Soops place of refuge and friends

Hello everyone - yes I got here around 2:30pm (with the hour forward). It’s been a gorgeous sunny day but I’ve squirrelled myself away, basically shut the door on the world. I decided I didn’t want to bump into anyone until tomorrow. I craved solitude while I gathered my thoughts and emotions. Time to sit with my feelings and let them settle.

I’ve made tuna pasta with sweetcorn good job a few staples in the cupboard and I’ve found a box of weetabix for my breakfast. Basics covered.

It’s strange thinking back to last May. I haven’t allowed myself to press that bruise. A bereavement counsellor said “If you want to cry, play music. If you don’t, don’t.” If I dwell I shall cry. Maybe I need to? Grief and analysing it is a funny old business.

Anyway I’ve got my book, WiFi, Radio Málaga, Netflix. I shall have an early night. No wine. Sitting here I can’t believe he’s just …. gone from me. I came across a note he’d written the last time we were here and seeing his handwriting undid me.

Baby steps FGT2 you are doing great, fabulous lady 😘

Go gently fgt. It’s absolutely fine to be as you are. Remember that poem about sometimes staying in harbour? It’s what you’re saying you need. X

So pleased you arrived safely FGT. Take your time, there is no rush to do anything.

I so admire your bravery and hope your visit brings back lots of positive memories. Having good memories is such a help, I find, and it helps to know that your shared life was a joy to you both. Hope the coming days are mostly a pleasure,

So pleased you’ve arrived safely fgt, a relief that there’s some food in the cupboard too! You’re doing so well, just take things easy and allow yourself to relax. You don’t
need to rush to socialise if you don’t feel ready.

Take things easy FGT2 and enjoy your break.

It is exceptionally quiet in the kitchen today

I was having a productive day, washing tidying even squeezed in a quick trip to a local retail park to pop into Next and M & S Food Hall.

Just as I was about to collapse on the sofa with a latte and my kindle, No.3 son rang and asked me to go into work ( I haven’t been on the premises since November 2025 😹)

Nobody could find my login details to submit the accounts, and the deadline is uncomfortably close 🙀 Consequently I hot footed along (well drove slowly during school pick-up time, which is as bad as rush hour round here) with passport and laptop, we battled with the gov.uk website. After multiple attempts along with the computer says no mission was accomplished.

Also a nice surprise to find eldest GS there so lots of hugs 🤗

I hope FGT2 has had an enjoyable and no doubt tearful union with her LWW friends.

Wishing you all a good night 🙋‍♀️

You are obviously very much needed and appreciated GrannyGravy
The boys were busy drawing snakes and cutting them out this morning. Breakfast was cereal for dgs1 and pancakes for dgs2 which was eaten between art projects. Dgs2 got very upset because he cut off a bit of his snake and dgs1 kindly finished it and consoled him. He isnt usually that caring so it was nice to see. After i dropped them off, I pottered about, did some spanish and sorted the rubbish. Tomorrow is plastic day. Then picked the boys up for more art and football and eating before taking them home. Dsil is much better which is good news.
I have cleaned the kitchen and hoovered throughout- a necessary job with the two boys. My hall was full of sand from dgs2 and his playing in the sand at nursery! At the moment macaroni cheese is baking in the oven and i have a clean and tidy home. Enjoy your evening kitchen folk

Hi kitchen friends, hope everyone is doing ok,
Goodness GG that sounds like an online nightmare, but well done that it’s all sorted now
Good to hear Dsil is feeling better grandmabatty and that you enjoyed a good day with your gorgeous boys
It was good to get back to the gym this morning, quite an energetic aerobics class then coffee to recuperate with my pal. This afternoon I enjoyed a bit of pampering at the hairdressers, my grey roots are now hidden for another few weeks
Hope fgt got on well today
Take care all x

Hello everyone (an hour ahead here) so I’m not far off my bed. LWW was every bit as supportive and friendly as I knew it would be. Obviously I’ve not seen them since May last year and we all remembered that rush to get back to the UK. We all shed a few tears(to be expected) but then shared memories of happier times too and I caught up on all their news. Good friends are a blessing aren’t they?

Took this pic in buzzy Arroyo de la Miel on my way to the bar this afternoon.

Well done GG13 you saved the day!

😁

No photo
Never mind I’ll try it on Mick’s in the morning.

fgt how comforting to have such lovely kind supportive friends waiting for you in your happy place. I look forward to seeing the photo when you can send it!
A quiet day today for me, did some ironing, collected a prescription and saw my dementia friend and that was about it! My friend was very quiet, uncommunicative, but has a cough, which is a bit worrying.

* grannygravy* to the rescue! What a good thing you were able to log in to the gov.uk website, I gave up the hast time I tried, it didn’t like my password and I was wary of changing it in case it messed up access to other websites!

grandmabatty a relief that your DSiL is feeling better.

After yet another morning of waking up at 5.30 I’m tired, so getting ready for bed soon.
Night night everyone, sleep well!

Grandmabatty I hope to be totally redundant asap.

DH and I are not hands on in the company anymore, the children are doing a brilliant job.

Good to know it was all sorted grannyg. Your friends are a blessing fgt, I’m so pleased you have their support. Good news about your sil grandmab, your boys trigger memories of our sons what feels an age ago.

After spending most of the day in the eye hospital A&E on Monday I’ve been attempting to put antibiotic ointment into my injected eye. I’d not win medals for it! It seems there is a small cut, maybe (probably!) occurring during the injection process causing the pain I’ve been experiencing. No sign of infection, the ointment is precautionary, the eye will heal itself.

Hoping to get over the bridge later today, a trip postponed from Monday. With luck I’ll sleep soon, something else I’m not very good at. Mr C on the other hand can sleep for the world. Envious? You bet!

Night, night everyone. Sleep tight.

GrannyGravy it must be lovely to have created something which your children continue.
Thank you ladies for your kind words regarding dsil. He definitely seems to be improving. Cornergran I hope the cut heals quickly.

Hello to all

I’ve been pottering this morning
Went to the supermarket over the road for supplies so glad it’s nearby

I have a shopper on wheels to cart water
milk and groceries home I got it bc Himself had begun to struggle 18 months ago when we came over between his chemotherapy sessions. 😢

Lunch at Juan’s and now I’m sat under a palm tree reading my book

This pic is from my vantage point
It’s very quiet and peaceful only half a dozen people unusual this time of year but the block is mostly residential now.

I’m sitting with my sadness feeling the emotional tug. That’s important I feel. It’s not good to dismiss such thoughts best to let them hold for a while. Yes uncomfortable but necessary to accept them when they wash me.

Dinner at home this evening I have food probably just make a past dish!
x

You are approaching this holiday in just the right frame of mind fgt.
I’m sure your bereavement counselling has helped you.
The peace in that garden must be healing, alternated with meeting your friends for a few hours of socialising.
Your dear Man will be so proud of you. 🦋

I hope everyone else who visits soops kitchen has had the best day they can.
It is warmer outside than in the house today - a bit bizarre.

Hi all, peace and warmth FGT a good combination to gently let your thoughts roam x
GG13 to the rescue 🛟 and they say no one is indispensable!
Better news on your son in law Grandmabatty I hope it has continued today.
I had a txt from my surgery ahoy 6:30 last night, my scan showed osteoporosis in hips, spine ok. I know it was possible, but took me by surprise, econsult about 8:30 today and GP call back within two hours. We discussed treatment, she’s checking something with rheumatology for me.
So the day continued with making pasta sauce for dinner, nipping down to the village shop for odds and sods, then too much time googling!!
I hope to see utbb here soon.
Have a gentle evening all.

fgt that looks a lovely peaceful place to sit and read. Although it’s been dry and bright here today, it’s too windy to sit outside.

Seated yoga this morning was quite challenging, but I do feel better afterwards and I think my balance is improving slightly.

I spent some time planting some fuchsias and hardy geraniums in the front garden this afternoon. I wasn’t able to dig a hole and bend down low last year, so I’m pleased to be able to do it again - progress, but I still have to be careful. I’ll go to the garden centre tomorrow for more compost (small bags) and plants. Hoping the gardener will be back next week.🤞

cornergran I hope your eye is healing and more comfortable today and that you master the knack of getting the ointment into your eye!

Nearly time for my fix of the Chelsea Flower Show!

Have a pleasant evening everyone.

Just a very quick hello from me after a busy day out and about.. I couldn’t go to sleep without checking in on here first
Hoping it’s not too problematic for you Jax and doesn’t cause you ongoing problems
Thank you for the lovely picture fgt, I hope your day was ok and you enjoyed the warm sunshine
Hoping you’re doing ok Tilly ❤️
Thinking of all our friends in the quiet corner, take care all x

Your view looks so peaceful fgt. It’s still chilly here sadly.

Your surgery sounds to be very efficient jax. I’m sure you’ll get good treatment and advice.

We whizzed over the bridge today to maintain Mr C’s parents grave.m. Pleased to report my eye is much less painful. Less pleased to report my aim with the ointment has not improved. .
Night night everyone. Sleep well.

Yes thank you brook and sending you “happy holiday” wishes. 👋