Soop’s always open and very welcoming kitchen.

Hello everyone. Back from visiting our friend over the bridge. We met our son along motorway and had a chauffeur for the majority of the journey. It made such a difference, he’s good company and we’re not exhausted as we usually are. Lunch gave some giggles, two folk with difficult hearing at the same table made for some unusual conversation .

You’ve all been very busy, I’m so sorry I can’t respond to all but I’m definitely thinking about you and reading your news. Just no energy to join in.

grandmac47 we visited Bletchley Park recently for the second time and were just as fascinated as on the first visit. . It’s very interesting, the achievements simply awe inspiring. There’s also a decent enough if fairly basic cafe. I’m not sure how easy or otherwise it is to get from Bletchley (which has a main line station) to Oxford to combine with Blenheim which is equally interesting. I suspect a train would mean going in and out of London, by road it’s about an hour. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your trip no matter which destination or destinations you choose.

Hope you’re all having a restful evening. TOYA

Thank you Baggs and cornergran. I’m determined to sort it now.

Ah hulahoop little children just love playing kitchens don’t they!

It’s quiet in here today. Are you all busy with Sunday lunch?
The DGC were collected for church this morning. We have managed a couple of hours in the garden - the first time since the autumn. We filled the brown bin and it’s looking better outside already. I also found a dead pigeon. It’s the 4th in the last few months, always on our patio. I suspect that the teenager next door has an air rifle …

Nannytopsy that's horrible! I'm not a lover of pigeons unless they are wood pigeons or collared doves, but killing them isn't acceptable!
Dgs1 had a lovely sleepover. We went for breakfast but it was disappointing. They no longer offer milkshakes and it's moved to counter service. He and I played at catch back home, then blew bubbles in the garden then back to catch, all before his mum and dad picked him up. He has been great fun and good company.
I'm heading out to see mum then I'll make chicken tacos for dinner because I have lots of the ingredients. I'll boil a ham hough either tonight or tomorrow to make pea and ham soup. I have a little ironing to do later. Enjoy the rest of your day

Hi kitchen pals, hope everyone is doing ok
We called into DD2s this morning, it was good to see everyone and catch up on news. This afternoon we got well wrapped up and like you nannytopsy got out into the garden. I enjoyed it but couldn’t do much except pick up leaves as the ground is still so frozen. Never mind though, it’s a start and spring is on its way. I can’t believe that about the pigeon- dreadful
Sounds like a successful sleepover grandmabatty 😇
I’d love to go to Bletchley Park, DD1 & family were there recently and really enjoyed it, hope you sort out your travels ok grandmaC47

Hi all, I had a walk around the garden, it’s only small, so I went three ti:es! Bulbs are slowly appearing, so are tiny weeds, hoe time methinks, it was drizzly and dull.
Now the pub has had a resurgence and is busier, our chances of winning the meat draw are reduced, all good though or it may have had to close.
Pigeons eat my veg given half a chance.
Chicken in the oven on a slow cook, veg prepped, new series on TV tonight of Unforgotten, that’ll be us then

‘Evening All’.

It’s chilly out here. Brr! We’ve been home this past hour after a delicious dinner with my stepfather in my favourite pub - gammon topped with two fried eggs for him, a deep wedge of home made steak pie and chips for Himself (amazing, his swallowing these days) and I had poussin with veg. Three happy bunnies!

They all sound tasty, FGT. We have a piece of belly pork roasting in the oven ( a big favourite!) with roasties and cauliflower cheese.
Yes Jax, these are wood pigeons, who gorge themselves on anything they fancy in the veg patch. They do keep us amused though - they are so clumsy even when they are being amorous and often fall off the fence 🤣.

Hello kitchen people.

We’ve just finished dinner. Beef bourguignon with mash and carrots. Pudding was treacle tart and custard. We are now stuffed but because I cooked OH is clearing up.

I’m looking forward to watching the pottery off later.

I managed to get a pile of admin finished this morning. I booked trains, sorted out our July river cruise in Switzerland, entered various bits of info in the BA website for my Australia trip and booked an online course with the V&A. Oh, I did the accounts too and emailed them to OH to put on his spread sheet.

Have a good evening.

I’m feeling so stupid now. Who knew there was a direct train from our nearest station to Oxford! So off we will go to Oxford to visit Blenheim Palace in May. Didn’t realise that Bletchley Park was so close to London so September time we will go to London, hopefully to stay with my nephew and thence to Bletchley. Something to look forward too.

And I’ve a trip to London with my sister for my birthday early in March.

Baggs, Cornergran and Brooks, your comments spurred me to start Googling 😀.

All in all it’s been a good Sunday.

DD’s are primed to look after their dad when I head off to London.

Wishing everyone a good week.

Good evening all. Not a bad day here in Dunblane but very cold. Watched the rugby as I suspected Ireland won never mind there is always the next time! I have been doing some clearing of “stuff” as many of us seem to have been doing. I decided to take a bag of toys the DGd’s have grown out of to the charity shop only to come back with half of them. Apparently these days unless they have a CE mark they can’t take them. Luckily we have a local Free Page and I put them on there and somebody took them. They were all in good condition but there you go! Hope everyone finds something to smile about.

Hello everyone, a grey day here and cold and it’s now raining.
I walked to a friends this morning to deliver a card to her, using my walking sticks instead of the crutches. I found it really hard work on the sticks for some reason, prior to my hip replacement I was using the sticks all the time.
DD2 called in this afternoon for a quick chat, she was tired, as her six year old niece had a sleep over with her six year old and they were awake early.
After she’d gone, DD1 and family arrived. The granddaughters were both tired, one having had a sleepover with her 6 year old cousin, and the 10 year old had a sleepover at a friends and had had only 5 hours sleep! After they’d gone I had my usual hour long catch-up phone call with my friend in Kent!
grandmac47 well done for organising your sightseeing trips to Blenheim Palace and Bletchley Park.
llfl a busy but satisfying morning for you!
grandmabatty and grannmarie my mouth is more comfortable today, thank you, but I’m still eating food on the other side of my mouth, more slowly!
Night night everyone, sweet dreams!

Monday greetings to you lovely lot I have enjoyed reading your posts.

We had a scrumptious lunch with our friends in the village yesterday. On the way home, Mr Soop started to shiver alarmingly. When he sat in his chair, he was shaking and found it difficult to stand up when he needed to. He donned his bedclothes and by 8:30 he was fast asleep in his chair. The shivering fit has now ceased. He doesn't have a cough. We cannot think why he felt so awful for so long.

Youngest son, in his fifties, is to visit with our grandson, his partner and her son at the end of May. I cannot express my delight but there is a big heart on the calendar noting the forthcoming event.

It is a beautiful day. The wind is a chilly easterly. Stay warm and remain safe.

Just popping in to say.. I'm up to date on all your news but haven't had a chance to post.

Lots of lovely holidays grabbing place....Brook I hope you are warming up now. A bit of a shock to the system coming home methinks.
Yia... My lovely ex neighbours have an apartment in Stella Place which is the next town along from Le Touquet.... It's a much quieter place but the beach is glorious....I love Le Touquet...so much to see..., and a fabulous market too.

Redcar...I felt for you re the smoke detector...I had one that didn't have a replaceable or accessible battery and when it wore out it wouldn't stop beeping....in the end I drowned it!!!!!
I hope that toothache resolves itself soon too.

GG....ouch ouch and more ouch. I hope it's all beginning to feel better and head cook etc is realising just what's involved in running a home!!!!

NannyT....I hope your appointment comes through quickly so you can be soon whizzing around.

Llfl... Good to hear that your OH is getting sorted and fairly soon too it would seem...I can't remember if he going to OZ too? If not July will soon come round...

GMC47.... It's always nice to have something to look forward to isn't it....Blenheim and Bletchley are both on my places to visit list.

Granmarie...I hope you are feeling a bit stronger now. ,♥️ and UTBB that you too are feeling a bit brighter. This time of year and grey skies really don't help if you are feeling a bit down.

GrandmaBatty and FGT.... Long may your darling grandchildren bring you joy... It's such a special role being a Grandparent... Just when you think your heart can't expand anymore...along comes a grandchild and the love just flows...and continues with each new baby.

Soop...I hope that Mr Soop is better today... hopefully he is not brewing something...he and you have had more than enough to contend with this year already.

We had a brilliant time in Wales in Henrietta Moho... Walks on the south beach in Tenby with the dogs looking across to Caldey Island was bliss. I thought I'd probably cry while remembering all the family holidays there but I didn't in the end...I took the memories as they came flooding back and smiled as I recalled them and tucked them safely back and embraced the happiness of the moment.

Back home and I've had the scan and other various tests.... The scan showed nothing untoward...a nice pancreas apparently....the kidney cyst is the same as 2 years ago. So all good so far. Bloody test later today.

I got a hearing aid this morning...and ooh I can hear in my left ear for the first time in nearly 60 years. I went deaf after a 24 hour virus attacked my inner ear and have had tinnitus ever since. I won't know myself now that I can hear all the gossip in our gym buddy group.

Love to all especially to those I haven't mentioned....and to those in the quiet corner.

Nice to hear from you Naughtyneine

The boys are away and I'm having chicken fajitas. It is very raw here and I'm going to put on the electric blanket and get my jammies on soon. I worked for three hours in the school library this morning then came home to rest. The toys have been put away and the dishwasher is on. I could hoover but won't. It'll be an early night with my book. Enjoy your evening Kitcheners

Raw here too Grandmabatty and dull, our forecast all week.
The voluntary phone was busy but few actual lifts to sort, a raft of other queries, I went out to the library, paid £1.20 for the book I ordered.
Quiz tonight, I’ll be well wrapped up, MrJ isn’t bothered by the cold, hence the electric blanket on our bed is only ever on my side.
I have my ears microsuctioned twice a year Naughty it’s an annoying, expensive palaver, pleased you’ve been sorted

I am Mrs Gumpy Bum

This enforced household arrest is getting to me. DH is cooking dinner (cold chicken, chips and sweetcorn)

We should be at the 9yr olds birthday party (he is 10 tomorrow) I am hoping that by resting today and tomorrow I am able to go out for his birthday meal tomorrow.

Night night 🙋‍♀️

Oh I do hope so GG13! 🤞

‘Evening All’.

It’s been very cold here today. I went to an out patient clinic with my stepfather today. He’s fine and made an informed decision not to have his skin condition treated. Fair enough.

We’ve just had Himself’s least favourite meal. Baked salmon.
“At least it’ll be a few weeks before we have this again”. 😂

FGT your poor DH!
Tomorrow I have a gardener at 9 to help prune the roses ( but it seems she doesn’t know how to!), a washing machine engineer at 10!( oh please let it work! I have a mountain of washing!), possibly the central heating engineer and a case of wine arriving. I shall need it!

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. I hope MrSoop is OK after his shivering spell, poor man. I'm glad you have a lovely family visit to look forward to, I love the ❤️ on your calendar!

Good to hear from you, Neine, I'm feeling more like myself, thanks. Glad to hear your tests were OK, that's a weight off your mind. Good luck with your hearing aid, how wonderful to have your hearing restored! I've had a few weeks of bother with my ears. Hearing test at Specsavers couldn't go ahead due to wax, had to put olive oil in my ears for a week so couldn't use my hearing aids, then successful irrigation at GP treatment room
( Jaxjacky, I know we're fortunate that our surgery still offers this) so I now have a hearing test appointment for next week. Fingers crossed! 🤞

It's been raw here too, Grandmabatty, 3 degrees and sleety showers when I went out this afternoon. I had my dental hygienist appointment, then dropped off a bag to the charity shop. You've had a busy day at school, glad you got a wee rest before school pick up.

Grannygravy, thinking of you, I hope you make it to your DGS's party.

FGT, your salmon story made me laugh! That's DH's reaction when I make a pasta dish...

Nannytopsy, I hope tomorrow's appointments go according to plan and you can celebrate 🍷 having a working washing machine! Small pleasures.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Monday evening and a good night's sleep. Hope Jaxjacky and DH enjoy their quiz.

TOYA, especially our dear friends in the quiet corner. NNGB💕🙏.

nannytopsy I hope everyone turns up at the appointed times tomorrow!
gg I hope you are able to help your DGS celebrate his 10th birthday tomorrow. DGD1 will be 10 on February 28th.
Foul weather here today, bitterly cold (3 degrees) and wet and breezy! Saw my friend with dementia this afternoon as I can’t see her tomorrow. Their house felt cold, apparently the heating was set to 15 degrees,! Her husband turned it up just as I was leaving, I was glad to get home but it took me a while to warm up. I went for a walk this morning, then cleaned the shower tray including the drain (yuk). Also vacuumed the hall, landing and all three bedrooms, the most house work I’ve done in months!
Tomorrow I’m looking after DD1’s dog while they’re both in the office. DD2 will collect the granddaughters from after school club & look after them all until their parents come home. I would normally do that, but as I’ve only just started driving again, I’d like to get home before the rush hour traffic.
neine;good you had an enjoyable time in your motor home and Tenby. Pleased your hearing has been restored, enjoy the gossip!
Night night everyone.

A definite red letter day to look forward to Soop ❤️
Keeping everything crossed for you GG13 that you can go out to celebrate DGSs birthday 🤞 you must really be fed up! How long will it be before you’re back in your feet again ?
It’s been so cold here today too, not much above freezing and no sign of a warm up yet. I bit the bullet and signed up at the local gym, I’d been putting it off far too long and I need to get back into a routine. So I did Zumba today which was a bit crazy but enjoyable and I’m hoping to get to more classes bit by bit.
A busy day tomorrow nannytopsy hope the wine arrives early
Thinking of everyone in the quiet corner, sending hugs x

I’m with your DH FGT, I really want to like salmon, but don't, MrJ doesn’t like fish and as I cook most of the time I don’t have it.
Hope the wine arrives first Nannytopsy!
We were rubbish at quiz, only 3 of us, our best round was the last ‘IKEA or Chesse’ 🙂