Good Morning Tuesday 21st October 2025

Good morning Mick and all GN's on another very dark morning in North Yorkshire. The only thing I can tell is that there is no wind and no rain. Other than that have to wait and see. Am having a topsy turvey day today. My normal way is to get up, shower, and sort stuff out before even thinking of going out anywhere. However today a friend has to go to Ripon for something and asked if I wanted to go too. So, it will be rather nice, as havent been there for ages, to go along. I wont even be the driver so not even struggling to find a parking place, as it used to be a very devil to find parking places near where I wanted to go. I was a singer in the church there and at the time lived in richmond area so had to be there early to bag a space as parking was difficult. It is a long time since I have been there so shall be able to see old haunts, find out if favourite coffee shops are still there and hopefully have quite a good mouch round antique/second hand places too.

The plan now is to decide what I shall wear and iron it , as have still large amount of very clean but unironed items awaiting my attention. Yesterday had to rescue the washing that was left out overnight and so that had to be spun dry and then hung on clothes horse to dry as it was damp and chilly all day yesterday. So it is a matter of delving down to find something suitable for todays jaunt. Think it will be yellow linen trousers and striped yellow top with jumper and then my "posh" going out mac, which is two sided, with navy one side and yellow the other. Not planning to look for a hat as dont think it will be a "ladies who lunch" kind of trip! Quite looking forward to it, as wont even be the driver for a change, but of course, my optomism will be governed by my ability to move and walk about, and that I shant know until we go!!

Am in quite a militant mood and at the right state of mind to get things done , especially regarding shops - mostly supermarkets!! As far as I am concerned we have bonfire night next and that date beginning with C in december is not to be considered, until after bonfire night. I totally understand that business must collect stock etc in advance, but was extremely annoyed yesterday when I went to tesco for some shopping. I will give them their due that Tesco are usually quite good about width of shelves and ways round , to have space to use a buggy to go round. But at this time of year they begin their inevitable creeping, where they start putting extra stacks of shelves and showcase things at the end of the normal aisles. For a start these are usually not solid but something like cardboard or whatever so not very strong, and yesterday there was one of these set of shelves which had glass things on it. Now the bottoms of these stands often stick out more to give some secure standing. However they put them both ends of many of the usual stands, and so even an experienced driver of buggies like me cannot just drive round the ends of rows but take up to three goes to get round, and can risk catching onto these loose cannons. All business have to have a fire certificate to be open , as I know from my own running things in the past. So yesterday I was polite but went to the customer service to complain and explain the difficulties caused by these being at both ends of the normal shelves and cutting down space to turn and being a hazard to others not just me. They also are a fire hazard as it now means much more combustible shelving in the whole shop added to the usual fire hazards in the normal way. So far , information noted, but nothing has been done to improve matters, in fact they were actually putting up another set whilst I was there. This coupled with the annoying , but understandable, moving of goods from their usual shelving to make way for more seasonal things, means that your organised shopping list to enable you to get things quickly and efficiently now does not work as you try to find where the heck the branston pickle has gone to , also adds to frustration and annoyance. I make sure that I do not complain to the members of staff on the shop floor as they are only doing as they are told, but I intend to go back probably tomorrow and see if there is any improvement. If not, I have given them fair warning and shall simply ring the fire brigade and ask if they have a fire certificate. When they say that they have, I shall tell them about the major problems that are there now and ask if they are breaking their rules,by not just the odd extra stand but a major difference. That should mean that the fire brigade will make an unannounced visit and then we shall see what occurs.

Many years ago, I was doing temporary telex work in London as I was travelling to stockholm and to germany etc and wanted to be free to come and go. It is always interesting to do temp work, as you get a chance to see what it is really like to work for specific firms etc., and I did a lot of shipping lines etc. Whenever I went to a new - to me - firm, my first questions were, where was I working and what did they want me to begin with, followed by where are the toilets and then where is the fire escape. They would look at me curiously, but if you think about it, when it is your firm, you know all the ways in and out of a building, short cuts etc., but I dont as it is my first time visiting you. So that plus what times lunch breaks etc where my basic checks whenever I went somewhere new . In this case I went to a transport firm, very busy , quite noisy and the telecommunications area was shut off from the main office with very thick glass, and only one door entrance. It also had , to my horror, a photo copier nearest the door, and you had to walk past that to get to the telex . Of course we had several large boxes of paper for the printers etc too, and I thought this is a death trap. How have they been allowed to do this? The final straw was when someone showed me through to where the toilets were, and we passed a fire exit door that had boxes piled up in front of it!! No mobile phones in those days, but I made an excuse to go and fetch something, went to the nearest call box and rang the fire brigade, asking to check if these people had a fire certificate. They of course said yes, but when I told them the situation I had gone into, they said there was no permission for them to shut the telex room off etc . I went back to the company and surprise surprise in half an hour the fire brigade made an unannounced visit, where they actually closed the firm down for the day, and told them to remove this unauthorised thick glass window, said that photo copiers must never be put close to such a load of paper and the possibility of electrical faults, and I think they were fined for leaving boxes against the fire door. The point of that was that coming in as an outsider you see all these things, and when I was head of a communications firm was used to thinking about such things. When things change gradually you may not notice how slack or dangerous thigs have become until a day when there is a fire or whatever and then you need to be able to leave asap! So, whilst I have sympathy for shops and stores who are pressured by their head offices to put more and more things on display etc., basic safety for both staff and customers must come first. Here endeth the first lesson of the day!!!

Ah a little more light on the scene now and can see the tree outlined against the grey sky, but so far dry and no wind, fingers crossed it kindly stays dry whilst we are walking in Ripon before the expected deluge this afternoon. I had wanted to do a bit more gardening, but absolutely no chance if it is about to pour down. When we get back, the weather will decide the afternoons plans. Dry - a quick change into scruff and out in thegarden - wet - more sorting and ironing before getting ready to do battle with the games group in the pub tonight. I am a glutton for punishment as each new game makes my brain work very hard, but am hoping I might have come to the last of the brand new to me games, and might have the chance to play something I have tried before, where some basic knowledge may stick and allow me to begin to finesse some of my playing. Oh how my social diary fills up these days!! Well fingers crossed, not in so much pain today , which makes a great difference to the day. I expect I shall pay for it tomorrow but thats life. Yesterday really struggled in pain for most of the day and it took me ages to do anything which is very frustrating, so just glad to be able to decide what to do by choice today, not by what I can manage. I went into Tesco , thinking there were a few bits I would get, and as is the usual way, having gone in with just two bags there were a lot of things that have been missing, and some offers so bought 4 jars of beetroot. You bought 3 and got one free, which as it doesnt go off and I always like to have some available was worth getting , etc etc., and needed weetabix and got the largest - and cheapest - size, but the large boxes are such a pain to try and carry. Why dont they put a little handle on the box? Anyway, cupboards looking a bit fuller now.

Mick, hope all goes well with the chiropodist and great that you managed to get in touch about the phone. fingers crossed that they can come and sort it soon. GrandMattie, if they dont get their finger out and get your heater sorted, might it be worth while speaking to citizens advice or age concern people and see if there are some laws or bylaws which cover specifically both being able to keep housing at a particular temperature, and also the length of time that you have been having trouble with this is unacceptable and maybe you are entitled to some temporary heating provided by them or compensation for all the hassle and coldness. They could lend you something like a bottled gas heater , which would at least give you some sort of heating, especially if we get a sudden cold spell. Greyduster, thanks for reminding me that I need to check on my car insurance and see what rubbish offers I get, now that I am 80. They will use any excuse to put the price up wont they?Karma lady , hope you get your walk in today before the rain sets in. It sounds lovely and warm to think of sitting knitting and probably a cup of tea or coffee to hand. When I get back if it is very cold, I shall put more ironing at the top of the list as that is also a warming job to do on a cold day.RoseandLilac, I used to do quite a lot of painting, never had a go at water colours, papers etc were very expensive for that and didnt have much money, but one of the things I found that I enjoyed, was a mixed media, so used gouache , but also used some inks, but not with the pens . I HATE the sound of the pens , they make me cringe, but I used to use differing sizes of paintbrushes with them and enjoyed the effect. The other things I liked where chalks and pastels and again sometimes adding gouach or inks and smudging things in with my thumbs or fingers. Did some good still life and using the smudging effect was good on peaches and apricots to give that smoother skin type. Might think to get my paints and stuff out later this year and have a go with them. I always used to have a small sketch book with me to make quick drawings of things while I was out and about, but seem to have forgotten doing it for some time. Hoping to get to Harlow Carr soon for a trip round there and it would be an ideal place to try sketching again.

Well no doubt a lot more GN's willhave been sending in posts while I have been writing this, but I need to get myself sorted for the trip and then come back and read more news from everyone. Hope everyone has a good day and keeps well

Believe me, we do make a fuss. Regularly, at least four of us do on behalf of the close. The rest are either too old, idle or don’t want to put their head above the parapet, for fear of repercussions.

The management is completely fed up with our group’s reports of things undone, you wouldn’t believe it.

My heater is minor - there are tiles missing on the roofs since early last December! “They” still have done nothing, despite monthly updates and reports on what has (not ) happened.

Added to this we still have no appointed manager, resident or not, and no one on the cards yet. So we have no actual person to report anything to, just the area manager and a helper manager (who has heh own housing to look after). It is 4 months since the manager resigned - but she was ineffective, if very nice, for years.

The situation is farcical.

Good morning all. Rain today in Glasgow and I am having a lovely lazy start to the day enjoying my kick start espresso and a biscuit from the batch GD2 made for me yesterday. Chi tea is the only ingredient I remember her mentioning, they are crumbly, delicious.

An at home day it is then making full use of any aid I have to tackle a painful back. Tens machine, shoulder strap halter, heat pad, meds and anti inflammatory gel and I’m set for the day. I noticed some buds have appeared in a clump of iris….in October?

Back to school for GD2 today which means DD1 will be here for coffee after school drop off.

Best wishes to all for a pleasant day.

I have brought a latte upstairs, The Imp has gone off to school.

Currently there is a murder of crows and a mischief of magpies fighting for supremacy in Weeping Birch tree. They are incredibly noisy 🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

Good morning everyone from a pink-skied Northampton, not a good sign; light showers expected after lunch. Yesterday it felt like April with heavy showers on and off all day. I washed the towels and had to tumble.dry them. I have just put some woollens in the machine, so will have to dry those indoors too.

A morning of pottering and tidying, then am expecting the plumber after lunch to install a new shower in my en-suite; it's been a few months since I had a working one in there and will be good to have one again.

grandMattie My DS and family live a 5 minute car-drive away and yet I rarely see them - usually only when they want something. I do not like to pop in uninvited, respecting their privacy and knowing they have busy lives. I cannot remember the last time I had a meal there - probably Christmas three years ago! My DD I see more often as we have seats next to each other at the rugby, and belong to the same wine club. It is what it is, and yet I know they would be here instantly in case of need or an emergency.

Watched the new Forsyte Saga last night and thoroughly enjoyed it - remember being glued to the original series back in the 1960s - it was good to see Susan Hampshire in it again, as she played Fleur Forsyte in the original.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Good morning from the usual grey start to the day in Suffolk after rain yesterday. Hopefully the pond will start to fill up and be a better home for the moorhens who normally occupy it.

Off for coffee with a friend and then DH and I will make a start on sorting out one of the spare bedrooms which has become a dumping ground for everything and anything. We keep talking about starting to declutter but neither of us is showing any commitment to it. It’s usually…..’ let’s wait till another day’.

We’ve been putting off sorting out the filing cabinet! We nearly made a start yesterday but then I remembered something I had to do! There are documents concerning our first house which we moved out of over 30 years ago!

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s dry but damp. Alexa tells me it will be cloudy with showers and 14°C.

I’m off to my independent optician in an hour as my left eye is sore, inflamed and weepy. Then on the first of two buses to the hospital.

The good news is that Himself is being discharged this afternoon. The less good news is that he has developed a painful inguinal hernia which the doctor on the ward round said needs reporting to his GP as an operation to fix it ‘at some stage’ will be necessary. This poor darling man of mine. How much more does life keep throwing at him? He’s had more than his share this summer.

Oh grandMattie my heart goes out to you regarding your daughter. You’ve moved to the other side of the country (at your daughter’s behest - less travelling for her to visit you) and have managed to make a new independent life for yourself. You get on with life and don’t mither them but I know you’ll be feeling hurt today.

Good morning all from grey Wiltshire. Longing for a sunny spell. I’m glad I got all my bulbs in on Saturday before the rain started.

We all got absolutely drenched at school pickup yesterday. For once the kids were in non combative mode but wasted alot of food as they weren’t very hungry.

I’m glad your DH is recovering well Dragonfly. Your poor GD Sar53. She is having to put up with a lot with so many hospital stays. I hope your man will be home with you soon FGTs.

Have a good day everyone.

I must be very fortunate, DD lives in the same road as us (about 30 houses down), DS4 lives just off of our road about five minutes walk from DD.

We see a lot of them and the GC.

The other three boys are not so near geographically, but we meet for dinner fairly often, and they come here or we go to theirs. Keep in contact with the teen GC by WhatsApp a couple of times a week.

Good morning all from a showery Glasgow, where it is 10°C.

On reading your post, GM, I realise how fortunate I am, regarding my family. I felt quite sad for you and very disappointed in your family.
I don't usually see my children during the week, due to work commitments, but I do hear from them frequently. In fact Dollie phoned me on Sunday to update me on the progress of her cold.🤣

I went down to church yesterday to sort the November lists and was touched by the number of parishioners, who came to ask how I was.
Usually on a Monday, I potter about, but I didn't linger, I am still very much out of sorts.
I cannot put my finger on exactly what is wrong, I just feel unwell. However, it will only curtail my busyness, not prevent it.😉
The first thing the P.P said to me was, MD, that is a terrible cough, you need to see a doctor.
If only.🤣

However, I did pop into Lidl (two minutes from the church) to pick up baking ingredients and jam.
I spotted a Braun hair trimmer, very opporune, because the one we had, packed up on Sunday, when I was cutting DH's hair. I had to improvise with my ladyshaver, or he would have had half a gain cut.🤣
On opening the box, I discovered the charger was for a European socket!!!
The staff were lovely and I got an immediate refund. However, they were puzzled about what to do with a shelf full of useless hair trimmers. 🙈

Today, I just need to pick up bread and then back to altering DH's trousers. I managed one pair yesterday, only two more to go.😒

The Glesca Grannies are are planning a meet up.
Everyone is welcome, even if you have never been before.
What a lovely group of ladies, they are.
I will be so disappointed if I am too unwell to go. litterpicker, such a pity you can't make it. 😪 I always enjoy meeting you and your lovely DH.
Usually I advise posters not to follow hyperlinks on G.N., but you know you can trust me! 😉

Glesca Grannies

Wishing you all a pleasant day, good luck with medical appointments and hoping your DH is showing some improvement today, Dragonfly and not forgetting the FGT's.. 💐

Fgt2 really pleased to hear your news this morning. Himself will be much better at home with you. Hope they can sort the hernia out soon. Take care

Good morning from the south coast where it’s dry and the sun is shining.
Meeting friends for coffee and a catch up at 10.30 in a café I have driven past many times but never been in. It’s also near my favourite charity shop so a bit of a browse could be called for!
I haven’t had time to read all your posts yet so I’ll make another cuppa and do it now.
Hope everyone has the best possible day.

Good morning all and later up today as I fell asleep around 5 and had a very disturbing dream which is still with me.😢.

Yesterday I took ‘stuff’ to a charity shop and found it closed, so off I went to town and had difficulty parking near another cs . They weren’t interested in some of my things - ornaments and brass lamps, so ended up at the tip. Glad to be rid of it though.

I shopped for food in preparation of my op tomorrow as I won’t be driving for a few days. I think I could feed an army.

Today I have bridge club . Our oldest member ‘passed away’ last month. 97 yrs old. She was as bright as a button. No glasses or hearing aids and her memory was amazing. We will miss her.🙏.

GM that’s terrible about your heater. They just don’t seem to care. Hopefully you’ll have it soon.🤞.
All our adult children are so busy these days and of course your Dd has extra duties with her church. I think sometimes we have to be a bit needy and ask for a little more support. We are so determined to be independent that they assume we’re ok.
Let them know and I’m sure they’ll rally round. ♥️.

dragonfly it’s early days.💐
Rosesandlilac* 💐

Love to all 🍂

Good morning from dull grey Lancashire. I’m sipping my morning tea in bed, I was very tired last night after an enjoyable active day.
Wishing you all the best day possible, I will read all your news later.

Good morning from South Lanarkshire. Since I came home from holiday I’ve been spending as much time as I could with another of my wee group of lifelong pals who has been coping with severely failing health with grace and fortitude. She died on Saturday night in her own home as she was determined to do. She was a force of nature and we had so many laughs and adventures together. I shall feel the gap.

I’ve read our posts most days and am thinking too about everyone struggling hard. I hope your day passed well harrigran and that your brave granddaughter keeps better Sar
Your post the other day was very moving FGT and so many others are in my thoughts, Kalu 💐

Wishing everyone a good day.

A damp, grey morning so am glad to have no outdoor plans today. My next door neighbours are starting their move - spread over several days -and would be glad of dry weather. I will miss them and as the house has not yet sold don’t know who to expect. Standing empty in the winter months won’t do it any good but moving seems much more complicated these days. What I should be doing is getting rid of stuff so that when I move out, in whatever form that takes, there is less for the children to do. Meanwhile I think about doing it but don’t.

Meanwhile the laundry awaits. Thinking of the FGTs and Marydoll and all those with a difficult day ahead.

Marathon Jaxjacky

Good morning from a wet northwest coast. After a sleepless night through cramp on Sunday night, leaving me like a zombie yesterday, I’m pleased to have had a good night’s sleep. Yesterday I had my annual eye test and was pleased to hear there was no change in my eyes and there would be no thought of cataracts for another five years or longer (if I’m still here..) I only have one “good” eye and dread the thought of anything happening to that.
After the test I did a food shop and picked up my repaired hand held Dyson, new filter, clean etc. it’s so useful and particularly for the car when I do get round to giving it a good clean. The chap who fixed it is a voluble character and can talk the leg off a hind donkey, but in my zombie state I felt switched off. It was good to get home, make myself a coronation chicken sandwich (my favourite) and have a snooze.
I had a FaceTime with DD in the south lasting nearly two hours!

This afternoon to the music club and I’m on duty again. I’m going to sing a music hall number “When I take my morning promenade” with a big hat and parasol and few more up to date items. I can’t complain, but I’m having a problem fitting everything in, I gaze at my diary for spaces to see friends. Everything seems to come at once.

Thoughts to FGT dragonfly and all🌺

Madelaine your mention of temping reminded me of when I did a lot of temping in the ‘60s. One company I went to was a theatrical agent. He had all the stars of the 30s to the 60s on the walls. A lot of us were young girls in the typing room. The boss who was to me very elderly and doddery would pop in each morning to see who had the shortest mini! What an earth would happen today. I regret to say now that we all found it very funny.

Good morning everyone. It’s a beautiful morning here on the East Kent coast! Wonder if it’ll last the day.
Greyduster, you mentioned your insurance quote. I had a similar problem with my last quote, which was ridiculous, compared to last year. After an initial panic, and a look at other quotes, I rang and told them I would not be renewing. Obviously they wanted to know why and I told them that I was disgusted with their quote, especially as I had been with them for donkeys’ years, so I was going to go with another company who were offering the same level of insurance but at a more reasonable price. Funny how they suddenly found an ‘error’ in their quote, which they ‘rectified’. This brought the quote to within a few pounds of the other one. I accepted.
It pays to stand your ground!

Beechnut that was what we said, but, apparently it was Snickers/Marathon/Snickers - so annoying! That was our Boom or Bust round busted.

Good morning from a bright Black country after nonstop rain for the last two days very welcome.
Don't post much these days but wanted to say good to read himself will be returning home to FGT today, I do hope that they can sort the hernia out asap.
Take care all virtual hugs where needed ☀️.

Good morning from a damp East Lothian. I should have got more done outside yesterday!

We went off yesterday in search of a flooring company who supply the vinyl plank flooring that we have down south and would like to put in here in place of the stained and difficult to vacuum carpet. We had tried to phone but the number had passed to someone who had no idea what we were talking about. The business is on an industrial estate and we had the usual difficulty in finding the right unit, finally arriving at the back door rather than the front! However, we chose a pattern from the samples and the very helpful and friendly manager (?) came out this morning to measure up.

Today’s tasks are (1) roast tomatoes (brought from allotment and garden down south) to make Hugh F-W’s sauce (2) bake a date loaf for which I weighed the ingredients yesterday (3) wash the very dusty teddy bear found by DD when tidying and sorting at the Sea Cadet unit. DD was wary of dealing with him as she has asthma so I volunteered. I hope I don’t ruin him.

Lovely fungi photos Grammaretto.

Best wishes for the best day possible to you all 🍁🍁🍁

I’m back! The weather is best described as changeable today . Undaunted, we donned the Big Coats and ventured out. We took the circular route across the footbridge, up the woodland path and back across the swingbridge. Don’t I look trendy in my 10+ years old Lands Ends extra long parka? Things come back into fashion if you wait long enough!

Will keep my fingers crossed you are well enough to get to the meetup Marydoll.

Hoping to hear good news from FGT2 and Dragonfly today.