Good Morning Friday 16th January 2026

Good morning from Malta where it’s dark at present and a day of clouds and showers is forecast with a high of 17°C.

Had a lovely catch up with my friend yesterday over coffee but was interrupted by a call from DD3 asking if I could get DGS1 from school as he wasn’t feeling well.

Looked after him at their place and he seemed fine to me. Ate his pasta and had a nap whilst I felt frozen cold due to them always leaving the back door open for the dog. Got home just after three and it took me hours to thaw out.

I’m up early today as I’m on Nana duty again but have asked SiL to bring DGS1 to me as it’s warmer in my house!
I shall have to take him with me for my hair appointment but it’s only for half an hour and he’s a good boy, especially when his brother isn’t around to provoke him!

Enjoy your fish and chips Mick.

Hoping you all have a good day.🤗

Good morning Mick, morning all from South Lanarkshire where it’s cold and frosty again.

Yesterday stilllearning and I met at our usual place and had a lovely chat about life, always does me good.

DH is up and ready to go off to help DS with his decorating, it’s early but he’ll have to detour to a paint shop to pick up an order.

That means I have an empty so my plan is to do a bit of cleaning and walk the dog a couple of times before having a long soak in the bath. I’m meeting a couple of friends for a catch up over dinner this evening.

Wishing everyone a good day.

Good morning from a dark, dry and still corner of La Sarthe.

I was tired yesterday from the driving on the previous two days so DH kindly left me here to rest while he drove out to fetch Perry from the cattery. He found him out of his enclosure, enjoying socialising with the other felines in the communal area while the cleaning took place.

Later we drove to the local Intermarché for a few essentials where I found a rather smart black wrap, trimmed with silver jewels for evening wear. It was half price in the Sale so at 10€, it would have been rude not to….!

Your DD3 is lucky to have you on call, Bellasnana. I hope DGS1 soon recovers.

I like the sound of the lunch box, Mick. Tasty!

Enjoy whatever today brings! 🦩💐🦩🥰🦩

Good Morning everyone from a damp south coast. More showers are in the forecast and it will still be a bit on the chilly side for me.

A Tesco delivery between 8 and 9am is the only thing on the calendar but things will unfold as they always do. A nap might well feature as despite going to bed tired, I only slept in sections. We call it an Irish night (three halves) and yes I have Irish ancestry so can confirm it's just a silly joke!

Best wishes to all our lovely contributors and those currently taking a sabbatical.

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

Goodness it rained yesterday, looking ahead it seems there’s a very wet time to come - assuming the forecast is accurate.

Mr C breezed in and out of the dentist, he has no anxiety about these things, he re-engaged with the jigsaw battle (the longest in history!) in the afternoon while I pottered. A very worrying call came from a friend, I think - hope - she listened to me and will see her GP as a matter of urgency.

The plan for today sounds straightforward. Pop a beef in ale casserole in the slow cooker, walk a few steps to a (full of laughter) coffee with friends then enjoy a relatively quiet afternoon. It may work out like that!

Best wishes to everyone and a hope Friday is kind to us all.

Good morning all from a chilly but, currently, dry North Leicestershire.

Not a lot happening here today. DH has a hair appointment this morning and DD1 and DGD1 are calling later - they are designated 'checkers' today.

Have the best day possible, everyone.

Good morning from s somerset, sun and showers today

Yesterday I noticed my passport had expired in 2024. I have no plans to go abroad but I thought I had better renew it. I had my photo taken in the next town with a digital code and used that online. It was so easy and my photo downloaded to the gov website. I sent my old passport off and it was much easier than the last time. Just saying in case anyone else, like me, had been putting it off after the old palaver of having a photo signed by a professional

Definitely a town walk today and then just bits and bobs, I do want to finish the spun yarn I made, I like the fingerless mitts, very easy to make and they will make nice presents.

I may try to continue with the de-clutter theme, I got rid of a bit more yesterday, I try to imagine the extra space in cubic feet, it all adds up. As long as more goes out than comes in

Have a good day

Good morning everyone from a dry and lightening north Wales where I’ve just enjoyed a whole 8 hours of blissful 😴 (which is much needed after a fitful few nights of fidgeting and fretting - why do we do it over things we have no control over🤷‍♀️)

I have been catching up with all your bizzinesses and noticed FGT hasn’t been posting - 💐 and hugs to her if she’s popping in to read x. So many with trying times at the moment and it being cold/wet January doesn’t help but I have noticed snowdrops and narcissi along the verges on my walks🤗

🤞for all with health woes and results to come, your own or loved ones - I’m in the latter gang and donning my Big Gurls Drawers as we speak, may we all have some good news soon x

Good morning and it’s dark and drizzly here in Essex.
I’m up early as didn't want to go back to sleep. I’m picking DGD up for school and the traffic will be bad.

Hair appointment later and shopping for the weekend. Dog walk inbetween. I do miss Dh doing some of the jobs .

My db1 phoned me yesterday to tell me he has to have several tests as he’s losing weight . Always been a skinny chap so can’t afford the weight loss. He’s 10 years older than me so I’m worried about this lovely man who’s always been my support and inspiration.
Someone else to worry about in the wee small hours.

I hope you all have a ‘good’ day whatever it brings. 🙏

Good morning Mick and everyone from frosty Carlisle.

Great news yesterday! No, not about a certain politician....Carlisle is getting the Tour de France coming next year. We are to host the finish of Stage 1 outside our Castle. Now I'm going to spend months pondering on the best place to watch...

You're not here yet, grandMattie. I hope you aren't feeling overwhelmed by yesterday's comments re your baking. I think your responsibilities and those of your church end with putting up a suitable warning notice and possibly consulting with the appropriate professional. People have to be be responsible for their own health ultimately and carry their epipens and medications. People are doing what you're doing all over the country and giving pleasure to others so keep calm and carry on as the old saying goes! Best wishes to you and your endeavours.

We are interested to read of your experience with passport renewal, karmalady as both ours are due for renewal. Our circumstances mean our windows of opportunity are limited so we were wondering how long yours took to be renewed, please.

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. It’s dark and looks wet out, not sure if it’s still raining or just not dried out from yesterday’s deluge. I was at DD1’s house keeping the dog company, while DD1 and her DH were in the office. It took me a while to fathom out how to get the heating on, but I eventually did it and gradually got warm! bellasnana I sympathise, fortunately DD1 doesn’t leave the back door open for the dog, it’s just a cold house.
marzipan your silver work shop sounds interesting and enjoyable. I hope things are getting back to normal after last week’s storm?
I must do some ironing today and need to sort out some admin stuff. At least, that’s the plan but I’ll see how it pans out. I’d planned to go for a walk first, but it depends on the weather.

Thinking of all who are struggling at the moment, I hope life gets a little easier for you today.

Have as good a day as is possible everyone.

Good morning all from Polmont where ots currently-2° and very frosty. Snow is forecast for later. Pantglas flowers to you. Gagagran I had a similar night to you.
Yesterday I was busy in the morning and lazy in the afternoon. I watched an Agatha Christie adaptation on Netflix and wasn't impressed. (Didn't stop watching though). Last night was a bad night, so I was up for three hours in the middle. I looked out at one point and my neighbours must have been having a party as there were people dancing in their living room. That was about half two. They clearly have more stamina that me, despite being older! Later I'll head to the school library for a bit. The car will need scraping first though. Then back home for a lazy afternoon again. I'll probably get a washing on. Quiet days in January suit me. Have a good day all.

Good morning from south Glos, it’s damp here but thankfully not cold.
Yesterday was dismal, it didn’t brighten up at all and I had to put the lamp on to do some crocheting.
I rearranged my kitchen yesterday, much to DH’s irritation, it gets very cluttered at times and it’s looking much better with more empty work surface.
I have art this morning, looking forward to that, but I need to walk tiddler first, bigger dog has her dog walker today.
I actually watched something on television yesterday, very unusual for me, it’s on iPlayer, Treasures of the National Trust. It’s probably an old series but I enjoyed it.
Best wishes to you all 🌹

Bellasnana I sympathise about your dds cold house. Dd here rarely has her heating on and a Monday morning can be quite chilly for me. I have an underactive thyroid and feel the cold badly.

Good morning from a dark, drizzly, mild Cornwall. Yesterday was too warm for scarf, gloves and beret, which stayed in my backpack.

I was out all day as my very efficient landlord had arranged for two men to clean all our gutters which were resembling mini gardens. Came home to a job very well done. My landlord has an excellent, reliable band of builders, decorators and handymen.

Went all over the place on various buses. Had an excellent time at the University library for which I have a card so I borrowed two books, very restrained for me. Met a National Grid guy who told me they had brought 500 vans into Cornwall to sort our problems following the storm. Everywhere you turn there is one of their vans at work.

Bumped into my daughter-in-law's friend who, aged 45, lost her husband last year. First time I've seen her since it happened though I knew all the details. He had a cardiac arrest. She was so full of praise for the NHS and their attempts to save his life. It was sad to see her trying to be so brave as we talked. She said, 'I feel much too young to be a widow.'

Bought a close friend a clever egg-flipping spatula for her birthday and to go with it I wrapped up a fried egg I'd knitted (we always exchange silly presents). She nearly fell off her chair laughing.

Today it's Lego-wrangling and then collecting my eight-year-old grandson from school and bringing him back to my place on the bus. He wants to see if he can make meringue that doesn't fall out of a bowl held over his head. Mmm, we'll see how that goes...

*Ash*I hoped that my passport post would help. I too found the whole process so stressful last time, I had to ask my GP neighbour and never ever wanted her to think I was using her. I was used in the past, by a Bangladeshi psychiatrist who immediately `cut me` after she had her passport

The system now is painless, costs about £10 and no longer relies on finding a suitable professional. I found the photographer online and that was much better than just a booth, he told me how to sit, not to wear my glasses etc. Btw, he said that no-one can wear glasses any more

Good morning from a wet and barely light S E Essex.

I will try the gym this morning (last week when I tried this class it wiped me out for the rest of the day, which was a bit concerning as I can normally breeze through this one)

The semi-permanently eye makeup-up procedure was rather relaxing, no pain at all, I am so pleased with the results (forgot to ask for the before and after photos)

Your wrap sounds a real bargain Ashcombe

Grandmabatty oh to have the energy to dance the night away 💃

Thinking of all our poorly morning friends and those with worries 🙋‍♀️

ASH re renewal, I took the standard route, there is a quicker route. The whole process yesterday took a few hours, starting with the photographer at 12.30 and finishing when I posted my old passport back at 4pm.

Good morning everyone from a still dark and damp Northampton, but a good forecast today for bright and sunny weather.

Heavy rain all day yesterday, so stayed in, got three loads of washing done, vacuumed upstairs, then removed and washed the filters from the Shark - it tends to cut out when they need cleaning.

Dance classes today, the first for a month, which is why I am up early. I may.have to get the bus if I don't hear anything about a lift so will make sure I am ready and prepared. My porridge is ready to pop in the microwave.
Planning on a quick visit to the shops after dance for something for tomorrow night's dinner, as I need to stay in tomorrow.
I am expecting Royal Mail to collect a very large package tomorrow. I ordered a new cat carrier on line, but it is really too small, so need to return it and order something bigger.

Wishing all a pleasant Friday.

Good morning it is dark here in Leicestershire.

Delivery of the rollator today although DH is not sure about it so it may go back unused. We met friends for coffee yesterday and he managed with a stick. Just the stairs to go but the physio is coming this morning.

Pilates this afternoon.

Hoping everyone has the best day possible.

Morning all from a chilly West Oxfordshire, but there doesn’t seem to be any frost.

I had a clear out of my wardrobe and now have a pile of things for the Charity shops.

I also booked another holiday for later in the year. It is our Golden Wedding year so they will be a bit more luxurious. Malta in May and Lake Como in August.

I didn’t try putting a sock or boot on yesterday to test my toe! I suppose I was a bit of a coward. I definitely will today. If it hurts, and I think it will, I will have to contact the surgery. Otherwise, I will have a quiet day.

OH is taking his car to be fixed today. It has been making strange noises. I just hope the bill isn’t too huge.

Have a good day everyone, especially those with difficulties.

FGT2s 🌹

Redcar, yes thank you things are gradually getting back to normal but the pavements are lined with the detritus from the storm, with giant tree roots and the trunks of trees that are too big to be handled. They'll need sizeable machinery to clear them.

Good morning all from Glasgow, where it is -1°C. I noticed there was frost on the cars last night, when I went to bed.
DH will be busy this morning de-icing, as he is doing the school run.

We had an enjoyable, but exhausting day with Babydoll yesterday. Doctor''s, then the bus to Paisley, a late breakfast, the bank, (we have no banks, we used to gave three.) then home.
BabyD charmed erveryone on the bus, with her chat, but it was an effort to stop her ringing the bell.
An elderly lady asked her to ring the bell to stop the bus (she was in heaven), but the lady was taking ages to get up. The impatient driver was shouting and demanding to know , who had rung the bell, as he couldn't see, who wanted off.
The passengers were in stitches, when BabyD owned up.
On the return journey, I had to clamp her hads at her side. 😉

I enjoyed myself, but DH was rather stressed. In the bank, I suggested that he fold the buggy (taken in case she got tired) He couldn't figure it out and was getting rattier by the minute,
My hands were full, with an impatient toddler, trying to escape and a fur coat, I had purchased when DH wasn't looking.😉
Thankfully a lady came to his aid.
I don't remember it being so difficult and I had three children under five.

Today, Dollie is here for breakfast, so of course that means pancakes.
Papa will do the school tun, for I can no longer manage to walk up the hill.
I always enjoyed the chat at the school gates.

This is going to be my last word on peanut allergies. I actually feel that I am the bad cop here
GM, there is no need to give up baking GM and no-one will accuse you of being a murderer.
However, that comment upset me. I felt responsible, when my son had his first episode of anaphylaxis. I didn't allow my children to have nuts, but he was given a bag at cubs.
Watching your child ^dying; is something, which never leaves you.
My post
was not a criticism, but a word of advice, as you seemed to be blissfully unaware of the dangers of some food allergies.
If you bake gluten free, you are already accommodating some people.

I have a son with a severe nut allergy, yey I still bake. Yesterday, he went home with fruit loaf and Mars Bar cake. As far as I know, he has survived my baking.
My solution would be not to make nut based products, when baking for the public. Not a great hardship.

I do eat nut based products, but not in his presence and scrub my hands thoroughly.

If you want to sel, peanut butter cookies, what is required is to alert people with signage, just as you see in many establishments and on commercial food products.
Yesterday, I had to ask the cafe not to put Nutella on BabyD's pancakes. Problen sorted, she could kiss and hug her daddy as much as she wanted.

Finally, the onus is on the person with allergies to be careful, but they can still unwittingly eat nuts, if there is no signage. That is the responsibility of the baker.

Enjoy your day folks and best wishes to all, who are struggling