soops kindly kitcheners and perfect pampered pets.

cornergran I am very fortunate because I only do short journeys nowadays. It would probably be cheaper to give up the car and take mini cabs but less convenient. I do like to see my car sitting outside ready to go if I feel the need. It is a very basic Skoda Citigo- I hate it but I can live with it.

soop fabulous photos as always, beautiful visitors. I am getting worried about MacSporran's mental state!!!!!

soop do tell MacS that the opera was marvellous, though it has to be said it's
not a happy ever after storyline!
Mildred that sounds like a lovely road trip. We had a similar holiday last summer and I would love to go again, the west coast us so beautiful.
Very impressed by your dental bravery cgran, I'm due a check up but am procrastinating.
I'm having a day of catching up with friends, brunch with one this morning and dog walking with another this afternoon. Meanwhile the ironing awaits me.....

I'm wondering how Izabella is. Now she's got over the initial shock I imagine she's in a lot of discomfort and if it's her typing arm then it will be difficult for her to come on here. I hope she's following, though, and I'm sending again my thoughts and best wishes. It's been a lot for her to cope with - arm, teeth and facial lacerations. Hope , if you are reading this, that you have someone to look after you.

Hello my lovelies. I'm running a tad late. For the second time this year, I treated myself to a decent hair cut (trim) and had the hair set on rollers. Very glam at the moment. Too costly to have the treat regularly but...I've booked an appointment to have the same treatment on the day before we leave for our granddaughter's wedding in Amsterdam.
During the time under the dryer, I skipped through a few of those awful magazines that are crammed full of so-called "celeb" twaddle. How come s few self-obsessed individuals are paid handsomely for spilling the beans (relationship-wise), talking about spending a fortune on cosmetic surgery, while doing next to nothing to enhance the lives of those less fortunate. Bah! Humbug!

Mildred Both Tarbert and Campbeltown have changed for the better. There is a super new-ish harbour-side walk in Tarbert. Campbeltown was granted funding to give a face-lift to a number of buildings that were in a state of disrepair.

Galen

cornergran It's a fact that when our full-time working days are reduced, or over, we have time to dwell on stuff that we shouldn't. I'm like you...I think too much. That's why I've taken to painting (not decorating) and the time spent with the paint box, allows me to "switch off" from life's minor buggerations.

Tizliz Rory is unique. He had a very hard life when much younger. Now...he lives the life of Riley. Who was Riley? Elegran will know.

Charleyg Yes...MacSporran is getting more eccentric by the day. Harmless with it.

granniequeenie I shall pass your message on to MacSporran.

Bellanonna Izabella's bruising and swelling will get much worse before it starts to become less of a problem. The broken teeth must have caused her a lot of pain. So, Izabella, if you pop in for a quick visit we're wishing you a speedy recovery from your nasty accident.

I'm also thinking of Jud and sweet little Georgie.

Following you all but not really posting much as I don't seem to have much to say!
The politics threads are getting vitriolic again and I get tired of all the hot air and posturing
I am also feeling a bit down as the phlebitis in my ankle has gone down () but I now have a tender lump,on the back of my calf, which is I fear, more of the same. It is all very well fir doctors to say keep your legs elevated and rest. How do,you drive/cook/Hoover/even potter round the house then?

So just hoping you are all well, that Izabella is recovering, although that may take a wee while yet, that Georgie is continuing on the up and up ? and that assorted moggies ???are all being good!
Hoping to see Flynn tomorrow as I am off to London to enjoy my birthday present from DH last March - a 11/2 hour facial and massage at the Liz Earle salon off Sloane Square. DH wasn't well enough to be left for much of last year, so fingers crossed all goes according to plan tomorrow. Knowing me I will probably certainly drop off (and snore!)

MawBroon what a lovely birthday present. I do hope that trains and tubes are running okay tomorrow and you have no problems. Grace and DH can have a relaxing day at home. You will come out of the salon feeling as though you are floating on air. It will be nice also to have an uninterrupted snooze and generally pampered.

I do hope that Izabella is okay - I am so fortunate I can use either or both hands to type.

Tara has spent another day indoors. Maybe with luck she is returning to her old life and not wanting to leave my side. My cleaner was here today and madam just moved from room to room away from the hoover.

I also hope that Georgie is slowly improving and that the mess is lessened if she has a nappy applied at night but even so it must be difficult to clean her rear end because of the long hairs on a spaniel.

Mildred we went to Dunoon on holiday several times when I was about 11/12 (1957/58). We spent nearly every day going around the Isles on the Waverley. I loved to spend my time either watching the engines or in the Café eating scotch pancakes!

MawB hope your calf problem doesn't spoil your treat tomorrow, it sounds like heaven and you certainly deserve it.

Enjoy that well deserved birthday treat mawbroon, I'm sure you will stay awake just to enjoy the experience. Oh soop I so wish I could paint, no hope here, but you are right I do need something that serves the same purpose. Did wonder if I would try embroidery again, not expert that's for sure but it did absorb me. I may need a magnifying glass now! I also wondered about those adult colouring books . I've agreed to increase my voluntary hours a little bit, nothing dramatic as it's not every week but that will help. I'm waiting for gardening weather too, that helps a lot. There is hope .

Still thinking about Izabella and also Georgie. We decided today it may be time to change the car, it's starting to have things go wrong, one of those 'is it worth it' moments, that will occupy the mind for a bit. Especially as car shopping is at the top of my dislike list .

Oh it is good to be in a comfortable safe space. There is so much antagonism and nastiness going on on these political threads.

I had a lovely day in the garden it was wonderfully sunny. I did a lot of tidying up cutting things back and as I fully expected the clouds came up and in started hailing at about 3pm.
After wrapping up warm this morning I did not really feel cold until I came indoors, then it really caught up with me. I have thawed out a bit now.

Izabella That sounds dreadfully painful. I really hope you will heal well.

I am off to choir tonight to murder Gloria 3 ways. Anton Vivaldi, John Rutter and Bob Chilcott. Why we are doing all 3 versions in one concert I do not know. But the conductor thinks she knows best"

Keep well everyone.

MawB What a marvellous treat you have in store. It sounds very posh. You will be pampered and fussed over, and by gum, you deserve it. Tell us all about it, please. Do you think that you may come away with a few samples of cream and such? I love that sort of thing.
Oh yes, that won't be the only treat. When you next visit us lot we shall be hoping for photos of gorgeous, smiling Flynn.

Lona When we first moved to Scotland, we joined a few friends and took a trip on the Waverley from the quay of Campbeltown Loch. We were "down below" and marvelling at the shiny brass fixtures and fittings, when there was an almighty thud and the engine stopped dead. We asked the chappie in uniform what had happened. He looked flustered. The Waverley had run aground on a sandbank. We were told to gather on deck and not panic. As if The lifeboat came out by which time the vessel had moved off the sandbank. We were escorted back to Campbeltown. There was some damage to the keel. I can swim. MacSporran cannot. I had a vision of me putting my life saving skills into practice.

corner Gardening is very therapeutic. When I was fitter, I enjoyed being outside in the fresh air and seeing my labours come to fruition. We had an acre of pasture in Cornwall. There was a time when I weeded the entire plot. Daft as a brush! Now that I'm less fit and not a lot saner, I can only help for short spells of time.
We do what we can. The thing is to keep ourselves occupied but not to wear ourselves to a frazzle.

I took a photo through the side window about an hour ago. I shall upload it for all of you to enjoy.

Bye for now.

(hugs) Nelliem Enjoy the sing-song.

grannyqueenie
Oh La Boheme is wonderful. I think it was early last year I got offered and bought some tickets from a friend who could not get there.
It was a live performance in the Potteries with perfomers from an Eastern European touring company.
Only how Mimi can sing wonderful arias when she is dying from consumption is open to dramatic licence.
It's the wonderful melodies that get to me. Tug at your heart strings.

Waverley sails past my house! I love to see her. ( why are boats feminine in English and masculine in French? Anyone know?)

Nellie

I've been on the Waverley three times on excursions from Portsmouth to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. It's a super trip coming out of Portsmouth Harbour, past Victory and Warrior and the Napoleonic forts then going down the Solent with the Isle of Wight coast passing by. Prunella Scales and Timothy West were on the trip the last time we went. Waverley is wonderful!

Nellie I no longer bother to read the political threads- on the whole it is the same names and they get so heated. They are so welcome squabbling with each other, I will stay here in peace and quiet.

soop what a fabulous photo, I am jealous of your view.

MawBroon have a lovely relaxing day tomorrow and extra cuddles to Flynn from us lot.

Evening all. It has been a rather demanding few days so that is why I have not posted about Georgie's progress. So now here goes. Georgie is her usual sweet self at her front end but not at the back. I think the toileting issue has been the hardest. The nappies are now being used all the time to save my sanity! Charleygirl you are spot on about a spaniel's behind being covered in long hair. This has led to at least 2 sessions of behind washing in a bowl a day! Disposable dog nappies are horrendously expensive so I have bought washable ones. These are not as absorbent but fit better, and they are pretty colours!

The physiotherapy takes about an hour a day and is not G's favourite thing but has to be done. I think her back legs are giving a bit more resistance so hope that this is a positive sign. She bombs about on her forelegs for short bursts, and then collapses exhausted. But this has led to another problem. She has developed friction sores on her hindlegs that are dragging behind her. We badly need advice on how to deal with this.

Today was rather more demanding as DGS2 took ill at school and had to be picked up. So we had him all day. He isn't a good patient! We also have both DGSs overnight and get them to school tomorrow. Sports run, homework, reluctant bedtime ? Sorry for the moan. This too shall pass!

Jud, I don't know where you get them from but there was a dog in the vet's waiting room, when I went in with Peggy for her booster jabs, who was wearing leggings (like dancers wear) and little bootees on his back legs.

I didn't ask what had caused the paralysis but he was happily cavorting around enjoying the fuss.

Monty Don's lovely golden retriever, Nigel, who appears on Gardeners World suffered major trauma to his spine and recovered after intensive physio. It's amazing what can be done.

Hope Georgie continues to improve.

jud you must be shattered, thank you for summoning the energy to give us an update. Feel for Georgie and her human carers. Sick grandchildren are often very hard work and now an overnight, you need a medal! Hang on in there. Hope canine and human sickness improves very soon before you are worn out.

Charley forgot to say your car sounds to be very sensible. We have begun to draw up a list of wants from another car and practicality along with low running costs top the list.

We were talking about the Waverley at the weekend. We had a trip on the Balmoral last year, sadly there is doubt about her viability this year so we hope for a Waverley trip instead. Didn't know why ships are feminine Galen, would like to though. As an aside, my Dad's cars were always feminine, often described as a stubborn female when there was a mechanical problem .

.

Jud its good of you to find time for an update. You must be worn out with all the cleaning. Georgie certainly sounds more upbeat and must love being at home again. I'm sure the intensive physio will show improvement though I know it'll take a while. Don't get too exhausted and hope you've got help with the care. Pop back when you can.

Just popped in to wish Maw a fabulous day!

jud, you are having an exhausting time one way and another - have a sit down with as often as possible. Please come back when you can.

corner, choosing a new car is a difficult process - it's such a big 'thing' in our lives. Good luck.

Hi Galen and Lona, nice to see you.

Jud I really feel for you ( and Georgie of course.)

These sores are very hard to get rid of once started but I spoke to a couple of friends who have had experience and the aim being to prevent them they suggested a couple of things.

The sores are caused by the friction so there is a need to reduce that. One friend had a lot of success with using one of those baby nightgown for new-born's that have a drawstring bottom. She cut out the arms, popped her dogs legs in the armholes and body in the rest ( she said he looked a little like sweetpea from Popeye . She has a laminate floor and this allowed her dog to move much more freely without the also said her dog could get up quite a speed and watch for skidding when cornering [laugh]

She also used Manuka honey on the dressings on the sores and found great success with improved healing. As time went on she kept dressing or padding on the pressure points all the time to add additional comfort.

My other friend had a long coated dog with the same issues and she said the best thing she ever did was totally shave her dogs rear end. He too had toileting issues and she said it was the easiest way to keep him properly clean. She also made sure he never slept on the floor but always on a cushion or piece of vet bed to alleviate sores.

Hope something helps .

ah Galen about the ships , this is what my Dad told me as an old Navy man. Ships in the UK are generally referred so as 'she' because they are vessels and that alludes to femininity - like a womb. Also in days gone by sailors were very aware of Mother Natures power so gave their ships female names to appease her.

But google told me that in France ships can be referred to as male , for instance 'un paquebot' and it seems that the larger the vessel the more likely it is to be referred to as a male to denote magnificence. Its strange that although 'un paquebot (a liner)' is male in France they are all given feminine names.

and there endeth the lesson

I need coffee !

Jud I agree with what NanaandGrampy says. She beat me to it re the shaving. There is a multitude of doggy nappies, disposable and washable on Amazon and also but it is expensive, a gadget called Wheels 4 Dogs. I only looked at one and the cost for that was £269 but it would prevent pressure sores on her rear legs from crawling along the floor.

You may be able to buy "clothes" for Georgie in a charity shop to keep costs down or maybe your GC have hand me downs. Also discuss with your vet re a chariot type thing for her. She cannot be the first dog he has come across with paralysed back legs either temporary or permanent. Good luck