Good Morning Thursday 30th October 2025

Good morning all and it’s bright skyed at the moment. Yesterday it rained all day, here in Essex.

My two old school,pals arrived for lunch and we had a pleasant afternoon, with Dd and DGD popping in to see them. Dh was out for brunch with his two old school,pals. 70 + years of friendships. ! wonderful.

Dog groomers this morning and then an easy day 🙏.

Take care all 🍂

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s a dry bright start to the day
Beautiful picture Kalu thank you
I’ve a full day at the volunteering centre today, lunch provided and a chance to catch up with some of the other volunteers too
Hoping all goes well today Aldom
Thinking of everyone with with worries and struggles hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning from the NE where it is dry but quite chilly.
DD and SIL had an uneventful journey home to Belgium but when they entered the house they were shocked to find that there had been water ingress and their lovely polished wooden floor was like the Rocky mountains. She sent a photo and I too was shocked, I have never seen water damage like that before.
Today is going to be another quiet day with just essential housework and some reading.
Have a good day.

Good morning Mick and all GN's from a still dark morning in North Yorkshire. A bit lighter as I can see the outline of the tree against the sky, but am also a bit later starting here. The bedding is off and the washer going full steam, so hope it is finished in good time for me to get the washing out and on the line before going to the meeting this morning..

Very weary and achy but not so much actual pain, so grateful for that. I am another early wake up, kept looking at the clock, trying to go back to sleep, but gave up about 5 ish so now up dressed , had breakfast - such as it is, and coffee made ready to enjoy my great early morning pleasure of Bach before 7, listened to with coffee in hand. Only wish more of my days could hold such pleasure. Ah well at least I have that, (until some wretched person decides to change the programme on radio 3!)

I feel shattered but actually in the end yesterday turned out to be a success. Peter came down, complete with all sorts of tools with him and a very lightweight pair of steps to attack the wretched curtain rail etc. Of course these jobs , which look easy, never are are they? So while he battled with the curtain rail, which did not want to come off, and then putting up the new one , which an important screw flew off the end and took us both quite some time finding it . He was able to go on his hands and knees searching, whilst I was able to make use of my new grabber stick with a magnet on the end and was triumphant in the end, as of course there was no spare screw with the rail, and none of his many kinds fitted it either. So whilst he was doing all that I went off on the yellow peril on a curtain fitting slider things hunt which they had been rather mean with in the pack, and that makes more weight on each one so more strain. It was a bit wild and windy but dry, and it was market day, so I was glad to be on the buggy, and after a bit of a search found the right ones and got three packs, to be on the safe side and brought them back, but what a fiddle taking the old ones out of the curtains and threading these ones through. Anyway now have tidy and simple curtains up, no pull string but that doesnt matter, perfectly able to close my own curtains and less things to go wrong in the future I hope. So on the tuesday evening I had come in from the games night and started making my shin beef casserole, so that it would be better to eat on wednesday. Was glad I had done that in advance, so that I was able to add mushrooms, which go rubbery if you put them in early and gently warmed that through and did all the vegetables etc and we sat down to a very warming and welcome meal together. I added a glass of wine each to celebrate the grand reopening of the curtains, and we were pleased to be able to have a bit of a rest and chat. Then he packed up all of his tools and set off home, whilst I tidied up and then got ready to go to whist.

Less people at whist as several of the usual gang were away playing whist for a week in Yarmouth , I think. I had hoped to have possibly a winning hand or two as many of the best players were away, but no such luck. A load of rotten hands, followed by one that looked much better with many court cards, only to have opponents with none of that suit and so trumping them all. Well I did win a little prize for being the lowest score of the evening!! Still very nice to see friends and chat and get out to something pleasant.

Today I have my usual womens meeting this morning and the cleaners will be here this afternoon hopefully. I must remember to take a lot of small glass jars to the meeting. forgot them last week. I always recycle and make use of anything I can, sometimes storing things that at the time I do not know what they could be used for, and sure enough they turn out to be useful to someone. There is a craft morning at Upfront. It is not my thing apart from painting or drawing, but they make lots of lovely things of all sorts and they can use the jars for a variety of things. They have been making some crochet poppies which will be going up outside I think. The show at Thirsk for rememberance is always magnificant, as not only do they have the brilliant Yarnbombers , who make such fantastic toppers for the bollards but they also have two long spreads of poppies. Red ones for the humans and then they have another purple set to remember all the animals that were part of the war too, especially the horses in the first world war and of course all the dogs and pigeons which played their part too. My grandfather on my mothers side was in the first world war, in the cavalry. He was shot in the throat and gassed, and very rarely spoke of his time in the dreadful Ypres and the Somme, but would occasionally speak of his horse etc. I am sure that his horse helped him to survive, as he did say that he could say anything to his horse, and was always looking out for him. In the sad days when men were not expected to say out loud how frightened or scared they were, he could speak to his horse, and in trying to look after it, it took his mind off his own situation a little bit. I have always been poppy selling in the past, but didnt like to offer to go anywhere specific this year, as if my back is very bad I didnt want to let them down, but what I do now is offer to bring and take things anywhere they need them to go, and then probably on the friday, I will ring up and see if they need a seller anywhere particularly or can stand in at short notice, perhaps at a supermarket or something. There have been many a year that I have been out in the cold selling poppies and thinking of my friend who helps for Princess Alexandra day I think it is , anyway on a nice June morning. But then I think of my grandad and all those who coped with the terrible weather out in Ypres etc and remember their bravery, and without the waterproof and warm clothing that we all have these days. My grandad did his bit in the second world war, as he drove a fire engine throughout that war too. Sad to think that there are still appalling wars going on today. As there are less and less people living who can talk at first hand of the war and the appalling death camps, we need to keep such memories alive and remind people of the suffering caused, and look to the terrible things happening today, and be ready to try to stop such things as the appalling fighting and killing in Sudan and NEVER think that that is not our concern, and turn our backs on such suffering.

Well time to look out at a brighter day now, with golden leaves carpeting under the tree, but very little wind at all, so not sure if my washing will actually get dry, but being outside still gives it such a lovely smell . If it stays dry, I may go out later today to a wood somewhere, just for the joy of scuffling through the leaves. I have a lovely picture of my son aged about 3, his face lit up with pleasure, in his little yellow wellies and jacket well zipped up, throwing leaves over his head in a wood carpeted with them. Whenever I look at that picture I can remember the occasion well, the chill air, the leaves scrunching beneath our feet and no one else around, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the wood and a feeling that we belonged in that landscape. Ah a long time ago, but a great memory.

Glad that you seem to have done well with your changeover of phone etc Mick , well done and hope you enjoy your trip out today. GrandMattie hope you have a successful trip for your spray and also manage to get a bit of a rest today. I think we also dont recognise that we are actually getting older ourselves. We still seem to think we can do the same as we did perhaps 5 or 10 years ago and are surprised when we feel weary! Sometimes when we see a friend , of a similar age to ourselves and we think they are moving more slowly or taking a lot longer to do something, perhaps we should use that as a reminder that we too are perhaps slowing up a bit, and not to expect miracles of ourselves. (Think that I should definitely take my own advice!!) Kalu, hope the hairdressers goes ok and you have a lull in the weather so that you return home with new hairdo intact. Susan56 well done for holding out for your grandson to stay at the meeting. He might still be the same the next time, but will gradually get used to it and come to enjoy it hopefully.

Well the washer has ground to a halt, and so time to put a jacket on, unleash the yellow peril and go down and bag a couple of lines before they get filled up. May today be good for you all, and hope there will be something special to enjoy, whether it is a lovely view, a flower or a decent cup of coffee . Enjoy your day

Good morning from N. Bucks. Being lazy and haven’t looked outside yet.
We have friends coming to visit us and our other friends around the corner. We shall wander down to town for lunch and spend the rest of the day nattering.
Hope the move goes well Aldom.
Some better news about some of our poorlies this morning. Wishing all a good day with a smile along the way.

Good morning from a lovely sunny Suffolk. I have my stretch class at 9.30 and then I have to go back to the centre where I picked up my new laptop yesterday as the helpful man setting it up for me gave me the wrong charger!

If this glorious weather continues, I hope to pot up the rest of the spring bulbs apart from the tulips which I always leave until November.

Hope all have the best day possible whatever difficulties might be challenging.

Good morning everyone from a bright and sunny 🌞 Northampton, dry today thank goodness, as I have a hairdressers appointment at lunchtime; I will need a brunch here before I go. I am hoping my hairdresser can work a miracle with my colour, cut and restyle!

Yesterday was spent indoors; lots of pottering and odd jobs done in the morning, then a Sainsbury's delivery; read the paper and did the puzzles over lunchtime, then the afternoon was spent knitting again. I have now almost finished the back of the stuffed cat, one more ear to do, then I shall start on the front.
I also blocked out the newly finished cardigan which looks quite nice.now.
Then I stitched up DGD2's school trousers, which was difficult as it was black thread on black fabric - I had to sit right by the window to see what I was doing.

Will probably sit and knit again when I get back from my hair appointment.

A home-made bean chilli from the freezer for dinner tonight. Must retrieve chicken thighs from the freezer to make a slow-cooker chicken curry tomorrow.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Morning from high cloud in S Hants. Yesterday I had a tooth bonded, my tongue spent all evening exploring it and is sore this morning, shame as I’m out for lunch.
MrJ will spread manure today on the garden, hopefully putting bulbs in as he goes.
Better news dragonfly
Good luck today Aldom
Pleased to hear Ekwanimitee is ok.
FGT
🦩🦩

It’s a beautiful morning here in Norfolk. I have been up since 7, put a load of washing in, opened curtains, made a cup of tea and just going to wake husband and get him ready for the day.

We are going to do a weekly shop and then I have a hospital appointment. There is a nice cafe at the hospital where you can sit outside in the sun so we will get a nice coffee there.

Hopefully a very exciting day tomorrow but not ready to talk about it yet. Just killing time really.

Good morning from South Lanarkshire, it’s a bit damp and cloudy and only 2*.

I’m still helping to sort and tidy things at DS’s house, definitely making progress and DDoutL told me yesterday that she’s feeling calmer as a result. There’s some way to go but I’ll keep plodding on every week.

Today I’ve to return a faulty John Lewis mirror and pick up a replacement at your local supermarket Kalu, if DD is working from home I’ll see if she’s got five minutes to pop in and say hello.

Good to hear there’s some improvement in your DH Dragonfly.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from Wiltshire where the weather can’t make up its mind.

Not a great day with the GC’s yesterday. Lots of tears from GD3 as GS2 picked on his sister a great deal including biting her hard on the thigh. He got a big telling off from DH something that rarely happens at home, I think. They made chocolate brownies which was a nightmare. Took them to a play park in the later afternoon after it had stopped raining which went down quite well.

I’m so sorry your GS2 has broken his elbow badly, Grandmabatty. I hope it heals without the need for surgery. It must have been traumatic for him.

I sincerely hope your DH has turned a corner Dragonfly.

Wishing everyone a good day.

Awaiting the U3A book group ( Mrs Gaskell’s “Sylvia’s Lovers”) this morning, delivery of a new microwave this afternoon - endless excitement! Trawling through our many bookshelves I realise that I ought to start culling, but somehow nearly every book is special in some way. DH’s rather more specialised collection is another worry- do students use Greek and Latin dictionaries now or is everything on line? Really don’t know what to do so will do nothing. While his books are on his study shelves he has not completely gone from the house.

Good morning from the the West midlands.
It's a beautiful, mild day here today & the birds are making the most of it, flocking over the fields.
Thank you for the advice regarding my quince (that is not a euphemism!)
I shall try bunging them into my airing cupboard to hopefully mask the pong of stinky- old-dog. Although equally, I may forget & end with the intoxicating whiff of my stupidity.😊
Have a lovely, safe day everyone from me, mutt & the Quince. family.

Good Morning from a damp cold Co Armagh , the woolly scarf was worn !
Yesterday we had a very enthusiastic lady talking about heathy living in our old age , including moving more , when I got home the enthusiasm went missing, I sat down to gather myself and promptly fell asleep!
I missed my chum this morning so didn’t get my coffee , did a mini shop instead and just making do with decay instant !
Make the most of the day xx

Decaffeinated

Good morning from a dull northwest coast. DD from the south still here and we had a day doing useful things, leaf clearing, looking up curtains, lamps and rugs for the newly decorated spare bedroom and I cooked an apple crumble from my own apples. She has pulled a muscle in her back and is annoyed as she’s a very active person and hates being held back.

In the evening she met a friend for a meal and I drove off to my opera co rehearsal. Quite a lot of new music for Christmas concerts. As I’m singing second soprano for now, I’ll need to do some note bashing. I enjoyed the drink after the rehearsal, although it was wild and windy. Coming home, I thought DD was still out and crashed about having cheese and biscuits etc, only to go into her room to put her electric blanket on and she was fast asleep! We will pop out today and buy some new stuff for the bedroom. We call it ‘garnishing’ now it’s been decorated.
Thoughts to dragonfly and all🌺

Card I drew for DGG

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A very late morning all - actually afternoon - from West Oxfordshire.

I’m shortly off to my lunchtime Book Group. I will yet again try to persuade the group to read The First Circle by Alexander Solzhenitsyn!

Have a good day.

Oh aggie Yesterday we had a very enthusiastic lady talking about heathy living in our old age , including moving more , when I got home the enthusiasm went missing, I sat down to gather myself and promptly fell asleep!

I’m only just reading this thread and need to say ‘thank you’ for the giggle that gave me!