🦞🦂 *What are we up to?*🦂🦞

My husband and I plus our 3 year old (who would celebrate his 4th birthday at sea) sailed from NZ to UK .

We chose the SS Australis of the Greek Chandris Lines (later bought by the US).

dev.united-states-lines.org/australis/

Poor Cherry. I wish you well when you have those tests.
An odd day here. Very cold but no snow.

The bookcase will be picked up tomorrow although I cant be contacted by text so I hope the removers aren't relying on that. The bookshop will be opening in Edinburgh in the Spring Doodle
How lovely to be wishing DH a Happy New Year.

We had the Quaker meeting here but it was chilly, everyone in their coats despite a wood fire and the heating on full. I made soup.

I spent the rest of the day at a phone shop in Edinburgh and have bought been sold a new phone but must return tomorrow bringing my laptop so that I can be connected up to all my messages, photos and files. I rely too much on my phone now.

I was even cold in bed last night. Minus 8 is forecast Brrrr
I see cruises advertised..... has anyone been on one?

Oh dear Cherry so sorry you’ve had another bout of seizures and a rash to cope with. Hope the test results are fine and you continue to improve.
Sorry about our team. I will send Jeeves to lick/kick them into shape. 🤣
Grammaretto your bookcase will certainly be valued at th new bookshop. Is it local to you? Not many bookshops around these days. How strange the helper wanted to bring two cats. I can’t see how that would work.
Glad you’ve got your winter supplies in. From what I’ve seen of the weather you’ll need them. Hope you get your phone fixed soon.
Kaimoana i e never heard of heated gloves. Sounds like a good idea though.
Had a good morning in church although we had no vicar. Someone forgot to come. The church wardens did a good job though and with many laughs we got through. I went to the hospice this afternoon to wish DH a happy new year . Why there rather than here I don’t know but that’s the way my mind works.
Sleep well all and wrap up if you go out,

Hello CherryCezzy. Lovely to hear from you but sorry youve been so poorly. Fingers and everything crossed that those medical tests go well they are always such a worry. Hope 2026 improves for you very soon soon xx

Well 🤔, this lobStar has neither been present (nor correct atm) Grammaretto.

Sorry for going awol everyone, I have been reading and am pleased that Kaimoana, especially, but also most of the rest of you had a good xmas, and you were able to make the best of what is a sad time for you, NotSpaghetti,

I haven't exactly been well, xmas day I was fine but then as seems to be a regular theme every year started feeling unwell on boxing day and was hit with the start of a series of seizures that night. Then I came out in a peculiar rash 🫤, goodness knows what that was all about 🤣.
I'm recovered now but have some worrying medical tests coming up next week. It's never-ending. To add insult to injury, I think our team will be relegated come the end of the season because the defence are like headless chickens 🫣 😂.

Take care everyone, I'm sending my love and hopes for a peaceful 2026 xx

Ooh Grammaretto how frustrating is that, I vaguely remember my Samsung doing that, I think I took the battery out and then replaced it and it reset itself. Some of the more modern ones don't have accessable batteries though.
Good news about the bookcase and toilets too
I'd forgotten that you had spare toilets and panicked a bit when you said the toilet had been collected, my mind boggled briefly ( doesn't take much) Fingers crossed the ferries are running
Kaimoana... That made me sad to read that you had never had a love letter then got to thinking that in fact it's over 50 years since I got one but have received loving cards at valentine's, birthdays etc and I hope you did too.
I'm very jealous of anyone jetting off to warmer climates, I hate the winter and the 2 months I spent driving around OZ and NZ were brilliant as it a December and January weather here and June / July weather out there. Best friend and I were thinking of jetting off but it's a bit pointless when I'm so limited just now , we'll make up for it later I'm sure.
It's decs down day which means I'll have to wield a duster to remove what's been hiding untouched for at least 2 weeks, I'm trying to channel my inner domestic goddess mode but so far she's well buried and showing no signs of appearing and taking the place of slutty housewife who just wants to spend time on GN and then do a crossword or 3 and if that becomes boring sweet talk DH into driving her to a garden centre. Ho Hum

I bought a batch of winter accessories in a sale at an outdoor shop on Friday. waterproof gloves, merino thermal socks, neck warmer and a squeaky new literally pair of furry boots.
I thought I was sorted but my phone locked for no apparent reason Samsung phones are prone to this apparently I have no access to my tickets or anyone by text. It is so frustrating.
This afternoon I will try to go to a phone shop and see if someone there can access my phone.

I emailed my work party who came and did brilliantly so there is now access to my empty bookcase. The rest of the toilets and basins left too.

I remind myself that I managed a month in NZ without a phone having left mine on the first plane so surely I can manage across Scotland without one. I'll take my address book this time.

So here I am on my old laptop hoping all Lobstars are present and correct?

Kaimoana, my grandson was bought some heated gloves for Christmas this year and I tried them on... They are just too hot 🔥 unless on a low setting!
His are rechargeable.
I think he'll get a lot of use from them though as he leaves home really early to get two busses and a train to college

"For warm, battery-powered electric gloves in the UK. Rechargeable heated gloves on Amazon UK or specialist retailers like HeatPerformance and BERTSCHAT, featuring lithium-ion batteries, multiple heat settings."

Knit on intrepid Gramaretto !!

The bookcase has been sold to a new bookshop. Ixion It's being collected on Monday. Hence the pressure to empty it and try to make it possible to get it out.
Another work party tomorrow has been planned.

I went sale shopping today and bought furry boots and merino socks.
I only hope the ferries aren't cancelled. I looked on the Calmac website and there are none today on my route.

The problem with holidays in warm climes is that eventually you have to come home. 🥶
It would be nice though. Several of my friends are in Spain right now.

My gardening girl is not one of them. She went abroad once and that was enough for her. She goes to Dumfries and the Wye valley which she loves.

I had an enquiry from a Helper who wants to come in April but wants to bring her 2 cats. I said no. Isn't that a bit odd to travel the world with 2 cats? She's Canadian.
I thought it odd.

The rest of my toilets will go tomorrow to someone building their own house.

How are Lobstars doing?
I may have my herb tea and fill my hottie now. It's far too cold to sit up.
My hands begin to freeze and I can't knit.

Oh Kaimoana that can’t be true you lovely lady or perhaps your suitors were all too shy.
My that’s a sizeable bookcase Grammaretto. Beautiful picture from your walk.
Ixion sorry your “people” have abandoned you. Perhaps it’s time for the housekeeper (you) and the head butler (himself) to have a little holiday? 🤣
I’ve been out for lunch with my art class. Lovely day and lots of chat,

Wow, that's some bookcase, Grammaretto!
Is it modular or one long run? I hope it finds an appreciative home.
Happy Anniversary, New Hip. There seems to have been no stopping you over the last year.

How great to get a date for your revision hip, NN. Let us know the visiting hours😉. Here's hoping it all goes well for you.

Pleased you made the decision to hold your family Christmas celebrations whilst holding dear in your hearts your DMIL's memory, NS. I hope the necessary paperwork isn't too long in being processed - everything on hold is less than helpful really, isn't it?

We don't, as yet, have the threatened bad weather. Watch this space!

Envying those who are holidaying in warmer climes - my window cleaner in Dubai, my excellent Evri courier in Cape Verdi Islands, Gardening Services (AKA the Mow and Blow team - I cannot bring myself to refer to them as gardeners) in Spain somewhere.

And our Kaimoana too. 🌞 surely?
(I wouldn't have known about the significance of the fireworks either).

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202601/medium-5byp56-1000038099.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202601/medium-b0d905-1000038096.jpg

Hooray! Naughtyneine that's brilliant news.

I am so pleased for you.

Jan you sound upbeat too. Lovely to be with the family.

I did have a very nice evening at my friend's house. She'd invited a few of us for a meal and good chats. I was poured a hefty dram of whisky which I managed to down eventually but that'll do me till next Hogmanay.

Today I was keen to get out for a walk in the sunshine. While I was gone my DD and family called round to help with the bookcase. They didn't tell me they were coming and left a note on the kitchen table before leaving. Grr.

A local couple popped in to be my first footers and stayed for an hour at least. 😃

Pictures are the empty bookcase and my walk today.

I didn't know fireworks were a signal for drug dealers Kaimoana. You learn something new every day on here

I'm just reading a book in which someone finds a cache of 70 love letters.

I've never received even one love letter in all my life.

NN you’re moving (or not as it happens) in high circles. Hope you get fixed and ready to go again soon.
Good news about your op. Obviously anxious but will be good to get it done.
Thank you for the lovely message.
Jan nice you’re getting to spend time with family, Hope this is a year of gaining strength and more mobility.
Love the card ixion happy new year to you too.
kaimoana lots of fireworks here too. Poor dogs and animals. Our son’s dog was so frightened.
Notspaghetti Grammaretto and all hope you’ve had an enjoyable New Years Day and all good wishes for 2026

Don't all laugh...we are in the grounds of the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury's Estate in Dorset ( with permission). We were with friends in the village for NYE and in MoHo Maeve overnight.....currently waiting for the AA to arrive. DH furious as apparently Maeve is different to Henrietta and the radio runs of the starter battery and not the leisure battery so leaving the radio on for the children was not a good idea ......Eek.
I can't be cross, it's not his fault and anyway I got a call from Admissions on Tuesday, I'm booked in for Jan 28th. Both surgeons will be operating. I am the first to have an operation under this OPS protocol. I'm terrified but cock a hoop that I might soon get my life back on track.

Happy New Year Everyone. Hope 2026 is a good year for Everyone and most importantly a Healthy year. We have just had coffee and huge yummy cheese scones in our local cafe! Eldest daughter so pleased to find a vegan cake there!! Youngest daughter- who is actually 53! - was very quiet as still missing her little dog but she came to meet up with her sister who lives in Nottingham.
Think a lazy few days are in store apart from taking the Christmas decs down. Not that I will be much help with one working leg and arm!
Enjoy the beginning of 2026 everyone and once again hope its a great trouble free year for all.

I like a lot of the "Rosie" cards Ixion

And, lowering the tone, from me -
🫣

Thank you Naughtyneine - how lovely!

Happy New Year Lobstars.... Wishing you all health, peace and happiness in abundance in 2026.

A quiet New Year’s Eve for me, except for the late-night fireworks, which I don't really mind.
For some reason, they are let off on many weekends and
I used to think this was for children’s birthdays etc but t they now explode in the early hours.

It happens so often that the many local dogs no longer bark, although they will at everything else: cats, possums, pedestrians, falling leaves…

A friend who moves in circles alien to my naïve self tells me it’s a signal drugs have arrived.

I didn’t know Chemist shops kept such late hours.

Happy New Year dear friends.
🎆🎇

Wishing my 🦞buddies the very best for 2026 ❤️

That must have been a bitter sweet occasion Notspaghetti but I’m sure she would have wanted you all to go ahead. What a. Nice treat she had planned.
Have a lovely evening Grammaretto. Ive just been for a meal with my friend. I feel sad at the thought of DH not being here to celebrate with me. I miss him every second of every day but sometimes something will cause that extra pang of longing.
I’m going to my friends for a drink soon so will buck myself up.

Happy New Year all you lovely lobstars. Thank you for your companionship and support for so many years now.
May 2026 be a more peaceful and happy year for all