Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

That is lovely news N&G as you say, another reminder of lucky the rest of us are.
I might treat myself to a burqa (nobody will notice in our N Bucks village , will they?) Seriously once I have washed my hair and blow dried it I might be able to cope, but instead of channelling my inner Judi Dench I look more like Val McDermid on a bad day (no offence, Val, you are a BRILLIANT writer and a wonderful person)
So it is a bit blustery outside but has stopped raining. It will soon be March and I am reminded of the old saying that "March comes in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb".
We shall see!!

That made me laugh Maw , glad to see your sense of humour hasn't deserted you.

I remember one windy day last year when I realised I needed a hair cut.

Jackson looked up at me and simply said 'Oh dear...Nana...your hair' as it was whipped into a frenzy !!

MawBroon I am so sorry about the knock back your DH has had about his treatement. . Why does every damn thing have to come down to money? I also know how you feel about your hair because having a good haircut is the only thing that makes me feel and look better.

retrolady I hope you have regained your equilibrium and do not feel quite so 'discombobulated' (lovely word!) today. I hated change when I was working but most things slot into place eventually.

N&G well done Cooper! Our laddie swam under the water more than on the top for ages. I used to panic about it, but he could hold his breath for an absolute age and still can. He has just finished with his swimming lessons. He had plateaud really. He is a competent swimmer in three different strokes so at least he won't drown, the avoidance of which was the object of the exercise, but he doesn't have much in the way of grace and fluidity!

We are off to look at some lots in an antiques auction later, so it will be off we go into the wild grey yonder! Must be mad!!

Thanks for reading my post yesterday ladies ... I was in the midst of a bout of self-pity, mixed with feeling out of touch and stress at driving home in the dark (I HATE driving in the dark). I've emailed my (paid) manager for help, and am now putting my worries on the back burner, so feeling slightly more positive today.

It's blowing a right hoolie here, though nothing like as bad as further north (I'm in Somerset, so am a southern softie). We just have a detached drain-pipe which Himself will have to sort out at the weekend, a bird-feeder which has blown off its hook and ... worst of all ... a random carrier bag which ISN'T FROM THIS HOUSE blowing around the garden! Dreadful. I'm also wondering if my washing is going to end up halfway up the M4. Seriously, my thoughts and sympathies go out to all those who are badly affected. I hope all of you are safe and sound. Sending hugs.

Grannyqueenie - do you volunteer with the Alzheimer's Society by any chance? That's who I do my stuff with and there's wholesale change going on, rebranding etc., with all the costs that entails, BUT they're cutting back on paid staff! I am having serious doubts about carrying on and I'm one of the relatively younger volunteers. I think there will be a great deal of resistance and voting with their feet from some of those who have 20 years or so under their belt.
We must watch that space ... I'm going to carry on for a bit, see how things settle down, if they do and then have another proper think in a few months time. Pity.

Gosh, you lot take some keeping up with. So much happening. What a wonderful chair tizliz a real statement. The guzunder or Gooseander is a diving duck of the sawmill family and have long serrated bills. Currently around 3,100- 3,800 breeding pairs but we don't get many around here. They carry the babies on their. Backs sometimes which is just so lovely to see. A proud parent swimming down t he river with a load of noisy babies on board. Priceless.

kitty my thoughts are with you. ?. Charleygirl builders dust! Hate it and I hope you builders finish soon. It will be worth it in the end, it's just getting through it all is the problem. Retrolady it's ok to have days like this, it is allowed and shows a human side. I just loved reading the word discombobulated in your post. One of my all time faves.

nanaandGrampy your pool should not discriminate about your getting in and out. Perhaps ring the manager and ask what inclusive protocols they have to enable you to swim.

Hugs to maw. Thinking about you.

Good news this end is that my hand bones do not need k-wires so I just have 3 more weeks splinted up. A minor blip, but at least the weather should be getting better for cycling by then. Dreadful day here, torrential rain and gusts of wind. I need to go to the PO but keep putting it off.

Cheese scones later for OH but I will bring some into the kitchen when baked.

I've been blown into our kitchen, thanks to Doris, who is no lady.

Why is it that I'm always surprised by the number of visitors and reams of 'happenings' since I logged off yesterday evening. I should know that you lot have beat me to the most comfortable chair and have polished off all the cake. Ah well...here goes. Time to play catch-up.

Retrolady Technology is what us lot call a buggeration. I feel your frustration. Hang on in there and persevere. Do you have a pal who could sit in and help you to deal with the pesky problem?

kitty I read through the many kind messages from Gransnetters. A group hug from us lot...

Callgirl1 You are right...whenever the dolphins put in an appearance, traffic comes to a halt, and folk will watch in awe of the scene. I shall search for a photo that was taken of feral goats on the beach just outside Skipness.

Jud Superb photograph!

MawB I'm sorry to hear the frustrating news for both you and your husband. As for the disappointing hair cut...by the end of the month, it will look just right.

corner I'm beginning to feel that you are on the mend. A good night's sleep is a marvellous tonic. Keep taking the antibiotics. Get well soon.

N&G I'm also thinking...aren't we lucky to have healthy grandchildren. Returning home will be a red letter day for the brave young man and his family.

Nellie You have my respect. I wouldn't know where to start with installing instagram. Do you have a smart phone? Is it essential to have a smart phone? Or, did you install the thingy on your computer? I would get my knickers in a twist.

Izabella Carry on recovering. You are a tough cookie. Thank you for the offer of a few cheese scones scone. I'm feeling awfully peckish. When did you say you'd be baking?

The peaks are covered with snow. The sea is rough. No sign of the ferry to the islands. The roads are clear.

Rory sat for all of two minutes on the doormat. He appears not to like the big outdoors. To think that he lived rough for a good many years. Same cat. Totally different lifestyle.

Greyduster Don't get blown away. If you buy something at the auction, us nosy lot would like to know about it.

Just a pop in but I have my 3rd bit of good news today !!!

Our young friends who didn't expect to conceive are expecting a baby in Sept !!!

I am delighted for them, they will make fabulous parents .

Damn it !! God loves me today :-)

Can imagine the huge smile on your faces n&g, wonderful news for everyone

Pleased to report the improvement continues , I've made soup and done some dusting. Feet up now for the rest of the day, won't be rushing this .

Sounds as if your world is the right way up again retrolady, dont let the bu****s get you down

Try not to be blown away everyone, sounds as if Rory has the right idea soop.

.

Tara asked to go out early am, poked her nose out of the front door and decided that the howling gale was not for her today. Instead she has slept on my bed while the fellows either worked in my bedroom or the one that she has taken over. They forgot to remove furniture and stuff from the bed she sleeps on yesterday but today they spread out my best quilted cover for her to lie on. I have removed it.

The father thinks I know zilch about anything and was explaining what the white plastic boarding at the side of my porch was. I discovered that it is called cladding. I am trying to keep my temper because this happens every time he explains something. Luckily the builders no longer treat me like a moron. Ah well, in a month I will have a decent meal and a bottle of wine.

I have chosen internal doors, handles, hinges and knobs for the kitchen doors so that is something. Back to my microwaveable macaroni cheese tonight. I wonder what vegetables taste like?

Well at least the rain has stopped, but the wind is getting stronger. It was horrible out this morning; we got to the auction house and their car park was under water. It was almost impossible to get through the gate without getting wet feet - you sort of had to cling on to the gate post and swing yourself onto a dry bit! We were glad to get back home. Today was just the viewing, so DH may go tommorrow to bid for an old Victorian oil lamp he has had his eye on. We used to have one that we bought in Belgium, but the glass reservoir got broken in one of our many military moves and he's always wanted to replace it. Silly really, but he doesn't get nostalgic about much these days. I have to wait in for a landscape gardener to come and give us a quote for taking our shrubbery down a peg or two, and an enormous bay laurel that has got out of control while we have been arguing with the council about whose responsibility it was (it is on the other side of our garden wall). Guess who ?!
Izabella I am glad your arm is on the mend! You seem very anxious to get back in the saddle - respect! Not sure I would be after a spill like that, but I am a total wimp!
soop I hope that Doris slings her hook as quickly as she came and leaves us all in peace. You sound as if you have had the brunt of it up there.
I am now going to finish my coffee and go and do some ironing, otherwise I will take root here!

All ten of them, Charley, remember!

Love the feral goats, Soop !

Right, the hair just needed my magic touchnwith the thickener and hairdryer and I feelbable to face the world. A bit annoyed with myself though, I used the self scanning till at Waitrose for some sandwiches for lunch on our way back from the hospital (blood test and iron infusion) There was nowhere to put the sandwiches after I had scanned them as I didn't have my wee baggie ready so I sort of balanced them round the edge of the machine. I thought they were a bit pricey, but I was in a hurry (always BAD) and it was only after I got home I realised one of them (an expensive one of course) had somehow got scanned TWICE. First World problem I know and my own fault, but £15 for 4 sandwiches is RIDICULOUS. However caveat emptor.
DH's Hb result was down again at 70, so basically the 3 units he had last Friday must have just gone through him Back tomorrow for 8 am and fortunately he has a Gastro appointment in London on Wednesday as there MUST be some internal blood loss to account for it. No wonder he has felt so cr*p all week.
It is a lovely sunny afternoon now although still very windy, but the rain has completely blown away. Hope all of you up in the NW and in Scotland have kept safe and are not reading this by candle powered wi-fi .

N&G Us lot lurve good news.

corner I'm chuffed to hear you sounding so much chipper. Just don't overdo the dusting. I can confirm that it will hang on indefinitely until you are fully recovered.

Charleyg Hang on to your quirky sense of humour. Think Zen. Before too long the lads will have vacated your kitchen. When it's looking smart and all shiny-like, ^us lot* will want a photo. There's bound to be much oohing and aahing.

Greyduster We bought an antique oil lamp when we were holidaying in the Cotswolds. Bourton-on-the-Water, if my memory serves me right. It went well in our Cornish barn conversion. We sold it in a car boot sale when we moved to Scotland. It had cost a princely sum and sold for a fiver!

I remember having a very nice repro oil lamp which I think cost us a tenner in a hardware shop. It was great for dinner parties (well it WAS the Seventies!) and invaluable during the power cuts of the 3-day weeks.
We were burgled while we were in that flat and among the nice and valuable stuff the lowlifes nicked, they also took our oil lamp!! They must have looked like flippin' Florence Nightingale walking out with it held aloft. (It was full too)

Bellanonna I've a much better photo of the goats. I shall try to unearth it.

Maw Your dear husband certainly deserves our respect. Bless him...I cannot begin to imagine how awful he must be feeling.
a very costly lesson on not what to do when in a hurry and going through the self-scanning wotsit. I've not attempted such a thing. I'm a total wimp. Feel sure that I b**** up the works and cause a massive backlog of irate customers.

Although it's very windy and it has been chucking it down with rain, we've not had anything too horrible in Kintyre. N.Ireland which isn't too distant from Campbeltown, has lost power lines due to falling trees.

Cheese scones have arrived. Help yourself.

I can smell them from here. Thank you, Izabella

I looked for the feral goat images and have drawn a blank. However, I did find a photo of two of our granddaughters with me in our Cornish cottage. The elder granddaughter is now 26 and married. Her younger sister will be 25 next birthday. It is she who is to marry in Amsterdam.

Pretty young ladies, soop; they have your eyes!

Lovely pic of you, too, soop

Thank you. All seven grandchildren have made us very happy over the years.

Greyduster As I was hunting for the feral goat photos, I came across this image showing the antique hanging oil lamp. The three lads were visiting from Uni' My son is on the far left. He was chubbier in those days. Extremely well-toned now that he's in his forties.

I really do need to cease searching for the elusive goats. It's getting late and I have important cats to feed. Wishing you all a pleasant evening. Providing we still have power tomorrow, I shall return after lunch.