Soops cosy kitchen for kind peoples and precious pets !

In need of undeserved sympathy and a hug please

Oh blimey, feeling entirely stupid, old, blind as a bat and "it could've been so much worse." Please be kind to me ...
Driving home from the garden centre along a road which I know like the back of my hand, slowed down for the car in front which was indicating and was clipped from behind by an ambulance, which I didn't notice as I was watching the car in front and wondering why he was slowing down. Yes, the blue lights were on.

Thankfully no-one in the back of the ambulance and my car and the ambulance are only slightly damaged, but still ... and even more ... what if? As no-one was hurt, am I allowed to request tlc, understanding and sympathy in bucketloads?

Insurance all sorted, one more claim and I'll lose my no-claims, but I'm not worried about that, just feeling like chucking my flippin' car keys at the bottom of the hole I am going to dig for those bloody plants which we didn't even bloody need.

Please excuse the language.

Oh retrolady, all the sympathy in the world and a huge hug. It's very much a 'there but for the grace of' incident. Whatever you do don't chuck the car keys. In fact I would suggest you get out and drive somewhere, anywhere, but preferably at some point along the same road, as soon as is feasible. I would have said tomorrow but I know Bath calls. No one hurt, vehicles can be mended, thinking about it isn't it theoretically the responsibility of the driver of the ambulance if they were behind you? Or did you wobble in front of them? No matter either way, what's important is you don't keep beating yourself up. The 'what if' of a situation often gives us a much harder time than the reality, Keep reminding yourself no one was hurt and vehicles can be mended. Shout loudly tomorrow, it will help. .

It's good the gopher has had a reality check charley, but I feel for his clients when he is trained. hang on to the sense of humour. It's time that wine was opened. . This too will pass, honestly it will. Hugs for you too.

Thanks corner. I did briefly wonder about the liability of the ambulance driver as I was the one in front, but maybe it's different for them as they had their blue lights on. I'm just thankful that the driver was so skilled, and that I had almost stopped because of the car in front (I was actually wondering to myself why on earth they were indicating and slowing as there were no turnings that I could see) as it could have been a whole lot worse. We'll be driving along that same stretch of road tomorrow on the way to Bath, but Himself will be driving then. Ironically it's usually me who can locate ambulances by the sound of their siren quicker than he does, when he's driving and warn him of their whereabouts and to pull over. Oh dear, oh dear ...
I won't really be chucking my car keys ... need my independence too much for that, but will be very, very careful now; probably more than I need to be, so those behind me will just have to be patient.

Just had a thought, I wonder if the reason why you have to wait for ages on insurance claim lines is so that you have time to ponder the error of your ways. I've done a lot of that in the last hour or so.

Charleygirl today my life is full of angst but it has to be better than yours. My admiration has no limits.

ann I would rather be in my shoes in this hell hole than yours- mine is solvable with more dosh, yours not quite so easily sorted.

In the end I did not fancy the wine but it is there for another night.

Tara is home, I am going to have an early shower and go to bed to watch Taggart. I hope that I will sleep well, I have not done much physically but mentally the brain has been in overdrive.

I am supposed to do a snagging list- not sure I have sufficient computer paper.

Retrolady do not give up your license except in the most extreme circumstances. We have had to give the car up due to things I won't go into. It is awful and has contributed to my extreme angst today.

Good advice from Corner, Retro. My commiserations for you mishap. There but for the grace of God go any of us! Get back in the saddle soonest! I had a friend who had a minor coming together the day after she passed her test! The guy in the other car tore such a strip off her and upset her so much that she never drove again.

Retro I may be wrong, but even with his "blues and twos " on, the ambulance driver should not have hit you. My neighbour's son is a paramedic and some years ago he was behind a car ( at some speed ) which just slammed its brakes on when he realised there was an ambulance coming up. Not a major shunt, but he hit it. The son had to undergo a course of training before he was allowed to return to "blue light" driving. So upsetting as it is, you should not feel so guilty.

annsixty I am so sorry to hear you are having such a bad time and send you what comfort I can and also
Don't believe I could embarrass a DD on Facebook? I think she loved it really especially as so many of her friends commented on the resemblance with DGD

Aw Maw what a lovely photo. I have some similar smiley ones of my DC and DGC. It warms your heart to look at them. Many happys to you DD. Hope little Flynnis better soon. Mine had croup (is that similar and spent days in isolation) scary but made a full recovery. Is fit as a fiddle now.

Retro no one hurt that's the main thing. Have a little peaceful sit in the kitchen and relax. There must be some cake somewhere (banging cupboard doors in search of something nice

For those who kindly replied on my 'carpet' thread, I now have new carpet (light oatmeal with flecks) and love it (hope I don't drop red wine on it ?).

We too have been through all the rebuilding, moving , cement dust, flooring episodes. It's enough to drive you mad. Sympathy to all those going through it at the moment. At least we can sit down, even if we are surrounded by furniture, and pots of paint etc.

soop sorry Braken has not returned yet. ?

ann so sorry you are going through such a tough time. Giving up on a car can be really difficult. Will family help you out?

Galen isn't the judge scared of you? ##heshouldbe!

Sleep well, charley. Day off tomorrow.

Sorry there is more angst ann, hope you also get a good nights sleep.

You echo my thoughts mawb. Surely the one behind carries the responsibility? Sounds as if it might be worth getting a Facebook account just to wind up the 'children'. , think you may be a bad influence. .

Morning all !

I am not liking this 'get up to the alarm clock' business !! But its on a good cause. I am taking Miss Laura to see the Little Mix Experience at a local theatre. Its a tribute show to the girl group and she is VERY excited !! ( Me...less so ).

Lovely pictures of your DD Maw . Hope young Flynn is improving . I think you're entitled to worry - after all its your job

Charlie hats off to you !!! It sounds like a nightmare and although I am sure once it is over it will all be worth it , in the meantime it sounds like darn hard work !!

The little boys came over yesterday to welcome us back soop and there was much dismay that we had not brought Wonky Donkey home with us ! It was all resolved though when Cooper suggested a trip to the zoo to bring home a giraffe !!

Ah Grey that brought bac k memories... my husband used to tease DD2 and tell her she was born in a mud hut in Africa. Eventually, she believed him and I had to slap stop him and show her pictures of me as a child as we could have been twins !

Sorry to hear about your bump*Retrolady*. I have always assumed that the person to blame in that type of accident was the 'bumper' not the 'bumpee'. I thought it was their fault as the law states you must maintain a reasonable distance from the car in front. Is that all changed now?

I'm sorry your day has been filled with angst ann anything you can share or just vent about?

I'm going to the Bluewater GN meet up next week and I'm very excited. I shall attempt to persuade all who come to let me take a picture so we can put some more faces to names.

Right I'm off to get myself sorted ( I wonder where the ear plugs are

Have a lovely day one and all !!

Morning all. Thanks for your kind thoughts. It was a transport episode which caused me bother yesterday and very trivial really I hsad to go to to the pharmacy for our meds. We have a bus 5 times a day Mon to Sat so I timed it to be able to get one at 10:30 and get the return one at 11:05. When it arrived the driver explained that it was not the one I expected as the traffic was horrendous due to roadworks and a fatal accident which had closed several roads. He was en route to the terminus and would be ages coming back. He agreed that I would get on and he dropped me on the main road so I could walk. It took all my ( very limited ) energy and when I got there the pharmacy was closed!!! They have a rota for Saturday. No telling when the bus would arrive as the timetable was out of the window. I went to get my phone out to ring a taxi... no phone... I had left it at home. So I hobbled to M&S simply food where I am well known and they kindly rang a taxi for me. Of course I shopped while I waited so my abortive trip for meds cost me £ 25. I was very niggly when I got home but H couldn't take it in and I had to wait for D to ring to let off steam.
I am so feeling my age and this is why I told retrolady never give up driving if you can help it.
Of course I have to do it all again tomorrow.

Sympathy Ann60 what a horrid and frustrating day for you. Normally a little trip to M&S would set me up nicely (or for M&S read John Lewis or Waitrose) but perhaps not under such trying circumstances. Hoping to go to see DDs1and 3 plus SILs and the DGCs at DD1's new house in Birmingham for lunch (joint birthdays, DD1, SIL and me) but DH has got off to a very slow start and we are running at least an hour late. I could still defrost something from the freezer and have them here, but expecting to be out for the day the house is in its usual muddle. Plus I want to see the new house!!
Ah well.

Morning everyone, thanks for all your thoughts on my mishap yesterday. I think you may well be right that it's the fault of the ambulance driver, but it may well be complicated that they had their blue lights on. Must have as the car in front of me saw them and stopped. That's what caused me to start to pull out. Oh well, over to the insurance company.

So many of you are having a much more trying time - you all have my sympathy. Life can be a series of buggerations at times and you're having more than your fair share for sure. Sending hugs, because there's not a lot else I can do - wish I could. We're here for any ventings though, with cake etc.

On that subject, thanks for looking for cake for me crafting. I'll pass just for now, unless you happen to have any lemon drizzle knocking around. Doesn't matter if it's a bit stale. I like it so sticky I have to do serious finger-licking afterwards. Tucking into a bowl of bran flakes and yoghurt at the moment, which while healthy, isn't really hitting the spot. My body is aspiring to become a temple to healthy eating and clean-living, but is more like a neglected, abandoned old shepherd's hut in the middle of nowhere.
I am having an 'at-home' today. Had planned to go to support the Alz Soc runners at the Bath Half, but I didn't really sleep last night, which is most unlike me, so I've packed Himself off in his Alz Soc t-shirt to yell on my behalf. Peace and quiet at Retrotowers all day - bliss.

Have a good day everyone, whatever you're up to. Hope all buggerations are soon to become less so, but sending thoughts and hugs in any event. xx

Enjoy your peace and quiet, retrolady, sometimes a quiet day without interuptions is just what we need. It just may be the day to not worry too much about healthy eating, tomorrow is another day but for today just allow yourself something you fancy. No cake here but we have croissants as its Sunday, far too many so there are some on the side, nice and warm from the oven.

What a day, ann, hope you can get a rest today before venturing out again tomorrow, life sometimes just throws custard pies.

Was wondering if Charley managed to sleep in her building site, hope so, energy would be good to fight on.

We've family stuff today so I had better get tidying and then prepare the ear defenders . Hope you manage to get to your family MawB, I know how disappointed I would be if today didn't happen.

Take care all.

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Ann that would have finished me off too so you're definitely not alone !! ND to have to do it all again is a real buggeration !!

Hope you make it to lunch Maw , it'll be lovely if you can .

Retro , I did laugh at you description of your body falling slightly short of a temple !! Fits me to a t! I have decided to aim slightly lower than a temple, more a tin roof shed or bus stop !!

Enjoy your day of peace and quiet . I've just collected Cooper who is staying with Grampy while we go to the show. He's going to snooze with Sam I suspect lol .

ann my heart sank as I read your post. Don't know how I'd have coped.

Gorgeous pictures of grandchildren.

Maw. Hope it all works out

Retro I always thought the person behind was at fault but blue lights might make a difference. I'm sure the insurers will sort it out.

soop. No news? ?

I woke up thinking that I must go out to buy bacon, eggs, sausages etc for the builders lunch- that would be a first. I slept quite well, today is my day off for cleaning it would appear. The day is so miserable I will save the washing for later.

Tara has decided to stay indoors with me today and has taken over the only seat fit for purpose apart from my computer chair.

I rang an after builders clean co. to see if they could supply me with staff today and they could but I had to provide everything. She did not understand when I said that I do not own a bucket and mop as that is not what one uses for laminate floors. The cleaning stuff I have does not remove cement, hence the reason I rang this company. I also did not understand a word she said and some things had to be repeated at least 4 times and still I could not understand her accent. I turned them down, if they cannot supply their own cleaning materials in my opinion they are a load of cowboys.

N&G provided that the music is not too loud you can catch up with much needed sleep. Sam looks as though he has coped well with his time away from home and is not too stressed.

MawB I do hope if you make it- will Grace be okay? Your daughter is lovely-is Flynn getting better.

Retro I was under the impression that it does not matter
who bumps into the rear of your car, police or ambulance, they are at fault, blue flashing lights or not.

ann that was a total buggeration, especially when you have to repeat it all again tomorrow. At least you got some decent food but at a price.

Corner the builders tell me that they will be out tomorrow but I say Tuesday. That is the day that the electrician returns to finalise his work and the floor laying people come back. The blinds man is coming on Wednesday to measure up.

charley, everything that can be crossed will be.

A good sunny Sunday afternoon to you lovely lot.

Retrolady I totally agree with corner's wise words. Yes, you'll feel unnerved and no, don't give up driving. It was a minor accident that could so easily happen to any of us. You haven't committed a crime. No one was injured. Bumps can be fixed. The ambulance driver cannot have been keeping at a safe distance. Us lot are gathered to comfort you with a whopping group ((((hug)))).

N&G A giraffe! Wow! Torben would so love one as a pet. I do love the logic of a child. Anything is possible. Another super photo of Cooper and Sam.

Crafting Dare I say...if I should ever be on the wrong side of Galen's warm and friendly nature, I would be petrified.

ann You could have done without yesterday's wasted trip. No wonder you returned home in a less than positive mood. You needed to let off steam. I hope that you are more successful when you next head for the pharmacy.

Bellanonna No sign of Bracken. We are aware that there is a fox in the woodland. It ate every one of our neighbour's chickens. We are also aware that there is a mink, as we've seen it in our garden. Mink are ferocious. One attacked a big cat belonging to a pal in Devon. The vet's bill was stonkingly high, as the injuries inflicted were life threatening.

MawB The resemblance is uncanny. What a delightful, sunny .

Can people play this video on gransnet? It's of a man playing the piano with his cat joining in. I posted it on soop's FB page but I think her computer can't play it

I can play it OK. What a happy cat - he votes it as good as catnip.