when I am no longer allowed to drive.
It does have huge implications for you, but I'm sure you will find way round it.

Have a safe journey, GM. Could one of your family not accompany you on the Metro or get a taxi? We gave up on stressful airport journeys in Rome many years ago and factored the cost into our holiday.

I'm still feeling ropey, but a dentist visit beckons today. My medication and conditions are causing problems with my mouth and teeth.
At the moment, I have two temporary repairs and foresee some expensive treatment ahead. My dentist of many years has left, so I am dreading the appointment. The RA in my jaw makes visits painful.
I can bear all sorts of painful procedures, but am a coward, when it comes to dental treatment.

Enjoy your day folks.

Good morning from a dull South Downs. Yesterday was beautiful, and we walked along the river Adur around Bramber. Spring really is here now, tiny lambs, daffodils and trees beginning to green up.

I am renovating my pollinators bed, and need some sort of plant protection from the dog who digs given half the chance or simply lays in the sun, but it was so expensive at the garden centre. I need something really sturdy - will have to give it some serious thought.

I had an e-mail from the grandchildren saying that they missed us at Easter - I normally do a meal etc, but their parents were away and I assumed that the young ones would have better things to do. Anyway they said how about dinner another time? “Oh yes” I replied “that would be lovely” I thought “brilliant to have a meal cooked” They then replied “excellent! Can we come over on the 13th April” 😄😄😄😄😄.

Today will be a question if dodging the rain I think - we will see.

Vegetarian savoury rice for supper.

Enjoy your day all.

Peace and harmony to the world.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 6° and wet. Heigh-ho. Ash what disappointing news for you. I really hope you can work out ways to continue with what makes your life happen. 💐
GrandMattie safe journey home. I'm sure it will go ok.
Yesterday was a good, if mucky, say with the boys. I managed to persuade them to get out, even if it was raining. We headed to 'Val's' puddle - massive one outside one of my neighbour's house and engaged in some puddle splashing. Val came out for a chat as she's very fond of the boys. After that, they made mud in my back garden. I don't mind because they were having fun and I was watching. It'll clear up. Later we went to the post office for euros from grandma. The poor assistant heard all about their holiday from dgs1 who, by that point, was fizzing with excitement.
Today is my quiet day to recover from the childcare days. I will potter about and clean the mud from the garden. The house could do with a clean too after the onslaught of two small boys. But mainly doing nothing. My wee family are away to Glasgow airport for a trip to Tenerife. I hope it goes well. Sausage and mash for me for dinner later. Have a good day all.

ashcombe that is a real blow. We really are too dependent on our cars, but modern life forces us in that direction.

Good morning from N Bucks where it is bright and sunny - so why do I suspect it is going to rain?
Wonderful pic from Athens, Grandmattie - wishing you a safe journey home. I’m sure it will be fine and all the people you encounter on the way will be helpful. Don’t be too independent or proud to ask for help. I have found there are times the helpless little old lady act has its uses !
Ashcombe -a bit of a blow indeed.
Now is the time to think what you are going to do about it. You could try for a second opinion re your eyes (a neighbour did after a stroke , and actually got his licence back after several field vision retests). But if not, you will be looking at how to circumvent the obstacles and an account with a friendly reliable minicab service has to be top of the list. Can you fly to nearer your home in France and be picked up? Less tiring than driving. The “airport transport” longer distance type of taxi might also be good for getting to your holiday lodge.
There will be a solution and you will find it. But good luck!
I’m off to Birmingham this morning to see D1 and the three children and have just been warned that a new traffic light hell awaits me on my normal route and advised to use another. Given that I only know one way in and out of the city this could be challenging. Google Maps be my guide!
With kind thoughts to all , hope today is good to you.

Dear Ash, I am so sorry to read your news; it will take some time to absorb this removal of your independence. I keep wondering how I will cope when that time comes and know that my life will be hugely circumscribed because taxis are not always available and here there is virtually no bus service at all. It’s one of the many disadvantages of getting older.

Boiler sorted for now but will have it replaced in a month or two as at fifteen years plus it is on borrowed time. Can’t cope with an unreliable one, that’s for sure. Recovery day today with history society AGM this evening for which I need to do some preparation.

Good morning from Shropshire.Raining again🙄

Ash I am so sorry to hear your news.You must be devastated.When my mum had to stop driving due to eye problems she used a local taxi company which actually worked out cheaper than running the car.The other thing she used was a community bus which may be worth you looking into also if you have hospital appointments there should be a voluntary drivers scheme.It’s a huge thing to get your head round and will take time.Take care of yourself.Things will work out but it’s a shock for you at the moment💐

grandMattie safe travels💪🏼

We are waiting for SIL to bring the children over.DD isn’t well but has a dr’s appointment this morning.We have the children until Saturday😳

Have the best day you can everyone🦩

Good morning all and it’s looking damp here in Essex.

Yesterday we had the plumber in and , yes, we need a new boiler. Our old ones have lasted a lot longer than this one (13yrs). 😤.

I went to two sessions of Bridge yesterday which I greatly enjoyed. My partner in the evening was a 92 yr old lady who is simply amazing. We came top . Last year she received an MBE for all the charity work she does. She drives herself everywhere day and night. What an inspiration she is.

Not sure what’s on today, I’ll see how DD is and do the necessary.

Ash what a blow for you. But you will find ways around this hiccup, so don’t despair. Just finding alternatives and adjusting to a different way of life. 👍.

GG I agree about the cost of school outings etc. not every family can afford it and it isn’t fair.

GM safe journey home. You’ll be fine, I’m sure.,✈️.

Take care all 🌷

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. Foggy and wet still.

The roofer came yesterday, did something on the roof but alas water is still coming through the ceiling.

I've been asked to do an shift at the community store this morning and feel obliged though it means missing my lovely yarn group.

I called off postponed the family historians who are none too pleased but I want to feel proud of the house and the garden when I show them around.

Oh dear Ash that's a bummer and much to process but I feel sure you will find a way around it. You are an extremely capable person.

Safe journey home gMattie. Thanks for sharing Athens with us. Its been fun.
You know you can use google translate if you are stuck. My Brazilian helpers used it all the time.

Unfortunately it didn't prevent him from putting my hand-knitted sweater in the washing machine or eating ALL the plums from the tree.

Have the best day you can everyone.
Spring is almost here.

Good morning from a very wet and dismal East Midlands. Just trying to get through to the drs since 8am on the phone and still held in a queue! Plus they are half day today so I won’t be seeing anyone! Take care everyone.

Good morning everyone from a very wet Northampton; not sure what I'm doing today, as DS may come down in search of an old keyboard from his childhood days. Younger DGD is keen to teach herself. Not sure whether we still have his keyboard, but if we do it will be in the loft. I shall also get him to put a new bulb in my oven.

Oh Ash, what awful news you had yesterday - and such a shock to receive it alone. My late DH lost a quarter of his field of vision in one eye after his stroke, but was eventually allowed to drive. Hope ways can be found round your predicament.

Would have been our wedding anniversary today, 52 years. We were married on Easter Monday. So many memories......

Wishing all a pleasant day.

A picture from our wedding, 52 years ago today.

BlueSapphire 💐 for you today

BlueSapphire what a beautiful photo of your wedding day. You both look so happy. 💐

Morning from rainy South Lanarkshire, just a quick post as I’m off out earlier because of your very challenge Ashcombe
As you probably know I chose to stop driving a few weeks ago and I won’t say it’s been without difficulty but I am getting used to it. Re the taxi use which I understand because, although people/family are helpful, like you I want to be as independent as possible, so at the suggestion/insistence(!) of my daughters I deposited the money I got from the sale of my car into a ‘taxi fund’ account which I plan to keep topped up with now unused petrol cash so that when, like today, it is pouring down, I need not curtail my activities.
Obviously this is not the answer to all difficulties but it might help the adjustment. It must be a big shock for you, I do wish you well.

Good morning from a drizzly S Hants.
Ash that’s big information to process, it’ll take a few days, what a shock.
I understand your trepidation gMattie I’m sure you’ll be fine and this time tomorrow can congratulate yourself.
It’s so long since I’ve had a cold I’d forgotten the racking cough at 3am, I’m sleep deprived, but it’ll pass.
My son passed his driving test yesterday, at 33 a late driver, it will make his life easier.
Blood test today for cholesterol, mask on, other than that I’ll stay home.
🦩🦩

Good morning Mick and everyone from rainy Carlisle.

That was a shock for you Ashcombe. I wonder if a mobility scooter would be a solution for your local transport problems? I'm not sure but I believe you can drive one without a drivers licence. It's what I've been considering myself if I find myself in your position but I have to admit I wouldn't want folk looking at me as a 'poor disabled person'! You could perhaps get to your theatre though it would be no good for long distance.

Yesterday I got out in the garden just to put in my pea and bean sticks though the break between showers was brief and I was finishing in the pouring rain. Today looks like an indoor day again.

I preferred your first post grandMattie...it was an entertaining image..poor Thermistocles getting well bitten!

Happy Anniversary BlueSapphire, what a handsome young man you have there!

Have a good day everyone.

Ashcombe I’m so very sorry to hear you’ve been told not to drive anymore. If you can throw money at a problem that mitigates it to some extent. I know you’ll miss driving but if you sell your car, that, and all the ongoing expenses one entails will pay for you to taxi everywhere. Certainly ‘Toads’. The supermarket, the hairdressers etc. I’m not making light of your plight - just trying to focus more on how you can work around this. It’s a shock I’m sure but you and your husband will come up with solutions I’m sure. Best wishes and good luck. x

Good morning from a wet (again) East Yorkshire countryside.

So sorry to read about your driving predicament Ash what shock for you have to process. As Cornergran says let things settle and although not wanting to be reliant I am sure you’re friends will be forthcoming with offers of help. The community transport is another option to explore. Before I retired I worked for an organisation who ran a medibus service for hospital appointments and also a shopper bus.

Safe travels GM Athens looks wonderful.

Good luck with the childcare Susan

Blue Sapphire 💐

I’m away now to decide whether it is worth attempting the trip out we had planned to Filey. If not what to do otherwise with all this changeable weather. Our last full day at our lodge as we go home tomorrow.

I’ve just spotted 2 rabbits running beserk on the circle of grass outside the window. We have seen them quite a lot this visit.

Have a good day everyone.

Very wet in Co Durham.
Quiet week with no childcare duties. Today’s excitement, Sainsbury’s delivery!
ash how very distressing for you. I’m sure you’ll find answers.
Hope your journey is trouble free GMattie

Good morning Mick and all from a very cold, grey, soaking miserable Angus coast! I think that just about describes it.
Hope your blood test goes well Mick.
Ash, like everyone else I am so sorry to hear of the shocking news regarding your driving, and can only imagine your devastation. You've been given excellent advice and suggestions above and I'm sure your life will settle into its new reality - but it's just that initial shock, isn't it.
Safe journey home grandmattie - you can do this! Meanwhile, enjoy your last few hours in Athenian sunshine. I'm sure all will be well.
Be happy in your memories today Bluesapphire - what a beautiful photo of your wedding day .
Loving your story of puddle jumping in "Val's puddle" Grandmabatty. I remember dressing my two little charges up in their rain suits and wellies to do just that - though of course not in Val's puddle 😉. And now I must go and don oilskins and wellies to replenish the bird table - they're having to make do with peanuts or nothing at the moment, and they're not forming an orderly queue!
Have a good day everyone and if you happen to see the 🌞 give it my love and tell it it will be very welcome back here anytime it likes!

Good morning from a rainy NE.
DS and GD came yesterday afternoon and took me shopping.
They had been birdwatching all morning.
Today is a quiet day for me, just expecting a parcel delivery for DD as she has a meeting to attend.
My sister arrives from Germany this afternoon, DD and SIL are going to collect her. She will be here for six weeks.
Bad news about the driving Ashcombe but I am sure you will sort something out.
Premium bonds have come up trumps again.
Have a good day and safe travels home grandMattie.