Good Morning Saturday 5th September 2026

Good morning from a dry Bristol. As no rain is forecast, I’m washing my towels and drying them outside.
Thank you for all your good wishes re.Philip. I received good news from DGS’s mum. He had shut down completely and barely spoke about his father, etc., but now seems to be turning the corner, sharing memories and laughing about his idiosyncrasies, etc. he is is now 22. It has really made me happy, I was so worried about him.
DD is planning on going away for a long weekend in October with me and the girls and was thinking of Exeter. Other than the cathedral, would you pm me with ideas of things to do, places to visit and good vegetarian places to east please?
Yesterday was interesting with my all day seminar. Very few people other than me asked questions. The session ended early and I was able to get home fairly quickly. It didn’t rain for either journey, so I was dry!
I got home to find the almost final lot of scaffolding put up round my little block, with poles 6” from my front window which is on the pavement.
The painting was due to be signed off as finished yesterday, although still about 1/3 is yet to be done. I hope the management hasn’t, especially not until all the bits and pieces have been mended. The work has been slow and shoddy to the extreme. The residents are not happy!
Today, I’ve got church coffee, the there is the next village’s fete where I’m helping at the WA stall after lunch.
I have also started to make mincemeat with a friend’s apples which needs cooking and bottling. The quilt will have to wait.
May you all have a good weekend. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning from Malta where a sunny day is forecast wth a high of 36°C.

Thought I would go to Lidl after my hair yesterday but when I saw how busy it was I drove straight out of the car park and went to EuroSpin instead.

Had a visit from DD3 and the boys in the afternoon, then DD2 called me on her drive home from work. It is very hot weather in Tennessee. She arrived home so I was able to have a chat with DGD as well. She’s becoming a typical teenager with attitude!

A frend is picking me up today and we are going to have a wander round The Point which is a shopping mall in Sliema. It’s nice and cool in there if nothing else!

I really need to do some housework and laundry but it can wait.

glammagran I’m sorry you are not able to see too much of the US Open. I don’t know why they make it so difficult. You’d think the Tennis channel would have it but it doesn’t. I watched Alcaraz yesterday, glad it wasn’t a 2am start. I’m not getting up at silly o’clock to watch any one else as Sinner isn’t playing.

Hoping you all have a good day, thoughts always with those who are struggling. Life can certainly be challenging at times.☀️

Good morning all from the Black country.
Early start DH has his fishing challenge contest, it is a match he runs between 5 clubs with teams of 4. He doesn't fish but does all the leg work.
My day hasn't been decided yet but will probably meet up with DS and the boys after gymnastics.
Have the best day you can everyone, will come back later to read everyone's happenings.😎.

Good morning from bright and cool s somerset

My new varifocal glasses are now ordered and paid for, a whopping price but still, they gave me the 2nd and identical pair for virtually free. I took the bus there and it was interesting at my local bus stop.

I got chatting to a man, about 55, tall, beefy, strong, tanned skin and a very strong forceful S African accent. Recently come to the UK after having been away for 7 years. Very opinionated and loud, looking for a job, the bank had closed his account. A passing man stopped to chat to him and I overheard that he had just come out of prison in S Africa. He was the absolute image of a man who would have been able to survive in prison. Later he spoke to his mum on the phone, very fast talking in Afrikaans

It was very different from talking to old quiet people at bus stops

I am off to get petrol first thing, ready for my Monmouth trip next week. It is an 18-mile round trip for petrol and I might as well get that shortly. Whilst on the road I will take one trug of plants to the tip and then back to enjoy my day

I have a sewing room and machines to clean when I return, then I will cut out for a dress to wear with a cardigan this autumn. Fabric from stash and I have made 3 lovely tops from that pattern. Very versatile, with cardigan now and without when the weather is warmer

No allotment today, I will save that for tomorrow

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where I think we can expect a dry day.

Yesterday morning I went to the first session of a new monthly writing group set up at our library. None of us really knew what to expect and I don’t think the librarian knew either. It was an exploratory session. We didn’t actually do any writing but came away with much food for thought. Then, staying on the food theme, I followed the scent, like a Bisto Kid, of roast pork to the nearby bakers and bought myself a sandwich which I brought home and ate for my lunch. It was delicious but there was so much meat in it that it was hard work. I can’t cope with a lot of meat these days. I won’t do it again, because apart from anything else, it reminded me of when DH and I used to buy one to eat on a walk around one of our local parks. We would sit on a bench and suddenly be surrounded by dogs, pursued by their owners who saw us as a distraction they could do without😁! Sorry, I’m rambling! When I got home I cleaned the oven!

Food shopping this morning and filling up my thirst car, then see what the rest of the day brings.

Have the best one you can, folks.

Good morning everybody from Málaga where we actually had sea fog yesterday which didn’t clear until almost noon! Today looks set to be glorious. 😎

Our Yorkshire Lass (not far off 50 and on HRT) reminds me of a teenager - how she can sleep in until mid morning! My girls are SO different but I suppose her choosing not to have children has given her the freedom to be ‘her authentic self’ with no constraints from the demands of children & strict but necessary timetables!

The very fluid plan for today is a mooch around Arroyo which will be pleasantly buzzy on a Saturday. No decision made as where to go for dinner tonight. See where we fancy is best.

On a personal level I need to throw a couple of items in the washing machine this morning that I want to get dry today, so that I can fold them up into my cabin bag (I don’t iron) for my Ibiza flight tomorrow teatime!

Good morning Michael and all GN's on a very dark, still morning in North Yorkshire. Well I say good morning, which I hope it is for all of you. I am more of a "Morning everyone" as good does not relate to my morning or last night either!

I am now definitely into my lecturers start of the year mode, which is very good for me mentally. I return to the organised and efficient attitude that I used to have , and wonder if it will ever return, when I get into that doubting phase and cant make simple decisions of even what to cook!

That would be good news , if I only now had the physical capacity and energy to carry out my wishes !! I could even accept that I would need to ask for help from whoever , but the great thing is that back in my organising mode, I am very polite, but make it very clear that if I ask for help for something , that is what I mean. I have determined my intentions and actions, and no one need bother trying to get me to change my mind , or their usual drip drip of negativity that you get from those younger than you, who think you should sit in a corner and of course at 81 I am totally ridiculous deciding what needs to be planted where as this is longer term planning for the next 5 years, not 6 months. Blooming cheeky people say things like "is it worth doing such and such" and " well you wont see any fruit for at least 3 years" implying that as I am likely to stop breathing any time soon it is a waste of time and money!! I intend to live until I die.

I believe in that saying that you plant a tree for your grandchildren!! My little contribution to the world has been for many years, that I choose to remember dear friends and relations by giving a tree in their memory when they die. or to celebrate things like my parents ruby wedding. I support the Woodland Trust and like to think that this is a small token to represent those I love and to pay a little back for what we have taken from the world. So there are some with very precious memories. My first granddaughter , who I never forget, who died at 3 days old. She would have been 30 now if she had lived. and for me , that tree will be there as her memory long after I am gone, So here I am mentally raring to go , full of plans and wondering why I hadnt done this and that before now.

So what is the problem? Oh yes, never mind the things that I cant actually do myself right now, but between my wretched back, the b..... cellulitis, and of course , dont lets forget the lack of sleep, and I am adding a cough to the collection of disturbances too, so actually the rather scary bit is that I took the second lot of antibiotics and was very careful to keep to the directions, no alcohol etc etc put my leg up on a cushion (but not to sew a fine seam!) yet here I flipping am again. Having finished the second course of antibiotics, I am rather concerned to see the d.... leg swollen and red and itchy AGAIN! Naturally it is choosing to be worse on a saturday, when my surgery and the doctor who has been treating me are not available, and the chemist is also shut. Nothing for it but to ring the on call doctor and be guided by their views. I want to just ignore it and get out for goodness sake and get some fresh air etc. But I really dont want to make things worse, and although more medication is the last thing I want, if they say I should get more, I want to sort it this morning. With this if I leave it until monday morning to do anything it might have wasted all my efforts to improve. But I can feel a tightness in my skin , higher up than before and know that I cant ignore it. Gnash Gnash!

Well however late we get off, I had promised my friend who wasnt well enough to come to the show with me a trip out, and was looking at the map to decide where we might go. The choice today is not just what is happening round about but think the coast will be very busy, as families make the most of the last bit of the holidays, and round here there is the big cycle race, with roads closed and restricted and definitely we need to avoid swaledale and wensleydale if we are not watching the race, so when I have finished this post and got showered and dressed, I am going to look to see where we might go to avoid all the hold ups etc. Had thought of going to Harlow Carr , but the race will affect some of the roads on the way there so put that aside for another day.

Of course there is plenty to do here, but never let it be said that any jobs should get in the way of making the most of every lovely autumn day. So long as the kitchen and bathroom are kept cleaned and sorted, that I and my clothes likewise, such orderly jobs as going through paperwork, answering boring letters or tidying my creative mess, they can all go hang and my mother would thing what a slutty thing I was closing the door on the mess and ignoring it!!

Please join my society for the putting off jobs in favour of doing something much nicer, It would help me to ignore that sense of my mother standing close to my shoulder tutting ! My father used to joke that he would die happy if there was only £5 left in his bank, that he owed the government taxes, had drunk all the good whisky and that there were a pile of outstanding jobs he had not finished, whilst having had a great game of bridge that day! I definitely intend to follow in his footsteps, with bargain plants bought and planted, wonderful concerts just heard, having hopefully managed to drive up to my beloved place in Swaledale, and sat looking through my binoculars at the curlews with of course a great china mug full of a lovely fresh coffee, the thoughts of neglected sewing and unhoovered carpets not bothering me one iota, and leaving someone else to do the sorting, while I take my last breath in the best place in my world! Ah well that is getting a little sober for this time of day.

On towards Bach before 7, looking at the map, checking picnic basket etc etc. The timing will be decided by when the dr can see me and how my friend is feeling this morning. At the least we shall go by back routes up to the moor and sit enjoying the heather and the birds , Then with radio three to cheer us on our way we shall see where the car takes us to. Sadly the cost of fuel going up is going to curtail some of my journeys, but not today.

Yesterday was still struggling a lot, but I did manage to get the washing in early and get the duvet out on the line and drying well, I ended up deciding to go and have "afternoon tea" at Strikes , for my late lunch , which only starts at 2,30pm (the dentists particular time!) and having bought my D@S paper went down there, and it was a bit later in the afternoon so I had a choice of tables and was able to do a Hyacinth Bouquet impression - although without the hat - and sat in splendour, eating lovely fresh sandwiches and a beautiful fresh scone, whilst being served more fresh coffee as and when I wanted it. It actually was a great afternoon. I sat at my leisure enjoying the food, and looking around at the various items for sale, inside the building, but through the windows to the plants of course. When I had finished my meal I took a very slow wander round all the plants outside, naturally looking at the bargain basement first, but also I wandered up and down the roses section, where they had a good selection of David Austin roses and a variety of shrub, climbing, and rambler roses. I am thinking of putting a wigwam style trellis in the centre of a border and putting a rose through it. As the soil isnt very deep there, I am considering something like Rambling Rector, or Pauls Himalayan Musk. The idea is that these are very vigorous plants and the less appropriate the soil is , this will stop the rose from going mad and flowering everywhere but give me an point to lead towards . Well I havent totally decided or I may put in Getrude Jeyckl rose, a lovely perfume.

So it is time to sally forth and get the Yorkshire Post and a couple of bits from the market, so yellow peril at the ready with bicycle bell poised to clear my way. Hope you enjoy the racing Mick. Glad you managed to stay dry GrandMattie and fingers crossed for the miracle to occur and they make a good job of the painting etc. I think you should take photos of the scaffolding etc etc, as no doubt your camera has a date time stamp to show when it was taken. So you could take some photos and then in the future you can lay them out day to day to show how well (NOT) they have been doing with it. You might catch a few shots of the one man doing a poor job of it, watched by two others doing nothing!! More power to your elbow.! Hmm I was just thinking Perhaps we could organise a Rent a Gransnet Crowd post, where other members could tell us of the poor work and attempted ignoring of us all, and we could send a flying group of GN's to the scene. Thinking of a more belligerent crowd than the Yarn Bombers.!

Well the daylight is improving, still very calm , no wind, no cat, no squirrel today. Time to put what plans I have into action, fingers crossed for sorting out of flipping cellulitis, and the rain to pour down in any area I am not currently visiting!!

Wishing you all a successful day, whether meeting friends and families or getting to that satisfactory state where you have bottomed out and sorted a room and can trust it to remain tidy for more than five minutes. Definitely time to catch up with news and views from old friends who have been off on granny duties or dog sitting. When things have settled down a little, can we try and have a meet up or two somewhere? Maybe not the most elegant of surroundings but I thought we could take over a mway service cafe, just to make an easy place to get together , when we could then decamp to somewhere a bit more salubrius" Ah well I can dream cant I? I wonder if we did that if we would look at people and say Ah that must be Bellasnana or madeleine etc.

Well of course, if we are too busy this year, how about putting it into our diaries for 5 years time!!! Have a good day everyone

Good morning all from North Leicestershire where we have had a really lovely sunrise. I will add the photo.

Today I need to nip to my friend's gift shop to buy September's birthday cards.

This afternoon, our choir is singing at an awards ceremony. Our leader has been nominated for a Community award. So, we had better perform well.

Good Morning everyone from a bright and clear start to the day here on the central south coast. We are promised sunshine today, no rain and pleasant 23 degrees. I do enjoy the golden light September brings.

I managed to give DH a much needed haircut yesterday and suffered with increased arm pain as a result. It is a bit easier this morning but I am so limited in what I can do with both arms not in good working order. It is very frustrating.

Hope everyone with planned events today has a good one and those with struggles or worries of any kind find some relief and ease.

That’s a cracking photo, Kitty! Thankyou.

Good morning from a slightly damp hillside in south Glos, it’s a lovely bright autumnal morning here, a definite tang to the air.
I enjoyed seeing everyone again at art group, I sat and chatted and watched everyone else paint.
I’m off to a (new to me) garden centre this morning with my good friend who runs the art group, she’s warned me it’s big so we’ll have coffee (and probably lunch) and take it steady. It’ll be lovely to be out.
I love reading your posts Madeleine, so full of interesting musings and facts. I do hope that your leg starts healing soon, it must be so painful.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend x
🌹

Good morning everyone from a bright and sunny 🌞Northampton, should be a lovely day. Good news as I am off to get a bus for a day out shopping and probably lunch out. I have a voucher burning a hole in my purse!I

Was a much cooler day yesterday and once the rain stopped mid-morning I headed into our local town. I needed some new plain gold ear studs as one of mine was lost, so my first stop was the jewellers. Then went to the card shop to choose an anniversary card for DD and her DH, and stocked up on cards for up-coming birthdays and anniversaries.
With all the walking managed to clock up enough steps for my daily mile!
Should also achieve that today once I've patrolled the shops!

Hoping for a pleasant Saturday for all.