Good morning Mick and all GN's on a dry still morning in North Yorkshire. It was pitch black when I first tried to post on here but for some reason wasnt able to get gransnet up at all. Tried this way and that but just got blanks and no contact at all for ages , which was rather frustrating. Wondered if Trump had decided I should be blocked for whatever!! However it has now decided to let me join in and see what everyone is up to.
I had a phone call yesterday to say that only 2 pairs of glasses will be ready today, not the four, but was at least able to arrange an earlier time to collect them, and will be pleased to get the reading glasses which will work for both eyes equally. So quite a change of plan for the day, as now I shall just be doing some basic bits around, call for some fresh bread early, so that I get the loaf that I like the best. Then it is fingers crossed that the glasses a) work properly and b) fit well. The last time I had a new pair, they looked somewhat lopsided and had to be relevelled up. Then I am invited to lunch at a friends , so a little celebration of new glasses and catching up with news and views. Back later in the afternoon when I plan to at least tackle a bit of the ironing mountain , before going off to my board games tonight.
It had been quite a chilly day yesterday but the afternoon cleared up a bit, quite sunny. Looking at plans for the week I thought that it was my best chance to go to the cinema in Thirsk and see the last Downton Abbey, so shot off there early, to bag a parking space as close as possible to the cinema. I knew that I would have difficulty walking round from the market square, and if it rained when I came out I would get drenched. Easy trip there and got parked and went to investigate the entrance and notices as have not been to that cinema before. Was soon joined by several other ladies and we all chatted together. It took me back to waiting in the queue for the saturday matinees in the winter as a child. This old cinema is totally run by volunteers and is absolutely of the old style. Paid my £6 and hobbled up the long stairs to give me a better view from the balcony. All as in the old days but the seats have been given much more comfortable seating whilst still looking the part. Apart from no usherette coming round with a tray of icecream and sweets and flashing her light at unruly children or amorous couples , it was very nostalgic. The film was magic, and I wont spoil it for those of you who plan to watch it when it is on general release in november, but suffice it to say it was very good and rounded off all the various story lines and with some marvellous music which Julian Fellows cunningly appropriated and added to the storylines which you will come out humming to yourself . Anyway for my first trip to this particular cinema, it was a great trip and I now know where to park etc for the future. You can even have a card stamped each time you go there and after ten visits you get to go free for one. Very good. I have already seen a trailer with Maxine Peake in - who I think is a very good actress, and has done so many different parts since she was in the lovely Dinner Ladies with Victoria Woods. So I really enjoyed the trip, and came in and ignored the jobs that I had not done and went off to bed thinking back to days gone by , and as a child going with my sister to the cinema. A long time ago now!
Now getting my car into winter mode, putting the usual picnic stuff in but adding the big umbrella and spare towel, and also my emergency clothes set, which means an old pair of trousers, old cashmere jumper and a t shirt and underwere and about 4 pairs of sox, all put in a bag at the ready. Then if I get deluged or whatever unexpectedly have some dry clothes to change into. I hate sitting in wet stuff but most of all loathe wet feet, to sit in all day. That was a general winter hazard when I did the hospital car service, as you would be in dark and murky conditions and of course step out of the car into some deep puddle or pot hole . I dont need the real winter provisions yet of a spade and some grit and a sack, ready to get me out of a snowdrift if needed. They are promising us some cold but clear days this week. Well we shall see what turns up, but yesterday the local cafe was very very busy with everyone out in their winter coats and some hats, so think we are all looking out warmer things to wear and reluctantly putting the summer clothes and suncream away!
Hope you have a pleasant trip into Bicester Mick and meet some friends .GrandMattie you will be glad to have a day to yourself today after yesterdays goings on. How come they always manage to turn it round to be the customers fault! Dont accept any blame and firmly tell them that they should have organised themselves better and got to you quicker. These days the saying seems to have been altered from the customer is always right to the customeri s always wrong!! Kittylester glad you are home and can relax and take it easy. Hope you soon feel better.Pelli , lovely picture of the hummingbird. GrannyIvy, it is always a bit of adjustment getting back to the rhythms of school and I speak as a teacher!! It is a lot for a child to cope with at once, with new lessons, changes of teacher and room and the timetable. Getting up at a set time too instead of when you wake up naturally can be hard to begin with, but after a couple of weeks it will settle down hopefully. To be able to sit by the fire with granny and have something nice to eat will be very comforting to them, that whatever else changes you are there for them. Lovely photo of your walk too. Grannygravy wish I could either transport you here or transport my ironing mountain for your attention. Well done you for finishing it. How nice to have a full choice of anything to wear instead of what have you got left fit to be seen which is clean and pressed!Karmalady, hope you get all your radiators sorted and can at least sit in the warm and rest. I am sorry you are having such a tough time and have every sympathy with you, and wishing you a better day.Susan56, so sorry you have more difficult things to deal with. I am sure your family are very grateful for your support. Hoping you may get some better news.
So can only wish for an improving day for everyone and to be able to enjoy a little time for yourselves, to have a coffee, or look out at some lovely scenery. My two squirrels have just raced along the fence and up into the tree and the sun seems to be cautiously coming out so lets hope it stays out and warms up a bit!
