Good Morning Tuesday 30th December 2025

Good morning from Bristol. If there has been a frost, it’s not evident on cars - yet…
Shopping was quick as my neighbour’s friend didn’t come; she lives 15 minutes away on the opposite side of town, always wants a coffee and is dreadfully slow. As a grateful passenger,I say nothing, but…
I made some lemon marmalade yesterday, then idly counted how many pots of preserves I’d made in the year. Over 500! I have to say I was a bit surprised, considering I only started in a very small way last year. (I keep records as I was once reported to the council when I made over 1000 in Kent, and a kind inspector told me to keep records, batches, etc.)
Today, I’m off to town to see if I can get a few bargains as I have managed to save a little during the year.
I hope gg and md’s GP appointments went well, that the fgts and others struggling have an anxiety-free day, and all is well with the world.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩❤️🦩🦩🦩

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Morning Mick, morning All from a decidedly chilly corner of Somerset.

An interesting night, I’m not sure I slept at all. Not to worry, a routine day at home ahead. Some dust removal, random vegetable soup to make, the beginnings of putting Christmas away.

We wandered as far as Dyrham Park yesterday, thoroughly enjoyed it. Wielding out sticks we walked down the drive, a sighting of deer, a wander around the church, house, and finally the gardens where we found daffodils in bloom. A number of seats were put to good use. No need to rush. The courtesy bus was pressed into service back up to the car park, that hill is too much these days. We happily reminisced about visiting well over 20 years ago when the walk back up was no problem at all. Those were the days my friend .

Best wishes to everyone, hope this Tuesday is kind to us all.

There was something on the radio just now about open daffodils somewhere in the south…. I’ve got narcissi since early December. It’ll be an interesting spring if this temperature seesaw carries on; the poor fruit farmers.

Good morning Mick and all GN's from a cold dark North Yorkshire. I am pleased to be reclaiming the day, after a rough night. Couldnt get to sleep, quite a lot of pain, gave up and put the light on and read for a while. Then drifted off and woke suddenly convinced that someone was in the flat, and for some peculiar reason got out of the bed on the other side etc. Of course there was no one about and good luck to them trying to get through a locked door and would have met with the clothes horse covered with damp washing if they had!! So my planned start to the day to be bright and ready to get things done is now turned into the hope that after a shower and some breakfast I will catch up with the plans.

Yesterday I didnt get to the council offices , one of the plans, but did get down the town, did various little bits, had a look round the department stores and one or two other places and of course saved myself such a lot of money, as either there was nothing in my size or that I liked , or much stuff that I looked at I couldnt believe the price in the supposed sale!

Well of course, havent been buying clothes for a while, and I tend to look in charity shops, so my normal idea of price ranges doesnt tally with todays prices. So my total extravagances were a new slip diary for my bag and a few bits and pieces from Tesco. I cant eat cheese, but saw a very good price for a piece of blue stilton and bought it for a friend , who will definitely enjoy it I know.

So once I get myself up to scratch it will be getting washing out on the line, if it is dry enough, to at least give the towels a blow, and then some attempt at tidying and sorting out yet more paperwork, and carefully checking appointments etc. No other major plans but of course on a day that starts like this anything may happen and I will just have to go with the flow!

Hope you have a trouble free trip to Bicester Mick. GrandMattie wishing you a good trip round the sales and that you find something good. I am with you about keeping information. These days we are always being urged to go online and not have paper copies etc. but when it comes to income tax or HMRC etc and even bills and guarantees, I keep the paper copies as if and when there is any problem with the Cloud, or whatever I like to be sure that I can prove that I bought something on such a date or whatever, I have always found clearly stating that I have a copy of the receipt or whatever, ensures that rather arrogant people on the telephone quickly back down and stop inferring that it is your fault for whatever it is and that they have no intention of doing anything. Cornergran, lovely picture and sounds as though it was a good day.

I will probably come back a bit later and read of other doings but in the meantime wish everyone a safe and pleasant day

Good morning from south Glos, it’s another cold day ahead but at least the house is warm and I have plenty of warm clothes to wear.
We live close to Dyrham cornergran, I love going there especially when it’s the quieter months. If you walk across the parkland to the north you have views right across to the Black Mountains, absolutely stunning.
I took down the decorations yesterday, it didn’t take long, but left one of the sparkly ones on the mantle. DH put everything back up in the attic.
I did some more painting yesterday evening, very relaxing and enjoyable, I have now done A and B of my illuminated alphabet. I will do another letter today.
I used to make marmalade grandMattie, but haven’t done any for some years now. Nothing nicer on toast or a crumpet.
Wishing you all a good day 🌹

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Still dark in South Yorkshire - 3 degrees outside. I slept until 5.30 when my phoned pinged a news alert about the New Year’s honours list🙄. Yes of course I want to know who’s got an honour at some ungodly hour of the morning! Thankyou!

My trip to town yesterday yielded one pair of boots and two poetry books and I was totally exhausted so went and sat in the cathedral where there was a lovely Christmas tree exhibition. The cathedral is right next to the tram stop so that was handy.

Today I don’t intend to do a lot except buy a bottle of wine and some vegetables and put petrol in the car. A walk later might be on the cards.

Have the best day you can, folks.

You will all be amused to learn that, although I like marmalade, I don’t use up even a jar per annum - although DH would have a jar a week!

Good morning from chilly s somerset, sun later in the day, maybe

Lovely photos cornergran spring is on its way

I was outdoors yesterday, nothing much to do outside, the air feels full of hibernation and the ground is deep sleeping.

I have popped my sourdough loaf into the oven just now, am trying a `new` method starting from a cold oven. I built up this sourdough starter for two more days as the first bake resulted in a brick. I wish I had not let my last starter die, it was a very good one, that was a long time ago, many years. I don`t have any great hope for this loaf but still, fingers crossed. I kept the bowl scrapers and the peel but had to buy new bannetons

I stayed awake all evening, I was knitting and watching a very good film on youtube, called LAD and set in the Yorkshire dales.

More of the same today, knitting and pottering with a walk later this morning. Managing very well to keep away from supermarkets and crowds

Have a good day

Good morning everyone. Heating won’t come on till 7:30 and it’s too cold to get out of bed to see that the weather is doing.

We had a family gathering at DD3’s house on Sunday with 16 people. She made a massive boeuf Bourguignon to feed everyone. So nice to have all 3 of my children present and their families there as well as my sister and her DH and DS’s gorgeous golden doodle. GS2 refused to be in any of the photos taken though.

That is one steep climb up the path back to the carpark at Dyrham. The view across to the Black mountains of Wales is indeed stunning. The entire herd of fallow deer was culled a few years ago as they caught TB from badgers. I’m so pleased they have been reintroduced.

Wishing everyone a good day and thinking of those with illness and difficulties.

Good morning, Michael12 and everyone!

cornergran, the photos are gorgeous, thanks for posting them up!

A friend who runs a local shop was supposed to be in today for a deep clean of the shop - loads and loads of dusting, polishing, vacuuming and sweeping to do, tons of items on shelves that all needed removing then dust/polish each item individually and all of the the shelves, + her till and desk area, for the 1st of January, before she opens at 8 and closes at 5, but couldn't make it this time, so she asked me to do it and run the shop/deal with customers/do computer and paper work for the day. Only just around the corner from my flat.

It's a very big double shop, so I arrived here at 3 am, made a cuppa and got started.

It's now 7:08 am, and I finished just before 7! So now I'm sat here having a play on her computer .... she said I can ... scoffing Seabrook Sea Salt and Vinegar crisps and guzzling a can of Vimto Energy Zero before opening the doors at 8! I told her I'll do it voluntarily as long as I have access to the kettle!

Have a good one, all of you!

Good morning from Sheffield, I haven’t looked at any weather yet.

My other half went to an away match last night. He didn’t get home until the early hours and of course I couldn’t sleep until he was back. I’m still in bed.

grandMattie has inspired me. I bought some limes and lemons just before Christmas, for no other reason than, just in case.

Of course I haven’t used them ,so this morning I’m going to make some curd with them.

Take care everyone

Good morning all 👋

I had an appointment with a really kind and caring GP yesterday, (apparently they are full time at our practice and have been there for 21/2 years)

Urgent X-ray requested, two months of the dreaded but necessary steroids and a three month course of what are basically COPD medication to help my lungs. Getting old with asthma is not for wimps 😿

I hope MaryDoll had a successful visit to her GP 🤞🏻

Penpal 😘

Enjoy your day, however you are spending it, 🤶🎄

Good morning from Malta where it is cloudy with a high of 16°C forecast. Possibly some showers too.

Made the most of the morning sun yesterday and walked up to the village as I needed to go to the pharmacy and to get a few bits of shopping.

Sat out and had a coffee which was lovely then walked home and just as I got inside, the heavens opened and it poured down so I missed a soaking by the skin of my teeth!

Went over to babysit the boys at 6ish. They were both as good as gold and great company. DGS1 was slow to talk but has really found his voice now and chatters non-stop! His brother dropped off to sleep as soon as his head touched the pillow, but DGS1 chattered on for half an hour before he conked out.

Got to bed at 2am and slept like a log until about an hour ago. I seem to have slept really well since having the flu.

What a glorious photo of the daffodils, cornergran, a lovely sign of spring.

I neglected to do the ironing yesterday so will tackle it this morning. Nail appointment this afternoon.

Wishing you all a good day.☀️

Good morning everyone from mid Essex, the garden thermometer says it’s 2 degrees outside. Yesterday was depressingly grey all day and a cool 6 degrees, more of the same today I think. I had a domestic day yesterday, cleaned the bathroom and did some ironing. I need to tidy the dining room today. I’m leaving the few Christmas decorations up for now, they’ll come down at the weekend.
Lovely photos cornergran, the daffodils in my garden are only just showing through the ground, they’ve either shrivelled in the summer’s heat or drowned! They’ll certainly have a struggle to get through all the violets and weeds. Hopefully I’ll be able to do a little more gardening this year.

Thinking of all those in pain and those who are struggling for any reason.

Have a# good a day as possible everyone.

Good morning from South Lanarkshire. I’m not sure what the weather is doing as I slept very badly and haven’t yet looked outside.

DH was scheduled for knee replacement surgery tomorrow but yesterday got a call to say it’s cancelled as the person who looks after the operating theatre machines isn’t available. So disappointing, however it means that we can now have the family for New Year’s Day so a supermarket sweep is required.

Such a welcome sight cornergran, thanks for sharing the photo.

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

Out the oven almost there, certainly edible, needs some added rye to the starter

Good morning from Leicestershire.

Had to let the granddog out at 4.30 and he is still there. He doesn’t feel the cold being a big fluffy lion.

One of DHs golfing friends is coming to visit him today so I may nip into town and pick up a couple of pairs of trousers and take one back - I may eventually get the size right!

Wishing everyone the best day possible especially the FGTs.

Good morning everyone from Inverness where it’s dark, very cold and frosty
Sorry to hear you’re so poorly GG hoping the meds help, not pleasant but necessary
We enjoyed a lovely day yesterday in Edinburgh meeting up with DS and his partner. They treated us to a really good lunch at The Ivy and then we walked round Edinburgh for a while taking in the festive atmosphere. A long day but very much worth it. Today I’m getting back to a little bit of routine by going to the gym for a couple of classes. It’ll be nice to see the gym ladies there again.
I’m with you on the sleeping Bellas I think I must have had a very similar bug to you with an awful cough and tiredness, pleased you’re on the mend now though
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

Wow karmalady. The first loaf from a new starter is always fit for a paving stone, rather like the first pancake, I find. Your second one looks impressive. Hope,it tastes as good as it looks.

Wishing everyone a good day.

Good morning all. -1deg at present in Glasgow, still dark and quiet and frost on the car roof.

Some light housework, a change of bed linen and a brisk walk for some exercise and fresh air is the plan so far for today.

Best wishes to all for a good day.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently -1° and frosty. It's to get colder. Karma your loaf looks good. I make bread occasionally but have never tried sourdough. GrandMattie I like marmalade but can't be bothered with slicing peel.
Yesterday I took down the tree and decorations and put them all away. That took most of the morning. In the afternoon dd and the boys visited, as I anticipated, but not with washing! I'll get that today. Marks delivered my new slippers and jammies earlier than I thought so that was good. I made duck a l'orange for dinner with a salad. It turned out nicely.
Today will be quiet again. I hope to get the pesky ironing done. I've been going to do it for days now. No excuses! I'll have the other duck breast tonight. The rest of the day I'll potter. Have a good day all.

Good morning from a bright W Kent. A lovely afternoon yesterday as friends came for tea and cake. We have known one another for 55 years and it is always good to catch up.
Some difficult letters to write today following on from Christmas cards received, one in particular was quite harrowing.
Best wishes for today

Good Morning from a still cold and dull south coast. This winter is feeling like pay back for the glorious summer we enjoyed.

Yesterday our DD came over with her two adult children. They were the reason we moved south here in 2012 as she needed childcare assistance when she went back to work full time, doing cancer research. Now, our only grandson is a giant - 6ft 6ins and broad with it and his older sister is a well established primary school teacher. Seems like only yesterday they were babies, then toddlers and on through all the stages of growing up. Tempus fugit indeed!

We were disappointed with the pub where we went for lunch. The food was OK but the service was at glacial speed. We had to ask to order three times and even for the bill! There were lots of young staff about but they just hadn't been trained in service.

Starting to put decorations away today and also need a visit to the library to restock books. Might wait for it to warm up a bit before venturing forth!

Kind regards to all GNs an especially to those unwell, worried or caring for loved ones.

Good morning all from the Black country curtains still closed so don't know what the weather is doing.
Need to pick up DH prescription if it's ready, the chemist has changed hands and refurbishing is taking place it is now a pharmacy and travel clinic with all new staff.
Those daffodils are a lovely sight Cornergaran and that bread looks good although I'm not much of a bread person I wouldn't say no to a slice with salted butter.
Have the best day you can everyone whatever your plans and may you all find a little bit of ☀️.