Good Morning Friday 16th January 2026

Grandmattie please keep posting and carrying on with your regular “ doings”

I’m ok, just keeping my head below the parapet, wearing my strongest tin hat.
I shan’t post for sometime, while licking my wounds.
As for having an offspring dying, I know only too well what it’s like.

Morning from a dry S Hants after yesterday’s rain.
Ashcombe we did our last passports online using our phones for the photos, very easy - white background, no glasses.
I had a much better sleep, it really makes a difference.
Tesco delivery today, MrJ will pop out for a drink and catch up at tea time.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning, Michael and all GNs. Barely light in South Yorkshire but it’s 3 degrees with a high of 7 later and will be dry. Yesterday’s Step Out walk was very good. The paths through all three sections of the wood were pretty dry, and all the brooks were in spate - good to see.

I had lunch with DD who I was surprised to hear took a sick day (unheard of) on Wednesday because of the pain she has been having in her ear after the second attempt to microsuction it for stubborn wax. She is now on antibiotics and pain relief for an infection and was in need of an extra long hug. I came home and then went to my hairdressing appointment.

School this afternoon - Friday is only a short session - and then I have a medical appointment to see what may be causing the pain in some of my fingers and toes. I suspect it may be arthritis but I hope not.

Have the best day you can folks.

Good morning Mick and all GNs on a slightly lighter dry, still morning in North Yorkshire. Partly lighter of course because I am later than usual. I am full of a cold and creaking , and when people say oh its only a cold, I never agree with them. You feel bunged up and rubbish and I get a headache with it. So everything takes longer to do and even this morning, my fingers seem to be effected and having to go back and correct misspelling a lot. Fortunately I dont have a lot of things that I have to do as opposed to what I wanted to do, and think that there will be whatever essential I find I need and the local paper and get home and allow myself to just do the least possible and hope for some improvement this afternoon.

Yesterday I was absolutely struggling to move around, but with something of an effort, managed to get cracking and went for my prescription, which I was in need of and couldnt leave it. So then was a little late for the womens group, but glad I went as we had a very good speaker, who was talking about someone who had been married to the station master at Leeming bar. She had all the information and it was interesting how the station master had begun as very low down in the railway and gone on moving up and up and not only getting to a very good position , but making quite a lot of money, including getting free coal and of course free travel on the railway. His wife had various things to help with , but even after he had died , she still had free travel and used to visit her sister at another station. It was all very interesting, and then she also had a lovely display of all sorts of old equipment to look at and guess what it was used for.

Being mostly in the age range of 60/80 we had used or knew all the equipment and had some fun reminising about their use. She even had what I would have called a large sweet jar with wooden paddles in it with a handle to turn on the lid. I remembered using that very well as it was a butter making jar that my granny had and you used to stir the cream until it turned into butter. It could take a long time and I remember as a child working it with one hand and then the other,getting tired, and asking my granny to have a go. It would then annoy me as it would turn within a couple of minutes of my granny taking over!!

In my first year at grammar school I actually went to school on a steam train, before the diesels came in (which were useless to do homework on as it swayed too much ) and we all had lots to talk about going over the bridges like in the Railway Children, and the porter yelling at us to shut the doors etc., So it was a very pleasant time and I was glad I had struggled to get there.

Then it was a swift trip home and hoping that the cleaning ladies would arrive as I hadnt heard from my email to them earlier in the day, and my spare key was still missing. Got home and the washing out on the line, and then Jessie arrived. The mystery was solved. She had been locked out of her old phone for some reason, got another one , but hadnt got my number on her, so she had come on the offchance of my being there and Debbie wasnt well so she was on her own.

So I was very glad as the thought of trying to turn the mattress or even attempt to hoover yesterday would have been very difficult. The missing key was found, the flat tidied and new phone numbers and emails exchanged so it was a worthwhile afternoon but felt totally shattered by then end and not up to doing anything else. Never mind , all is clean, and today a gentle sort out of things should put me in a better position for the weekend. That is if I feel a bit better than now. Right now I have no great ideas for the weekend and will just be glad if I feel able to do anything without an effort.

Hope you have a good trip Mick. Today I dont even envy you your lunch, and usually reading of your plans puts me in mind to join you. I wish you all a good day with plans working out. Will come back and read a bit more later, but need to make a decent coffee and try and get myself up to going out shortly.

Good morning from my bit of South Lanarkshire, as baubles said, a lovely time spent with baubles yesterday with some good advice received.

I returned home to the news that the husband of the couple next door had died, less than three months after being diagnosed with an unusual cancer. He was a thoroughly nice man and I was very sorry to get such news.

An appointment first thing this morning to have new moulds fitted to my hearing aids and then straight to Biggar to check in with DD4 before visiting a good friend who is still very poorly after surviving sepsis some weeks ago. Challenging times around here just now.

Pantglas, I hope things go well for you and that everyone in our group has a good day, thoughts to all ‘just managing’.

Lovely to here your delight at the news of the Tour de France coming to your town Ekwanimitee

Good morning everyone from DD1s in Cambridge, I think it’s dry and feels quite mild
I had an easy trouble free journey here yesterday evening, it’s so lovely to be back. I’ve not seen the two DGSs yet as it was late when I arrived but I’ve heard noises downstairs so I’ll get up soon
Hoping gMattie is ok ❤️
We recently renewed our passports too Ash, did it all online and we received our new ones within 2 weeks
Thinking of everyone with worries and struggles, hope today is gentle and take care all whatever the day brings 💐

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

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.

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 🌹

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.

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.

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 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*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 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...

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 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 🌹

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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