Good Morning Monday 5th January 2026

Good morning all from a dry and dark north Wales where I’ve been up with sparrowfart enjoying the chamberpot of Yorkshire Gold before our jolly down to Swansea 🤗 (must admit I’d swap with Brook …Madeira🌞)

I’m with HelterSkelter on the disappointed step this month - not a bean on the PBs in just over twelve months ☹️

Hope Ash & Old Dudders are out of the sick bay soon and as for leaking hot water bottles Miss MD…🤦‍♀️ you’re far too busy for such buggerations!

Will browse your bizzinesses before bedtime and hope for glad tidings for the most part 🙏

Good morning from a very cold Bristol. It seems that we have yet to reach the minimum of -2C in a couple of hours. Truly, the coldest hour is just before dawn!
All these buggerations for you, MD and Ash and her olddudders. Not fair. (When I was in Malta in October, I needed paracetamol. To my utter surprise, the pharmacy sold me a box of 100!).
The only other thing to do is to “work” the high street. Most shops sell it and you go into every shop and buy two packets, then stock it…. I often buy a couple of packets every time I go into the supermarket to stock up.
The church was marginally warmer yesterday, to my astonishment. The congregation was very reduced; the elderly parishioners are obviously hunkering down in this cold. I must say that although very cold, there was no ice at all.
My neighbour invited me for a cuppa in the afternoon and had a good chinwag.
Today, Tesco in the morning and my postponed Spanish homework yet to be done…. (Im a great procrastinator!)
I also need to get some cash from the building society- a steep and probably slippery walk to the next village.
Keep safe everyone. I hope this week is kind to you.
Carpe diem ⭐️🦩🦩🦩⭐️🦩

Good Morning from Staffordshire.Not sure what the weather is doing but hopefully no snow 🙏🏻

We had a lovely day with DD2 and little family yesterday.We are looking after DGS1 today so decided to stay overnight.I don’t know how we used to get up at 4.45 every Monday and travel here.We did that for years but as we only have to be here early on staff training days now we have decided to stay in a nearby hotel in future.
DGS wants a house day today so that suits us.

Safe travels Pantglas,Brook and anyone else on the move.

Hoping all unwell are improving today 🙏🏻and wishing everyone the best day possible.🦩🌻

Good morning from Lancashire. We have had snow overnight so it's treacherous out there. As a result, I shan't be venturing out today, unless something unexpected happens. Now that the decorations are down, I'm going to re-arrange my furniture. It's exercise as well as cleaning behind things. I have birds and the seed and feathers get everywhere.

Good morning from a bitterly cold Stockport-6 registered on my phone.
A week in for me this week if this weather continues.
I have hardly been out since Christmas Day.
Two outings to friends and none on the horizon .
Stay very safe everyone, we are not used to these icy conditions.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently -3° with a slight coating of snow. GrandMattie be careful on slippery roads. Pantglas enjoy your trip to Swansea.
Yesterday I made lentil soup and stovies and was set for a quiet day when DD asked if I would have the boys for a couple of hours while they looked at new cars for Dsil. So the quiet afternoon disappeared! The boys were fairly good. Dgs1 was really well behaved. He's becoming a mature wee boy which is lovely to see. Dgs2 was delighted when we built a den in my bedroom and wanted to play with dgs1 in it. However dgs1 wanted to chat to me. I managed to persuade him to play with his brother for a while. Later I went through and dgs1 had dismantled the den and put everything away. That's a first! Dd and Dsil came back and have bought a new car so everyone was happy. We had a heavy snow shower just before that but none since.
Today is early childcare day. I'll head out soon to scrape the side windows of the car. The windscreen is protected. Then up to dds. She will pick the boys up from my house on her way from work. In between, I'll run the dishwasher and do a small washing. Soup for lunch, stovies for dinner. Have a good day all.

Good morning from s somerset, icy again today and maybe a dusting of snow on top

Dangerous pavements again this morning, I took my old merrell hiking shoes out of storage, last used in the Elan valley in 2013. I used them yesterday morning and they made me feel very safe. It is very easy to sit down hard when the feet take off from under, been there and done that and am not ever going to risk that again

Yesterday I spent quite some time breaking into a large crown prince squash, very do-able if the stalk is bashed against a hard edge to remove it first. I filled two large tins for roasting with onions and garlic, made delicious soup and also froze bags of that, for future soups. It all takes time

I have craft group today and am very happy to get back to normal life

Have a good day

Good morning from a snowy hillside in south Glos, there’s a good inch and at the moment it’s -6° so very cold. It looks pristine and pretty but I really don’t want any more please.
Yesterday was beautifully sunny but so cold, I enjoyed the dogs walks but was glad to get back indoors. The cold doesn’t bother them, bigger dog was sat on the steps from the patio while it was snowing last night, she often does this at night, just sits and watches what? Being from Romania she’ll have hardy genes regarding weather, mind you she also enjoys baking in front of the log burner too!
I’ve started a coloured pencil and ink drawing, something different, and I’m rather pleased with it 😊, more of that today.
Take care everyone and keep warm 🌹

Good morning from a dark, serene and reasonably mild Cornwall. There's no wind here at the moment so it just doesn't feel very cold.

Had such a lovely evening at my eldest son's house, with a roast chicken dinner followed by board games. The other granny was there too and we were both hopeless at the games, which caused much laughter. My 10 year-old-granddaughter is having individual riding lessons and told me all about her sitting trot and how much it hurt her bum. 😂

This morning I'm meeting with my prayer group friends at one of our houses, for coffee, cake and more games. As we're all much the same age we'll all be equally adept or useless. The five of us have known each other for over 40 years, live in the same town and have supported each other through countless ups and downs. So precious.

The photo is of a ginormous cloud I spotted recently, looming over a little village on one of my jaunts.

RosesandLilac, I've been meaning to say that my father graduated from art school the year I was born with a degree in illuminated lettering. I've still got his degree work book full of lettering samples, much of it finished with burnished gold leaf.

Good morning Mick and all GN's from a cold, dark still morning in North Yorkshire. Yesterday it was bitterly cold and never let up all day, consequently never went out all day, but that actually did end up in a better consequence. Just lately I have felt somewhat frustrated and annoyed, as whatever I managed to do in the day by the evening I seemed not only to have made no progress but looking round it had gone backwards in some cases! So wasnt able to move very quickly and even with the heating on (darent think of the cost) I was cold. Had to use brain to work out a way to improve matters and of course the ironing basket was full of things waiting my attention so bingo! Two things in one and I spent quite a long time ironing .That was a warming sort of job, I was able to listen to my favourite DID and Private Passions and the second half of The Last of theMohicans, whilst the basket grew emptier and my choice of things to wear grew greater. Of course I didnt manage to empty the lot, I wasnt thinking I could do that but at least this morning I have a clear signal that I am getting somewhere.
Have left the ironing board up, but today am going to a course so wont be getting round to that for a while.

I didnt see anyone at all yesterday, not even any neighbour passing by the window. Everyone was sensibly staying in the warm, but I didnt feel lonely. It was one of those days with plenty to do and quite happy to plod along doing it. It is strange isnt it , how our moods can alter, when to look at one day that seems to be exactly like another , yet we can have a perfectly content day on the one hand and feel miserable on the other.

After such a satisfactory day I had hoped for a decent nights sleep. Huh!! Not a bit of it. Couldnt get to sleep, woke up several times, and to cap it all got cramp yet again this morning and my back is very painful. This is not the best sort of a start to the day when I need my brain working well.

Today I am going to the first lesson of a short course on basically safety with my computer and my phone. I think I am one of the guinea pigs as there are only 5 or 6 I think she said, going today. Nichola is very tech wise and knowledgeable and the idea is to get people up to scratch using their own things. There will probably be quite a range of knowledge and we all have different gaps that we need to have help with. I have quite a lot of experience, can touch type, and have a reasonable grasp of basics, but things change so fast and these wretched scammers get more and more new ideas to cause problems and now with the flipping AI can you even be certain that you are on to the correct people, so I feel my main gaps are things like checking on the https bit before I get involved, and how to be sure something is deleted etc.
Other people may be total beginners who are then vunerable to a lot of dodgy people etc. I can see how much this sort of course is needed and will be useful. Hopefully it will also pay back to Upfront as it is better to equip people to keep themselves safe than have to help people to sort out problems that come about by lack of knowledge. So I will be part of the course, but have been asked to give a bit of feedback on how it has gone and if I think there is any area that hasnt been touched on. Should be interesting and I am quite happy to go back to the beginning and check that I have not fallen into any bad habits. I only hope that the day might at least warm up a little. I wouldnt be going out for any other reason, but as I will be out I shall be checking to see if I am short of any basics and then home and probably get back to ironing to get warm again.

I am beginning to have itchy feet and am longing to get out and about and see some countryside and gardens etc, but with the weather and much that needs doing here I havent any actual plans to go anywhere. Not improved of course by the usual spate of holiday companies sending you brochures and ideas for getting away. With the bills and having had to lash out and buy my new portable disability buggy, I am steadfastly ignoring them all right now, but would just like to go out for the day or maybe even go mad and have one night away in a b/b to just see somewhere different. Ah well need to get nose to grindstone and carry on sorting things out here.

Hope you have a safe journey to Bicester and a good result from your blood test Mick. Hope the cold weather encourages you to have a go at your homework grandMattie. I planned to write my diary properly every day and have already got down to quick notes for yesterday, so I need to do the same myself. In fact just seen the time and need to get myself in the shower and dressed ready for the day. I am so slow at the moment it drives me crazy how long I take to get going.

Wishing everyone a safe and pleasant day, will be back this pm to see what antics people have been up to

To -1° and cloudy here in S E Essex.

I finally fell asleep at gone 4.30am this morning, woke up at just now 🤷‍♀️ I am shattered and have The Imp and the ten ur old all day, roll on bedtime!

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders where it's icy cold but not snowing.
I put the heating on in my bedroom plus an extra duvet which helped me sleep.

I bought a new phone yesterday but still have to transfer all my numbers and info from the last phone which suddenly locked me out. I shall go back to the phone shop in Edinburgh later.

Have a great holiday brook
Hope your doctor's appointment goes OK Mick
Get well soon Ash and DH

My enormous bookcase, which I have sold, is due to be collected this morning. I only hope it goes smoothly.
The road was dug up before Christmas to repair an electrical fault explosion and was left surrounded by plastic barriers which have blown down so negotiating the driveway to my house is increasingly tricky.

Keep warm and well everyone .

Morning all from a frosty West Oxfordshire. It is apparently-2 and snow is forecast.

Our cleaning lady is due today for the first time since before Christmas. I have shopping to do but may leave it until after lunch when the roads might be better.

Have a good day everyone and take care. Special thoughts for the FGT2S.

Another cold day here in Sheffield.

I keep waking up feeling cold in the night . I am wearing warmer pjs and have a high tog quilt so can only put it down to getting older. The cold never bothered me before.
I have crocheted a soft poncho which I keep handy and put that on but also pop the heating on for an hour.
Roll on spring.

A normal working week at last, I’m glad things are back to a normal routine and the sausages are going home tomorrow too. Love them to bits but I will enjoy the peace when they have gone
Take care everyone

Good morning . We have a layer of snow here in N. Bucks. Not too deep so I’m hoping it disappears fairly soon .
I have an appointment at the surgery mid morning to discuss the pain and discomfort that is ongoing in my shoulders, arms, hands and feet. Cold weather makes it even worse.
This afternoon I must sort out some projects for craft club and this evening I’m going to a ‘Gel Printing class, weather permitting.
Wishing you all a good day, stay safe and keep warm.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s marginally less cold this morning, only 0 degrees, with a very light dusting of snow. Although I have letters to post, I shan’t be going out unless the snow clears. There are plenty of things here to keep me occupied, but I haven’t been out for a few days now and I’m getting cabin fever!
DD2 came over yesterday morning and helped me dismantle the Christmas tree. DD1 was busy painting the 10 year old’s bedroom so didn’t come in the afternoon. The furniture in the living room needs to be rearranged back to normal positions, but is too heavy for me to do. I’ll have to be patient until next weekend when hopefully one of them will come over and sort it out.
pantglas enjoy your trip to Swansea, but I agree that Madeira would be warmer!
I hope that those who are feeling poorly, feel a little better today.
Have as good a day as possible everyone, keep warm and safe in this icy weather.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Dawn is just sneaking up on us and it’s -3 in South Yorkshire this morning and not set to shift until after lunch.

Yesterday was also a frozen day. I drove over to The Range to buy some watercolour paper and also picked up some bird food. I haven’t put my bird feeders out for a long time since I suspected we had a rat in the garden, but felt it was time to give the birds a bit of help again. I cleaned the bird bath out and filled that but will no doubt have to thaw it out today.

I checked my phone as I was leaving The Range and saw that the cord trousers I had ordered from M&S were ready to be collected so as it was on my way home, I was delighted to be able to pick them up. It has saved me a trip today. I had a moment of panic when I couldn’t find my car in the car park. It wasn’t where I thought I’d left it! I had a nice walk through the lanes mid afternoon. Very dry underfoot.

Today I will go to the gym - more to give the car a run up the dual carriageway than for any good intention to get myself fitter! Later I will make some vegetable and bacon soup.

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning from Malta where I hardly dare mention the high today, 20°C. I don’t envy your freezing weather at all.🥶

I’m late waking up yet again so haven’t yet read all your posts.

Apart from Mass yesterday, I had a quiet day which suits me fine. I always find something to do.

Yes grandMattie, we can buy as much as we want of most over the counter medications. I think it’s a ridiculous system in the UK.

Lovely to have a surprise visit from the boys Grandmabatty and great that they played together and tidied up!

I will be having our two tomorrow as DD3 goes back to school a day earlier than the children. DGS2 is not keen to be going back on Wednesday and has informed his mum he would rather stay with Nana, I wish! I miss them so much and it looks as though they will be my last grandchildren.😢

I’m now going to drink my tea whilst reading the rest of your posts. Hoping you all have a good day and week ahead. Take care if you’re out and about.🤗

Good morning all from a very cold North Leicestershire. Alexa tells me that it's -4°.

It is my 77th birthday today and I have had some lovely presents in clouding a selection of things for after my surgery.

Happy birthday to J52 too.

I have to check whether my surgery will still go ahead.

Morning Mick, morning All. It’s -1 in our corner of Somerset, less cold than for many of you. Ice and snow warnings remain.

Google and YouTube helped us have heat - and hot water - yesterday. A son thinks an air lock which we cleared, I’m not reassured and will contact our boiler man to ask his advice.

Christmas was stashed away yesterday, including an item that avoided the first sweep. Isn’t there always one? Ironing tackled the rest of the day was relatively quiet.

Some admin to keep me occupied this morning, the washing machine to oversee too. If the weather allows there are bits and bobs to venture out for this afternoon, otherwise it will be a tv catchup afternoon I suspect.

Best wishes to all. Have the best day you can everyone, please be careful out there, us mature folk don’t tend to bounce if we fall.

Happy birthday kitty. 🎂 🎈.

All good wishes for your surgery which I think is tomorrow.

Good morning Mick and everyone from Carlisle where we had a very light snow shower at bedtime. Siri has just shocked me by telling me it's-7°C outside! He's usually right. Good job I'm not having to go out.
Yesterday, I cleared a large pile of ironing, dealt with a bit of admin then read papers and puzzled and brain-trained the rest of the day away. I didn't go for a walk as I felt I was combatting an infection of some sort, just kept fairly mobile and got a reasonable amount of steps in.

Today I'll tackle the vacuuming and bathroom cleaning and feed the washing machine. I don't know where all these clothes are coming from, I'm not changing outfits several times a day!
Today is when I clear out my christmas decorations such as they are. Thank goodness it's Monday, I feel as though I've had a week of Sundays.

I've a holiday firm to contact re re-organising a booked holiday, after which I shall potter through nicer things. Unread books under my coffee table are looking at me, some have been waiting a while....

Keep warm and have a good day all of you if possible.

Good Morning everyone from a very cold south coast. Had enough of it now Can someone please turn the thermostat up?

I have just put a small gammon joint in the crockpot and got some braised red cabbage out of the freezer. Should make a tasty meal today with some potatoes. Simple food is so appealing after all the excess of the festive season.

The window cleaner messaged yesterday, to say he is coming today. It's the first time since early October and some calling cards left by seagulls will be washed off, thankfully. DH thinks he'll postpone the visit when he sees the frost.

Warm well wishes to all in need.

Happy birthday kittylester and fingers crossed for your op.🥳

Marzipan that cloud looks like a genie escaping from a bottle!😂