Good Morning Saturday 20th December 2025

Good morning from a bright W Kent. A bit of shopping this morning just locally and quiet the rest of the day. We are not doing a lot of things this year as DH has a hospital appointment Tuesday which entails a complicated drive in heavy Christmas traffic for me.
Lovely mince pies gM
Best wishes

Good morning from a rather murky N. Bucks. Hopefully the sun will appear as it did yesterday.
Fresh food shop this morning and then DH and I will get stuck in to the gift wrapping which we didn’t get around to yesterday. We did get several other jobs done though.
Wishing all a good day.

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is 3°C ,

Pants, a perfect description! ♥️ I love thar word meander .
Yesterday, I went to Sainsbury's on my own, I just needed time to myself, to clear my head. It has not been the best of weeks
I am beginning to have a feeling of hopelessness, about my failing health. I am not improving.
I immediately cheered up (so shallow and materialistic), when I saw the 70% off sign.
My purchases included a beautiful velvet jacket (I can't resist velvet) and a sweater for DD.
The best purchase of all was a Spiderman puddle suit, reduced to £6.
Babydoll told me on Thursday that Santa was bringing her a Spidernan t-shirt and a suit. However, I don't think Santa knows this. 😂
I actually have a t-shirt for her and the puddle suit solves the problem.
While I was out, I received a message from the P,P, asking ihow I was, then a second one last night. I think he might be worried.

On the way home, I stopped at Matalan, to see if they had tights for Babydoll,
To my surprise, they had no Christmas items left, after reducing them by 50%.

This morning is the annual family viewing of Muppets Christmas Carol,
I think I might be washing my hair. 😉
Present will be DH, DD and Dollie. Dollie's parents are off Christmas food shopping and having time alone together.
They are all off to McDonald for breakfast, before coming here.
(What about poor old gran ??).
SIL. Who never turns down a free lunch, has informed me that he is coming for lunch.

I asked DD to bring down the garden statue of a Roman soldier ( I know, I'm nuts!) I bought it for DH's Christnas , which had been delivered to DD's. However, DD doesn't know how to fit it in the car, it is so big! I thought it was just a small thing. 😂
She also informed me that she is bringing down all the family presents to put under the tree, because that keeps her house tidy. What does she think our house is, an Evri depot!

Tonight, I have Mass. I'm dreading it. The curate is the celebrant and I don't think he is talking to me.
He was responsible for the offending photo being uploaded to the Parish Facebook account and was initially very dismissive of my concerns on Monday.
The Advsor's intervention has meant he now thinks differently.😉

I am wondering how the dragonflies are and Nannyjan, I hope things are a bit more settled for your mum.💐

Good luck with the baking, GM, and safe journey Madeleine,

Corner, we both need new PCs, due to the launch of Windows 11. DH has just about finished doing the spec for his, I keep putting the thought of mine into a a dark back room in my brain, 😂

Have a good day everyone, whatever your plans.

Good morning from a misty Suffolk after a lovely sunny day yesterday. After a hectic week I intend to have a quiet day today only going out to get the newspaper which normally comes with our Saturday afternoon delivery. No delivery today as our Christmas one is coming on Tuesday. I think I booked that when the window opened in September!

Ironing and reading will take up the day after a walk with DH and little dog this morning. In spite of the sun yesterday the lanes are still very muddy and some fields waterlogged.

Hope today is a good one for all.

Morning all from a frozen West Oxfordshire!

Yesterday’s WI do was fun. An Italian lunch followed by the final Downton Abbey film.

Younger son arrived for the weekend last night. He will cook us fish pie for dinner tonight. He is back in his office on Monday so a flying visit.

Have a good day everyone. Thinking of MaryD and the FGT2S.

Good morning from a brightening Torbay but rain is expected later.

Our journey back did not go to plan. On boarding the train at Stafford, expecting it to take us through to Torquay, we were told that it would terminate at Birmingham due to lack of drivers. Had we known sooner, we would have boarded a different train. Anyway, we decided that travelling via London would help us reach home more easily but we were still home three hours later than expected. Our journey entailed being on five trains and in three taxis, including a cab from Euston to Paddington as I can’t manage the Tube with luggage.

Nevertheless, we still managed to attend a relaxing social evening at the theatre with mulled wine, etc. This weekend, I hope to put up some decorations at last! Your fireplace looks cosy, monk08.

Happy weekend to those who can and thoughts to with the poorly ones. ⭐️🎁🎄🧑🏻‍🎄⭐️

Good morning from Shropshire.Dry at the moment.

We are meeting DD1 half way this morning to collect the children for a sleepover.The elves are ready for them!We will call at The Range on the way home for Christmas crackers as we are now hosting on Christmas Day🤪I will make more lists and we will go food shopping on Monday.DD and SIL can’t face our usual Christmas without her MIL so asked if they can come here.No problem as DH says it’s just a roast with extras!They will bring the turkey as we don’t eat meat and aren’t to be trusted with cooking said bird so that’s a big relief.

The mince pies look delicious grandMattie.

I hope Bellasnana is ok and all others unwell are feeling better.

Safe travels madeleine.

Thoughts with FGT’s and himself🙏🏻

Wishing everyone the best day possible🌻🦩🎅🏼🎄

Good Morning from West Yorkshire, still dark and very cold ! My first job this morning was to set up a new Gransnet account with the help of GNHQ as my old one of rocketstop had stopped working.
I'm glad not to be sat on my hands unable to comment on anything !

Good morning Mick and everyone from dark but dry Carlisle.
I woke very early again and tried to get back to sleep listening to Edwin Drood on BBC Sounds. I dozed on and off through it as usual, the story's too complicated for me to listen to so I will have to go back to reading it. A pity Dickens never finished it.

Yesterday was a pleasant bright day so after a few jobs in the morning I was off for a walk in the park after lunch. I spotted a dog walking a human! She, a young woman, had the lead attached to a belt round her waist and the largish dog was trotting speedily and strongly along in front. No effort seemingly on his part. Had to smile!

Today I will pop into town, my last trip before Christmas I hope. Just a few items required but just want to get out and sample the ambiance really especially as I have cabin fever from not being out for days apart from the park walks. I'll no doubt buy something I don't need particularly if it's edible.
The rest of the day....tidying up and reading though there are one or two jobs in the garden if the weather is reasonable.

Best wishes to all especially those of you with difficulties.

Good morning from a brightening northwest coast.
I’m off to a local art exhibition this morning and will also drop off some local cards. As I paint them myself then run them off on my temperamental printer, it takes a little time. I do enjoy adding glitter too! (Liquid so no mess). Loose glitter is referred to by my son as “the spawn of the devil”😁

Well done grandMattie and I hope your day works out well madeleine🎄

Good morning everyone from a very foggy and still dark Northampton, but should be a fine day, which is good as I am off to the rugby again this afternoon. It feels very chilly this morning.

Yesterday was beautiful, and we had a lovely time at our ladies (neighbours) lunch, so good to get together. I had scampi and chips which was delicious and a nice glass of rose. Afterwards we had a browse around the garden centre and I bought a lovely knitted orange top and a Christmas cactus which is brightening up my kitchen windowsill.
Did very little when I got home and just had cheese and biscuits for dinner as I was too stuffed after my lovely lunch.

May change the bed this morning and get the Christmas bedding on it, and will probably swap to my winter duvet.
Then out to the rugby with my Saints reindeer to bring us luck. A chance to try out my new fleecy thermal top. And.I shall definitely be tempted again by another warming sloe gin hot toddy!

Home afterwards to a nice warming hotpot. Wishing all a pleasant day.

Me too, redcar, me too

Good morning all from a foggy Black country very dismal start to the day after yesterday's sun.
Today Ds DiL and boys are visiting for a few hours so have made sure all decorations are in place. Shall just do a buffet instead of a full meal DiL has her works meal later.
Later we are out with friends for a pre Christmas drink.
grandMattie your pies look mouthwatering.
madeleine all my awkward shaped presents get tissue wrapped round them and put into bags or boxes, only square presents get wrapped in paper.
Have the best day you can everyone, safe travels those on the move and virtual hugs where needed.
Usual Saturday full English calling so will catch up with everybody's happenings later ☀️.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex, it’s cold and a little misty outside. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day and I had a good walk in the morning before cleaning the kitchen. My hairdresser came in the afternoon, so my hair is looking tidier.
Both DDs and families are visiting this morning as my niece is also visiting for an exchange of Christmas presents.

cornergran I also used to make sausage rolls and mince pies on the afternoon of Christmas Eve whilst listening to the carols from Kings. Now I buy the sausage rolls and mince pies!
madeleine have a safe and trouble free journey to meet up with your son.
grandmattie have fun decorating your mini gingerbread houses today.
Thinking of all those who are struggling or worried in any way, I hope that you find some comfort today.

Have the best day you can everyone.

Good Morning from Durham. It’s still dark, but forecast is for a cold and dry day. I’m actually having a bit of a lie in, so warm and cosy.
Busy yesterday with both DDs, so I’m hoping for a relaxed day on my own today. I’m not one who has to be out every day, and at weekends I try to avoid going far, leaving the roads and shops to those who have no choice. I’ve no plans, but there’s always the chance DD2 might bring DGS2 over to play. I really should clean my ground floor windows and steam the hard floors. I say ‘should’ but not promising!’

Best wishes to all. X

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 5° and dry. It feels much colder though. Madeleine safe journey to you. GrandMattie lovely mince pies.
Yesterday was spent wrapping presents. I intended to go to a small nearby town to pick up dds last gift, but a combination of awful weather and feeling a bit unwell stopped that in its tracks.
Today I will get that gift! It's a voucher for her favourite hairdresser and beauty place. Then home to put cards through the neighbours doors and do some housework whilst listening to King's college choir sing carols. Have a good day all

Good morning from s somerset, I am expecting rain today

I have just seen to day 4 of my sd starter, looking good and starting to bubble. I have also got an almost-empty freezer drawer so will be able to slice my sourdough loaf, which I anticipate making next week

My milk has arrived just now with my organic veg box, a very early start for the drivers today. All the veg are in beautiful condition and nice to have it stored safe in my fridge, packed in the re-used green bags, which will make the veg stay fresh for at least a couple of weeks. I have little cabbages and a sprout plant standing in a 1sq m raised bed down the side of my house, they look very healthy and the insects have given up

All I need to do this morning are the usual insignificant daily chores and then go off in my car. I do expect the roads to be busy today

Have a nice day

Morning Mick, morning All from a dry corner of Somerset. Some sun in the forecast. Hooray.

The replacement computer was collected and will be ignored until after 25th. No room in my head for learning new technical stuff. Decent day yesterday, a trip to yet another garden centre and home we came with a much reduced small tree for the corner of our living room. Mr C is muttering about tree overkill, not possible.

Home this morning, ironing with my name on it, some much needed tidying and faffing. The car is booked for a wash after lunch, a quick trip to town (yes, we’ll probably regret that) before heading back home again .

Grandmattie your industry has reminded me of early days mince pie and sausage roll production on Christmas Eve while listening to Carols from Kings Now we sit and watch on tv, often eating a mince pie, it feels the beginning of Christmas for us.

Best wishes to everyone. Hope Saturday is kind to us all.

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a dark still but much colder morning in North Yorkshire. I am creaking around this morning trying to move a bit quicker but not really succeeding yet. I plan to set off by 8.30am to go and meet my son and family, but still got a variety of things to sort out yet. That includes a change in clothes as it is quite a lot colder than I expected. Just lately the weather has been so up and down that I have ranged from thick polar jacket to light jumper and sunglasses, so hard to be organised.

Yesterday I can see by the 4 empty bags that I did do quite a lot of sorting out, and found the info book for the yellow peril, which was all to the good but doesnt really make the room look much tidier. I got the casserole made and now it is safely in the fridge, so when I get back rather shattered from the trip I shall only have to put in a baked potato and some peas and cabbage and dinner will be made. I was wrapping awkward shape presents for my grandson last night and missed my husband as always. Firstly simply trying to wrap awkward shapes when 2 pairs of hands would have been very useful and he was an expert at finding ways to wrap things and make them look quite professional. The glass jar with a lid with a gingerbread man on was the biggest challenge and cant say I am pleased with the result. Never mind it is covered ok. So the main thing now is to get a bit of tidying away done, and wash up and leave the kitchen clean to get back to. That is when I feel my age. Still able to do the driving and the trips etc., but have little energy left when I get back and it takes some time to revive too. Well shall pick up the Yorkshire Post on my way out this morning so that I have it to read when I get back, It has been rather a tough week this week and I will be glad to have a rest tomorrow.

Mick hope you have a good journey and enjoy your chinese tonight. Hope your gingerbread houses turn out well Mattie, and you find a very light calendar to sent to Tanzania.Hope you have a good trot around Pantglas and your bread turns out well.

Hoping the day goes well for everyone and plans come off whether you are parcel making, travelling or concocting meal plans and recipes for the family get together. Have a good day and remember to give yourselves a little "me" time while you can.

Good morning Michael and all GNs. Still dark in South Yorkshire and we are promised another dry day. Yesterday I actually got some laundry dried outside. I spent a lovely couple of hours with my niece and her little dog in the morning and did some shopping on my way home.

I had a letter from my cousin in Ireland with their lovely community calendar which he sends me every year. He has had a thoroughly rotten year and I sincerely hope 2026 is better for him. We came so close to being able to make the journey up to Donegal while we were in Antrim this year but time wouldn’t allow it. Too much had been planned and booked in advance.

Today I will do an early food shop and then make two curries for tomorrow when DD et al will be here.

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning everyone from a dry and dark north Wales where I’ve just set the bread maker for breakfast scoffing 😋

That will come after after my restorative trot to the next town for my 🗞️- the lovely mindlessness, mental meanderings and nosey checking out folks 🎄 and lights will be bliss after such a busy week running around after T’others…I’m grateful beyond belief for my own good health 🙏

Mince pies to be made this afternoon (3rd batch as The Tidy Mouse at PG Towers has been foraging…) and I will be the last person to post a pic later on the Xmas Tree thread of my new 🌲 with glass horniments wot I made😉

I haven’t had much GN time but know you’re all up to your eyes in muck and bullets and hope you too find ways to cope with difficulties - let’s look forward to lighter evenings after tomorrow and a less busy New year 😘

Good morning from a dry Bristol. The sunshine yesterday was very welcome.
I spent most of the morning making mince pies. I remembered making far more with DH. We had a production line. I made/cut the pastry, he put it into the paper cases and filled them. I was in charge of cooking. We were a great team! The photo shows the 6 dozen I made.
The rest of the day was quiet, interrupted by a neighbour. I have become a go to for anything not family related. It’s rather sweet.
The other neighbour was busy, so we are decorating the gingerbread houses this afternoon. She loved it last year and who am I to deprive her of some pleasure?
So, apart from the house decoration, I’m off to church for coffee. I’m also going to the”other village” to get DS a calendar, then posting it - no doubt postage to Tanzania will be about 3x its the price.
May the mountaineers find the gradients smoothed down. Have a goo£ weekend, preferably worry-free.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩