Good Morning Friday 22nd August 2025

Good morning from 12 degree W Kent. Out with DD2 today, I think it will be a NT house. Not sure if GC are included but after all the recent dramas around A levels I think DD just wants a quiet wander.
Congratulations to all the GC who have got through their GCSEs
Thinking of everyone dealing with problems and illness

An earlier Good Morning from me in Stockport.
I decided to post from my bed instead of after I have been up and about.
I haven’t looked at the weather but it is cooler than of late.

After my annual blood tests last week I had a phone appointment with the surgery Pharmacist, a first for me.
She was very thorough, more detail than I usually get.
I have to cut down on salt, I love salt, as my kidney function is slightly altered and my blood pressure was up, but the biggest surprise was when she said I am no longer pre-diabetic, I wasn’t aware I had been, oh yes she said, you have been since 2023!!
She also arranged that I no longer have to order my prescription monthly, it is automatically sent to the pharmacy for the next six months, this is how it used to be.
Progress going backwards.

My GD and her BF are working from home today, my two GS’s are here so a very full house today.
I shall retreat to my room and potter.
Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning Mick and everyone from gloomy Carlisle. I don't suppose there will be much needed rain though.

Good news from you Mick, I hope that's a permanent state for you now.

I got through yesterday with the help of extra caffeine and pootled away at various little sorting out jobs and laundry which were needed after my trip away. One plus about my cruise apart from the obvious was being surrounded by pleasant company, especially our American friends with whom I had some interesting conversations...we skirted round contentious issues though! Incidentally, views from the Greenlanders is...We're not for sale!

I actually managed to get out in the garden yesterday afternoon and do a great deal of cutting back, autumn is definitely here.
multicolours is right, watch out for those big spiders...I found one in my bath and had to help it out. They're early, aren't they?

Today, more tidying and laundry plus a Tesco delivery ,apart from that, I'm still on holiday!

Have a good day everyone if possible and am thinking of all of you with troubles in your lives.

Good Morning from a grey, cool Durham. Not a breath of wind.
A day to myself, but after Little Dog’s stay, I’ll need to steam some hard floors. DD2 presented me with a bag of laundry when I took him home.
I’ve had foot problems for months now which aren’t getting any better - I’m finding it very frustrating.
Hope Marydoll has had some progress with her ‘reluctant’ GP.

Best wishes to all. X

A rather belated good morning Mick and all GN's on a still greyish but dry morning in North Yorkshire. I am rather topsy turvy this morning but hope it might help to improve things.

Had such a rotten night, in a lot of pain and couldnt get to sleep. I just couldnt find any way to be comfortable and the silly thing is you get more sort of worried about it as the time goes on and it is nearly 2am and you are still awake. But sometime after 3am I did fall asleep and then woke about 6ish. So not feeling rested but hope that it might mean that I will get into a better sleeping pattern. We shall see.

Yesterday thanks to the womens group improved after all the stress and hassle with the computer etc. I was struggling to get there and frustrated with my wretched back and knees slowing me down so much. Hurray for the yellow peril, as without it no chance of going anywhere. Anyway I finally got there , thinking I would be the last but there were very few women there so I could relax a bit. I had to pick a chair with arms or dont think I could have got back up without their help, but someone kindly made me a coffee and it was good to sit in reasonable comfort.

They have started having a lady coming to do yoga once a month. Do hope they can find the funds to keep it going as she was a life saver today. It was just what I needed to try and relax, to stop all the build up of worries on so many fronts, and try and stand back and begin to think about areas I need to concentrate on and others that I have to let go and accept I can do little or nothing about them and stop wasting my mental energy on!! She has a lovely voice, calming and pleasant and I did my best to follow her instructions and take up what poses I could manage, sometimes having to give up or not manage to move my body in that way. Rather depressing me too, as I used to be a dancer in all sorts, and could still do all my ballet poses when I was about 40 odd but now it was just showing me how rubbish my flexibility etc is, and how I really miss exercising in the swimming pool. But she , again, was a brilliant tutor, reminding us to just do what we were able to do, and gave ideas to use if we could not stand and so forth. By the end of the session I felt so much better mentally, which was far more important at the moment than any physical things. I used to do a lot of yoga, and should try and do some of the things more often. I think the simplist thing I can do is the alternate nostril breathing. You have to concentrate on how you do it, and that means you cant think of other things while you do that. So I shall try and put that into my morning getting up routine as a better way to start the day.

I came home in a calmer frame of mind, and thought I must tidy up some books that I had been sorting as the cleaning lady was coming and would need to get to the floor. But when I arrived the flat was tidied and sorted and they had gone, but they had forgotten to leave my visitors parking ticket , and so hoped they would bring it back as without it anyone parking here will get done by the horrible little parking man. So again it was actually rather good to find things clean and tidy, and that also added to my calming down. Made a sandwich and some coffee and put a few things away, but then sat down to watch the racing from York as it was the Ebor meeting and also ladies day and the queen was coming etc. There were of course some fantastic outfits and one or two weird hats etc but it was very good , and then there was a knock at the door and they had brought the parking ticket back. So it was a much more positive day and having bought the new mouse and sorted it fingers crossed no more missing posts and hassle. So all much better, but my plans for this morning have all gone out of the window. Trying to remember yoga calm and will go out and get my local paper, and stock up with some food as it is the BH weekend. Wont be going to the Wensleydale show tomorrow as it is quite a big place and there is no chance that I could walk round at the moment, but I might manage to pack up a little picnic and go off to Saltburn and watch the boats and think of times passed with my lovely husband. So a gentle plod along today is the plan and hope that I can manage a bit more walking about.

Very good to hear you are feeling better Mick and dont have to take those tablets, but take it steady wont you. Hope you see lots of friends on your trip to town.Sar53 great news for your grandaughter and hope things carry on improving for her . Ashcombe , my sympathies are with you. The doctors do not take into consideration how high your blood pressure is, can be often down to them and the hassle they cause us waiting in and faffing about! Good that you got away and hope the rest does you good. Karmalady a lovely photo and all the horses look great. I never owned a horse, but did help runa a riding school for several years at weekends and holidays on a farm, and followed horse shows for many years, remembering watching Harvey Smith and Col Llewellen with Pat Smyth , so going a long way back! Follwed all the riders through to all the Whitakers and Barkers and did lots of dressage and went to the spanish riding school in vienna, Ah those were the days my friend - as the song says!
I have obviously missed some posts while my laptop was going crazy so had not read about the FGT's or susans news so hope things are improving for them both.

May we all have a calm and pleasant day today (I think I shall avoid all the news today in an effort to keep calm!) and a better night now it is a bit cooler. Take care and a happy day to you all

Morning Mick, morning All from a sunny corner of Somerset.

A happy, very enjoyable, totally exhausting day yesterday. Wouldn’t miss these rare days for the world though.

A very large piece of garden furniture is due to arrive this afternoon. Flat packed in many boxes. I don’t envy the crew navigating pre bank holiday roads to this holiday area. We’ve no idea how we’ll manage to assemble it, a challenge ahead.

We were also delighted (and relieved) to hear much better than anticipated GCSE results. It’s such a stressful process for the young people no matter the outcome, definitely choices out there for those with disappointments, congratulations to them all.

With thoughts to all struggling with health and other challenges. Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. 12°C here with cloud.

I'm up and ready for work at the community store.
I made a lot of pots yesterday which will need turned before being fired in time for our open studios in September and an exhibition in Stirling. Who would guess that my insistence on going to art school and not university would mean still working at my age.

Well done to Sar's DGD and all the youngsters.

Our English DGD2 also passed her exams, even maths which she found hard. She got a distinction in sport and is going to football academy, where she'll do subjects related to sport as well. I hope

I've invited a few friends for dinner tomorrow night so will need to shop.

How frustrating Ash but you describe the phone saga so well 😅

I hope Marydoll has a better day.
Thinking of Susan and FGT at such a difficult time.

May you all have some joy today.

Good morning all from a cloudy Glasgow, where it is 11 degrees C.

Thank you all for your kind wishes and PMs yesterday.

I did a see a GP yesterday, not my own, but one of the lovely doctors I like and trust. She was most thorough and it appears that my faint was a cardiac incident, exacerbated by the heat and a rare reaction to my GTN spray.
Consequently I have been referred back to cardiology, because she detected an irregularity in my heartbeat, which needs checked out.
I had a thorough examination, including an inspection of all my lumps and bumps (a bruised face, knee and elbow) and we discussed everything else that was troubling me.

What upset me was my own GP passed me in the waiting room and totally blanked me.
However, in the waiting room I overheard two patients discussing my own GP and how difficult it was to see or talk to him. They were not very happy.

Unfortunately my recent bloods are not back yet, they will takes weeks, due to being sent to an outside lab, as they are a special type of test. Therefore, no treatment for my other problems can be started until they come back. Patience is a virtue, I have developed over the years.
I have been grounded (no surprise there!) and advised to slow down!
DH will do the shopping, heaven help us!!

Here begins the novella, so please scroll on, if you are in a hurry or are totally bored with tales of my problematic life. 😉

DH and I had a lovely morning wandering around the West end (me the charity shops, DH the whisky shops) and a delicious Italian lunch.
Suddenly I began to feel unwell as we were making our way to the Subway. DH, who was marching ahead was oblivious to my distress. Eventually he realised I wasn't behind him and came back to look for me. I was sitting on the steps of a Georgian town house, feeling very strange.
DH's first words, Do I need to phone an ambulance?

I decided to take my heart spray and in an instant, my world became a world of flashing lights and was spinning round.
I told DH I was going to vomit and made it to a grassy area, the next thing I found myself lying on the ground, with DH and a passerby, trying to rouse me. I had no recollection of what had happened.

Fortunately (there was a posh GP surgery across the road (you couldn't make that up) and not one, but two GPs came out to help.
They took my pulse etc and said they would get me up and into the surgery. I then vomited over the doctor and DH's shoes. I was absolutely mortified.
The GP said he thought I had had a sudden drop in blood pressure and there was no need for an ambulance, but I could stay in the surgery until I felt well enough to go home in a taxi.

Then I had the most humiliating experience in my life. I won't go into the gory details, but I had uncontrollable diarrhoea and the surgery had to be cleaned and disinfected and some of my clothes disposed of.
I could have wept with shame, especially when I was in the toilet trying to clean myself up and DH walked away to help clean up and left the toilet door wide open, for all to see my predicament. 😱😭

A number of patients offered to take me home, but there was no way I could go in anyone's car. The only way to describe things is that it was catastrophic.
My lovely SIL had to come and collect me. I had to laugh, when I saw that he had covered the back seat in towels and DH handed me a sick bowl and incontinence pads (a gift from the surgery) in case of further disasters.

I had thought I look stunning and elegant in my new dress and full up.
It is true, pride does come literally before a fall.

Mr MD was amazing, no husband should have to deal with what he had to deal with. He usually flaps and I have to phone 999 for help, not this time.
I have never experienced such kindness as I did from the surgery staff and passers-by, including a Celtic fan on the way to the game( which DH never got to watch, when we got home !).

My family were frantic, as DD was in a meeting and saw DH's message on her watch, DS! was in Ayrshire and DS2 was in the middle of an international video call, so SIL abandoned everything and came for me.
Individually they lectured me about my recklessness. I know they are correct!
The only positive was that my beloved Dollie came down to see me, when she should have been going to bed. She climbed into bed with me and cuddled in, that wa the best medicine!!! 😍

The GP I saw yesterday, said that the surgery staff would enjoy talking about the incident for days, something different in the daily routine!!!

Congratulations to all the grandchildren with their results. Sar, you must be so happy for your granddaughter.

Ash, instead of Sudafed, have you tried Sterimar, which is a salt water spray. I use that because it is impossible to get an appointment.

Have a pleasant day folks. I have a blinding headache from where I hit me head, so I am just going to chill.
DH will take me for another microsuction this afternoon, the third! I am not allowed to derive for a few days.

Babydoll is paying a visit to her sick gran tonight, she will certainly be a cure for my unusually low BP!

Bora da Mick and everyone. A bit chilly here in S W Wales but the sun is out. Rain forecast for next week and boy don’t we need it. The trees and bushes are really stressed
Congratulations to your DG sar53 what a brilliant achievement. Shout it loud and proud.
My GD also did extremely well. She suffered from extreme anxiety when she returned to school after lockdown, but the school were quite marvellous and as her results show she is now completely well.
Have a gentle day everyone

Marydoll how very frightening and mortifying at the same time, sending you (((hugs))) 🌸🌸🌸

You must Rest no apologies for shouting, you know you must 😘

Good morning all from a grey Co Armagh,
Oh Marydoll I’m so sorry to read of your rotten experience yesterday , I hope things improve today

Good morning everyone from a cloudy and overcast Northampton, but there may be sunny spells later, and it is definitely much cooler, as I have put my winter dressing gown on this morning.

Had a good morning with neighbours.yesterday, coffee and cake and lots of catching up with news.
Sainsbury's delivered in the afternoon, and apart from that I had a restful day.

Today I have some washing to hang out, then my three dance classes. May go for coffee afterwards with my dancer friend.

Still waiting for my gardener to give me a date when he can come; I am getting the feeling that after numerous requests from me, and only one reply promising a date which never comes, he is no longer interested in tending my garden. This has been going on for a couple of months. I have now set a deadline for next Tuesday and after that I will look for a new gardener.

Chicken curry (thawing out in the fridge) for dinner tonight, and will then watch the.first match in the Women's Rugby World Cup on tv. Can't wait till Sunday when I attend two further matches here in Northampton.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Oh Marydoll so sorry to read of your awful experience. Glad you managed to speak to a kind GP. Take care

Marydoll I can fully understand why you were mortified! How horrible for you. Definitely a sign to take things very easily.

Good morning from Shropshire.

Thank you again for all your kind messages.They really helped as we try to come to terms and process my nieces death.

I am finally feeling better physically and will do a couple of things off the to do list that has been steadily growing over the last few weeks.After lunch we will collect DD1’s little dog from her neighbours who stepped in to look after her when we were unable to.We need to remember to collect a meal DD left in the fridge for us too.

Marydoll I cried when I read your post.How very frightening for you and I can imagine your upset and embarrassment but thank goodness for the kindness of strangers and thank goodness there were GP’s on hand to help.You are in my thoughts and prayers lovely lady.x

Congratulations to S and all the other grandchildren on their brilliant results.

Thinking of you all and wishing you all a good day🦩🌻

Good morning, everyone from a sunny south coast. More gardening planned today now that I no longer have to limit my time outside due to the heat.
My trip to the tip was very successful. They didn’t have any garden tools for sale but I spotted two very nice almost new lightweight dining chairs which look great in the garden room which doubles up as a dining room when I have visitors. The seat cushions I already have fitted perfectly so a real bargain at £5 each.
DD and DSiL are away in their campervan for the Bank Holiday weekend but I’m meeting friends tomorrow. There’s a lot of worry and sadness for some gransnetters at the moment so I hope everyone has the best possible day.

Oh Marydoll , I have just read your novella, and really feel for you in your predicament; I am with you on the feeling mortified, as something similar has happened to me when out. Oh, the embarrassment of it to think one has lost control, you just want the earth to swallow you up.
I truly hope now that you are being set on the right path. My best wishes to you.

Good morning from cloudy Lancashire. It’s feeling much cooler here. Just a flying visit as MrB is taking me out to Lytham today.
Hope today is kind to you all.

Dear Marydoll, how awful your experience but how marvellous that people are kind and that your DH proved to be a hero. Hope a day or two resting (yes, really!) will restore your equanimity and normal service can be resumed. You really are being tested.

Better news from Susan, which is good, and interest in doings from lots of other posters; I have the oldies’coffee morning but nothing else planned.

Dear Marydoll. I was so sad to read of your horrible experience and the awful lack of care and compassion you have received from your own GP.

I don’t know if the system in Scotland I’d different from ours but is it possible for you to change to another named GP in your practice who will take your health issues with the seriousness they deserve?

DH did just that but the standard and appropriateness of care we needed was poor so we changed practices. The new one is worlds apart probably because they see their role is to offer the best service they can to their patients.

Thinking of you.

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.

MaryD! Unbelievable. As others have suggested, couldn’t you change to a different named GP?

Younger son is coming this evening for the weekend. He hasn’t been home since Christmas although I’ve seen him in London a few times.

I am having a telephone consultation this afternoon about my thumb. If it is decided I need a cortisone injection the wait is around a month. It is better than it was but still painful. I will also ask the physio about the weird thing with my left leg yesterday. I woke with my left leg numb from the knee down. I nearly fell down the stairs as I couldn’t put any weight on it. It is still slightly numb this morning.

I will decorate the cake I’ve made for younger son. It is a rich fruit cake which is his favourite.

Thinking of the FGT2S who have far more to worry about than numb legs.

Has anyone else seen the trees dropping their golden leaves? It can’t be autumn.

Actually, it can’t be autumn. My Mdme Alfred rose has started flowering again.

Congratulations to all the dgc on their results, well done.
MD, what an horrific experience, but well done to your dh and the kindness of strangers and family. Now please rest awhile.
Blossoming, I get envious when you mention Lytham as that is a favourite place to visit when I stay with my sister. ( note to self, time to go there again).
Safe travels to those on the move and thoughts, as always, with the Fgts and all with worries and sorrows to bear.

Thanks all.
A named GP means nothing now in our surgery. Some of partners are rarely seen!

The female GP was so kind, patient and thorough, despite dealing with a medical emergency before me and running an hour late.

It helped me a lot, just to offload!

My poor Marydoll, what a horrible, horrible experience. Fainting is bad enough but the rest....! Absolutely mortifying. Old age (or illness) is definitely not for sissies.
Please make sure you rest and it is about time you let your family know how unwell you are. NO MORE HIDING! That way they are prepared for such emergencies as you have had, and it will worry them a heap less, although the low grade anxiety will be there. I suspect it has been around with them for a while.
Lecture over.
Much love and hugs XXX