Good Morning Thursday 20th August 2026

Good morning from a dark Bristol. It rained heavily for barely a minute late last night, but nothing since.
It’s GCSE result day and DGD 1is expecting hers. She will do well, but is naturally very anxious.
We had a good FAB cafe yesterday with 4 new people coming; attendance is erratic, but good. We would never fit everyone in, if all the regulars came on the same day - excluding when we have a live concert.
My afternoon was odd, with interruptions from my neighbour. He I’d widowed and misses his wife dreadfully. He is very say, but uses me to bring up anything that needs reassurance.
He is a retired architect but is very worried about the botching of jobs with the painting of the estates, etc. I won’t go there, I can bore for England if I start!
What bothers us is the patronising platitudes we are fed, leave the downright lies and economy of the truth.
I started a lemon and lime marmalade, which I’ll finish later.
This morning, I have t’ai chi, then my annual pc clean up and service in the afternoon.
Take care all. Enjoy your happy place fgt. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from Malta where a sunny day is forecast wth a high of 38°C.

It was too hot to walk to the village yesterday so I made do with my local corner shop which was fine as I only needed a couple of things.

I received an sms from the bank to say the driving licence I had sent as per their request, was not acceptable for verifying my address.🙄

I was livid and phoned to register a complaint. I asked the agent why all this stress and worry when we are constantly being warned about scams. She apologised profusely but still couldn’t give me a straight answer as to why my notarised copies of my local ID card and now my driving licence are not good enough to verify my address despite being listed on their website as acceptable documents.

I only keep a small amount in my UK bank, it’s not as though I’m money laundering vast sums! I’m to get a call back (not holding my breath).

No plans for today. Will see what I feel like doing once I’m up and about. Exercise is always first on the list, half an hour on the crosstrainer.

Hope FGT had a trouble free journey yesterday and will enjoy some precious family time in Malaga, 🇪🇸

Take care all, wishing you a good day.☀️

Good morning Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it looks as if we had more rain overnight and are in for a wet day. I had just reached the library yesterday and we had the mother and father of a thunderstorm but it didn’t last long.

I have a sore throat and a cough this morning so if it’s going to be wet I shall give my usual Thursday walk a miss, stay at home and try and shake it off.

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning from a lovely damp Black Country where it rained overnight again.

Spent a pleasant day yesterday with my friend in Bewdley. Coffee by the river, then a walk along it. Then lunch at a cafe sitting by the riverside. It was sunny with cloud but not too hot. Then after lunch we ordered coffee. Just as it was served the heavens opened for about 20 minutes..it was lovely! Then the sun was out and it was like it never happened.

Walking group walk today, with a cafe stop half way round.

DGD2 is 18 today! Where did that little girl go? She is off to University in September. Those young years go by in a flash.

Wishing you all a lovely day

Good morning, it’s been raining overnight here on the hillside in south Glos but the path is only barely wet, no puddles 🙁
My visit to the practice nurse for a BP check was ‘interesting’, it’s far too low at 84/46. I don’t have any symptoms other than tiredness which is to be expected.
The phone call from the pharmacist earlier about my medication didn’t end in her telling me to stop taking any medication.so I now have to buy a BP monitor, take my blood pressure twice a day and see the GP Monday.
I have no idea what’s going on!
I slept badly so I’m not doing anything today, I might even stay in bed!
I’m still praying for more rain, but weather seems to skip around the hillside, passing to either side. It’s not unusual to see a storm approaching but we don’t get any rain at all.
I have a random tomato plant growing by my front door, I certainly didn’t plant one there and one reappears every year. It has fruit on it, tiny cherry tomatoes, which is more than I have on one of the plants in the back garden! I guess a bird must have dropped a seed?
My lovely cleaner came yesterday, she does a great job of sorting me out, well worth every penny. I’m hoping to keep having her regularly, it makes such a difference to me.
I hope that today goes well for you all 🌹

Good morning all from a damp North Leicestershire.

Really early start as DH has to pick up a drive at 7am and take them for Radiotherapy and i am helping at an MCI group. We have a Sainbury's delivery at teatime.

Exciting day for some grandchildren today - we have 2 lots of GCSEs and a driving test happening today.

Lovely time with 4 other GNers yesterday - though my food was not good. Unusual to see such a poor choice of gf food. Never mind, we had fun.

Have the best day possible everyone.

Good morning from cooler s somerset. it could well be raining this morning

I set up a couple of basic water catchments on my allotment yesterday, cheap and fairly rugged, I drilled holes in upside down bin lids and have mesh covers to stop mosquitoes getting into the new bins.

The new raised beds at home will take a lot of filling and I will need one to be done by october/november for shallots. I have already added thin cardboard and a bit of unused potting compost, later today I will chop plant materials to add another layer, everything can be rough and ready and it will eventually break down and make nice soil. I have top soil for the top few inches and will add nutrients to that. These beds can cost a lot of money if filled only with bought compost

I have a vegan meal to cook, ready for tomorrow and guest sleeping accommodation is almost ready. House is clean enough

It feels as though it will be a nice steady day today

Good morning from a sunny and bright S E Essex.

The washing machine is doing its thing, I am having tea in bed before the cleaning fairies arrive.

Later this morning I am off for a manicure, pedicure and various preening procedures ready for my holiday with DS3 and family, keeping everything crossed for GS2’s GCSE results. He passed out in his first one, he had unknowingly broken his wrist at lunch time whilst playing football, and the pain suddenly kicked in. We have all told him not to stress 🥰

Thinking of all our poorly kitchen friends 🙋‍♀️

Good morning from the east coast and it’s rained all night. The lawn is looking greener by the day with the showers.

Happy 18th birthday to your DGD NannyJan 🎉

This morning I have DGS he was super yesterday morning. I know I shouldn’t complain but I need the rain to stay away for the morning so he can go in and out. The routine needs to be done or he can’t relax. I’ll take towels for the zip line and tyre swing at the park as they’ll be wet. He’s counting the sleeps until he’s taken on holiday to Turkey for a week the last week of the summer holidays.
We booked a holiday last night for the end of September and we should have all my Uncle’s things sorted by then so I’ll be ready for it. The death certificate hasn’t been issued yet and we don’t know what the hold up is. We think the medical examiner might want to have a closer look. Mum is exhausted bless her.

Wishing a lovely day for all with moments of joy 🌼

Roses rest is of the utmost importance and when you get out of bed or stand up, take your time. Walk slowly and perhaps have a walking cane handy to help keep balance. Your body may be short on fluids too

Good luck to all DGC with GCSE results today 🤞

Good morning from a very wet NE where it is 12°.
We had some thunder yesterday but it didn't last long.
Sister and BIL are visiting this afternoon and taking me shopping.
GCSE results day for GD2. Her school was closed down without warning last term and her place at another school is dependent on her results 🤞
Have a good day.

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 12° and dry although rain is forecast for later. GrandMattie fingers crossed for your dgd. Bellasnana that's beyond annoying for you!
Yesterday morning was busy. I worked in the library all morning. I had a meeting with the depute head to discuss plans then had a chat with the nursery manager to discuss my new story telling stint there. I met dgs1 along the way who was very upset because he'd lost another tooth and had dropped it. Then home to partially tidy the kitchen. I pottered about. Dd messaged later to say dgs2 had gone into school no bother which is such a relief. She sent a photo of a letter dgs1 had written (with other grans help) for the tooth fairy. Last night I slept better than the previous night.
Today I'm back at the school library for a short visit before a chiropodist appointment. Then home to finish the kitchen and maybe, finally, do the ironing. Dinner will be something with chicken. Have a good day all.

Good morning all . Fingers crossed my post doesn’t disappear 🤞again.

Dh fell while I was out in Tuesday. He managed to crawl to a chair but was left very shaken. I worry when I’m out but I need to for my own sanity. I’m turning down things more and more.

Today my friend is coming for coffee. I usually hop on a train to meet her half way but our line is down due to a derailment last week. It’s so quiet without cars and commuters around.

The problem is teenagers have made the station their meeting place and are causing havoc. Running in and out of the little shop, disrupting buses and even running along the tracks.
No police presence, just the rail staff organising replacement buses. One kind chap asked if I was ok, while I waited for a bus and stood nearby so I wasn’t knocked over.

Rain due this afternoon. Let’s hope!

Bellasnanna how annoying for you. I spent half an hour in our bank yesterday trying to transfer money for our replacement conservatory roof. I’d attempted to do it on line without success and the bank cashier struggled for ages . Supposed to be easy peasy.

I know security has to be tight, but for Heavens sake!

Enjoy the day as best you can.🌺

Good morning Michael and all GN's on a dark , still morning in North Yorkshire. Looking at the windows, we have had at least a little shower in the night. All raindrops gratefully received! Another rotten night, so I gave in and managed to get myself in the shower at 4.20am, so at least I am clean and the bedding is already in the washer. Glad that I have the handrails etc to hold onto, and the seat. It was very painful getting in, but at least felt safe, and with much huffing and puffing did manage to get my hair washed and so still in quite a bit of pain now, but at least am clean, and one or two of the bruises from that fall, are beginning to show. ( Odd isnt it, that when you have the fall and are full of aches and pains and shook up, no one notices or offers any sympathy as by the time they see you there is little to show. Yet when you turn black, blue and yellow, kind thoughts and sympathies are offered, and concern shown, when your ribs are now a lot better and the worst of the pain is over. !)

I have left the bathroom tidying up until I have had a rest, so now sat with the window open, a little cool air coming in and a few birds tweeting around, but only the outline of the tree visible so far. There is so much that needs sorting out this morning. Yesterday, I went down the town on the yellow peril, called in to Upfront to speak to the bank hub man as it was my banks measly 1 hour offer, and of course, the system in Upfront is very organised, so they have little numbers on cards. So you take the next card, ask who is the number above you and wait your turn, but it means that you can at least, peruse the notices, look through books to borrow, or choose a jigsaw to borrow, and there is always a jigsaw on the go on table, that is there for anyone to add to, rather than ones that people might be doing on their own. As they cannot know how many people are going to arrive at any one time , the numbers mean that if you are third to be seen, you have time to nip out for a loaf of bread, or as it is wednesday, the market is open, so the chance to get some free range eggs or local veg etc. A very pleasant young man was there and was being kept very busy, and as I think all the banks on the high street have now closed their branches, not just one or two, there are plans for a banking hub for all of them to be held in the old Santander branch.

Fine but these hubs are run by the GPO I understand, and several of the banks have told their customers that they are all ready and it is the wretched post office, who were notified in very good time, who are holding up proceedings, and are apparently shut for 2 weeks, and not making any progress at all with sorting this out. Yet again , we the customers are treated with disdain, and the banks behave as if they had the right to decide on what is available or not and the speed that they will set it up.

I do know that Nationwide are having a field day. Of course they are a building society, but do have their own credit card etc., and the big and clever recruiting ploy is they are announcing that they will NOT be moving. That we can be sure that they will be there in the future and treat their customers with courtesy. I went in to the nearest branch, to check it out for my own needs, and was very pleased with the attitude of staff, the courtesy, but even more , what really fits my needs, is that they have two chairs with arms. They also have a private office, so given my mobility issues I know that I can go in there,(they have cctv, so on a bad day, I can just hobble to a chair,) take a seat and ask when it is my turn, that someone could come out to me, or if I need the private office, the counter staff greet me and acknowledge I am there, and will let me know when it is my turn to go in, giving me the time to get up slowly etc. Well done them!

So when finally I had spoken to the bank chap, I was back on the yellow peril with difficulty, and then set off along the high street, checking out the stalls and buying a few bits and pieces. My next plan was to get down for a coffee to Cafe Nero and then go into the travel agents and see what little offer might there be for me to have a (cheap!) last minute trip somewhere in Britain. I have a years insurance, and the one thing living alone is you can make the most of anything, as you dont have to consult anyone else.

It has allowed me a couple of years ago ,to have a real little coup; I went to the travel agent on the monday morning, and Fred Olsen had a cruise leaving on the friday. As a solo traveller it always costs more with supplements or whatever. However they had a twin interior cabin available. So we made some enquiries, and they still wanted me to pay some supplement , having it to myself. However I have not lived abroad and learnt to haggle - politely- for nothing ,so I said to them , there is only 4 days left, and you have not got anyone yet. Now I am free to come, have all relevant documents including insurance. Surely a bird in the bush is better for you. I will let you have a think about it and will ring you at the end of today or in the morning. They took only an hour to ring ME back and accept my straightforward booking. Result , brilliant. I only want a clean bed and a shower, and spend little time in my cabin anyway. So a great time was had and all the crew were really lovely.

This year with the weather, my mobility problems etc etc., has been a bad year, and for the first time in 30 years , I have had the NGS garden book, and actually not managed to visit one garden, nor go to any RHS gardens for the whole of the summer. So have been feeling stir crazy, and I just want to let the schools go back , and then go anywhere. A few days B/b in the Lake District or a trip up to blessedly cooler scottish trip, or even a couple of days in Bridlington, just to get away!!

So started to make my way along the street , and how lovely , met a friend I havent seen for most of the summer. All plans thrown to the winds and we actually decided to go mad and go to the local hotel, where they do lunches , ranging from a sandwich to a roast etc etc, and as I was on the buggy, and she was walking, we made our way to the hotel and I had a beautifully cooked whitby scampi and chips and garden peas and she had a vegetarian salad, which looked very nice. I was able to park the yellow peril and we found a table which I could sit at comfortably, and we were in no hurry, so were quite happy to wait for our meal, as of course , market day in a county town - think All creatures great and small scenario - so they are always very busy. Farmers tend to have good appetites and of course expect to see local food cooked well, so there is always a good selection on offer on market days.

We enjoyed the unexpected treat of a meal out, rather than going home to cook, and had time to catch up on news and views , and make plans for the future. Of course at the moment, it is all exam results and getting school uniforms etc etc., so it is also the time to be looking to see what courses are likely to be on offer for septemper. We actually first met taking a Makaton course, so we plan to meet up for coffee and do a bit of revising. I always remember as a teacher, that with the long summer holiday, there would always be several children who had forgotten quite a lot, and you would have to really go back more than other holiday returns, and then there is also the stress, where children may be changing schools, or moving class, So now as an ancient retired person, I am not collecting up all the gadgets and teaching aids that I had spent time over the holidays making, and can actually look forward to the opportunity to enjoy a little time in the countryside, and still have some sunshine to enjoy, but that cooler feel overall. Bliss!!

So, today I am thinking of all GN members families, and hoping that exam results allow and enable children to carry on in their chosen way,. That children facing that big jump from junior to senior school have an easy transition, with hopefully a friend or two to move with, or a new friend to meet, and dont forget to listen out for that collective sigh of relief, rising over Britain as groups of parents, grandparents and all adults with children to think about, are able to sink into a comfortable chair at home or meet long lost friends from before the holidays and award themselves with a much needed and deserved decent cup of tea or coffee. That lovely moment when you come back into your home, having caught up with news and views to find YES , everywhere looks just as you left it; the fridge still has food in it and you are greeted by peace and quiet, not a drum, computer bleep, or the rising notes of "What is there to eat? or Where is my ---!! Savour it everyone before you delve into autumn plans and the change of plans!

Well I need to go and put the next load in the washer, and for once I dont mind that it actually looks as though we might have a shower, and I wont be able to put the washing out yet. Hurrah hurrah!! I hope you have a good trip on the bus Mick and good wishes for your GDG's results grandMattie. With your brilliant needlework skills, can I suggest that you make a sort of doll, which you either embroider a letter to represent Teflon man on it. Then every time he is driving you mad, out comes the darning needles or pins and have a great time sticking them safely into said doll, but in your minds eye , you will think where you would rather be sticking them. Alternatively , where is that old pillow that you can give a good pummelling to , after yet another infuriating phone call or visit from said idiot!!

Well I shall come back later to read the posts and fingers crossed for all those grandchildren , and weary parents who have supported them through exams, tantrums, panic and those awful uniform buying expeditions, made worse this year by the weather . Very well done all of you to have got to this point in one piece. Have a good day, may you have a good shower or two, but when you are safely inside, and it be cool enough to get some of those jobs done more easily.

My message has disappeared into the ether so I’ll wish everyone a good day!

Good morning everyone from mid Essex, we have blue sky with some cloud and it feels cooler. Showers are forecast for the afternoon, I hope we get some. Yesterday I went to the farm shop and bought some plums and runner beans. Then walked to the post office.
While I was inspecting the garden in the afternoon, i noticed a tree growing up through a large forsythia at the end of the garden. I managed to cut some of it down, but there’s more to do. Not sure what the tree is, but it has large thorns on it!

I need to do some ironing today, but nothing else planned. I may continue to attack the rogue tree.

Thinking of all those DGDs receiving exam results today and wishing them well whatever the outcomes.

Hoping those who are in difficulty find some relief today.

Have the best day you can everyone.

madeleine, the trouble is that poor Teflon takes everything in the neck despite being very low in the food chain. He’s the visible only visible person…

Good morning from a very wet Morecambe Bay. I’m typing this on notes and I’ll copy and paste so hopefully it won’t disappear. I’m supposed to be meeting my cousin at RHS Bridgewater Gardens but as it’s forecast heavy rain I’ve suggested we leave it till next week. I await her reply.
I realised yesterday I had a number of private messages from other grans but the notifications were in my junk box which I only occasionally skim through. I think I’ve replied to all but if you have sent me a message at any time and not had a reply I apologise.
If I don’t end up going out I’m not sure what else I’ll be doing but I’m sure I’ll find something to do. The ironing of the bedding is looking at me as I type. I think I’ll turn away! Take care everyone 🌸