Good Morning Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Good morning from a warm and sunny Suffolk . Birthday good wishes to the birthday girls celebrating today and to those who have celebrated recently.

Off for coffee with a dear friend later this morning. She met my sister at DD1’s wedding nearly 20 years ago and they got on very well so,no doubt,reminiscences about that time.

Hope today is a good one for all.

Good morning Mick and all GN's from a sunny , still morning in North Yorkshire. Need to make the most of it as forecast is for it not to last, grey skies and heavy showers to come, so revelling in it for the moment. Frustrating that I am in a lot of pain and really struggling to move about, or I would have gone out to have a little walk and make the most of it!!

So this is just a quick hallo and will come back later to catch up with posts and add a bit more of my saga. Best laid plans of mice and men!!! Still not back to normal and with the way I am feeling could see that it would take me years to catch up, so had arranged for someone who occasionally does some cleaning or helps with some big job on a thursday to come today, as she had a free time. The plan was for her to change my bed including turning the mattress over - which I cant manage myself now - and to give the fridge a good clean out before I start filling it up again. She was also going to deal with the Everest of ironing , so that hopefully I was then going to be more or less back to something like normal that I could manage. So she had rung and said she had tuesday afternoon free and I was very pleased to think I was going to get straight a bit earlier and rearranged my schedule accordingly, putting off a couple of things and so forth.

I was doing my best with the clearing up , but struggling a lot with my back and then with the plan that Jessie would be here today decided I must , as all animals do - check out my places and see that no other creature had muscled in whilst I was away. So left the mess ( my mother would have thought it was very sluttish to walk away from the shambles) and after a slow sorting out of the car and the boxes into my modus operandi set off for beloved Saltburn. I just took it steady, enjoying the countryside, seeing how the harvest was coming along, and taking note of the various signs of the village shows coming up soon. I have always loved all the agricultural shows, having always been involved, riding or helping my granny or uncle with livestock. Catching disobedient goats was usually my job . My granny had Saanans, Togenburgs and another kind. They are intelligent and wilful animals and you need your wits about you. Then struggling with a pig board trying to get a sow to go where she was meant to - but she weighed a lot more than me as a child and she often just barged right through me! So the shows mean a great deal to us all, as firstly they are held after the end of harvest and the main feeling is thankfulness that you have got the harvest in and that major worry is over for now. A chance to see friends and neighbours , meet up with family and remind yourself that there is something else than working against the clock and weather!! The only little sad bit is that it reminds you how the year is dashing past and what is to come weather wise!! So I got to Saltburn and after a struggle found myself a parking place on the top cliff area.

My usual first part of a visit there is to get the binoculars out, lock the car and go for a walk along and look out to sea, and look at the lovely gardens , lovingly cared for by volunteers. Then blown back by bracing winds go back to the car to make coffee and sit and watch out. Today I was in such a rubbish state that couldnt even make a walk, but tottered to the railings to look out to sea, and watch the funicular go down. The sea was calm, not much good for the surfers, but the paddle boarders were out in force and families and dogs enjoying the beach and promenade. So then back to the car and my coffee making takes on the attitude of the japanese tea ceremony. I open the boot and have my tray there and then get out cafetiere, lovely clean white bone china mug, my fresh coffee container and very carefully make my fresh coffee, concentrating on not losing coffee in the wind or knocking things over. Wish there was a perfume "eau de cafe" I would wear it , love that smell first thing in the morning.

So, I slowly made my coffee, watching families getting themselves down to the beach with towels surf boards, impatient 3 year olds etc and remembered doing the same. How time flies! I was happy to sit there , binoculars at the ready, radio 3 on quietly , and enjoy my coffee. It let me just relax and let some of the stress go. If I was at home, I would be feeling annoyed that I wasnt able to do all the jobs I need to do. Being in Saltburn meant I couldnt see any work waiting, and tried to be in the NOW, grateful to be there and all the memories of the many happy times my lovely husband and I had spent there. On the way home I called into Guisborough. It is basically one main wide shopping street that I go to and has parking both sides. The usual supermarkets are there and it is often nearer and easier for me to get things there than here. Also they have a cafe nero, so if I have used up all my own coffee and need a break call in there. I pulled to the side to look at the map, and the time , to decide whether I would stop there or get straight home before rush hour began on the A19, and a friend from the games night in northallerton just appeared unexpectedly. She had been visiting her mum and was just popping into Morrisons on her way home, so that was a nice surprise, but we didnt stop and I carried on homeward, ready to roll up my sleeves today and get things sorted a bit more., and feeling ready for todays efforts .

Best laid plans.! Jessie had left me a message saying she had to take her mum to hospital so it is back to thursday after all!! So now I am just about to email a friend, who I had told that I wasnt free to meet up today, to ask if she is still free as back to original plan!! I can see it is going to be one of those days. Need to go and pay a few bills and meet my tech genius friend to ask how to send photos from my phone. Darent risk just having a go as it is all the pictures from the glaciers and the long freight trains etc etc for my grandson. Who knows I might learn a bit more with this new phone and be able to be among you tech savy crowd who can put a photo on your post. So we shall see how the day progresses. I would feel very happy if I was only in less pain or even - miracle - pain free. It does make such a difference to the day. Anyway I now have no set plans for the days so whatever happens is a bonus.Am improving a bit with the jet lag phase but still waking up at odd times and struggling not to get up for food at 4am! Try and drag it out until 6am and hope that my digestive patterns get back to local timings.

So glad all went well with your Cardiac appointment Mick and hope you have a good trip into Bicester.
Pantglas I am glad you like my posts. I sometimes think you must all think what am I waffling on about in such a long winded way, but then I reckon those that dont care for it will just whizz past! More episodes to come!
grandMattie, interesting to hear about your album of photos etc. Besides this group looking at them have you thought of contacting your local library about them? My sister was a senior librarian and they had a wide variety of archives of all sorts of categories. So whilst photos and letters are personal to a family they also can tell all sorts of bits of history and provide insight to things. Our family always had loads of photos of occasions. In those days you usually had one best outfit, that came out for all occasions, weddings funerals etc. So if you saw a family photo you could not necessarily tell what the occasion was. So we used to write on the back both the date and occasion and also who was in the picture. That was always useful when there was some unidentified picture of a man in uniform or whatever. Out would come the photos and we would trawl through them until we discovered he was Arthurs youngest now grown up!! iIt saved a lot of arguments.
I lived for 2 years in Portugal and wrote long letters to my parents when I had the time and inclination. They contained personal family things, but also all about my getting into the Gulbenkian Choir, the recordings and concerts we did, my life in Parede along the coast between Lisbon and Cascais. Then snippets from diplomatic life - invitations to the queens birthday party etc. Then we travelled all over and I would give descriptions of fiestas, harvests, the winemaking, going getting fresh lemons and oranges from the Algarve etc. I also made guarded comments on the political situation as it was when Salazar was the dictator. My mum kept all the letters, and they have now been handed over to an archive so that they now have a view of 2 years about 1977/1979 , and of course it is another little bit in the jigsaw of knowledge. Hard luck to the researchers these days with minimum emails telling no little snippets. My grandfather on my mothers side was in the cavalary in the first world war. He was sadly shot in the throat and gassed and could never sing again . But in the second world war he drove a fire engine. So our family pictures of him with the fire engine now give the fire brigade a great few pictures of old engines from that time.
Greyduster. Hope you are feeling a bit better now and your FA has suddenly found that you are owed £1000 from HMRC!
GrannyIVY. Glad you are enjoying my saga, further instalments to come later
Ginster a very happy birthday and many more of them!

Well folks I shall now stagger into the kitchen to make a much needed coffee and I think I shall see if the nectarines are ready to eat. Just fancy one. Eventually I shall have to begin doing some work I suppose but just not in the mood now. Hope my friend rings to say meet for coffee, a good excuse to procastinate yet again. Hope the day goes well for you all.

May I join you all? I often read this thread and it is so gentle and heart warming.
I lived in SWWales, opposite Gower. Grey and damp here today, but we are off to Carmarthen in a while, just for a stooge.

Happy birthday to GG and Gingster and belated greetings to grannyme and multi

🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 🍾 🥂

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 16° and dry. Bellasnana I'm glad the funeral went well. Gingster and grannygravy happy birthday to you both. I hope you have a lovely day. Marydoll enjoy your day with Dolly.
Yesterday was not a pleasant day for me with continued stomach issues. It seemed to settle as evening drew in.
Today I'm hoping for a better day. The ironing still needs doing so that will be a priority. Enjoy your day all

Happy birthday to Gingster and GrannyGravy. Hope you both enjoy your special day.🤗🎉🥳🎂🎊

Just had a FaceTime with DD2 and the boys. DGS2 was upset as he’s missing me, bless him. His mum told him Nana will be back soon and he tearfully replied’ but I want her now’. 😭. I feel quite churned up.

Morning from S Hants, cloudy with glimpses of sun.
Many Happy Returns to Gingster and GG13 🎂🥂🥳 have a lovely day both.
Sounds like an apt goodbye Bellasnana don't get carried away in Primark!
Yesterday the physiotherapist put me through my paces to check out my creaking knee, nothing much wrong, exercises to do. I was pleased I could manage all the balancing and stretches.
Today dentist, for a chat, my teeth are lousy, another extraction will be required, I'm stalling.
Safe travels to those venturing off today.
I’m off to put the washing on.
🦩🦩🥂

Good morning from a damp and dull northwest coast.
I enjoyed the immersive Van Gogh exhibition yesterday even though I thought I was going to see Monet! I saw the Van Gogh last year in a group, but this time I concentrated more and it was more satisfying. It’s a strange concept, throwing projections out and a cheap way of making money. My friend really enjoyed too which surprised me.

After that we had an indifferent lunch in John Lewis, rather dry fish and chips for me and Coronation pie for him, a strange thing even though I like Coronation chicken.
However it was a lovely day weather wise and all the walking was good for us.
Music club today, so will have a sing and warm up the voice.

Birthday greetings Gingster and GrannyGravy🌺
.

Good morning everyone from a very grey and damp Northampton, more rain expected later. Not sure whether I shall join the walking group this afternoon.

A good yoga class yesterday, and coffee in a different cafe as our usual one is closed.for holidays.
When I got home I cut the front grass, probably about 4 weeks since it was last done - it was nearly all tall dandelions, and looks much tidier now.

A large hole has appeared in my back lawn and I fear it is the exit to a badger sett, as it looks as though an animal has dug out of it. Peering down it, it seems to go on for ever. As I live on the edge of an old quarry I am not altogether surprised, and I have seen signs of a badger foraging in the garden before. I have emailed the Badger Trust to see what I should be.doing. I believe it is illegal to block their holes.

Will catch up today with a few jobs I didn't get round to yesterday as I was distracted by the badger hole. I need to clean my en-suite and the family bathroom, and also retrieve some stir-fry chicken from the garage freezer. Found a recipe for fajita-style chicken yesterday, so will try that and cook some rice to go with it.
After that a quiet afternoon reading.

Happy birthday 🎂🎂 to those celebrating today. 🎉🎂🎁🍾🛍

Good morning from N.Bucks. Rain overnight and odd showers this morning.
Happy birthday Ginster & GG.
Youngest DGS is coming to us for an hour or so later this morning so hope to get outside.
Later I shall start to think about projects for the next term at Craft Club.
Wishing all a good day with a smile along the way.

Happy Birthday to you too GG enjoy your day!
And belated birthday wishes to Grannyme6 💐🥂🎂

And a very happy birthday to you GrannyGravy (my twin).

Enjoy your day 🥳🎂🎁🎈🎊.

I’m going out for lunch with dh, Dd and dgd1 and dgd6, in a pod by the river. Should be fun .

Thanks for all your birthday wishes. 3/4 century for me. GG is just a youngster!

Have a good day, all 🎈

Happy belated birthday grannyme6 I hope you had a fabulous day 🎂🍾🥂

Happy birthday to Gingster and GrannyGravy13, it seems a popular time for GM birthdays here in Essex - mine was on Sunday, 20th! Have a lovely day. 💐

Good morning from grey N Bucks
Apart from a single rumble, we had none of the promised (threatened?) thunderstorms or serious rain yesterday. The gardener is due today so that will probably bring it on ☔️☔️
Happy Birthdays to birthday girls 🥂🥂🥂 and welcome back MCSS we’ve missed your cheerful posts.
Still no news of my biopsy, I’ll admit the wait is getting me down . If it’s clear, well I’ve dodged a bullet and if it’s positive, let’s just get on with it.
We’re hitting that “empty” point in the summer when everybody is (or seems to be) away and it’s a bit like the Marie Celeste around here. I’d make a good burglar I think, as I walk Rosie round the village I can easily spot the empty houses!
No major plans for today - plenty to do, but little inclination. Wish you all a pleasant day though.

Happy birthday, GG.💕

Good morning all from a damp Glasgow, where it is 16°C.

Happy birthday, Gingster!.🎂🎁🎉

We have Dollie today, but have changed our plans, due to the inclement weather.
The original plan was an adventure to Largs on the train, which can be a miserable place in the rain.
Instead we are off on the train to the Police Museum in Glasgow, followed by a visit to Dollie's favourite shops, (where we will probably be persuaded to spoil her), then lunch.
DIL will bring her to the station, which will save me having to go and pick her up.

Yesterday, I finally received my urgent hospital, oral medicine appointment. It is for the end of August for 9.15am!!! Not deemed very urgent then. 😉
It came with a lengthy questionaire, part of which had tick boxes, regarding various health conditions. DH laughed, when I had all of the conditions, except one!!!😄
I will need to leave the house at the crack of dawn to get there in time. However, I am very relieved to receive it, after eight months of discomfort.
A special mention to the thoughtful Good Morning poster, who kindly messaged me yesterday about my ulcers. It has certainly given me food for thought.

I wish you all a pleasant day, whatever your plans and as always, best wishes to all those struggling.

Happy birthday GraanyGravy

Good morning from a cloudy W Kent, calm after yesterday’s thunderstorms.
A visit to Bluewater today to replace nightdresses, I am in clearing out mood and it’s time mine went on their way.
Happy birthday Gingster
Best wishes to all

Happy Birthday GrannyGravy.

Good morning from a dry and sunny NE but with a forecast for thunder this afternoon.
Spent some time reading in the garden yesterday and picking the rosemary bugs off the lavender, I have never seen so many.
DD rang late afternoon it was Fête Nationale in Belgium.
Hairdresser coming this morning then I should write a shopping list for tomorrow, my friend is going with me.
Happy Birthday Gingster.
Have a good day.

Good morning from a sunny and warm Essex coast where I am still teen sitting.

Pleased your hospital appointment went well Mick

You are becoming GN Queen of Marmalade grandMattie

It’s my birthday today (which is why I always remember Gingster’s ). Lots of nice messages from friends, long chat with my gorgeous sister last night.

Today is my last full day here, I return home tomorrow lunchtime, hopefully DH has missed me 🤷‍♀️

I am going out to dinner this evening with the teens, not sure where, it’s dependent on whether or not it’s raining as I do not want to drive.

Enjoy your day dear friends 🙋‍♀️

Good morning all (I’m back) from the east coast of Fife where it’s dull and misty behind those curtains
I’ve had such a wonderful weekend.
it was my annual birthday BBQ and although it was tipping it down real serious I still had a fabulous day. The gazebo went up and spared some of the guests from getting a soaking, the others came into the house where there was lots of chatting and catch ups. and of course food and Prosecco.
I’m having a couple of family guests staying over tonight and we’ll have such fun.

Have a good day my friends be happy and appreciate all that you have for some have nothing
I’m posting a photo of myself in the garden when it’s been really hot - yes we do have the occasional hot weather here in Scotland

Happy birthday to you too GrannyGravy🥳🎂🍾🥂

Good morning from Shropshire.A dull and dry day forecast.

A restful few days for me while DH painted the hall, stairs and landing.I wasn’t totally lazy!All housework and laundry up to date.Lots of reading done.

Today we are going to an open day for exercise classes.Not my thing at all but since I have been ill I have had a few episodes of wobbling so am hoping to go to a class that concentrates on balance.I have been practicing balance at home as per advice on another thread which has definitely helped.

Happy birthday Gingster.Wishing you a lovely day🥳🎂🍾🥂

I hope you are feeling better Grandmabatty🤞🏻

Wishing everyone a good day🌻🦩