Good Morning Tuesday 23rd December 2025

Good morning from a dry Bristol. The temperature is falling, but in exchange we have lovely sunshine, although it’ll be another good two hours before our star rises!
I spent a quiet day pottering. Before going to Tesco, a neighbour came to give me a little present. We were exchanging greetings when we heard a loud voice. Paramedics were trying to get into a g/f flat. As we have no manager, we took it upon ourselves to try to let them in - landline (she won’t do mobiles), relief manager’s number, and left them to it. The lady was taken to hospital.
Tesco wasn’t as busy as expected, it we forwent coffee, which meant an earlier return,
I made coconut ice according to the condensed milk recipe, but it is very sticky. I think I’ll dispose it and put it down to experience.
Today, more nothing. I might uncharacteristically rearrange dust and wash floors. I put it off as, being tall, I end up with backache, the mops, etc., being for “dwarves”.
I’ve done most of the wrapping and shall finish off today.
I’m minded to make a skirt, but am too lazy.
I hope today brings nothing but happiness to you all. Special thoughts to md and the fgts. Hugs to all who want one.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🌲🕯️🦩

Good morning Mick and all to follow. Seems fairly mild again because the heating is not on.
Second morning I have been wide awake at 4.30am.
I will get the laundry done early and then I can do some housework so that I can leave Christmas eve for food preparation.
All shopping was done on Sunday.
Have a good day.

Morning Mick, morning All. It looks, dry out there, hope it lasts.

New pillows purchased we extracted ourselves from a far to busy store and enjoyed a couple of hours with our daughter in law and not so littlest yesterday afternoon. Less enjoyable if necessary was a foray into a large supermarket on our way home. I’m not a fan of crowded places. Some local bits to get today, dust to remove while the washing machine does its stuff, a couple of phone calls if I can fit them in.

Best wishes and a hope Tuesday is kind to us all.

Good morning from Malta where it looks like a cloudy day in store with a high of 17°C and a chance of showers.

I had a visit from the boys and DD3 yesterday, I think she was shocked by my haggard appearance!😄

The boys were very sweet until DGS2 started . He is so jealous of his brother and can be an absolute brat, I’m sorry to say. If I were Santa I’d be rethinking his gift and replacing it with a lump of coal!😂

I was supposed to join them for the Illuminated Trail last evening but knew I wouldn’t be able to walk all around so decided to stay put.

This morning I have my hair colour which I’m going to by hook or by crook. It will be my first time out of the house for a week and I’m a little nervous.

Wishing you all a good day especially those of you who deal with ill health on a regular basis, I just don’t know how you do it.🤗🎄

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 7° and dry. GrandMattie there was a paramedic van and later an ambulance in my street yesterday too. I think my neighbour across the road is unwell but he is a very private person, so not sure. I'll ask his next door neighbour who will know. Bellasnana take things easy still. My dgs2 has a ferocious temper and his big brother winds him up so I know what you mean!
Yesterday I wasn't worth a button. I did some tidying in the morning and went for a nap in the afternoon which scuppered my plans. However I really needed the sleep. I had a better sleep last night, thank goodness.
Today I'm up early to foray to Tesco. I'm hoping it won't be too busy at seven o'clock and I don't need a massive amount. Then I'm looking after the boys at ten to let dd and Dsil do the Christmas food pick up and other stuff. I'll give them lunch. Then, no doubt, I'll collapse on the couch 😂. The rest of the day will be spent pottering about. Have a good day all.

Good morning from a dry but breezy Torbay..

I expect the pampering of your hair colour will help you feel better, Bellasnana. Could you have a taxi there?

Good reports for both from the optician who was delighted that my glaucoma pressures have improved due to diligent application of Lantanoprost drops each night.

Early start to shop in Lidl today.

This date marks my late parents' wedding anniversary….

⭐️⭐️🎄💐🎁⭐️

Good Morning everyone from a still dark south coast. I think we are set to get a little less mild today and for the next few days.

Not much on the agenda apart from a grocery delivery between 8am and 9am. Already had the receipt and somewhat disappointing news of three unavailable items and one substitution. That will be going straight back! Very unusual for this to happen and can only suppose that the hordes in store have stripped the shelves! I am sure we can manage without said items.

DH is going on his cycle club ride for brunch this morning but will be back by early afternoon and we shall hunker down and enjoy our quiet time together, reflecting on the many Christmas blessings we have shared and continue to do.

I wish the same for all GNs and their families, with worries and suffering eased.

Good morning from s somerset, no sun today

Yesterday came and went, very basic tidying and cleaning and a lot of calm rhythmic spinning. I decided to try and boost my sourdough starter, gave it more food and a tad more warmth. I would love to bake that special loaf tomorrow evening. I am still uncertain, it needs to be more lively and strong enough to weight lift the dough. The smell is now right so there is hope. I had to add a little rye to help activate

Today? Gosh, what can I say, more of yesterday. It really is a difficult time of year for many of us but we plod through and look on the bright side as the days get longer

Have a good day

Good morning from 6 degrees Cambridgeshire where it is still dark and forecast cloudy windy and grey all day. Off to visit my 94 year old mil with DH today. Not sure how the visit will go and who else will be there so fingers crossed. Otherwise it will be a quiet day reading my Christmas book. DD2 may pop by with the little ones later. We are laying low until all the family descend on us for Boxing Day 🎄

Thinking of those unwell and struggling. . Have the best day possible and take care 🌺

Gopd morning Mick and all GN's on a very dark, still, but not too cold morning in North Yorkshire. I have the washer going already as seem to have collected more than expected dirty washing so will need to do 2 lots, bedding is in first and hope that it will stay dry enough to get it out to dry.

Today the plan is to get out early for the last of the bits and pieces I want to get before christmas. I have always done my best to avoid like the plague being out on christmas eve day anywhere near shops and towns, as I think most drivers are at their least polite, distracted and more likely to crash into people especially in busy car parks. As I am now retired I have no need to part of that these days.

Yesterday I managed to do the majority of things I wanted to do apart from wasting time looking for chestnuts anda particular polish cherries in liqueur chocolates which had disappeared from the shelves of two supermarkets and if they are not in the only place I intend to go to today they can go whistle and I shall do without.

Once I had done the majority of things I meant to yesterday morning I took myself off for a trip to Masham, which was a pleasant ride and not too much traffic. I went and treated myself to some lunch of very good fishcakes and salad at a good little cafe I know there, and then it was off to the Cashmere shop. My main aim was to get a pair of fingerless gloves for a christmas present , but also had a look round for anything that I might fancy for myself. Probably luckily, there was nothing in the right colour or size that I wanted, so just got the gloves, which I am pleased with and I was the only person in the shop with some others just coming in as I left, so it was very peaceful and pleasant there. Came home pleased with my purchase and then got down to checking the fridge and throwing rubbish out etc, as today is the bin man day and I wanted all the rubbish out in good time. So once this washing is done I shall feel ready to face christmas with clean me and clean flat and clothes. Have to look through and see what ironing needs to be done to cover the christmas period and so once I have my last bits of shopping I plan to do the ironing and listen to much good music on radio 3 and be well away from the chaos in the town. I rang my son to see how he was and if he had been able to have anything done about his tooth, but they have said it is a back tooth which is going to be difficult to deal with and so he has to just cope with painkillers until after christmas. I am sorry for him, as I think it is one of the worst things to cope with , you cant ignore it and of course with painkillers he wont even be able to have anything to drink either and not sure how much of a meal he can manage. It always seems to be weekends and holidays that things like this happen doesnt it?

Hope the weather stays dry for your bus trip Mick and you meet some friends. GrandMattie, a good change for you to have a bit more restful day after all your hectic baking and so forth. Go mad and put your feet up and have a coffee and a read of something good. Bellasnana hope you manage to get to your hair appointment. It is good to know you are on the mend but do take it easy.

I wish everyone a calm and pleasant day, with the least stress possible.

Good morning, it’s foggy here in south Glos, no rain forecast for the rest of the week!
It was so lovely having DS, DDIL and the boys here, unfortunately DS was really not well so spent much of the day in bed before they headed home late afternoon. I think he’s got ‘flu, we’ve been vaccinated so not worried about us, he’s been unwell for 10 days or more poor chap. I dosed him up so hopefully he’ll be feeling better soon.
The boys came for dog walks, we played Connect4, Dobble, did drawing and painting and made gingerbread men (Dgs1 ate all his efforts!)
They are great kids, I am very proud of them.
DDIL and I get on very well, she’s a great mum, I am so, so lucky. We got on well together right from the first time I met her, some 20 odd years ago.
They bought me two beautiful handmade flower posies from the wonderful florist near their home, absolutely gorgeous 😍. One’s from DDIL’s parents who are Italian, living in northern Italy. I messaged my gratitude and had a lovely response as usual from them.
Today I have nothing planned except getting the washing done and out of the way and using routine stuff.
I hope today goes well for you all 🌹

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is still dark, but dry. Yesterday was a damp and gloomy day. I went to the supermarket early yesterday to stock up my drinks cabinet and, as I had offered, to buy the champagne for Christmas lunch. I told SiL which brand I had bought (it was on offer) and he said he’d never heard of it. I said “actually it’s what they drank on the Titanic. They recovered several bottles from the wreckage” and when he said that didn’t bode well, I told him “well, at least we’ll all be happy as we slide slowly under the dining table!” I made a batch of biscuits to finish off GS’s hamper and forced myself to do a large pile of ironing.
Today, more baking, but I will go to the gym first as I haven’t been for a week.
Have the best day you can folks.

Morning from a dry S Hants, it will be worth it when you get there Bellas.
Good news on your eyes Ashcombe.
Up early as MrJ is off to the farm shop for veg. I’m now taking the antibiotics for my UTI, hopefully tonight there will be fewer bathroom trips on my crutch.
Daughter called in yesterday to keep me company while MrJ was out, she’s doing her big food shop early today.
I’ll wish you all a gentle day.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning from Wiltshire where we are forecast thick black cloud all day.

It looks like we won’t spend our 1.5 hour journey to DD1 on Christmas Day in pouring rain for which I am very grateful. We had the other local GC’s grandparents round for tea and various cakes and macaroons yesterday and had a lovely afternoon with them. I’ve been quite anxious about our handling of the youngest GC’s behaviour but they said their experience absolutely echoes ours. I said they would need ear defenders on Christmas Day.

DH will pick up a guard of honour lamb rack from M&S which I don’t really need and which I will freeze. I booked the slot in late September and in order not to lose the £50 deposit I had to order something as I no longer required a turkey as our plans changed. I will be left with the GC’s while DH does this but all in all I think he’s drawn the short straw.

GB my GS2 has a ferocious temper too. His sister GD3 knows all the buttons to press. They enjoy drawing and colouring but squabble incessantly over the same coloured pen. He’s frustrated because she can make quite accurate copies of art drawings from Facebook under supervision, but naturally the 4 year old finds it much harder.

Belated birthday wishes and anniversary wishes for Roses and *Dragonfly. I hope your DH is now settled back at home. And hope you are on the mend now Bellasnana, in time for Thursday.

Have a good day all.

Good morning from Shropshire.A chilly start mainly because DH left the bathroom window open all night!

The supermarket shop went well yesterday, just a few things unavavailable.DH has his exercise class so says he will try Sainsburys on his way home but no worries if not.I have laundry to do and will also dig out some dishes needed for Christmas Day.Other than that a hopefully restful day.

Glad you had a better night sleep Grandmabatty and hope you are up to going to your hair appointment Bellasnana.Good news from the optician Ash.Sounds like a lovely time with family Roses but sorry your son was too unwell to enjoy it.

Thinking of FGT and himself, Marydoll and all with mountains to climb.

Wishing everyone the best day possible🌻🦩🎅🏼🎄

Good morning from a dark but dry Black Country.

Last Line Dancing session of the year, then a walk around town. Waitrose was rammed, never seen it so busy!

Spoke to Mum on a video call around 5pm. She had no memory of being at DD's for a family get together the day before! So sad, our life is made of memories.

No real plans for today, see what it brings

Wishing you all the best day possible.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s dry but the outside thermometer isn’t working this morning so I don’t know how cold it is. Yesterday was a lovely sunny day, despite the forecast. I went for my usual walk and met my usual dog walking friends. Then I took flowers to the churchyard to my DH’s grave. I met a friend who was doing the same thing, a hug and a quick chat was nice.
Then I did the ironing, and pottered for a while, tidying the dining room. Another friend called in late afternoon, she’d been to see our friend with dementia.
I’ve got a dentist appointment this morning, just a check up fortunately, hopefully he won’t find much work to be done. I’ll visit my friend with dementia later.

bellasnana I hope you continue to feel better and that a bit of pampering while you have your hair done will be relaxing.
My DGDs generally get on well, but the older ones do like to wind up the younger ones and upset them.

Thinking of all those who are climbing mountains at the moment.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning everyone from a dark and dry Northampton; up early as I have left a card and Christmas tip for the papergirl sellotaped to the front door. She comes ridiculously early, and I wanted to catch her. I was a papergirl for around three years from 15 to 18, and I know how much I appreciated the Christmas tips from my customers.

I intend on making Mary Berry's Christmas cake bites this morning, and have just put some chopped dried apricots to soak in brandy. Should have left them overnight but I forgot!
I shall also be cooking the ham in the slow cooker today, so have just got it out of the fridge to come to room temperature.

A successful trip to the shops yesterday - M&S Food had the chocolates I wanted, and then I went to Sainsbury's to collect my ordered turkey crown and buy the ham. It was busy but not as bad as I expected. Met my oldest friend at the bus stop and asked her if she'd like to spend Boxing Day with us as I'd found out she was going to be on her own. DS will pick her up and she will book a taxi to take her home in the evening. She is also his godmother.

The cats go to the cattery for their annual Christmas break this afternoon so hope I can get them into their carriers without too much fuss!

Wishing all a pleasant if busy day!

Good morning from a still dark and damp N. Bucks.
A few bits to collect locally and pods jobs to finish up.
Will visit a friend this afternoon to deliver a gift and then take memory flowers to the church yard for my parents and brother.
Thinking of all with illness, worries and troubles and wishing a good day for all.

Good morning everyone from the East Coast and a dry day is forecast.
DH is hoping to go in the garden today and clear the veg patch and take out any dead plants to fill up the garden waste bin which is getting emptied tomorrow. He needs to make a cheesecake too ready for our Christmas dinner which we have tomorrow.

I am picking up my mum to visit an elderly relative today and deliver some gifts.
My morning with DGS yesterday went well though he didn’t want to do any crafting he just looked at me like I was mad to suggest it.We went to the park and both got muddy. He loves the zip line and about ten times I dragged the thing back up a hill so he could keep having a go on it. He’s minimally verbal and to hear him say ‘ready steady go fast please’ it lifted my heart. It’s a good job I do weights at the gym it’s to keep my upper body strength.

DH and I had a lovely lunch later in the afternoon at Carluccio and a glass of wine in our local which was very relaxing. The craziness starts tomorrow so we made the most of some chill time.
Mum has asked if we can pop in to Aldi on the way back today though it will be about four o’clock so I’m hoping it will have calmed down a little. She said it’s ok I’ll just rush round it won’t take me long. Yes good luck with that mum!

Hope all your Christmas prep is coming along nicely. Enjoy family visits and thoughts to those struggling with health.
Wishing for moments of joy in your day today. 🎄

Good morning from a dark W Kent where we are up early to attend DH’s follow up hospital appointment after his emergency eye dash last month. DD2 has kindly offered to drive which is a big help as parking is very difficult.
Full Christmas cheer yesterday when we received a parking fine from a local pub after we went there for a U3A lunch. It isn’t a pub we use and was pouring with rain the day we went. We never saw a signing in machine anywhere. Anyway we shan’t go back and will tell the group.
Best wishes

Good morning it is dark here in S E Essex.

I am expecting a Waitrose delivery between 8-9am.

Further on from my GP debacle yesterday. The Practice Manager rang me after I had lodged a complaint with the receptionist regarding my appointment yesterday.

Apparently the man I saw was a trainee Doctor, and working under supervision he was definitely on his own during my visit!

She listened, understood and agreed with me, so I will have to wait and see what happens this morning.

I hate taking steroids, do not like the side effects, little sleep and racing brain being some.

I hope I can get to the pantomime at the Cliffs Pavilion for the 5pm performance with DS4 and family , the other Gran and DiL’s sister’s family. We have lunch booked in a nearby Hotel first.

I have been looking forward to this for a long time, fingers crossed, I will get there.

Thinking of our poorly friends 🎄🤶

Good morning from the Essex coast.
We are off on our Christmas cruise around the Canary Islands today.
As we may not have a lot of WiFi I would like to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. I hope all the 'patients' are feeling better and you all get to spend quality time with the ones you love xx

A bit warmer in Sheffield today, hopefully when it gets light it will be a bit brighter .
I’ve already been to Morrisons and purchased the ham.
It was surprisingly quiet.
No more shops for me now before Christmas