Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

annsixty ouch your poor son too. He should be taking Allopurinol to prevent gout. Please give him a push to see his GP. MY OH has been on it for 12 years and not a single episode since. I feel it would make life a little easi for yourself too if he could drive a little more easily.

kittylester and Mawbroon my thoughts are with you both too. So many sad things in the kitchen of late. I count myself blessed.

Lazy day here today as friends came last night. A lovely relaxed catch up with much laughter. The recycling crew have work to do next week with the empties! NOt a scone or cake left in this kitchen so I suppose tomorrow morning I shall be one armed baking. I have yet to properly master cracking an egg one handed without getting shell bits in the egg. Bear in mind some of our hens are old and the eggs are thin shelled.

I have a treat of 'proper tea' given by a friend last night. So it's proper tea leaves in a pot now for afternoon tea (sans scone)

soop all this talk and beautiful pics of Scotland make me think I should perhaps organise a trip there next year. I fancy a train to Edinburgh and then pick up a campervan. Does that sound a good idea?

Am wondering if Doris has sent her sister along this afternoon. trees are thrashing around and one down the river is Totterimg on the edge. THe Mallards are still surfing along in the waves and the snowdrops doing a vigorous tango.

Izabella Should you organise a trip to Scotland, you will not regret it.

Deep breath...I'm so happy for Scotland. They beat Wales 29 - 13. Rory has taken temporary leave of the house. I've been making far too much noise. Yay!!!

kitty Thank you for finding time to update us. Bless you.

Greyduster Our pal who lives in Campbeltown, is a tree surgeon. He's also a mighty good gardener. Once upon a time, he worked at Hampton Court, where he met his future wife. They are now full-time gardeners.

Thank you for your company. You lot are quite the best virtual pals that anyone could wish for. I'm wishing you a peaceful Saturday evening - especially those of you who are having a tough time for whatever reason.

Afternoon!
MawB, I`m so pleased that your husband seems a little better, would that this continues.
Ann, stop feeling guilty, you carry so much on your shoulders, you can`t keep it up for ever, you need some help, practical help.
I had a wonderful surprise this afternoon. Daughter 3 has only gone and booked for her and me to go to the Classical Spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall, 3 weeks from tomorrow, and not only has she booked, she`s booked us a BOX! Last week she showed me the programme for a show she`d been to, Anton du Beke and Erin Boag, and one of the ads was for this concert, which I said sounded brilliant, and that I`d never been to the Albert Hall, only been to London twice in me life, although hubby played there with the band before we met. I`m thrilled to bits, but feel a bit guilty at her spending so much money.

callgirl how wonderful! What a thoughtful daughter you have. You will both enjoy it enormously. The Albert Hall is wonderful. I have been there twice; once to take part in the annual service of remembrance (many years ago) and once more recently for the Music for Youth Prom which, if you get the chance to see it, is extraordinary. Have a happy time!

Thank you Greyduster, I`m positive we will.

callgirl there's posh!!!! We often go but usually only manage the choir seats. Haven't been lately as we live on the Southern Rail route, and the strikes are so unpredictable as are the train timings. Just waiting for them to get back to normal.

callgirl you are as deserving as anyone to have money, however much, spent on you. Just enjoy the experience and wave royally at the plebs in the stalls. Just enjoy.

I always seem to get here after normal closing time ... thank you for still being still open for us latecomers. I've just spent a while browsing the earlier visits and realised that so many of you are having a very, very tough time - makes my self-indulgent wittering pale in comparison. I am lost in admiration for you all and how you cope. Don't know how you do it, although I guess sharing on here helps a bit, doesn't it? I know when my mum was sectioned with dementia I used to pour myself out on the Alzheimer's Society forum and that saved my sanity. Sadly she died a couple of years ago and I'm still full of regrets but getting easier with every day that passes. My sympathies and understanding to anyone here who is going through a tough time. xx
Meanwhile, it's been a pretty ordinary day here in RetroTowers. Himself had to fix a downpipe (I think that's what it's called) which storm Doris fought with and won. I volunteered to stand at the bottom of the ladder and shout warnings hold it steady but he decided to be brave and survived. How do I tell him it's now slightly crooked (the pipe I mean) or do I pretend I haven't noticed?
This afternoon I took his not so subtle hint and made myself scarce by wandering around the shops while he watched a load of men mountains chasing each other around and fighting over an egg-shaped thing. He gets fed up with me making stupid funny annoying quips, so I thought it best to use my time more usefully. I bought two rose shrubs for him to plant tomorrow, while I shout instructions provide constructive help ... are you getting a flavour of how things are in our house?
Better go now - I am knitting 35 little woolly hats for a class in a school, The Meg Foundation, in Kigali, Rwanda. A friend volunteers there with VSO and it gets very cold at night. Yeah I do know it's in Africa, but the nights are bitter. Little heads will be warm and snug if I have anything to do with it. Meg of the Meg Foundation has done some wonderful work there - worth a google, maybe?
See you all tomorrow. I'll try to get in before closing time. Himself is visiting a local canal open day - apparently he'll be able to go right inside a drained lock! Wow ... I volunteered to stay home like any sensible person would, of course. Then he's going to plant my roses before more flippin. rugby on the telly. I shall sit in the corner, knitting quietly, naturally ...
xxx to all of you, especially those having a tough time. I realise I sound a bit flip, but it's not meant. I do understand and wish I could help.

Come on here late after busy day, pattern cutting course I'm North London all day then home to make icecream and stew fruit for crumble as Dd and Gcs are coming to lunch tomorrow. DH has done all his packing for his tall ship voyage, he leaves on Monday and I have to get him to Gatwick by 5.45 am! To all of you having problems with health or other "buggerations" I wish that your lives get better soon.

Just nipping in before bed, after a busy day at the end of a pretty busy week. Lots of voluntary work of various sorts, mixed in with seeing some good friends who were passing en route to a holiday further north. Was helping at a Messy Church activity today, it seemed to take up most of the day one way and another but was good fun. Later our nearby family popped in for an impromptu meal, knowing I'd been busy today they brought a curry bag courtesy of Mr Sainsbury- perfect and very thoughtful too. As always it was great to see them all, including Pip the lively dog who had to come too!
I've had a quick read back of the last few posts to try and catch up with what's happening to who. What a mixture of happy and sad times all happening at the same time, just like "real" life I guess!
Hope you enjoyed the concert, callgirl, what a lovely treat
Glad to hear your husband is feeling the benefit of his blood transfusion, Maw I hope he stays well for a wee while.
Anne it's lovely see you've popped back into the kitchen, what a hard road you're walking. Please don't apologise for being so honest about your feelings, I for one admire that hugely and you have such a lot to contend with on a daily basis.
Retrolady the project in Rwanda sounds interesting, I've been fortunate enough to visit the country twice. Despite the awfulness that took place there it's a beautiful country, and the people are amazingly courageous, gracious and full of hope. I would love to go there again.
Callgirl what a great treat, hope you had a lovely evening and felt very posh!
Well it's goodnight from me, my bed is calling me!

Should be asleep as an early start tomorrow, but of course the cough is telling me it hasn't given up yet. Lovely lunch, good day overall. Much quieter than yours retrolady, retro towers sounds to be managed in a very similar way to cornerland .

Oh wow, callgirl, what a fabulous treat. Too much guilt about I fear, your daughter wouldn't be doing this if she didn't want to. Just relax and enjoy.

you lot put me to shame with your energy. Lots of busy and interesting lives. I feel as if my feet are in treacle much of the time. Not the cough, just my reality generally. Not moaning, more of a reflection. Should be a good day tomorrow, family get together which is both rare and valued. Sleep well everyone.

Have a lazy day today corner, enjoy your family but don't do too much.
callgirl You deserve plenty of treats and that sounds like a fabulous one!
ann please try and get some help before it gets totally overwhelming.

I had a hospital appointment on Thursday for an ultrasound scan, however due to an unexpected senior moment, I was a day early! ? The staff were so helpful and they fitted me in so that I didn't have a wasted journey. The good news is that I have a small and unimportant cyst on one of my ovaries. They may monitor it due to my mum dying of ovarian cancer, but such a relief!
Unfortunately three of my friends are having health problems at the moment. One has a possible brain tumour, one has had a heart attack, although not major, and one friend had dizzy spells and fell backwards downstairs. No breakages but badly bruised. Looks like we're beginning to feel our age.
kitty Enjoy your break, you have had a weight lifted from your shoulders and I mean that in a kind way.xx

Good Morning all !!

Another wasted day yesterday waiting for viewers who simply didn't turn up. I am stunned by the rudeness of someone who makes an appointment then simply doesn't turn up without a word or call !! I wouldn't dream of it but obviously I'm in the minority !

I think I see a soup maker in my future Corner . I feel we eat too much bread, relying on it for lunches and this would make a healthier option.

I love the sound of your get togethers soop that would be the way our family is. I cannot wait until next week when we will be spending a week together !

Kitty bossy older sister will get you through ( I am one of those too)

ah Grey I have put my foot down as far as hedge trimming goes after Grampy had a near miss over reaching whilst trimming our 6ft beech hedge. Then of course 2 summers ago he fell from a height faffing with a garden umbrella( of the huge variety) and was laid up for months. The mans a disaster waiting to happen and refuses to acknowledge that age has caught up with him and he needs a little help for tasks he easily did 20 years ago !

What a lovely surprise Callgirl how nice to be treated !

Wow 35 hats Retro ...hats off to you . Jackson asked me for a bobble hat as I had just made one for a friend so I said yes. That darn thing has caused me nothing but grief with dropped stitches and pattern errors. Yet the identical one I whipped through. Even now its finished I suspect its not big enough ! I shall buy him a new one if its not !!

Good news about your scan Lona and how nice that they didn't just send you away!

We have another viewing here today IF they turn up but quite frankly I am sick of the whole thing so I may be reclining on the sofa in pjs and they'll just have to view round me !

Happy Sunday all! x

Good morning everyone, I've managed to get here in time for morning coffee - that's a first! Still in my nightie though. Himself has taken himself off to view an empty canal lock - strange bloke sometimes is Himself. While, I, of course am your average 60 and a little bit Nan!! Just been outside in said nightie to trim a few bits off the roses he planted before he went. Please tell me I'm not the only one who potters around the garden BEFORE the morning ablutions. Makes sense to me to clean up afterwards, not to titivate myself then get stuck in muddy goings-on ...
Thanks for contacting me via message Corner - good to know I'm not alone.

Does the café serve double chocca mocha? I do hope so as that's just what I fancy now. Entirely calorie free, naturally. If not, I have a couple of packs I can bring along, if anyone else would like to indulge.

Better go now and perform those ablutions and get the mud from under my fingernails.

See you all soon. xx

Sorry, my thanks were meant to be directed to GrannyQueenie, though I'm sure Corner deserves them too!

N&G that really is so rude not to turn up- I would put money on it that it was not our generation. How would they like it if the boot was on the other foot.

I would be inclined to keep Grampy on terra firma, much safer.

callgirl what a lovely surprise- you do have a super caring family. Something to look forward to.

corner I do not know what to say about your wretched cough- it comes back with a vengeance having given you false hope.

retro there must have been a whisper of wind overnight which slightly dislodged the downpipe. I t certainly was not your DH's work.

I am dreaming of having a properly cooked meal by me within the next week. Among the dirt and filth I am thinking about new curtains and blinds.

Tara does not fancy going out today- maybe later when I open the door for her.

Lona that was very decent- you could easily have been sent on your merry way and told to return the next day. At least your mind is at rest and you know that it will be monitored.

N&G. I sympathise. I couldn't believe how many people just didn't turn up for viewings of our house a few years back. So rude, isn't it. The only upside was a nice tidy house (again) but the anxiety beforehand and the anger afterwards was grim. Thankfully we did sell in the end but the whole thing was something of a trauma. Fingers crossed for you because I'm sure, like us, that's not something you would ever do. Just appalling manners. ?

Well is this the safest haven on GN? I have had a wee peep elsewhere and come straight back in at a rate of knots. A bit like the turn of speed poor Gracie showed earlier when DH's walking stick got knocked off the banisters at the top of the stairs (NOT by me) and landed on the poor dog in her bed. She can still move like greased lightning when it matters. Much petting and a little walk followed by her lunch were necessary to restore her equanimity.
DH might be fractionally brighter today but we'll see how long he can keep it up.
Looking forward to more rugby although to be honest I felt so sorry for Italy last time they played, it became painful.
Yesterday was a bit of a good result for Scotland and Ireland wasn't it? Not anti-French (but nice to see a home nation victorious!)

That poor dog Grace- I think she would be safer here in a building site than in your house. All of the fellows bar one have either cats or a dog.

I do not follow rugby- I actually hate it but it was good to hear the result.

Oh, help! The moment I strolled into the kitchen I knew that it wasn't to be a brief visit. Having read through the many messages, I'm bowled over by your busyness.

callgirl1 I could hug your daughter on your behalf. You have the perfect treat in store. I've not attended a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. I've had coffee and cake in the lovely café. MacS was a frequent Prom goer before we married. Rid yourself of guilty niggles. This will be a treat to relish. I'm feeling excited for you.

Lona That's good news regarding the scan. A weight off your mind. I also echo your message and callg's to Ann. I am feeling fretful for her ability to continue without proper support.

Retrolady I loved your post. It made me chuckle out loud. I had no time for men mountains chasing and fighting over an egg-shaped thing UNTIL we moved to Scotland. Watching the Scots ruffle the feathers of the Welsh team made me hoop for joy. Not that I've anything against the Welsh. In fact, as a child, I lived in Wales for a year or so. No...it's a love of the Scots that sends me into orbit.

grannysyb - when I lived in both Devon and Cornwall, I attended the start of the Tall Ships' Race. Do you not wish to join the crew?

grannyqueenie Unlike you, I haven't travelled to far-away places. Youngest son is the adventurer in our family. He has explored and written about his ventures to far-flung locations. Some of his experiences were submitted to the Lonely Planet and are in print.

corner That cough is worrying me. Is it any wonder that you feel lack-lustre.

NanaandGrampy There is no excuse for bad manners. I trust that if they make another appointment, you will make them grovel your displeasure apparent.

Something strange is happening to my mind. Seriously, I'm finding the business of translating my thoughts into words super challenging. I know that I can confide in you lot and that you won't make fun of me...
I've worked in advertising. I've written copy and have been a proof reader. Over the last few months I've sat staring at the keyboard and struggling to connect/transfer that which I wish to convey, into print. I hope with all my heart that I'm not beginning to suffer with a form of dementia. All I can say is, you lot will, I'm certain, overlook bad grammar and sloppy punctuation.

Mawbroon I can assure you I was hot on your heels back to the kitchen after having a foray elsewhere this morning. 'Nuff said!!!!!!!!

Anyway it spitting here and I am having one of my lazy days. Might get out to the greenhouse later, might not. I might just while away an hour in the bath. I suppose I am down today as a dear friend is so distressed and is hospital visiting as I write.

soop something keeps stealing my words when I'm talking. I go to say something profound and it was there a second ago but as I'm about to utter it, it vanishes and I'm left with gaping mouth and totally blank mind I'm with you and hope it's not the onset of a form of dementia ... Will just have to have more then I won't care

Well, what a bugger! I just typed a long post on here and it disappeared and sent me back to google! Trying to tell me something no doubt. Now I can't remember half of what I put down, soop so you are certainly not on your own there. Sometimes I've forgotten what I wanted to say before I even put a finger on a key! It usually comes back though. I don't worry about it and neither should you.

So the lamb is in, and the crumble is made and the light of my life is coming for his lunch. He scored a cracking goal for his team this morning, we are told, so I have promised him an extra Yorkshire pud. We will have him overnight and then all day tommorrow because he has an extra day's holiday - a school inset day. The lovely (if somewhat unkempt) Aussie tree surgeon ("nah warries, Mrs K") is supposed to be starting tommorrow weather permitting (or even not permitting as he doesn't seem to mind the rain) so there will be noise and mess, but hey ho.

N&G I am sorry your viewers let you down. We had a few of those and they are indeed maddening. Hope you get more joy with the ones today.

Lona I'm glad to hear your scan did not throw up anything scary. Hope you now have some peace of mind.

DH was singularly ticked off with the Wales Scotland result yesterday - but at least his football team won!