Good Morning Saturday 17th October 2026

Good morning everyone from a still dark Northampton.

Up early to do all the last minute things before I'm picked up later this morning to be taken to my cruise ship.
Yesterday was spent packing which entailed much unpacking and repacking, trying to even out the stuff between two suitcases. Both now done and waiting in the hall.
Just my small wheelie case and rucksack to do now, but plenty of time.

Off now to shower, hairwash and dress.

Wishing all a pleasant Saturday.

Good morning all from Exeter. No idea what it’s like out, but fairly chilly.
Yesterday was very full, I was cream crackered by the end. I started it not feeling 100% as I had indigestion…
First we went back to Tesco to change my purchases, was given an unexplained small refund(even to the staff member), and petrol voucher for 8p/litre. DD was delighted and filled her tank.
We then took the bus to town, went for the underground passage walk. It was interesting, but I felt slightly claustrophobic, the air was stale, the hard hat was tight and heavy and gave me a headache. Finally spending most of the hour half crouched (and hitting my head on the obstacles) didn’t improve my “not quite right” feeling. I think DD enjoyed it, she had been very keen on going.
We then walked to the quay for a rest in the beautiful sunshine, lunch and a look round the customs house. It was very interesting. I hadn’t realised Exeter was so famous for its wool and fabrics.
Next a climb back up to the cathedral, where it was very noisy - the university graduation ceremony had taken place and was being dismantled…. A visit to the treasury exhibition - also full of interesting things but no real treasures…
Came home again. I was exhausted, dozed in front of tv. Dinner was some of Tesco’s stuff - salad, salmon en croute,and frozen chips from the B&B’s freezer. Dozed again in front of the Traitors; DD enjoyed it…. Fell into bed, where I’ve on,y just woken up after sleeping like a log.
Home first thing as DD has her Sis-iL’s birthday lunch…
As I’ve got nothing happening today, I’ll rest from all the welcome, but unaccustomed activity and human contact.
Carpe diem 🦩🦩🌹

Good morning Michael and all GN's on a cold dark morning in North Yorkshire. A rubbish night with wretched cramp to contend with to add to the hassle, meant that I gave up about 4am and got up, taking great care with the wretched leg.Despite my warm dressing gown and a fleece wrapped round me I have felt very cold and a bit out of sorts this morning. However I am cheered by radio 3 unwind, played very quietly, having lots of music I love today.

Yesterday I didnt get a great deal done, but made the most of the lovely autumn weather. Went to Strikes garden centre to meet my friend for coffee in their cafe. Really strugling to walk and was glad to find one of their little trolleys, which I shoved my things into and looked as though I was just shopping, when in actual fact it was being used more like a walking frame.! Even the walk through to the cafe seemed longer and took more effort. However I made it and was very virtuous , just having a coffee,no cake! We enjoyed our coffees and catching up with news and views, and then of course, went round the plants, especially the sick bay . I did quite well with 6 cyclamen for £5. They look bedraggled and sorry for themselves but actually quite healthy and so today I shall be giving them some TLC,going over them with the secateurs and then planting them up to brighten some pots.

We said goodbye and she went off to take her dog for a walk. I had plenty to do at home , but didnt want to miss the weather whilst it was good. Came back into town and did a few bits of shopping and then went to my fish and chip shop for a piece of fish with only vinegar on it. It was beautifully hot and fresh and I sat in the park, enjoying it in the sunshine and watching the world going by, before dutifully disposing of the box in the bin and going home to make a bit of an effort.

I enjoy the radio programmes on friday with gardeners world and the last word etc, so got some jobs done, and emails sent and had the local paper to read, and mark up the calendar with things happening next week. So a quietish day and enjoyable, which was a bit of a help to my back, which has not deigned to improve much for some days.This wretched cramp is the last straw at the moment, as it tends to hang around for ages.

Anyway plans for today, are to go to the market early on the yellow peril of course, get some vegetables and fruit, check how many potatoes and onions I have in, and then come home with the Yorkshire Post, and get round to making my venison stew, which didnt get done the other day. So that is the plan for tonights dinner with a jacket potato, followed by stewed apple and custard. That is definitely a dinner for autumn isnt it? I want to get the rest of the ironing done this afternoon and hope that I can at least start next week in a better way than this one!!

I hope your day goes to plan Mick and that you get good information and help from your medical person. RosesandLilac I have a friend who is very interested in Lichen and Moss, It can be a very slow walk when she finds a stone wall or a tree with lots of lovely lichen on it! I do very little these days but art and music are my things, and I used to go everywhere with a sketchbook shoved in my pocket. I dont know if you know or remember Andy Goldsworthy. I thought him a good artist and he was very in tune with his surroundings. I have a lovely postcard picture of him with a wonderful piece, where he took autumn leaves of many lovely colours and put them together into a beautiful group on a stream and so it floated down past us looking wonderful. He took pictures of it and I have one of those. I found it really marvellous, how this effemeral group of leaves were concocted and then went on their way, to no doubt break up and disappear somewhere in the distance. That all art does not have to last for ever, that you can see the juxtaposition of things for a short time but they have meaning. Here at the moment the fungi is going mad, and every time you step out there is another toadstool or whatever to see. Love this time of year,most definitely "season of fruits and mellow " Think I shall take my secateurs out this morning and collect a few twigs and grasses etc to have indoors to enjoy.

Heres wishing that the weather is kind and allows us another lovely autumn day to enjoy. Finding our gloves out and swishing through the leaves and looking for blackberries worth eating. That first cold and dark afternoon makes me feel quite gloomy at the thought of longer nights etc., but then that goes and I really relish the autumn weather and sights to see. I dont think I can do much walking about today, but I might pack up some coffee and get up onto the moors this pm to enjoy the views across and see how the heather is colouring up now. Wishing everyone an autumn day to enjoy, with friends and family or on your own with memories of past years to keep you company.

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is 6 degrees and clear outside.

Yesterday I managed to get the trough by the front door refilled and planted up. I’m using the bulbs that were stored from last year which seem to be sound, plus some polyanthus to give a bit of colour. There is no sign of the wasp activity in my rockery wall slowing down. It must be a large nest underneath my hellebores, which are now as dead as doornails.

I have a friend coming for lunch today. I will pick her up from the local bus staton and then drive her home later. It will be lovely to see her. We don’t manage to get together all that often these days.

R&L I share your fascination with lichens and fungi!

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning from s somerset, dry and bright today, later obviously as it is dark at the moment

Oh dear, we are on the slippery slope, the water supply has been changed here, to conserve what is left, it is quite worrying

My parsnips are all dug out and now preserved in the freezer for winter and I have prepped that bed to fill with strawberry plants. I have ordered another six ever-bearers and will transplant a mixed six from my allotment this weekend, Cambridge favourite etc Those are always producing new plants

I trimmed all my ground cover the other day, no grass here and have left it all on the ground, it will feed the soil and help to conserve moisture, and protect the insects, the soil is bone dry and the overnight dew does not add anything

I jumped out of my chair at 8 last night, getting dozy so I went to do some sewing. My housecoat is making good progress and will be finished soon and I will certainly be using it to keep warm when the weather is cold. The fabric is thick and warm and my overlocker did not like it at all, it struggled on the doubled armhole seams so I wont be using it on that fabric again. A part of me had a fleeting regret at giving my old robust overlocker away but hey ho the recipient is very glad of it

I hope to cycle to the allotment this afternoon and to keep on with cutting fabric and making project packs for winter sewing. I cut for cushion covers yesterday and a wrap-around waistcoat

I want to make a parkin this weekend, it will be nice to have some small pieces of cake in the freezer

Good morning from mid-Wales. Sun forecast for later.

Yesterday was productive. Kitchen shelves freshened up, floors swept, rugs vacuumed, bathroom deep-cleaned. I'm looking forward to a pub quiz this evening. My score is always decidedly average. I keep thinking that I should learn a new fact every day but I haven't done that so far. Maybe I need to make it a habit like brushing my teeth. Whether I would actually remember new facts is questionable, but it might be fun learning.
Happy Saturday all.

Good morning from a dark, dry corner of La Sarthe where we enjoyed some autumnal sunshine yesterday.

I think you may describe your rose scent as you wish - who’s to mind if the word exists or not. RosesandLilac?

I hope you don’t have to wait too long for the MRI scan, Mick.

We did a top up shop yesterday afternoon locally and I’m glad we did as various protests including road blockades are planned for today, mostly involving the renowned “gilets jaunes”. I think it’s regarding rising prices especially for fuel. We shall remain at home!

Have a good day, everyone! Safe journeys to those who are travelling. 🦩💐🦩🥰🦩

Why have I discovered that the only fly in the house has done a suicide dive into my morning coffee? Lovely start to the day 😁

Good morning Mick and followers, it’s dry and chilly here on the hillside in south Glos, only 5°. I hope everything goes well for you Mick following your MRI.
I pootled around yesterday getting the washing done, most of it actually dried outside on the line, and generally not getting anywhere fast 🙄. That seems to be the norm at the moment but never mind.
It was a beautiful autumn afternoon here, warming in the sunshine but definitely a chilly tang in the air. I did pick up some beautifully coloured leaves on our afternoon dog walk, perhaps I will try painting some today. I also found some pieces of twig with pale green lichen on them, so tiny and intricate. I do have a fascination for lichen and fungi; for some reason they really hold my attention.
So, little planned for today, I will get outside and enjoy the autumn sunshine and fresh air, I do need to prune a wayward rose near the rotary clothes line that is grabbing the occasional piece of washing that flaps it’s way. It’s a beautifully scented pale yellow, smells almost sherberty (is there such a word?)
Wishing you all a peaceful weekend x
🌹