Good Morning Thursday 13th August 2026

Good morning everyone from mid Essex. A hot day is forecast so I shan’t be doing much today. I went home yesterday to meet the fitter who was installing new blackout blinds in the porch and across the back door. They look very nice, hopefully they will help lower the temperature a little.
The eclipse was interesting, I watched it on tv as I knew I wouldn’t see much through the trees at the end of DD’s garden. The sky was an odd colour and the wind got up for a few minutes and it wasn’t quite as hot afterwards.
The dog was eating normally yesterday, but left me a “present “on the kitchen floor this morning!

A walk to a supermarket for a paper, then staying indoors today. I’ll eat with DD2 and her girls this evening, as her OH is out on a works dinner.

Take it easy today rosesandlilac be careful how you put the shopping away. Good that your cleaner is so efficient.

Hoping that those awaiting exam results today get the results they need for the next stage of their lives.

Have the best day you can today, stay dry if you’re in the north and keep cool in the south!

Good morning all from the Scottish Borders. A warm day forecast.

I'm going to visit a nice cool church.

I was invited to a neighbour's yesterday to watch the eclipse and share party food.
He had a pack of 25 of the special specs.
It was pretty good until it was itself eclipsed by clouds.

I didn't buy the house I had wanted, after all. It's been sold now so I can stop thinking of it.

I'm glad to hear you are recovering well Rosesandlilac in a nice clean house.

Fingers crossed 🤞 for all those waiting for exam results.

Wishing you all a happy day.

Good morning from Stockport.
Love the the photo Melanie it is a fact that here in the north the eclipse had very little effect, proper glasses or not.

It was incredibly hot yesterday and today is forecast to be worse.
I spent the day with the fan on full and the curtains drawn.

My new cleaners are due again today.
In spite of being initially pleased last time I did realise over the next few days things not done or not done well that today may be the last time, I shall be disappointed though.
I thought is was one problem solved.
First world problem though.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from an already very warm South Yorkshire. I slept a straight seven hours last night. It’s going to be very hot later - 34 by mid afternoon. Our walking group is cancelled because of the Met Office warning.

I went and picked up a new kettle I’d ordered yesterday and my car was like a sauna even before the air con kicked in, so I decided no more car, and just confined myself to indoor activities. I froze an awful lot of plums, sorted out and disposed of an awful lot of useless paperwork and there will be more of the same today. Rain is forecast for tomorrow. We can only hope!

Have the best day you can folks!

Good morning from a sunny S Essex it’s already 18° and predicted to reach 32°

The cleaning fairies 🧚‍♀️🧚‍♀️ are here first thing, then DD and The Imp are coming for lunch, The Imp wants to swim, so that’s him sorted.

You must rest Rosesandlilac 🌹🪻

Good Morning everyone from the central south coast where we are set for another hot day once the sun gets going.

We sat in our back garden and watched all the birds going home to bed as the light gently faded once the eclipse started. It didn't get dark - more like an early dusk and we agreed it had all been a bit overhyped. The sun did come back out but the heat had eased which was very welcome.

It is our WI strawberry tea event today and I have already sent apologies. I am still struggling with the aftermath of my fall injuries and the heat, which we are promised today, totally saps my strength. So I shall join you Roses resting in the shade. Glad your recovery is going well.

Take care everyone and special thoughts to all with struggles, worries or health issues of any kind. May today bring some relief.

Good morning from Sheffield

I’m sorry but I was disappointed with the eclipse last night. Admittedly I didn’t have any glasses so I couldn’t get the full effect.
On the tv they said the birds would stop singing, there would be a strange wind and it would get dark. We toddled off outside with our colanders and paper.
We sat there and the light did turn to a golden twilight. No wind ,in fact it was very still. We watched a pigeon preening himself on the roof. He was cooing away totally unconcerned.
Couldn’t see anything through the colander. So we went back in and watched the tv instead. A photo of DH preparing for the event.
I hope others had a more exciting experience
Take care everyone

Good morning from Malta where we expect a sunny day with a high of 39°C. Apparently we have been having temperatures 2°C above the norm, on average. It doesn’t make much difference as August has always been the hottest month.

Had a lovely morning with the boys yesterday. DGS2 played happily for over an hour with two plastic bowls, a jug of water, a cup, a whisk and my bag of reusable ice cubes! I think he learned a lot about water displacement!😅

DD3 picked them up at 2.30 . They have gone to Gozo for a few days as it is the feast of Santa Maria on Saturday which is a big holiday here.

I have got Milo dog and JJ the canary in residence while they are away. Must say I slept so much better last night wth a little dog curled up on my bed! No, I mustn’t be tempted to get one.

So glad to hear you are feeling so much better dear RosesandLilac. I hope you manage to keep cool and perhaps have a nap to make up for your unsettled night. Your new cleaner sounds like a Gem!🤗

I have no plans for the day other than a bit of laundry that needs doing and a bit of tidying up after the boys’ visit. DGS2 always leaves a labyrinth of wires around the place!

Take care all and I hope you have a good day.☀️

All the best to those with A-level results today.

Good morning from Bristol. Hot, hot, hot 🥵
Sorry about your bad night, r&l, but as you are under orders to rest, you can catch up today! Glad that the play is being well received Ash.
I’ve only just woken up, must be a record for me. I was beyond tired yesterday, the heat and too much to do.
We have a new volunteer from AgeUK at the FAB cafe. She does what she wants and confuses everything; I try to ignore her but it’s not always easy. She is only with us for her PhD so obviously “knows everything”! I find her very wearing.
I barely had time for lunch when I had to go to the other village for the library book group. I took the opportunity to get a few things, including cash from the building society.
Again, I walked there and back in the searing, exhausting heat.
Barely time to cool down, pack my backpack to catch the bus to the Downs and meet DD and family for dinner and the eclipse. Of course we has a ghost bus and the next one was packed; the traffic was horrendous due to both the time of day, and everyone going to the Downs.
Only DD and Iris arrived, on their bikes; DGD1 is with friends in Cornwall, DSiL was on his way home from his job in Cardiff…
We ate and watched. It was very hot and we had to decide between being in the shade and not so hot, or in the sun to see the developing eclipse. We ate a picnic dinner.
The whole of Bristol was there, with very excited 20sand 30s, most of whom were brandishing various colanders and cameras obscuras to see the eclipse. There was one sweet couple with whom I shared my glasses (ordered early by DD 👏). There was one girl was very excited.
The eclipse was less exciting that the one in ‘99 but fascinating nevertheless.
I was very tired and left soon after the maximum cover, Gita bus home almost immediately.
I was so very tired that I was asleep by 9! Of course, I woke up around 130 but told myself that all I wanted was the loo, persuaded myself that I needed more sleep and only woke up just now. Curiously, my sleep was full of disturbing dreams, not exactly nightmares.
I’ve only got t’ai chi today, but think I’ll miss it as my ankle, although improving a lot, is still pretty uncomfortable.
May you all stay cool, safe and well today (after which the temps will start dropping a little 👏). Carpe diem 🐦‍🔥❤️🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from my patio swing seat in Cornwall where I've been reading by torchlight since 0430, watching the pretty pre-dawn sky change colour and relishing the cool air before the heat hits. I had to put off my granddaughter's visit yesterday due to my breathing problems but my son, her uncle, stepped up and took her for the day and they had a great fun time judging by the photos he sent. The day was capped by a breathtaking eclipse which they watched from a beach. I stayed indoors and enjoyed the strange shadows it created.

Today... sewing and watching films and prior to that a quick trip to Wetherspoons for breakfast.

Good and cheerful news from you Roses xx

Good morning from s somerset, very hot with intense sun today

It was too hot to do anything much yesterday, the only thing I did was sort seed packets and have thrown a lot in the bin, they were out of date. The ones I have now are sorted with labels written and ready for spring sowing. At least I have clarity now and have ordered the missing dozen

I went into the hot garage for something at 8.30 pm and was distracted by the shallots that were doing their best to remain in good condition. I spent quite a while cleaning them up, also the garlics and onions and of course tidied the mess I made. I brought them all in and now they are residing in ventilated earthenware containers. They will be fine and I was past my bedtime

I could not sleep, far too hot and finally I got up at 4. I have a family gathering next weekend, including vegans so I did my organic veg order, which arrives on friday morning, 21st. There are far fewer available veg than in a normal year. DS and partner will spend many hours travelling from Aberdeen and everyone else will join them here

I have no intention of doing anything involving energy today, my sewing is on the back burner and will stay there. I will plan and plot and doze and maybe get to the allotment on my bike before dusk. The road is closed to cars or I would drive there

The seagulls have started screeching, everyone will wake up now

Good morning! Dear lordy it’s already 19° here and despite having the fans on, windows open etc I’m a crabby b…..r already!
Not a good start to the day 😄

As you may have guessed I haven’t slept much, let alone well, but at least I have absolutely nothing to do today except put away an Ocado delivery first thing.
My cleaner came yesterday; oh my goodness I’m amazed at the difference she’s made. I think I must have been just tinkering around at the edges of cleaning or something!
She’s coming every week, aren’t I lucky?!
She even dusted the ceiling light shades 🫣, I must be a right slattern……
I had my stitches out in the afternoon, blue fishing line was used by the look of them 😄, all’s good. DH took me, he’s being very solicitous ( I suspect that DS had a word), I did raise my eyebrows at him scurry around tidying up his muddles first thing yesterday- definitely a huge bonus point to having a cleaner!

Anyway, I’m doing well, the Thoracic Specialist Nurse phoned yesterday and reinforced the fact that I must rest, it’s not optional, for at least the next 6 weeks….. I think it’s going to be all too easy to do too much so will heed her words.
Follow up with the consultant in two weeks, fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Love and best wishes to you all x
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