Good Morning Tuesday 29th September 2026

An early Good Morning from N Surrey. Not sure what the weather is like as it's still too dark. The house is a tad chilly.

Over the last few days I have watched programmes about the French Riviera. Glorious scenery and somewhere I have never been. But our blue skies in the last couple of weeks have been glorious too.

Out in the garden this morning is my plan and a hair cut this afternoon. Currently tucked up with a large mug of tea and will csrry on with my book about life as a lighthouse keeper.

Have a good day all.

Good morning from Bristol. It’s dark and dry, but although we have been promised rain this morning, I’m not holding my breath…
I was incredibly busy yesterday, what with all the preserves to be made with the harvest festival vegetables. When I got back from Tesco, I carried on finishing the marrow chutney. I checked my phone and found that a friend was calling in, with “apples, cucumber and sloes (frozen)”. I had just bought a load of the first two.
She came with: - 3 enormous, over grown cucumbers!, a ginormous bag of apples - mixed Bramleys and eaters, and a huge freezer bagful of “sloes”. She assured me they were sloes, but being a novice gardener, she didn’t recognise them as damsons…
I put out a plea for residents to take some apples, but only two had any. I had already given some to three of my neighbours in my block. Goodness knows what I’ll do with the rest as I have absolutely no storage space.
Proceeded with the marrow chutney, then made “ploughman’s chutney” (Branson by any other name) and spent about 5 hours peeling, chopping and cooking some 30 pots of chutneys. (*R&L*, I make them because I can, because I hate waste and because it makes others happy!)
Spanish today, 1.5 mile walk each way - hope it doesn’t rain.
Baking in the afternoon for FAB cafe tomorrow.
Anyone fancy some apples? 😂
Hope today brings light into your lives. Carpe diem 🦩🦩🦩🦩

Good morning everyone from a still dark Lancashire.
DH is up and about and heading into the office soon when hopefully I can get back to sleep for another hour or so.

A quietish day yesterday. We went to the garden centre to get bulb compost and fine grit but didn't get round to planting the bulb lasagne. We'll aim to do it this afternoon.

I looked for some bellis plants while we were there, but couldn't find any. There were loads of cyclamon but they always shrivel and die on me after a couple of weeks no matter what I do so I've learnt to not waste money on them. A shame as they're such pretty plants.

This morning we'll go to my Slimming World group.

I hope Madeleine's hospital journey and appointment went well yesterday and that Stillearning is doing ok.

What an unsettling experience with the strange man, Theweirdoagain. My mum was widowed young and she occasionally had men decide that she needed nothing more than a date with them. Needless to say she soon put them straight!

Wishing you all the best day possible. 🌻

Good morning Michael and all GN's on a very dark and still morning in North Yorkshire. I have tottered up about 4am, and am finally having to accept that yes I am old now !! What a day I had yesterday, and am definitely paying for it today.

So after all my efforts to organise something else, I ended up deciding that the only thing I could do was to go by train, and then bus or taxi if necessary to the hospital. Having checked the times I didnt want to risk going for the 9.08 in case of delays and made up my mind to take the 8.08, allowing me plenty of time to arrive at the hospital. Not sleeping well and having quite a bit of pain does have the occasional advantage and so the fact that I was awake about 4,30am allowed me to get up showered and ready at a steady pace and then set off about 7.15am to walk to the station, as I knew it would be quite a hard walk for me, further than I usually attempt without using the buggy etc. So arrived at the station, spoke to the very nice young man and bought my ticket, and as I had to go to the other platform, arranged for him to take me in their electric chair. This he duly did and I was able to sit in the waiting room there. I was in plenty of time and he said that he would return when the train was due and ensure I got on ok. I had thought carefully and dressed for visiting a hospital. They are always so warm in inner waiting rooms so it was a matter of layers. cotton trousers and top with my very lightweight cashmere sweater plus a mac etc etc, and of course all my various glasses etc . I felt very edgy about the actual appointment but pleased that I had got to the station ok etc. Huh!! Not long before the train was due, there was an announcement that the train had not even left York as some b...... person had stolen copper piping from the signal areas and so that the trains were not just running late but at that time not running at all!! So with endless repeats of the same information I sat there from about 7.30 until gone 9.15 when the next train that was going to middlesborough , but was also late arrived. In the meantime I had texted the eye department to tell them of my delay and that I would be getting there asap. Finally got into very crowded train, loos out of order, general grumpiness of many passengers etc. and finally got to middlesborough and had to take a taxi, or after all that I would miss my appointment.

Somewhat shattered, by now thirsty and hungry, I got to the department and then sat waiting until they began the procedures , where it was that in and out , wait here, have drops, sit there, go to this room and then that room. Added to that was of course the wretched machines where you have to lean at a very painful angle to put your head on the correct rest etc. By the end of it all I was in so much pain, slightly naseaus from lack of food and just some cold water to drink.

The staff were very pleasant and the doctor thorough, but although at the moment there is no problem with my sight and I can drive ok and use my glasses there is something which is showing up, and I have got all the details and information to look at and I intend to discuss it with the diabetic nurse and the doctors before making my mind up what I feel is the best thing to do. So I finally left at just after 1pm feeling exhausted and somewhat depressed. I struggled to walk to the exit and had to wear my sunglasses as of course,when they dilate your pupils , sun can be very painful to see.

I did feel at least relieved that I had after all the hassle got there and not missed my appointment, and then decided that no way was I going to attempt to return on the train, and got a bus to Redcar, which was the next bus going by. I had thought I might go on to Saltburn to calm down and enjoy the sea a bit , but once I was off the bus , knew that my back wouldnt let me do much. So it was a matter of finding a cafe and g etting a much needed coffee and sandwich. as I was feeling quite shaky as well.

Once I had eaten and had a drink, I felt a bit better, but then went to the bus stop to check on ways to get back home. Someone told me that I needed to go to Middlesborough main bus station and change there and then get a bus to Stokesly and then another bus home. Well after various shenanigans I finally got to the main bus stop here and then had a hard walk right from the other end of town and arrived home at 6.55pm!! I felt so shattered and dirty and weary that I just lay on the bed for about 20 minutes before I could even start to do anything, and was deciding what mattered most,to get a shower or get something to eat. The shower won and I had a longer than usual one to not only feel cleaner but to help my back. Having had a shower in the morning, why is it that after a trip to a hospital,which should of course be very clean, you always feel so grubby and sweaty?

Anyway , after a weary showering and then various bits and pieces to eat, too tired and too much pain to stand up for long, I just sat and watched some tv. Hence this morning,I have begun by getting the washing in, and after this will be slowly try to restore some order to the chaos. This is were you have to accept you are getting old. My brain is well aware of what jobs need doing, but my body is struggling to just plod along, without having anything extra to do.

So I need to be kind to myself, and bless the fact that I bought the yellow peril, as that will allow me to go to Tesco etc and get a bit stocked up. I also intend to award myself a very decent coffee in Cafe Nero and hope to see a few friends to chat to, and help the recovery and the processing of the information I have been given. As far as I can remember at the moment, I dont have any appointments or specific things I have to do this morning thank goodness. So slowly slowly, I hope to catch up with things, recover a bit of energy, and let all the information percolate through my brain, before I go to the library etc and do some checking up. I shall return to read your posts and thank you all for the kind messages you sent me , I wish a pleasant day to you all, with successful plans and happy meetings with friends and relatives.

Good morning from Shropshire.Haven’t looked out the weather but according to the app it is raining.

A lovely sunny day yesterday.DH got lots sorted in the garden which is looking good.I had a laundry and housework morning so all is shipshape just how I like it.We have a busier than I would like ten days ahead so good to feel organised.Today just a quick trip into town to the bank.

I hope all went smoothly for madeleine yesterday and that those with health issues and family worries had a better day.

I would love some apples grandMattie!

Wishing everyone the best day possible🦩🌻

Good morning from Malta where the forecast is for possibility of showers and a high of 29°C.

It poured down yesterday morning so my washing had to go in the tumble dryer, but it soon cleared up and the sun came out again.

grandMattie you are so patient preparing all that fruit and veg. I feel so lazy as I don’t do anything productive at all really.
I would love some Bramley apples as we don’t get them here.

I need to go out today as I need to send a birthday card to my eldest nephew who is turning 50! He was the first baby in the family so I’ve always had a soft spot for him, he’s a lovely man.
His mum, my eldest sister, died on his 40th birthday so he has found it difficult to celebrate, despite my telling him his birth was such a joyous event for us all and his mum, who loved a party, would not want him to be sad.

Hoping for good news from you all, take care everyone.☀️

Oh madeleine what a day you had and what an absolute warrior woman you are.I hope today is better for you and that a chat with the diabetes nurse can put your mind at rest.
Take care today💐

Goodness, what a stressful day you had madeleine. So sorry it was such an ordeal and hope you have a lovely, calm day today. 🫂

Good morning all from Polmont where it's currently 7° and dry. Still dark. Madeleine what a difficult journey (and day) you had! GrandMattie I make jam to give it away too. Mum was a prodigious jam maker and I have the family jam pan which I believe was my gran's.
Yesterday was quiet once the boys went to school. I lay down for a nap which didnt happen, so got up and pottered. In the afternoon, I did an hour in the school library then took the boys home where they played at football (dgs1) and drew(dgs2). Once they were picked up, I tidied up then made dinner of salmon, potatoes and broccoli with a honey mustard glaze. It was very nice.
I have had a decent sleep with only a couple of toilet breaks to make up for the previous night. Today I will collect the boys and bring them to my house for breakfast. Waffles with chocolate spread for dgs2 and watermelon and a peanut butter sandwich for dgs1. Once they've been deposited at school, I am going to make a steak and sausage casserole in the slow cooker which will do me for a few dinners. Then I will pick up the boys once more. Have a good day

Good morning from s somerset, sunny and warm later

Same as Susan I was thinking that Madeleine is truly a warrior woman, I can just see her from days of old, leading the charge. What a woman! I am so very glad that she arrived home safely and Madeleine you must have a rest day today while your body catches up with your spirit

Yesterday was lovely and all indoors again, I wondered why my left jaw was aching at the end of the end but then realised that it was because of so much chatting, local friend, sister, AC and of course it had disturbed the nerves and muscles next to my extraction site. I am hoping to keep my mouth still today

Sewing as always yesterday, not much but enough to make progress on my dress. I also altered two patterns, these indie paper patterns are pricey and one had made a lovely top with a boat neckline that was too wide. I took a neat V neckline from another pattern and transposed that. There was fabric left from the dress and I have cut the new top out. It is atop my dining table ready to sew after my dress. I did happen to be wearing that V neck dress at the time, hence the V neck idea

Today will again be easy but including a walk, or perhaps up and down stairs and rebounding but exercise is definite. Sewing, which still excites me and knitting while watching a film on youtube

Good morning from a dark but dry Torbay.

I was sorry to read of your difficult journey but glad the outcome was positive at the hospital and you can continue to drive, madeleine.

We travelled home from Crewe yesterday after a most enjoyable weekend with my DD2 and family. DH continues to like driving his new Ford Puma which performed well and he coped fine with it being left hand drive.

Back to reality today with an Asda grocery delivery due within the hour. I do find this the best way for me to shop now although DH is willing to go to Lidl if necessary. Later this morning I’ll go to Props at our theatre.

I hope Stilllearning is comfortable in hospital and everyone has a good day.

🦩💐🦩🥰🦩

Good morning from a dark S E Essex 🙋‍♀️

I am awake early for two reasons, the 11yr old has a school trip and will be walking past at about 6.50am and wave at us. Then we have contractors here to fit the air conditioning throughout upstairs.
I will go to the gym this morning and this afternoon I have booked myself in for a manicure, facial and back massage. It will keep way from tea duty

I need to make my Christmas Chutney and onions this weekend, you have gone early grandMattie

Have an easy day madeleine45 after yesterday’s shenanigans.

Good morning everyone from south Manchester where it’s only just getting light. It’s dry.

I had to set the alarm as L’il Miss is being dropped off here at 7am as my daughter’s school has Ofsted today and tomorrow. The childminder doesn’t start until 7:30am and my daughter’s school has wants to be at work before then. She’ll be glad to get it out of the way it’s been looming and the call came yesterday.

I woke delighted with the results of my blood tests which were on the NHS app last night - such a brilliant service in England (and Wales too I expect?). And then I smiled with joy when I put on the kettle as my new rug from John Lewis arrived yesterday afternoon!

Today is state pension day, which is my disposable monthly income and my NHS pension goes in the bank on Friday. The week just keeps getting better!
😁

Good morning, Michael and all GNs from South Yorkshire where it is barely light. Yesterday the postman delivered the package I was waiting for quite early so I filled the car up and took myself off to the garden centre. It was extremely busy but no-one seemed to be buying plants. There wasn’t a seat to be had in the cafeteria, so no morning coffee☹️!
I bought three new heathers and a half dozen cyclamen plants which I planted in the afternoon. I also ripped out two very dead heathers from the front rockery bed. This has left a large blank space and I can’t decide what to fill it with. When I had finished all this mucking about on my hands and knees I sat down with a cup of tea and then could hardly move to get going again, so dinner was a late one!

School today and hopefully I’ll walk there and back.

Have the best day you can, folks.

Good morning all from a grey North Leicestershire.

I have choir this morning but will have to miss our usual coffee catch up after as DGD1 is 18 today. We are going to meet her out of school and go to their home for tea and cake.

Have the best day possibke everyone.

grandMattie you are a female powerhouse of industry! I am in awe of all you achieve on most days. You too karma!

I admire your selflessness - all the work you do for the church, hours upon hours of it for fundraising.

I’m just #lazygran and quite selfish in comparison as I only do what I enjoy 😮

madeleine you are one feisty lady! Your tenacity is inspirational. I’m glad your appointment went okay and that you are still allowed to drive which was your main concern. Today will seem a fiddle to you by comparison on your yellow peril 😊

* doddle 🤣

An early good morning from a damp looking Suffolk from where we are leaving soon for a day’s excursion on the Waverley paddle steamer down the coast to London Bridge which should be floodlit as we sail under.

We are going with a local coach company who will bring us back by coach so an easy trip with nothing to do but relax and enjoy being at sea.

Good to read Madeleine that you survived your long and tiring day yesterday and can carry on driving.

Hope all have a pleasant day.

You have reminded me, Grandmattie, that I have this year’s batch of sloes in my freezer and must get on and make sloe gin with them soon.

Good morning from a rainy N.Bucks.
We arrived home at 9 o’clock yesterday evening after a lovely week in Corfu. . Just the right amount of exploring and resting. Good food and some good company.
So, today is clearing up day. Washing machine is already on and bits and pieces from our cases still to put away. We must do some food shopping, the fridge is empty other than milk which DD3 kindly thought to put in there yesterday.
I will take it slowly as my left foot is painful. Not sure what has caused it but I’ve had it before. It comes on suddenly and goes the same way.
I have two on line art classes running this week so will hopefully sit and work on them later.
Wishing all a good day and relief for those with worries and illness.

Good morning, chilly, cloudy but no rain here in south Glos, none forecast for the next two weeks either 🙁
Yesterday my painful back stopped me doing much at all 🤷🏼‍♀️at least it feels easier this morning although stiff. I have no idea what caused it.
I must do some housework today, gentle pottering around the house and keep moving. The front garden can wait until tomorrow, it’s not going anywhere!
I will start sorting out my warmer clothes at the weekend, I need to have a radical cull of my summer clothes - far too many - that’s the plan once the front garden is done. I will heap everything on the bed and be ruthless……
Fish pie for dinner, made yesterday and ready to cook 😋
Honestly grandMattie your energy astounds me! and puts me to shame if I’m honest! I really admire your dedication and generosity x
Madeleine I hope you have a quiet few days to recover, that journey must have been exhausting and so stressful. Please take it easy today.
Wishing you all a good day 🌹

Good Morning everyone from the central south coast.

I have an hour's appointment at the dentist at 9am for some sort of resin implant on the backs of three of my front teeth. They have worn very thin and are in danger of snapping unless reinforced. I am not dentist-phobic but am uncomfortable in the chair especially for an hour. That will be difficult.

The correct part for our shower was delivered to the supplier yesterday and DH went and collected it (and got a refund on the part he had incorrectly ordered). He let the plumber know and he turned up at lunchtime and fitted it. But, as is often the case, he has found that our pump needs replacing. That will be done on Friday but meantime we can have showers.

This week was scheduled to be a busy one and it is certainly living up to that.

Glad you got home safely Madeleine after what must have been a very stressful day. Your determination is an inspiration.

Take care everyone and I hope that all aches and pains and troubles of any sort are minimal today.

Good morning from Morecambe Bay where a a warm pleasant day is promised.
Yesterday didn’t go as planned as the delivery of granite chippings didn’t materialise. Just before lunch DH found a message on his phone saying problems at the quarry meant they were unsure when it could be delivered. Maybe today or tomorrow. I shall phone in a minute and see if they have an update. Perhaps as well it didn’t come. I would have been useless at helping move it with my sciatica. I couldn’t even do any tidying up in the garden. So frustrating as it was a perfect day for doing it. I don’t think today will be much different delivery or no delivery.
I need to make sure I don’t make it worse as I have a couple of trips into Cumbria planned tomorrow and Thursday then DS2 is coming Friday. I must take a leaf out of Madeleines book and find a way of coping.
Take care everyone 🌸