Good Morning Friday 21st March 2025

Good morning from a calm, cloudy Durham. It’s still not so warm here, especially first thing, so the roof people have put off my work until April, as they say it’s still too cold to do what’s needed. However, my gardener might call today to scarify the grass, before starting properly next month.
I’m going into Newcastle for a wander - it always perks me up, then meeting DD2 to get our nails done. Hopefully, I’ll see both DGSs afterwards and return home with a pile of laundry, to keep me busy!
Welcome back Ash sorry to hear you’ve been hospitalized. I’m more careful with salt now, but was told to use plenty in my younger days.

Best wishes to all. X

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s another gorgeous sunny start to the day
Lovely to see you but so sorry to hear about your hospital stay Ash good that you’re home now with your DH to look after you ❤️
Enjoy your weekend away Gingster and have fun!
A bit of food shopping this morning then a full house later when DD2 and the DGC are coming round for the evening
The end of an era llfl, I’m sure the WI will miss you
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

So good morning again everyone. Just wanted to send the Heathrow info asap, in case anyone is affected by it. I hope that it is not going to cause problems for anyone here, and while I have been champing at the bit to be able to get out and about, am thankful to just have to think of getting to the local shops today! Still creaking around and taking time to get going in the morning, whilst waking at ungodly hours, but lovely to see daylight a bit earlier and that the evenings are also drawing out. My eye is still uncomfortable, but hopefully improving day by day. Still have to make an effort not to rub it!

Today is the birthday of J S Bach, so there has already been some wonderful music on this morning , and now just had a lovely piece of Schubert. So hopefully that might mean more Bach today. Years ago I used to go to a music shop which I loved their notice for the door which read "Bach at 2pm, Offenbach sooner"

If the sun appears I may ring a friend and hope we might meet up for coffee this morning in town. For the last 3 weeks everything seems to have conspired to stop us meeting, and we never seemed to have free time on the same day so fingers crossed today. This afternoon if the weather is kind it is time to get the chair out and the sunhat, battered though it is and I can look through the seeds I have already got and do a bit of planning for the garden. There are weeds in the borders but darent even try to get down and do any weeding , or might not get back up today!! So I want to get some ideas of what I would like to do and then need to get someone in to dig up a very old root of a buddleia out and I have a rose in a pot waiting to be planted , so if I can get those done by someone then I can get on with other things.

If it rains have the ironing to finish and check the kitchen cupboards for anything else I need to order from Tesco to deliver. Looking at the list so far it looks very large and expensive, but I am at last learning to be more sensible and accepting that I cant carry lots of stuff. Liquids, whether milk or washing up stuff , are all very heavy, so am trying to be sensible and ordering 2 or 3 of stuff like disinfectant etc and then that will be a stock up and less to carry myself. Unfortunately that means I must make sure I have made space to store it all, but that will encourage me to tidy up a bit. But priorities count! If it turns out sunny it can all go hang whilst I sit and enjoy the sunshine. There seemed to be a theme of baking and eating out today and so I hope that I can join in with that with my friend. Have a good day everyone and enjoy your treats.

Morning from a grey S Hants, sorry to hear that Ashcombe my sodium sits at 129/130, just my normal, pleased you’re better and good to see you.
Have a wonderful weekend Gingster 🥂
Stretch class yesterday with all the windows open, it was glorious, seeds are germinating in the greenhouse and a dulcet Robin leads the dawn chorus.
Today a walk, Tesco delivery and pub for a catch up.
🦩🦩

Good morning from a grey W Kent.
Sorry to hear you have been unwell Ash
My outing to London yesterday went really well and it was lovely to catch up with my friend of over 70 years. We have led such different lives but the early bond is there.
Today will be much quieter, maybe a shop. The builders are progressing well but the roof has had nothing done for years so they have found additional bits to do
Best wishes to all

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s mild with the sun breaking through cloud. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny and warm day, and I felt so much better with the warmth. I moved two large bags of compost from the front of the house (where they were left) into the back garden. My back was a bit sore for an hour or so, but was ok after that. Also moved some old equipment from the shed to the garage, ready to go to the tip.
Hairdresser this afternoon, DD2 may call in this morning.
ashcombe sorry you’ve been in hospital and hope you’re better now.Good that your DH is able to be with you.
fgt a walk in the morning is nice, preferably when it’s mild and sunny!
gingster enjoy your weekend!
Have the best day possible everyone, enjoy the sunny and mild weather while we still have it!

Morning Mick, morning All. A bright start out there.

The sun tempted us to a very busy sea front after my hospital appointment. 21 degrees for a while. Wonderful. The OT attached to rheumatology had agreed with me, there’s no carpal tunnel whatever the consultant suspected. I’m now the proud owner of thumb splints to use to stabilise my wandering thumbs when needed. Not a fashion statement for sure but they work. A potter in the garden rounded off a good day.

I’m sorry you’ve been so unwell ash, good to see you back.

Must rush. Volunteering this morning, not sure what else. Mr C is very tired and will appreciate a rest I think.

Have the best day you can everyone.

AS and his wife are due back tomorrow, flying into Heathrow.

I think they are hoping for an extra day in paradise (which is where they are on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean)

A very quick Good Morning from Malta as I’ve left it too late and am now with the boys who are rolling around on the sofa like a couple of fish!

It’s sunny and 17°C today but should be warming up a bit for your visit Pantglas.

Sorry you have been unwell dear Ashcombe. I’ve always loved salt and couldn’t give it up so I feel a bit better about it now!

Had a lovely FaceTime with DGD yesterday on her way to the dentist to have her braces removed after five years, and again after the deed was done. She looks so grown up and is the image of her mum DD2.

Good thoughts to all, hope your day goes well.☀️

Sorry to hear you’ve been in hospital Ashcombe I bet that was a shock all round. Makes me feel less guilty as I pick up the salt pot at the table ….

grandmattie your baking sounds delicious!

Thanks GG 👍

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Sun is up in South Yorkshire once again, and then it’s going on its holidays again it seems. Had a pleasant day yesterday walking in the morning, lunch with DD and then a couple of hours in my niece’s garden drinking coffee and catching up with family news. On my way home I bought a couple of wallflower plants. My mother loved wallflowers. They don’t have the lovely scent they used to, though.
Laundry this morning and then an afternoon volunteering at school.
Have the best day you can, folks.

Have a fabulous weekend Gingster 🥂👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

Good morning all from the Black country haven't looked at the weather yet but think we are in for another dry day.
Today I have an early eye appointment at the hospital and have been told I could be there for 2-3 hours. See how I feel when I get back before deciding if I will do anything else.
Ash good to see you posting sorry you have been so unwell, but glad to hear DH is with you.
Out with friends this evening.
Enjoy your day everyone whatever your plans and may you all find some ☀️.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s dry and already 9°C according to Alexa! It will be 17°C later. We’re setting off in half an hour the last day of this helping out with school. Back to her childminder at 7:30am on Monday for her mum to go off to work. Actually, because the weather has been glorious (lucky us) I’ve enjoyed all the walking! I intend (the road to hell is paved with good ones) to continue a daily walk … just not THIS early! 😁

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 5° and sunny. I think it's to be a beautiful day. Ash I'm really sorry that you have been so unwell. I hope your hip has settled down too. Pantglas thank you. Mum seemed ok when I visited her yesterday. The home is busy with lots of people about and she'll like that.
Yesterday I managed to achieve everything I set out to do. I worked in the library with one of the authority librarians who had brought lovely new stock with her. Then I visited mum. My brother was there and he got up my nose the minute I walked in! Later I had a meeting with the staff nurse and had information to pass on. It transpires my brother had said he was the first one to be called if required. I live five minutes walk away and he lives twenty minutes away. In addition, he never answers his phone! I sorted it out.
I'm back at the home this morning with the information filled in. I also need a quick trip to the retail park for Easter egg shapes and Marks and Spencer biscuits. The Easter eggs are for the boys to paint and put on a small tree outside my front door. I'm having both boys all day tomorrow and overnight. The biscuits are for the hospital that took such good care of mum for so long. I'll deliver them, then visit mum. I also need to fit in a trip to Aldi to stock up. So another busy day with a busier weekend ahead. Have a good day all

Good morning all and it’s a bit grey outside.

I’m off with my two school pals on our jolly to celebrate our 75ths and knowing/ loving each other for 70 years. We’ll be away until Monday , so lots of laughs, chats and lovely memories.

Glad to see you back Ash. Look after yourself.💐.

Take care all 🌱

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a dry but slightly murky morning here in North Yorkshire. Doesnt seem to have decided to give us sun or rain yet. Hopefully sun!

Very annoyingly again this morning could not get Gransnet up and got the error message for quite a while but here now.

Major news for anyone who has not seen the news today yet. HEATHROW IS SHUT. There has been a fire at a substation in Hayes, which has blacked out heathrow and a lot of surrounding areas. So for anyone planning to travel via Heathrow, or expecting any visitors to come to you via heathrow today - or for the next few days - there will be major disruption. There is the immediate problems of nothing in or out of heathrow but the follow on is going to last for some time .

I used to be in charge of communications for an operational room at an airline, so know the chaos this will cause. Firstly all flights that have not yet set off to heathrow will be cancelled. Those now in the air will be diverted, and this will have to be to wherever there is capacity for that particular plane, as of course smaller airports can not take the larger aircraft. This will mean that people will not necessarily be even landing in Britian but may be in Europe. Then the knock on effect will be that planes and crews will be at the wrong airports so this will affect further flights . Also if pilots and crew are out of hours then another crew will have to be sent on etc. So you can see the domino effect this can have.
So if you have an important engagement , wedding etc, time conscious, then if possible I would suggest you look for another alternative way to go. Perhaps grab a train ticket while there are some available, So would suggest you try and phone any family or friend, who you know have travel plans and let them know . I am sure that most people do know about it by now, but when you are rushing about packing up you can miss the news. Hope all GN's are not affected by this today.

Morning everyone no idea what the weather is doing 🤷‍♀️

Sorry to learn you have been poorly Ashcombe wishing you a speedy recovery 😘

Normal day, gym, coffee afterwards and a chat with pals. Off out with friends for dinner this evening.

In between school pick up, and pottering 🙋‍♀️

Good morning all from a bright North Leicestershire.

Today I am meeting old friends for lunch and then we are meeting neighbours for a curry at the restaurant in the village.

There are a lot of worries, sadness and health problems here this morning. Sending best wishes to everyone.

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.

Sorry to hear you’ve been in hospital Ash.

Yesterday morning I pretty well finished my 8-year stint as WI secretary! I typed up the notes from the AGM and sorted all the files ready for my successor.

In the afternoon I attended the U3A Art History group. We had a talk on Early Christian Art, which was illuminating. OH visited his bees and was pleased that they were flying and bringing ‘food’ back.

We might pop out for lunch to a local pottery which does delicious quiches and salads. The shop is always worth a look too.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning Mick and all from a mild morning in Cheshire. Went out in dress and cardigan yesterday. At last! The heated seat came on in the car and I definitely didn't need a warm seat!

Yesterday, after two weeks of anxiety and complaining I finally got a refund from a company which delivered two bars of chocolate instead of an iPhone. But not before I threatened involving Trading Standards.

I also had a long conversation with my electricity supplier about fixing the tariff before it goes up by over 6% in April.

Today will be very calm by comparison.

Sorry you've been so unwell Ash. I normally don't add salt to food, but after your experience will re-think it now. Interesting that you enjoyed hospital food! My sister's struggling with hospital meals at the moment. One Dr who was there when the meal was served, saw my sister's face and asked if she would like her to remove it for her!

Best wishes for a good day everyone, kind thoughts for those you are struggling in one way or another.

Good morning from South Lanarkshire where the sky has a beautiful rosy glow. Another nice day ahead.

Sorry to hear that you’ve been ill but lovely to see you back Ashcombe. My brother in France has been told that because of his BP medication he has to add as much salt as he likes to his food. He’s delighted.

We watched GDG’s netball game last night, her third since Sunday. At one point she was sharply elbowed in the ribs by her opponent, I really wanted to shout out ‘Oi ref’ as it went unnoticed by the umpires.

Nail appointment for me this morning and daft dug has her annual check and vaccinations this afternoon.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from s somerset, sun until mid afternoon, breezy

Yesterday was full-on again, I spent all afternoon at the plot, working, moving, lifting and chatting. Getting to know other plot holders is very enjoyable, lots of smiles

Today I need to buy, transport and move some heavy bark. Paths are almost done and have a satisfying crunch underfoot. That is this morning sorted but first I need to put my organic veg away and pot the fermented milk/cream/probiotic. The 36 hours for fermentation will be finished at 8 and I can get away by 9

This afternoon I will be doing nothing, watching £10 poms series 2 perhaps and trying not to nap. I made a grated veg soup yesterday, which included swede, as recommended by chefie dil. Beautiful and very satisfying, some in the fridge and some in the freezer. The first time I ever grated veg for soup, did it in my magimix. I love it when I don`t have to cook for the day, I have already taken a meal out of the freezer, just add veg and Bobs my uncle

Have a good day

Good morning from a dark and as yet dry Bristol.
Ash, it’s good to see you, but sad that you have been so unwell. I am glad they sourced the caused of your problem. Sodium is a much maligned element in our diets. Regards to oldd.
Spanish this morning. I wonder how many will be there. We are revising the conditional, and asked to use it in a little thing, describing what we would do if we presented our own radio programme.
Yesterday was spent fiddling with homework, writing a letter to the CEO of our management company, and above all, baking for this dementia fete. I made two larg3 tray bakes, one cherry and coconut, the other coffee and walnut, as well as a load of peanut butter cookies.
Enjoy the day, what sunshine is left. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩