Good Morning Friday 21st November 2025

Good morning from a chilly Bristol. It’s dry and probably frosty but I haven’t looked out yet.
The residents’ meeting regarding outside painting was a complete waste of time. We had pair of mute reps from the contractors attending and the chap in charge of the works had decided we were supposed to be splitting our sides laughing, that it was all a joke.. Whatever comment we made was met with “we only paint the outside”, etc. They are starting in the middle of February, for 6 weeks, making good as they go along. I hope so. He will come at most once a week to supervise, yadda, yadda, yadda. I came back very cross.
Basically, everything was decided before the meeting. Anything we asked was “not relevant”. Honestly? It would have been easier to send us a letter giving us the information.
We were not happy, having been given 6 days notice for the meeting, the other thing was that, apart from our resident retired architect, we were treated like drooling idiots, and patronised.
So there we are. Hands tied, hamstrung, expected to be hugely grateful for whatever they condescend to do with our money.
Today, I’m off to Spanish. The footpath which cuts a good 10 minutes from my journey, has been closed for three months as bowing stone walls are being repaired. At least, it isn’t raining like last week!
May the weekend bring only good news, peace and contentment to you all.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning Mick and all who follow.
Dark and cold with remains of the snow still lying.
Yesterday BT engineer arrived at lunchtime and replaced my router and set up the digital landline. He told me how I could keep the old password to save changing all devices. I have three laptops , a tablet and phone.
Been awake since 4.30 so it is going to be a long day. I will be on the sofa with a book this afternoon, maybe I will have a snooze then.
Have a good day.

Good morning Mick, morning all from South Lanarkshire where it’s -3*.

No wonder you’re angry gMattie, how frustrating.

Our journey to DS’s yesterday took 2 hours and 45 minutes instead of the usual 1.5 hours due to long holdups on the motorway, the reason for which wasn’t clear. Thankfully we go much earlier than actually needed for school pickups.

The children were all in good humour which makes looking after them a pleasure.

I have everything crossed that the few of us planning to meet up in Glasgow today manage to get there as some areas have been badly affected by frost and snow.

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

All the best with your meet-up today, baubles and hope that *mdg makes i5 too. 💐

Good morning from Malta where thundery showers are forecast with a high of 20°C.

Yesterday was a lovely day so I got all my errands run and treated myself to a coffee whilst I was in the village. Sat out to make the most of the sunshine.

The boys were dropped off at 3pm, DGS2 was fast asleep so DGS1 played very happily on his own for a while. I had bought them a set of wooden fish and meat for their kitchen so he was happy to find it in the oven!

DGS2 had extremely strong feelings when he awoke to find Mummy had gone to have her nails done without him! He got over it quickly, fortunately, and was absolutely sweet and chatty until Daddy picked them up at 6pm.

The cat Winston has really made himself at home now and slept on my knee all evening. I didn’t dare get up in case I disturbed him!😂

So sorry to hear of the fiasco grandMattie. No wonder you are disgruntled, nobody needs that stress in their lives.

I have a hair appointment as usual today but it’s for a much needed colour. I have the roots done every four weeks but my hair grows so fast there’s quite a lot of grey showing.

Wishing a good day to all, especially the Glesca Grans for their meet up.☀️

Good morning from still dark Wiltshire.

No snow here but DD1 had some in the Reading area. It’s been very cold so we cranked up the heating. I feel for those who find heating their homes a hardship.

Not much going on atm apart from shopping trips and school pickups.

Your management company for your complex sounds a complete nightmare GM. Can you escalate the situation to their head office or even get the local press involved?

Belated birthday wishes to your GS2 Grandmabatty. It’s so exciting at that age.

Hope everyone with illness and difficulties has a better time of it.

Good morning from a very cold and frosty spot in south Glos, I’m sneezing and spluttering with a sore throat, what fun…
I will dose myself up and hope it’s short lived.
I was well wrapped up for yesterday’s dog walks, the cold doesn’t bother them, and it was lovely to be out in the sunshine. The sun was coming up for the first walk and setting for the second, lighting up the cloud edges and absolutely beautiful to see.
Housework and some cooking today, SIL and her DH are coming to lunch tomorrow.
Little else happening here.
Best wishes to everyone 🌹

Morning from a cold S Hants, heating came on at 6:30.
I’d be hopping mad too gMattie so frustrating.
Yesterday was quiet, a few deliveries, including crackers, for which I had to give my dob - ‘explosives’, made me smile.
This morning stretch class, then I’m taking my granddaughter out for lunch, Tesco delivery later and pub about 5. MrJ has early evening bowls.
I hope those struggling have an easier day.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. It is freezing in South Yorkshire and there is frost on the car this morning. As I’m not planning to go out early today I am not concerned. I had a very broken night.

Yesterday’s walk in the woods was cold but lovely. It was surprisingly dry underfoot. I had coffee with the group afterwards at the woodland cafe and then lunch with DD but left her early as my hip was suddenly very painful and I felt the need to get home. I have to go and get it Xrayed on Monday so we’ll see what is causing the pain - hopefully just muscles and tendons.

I have to catch up with a dear friend today. He’s left two messages on my answerphone and is worried because I haven’t replied. School this afternoon. The Year 4 group so it will be a short easy going session.

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning from s somerset, cold with bright sun today

GM outside painting should never be done in frosty weather nor when rain is expected. The paint will not adhere and the contractors are cowboys. Surely you have enough nous between you to take over running the management company yourselves. You are all being manipulated

I am off to the dentist this morning and glad to have a good car for the driving, the first part could well have black ice in patches.

Have a good day

Good morning everyone from a very cold and wintry Inverness
That’s so annoying and insulting gMattie how awful
I’ve a volunteering session for most of today so that’ll keep me busy. When I’m done I’ll probably meet DH at one of the garden centres for a coffee before we go home
Enjoy lunch out with your DGD Jax special times ❤️
Hope the Glesca Grans meeting up today have a lovely time, I’ll miss seeing you all
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning what does this story online today mean. It says people on State Pension will lose £140 another. Does it refer to new claimants or existing ones?

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

Volunteering this morning. Lots of layers required as we sit in front of a constantly opening door.

Have the best day you can everyone.

Good morning from a chilly W Kent. The rod is still being repaired outside our house bs we watch on as driver completely ignore the road shut signs, one got out of his car this morning and moved the cones and signs which a neighbour had out in place overnight.
Shopping this morning and writing a few more cards later
gM as you say what was the point
Best wishes and a happy meeting to the glesca grans

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s frosty out this morning and we have a warning of ice until 11. Yesterday was cold but I did go for a walk, met up with some dog walking friends but we didn’t stop to chat, just talked as we walked!
I hope the grans in Scotland have a good meeting and that the weather and ill health don’t get in the way. Looking forward to seeing some photos!
Best wishes to all who have medical appointments today, I hope they go well with reassuring results.
A frustrating meeting grandmattie. Being patronised is not pleasant.
My hairdresser is coming this afternoon and my back has recovered enough to enable me to sit long enough for her to put some colour onto my roots! I’ll need to start driving again soon as am desperate to get to the shops! Should be ok in a week’s time 🤞.

Have as good a day as is possible, keep warm and stay safe.

Good Morning from Durham. It’s barely light here. I’m off to Harrogate with DD1 soon and it’s forecast dry, cold but sunny there.
Took Little Dog home last night to find DD2 has her Mini back. Now her new car is ready to pick up tomorrow - I only hope it’s suitable, as she must keep it 3 years.

Hope the Glasgow Grannies have a good meet up.
Missing some regular posters, fingers crossed they’re ok.

Best wishes to all. X

This should have said £140 monthly

Regarding the estate management. This is an Anchor sheltered housing group run by them. Not possible nor desirable to take over the management.
Besides there are only three of us doing all the heavy lifting, the rest can’t be jiggered, too scared, too frail, etc., to deal with any. Also, how long will we have our full complement of marbles? We came here to avoid all this stuff, we pay enough!
One of the trio has written to our MP who has contacted both the management and the contractors two or more months ago but, guess what, they haven’t replied! To his credit, he is following up.
I suspect that the management is postponing their reply so that, after about 8 months of obfuscation and pretending Togo things “immediately “, they can then burnish their halos to show how much they have (finally) done!

Good morning from a chilly and frosty S E Essex.

The 10yr old is curled up in DH’s chair eating an egg and bacon sandwich with fresh orange juice. (Totally against my no food in the sitting room rule, but he is sooo gorgeous 💙)

Off to the gym, hopefully it will clear my tension headache.

A sit down before school pick up ☕️

Out to dinner with friends this evening to a favourite local Tapas Restaurant.

grandMattie I am cross on your behalf.

Enjoy your meet up Glasgow Grannies I would love to join you one day.

As for outdoor painting in February, I was assured that “modern paints can be applied in temperatures as low as -20 degrees”. He wasn’t amused when I asked him if it was C or F! 😂

Good morning Mick and everyone from dry, clear Carlisle where it is currently -4°C.
I have to go out today with no prospects of it warming up much. I was hoping to do a countryside tour to round up various items but may reconsider and just go to my dental appointment in town.

Yesterday was just a gentle pottering day doing little jobs and then reading and writing in the afternoon after my post lunch walk. I had the best of the weather there, it clouded over when I got back and I expected a snow shower but no...

How annoying grandMattie, what a silly time of year to be painting outside. And why, because we're oldies, do they think our brains are half dead and we need to be spoken to like children?! You tend to get this in hospitals in my experience.

I hope you all have a successful day, especially in Glasgow!

Morning all from a very cold North Leicestershire where the temperature is -2°.

We have a man coming to quote for new carpet in a bedroom, I have to go to Waitrose and the pet shop but then I am meeting some friends for lunch.

Nonnadiana you might be better to start a thread about your query.

Have the best day possible everyone.

good morning Mick and all GN's on a very dark and cold North Yorkshire day . Doesnt look as though there is any snow on the ground but really too dark to see yet.

I had a busy but reasonably successful day in the end yesterday. My plan had been to make the most of waking up early to get stuff sorted before the meeting. Ha typical, had a rubbish night but it ended with me falling asleep about quarter to five and then not waking until about 7.25am. Missed my Bach, felt rather like a zombie, trying to think what I needed to do and moving so slowly that I am sure I saw a tortoise rush past!

I do make lists of things fortunately and keep a pad by my bed as often I think last thing of something I had meant to get done and didnt do, to remind me to put it at the top of the list for the next day and to take it out of my mind too.
The washer got filled with the bedding and set off , but it was cold and bits of snow whirling around but not settling, so wasnt worth putting the first load out on the line and besides , hadnt really got time before going out.

Creaking along and rather exasperated by my slowness I went to my "go to" and went in the shower and that not only washed me, but let me loosen up a bit, whilst my brain also slowly got into gear about what I needed to do. So then it was a quick breakfast, whilst writing a shopping list, then sorting out my bag, as I had a bottle of wine to add to the hampers, 4 little empty bottles and a couple of small glass containers , which I thought could be used by the craft people or the bottles = which had had a single sherry in them - could have had a label attached to them and go in the hampers with a note stating what they could be exchanged for , so no actual wine bottles which could fall and smash or be taken or whatever. I kept looking out at the weather, trying to decide what to do. If I went in the car, dry but then would I be able to park and the pavements looked treacherous with autumn leaves and icy and cold. In the end donned my polar long johns and warm trousers and out came the big polar jacket and I used the yellow peril, which was a good decision as it seemed much safer to travel on and had no problems with parking etc.

Had to abandon the idea of any shopping before the meeting but managed to just get there as it started. So we did not have as many women as normal, the weather no doubt putting some people off, but those of us who went had a pleasant time. At first the heaters had not been switched on, so everyone was sat in their coats and I was glad of my polar jacket, but it soon warmed up. We got out all the various gifts that people had contributed and then sorted them out into appropriate hampers and I must say they looked very good and I think they should do well with the raffle, as there are lots of goodies to tempt people. We also made £70 from a previous raffle of things, and that goes into our own funds for the group. We use this for various things, such as transport to something we want to go to, so that everyone is able to go.

While we were sorting this all out, it was decided that we should have our christmas do here at our own place and 2 members were detailed to organise the food stuff , after looking at our suggestions , so that is arranged now, and then the Yoga lady arrived, and fortunately the room had warmed up a bit by now. I was struggling a lot with my right leg which has been a beggar lately with lots of very painful cramps and now pain right up to the groin, so I had to be a bit tentative with the exercises and sometimes had to sit down. She is a very good teacher and was able to give me good ideas as to what I could do seated, and she is a very nice person , with a very positive way of speaking, encouraging us all to try a little more, yet very accepting if we were unable to do it, giving alternatives that we might try. As there were fewer of us there we sat round in a circle and it really felt a good session, for me a much needed calming and relaxing time. So overall an extremely good time, but then off I went to get Joshuas present from Waterstones, to make sure I got it ready to wrap up and then whenever we get together I have it ready. wont be this weekend with the weather as it is.

There were other things I wanted, but time was going on so thought I had better just get the prescription and get back as the cleaners would be coming, so off I went to chemist , only annoyingly to find it had gone 1pm and so they were closed for lunch time. So then home and first thing was to get the washing and go down and get it all hung out to at least dry a little I hoped and definitely smells better, then got myself some hot soup to warm up, I felt quite shattered by then and was glad to just sit down for a bit. Then the cleaners came and carried on in their usual efficient manner, sorting out all my new bedcovers and the kitchen looked better for their ministrations. The floor always looks so much better when they have been as they can bend and pick stuff up, and they sweep and mop and accomplish a great deal in an hour that would take me all day if I could even do it!

So today I am waiting for the day to warm up a bit and then it is out to get the prescription, paper and a couple of other bits and then back to the warm here , with no plans to stay out at all. Just looked out and quickly closed the curtains as a blast of cold air greeted me. No snow but frosty roofs everywhere and the graass looks frosty too. Wonder how my lovely salvia is coping. I had covered it with plastic overnight so hope it has survived but if it is going to continue to be freezing for the next few days dont hold out much hope.

Think it will be safer to go on the yellow peril again, so will not have to do much walking around. Will make prescription first port of call as am absolutely down to my last tablets, which makes me feel rather edgy until I have safely got my new ones in the cupboard. So it will be polar stuff on and my big polar jacket will get another airing. Think I shall be making use of it quite a lot in the near future.

Mick hope your trip goes well and you enjoy your fish and chips. GrandMattie I recommend making some bread today as an outlet for your anger and frustration as you pummel it hard thinking of who you wish you were thumping. Have any of you thought of going to the citizens advice or even I know that you can go to some solicitors for a free half an hour first meeting and see what they might recommend and how much it might cost to sue them, or at least send a solicitors letter where you can show them your legal rights and perhaps scare them into doing something. What a hopeless shower they all are and you can do without the hassle and rise in blood pressure that a meeting with their useless and insulting people. Harrigran great that you are ok now with your computer. Baubles hope that todays meeting goes ok. Wish we had a local group here but so far no takers. If I am ever up your way I will send a message and it would be lovely to meet you for coffee somewhere and put some faces to names. Bellasnana a good picture of a happy cat. Have you thought of letting your hair go back to its normal colour? My hair is totally white now, looks ok to me, and of course I dont have to waste time and money in the hairdressers. As I try to do quite a lot of swimming, it is only worth getting a good cut as it is very fine and goes everywhere, so whilst I admire many very good hairstyles and a variety of colours on friends I dont attempt to emulate them, just glad if it looks clean and doesnt get in my eyes!

Blimey, I have just looked out again and swear it is even colder rather than warming up and the grass and the roofs all look whiter than ever. It might be afternoon at this rate before I venture out, but the lure of my paper will get me going at some point. May you all stay safe and warm today and have an easy day with whatever you choose to do

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently -4° and dry. Very cold and frosty. GrandMattie that would have made me so angry. How patronising. Bellasnana dgs2 here loves food and cooking toys. Apparently he's going to be a chef when he's older.
Yesterday was busy in the school library. It was in quite a mess so lots of tidying up required. Later I was at a reading event in dgs1's classroom which was very interesting. They were using strategies I had used as a secondary teacher and it was good to see them again. I had sat on one of the children's seats, however, and the low level did my leg no good at all!
Today the cold I have been incubating has burst forth and I'm feeling a bit miserable. Sore feet, sore leg, sneezing, coughing ,running nose, sore head - you get the picture. I would have liked to meet up with the Glasgow crew but my leg is still problematic and the cold has put the tin lid on it. Ladies, have a lovely time.