Good Morning Wednesday 18th February 2026

I think the company is doing extremely well now ,they have reinvented themselves to be trendy. A pie just doesn’t taste the same does it.

Well, Melanie I’m not surprised it all comes down to cost cutting, but I would hate us to lose a beloved institution like Henderson’s. All through DH’s Army service, every time we came home here on leave we would stock up on it as it simply wasn’t available anywhere else. You can’t have a pie without Hendo’s!

Good morning everyone from a chilly west midlands.
Today my DH is taking the new mini bus to the garage because scarily it just keeps stopping & all the doors suddenly lock!
I'm refusing to travel in it; as I'm very claustrophobic after being stuck in a very small lift for a very long time with a hysterical man.
My Dh, is incapable of empathy and he can't understand my fear.
Either I'm a namby-pamby or he's an insensitive toss*r!

Good morning from a windy West Sussex. Rain is forecast.
Mick, that’s a shame you had to cut short your time in Bicester. I’m hoping a glorious Easter will make up for this dreary winter.
The weather seems much better in south-east Scotland, judging by your lovely photo from Leith, Grammaretto 😊

I have a quiet week and am trying to catching up on neglected housework and other domestic matters. I took out various packages of frozen berries yesterday and boiled them up before adding some sugar and leaving it overnight while I decide what I’m doing with it. I can’t decide between some sort of fruit syrup which means putting it through a muslin bag or a compote. I have enough jam.

DH has lost the key to the box which holds all our essential documents so I’d better go and help him look for it 😬

Thoughts with all those with worries over their own or others’ health 💐

Good morning from Sheffield

I’m a bit late this morning.

We had an extremely interesting talk about the history of Hendersons relish.
It was first invented by a grocer in Sheffield in 1885.
Greyduster, the recipe was indeed changed in 1966.
It was 47% vinegar and to cut down costs they replaced most of that with water, so it would’ve indeed tasted a lot stronger.
They also added saccharine instead of burnt sugar which probably altered the richness of the taste.
We thoroughly enjoyed our pie and peas together with lashings of Hendos

Today I’m working and then off out to see a friend I’ve not seen for a while this evening.
Take care of everyone.

Morning from West Lothian. It’s dry and cold and a bit grey this morning. Not much planned today although I have a book club book to finish. Yesterday’s hairdresser’s appointment went well and I’m pleased with the result. Less pleased with the bill 😳 but that’s what you have to pay.
On other depressing news, I read on the BBC that the painkillers I take for my sore hip (prescription strength Cocodamol) are now in very short supply. I’ve put in a repeat prescription, which I was about to do anyway but who knows if I’ll actually get it. You couldn’t make it up 😡

Very cold and grey and I have woken with a sore throat so am in two minds about going to the Ash Wednesday service as I don’t want to share it and anyway feel distinctly fragile. I’ll see how I feel in an hour. Will read today’s offerings while I wait.

Good Morning from a miserable Co Armagh
I have to walk up to the Chapel for Ash Wednesday Mass , then struggle back to our Wednesday club , we always forget to allow for Ash Wednesday in our schedule , half of our members will ditch the club today but the rest have to be catered for
Tomorrow we visit a very elderly cousin , she won’t recognise us , but I hope her daughter will like to chat
Sad happening here yesterday , a school bus crashed , all the children are ok but the poor driver died at the scene , so sad ! Very traumatic for the children , he was a popular man by all reports
I hope to get candles lit

Morning from a cold, windy S Hants, rain expected later.
Glad that’s done Susan well done you.
Safe journey oldudders with no delays.
Sorry to hear Gingster 💐
MrJ replaced my library books yesterday so I’m happy, I feel rudderless without a book on the go.
Another day of small wins I hope.
FGT
🦩🦩

Good morning from a dry cold day on the East Coast.

Yesterday I visited mum with DD and GDs which was pleasant. Mum is remaining stoic with what is happening with my horrid sister. But she’s struggling sleeping and is tired so we only stayed a couple of hours. I did a couple of miles walk to where DH was working and he brought me home.

Today I have another quiet day before the next two days childcare start. I’ll go to the gym this morning and this afternoon I could do with going in the garden for a good tidy up before the garden bin goes out tomorrow. Usually DH is on top of it but he’s working hard. I’m a very fair weather gardener but I’ll wrap up and put on my headphones listening to my latest audiobook.
I need to put a lamb liver in the slow cooker before the gym it’s lovely done that way and I can forget about it.

Hope everyone has a day with moments of joy🌼
Thoughts to those finding everyday life a struggle at the moment💐

Good morning all from a dry but dull Black country.
A good day out with the boys yesterday although my bank account is a lot lighter new shoes for both and they each found hoodies they liked.
Today if it stays dry will take a wander through the arboretum haven't been for a while.
Safe travels those on the move, have the best day you can everyone whatever your plans.
Thoughts with FGTs 🌹

Good morning Mick and all GN's on a cold slightly breezy morning in North Yorkshire. There is no snow or frost visible but a very cold feeling coming from the windows, so that I want to enjoy the lighter morning but am shutting the curtains again to keep some heat in for a while.

I have been awake for a very long time but again started the day in a wretched way with awful cramp, so a very slow and tentative getting going again. I cannot work out any rhyme or reason why I am getting more cramp and it is both very painful and extremely annoying as it takes me so long to feel easy moving about. Having tried to think about what I have been doing the day before, what I am eating etc etc , there seems nothing that I can do to improve matters and am reluctantly thinking of getting a doctors appointment. It seems such a minor thing compared to much that is going on, and I dont like to take up an appointment , but it is causing me a lot of pain, and then making me wary of just ordinary walking about etc and again recently havent even tried going swimming as nervous of getting cramp in the water. Oh well enough of that.

Quite a mixed day yesterday. I started by getting myself organised and off to the chemist, for my prescription, as am right down to the last few tablets for some things and they had rung and asked me to wait until then as they were short of something I need. Managed to get into the disabled parking and hobbled in to collect things. Had a bit of a wait as they were very busy , not just with customers but they were having a large delivery of boxes and boxes of stuff so it was somewhat crowded and busy. However thankfully all my stuff was available and I escaped asap. The weather was quite reasonable, no rain, and I decided on impulse to go down to Thirsk and go to the larger Tesco there. My idea was to get the small list of shopping needed but most of all go and seek out any hidden coffee that I like before it all goes, and have a general trip round their store in their buggy, followed by some coffee and might get to the book shop and the charity shops before returning to do the planned interview re the car scheme.

So had a pleasant run down, with fields with quite a lot of standing water and snow lightly covering hills further off. Was quite pleased with myself as my plan worked and I found 6 packs of the coffee I wanted stashed at the back of a shelf. Had to ask a staff member to reach them for me but was glad to get them all and a few other bits and pieces, but when I went to pay with a card the machine demanded that I put the card in and pin number. Probably not used to my spending so much at one time in Tesco.

I then went off for a celebratory coffee at Neros, but there was such a hassle in the parking area with several drivers who did not seem to know how to park or let other cars by, and a big van parked very close to the disabled bay. However got myself sorted and grateful for a sit down. I rang to confirm the timings for the interview, which was correct and sat back enjoying the break and thinking that I hadnt really got time to go meandering about , as I dislike being late for appointments etc. So dutifully got back in the car and was driving back when I had a sudden horrible thought, that in the morning I had had another appointment after the chemist and with all the hassle there , had completely forgotten about it and gone off to Thirsk.

I felt very bad about it and as soon as I got back to Upfront, went to the desk to ask them to apologize to Archie for me and explain. I had never done such a thing before , but they were ok about it , but I thought pride comes before a fall, and just checking up on the interview time hadnt even reminded me about it. Then the staff member who was doing the interview came over and asked if I was happy to do it there or wanted to go to another room, and I said I was fine whatever suited her but would the mike pick up a lot of background noise. She replied that with two cameras she could edit it etc and I , no doubt looking somewhat horrified, said I thought it was just a recording. But no it was on camera. That in itself didnt bother me at all, but I would have made more effort in what I had put on that day and my hair was doing a wild and messy day as just washed it wouldnt settle to any style I wanted.

So I gave my points and then there was another man putting his ideas in and she checked it all over and said she was pleased with the results so no doubt at some time in the future I will get to see myself on film and be reminded of the rather odd day, of ups and downs. I was pleased to go home and just sort out the shopping and totally gave up on the idea of going anywhere else and was happy to just have a quiet evening.

Today I need to get to the bank, but being market day cant take the car down the high street so it is time to get the yellow peril out and wrap up warm. Havent used it for a few days so hope that it will be in a good mood, as very cold mornings dont suit it and it may be in a very slow tortoise mood. We shall see how it goes All being well I shall go to the whist drive tonight. It will be good to get out and use the brain, for other than boring everyday stuff.

Sorry your trip was cut short yesterday Mick and hope that the weather improves and lets you enjoy things more. Susan56 I am glad that the day went well for you , it is always hard making changes and more so when it is doing it for someone else. Good that you had each other to help you to get through the day. GrandMattie hope all goes well with the pancake making and that you manage to get a bit of a rest somewhere in the busy day. Marydoll hope all has gone well with Mass this morning for you and that you have a pleasant time today in Glasgow.

Well that unusual thing seems to be in the sky oh yes the sun! I need to try and make the most of it and get the shopping bags and the warmest gloves hats etc at the ready, as even with the sun it feels very cold still. Can just see some more snowdrops appearing in the border so that is a cheering sight. Hope today brings some sunshine to you all

Good morning from a chilly S E Essex. Off to the gym first thing, then I will see what the day brings.

Thinking of our poorly friends 🙋‍♀️

Gingster so many worries, sending ❤️

Good morning from a dry but dull Suffolk after yesterday’s lovely sunshine. I my friend and I had a 3hour lunch time together punctuated by lots of laughs and reminiscences about our parenting days,prompted by an article she had read on gentle parenting.

I’m off to my keep fit class in less than an hour. Several of my friends there have family staying for half term so won’t be attending. From their WhatsAppp messages last evening,the beach and especially the pier had been very busy yesterday.

Hope today is kind to all.

Good morning from N. Bucks where it is dry , still and chilly.
Our towns pancake race was very busy yesterday for the Pancake race, a good day for local businesses.
Today I have a new prescription to collect so will pop down to town later.
Craft club this afternoon. I’m not in charge of the project this time but must take samples of the next one.
Otherwise general tidying and household bits and pieces.
Thinking of all the poorlies and those caring for them. Wishing all a good day.

Gangster, I'm sorry to hear about your dd. I hope she recovers soon.

Oh Gingster so sorry to hear life is so hard at the moment. I hope your DD is better soon and DH gets his appointment.

Good morning from a cold brightening northwest coast.
I was on the desk at the music club yesterday despite my stiff neck, a small turnout but my songs went well.
A little shopping, petrol fill up and an evening in. DD to hairdresser then into the city for meet up with friend and overnight stay.

My energy bill has risen and we had a conversation with supplier to lower it. I’m off soon to the doc for my annual MOT, blood pressure etc.
No rehearsal this evening for opera co., but I need to look at some music.
Thoughts to FGTs and all🌺

Good morning from a brightish Leicestershire.

The car had to spend the night in the garage yesterday as the battery was still charging. Fortunately a friend drove me to NWR. They are trying to tell me the mileage is too low but just before Christmas I drove long distances every day for 9 weeks to the hospital. I don’t think the battery that came with the car is fit for purpose but I may have a battle on my hands.

Nothing much more on form today except a visit to M&S as the bus stops there.

Pleased to hear yesterday went well Susan I remember those times well.
Safe journey to your DH Ashcombe I hope he is back soon.

Wishing everyone the best day possible especially those not up to posting.

Good morning all.

Life is ganging up on me!
Dd is now in hospital having scans, tests etc. she’s not at all well.
DGD had a sleepover with a friend and I’ll pick her up later..

Dh still awaiting his URGENT referral . Should hear today.🙏

Take care 🌱.

Good Morning everyone from the south coast with a grey ominous sky. Heavy rain is forecast with strong winds later. I get a flood warning almost every day but fortunately we are a bit higher up so will not be affected.

Your ear wax issue is repeated here Grey. DH's visit to see if the olive oil had worked proved that one ear is now clear but not the other one. She told him she was wary of trying again in case of damage so he can continue with the olive oil or just wait and see if the audiologist can can do the hearing test now.

Woke for the loo at 5 and decided to have another hour in bed and woke with a start at 7 so it has been a scramble this morning as our cleaners arrive very shortly. Hate rushing round in a morning and it will take a while to settle down!

Kind thoughts to all our GNs who are struggling and hoping for a gentle day for us all. Safe travels OD!

Good morning all from a chilly North Leicestershire.

Choir yesterday was really good. First time back since the summer for ne. DD2 and the girls came too. It was a fun session with love songs chosen by choir members. It was great to see everyone.

DD saw her GP yesterday and has a virus to add to her on going gall bladder woes.

Today, DD3 and 2 dgc are popping in for a while. DH will miss them as he is starting an art group. We are collecting Wolfie from one football session, giving him tea and taking him to another afterwards.

I have an online Carer course this evening.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Morning all from West Oxfordshire.

All being well I will be going to the monthly U3A lunch which OH now organises. My cough and cough are just about gone although when I’m lying down my cough is still there. It is WI tonight. I’ve a feeling I may be too tired, but we’ll see. I’ve had to do some admin but as the newish secretary lives a couple of minutes walk away, I can pop the paperwork through her door.

Have a good day, especially those going through hard tines.

FGT2S 🌹

Good morning all from Polmont where it's 1° and dry. It's quite grey and I'm not sure whether rain is forecast. Susan I'm glad the house clearance went well and you had support. Ashcombe safe journey to your dh.
Yesterday was a lovely day. I dropped off dgs1 at football camp and then dgs2 went for a hot chocolate and a brownie- his favourite. He was so cheery. His good mood continued all day. I made him soup for lunch and he ate two enormous bowls. In the afternoon, we had a quiet time and he played with various new toys. Not a cross word was spoken. I picked up dgs1 and could tell he'd been crying. He told me it was because his team had lost in the final. He takes everything to heart and is so competitive.
After I dropped them off, I had a small dinner of fish cake and chips then went to bed. I did get up to make a hot toddy but didn't sleep particularly well.
Today I should do a spell in the school library then must go to the retail park to get a voucher and birthday card. I'm supposed to be going to lunch with a few friends but I'm having to force myself. I think I will take a covid test this morning just in case. No-one would thank me for inflicting that on them! Have a good day all.