Positive news, positive thoughts, happy weekend.

After all the mizzle, we had a fine day yesterday so I took myself off on the bus to my childhood haunts. In the town where I live I grew up by a long and rather splendid terrace of Victorian houses where I played as a child with my friend in the 'wild wodd'. I had not been back for over 60 years. The terrace still looked as grand, the wild wood had been turned into a very groomed garden where some children were playing. It was so lovely to re-visit my happy summer days of the early 60s. Also, at the end of the road a lady has opened a yarn shop (my weakness) and she just happened to have in stock all the yarns I needed for my Festival of Colours blanket. So, I bought lots of wool and pleased as Punch, got on the bus home. Happy Day!

Another birthday for me this week also. Ever nearer to 70! Happy Birthday to everyone with their birthday this week also🥂🍾🍸🌹😎🦋🍷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🍰😍

I only needed to go a few miles to do something similar a few weeks ago SpinDriftCoastal. I parked up my car and thought of all the fun we had.

Today is a quiet day for me. Early this morning I did my store shop and as I have on my best frock I’ve decided to spend the day in the sunshine to read, eat ice cream, drink gin and look at things in my garden.

I had a birthday card a bit late from my little grandson which said "Happy Birpday Nana". It made me smile. I think he has trouble with 'th'.

We are going to the Isles of Scilly in a few days. Cant wait! Such a beautiful and relaxing place

How lovely. Have a super time x

Floradora9

We employed a couple of Polish joiners to do some work for us and they were fine . When we phoned them the next time we needed them one of them told us that his mate had stolen his van and gone with all his tools . He lives in the next town to us so DH offered to collect him and provide the tools he needed to do the job . When he took him back he paid more than the chap wanted to charge because we felt so sorry for time . A year later we contacted him again and he is back on his feet and doing OK .When he finished the job we had asked him to do he refused any payment because we had been good to him when he needed it . DH insisted on giving him some money but we were really chuffed that he felt that way .

Shows there are good people around. That means you and your DH as well as the joiner you helped. Very refreshing to hear such stories!

Happy holidays and day trips to those jaunting about. Happy birthday to all those with a birthday this week.
What a lovely story Floradora. Lovely when kindness begets kindness.
We’re having a quiet day watching the tennis and indulging in some naughty treats.

As usual I FaceTimed with DDs this morning, they had saved some special news for me. At last my pension which has been minimal while the government sort out the muddle they got in over late DH’s disablement pension, has been sorted out and I will not only be receiving slightly more but also some very welcome back income.

I'm off for a week in a holiday cottage with friends tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. The weather isn't promising, but a break will be lovely. They are good friends, and we've holidayed together before (successfully) so I have no worries that we won't get along. One had a big birthday recently, and we've planned a special day of treats for her, finishing with dinner (on us) in a lovely restaurant.

Lovely weekend for my birthday on 12th. Started with coffee and lamingtons for brekky.
Lots of wishes from some dear friends and family.
Followed today with an afternoon tea party with DH, DS and few friends. We laughed and us oldies reminisced about our childhood, cartoons and favourite songs ftom 60s, 70s. Makes you appreciate to be alive. Lovely cake etc. What diet ? Lol

Basgetti

Not sure of the geography but do get to Skipton if you can. The castle is incredibly atmospheric and the town lovely. If you’ve a dog, great river walk.

Definitely visit Skipton. It’s a lovely day out for us and not too far. You’re right about walking the dog too.

You're lucky. I'm in on my own as usual. Moved here three years ago to be near my daughter and grandchildren, but I never see them at the weekends, unless it's someone's birthday. I do lots of babysitting, but I feel very depressed most of the time, having left my friends behind in Essex
Sorry to be a grouch, I hope you have a wonderful time.

AGAA4 Ha ha. Had you been at the bubbly?!

Well it’s all been very positive so far.

We have walked and admired the Himalayan Gardens yesterday and Newby Hall today, there was a Norwegian Youth Brass Band at Newby so we picnicked in the sun and enjoyed the music.

We spoke to some parents of the band members, they were so blown away by North Yorkshire.
It makes you appreciate what we have.

The others have gone for the choral evensong at the Cathedral whilst I waste time on here before prepping supper.

Tomorrow is the 7 bridges walk at Fountains Abbey.

We have not watched any news or discussed politics!

The walk along the canal from Skipton towards Gargrave and beyond is lovely - even better on a narrowboat!

I've been poking around the cotswolds looking for Green Men (the carvings not inexperienced males) again.
Are you comfortable with going out by yourself Peaseblossom? It must have been such a wrench to move away but a walk in the sunshine and a coffee out often results in an uplift in mood especially if you find someone to chat a bit with.
I always ask people their names too as it feels so cheery to shout "Hi Nelly" from across the street if you spot them again and can go a long way to feeling 'part of it'.
I've moved about a dozen times so I know how daunting it can feel

We've got new sockets installed in the kitchen! No more awkward stretches to plug things in.

I’m just rejoicing in the improved weather (south-east). It was miserable weather when I spent 3 days in Dorset recently, first time ever alone, but I’ll do it again but check the long range forecast first. I sat in the garden today with my current book and enjoyed it enormously.

Sunny all day. Free electricity while the football was on, and just a simple tea. 😄

keepcalmandcavachon Thank you. I do go out shopping etc. and go on the bus and train, but it would be nice to go out more. I spend far too much time alone. I pick up my grandson from preschool twice a week and often babysit, but sometimes I feel that that's all I'm used for. I never get invited to go anywhere at the weekend with my daughter, her husband and the two children. It's "their"time. Family time. Well I happen to be family because I'm her mother. None of my friends (back in Essex) can believe that I don't get included in social things with my daughter. Especially after moving all this way from Essex. I only go there for Sunday lunch twice a year on Easter Sunday and Christmas. I have been to a couple of quiz nights with her on a Friday. I feel very introverted and agoraphobic.

Peaseblossom would the u3a interest you, if there’s one nearby? Members are usually very friendly. Or join a walking group? I’m sorry that the family do not involve you much. Could you invite them over for Sunday lunch occasionally? And hopefully they might reciprocate. But I think you should join something that interests you for some social interaction. Unsure where you’ve moved to.

Bellanonna. Thank you. There isn't a U3A that's convenient for me to get to by public transport. I'm in Berkshire. I do sometimes invite the family over on a Sunday. It gives my daughter a break from cooking as well. I have made a couple of friends, but we don't see each other on a regular basis. They have a lot more going on than me and have partners. I need to be more self disciplined and make myself go for walks and maybe do yoga at home via YouTube. I struggle with motivation if I'm not doing things with someone else.

What a great thread, and thanks for sharing your uplifting story, Floradora9! I have already located and subscribed to the Positive News newsletter! I agree with others, especially before going to bed, the mainstream news is just soul-destroying! Have wonderful holidays, and birthdays to all concerned, and I for one am happy that I joined Gransnet 14 years ago, when I learned that DD was (finally) pregnant! I learn so much from you all!

Sago, I agree, even if I skim the news online I'm left feeling flat and despondent.

I must wean myself off Social Media. " Just ten minutes" can become a couple of hours embroiled in news and nasty goings on all over the place. Not good.

Have a lovely holiday