Good Morning Sunday 27th July 2025

Delighted Himself will be returning home to you FGT. Wishing you both the very best. 💞

Good morning from an overcast Wiltshire.

I’ve still got a stiff neck caused by looking skywards constantly at the air show at Fairford last weekend.

JamesandJon33 I’ll be most interested to hear about Macbeth. I’m assuming it’s the Duke theatre company performing. They are appearing at Bowood House (BlueSapphire will know it) in mid August but I will wait until nearer the time to book depending on the weather.

Will be cooking Spanish chicken and patatas bravas later on. A new dish for us to try as we like the Charlie Bigham one (but not the price). I always cook in bulk if I can for the freezer.

Have a good Sunday everyone.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s dry and the sun is shining. A red letter day here as Himself is coming home from Christie’s after two weeks there. I’m nervous (a bit) but he looks so much better than when he went in. That was an awful time and I need to give my head a wobble, find my confidence and stop looking back which just upsets me. He has a new oesophageal stent now and after a few days at home with me doing my very best, we go back to the out patient clinic on Thursday morning for bloods and all being well another box of magic beans (chemotherapy tablets).

Since we flew back urgently from Málaga the first week in May, we have only seen the Boy Wonder and L’il Miss once. Himself was too poorly and we didn’t want to highlight anything in front of the grandchildren so we stayed away. The thought of hopefully seeing family again very soon is lifting our spirits!

Thinking of all those who perhaps just read and are dealing with their own worrying situations. Fear just takes over your life doesn’t it? x

Good morning everyone from cloudy Lancashire.

Not much planned again for today. MrB and I will be enjoying our usual walk down to the Dock gates. Yesterday we were able to enjoy a circular walk across both bridges as the gates were closed.

Great results Mick.

A warm welcome to any new posters I may have missed.

Thinking of our poorly Grans and families, as always.

Have the best day you can everyone 🌹

Good morning from a fairly bright Stockport.
Yesterday was dull all day but warm.
The sun struggled to come out all day but never made it.
My day was filled with frustration, one of my teenage GS’s living here ,was supposed to be going to his S, not my GD, to stay for a few days.
She lives in Wales ,she was supposed to pick him up at lunchtime, she eventually arrived at 6:40 pm.
My day was spent reassuring him and fuming at her ,it is normal behaviour for her.
I shall spend a restful day but a certain amount of tidying needs doing at sometime.
Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning everyone. That's great news Michaell. Here's to many more clear results!

Karmalady, my mum was widowed at 46 and one of my friends at 48 and it forced them into being very resourceful too. DH and I have been a double act for so long I can't imagine managing without him but the reality is one of us will eventually have to carry on without the other.

DD's Ultimate Frisbee team didn't win any matches yesterday, but came very close on the last match. Today is day 2 of the tournament so fingers crossed for a win today.

We'll have a walk to church this morning, but no other plans at present.
Have a good day everyone. 🌻

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a grey but brightening morning here in north yorkshire. I am utterly weary, sat in a tip, and of course having brought some bags in last night from the car, some important things I need now are still in the car!! Shows how shattered I felt last night as I tottered in at 10.20pm, because I normally make sure that I have emptied the boot etc., ready to set it up again in the morning.

So , whilst I am really physically wiped out and full of the usual aches and pains and several more new additions, I do feel so pleased with the accomplishments of yesterday. My son had had to work on saturday morning and they live over in Thornton Cleveleys near Blackpool. So he said he could probably be at our rendevous at Killington Lake , on the M6 for about 1.30pm. We need to syncronise watches (as you get charged over two hours stay). I was actually pleased for a pm meeting, as so tired that getting ready took ages. When you are alone , there is no one to share sorting things out and being so slow now it can take ages to get going.

So I finally got sorted, Putting my coffee things ready in the boot. The bits and pieces I had for Joshua, and also packed up my laptop into its bag, in the hopes that if there was a power point, my son could do all the faffing about to transfer all the photos and videos from my trip to their phones etc. Anyway I called in for my treat of the week - The Yorkshire Post, - and then set off, travelling up through the side roads through Carperby and on past Hawes to Sedberg. A lovely drive, and again for me , that rather animal instinct to check your terratory when you are home, to see that all is as it was and no new hazards arrived. A lovely drive, but oh it was busy, even on my side roads. Well of course it is the first weekend of the summer holidays. So, for farmers , harvesting and markets etc meant that a lot of tractors and trailers were trying to get on with their work. My view is that now I am retired and am free to come and go, I always make way for workers trying to do their job , especially as farmers are governed by the weather and time pressures. So they were busy, then there was the influx of cars with caravans, and motorhomes and a lot of them. I really do think that there ought to be sort of local little skid pan sort of places, where caravanners have to go and get their pass stamped, to show that they have manoevered their vehicles and towed things through between gateways and backed them up etc etc. It is quite obvious that many of the visitors have had the caravan stored somewhere and now set off up our narrow dales roads, without reminding themselves how they need to drive to be both safe and a decent road user!! Idiots who drive down the middle of the road and expect everyone else to scrunch into a hedge to let them by, or who can see a tractor and trailer coming towards them on a single track with passing places, and yet blithely set off , causing delays (and much anglo saxon muttering) to other road users. It is basically a selfish attitude, that their needs come first and with no thought to how important every minute is with threatening rain or nearly dark and desperate to get in the harvest, or move the sheep as and when you need to.

Anyway I carried on, and there were lots of little local shows, art trails, and all sorts of things I would have liked to visit but it was more important to see the family. Another extra hazard on several small roads through villages, I had not thought about, were weddings! There were actually 3 that I passed on my journey. Of course a lot of cars quite badly parked and having to squeeze past, but lovely occasions with everyone dressed in their best and lots of posh hats and fascinators. I was put in mind of the Ascot song and found myself humming and singing - in my very croaky voice at the moment - and so I carried on. Got to the high area before you drop into Kirby Stephen and parked up to make myself a coffee and have a sandwich. Got the binoculars out and had a peaceful 20 minutes, which was very calming and pleasing. My leg was not helping matters. It has been painful all morning and was complaining about the constant use on my journey so it was good to get out of the car and walk about a bit. Then there was no one about and I did some exercises , stretching and so forth and then on to some Tai Chi, which helps me loosen up and calm down. I was so intent on what I was doing and looking out at the sheep on the hills etc that I hadnt noticed a car arrive with a couple sat in the front. They were watching me quite intently, but made no signal or wave or anything, when I noticed them. They neither got out of their car, nor opened the window, so I was perhaps seen as the batty local for their entertainment!! Journeyed on, quite weary and glad to get to the destination. Again it was very busy of course, and all the disabled bays were full so had to drive round the carpark for a bit until luckily someone left. I just cannot get out of a normal space as I have to open the door wide etc.

So tottered inside and went to check if they had arrived, no, so went and bagged a table near the window that looked out over the lake and only a few minutes later they all arrived. So much chat and catching up with news. Joshua looked very well and bright and full of beans. He is just 10 now and has ants in his pants , and no wish to sit around, so after the usual hallos he was allowed to go outside where we could see him, and look down on the lake, and play roly poly down the little hill etc. I had brought him a little jigsaw of three monsters, which he swiftly made whilst having a drink at the table. Then I also bought him a little model of the Mallard steam train, which I said he had better wait until he got home, as if he dropped any bits in the cafe he would have a problem sorting them out.

So it was a very happy meeting for us all. My son will be 50 in september so quite a special birthday. whilst he was out of the room with Joshua, Louise told me of the surprise she had arranged for him. She has tickets for them to go as foot passengers to the Isle of Man. Daniel has spent many very happy hours there as we used to regularly go there in our boat. He made friends with a boy from Port St Mary, and most years they would meet up. He was keen on motor bikes even then and used to enjoy watching all the bikes coming off the ferry for the TT races etc.

So she had the idea of doing this for a surprise for him. I thought it was a brilliant idea, and on the way home , thought that rather than my getting him a present of clothes or whatever I am going to get in touch with her and see if she can arrange an extra day and I could pay for a nights b/b to give them a little more time on the island as I know he would enjoy it. So, time to organise something like that and it would please me to mark this special day , in a way they can all enjoy. I know that money is tight at the moment for them like many others and they work very hard but the cost of living is so bad at the moment. Wish I had the sort of money that could help them make life easier, but we just do our best, and despite difficulties I manage to live here independantly which is what matters to me and I dont have the money to allow me to go into a home even if I wanted to!!

So the time was up and off they went. I drove down to the next exit K Lonsdale / south lakes, and decided that as I was already there and no great rush to get home, I would have a bit of a ride into Windermere. Of course it was heaving and all the laybys I passed by were full of caravans and mobile homes and nowhere for a car to park. I think they are going to have to either make a space in each layby or have bylaws that only cars can go in certain laybys now as there was always difficulty in finding parking places but now you cant see anywhere to park. Anyway I decided I would be better going north and drove up ullswater and coming out onto A66 Penrith road. Then drove along and turned off down to Kirby Stephen and then onto my very little road down to my beloved swaledale. It was quite late into the evening, so little traffic, and I was able to drive slowly down the dale, stopping to admire the view, and the flowers and the lovely smell of harvest and meadowsweet. Wonderfully calming and a sense that I am really home now.

So here I am, and very happy to just take my time, get cleaned up and clothes put in the right space etc. My cough is still there but a little better, and so fingers crossed I dare go for my operation on tuesday. It will be so good to get it over with and hopefully eyesight fine for driving again. At least yesterday there was so much going on didnt have time to dwell on the thoughts of the hospital. Am going to take things very quietly and gently today and try and make sure I am in the right state of health and mind to face tuesday now. The great pleasures of desert island discs and private passions will add to todays enjoyment and all for "nowt" on the radio!!

So, what good news for you Mick, I am very pleased for you and long may it last. Now whenever I see cycling mentioned, or Bicester my mind immediately goes to you and wondering if you are watching it. Do you ever see the Tour de Yorkshire when it is on? The first year that they were filming it , we all put lots of effort into making posters and model bikes and decorating all the villages. Unfortunately by this time it was on ITV not BBC, and we couldnt believe it when the whole of the time the bicycles were racing down through Gunnerside, brilliantly decorated and full of onlookers , the wretched adverts were on and no one saw any of our handiwork!!

Ah well a bit of a breeze picking up now. Not quite so grey but not sunny either, so time to make much needed coffee and then will get a bit of hand washing done and out on the line. In a way it is lovely to have no plans for the day, but can go with the flow, and have a steady day.

May you all have a peaceful and happy sunday. (I shall carefully avoid any mention on the news of that wretched man in scotland! What a cheek he has to say he is on a private visit and then think he has the right to pontificate and tell us what to do. Well ,who knows ,someone from Rentakill or other pest controller may get to scotland and sort him out!! )

Good morning all from A very wet Glasgow, where it is 13°C,

Excellent news Mick about your health. You are fortunate to have such supportive clinicians.

GM, have a great your day with your son.

Baubles enjoy your family gathering.

Yesterday, DH attempted to build the new carpet shampooer. Of course he refused to listen to advice, especially when I asked why the handle kept spinning round. Sigh!
He soon learned the consequences.😉
Mr Hash &Bash decided to do a trial run, just to see if it worked. When he switched it on, the handle flew off and the water tank spun across the room. 😱 I did advise him the tank wasn't on properly.
If only he had listened to my advice, but he knew better.. 🤣

I have decided not to go to church today. People will probably think I have died!.
Life at the moment is a bit overwhelming, there is no respite from chronic pain and constantly feeling unwell. This positivity and stoicism nonsense is blooming hard work!😉
My continuing lack of hearing is also getting me down.

Instead, we are going to shampoo the lounge carpet and conservatory sofas. I shall feel quite virtuous afterwards..
However, my mother would be horrified at me doing housework on a Sunday.

I wish you all a pleasant day, safe travels and happy holidays.

Good morning from an overcast NE.
Had a quiet day yesterday, watched Unforgivable on iplayer during the afternoon, not easy viewing but we'll acted.
DS and DIL were looking at cars yesterday and DIL found one she liked so that is sorted.
DS and GDs are visiting this afternoon, I will make a pasta sauce and prepare a salad.
Have a good day.

Good morning from an overcast but warm S E Essex.

Absolutely nothing is planned for today apart from roast chicken for dinner around 7pm.

Good news on the health front Mick 👍

Enjoy your cottage by the sea Gingster with your family.

Sar53 safe journey tomorrow, I hope the weather clears for your DH.

grandMattie condolences on the loss of your neighbour 💐

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday 🙋‍♀️

Good morning from N. Bucks.
The weather yesterday improved in the afternoon and MILl enjoyed sitting by the lake and her Indian meal later. I think the weather will be similar today.
A quiet day for us today. I have an on line art lesson at 10.00 and will do some crafting. DH will be trying to book a holiday cottage and pottering.
Wishing better health for poorlies,, happy holidays for those away and a good day for all.

Grammaretto it is lovely as a cut flower too and very sturdy in a vase or bouquet

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. A dull start but dry.

Nearby village gardens are open this weekend so I may take some time off from house clearance to enjoy them.
I posted some stuff on market place and the old tin bath is leaving today. I had half a dozen enquiries! Now to get rid of the curling stones and collections of magazines from 1980s.

Sad day for you gMattie . You'll miss DS.

Good news about the scan Mick and that you are managing your own health.
Phacelia is such a pretty flower Karmalady I wonder why it's only used as green manure?
I have pink toadflax in my veg patch. It's doing better than most of the veg.

Hoping everyone has a good Sunday.

Good morning from a cloudy W Kent
Good news Michael
Quiet day here today with usual chat to DB and cooking lunch.
DS and DIL dropped by yesterday as they are off on holiday this coming week travelling around Europe by train. Relieved they are not going by car as the queues for the Channel Tunnel are horrendous.
gM happy birthday to your son
Best wishes

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 14^ and damp (sorry Sallyforth). Mick that's good news about your health. GrandMattie happy birthday to your son.
Yesterday I bought a new suite. I have spent weeks researching and chose one from Next. At first it was a two week delivery but by the time she put the order through, it had jumped to seven weeks. That actually suits me better because I'm getting new blinds and painting done too. In the afternoon Tesco delivered and in between I did an ironing, hoovered and remade the bed. I cleared out more shoes I will never wear. The boot of the car is chock-a-block.
In the evening, I tried to make a Pina Colada and it was vile! Clearly the cocktails on holiday are a superior sort.
Today we are all meeting up for breakfast at the garden centre. My aunt and uncle and my dd are joining us too. I'm looking forward to it. Later this afternoon the painter is coming to give me a quote so that'll be another step forward. Dinner will be quiche and salad. Have a good day all.

Morning from a grey S Hants, yesterday was similar until late afternoon when it was sunny and warm, we need puddles here.
I bought my paper and sunflowers yesterday, spent a couple of hours reading it then set to with some taken cleaning. My daughter called in for a coffee and chat then zoomed off, so I headed down to the sausage and cider festival. It was busy and lovely to see families out on hay bales, chatting in the sun with gentle music playing in the background.
I’ll be back there today for the meat draw, half time in the football, I’ve been using the local for many years and there’s always someone I know to chat and sit with.
Safe journey to travellers, enjoy meet ups today with family or friends.
🦩🦩

Good morning from a bright part of La Sarthe.

A late start here after a rather poor night for me for no particular reason. Until last night, I’ve been sleeping really well, helped by the quiet of this place at night and the darkness of the shuttered room.

Good news about your health, Mick and I’m glad you are imbibing Complan.
Sad to hear of the demise of one of your neighbours, grandMattie.
Safe travels, Sallyforth!
Your family weekend sounds like fun, Gingster!
Macbeth performed outdoors offers so much scope for an imaginative interpretation, JamesandJon33.

Today we plan to wash the duvet at the local laundromat which is outside (literally!) our nearest supermarket, Intermarché. Last week we laundered my Winter duvet (brought from my home!) and it was so successful that we plan to take DH's. It will quickly dry in the sun as mine did. Whilst there last week, we chatted to a Parisienne lady who works in the capital but has a weekend cottage locally. She was friendlier than most locals who react as if we’ve dropped from another planet when they hear us speak English!

A blessed Sunday to everyone. 🦩💐✝️🥰🦩

Good morning from the south coast. No rain here either. More gardening planned today if it doesn’t get too hot and I’ll watch the football later.
Hope everyone has a good Sunday.

Good morning all from a dull North Leicestershire.

Not a lot happening here today. I am making a batch of paprika chicken - some for lunch and the rest for the freezer in preparation for the annual influx of grandchildren. Any thing left after the visitors leave will go to DD1 who is having an op at the end of August.

We were due to see MacBeth at an open air venue a couple of weeks ago. We opted out as there was an amber warning of thunderstorms. Of course, it didn't rain at all.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from a cloudy Essex coast.
I've just spoken to DH in Holland where it has rained all night. Hopefully it will dry up later.
I'm off to DD2'S tomorrow so will sort my bag out today. It will be good to have some company and to see two of my granddaughters.
I'm not sure of my plans today apart from watching the football this afternoon.
Have a good day everyone, best wishes to all xx

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s bright but grey here at the moment, not sure what the weather will do later. Yesterday was dull with a light shower in the afternoon but sunshine in the evening. DD2 o holiday in North Norfolk had a bright morning, but a wet afternoon, hoping for better today 🤞.
mick very good news about your health, you must be relieved.
grandmattie sad news about your neighbour. Have a good holiday in Scotland sallyforth I hope the weather is better than expected!

DD1 and family will be over late morning, between the granddaughters swimming lessons and a riding lesson for the 6 year old early afternoon. I will provide a snack lunch again so will need to walk to the shop for extra supplies.

Have a good day everyone.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s warm and dry with light grey clouds
Good news healthwise Mick very pleased for you
Sorry to hear about your neighbour gMattie but a very Happy Birthday to your DS today
Have a lovely family get together Baubles lots of memories
Today I’ll carry on with the general housework, washing and cleaning - always lots to keep me busy. A potter in the garden too hopefully
Safe travels Sallyforth and everyone else on the move today
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning from s somerset, cloudy today

I did go on a cycle ride yesterday, the longer hillier route and I ran out of battery power just before the last hill. Silly me assumed I had enough in my battery. Then the heavens opened. I did get up the hill and home, very wet but happy. That bike is 17 years old, German made and 26kg. My husband knew what he was doing when we bought it, it was built to last and not withstanding the weight, is practically frictionless if I need to ride without power, pedelec, I need to be pedaling to get the motor to assist and that only happens under 12 mph.

The rest of the morning was spent on fixing a gear shifter, the device on the handle bars, for days my gear was not engaging properly on my hybrid bike. It was either gear shifter or a stretched chain. The chain has not stretched so I lubricated the shifter and will test it later today. Then I cleaned the three chains. I had to learn on my feet, I never even had to pump my tyres before I was widowed. and I have been maintaining my bikes for 9 years now.

Just a bit more sewing for two hours at 7. The fabric is so nice to work with, a robust, indigo with black pattern, woven linen/cotton made in Japan for Robert Kaufman and just right for all the cooler months. It was more expensive and I bought it around six years ago, online sale. I did the pockets and side seams yesterday. I think I have three more sessions to finish it, maybe four.

Excellent news re health stability Mick, really good to read

Today, firstly I will cycle to the allotment, I don`t need to go but I do want to test my gearing maintenance and I may as well admire my crown prince squashes. There are at least 5 of them and all big, maybe 3-4kg each. They are resting gently off the soil, on big stones and will need to ripen and mature until just before first frost.

I put phacelia seeds onto 5 beds on the plot and one at home, not a single seed has emerged yet. I hope it was not a dud pack, the seeds will need to have emerged within a few more days.

House is clean, bedroom is a bit messy but so what, it is not exactly a boudoir. Lately I have been changing my clothes up to twice a day and don`t want to stuff them into my laundry basket. Everyday clothes, cycling clothes, gardening clothes.

Have a good day

Will you stop it about all the rain you’re having? It’s not fair !! 😂

Good Morning from the MS Gulf coast - sunshine-y today, w/ a high of 40c, so not a day for sitting out on the verandah. I hope everyones' day is calm & contented.