soops kindly kitcheners and perfect pampered pets.

MawBroon I knew I should be going somewhere today and it was to pick up Grace! She would be far better off watching tennis and athletics- she, like me, is a lady.

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A laydee Charleygirl! I think athletics might arouse memories of her own athletic past ! We once took Jock our first greyhound to a charity evening at the greyhound track where retired hounds had been invited to lead in the "procession" for each race. When he heard the fanfare which announced the race, his ears pricked up, his tail went up, his back straightened and he shed about 6 years. It was wonderful!! Bless him.
He was a lovely boy, didn't get on too well with DH, I think a man must have treated him roughly before he came to us, but he was very loving to me. Sadly he went blind with a brain tumour and eventually died after what I think might have been a stroke.

Lovely photos Maw. I'm with you regarding sport, Charley.

I've just popped in to post a picture of my latest 'arrangement'. Please don't think I'm showing off, I am well aware that lots of people could do a much better job but I am amazed that I can manage something halfway decent as I am the least arty person in the world.

The copper basket belonged to my granny, was inherited by my mum. It was my job to clean it when I was young and I hated it.

We found it in the glory hole when we cleared mum's flat. It has spent the last few years in my brother's garage and was really tarnished. I cleaned it with tomato sauce following a tip on GN. I now love it.

That's lovely kittyl I particularly like the idea of using something novel instead of a boring vase.
It raises the tone of the kitchen, does it not?

I love seeing Grace on her 4 legs and as for swimming, that is a first on a photo. I have also never seen her awake in the garden, she has impressed me today. She would love it here, all of the love and attention she would receive and love. No fear of Tara coming home, we would have 12 hours of bliss-I would think that her walking matches mine- Grace does not know what she is missing here.

MawBroon you have so many gorgeous photos of that beautiful girl.

kitty the flowers have been beautifully arranged- I am afraid that I just plonk flowers in water and hope for the best.

kitty Do show off...the arrangement is a winner. The pot is beautiful, it suits the display perfectly.

MawB your photos made me smile. I particularly like the one of Grace in the pool. It is Grace, I presume? Or is it Jock?

Chaleyg You most certainly are a proper lady.

I love that arrangement Kitty. I take courage from what you say about not being artistic as there could be hope for me. Do you have to stick the flowers in that green stuff (oasis?). I guess you get shown how to do it all. So glad you posted as I just might try and find a course. Not too sure I'd post results of my efforts though. I have a copper kettle that I will embalm with tomato sauce. That, too, was an heirloom and was actually used in my childhood.

Bellanonna, I went on a course which DH bought me for my birthday. My normal method would be to buy lilies and put them in a vase or, if I was feeling very daring, a goldfish bowl

I do stick the flowers in that green stuff (which used to scare me to death) which I was taught to do on the course. She gave us all sorts of tips and then let us get on with doing an arrangement ourselves. I really loved it. My arrangements all look the same so I am going to look for something that is a bit different - I think she does one in jam jars and one in a compote dish. The world is my oasis!!

Bellanonna My late mother was a great fan of copper. I doubt that she ever used tomato sauce to clean it. As I haven't any copper to clean, I shall pass on the tip to my friend who loves all things copper/brass/silver.

Charleyg Should Rory be out of sight for 12 minutes MacSporran would be all of a quiver. Whenever R ventures out of the back door, within minutes, MacS is waiting at the front door (through which Rory strolls with his nose and tail in the air). MacSporran always greets him thus...'What a gooooooood boy. Lovely to see you, Sweetie Pie...'

No Soop they are all of Jock. His previous owners and trainers had a pool in their garden and he loved swimming. (Excellent exercise without straining their legs.)
I actually have a short video of Jock doggy paddling up and down the pool to fetch a plastic bone but of course no way of watching it now
Grace and her predecessor Icy hate(d) so much as getting their paws wet in a puddle.

kitty I like using jam jars for simple Springtime flowers.

I'm away until tomorrow. It goes without saying that a certain Georgie remains on my mind. Please let there be hopeful news from hereon.

MawB Oh, I thought so. Lucky Jock to have an outdoor pool. Like Grace, Rory hates to get his paws wet. He makes an enormous fuss should he venture too close to a puddle. You would never believe that he lived rough for at least 10 years of his life.

MawB, don`t you know a company or person who transfers videos to dvd? We had our cine films done, and the same person is going to do our videos very soon.

Oh thanks for reminding me callgirl1, I'd forgotten about that service. I have a video of a holiday I had several years ago and, apart from the fantastic scenery, there is a lovely moment where the guide says 'Mind your heads' just a second too late and I say 'Owwh'!

soop Rory has a very selective memory and has forgotten his year living in the forest.

kitty I shall certainly try "proper" flower arranging. I won't wait for my birthday as that's not till September so will treat myself.
soop no, I'm sure my mother didn't use tomsto sauce. That's something I've learnt on here (along with lots of other things).
MawB - thought that was your swimming pool ! Was feeling a tad envious.

soop I meant to write many years of living in the forest.

MawBroon my apologies, I got the dogs mixed up. I should have known that Grace conserves her energy for other things.

Another miserable day here but I suppose that it is dry and not too cold. My lodger is looking for a new home as she is ruining this one- any takers?

Must be feeling better as I have just made a tray of bags' recipe flapjack. I'll leave a plate on the table with a sample or three for you to try when they have cooled.

Hope there is better news for Georgie today. I have been watching "The Yorkshire Vet" on TV and am so impressed by the loving care they show to all their patients. Almost makes me want to return to the county of my birth!

Morning. Glorious sunshine here, sparkly river and a cloudless sky. Back in the kitchen after a self-induced 24 hours in the cooler after eating ONE slice of white bread with a boiled egg for breakfast yesterday. Anyhow, things have settled down thank goodness. Taught me a lesson. Only ate it as we had run out of proper bread.
OH doing spelt soughdough bread later.

I may venture onto the riverbank later with a coffee and Bella for company. Hope everyone else is OK/improving etc., and that Georgie has a good and slowly improving day.

Good morning all !

We continue on with the quest to sell the house ! Another viewing yesterday and one today although when DD2 arrived yesterday she said the kitchen smelt a bit doggy! HORROR!!!!! So Sams bed went straight into the machine ( nearly followed by Sam!) . He was poofed with his spry( think doggy febreeze!) and booked in for a cut and blow dry next week!

I watched a Penelope Keith TV programme last night Soop which was about your neck of the woods. It was beautiful , I kept thinking ---if I was there Id have my camera out !!

Glad to hear you're fighting fit again Galen . So how was your cruise ? Did I miss the details?

I'm tempted Corner do one of the funky little origami things with the end of the toilet paper like you see in boutique hotels lol

That's lovely jud that your grandchild got to see Georgie. I'm sure they both felt a little better afterwards. I hope more improvements are on their way .

Totally envious of your skill flower arranging Kitty. I have no success in that area at all and am always grateful if someone sends me a hand tied bouquet. I just bung it in a vase

0h no Charley what has the lodger been up to?

I'm off to drop Jackson and Mummy off to swimming lessons and spend an hour with cheeky boy Cooper. We had them all all day yesterday and I was on my knees by the time they left. Lots of fun though.

Hope Georgie's update is a good one today x

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The sun is shining brightly. A total turnabout after yesterday's gloom. We had our usual walk and I took a few photos which I shall share with you lot.

callgirl1 and Swanny Our recorder has the facility for transferring VHS to DVD (so MacS tells me)

Izabella I've just this minute enjoyed a huge slice of MacSporran's freshly baked bread "based on a Velvety Milk Loaf"...and very good it was too.

Bellanonna I have also learned a lot, thanks to Gransnet.

Charleyg Rory didn't fancy his lunch. MacS therefore added it to Bracken's bowl. Rory suddenly took a liking to the contents and polished it up within a blink of an eye. Bracken waited patiently. She now has her reward...Rory is eyeing it...he's such a canny cat.

I'm wondering what news there is of Georgie.

Gaga That's what we like to hear. It matters that you are feeling brighter AND that you've made us a big batch of flapjacks. We're easily pleased.

NanaandGrampy We also watched the Penelope Keith programme. When she was in Tarbert, she had a long conversation with a man we know very well. His family business has been at the heart of the village for many years.

Galen How come you haven't yet shared your adventures on the high seas? Us nosy lot would like to know whether or not everything was to your liking...or not.

We received a standard, long-winded response to MacS's query re a detail in the form filling for a passport. It was as clear as soggy mud. Hence, we're none the wiser. On Tuesday I've a date with the audio clinic. It's possible that I shall need a hearing aid for my left ear. Already have one in the right. We shall then pop into the post office (in which MacS managed to hold up a queue of agitated customers) as he argued his case, and I hid behind the biscuit counter. Hey ho! I'm wondering whether or not to phone and apologise in advance.

Not much to say about the cruise. Due to a(I think) fault in the electric supply to the suite, I couldn't get my scooter charged so couldn't go off ship much.
Met with one Gn member in Gran Canaria and we had lunch together.
Had an incredibly snobby woman on our table who felt that as she'd paid extra for the grills, didn't want to have a cattle class lady join us for a meal!
Food was not as good as usual and I was upset by the attitude of one of the 'social hostesses, who thought that as I was disabled, I should go and sit quietly in a corner at a cocktail party instead of circulating.
Back to my favourite QE next time. This is the second bad voyage I've had on Victoria. I shan't go on her again

Hello soop and all kitcheners! Soop please tell McS that if he ever feels like parting company with that wonderful hat, I will send him my address! I am not allowed to borrow DH's in case I am tempted to stick flies in it!!

I have a friend who was born and raised in Tarbert. She used to tell me about it and always said she'd go back there and live, but she now lives in Norfolk.

Lovely arrangement, kitty - you clearly have a talent! That rose is a wonderful colour for a copper container.

The back is a lot easier today. I was naughty yesterday; dosed myself up with painkillers and insisted on going to GS's cross country, much to DH's displeasure. He came 51st out of a field of 220 - and fourth out of his school entry of eight, which means he qualifies (just) for the next one. The course was very tough and the overnight rain made it a quagmire, but it was good to stand and cheer them all in. One or two of the runners came in in tears, but they all got round, bless them! I couldn't move in the afternoon! I have a batch of coconut tarts cooling if anyone fancies one.

Soop what did they say was wrong with form?

That's very disappointing Galen I hope a strongly worded letter of complaint is on its way. A cruise for many is an aspirational holiday, hard saved for ( I know you're an old hand) but for many it would be a once in a lifetime thing.

I think as a seasoned 'cruiser' they would appreciate your comments!

I'm sorry it didn't live up to your expectations - is the next one booked yet ?

Those coconut tarts would hit the spot Greyduster . I have prepped dinner as we have a viewing in an hour , so once they're out of the way it won't take much effort . I feel your pain re the back thing. It's just so incapacitating ! But congrats to your GS I'm sure he appreciated your efforts .