Good Morning Friday 19th December 2025

Good morning from a (now) dry, mild Bristol.
Welcome back, gaga. Still safe and friendly here…
Yesterday morning was busy. I needed to have my glasses straightened. Because of the corrections, they need to be exquisitely straight, otherwise I get some pretty bad headaches. But I needed a whole load of other stuff, in other parts of the area, so had to plan my journey with care.
First bus to collect prescriptions. Another bus for Specsavers. At they did the job and popped into Sainsbury’s. I caught sight of someone I thought I recognised, it was the cookery tutor at the WI college. We had had a good relationship then. I was delighted to see him and we had a nice chat. He lives not far, so I hope we’ll bump into each other again.
Then bus back to the “other” village. I don’t go there so often as there is a steep hill home. Did my business and walked up said hill.
I had washed and ironed a pile of tea towels and decided to take them to church. It was pouring down, and carried on for the rest of the day.
In the afternoon, I glued my mini gingerbread house ps together. I thought I had made more, but I have enough for my needs.
Today, I need to make the promised 6 dozen mince pies (with commercial mincemeat)for Sunday’s carol service. Later, I’ll probably invite my neighbour for decorating said houses. She had a wonderful time last year…
Carpe diem my dear friends. 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Morning Mick, morning All from a dry corner of Somerset. A welcome change after yesterdays deluge

Kind motorways made our trip over the bridge less difficult than it often is. It did pour with rain though, thankfully our son drove and seemed totally unaffected, I’d have been exhausted. We had a thoroughly enjoyable, chatty time although we all left holding concerns about our friend who is struggling with constant severe pain and many practical home related issues. We’ll offer to meet trades with her, can do no more now, historically we’ve helped on a practical level. Our sons parting comment was ‘don’t you dare!’

We can collect our new laptop this morning, other than time spent with the wizard finishing the set up, he needs passwords, nothing on today’s agenda. We may divert to a garden centre or simply return home and read. Slow cooker chicken casserole this evening, easy enough.

There will be a wonderful baking smell coming from your kitchen today grandmattie. Icing gingerbread houses sounds great fun too. You work hard for your church.

Best wishes to everyone. Hope this Friday is gentle with us all.

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a very dark, still morning in North Yorkshire. I am very weary today, feel exhausted before I even start, but it has been a hard week all told.

Today I am hoping to have a quieter day, and the plan is to just try and catch up with bits and pieces and last cards etc to post.

Yesterday went quite well but very busy and there seemed very little time to have any sort of a rest. The weather was not kind, endless raining, grey and miserable. I got all the bedding washed but not even half an hour outside, so draped round on clothes horses was the best I could manage, I was creaking around but did manage to finally get showered and hair washed and dressed and got to the meeting about 11am, instead of the planned 1030. Anyway it was all very nice. Many people had on special christmas jumpers, I dont have one, but wore my red trousers from summer but with my polar long johns on underneath with a red and white top and a green jumper , and said that I was being a holly berry for christmas! It was good to see one or two who have not been coming for various reasons lately, and we had quite a nice little assorted sandwiches and so forth laid out, including some small choux pastry with cream in and either chocolate or coffee icing buns, so I treated myself to one coffee one which I enjoyed.

People were coming in and out but at one point both Hetty, who is in overall charge of the meetings and all the helpers were in the room so I was able to get everyones attention and offer a vote of thanks for all there efforts over the year, and say how much we appreciated their efforts and looked forward to next year. Hetty comes from Nigeria and last week we had sung our Yorkshire carol - while shepherds watched to the tune of ilkley moor, and asked her to sing us a carol from nigeria. Her sister who is a senior nurse nearby was able to drop in and they sang us a carol and I learnt the tune and can now say happy christmas in another language. (over the years it has been my little habit to try and collect many ways of saying happy christmas in other languages.)

Then I had to get going as I knew the cleaning ladies would be coming and got home and they were already here, working their magic, as they had had to change their order of work, So the flat already was looking much brighter, but with plenty of things for me to deal with later. They gave me a very nice christmas card and a bottle of wine and I had paid them their normal money and added a tip to each to have a drink with me and off they went.

I wanted to just sit and rest but knew that I needed to get fuel etc for saturday and so went off to Thirsk for fuel and a few bits and then called in for a very much needed coffee at cafe nero. It was still pouring down so back home and shopping unpacked and very little else done, so today much packing up of presents, catching up with bits and pieces and getting the car ready and sorted for tomorrow to make an early start to meet the family. At least the worst the weather will be throwing at us should be rain again, or maybe a bit drier, but hopefully no ice or snow which is more usual at this time of year. I think I have bought all the bits I need to take with me and as I am not making christmas dinner this year, and not expecting many callers here, I have avoided buying in loads of food, but did get some various vegetables at the cheap prices at the moment, with a plan to get some casserole and soup made and ready for after the holiday period. So a slow and steady sorting day with the local paper to catch up on any news that affects me. Hopefully I will feel refreshed and ready for the drive tomorrow and with little or no floods to contend with.

Good to know your tablets are working for you Mick and hope you have a good trip today and meet some friends. My goodness grandMattie, you will be being charged business rates on your home with the amount of baking you do!! The gingerbread houses sound nice. will you put us a picture of them on your post when you have finished them? I havent even made a single mince pie this year, but actually being diabetic, I have deliberately not made any cakes or mince pies here, so that I have allowed myself the odd cake or pie when out at a meeting or something, knowing that I cant give way to temptation at home, and hope that this will keep me somewhat on the right lines so the next diabetic check wont earn me scoldings and head shakings. Well amongst many other things making more of an effort to stick to the rules will be one of my new years resolutions.

Hoping everyone has a good day, with a chance to meet friends and relations and have a happy time

Thanks, madelaine. Fortunately, I’m not diabetic, additionally, I don’t have a sweet tooth, so am happy to just have the odd thing - one mince pie,one small slice of cake, etc. if I remember.

Good morning from a peaceful Crewe.

We thoroughly enjoyed seeing DGD in Cinderella preceded by a delicious Italian meal. My DS and DGS3 joined us at the theatre. Afterwards, we went back to my daughter’s home for a convivial time with the various generations including my ex and his wife. They kindly drove us back to our hotel.

Today we need to be up and out early to be sure of being on a train from here to be in Stafford for our booked trip on the 9.00 Cross Country to Torquay.

A good day to you all. 🎁🎄🧑🏻‍🎄

Good morning from a dry (at last!) Black Country.

Set out on the 10 minute walk to the pub yesterday, whereupon it started to rain, and hammered down all afternoon. Luckily had a lift back home.

The meal and chat was wonderful, in a cosy canal side pub. Home by 4pm

Video call to Mum where she still doesn't remember the Carer coming in at lunchtime. Heartbreaking.

No real plans today except I will make a batch of Mince pies, and a Salted Caramel cake (for Sundays get together).

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning from s somerset, it is going to be sunny today, hurray

Last night I watched a most lovely film called seasons of the heart on youtube.

The day was mixed, baking the old style way and I made 20 buns via long fermentation, testing my new mixer which passed a heavy kneading test with flying colours. New knitting started and balls wound, so I can get on with the top for dil.

I am on a trip tomorrow and will need to get a few things loaded into my car today. Just general potching but definitely will include a walk in the sun

Have a nice day

Good morning from S E Essex, it is dark but we are predicted to have sunshine.

Our Christmas lunch was good fun, lots of laughter and chat.

Tonight we are going to dinner with an AS and his family, at a really nice local(ish) hotel overlooking the sea (the one not far from you Sar53), an early birthday meal for DH (it’s tomorrow)

Thinking of those with worries and illness 🎄🤶

Good Morning everyone from a dark and damp (but not raining) south coast. Thank you for all the lovely welcome backs to the thread yesterday. Glad I took the plunge!

DH is going on a morning cycle ride with his club so I have an empty which I shall use to plan menus for the next two weeks. He still cycles twice a week with his club and usually they do 50 miles each time with stops for coffee then lunch.

His surgeon said that his basic fitness, from all the cycling he has done for the last 40 plus years, was a major factor in his recovery. He played rugby at a high level when I met him in 1963 and until he was forty, then ran marathons, then took up cycling as easier on the knees!

Our sporty son followed his example and (some GNs may recall kindly sponsoring him) when he cycled the South Downs Way end to end - both ways- (200 miles) without stopping in 17 hours. He raised a lot of money for Cancer Research doing that.

Thinking of all the GNs unwell or struggling and sending positive vibes to any who need them. Might get the sprouts on today - we like them well cooked. {tchgrin}

I

try again Gaga!

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s dark, hopefully it’ll stay dry today
Goodness gMattie you’re so busy, well done you deserve a medal 🥇
Nothing much planned for today, still trying to get over this virus and wishing my barking cough would go.
Safe travels home Ash sounds like you has a lovely family evening
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Good morning, very foggy here on the hillside in south Glos.
After yesterday’s deluges we have local flooding and once again the lanes from here have turned into streams.as springs erupt from the hillsides. I can’t remember ever seeing so many springs!
I gave the house a good going over yesterday so I’m pretty much ready for DS and family’s arrival tomorrow. II’ll sort out my airbed tomorrow morning when I do the final bits.
I think I’m ready for Christmas, it will be just DH and me so nothing elaborate happening and definitely no turkey!
Best wishes to you all 🌹

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s dry out and 6 degrees, a fine day is forecast.
Yesterday was dreadful, it started raining hard at 11 o’clock and continued until mid evening. Putting the bins out gave me a choice of going through a big puddle on the drive or a muddy walk on the front grass! I chose the puddle!
I delivered a card and potted plant to a friend in the morning then waved a duster about and gave the vacuum cleaner a workout!
I need to clean the kitchen this morning then my hairdresser is coming this afternoon.
grandmattie you will be busy with the mince pies today! Have fun decorating the gingerbread houses with your neighbour later.
ash I hope you have a trouble free journey home today.

Hoping that all who are travelling today have safe and easy journeys. cornergran you were lucky with your journey over the bridge yesterday and a relief for you that your DS drove you.

Best wishes to all those who are struggling for any reason.

Have the best day possible everyone..

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.

I was glad to get my roots done yesterday and have a hair cut,

It is the WI Christmas do today. An Italian lunch followed by the final Downton Abbey film.

Younger son is coming this evening and will stay for the weekend. He has offered to make fish pie for us tomorrow - he makes the best fish pie - so I’ve bought all the ingredients.

Have a good day. GM sounds very industrious and I hope MaryD’s granddaughter didn’t pilfer too many things! Thinking of the FGT2S. I don’t think we’ve had any recent progress reports.

Good morning Mick and everyone from a dark and damp looking Carlisle.
Another poor night's sleep but not so shattered this morning. Yesterday morning was slow until the caffeine kicked in. I pootled through the day with various little tidying and sorting jobs. Today will be much the same except that I hope to have the energy and some dry weather for a post lunch walk.

This is the time of year when I feel an urge for a good clear out of 'stuff' but I will restrain myself until the New Year.
My crocuses, the ones planted in previous years, are growing steadily, I won't be be surprised if we see the next year in with flashes of colour, very odd!

Have a good day everyone!

Good morning everyone from a still dark Northampton, can't see what the weather is out but the forecast says bright and sunny.

At least there's no rain, unlike yesterday when it absolutely poured until late afternoon. I got very wet....
Annoyed at the bank as the inside ATM was not working so had to go and stand out in the rain to withdraw money. By the time I got to the cinema I could have done with a towel and a hairdryer!
The film, Blue Moon, was very good but extremely sad - it was the story of lyric writer Lorenz Hart and his split from musical composer Richard Rodgers, apparently due to Hart's unreliability and drunkenness among other things. The rejection affected him very badly and he never recovered. Of course Rodgers went on to great things with his new lyric writer Oscar Hammerstein, Oklahoma! and South Pacific etc.

It was still raining heavily when I came out of the cinema, and the wind was gusting so strongly that my umbrella blew inside out twice and I feared that I would be blown over. But undeterred I made my way to the jewellers in the town centre where I claimed my champagne and mince pie. I had a browse and eventually decided to treat myself to some pretty ear-rings - something that DH would have bought me for Christmas....

Today I shall be out for lunch at the garden centre with three other neighbours and ex-neighbours. Hoping to have a browse round as well. Depending on how much lunch I eat, I may not need much for dinner tonight.

Wishing all a pleasant day.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 8° and wet. There are large puddles on the road so it's been heavy overnight. Ash safe journey home. Gagagran you're only putting on your sprouts now 😱. Mine have been on since October. 😂 I think it was Terry Wigan who started that.
Yesterday I found my missing mojo- temporarily. I headed to town and looked for superdrug to buy stocking fillers. No luck as it has gone like so many other shops. The town is full of vape shops, charity shops and vacant signs. Fortunately the book shop was still there so I achieved what I set out to do. Then I headed to Tesco to buy the stocking fillers and picked up a Radio Times for my daughter. Home again and I began wrapping. I haven't quite finished it but I'm on the way.
Today I have one present still to buy in a nearby town then home again to finish the wrapping. The local cards didn't get delivered yesterday so I'll do that today. And that'll be me organised. Have a good day all.

Good morning all from a chilly North Leicestershire.

I have a busy day in prospect. I need to go to the pet shop for bird food, the butcher's and Waitrose. This afternoon I have a pedicure booked.

This evening it is the Farmers Charity Tractor Run which is always spectacular, noisy and sociable.

Have the best day possible everyone ❤️

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is it is just getting light. It forgot to get light yesterday and was so dark all day I had all the downstairs lights on constantly. And the rain!😱. Today we are promised a dry day.

I made a couple of dozen mince pies and was glad of the food processor to make the pastry because my fingers are no longer fit for purpose when it comes to the rubbing in method! I shall take some over to my niece this morning when I deliver cards and presents. The rest will go into the freezer. If they don’t, I shall have eaten them by next week! DS rang for a chat in the evening. He will be here on the 28th hopefully.

I put the washing machine on overnight so I shall get the contents out on the dryer early and let them have a blow.

Have the best day you can folks.

Good morning from a dry W Kent. An early visit to the supermarket yesterday left me with lots of cheap veg so the rest of the day was spent making soup and a carrot cake. I think all the card writing is finished and parcels packed.
Today is hairdresser late in the day but otherwise rather quiet
Best wishes

Morning, I think it is dry in S Hants, different from yesterday when it didn’t stop, with the back garden flooded.
Today nurse at 9am for dressing check, Tesco delivery pm, MrJ has bowls, but is hesitant to leave me alone.
Safe journey Ashcombe and others travelling.
I hope those struggling have a better day.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning everyone, it’s just coming light on the east coast and I’m sure it’s damp out. Didn’t hear it raining in the night though.
I’ve been awake since four am. I had a bad dream and couldn’t get back to sleep. I don’t have too much to do this morning so I can rest a little.

This afternoon we are at our friend’s house for her Christmas party. She hosts every year. It’s an early one as unfortunately my best friend’s DH is suffering with lung cancer and gets tired easily so it’s an afternoon do instead to make it more comfortable for him. How life can change so quickly. We have been told not to wear anything black unless we want covering in white dog hairs. They have adopted an older white German shepherd who is beautiful but huge so jeans will be worn but still a Christmas jumper. It should be fun.
DH is making my breakfast of avocado and poached egg on toast. I like it on cinnamon fruit loaf he thinks it’s weird but it’s really tasty.

Hope you all have a safe enjoyable Friday bringing sparks of joy. 🎄

Good morning from a dry Suffolk after very heavy rain yesterday. We’ve had a really lovely couple of days with DD1 and family. We had lunch before they left at Seckford Hall near Woodbridge before they left as it is on their way home to North Somerset. It is an Elizabethan building,once the home of the Seckford family and now a hotel.

It was beautifully decorated for Christmas and the food was delicious but the best bit for me( and here I’m going to be the worst kind of boastful granny) was seeing the delightful youngsters the 3 teenagers have become….even the ‘wild child’ just now 14. They were engaging, interesting and appropriately polite and courteous to the waiters. Boast over.

I have a hair appt this afternoon but before that,I’m going to visit my dear friend who moved to a local Care home yesterday for 3 or 4 weeks respite before returning home. I hope she settles. She messaged me last evening saying she was enjoying a glass of wine so the initial signs are good.

Hope today is a good one for all.

Good morning from a cold and dark northwest coast. A day of bits and pieces yesterday. Xmas present of wine delivery delayed as DS not there to sign and I spent time on the telephone cancelling a magazine subscription where I had forgotten to cancel the automatic renewal. So dark and gloomy too all day.
I’m in a patch of watching 40s noir films, good fun.
DD arrives for Xmas on Sunday and we had a long FaceTime re my financial advisor who I’m not happy with. Her latest ‘advice’ has left me confused and the point is to keep stress away, not add to it.
Started another Dorothy Whipple book which is excellent.
Today to optician to fix my specs and organise the house a bit.
Thoughts to all🌺🎄