Good Morning Tuesday 3rd Febuary 2026

Good morning everyone from wild and windy Lancashire.

MrB and I have been for a brisk trot around the Dock, it’s amazing how fast a triwalker can go with a following wind helping it along . Today’s plan is snuggling down indoors and keeping warm.

Best wishes to all who are struggling with life at the moment.

Wishing you all a good day, whatever you’re doing.

Sorry for the Typo. It's because my brain's cold! 🤔

Good morning from the cold, damp west midlands.
All I can of think of, is the coming off the warmer weather.
I'm ruddy well fed-up with grey, damp skies, it is so depressing.
It wouldn't be so bad, if one could ramp-up the heating but I'm not Rockafella alas! Wishing everyone the best day possible. 😊

Good morning from Cloudy Chambers northwest coast. A satisfying day yesterday after a couple of days of inertia. I sketched a self portrait, difficult to get right, made more greetings cards, practised songs and made a couple of telephone calls I had been putting off. I’m rather allergic to the phone but can spend over an hour on FaceTime with my sister in the south. We reduced each other to tears of laughter with our doings last night (or not doings…) No matter how hard life gets, we always have humour to help us along.

Also wrote a long letter to BIL and SIL in the south, much prefer writing a letter to the phone and if I have a pen in my hand, it just takes off by itself!
Testing myself on being introvert or extrovert, I land somewhere in the middle, which figures. I have hermit like tendencies, but like going out socialising. Apparently I’m an ambivert. There’s a label for everything these days…

Music club today, so I will have a warm up warble and plan to return some clothes in town afterwards.

Thoughts to Bella Grandmabatty FGTs and all🌺

A rather late morning all (I’ve been up since 8.30 am) from a grey and drizzly West Oxfordshire.

I will visit friends this afternoon and OH has his shooting club this evening. I’m defrosting a raspberry and yoghurt loaf which I made and froze last year. It just needs a little icing on top. We will have the other half of the beef bourguignon I made on Sunday for dinner. There is also some apricot clafoutis.

Have a good day everyone. So many difficulties on here today.

FGT2S 🌹

Good morning from South Lanarkshire, dry here at the moment but that was the forecast yesterday and I got thoroughly soaked coming home from yoga.

Meeting a friend for coffee later this morning and I hope she will drive me up to the top of the town to drop off my copy of our book club read to another member, it’s quite a walk uphill especially if the rain returns.

Lovely bookmark Marzipan, my youngest DGD aged 13 is similarly talented and, unlike your girl, this has come from nowhere and is such a delight to us. It must be lovely for both of you to share your thoughts and experiences.

So sorry to hear about the grandchildren suffering so much with asthma, hoping for relief for them soon.

Good wishes to all for a kind day.

Yet another wet day when we will need the lights on all the time. Spring is a long way off. Wonderful cleaner is here and bed changing beckons but that is all that is planned so it’s a good thing I have plenty to read.

So sorry to read of so much illness. Asthma is cruel and not always easy to manage in children. It seems to be so much more common now, presumably affected by modern life. Am very grateful it doesn’t run in our family.

Good morning from a cold dull Co Armagh,
I coughed all night , put extra pillows on the bed , took them off , wandered over to the kitchen and swallowed paracetamol,
Luckily nothing planned for today
I might pop back to bed after I finish myporrridge
Hoping for a great day for all

Good morning from a very wet Wiltshire.

No school pickup yesterday as GS2 was running a high temperature but he sounded cheerful enough on the phone. GD3 and her mum had after school view of children’s work during school year so far.

Marzipan your GD’s bookmark design is awesome - what a talent. Will look forward to more artwork from her if you post. There are so many talented arty people here. They are on both sides of the family but neither my DH or myself have any artistic bent at all.

Bella I hope your little GS gets quick relief at the hospital. I feel so sorry for all those affected by asthma. My DH has had it since his teens but it has been very well controlled for some years by the preventative inhalers when they were introduced.
Good luck with the new biologics for your GD Sar.

If I had any talent (which I don’t) I’d love to be able to knit the Riddari designs of jumpers from Iceland. There are some beautiful designs.

Roses I hope your DH tidied his mess up before your meeting. If that had been left by mine he would have been looking forward to a date with the underside of our patio.

Sorry to hear about your SiL GrandmaBatty. I wish him all the best in securing another job.

I too watched the final of the Australian Open tennis final on Sunday. It was an excellent match and I’m so pleased Alcaraz won. I didn’t know we still had Dsicovery channel on TV.

Have a good albeit wet day everyone.

A very late good morning Mick and all GN's from a cold dark windy North Yorkshire morning. Have had the very devil of a night with several bouts of cramp. I got very little sleep, and either it was extremely painful, or I darent move about as it would be juddering under the skin, as a warning of one false move and it would begin again!! We normally just do things like showering and dressing on automatic dont we? You can be thinking of plans for the day whilst you carry on. They talk about mindfulness and being in the moment. Well certainly today it was mindfulness, as I had to be aware of each movement, and whilst I have managed everything else, darent attempt to put my socks on so far! Anyway I have finally surfaced, but even missed my Bach before 7, as I couldnt even get the radio on. So have the usual things to do today, but it will all have to be cramp tested before I begin. Tonight I should be going to the games night, and hope to do so, but will have to see if things settle down.

Had quite a busy day yesterday, and it certainly got the little grey cells working! Hadnt had a very good night, but got myself sorted out, made a shopping list for later and got myself off to the new Makaton class in good time. Makaton is not called a language but is a communications system, which uses speech and sign together . So you speak the sentence and sign the important words. With young children the idea is for them over time to connect the action or sign to the spoken word . So you really use anything that helps to communicate . e.g. you might say " Here is a blue plate for your apple" and then as you speak you would show the plate, and then sign for the plate and the apple, so that the learner begins to put the two things together. This can then lead on to them later seeing you with the blue plate and understanding that there is some food available etc,

There was a big class of people and she is a registered makaton tutor so we will be learning the correct things. The make up of the class was interesting. It ranged from a newly retired man who used to do it many years ago and wants to brush up his skills. then two people who work at a place called Chopsticks, which has work experience in things like gardening and woodwork etc., where many of their clients use makaton and they have at present someone who is nonverbal , so they know quite a lot of the everyday signs etc but want to improve their knowledge. So we gave little potted history of ourselves and why we had chosen to do this course. It was very concentrated and needed full attention for the two hours. We were allowed to get a coffee to drink while we worked but no actual break as there was much to learn.

Different skills came into play and I found myself doing quite well in one of our first tasks. So we were paired off, and then one person had to sit facing away from the board, and the other faced the board. Those of us facing the board, had to convey to the other person the picture that they should replicate on their paper. Sounds easy ~ but you could not speak to them, and you had to indicate in a non verbal way, what the picture contained, and confirm or deny what they put down on paper. Having taught people , who had no english, and done mime and sung in opera, I was quite happy to look an idiot, and so there I was miming the shape of the trunk of a tree and then waving my arms up in the air to show the branches etc. Even more odd looks from others as I became a bird flapping my wings etc etc.

But it was a very good exercise, to show the difference in communication. In Makaton it is simpler than BSI, as you speak the sentence fully but sign at the same time the key words. So at the moment it takes a great deal of concentration to do the simplest things and I will need to practice every day to keep up. There are 3 2hour sessions a week apart, and if we complete them all we receive a certificate. That is obviously useful for people like one lady , who works in a SEND school, as a classroom support person, and the other people working , which will add to their qualifications, but more importantly, it will be good to add to the group of people who can use this locally. We have been given workbooks and you can see how much there is to learn, but it will also hopefully lead on to learning more than the basics, Well in my case I intend to keep learning, as sadly I have very few people to use my other languages such as french and german etc and this will be another "country" to learn how to communicate with. It is not only children of course, but many deaf people although they may use BSL will be able to use this, and also I see it as something worth learning for patients who maybe have had a stroke or something and feel very frustrated trying to let people know what they want.

So I plan to do my best to learn. One small problem I have already found, is that naturally I tend to have my thumbs out slightly from the fingers, and I need to remember that for many signs they need to be by the side of the fingers. So to practice that there may be some curious onlookers in the cafe , when I sit drinking coffee and then gazing at my hands , whilst I turn them this way and that, aligning up my thumbs with fingers. Who knows I may discover another user of Makaton to practise with. Actually Heather, another class member that I already knew before , and I have already planned to try to get together to practise in between lessons. A gardening joke - sometimes I call her Erica - (the name for heather)

So did come out of the class, with much to mull over, brain reeling a bit from many things to think about, after such a concentrated effort, and quite glad to just go and do a bit of shopping which needed no great brain power. Spent some of the afternoon still hunting for my newest reading glasses , to no avail and very frustrating, but of course did come across spare biros and a couple of other things I had mislaid. No good putting winter things away as we are forecasted more bad weather after one lovely day on saturday so we shall see.

Hope the bus pass arrives soon Mick. Many years ago I was head of communications at the headquarters of Bass Charrington in Burton on Trent. I could have had free beer every lunchtime, but as I dont like beer at all never chose to have it!! I prefer dry cider , good wine, and single malts. Not all in the same glass, I hasten to add! GrandMattie, I used to knit a lot, usually jumpers for husband and son etc, but never attempted a Fair Isle pattern at all. One thing I found useful, was copied from the portugese ladies. They had their lovely embroidered aprons which you could put your hands in from either size. They were brilliant to hold your knitting, so that when they looked after sheep or whatever they could walk along knitting away, with it put safely back in the apron when they needed to grab a sheep or whatever. I also used one for years , as it was brilliant to wear it for going up and downstairs when my son was young. You could take cleaning things upstairs and pick up toys as you went and dump them all in the apron to go up or down and had free arms for safety , or when he was very little,tocarry him up too.

Bellasnana do hope that your grandson is improving now. My son had bad asthma as a child, but is hardly bothered with it now as an adult. It does more remind him to have a rest, as if he has been burning the candle at both ends, it can happen, so think his body can cope now at normal times. But how good that now we do have these nebulisers that can help so much. Marzipan a lovely bookmark, well done to your grand daughter .

Well I have waffled on long enough and no doubt you are all now out and about, and I still havent even got my socks on! Shall now take a deep breath and go for it and stick my shoes on and go out for at least a very short walk to see a few snowdrops. Hope everyone has a good day

Good morning everyone from yet another dull, damp and grey day in Northampton; I am fed up with this weather.

Glad that I did not hold my breath for the washing machine repair man yesterday; 8.30 came and went, and he eventually arrived at 11.30. Of course, the machine behaved itself when he tried it, no sign.of a leak. He thought it might be a build-up of soap and scum and advised me to run the empty machine on a very hot wash (90°C) to clear it, and to do this once a month.
So that's what I did, and then washed two loads with no problems.

DS called mid-afternoon to collect the large package for drop-off at the post office. I am so pleased with the cat carrier I bought last week and have ordered another one, so each cat has their own.

I rested my knee yesterday and will continue to do so today; it is a lot better this morning but will not join my walking group this afternoon.

A venison casserole to get into the slow cooker this morning and an afternoon of knitting/reading.

What a beautiful bookmark, Marzipan!

Take care everyone and have a pleasant day.

Good morning from the East Coast.
It’s a damp grey breezy morning.

We looked after our DGDs last night and while I had GD2 wrapped in a towel she tipped her head back excitedly and I got a hit on the eyebrow DH said it looks like you have a little black eye. I hadn’t mentioned it last night. While I was humming GD1 to sleep wrapped in my arms I thought I think I could be in heaven right now.

DGS had a good day at school and was fine at ours though jumps so hard on our bedroom floor. DH was in his office below with the lights on and he said the ceiling shook and it popped a couple of bulbs in the ceiling light. 🤦

Today I am visiting mum at lunchtime for a chat. We have DDs car to take in for an MOT so I need to follow DH and bring him back then he’ll go to work. I’m cooking a new recipe of honey mustard chicken I saw on the internet tonight.

Bellasnana Hope your DGS is ok after his visit to hospital.
Best wishes to all friends worrying about GC and family members.
Hope those DGC children cuddles bring sparks of joy 🌼

Good morning from a cold and wet NE, yet another dreary day.
DD started her new job yesterday and sent me a photo from Linked in. She sounded very positive about her new position.
This morning I have the hairdresser coming and then the rest of the day will just be pottering around.
Have a good day.

What a lovely bookmark Marzipan.
I hope your DGS is okay Bellasnana.

Morning from a dull drizzly S Hants, smashing bookmark Marzipan clever girl.
Daughter and GD called in yesterday, grandson is feeling fed up as football keeps being cancelled, waterlogged pitch.
Plumber calling at some point tomorrow to sort an erratically flushing toilet and dentist cancelled for next week until I can trust this hip.
Have a pleasant day all.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning all from a rainy Glasgow, where it is 5°zc,

Your poor wee grandson, Bella, I hope he is O.K.
When my son was two, his asthma was so severe, we were given a home nebuliser from the hospital, for both him and myself It prevented so many emergency hospital visits for both of us.
Is that a possibility?

Marzipan, how talented your DGD is!👏

It took DH all day to build the kitchen trolley yesterday with the help of a grey permanent marker and some superglue.
I never said a single word of complaint, but it was very hard to stay stumm! 😁
It actually looks good!

DIL has had a slight setback. She has very swollen legs and a bad case of thrush, into the bargain. Her discharge today is not looking certain.😔
DS is exhausted. He has been visiting twice a day, trying to keep on top of his job and be super dad.
He is determined to be there for Dollie, who has developed a bit of an attitude. Both myself and DD have had a chat with her, but she is badly missing her mum.

This morning, I have a treat to look forward to, a trip to Sainsbury's. I am so excited.🤣
By the end of the visit, there will probably be a divorce in thde offing. 😉
DH hates shopping, but has offered to take me, rather than go to Morrisons on his own and bring back only the bare essentials.
I am still feeling yukky and can't drive, it is so annoying.

I hope the hospital visit is not too stressful, Georgesgran.

A quiet ahead day for me. I know the supermarket visit will leave me exhausted.

I wish you all a pleasant and as always, best wishes to all the mountaineers.

My photo is apparently too large to upload! I haven’t had this problem uploading photos before from those stored on my iPad . Perhaps someone knows how to reduce it to post please?

Good morning from yet another dreary day in Leicestershire.

Consultant was very positive yesterday. He said he needs to keep an eye on DH so will book 6 month scans for 2 years and annually after that.

So pleased to hear Marydoll’s DiL is getting back to normal. It took my DH 6 weeks!

Wishing everyone the best day possible.

Good morning from another dreary Suffolk after a poor night’s sleep which is most unusual for me.

I haven’t yet read your posts which I’ll do over my first cuppa so will just send a photo of the lovely display of snowdrops in the garden. They have flourished and expanded in the 41 years since we moved here,the garden described in the estate agents blurb as ‘largely in a natural state’. Benign neglect has suited them.

Hope all have a good day.

Good Morning from a very wet and gloomy south coast. We have flood warnings which may well become reality as the rain is forecast to continue all day.

This morning we are going to top up some grocery shopping, taking a load of glass/bottles to the recycling bin and calling at the library to collect a reserved book and get some more too. I think we can avoid flooded roads - hope so anyway.

Yesterday involved sorting out car insurance, booking a service/MOT and recovery service. DH likes to research insurances and always gets a better deal based on his experience of a very short time he worked for an insurance company when he left university. I am happy to leave it to him.

We have both had a nice win on the premium bonds this morning so that will offset the car costs.

So sorry to hear about your little grandson Bellasnana. Asthma runs in my side of the family going back to my Great grandmother - as far as we have traced. DS was much affected as a child with the GP even coming out to him in the middle of the night more than once. When he got to age 7 he started to improve but is still, like me, using regular inhalers at 55.
I hope you have better news soon.

Thinking of all our GNs struggling with burdens and hoping for some calm and peace for them.

Good morning and as the ‘Essex gels’ have already said, ‘it’s breezy and damp’.

Yesterday flew by. DIL came and helped with the paperwork, e mails and photo ids.
I then did a big shop , the first since Christmas, came home and had a bit of lunch and then it was time for school pickup.

Dd slightly improved but I won’t get to see her today, as we have the audiologist coming for Dh and hopefully will fit him with suitable aids. I don’t care how much they are - it has to be done!!! 🥸. We don’t know what time he’s coming. 🙄, so a waiting around day.

Sorry to hear of so many worries on here today. I hope things ease for everyone. 🙏.

Take care 🌱

Good morning Mick and everyone from dark, breezy Carlisle.
Yesterday evening the lights were dipping down occasionally and I thought we might be due a power outage but no. It wasn't that gusty so strange...

Yesterday morning I had to go into town which was annoying as it was an errand I should have thought of doing on Saturday so that was an hour wasted.
Back to do the laundry and vacuuming and rotate the mattress, a monthly job, have to be careful it doesn't fall onto the floor or I don't know what I would do!
Some admin later and I found I had yet another refund from the train company, it seems a rail journey is rarely without a problem or two, not usually caused by the train people though in this case, it was.

Today I'll finish off the routine housework and laundry then please myself for the rest of the week. It doesn't look like there will be gardening opportunities by the sound of the weather forecast.
Best wishes to all especially all the poorlies

Good morning from Shropshire.Raining again.

We spent a lovely few hours with DD2 and family yesterday after collecting DGS1 from school.

Today I have laundry and admin to do.It will take my mind off worrying about sorting mum’s house🤯

Grandmabatty I hope your son in law finds a new job very soon.A stressful time for the family.

Bellasnan I really hope your little grandson feels better soon🙏🏻

Wishing everyone the best day possible🌻🦩

Thank you Redcar and Brook. Dsil has been in this position occasionally over the years. He is a pipe fitter and welder which is a job fast disappearing, sadly. The refinery where we live has closed and many are out of work. Hopefully he'll find something soon.

Good morning from a grey W Kent where I shall be off to U3A art group. It looks like very few of us this morning. Later my oven should finallly get fixed. Every little helps
Love the bookmark marzipan but oh the embarrassment of being mentioned in assembly
Wishing you all the best day possible