Soop's kichen for friendly folk and pampered pets

At least you did it Jalima!

All the best for today Ann

I used to hop, skip and jump across the stepping stones at Dovedale when I was young - we went again a couple of years ago and I had to be guided very firmly by DH!

annsixty don't waste time and patience searching for cufflinks - sew pairs of buttons back to back and use them. It is only for a couple of hours, after all.

I have no idea when this house will be finished to my satisfaction. The builder was hospitalised for stomach pains 2 weeks ago and lately he has been unable to walk because he has a torn meniscus. He will be seen at an OPD orthopaedic clinic this morning, cyber attacks permitting. I know he requires surgery, it is a question of when. I had it done, I was off work for at least 4 weeks because I was on my feet most of the time when doing part time work after retirement. I can see this dragging on to September, wasting yet another summer. It is the not knowing or being told at the end of a day why he could not come that is driving me crazy. My temper is now on a very short fuse. Even my cleaner knows not to mention the work.

We used to visit Dovedale regularly as it is not too far from us but it is some years since we went. I don't suppose we will go again now.
H started getting ready at 8;15!! We are being picked up at 11;45am. He had to be told to shower first, this being one of the little problems.
I had put his clothes out yesterday at his insistence, hoping his suit still fitted, thankfully it does , but now we realise he needs cuff links for his double cuffs. I will have to go through drawers and wardrobe shelves,I may be some time.
Ps I have just noticed he is wearing a shabby brown belt with a charcoal grey suit. I might be ready in time.

kitty the Dovedale stepping stones are, as you say, relatively short hop compared to the ones in the picture. Oddly, for someone who has fished standing up to my twiddlies in flowing water, I hate stepping stones. I feel totally disoriented on them. I think it's a balance thing. And sometimes they wobble! There are some on one of our favourite walks in the Rivelin Valley here in Sheffield and they can't be avoided. Children almost run across them - I need to have my hand held!!

wot don't they say "a little bit of what you fancy does you good"? ?

That was a triumph wot! Hope the estate agents bring good news.

Just want to wish Ann well for today. We also 'celebrate' funerals by having a meal out.

Those stepping stones look scary. There are some in Dovedale that I have done once but they were nothing like as scary.

Off to raise awareness of Dementia and the Alzheimer's Society in a shopping centre - back later.

Serves him right! (My x partner)

Yay! I'm not such an ugly old bag after all!

I've had such a triumph tonight I can't believe it!!!
My ex husband came rushing to my side and we went up to my room for a chat. The a hole was sat in the conservatory as per usual. What had a love cuddle which bearing in mind ive not had a cuddle for at least a decade as lovely. Sadie liked him too. I have arranged for three estate agents to value ye house too. Oo hoo whoo hoo..feeling good!!

Ann, I like your way of celebrating funerals. I hope that tomorrow goes smoothly for you, you get a chance to say your own goodbyes to your late friend and able to toast him afterwards. His wife will probably need you all the more in the weeks to come.
I've spent a lot of today with a old friend whose husband is having regular chemo at the moment and it seems to be affecting his personality to the extent that he takes out his frustrations (verbally) on her.

You have all brought back lovely memories for me of a lovely holiday in Yorkshire, that by working out DD2's age must have been in the late 70's early 80's. The river at Bolton Abbey as I remember was extremely clear and extremely cold. And no, I didn't cross the stepping stones.

I consider myself a Yorkshire woman as I was born near Leeds, although I only stayed there 3weeks then. It took me over 30 years to get back for a second time.

Gallen I'm with envy for you. I'd love to do the trip up the Douro and considering we are in the same country most of the time,it is about time we did. Trouble is most of our money seems to go on "holidays" to the UK.

Charleygirl how are you doing with your building work? We seem to have had a house built in virtually the same time. Although it hasn't all been plain sailing and just getting the planning permission took over two years. The builders end up like members of the family don't they?

Hats off to you Ann for doing those stepping stones, they're a challenge for any age group. I've a photo of my daughter in the middle looking terrified, my young granddaughter, who she had gone to supervise, had skipped on ahead leaving her mum stranded!
Thinking of you tomorrow

I am having some reflective moments and feeling very sad about old times and the energy and fun H and I had in times past and although I have my memories of good times, he has none at all so no "do you remember when".
Also whenever we had been to a funeral of someone who had lived a good and happy life we would always (if practical) go out for a pub meal that evening to remind ourselves that life is short and to be lived, and remember them at the same time.
Our friends had a marvellous life together. Lots and lots of holidays, a good income all the time we knew them though hard early lives like many of us, and a loving and close knit family.

No matter when you did those stones, ann. It was an achievement. Good wishes for tomorrow, hope it goes as well as it can.

Take care with that leg, soop. The padding sounds essential.

wot an unreal day doesn't sound positive. You OK?

Grumble warning. The cold has evolved into 'the cough' - again - I am seriously fed up and even more ratty than usual. So off for a very early night and hoping for a sweeter temper tomorrow when I have to go to a meeting. Still, that's followed by lunch, can cope with that .

Ana, do you remember we used be good at the music game?? I want to do it again. Ive had an unreal day today.

Well ann you were obviously braver than the rest of us - doubly so, because I understand that the stones used to be far more wobbly and uneven than they are now.

It was looking down at the water flowing between the stones that was unnerving. It seemed the stones were moving.I can't remember just how long ago it was but it was when we had a touring caravan and spent a lot of time in the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District which is on our doorstep and the Lake District.
It was after 1983 when we bought it and before 2003 when we sold it. Probably the earlier years before I became too old.

I'm logging off for today. We had an engineer from Openreach call by. He was checking that all remains well with the internet connection. Service with a smile. Counts for a lot.

I shall return after care home visit in the morning.

charleygirl The water round the stepping stones at Bolton Abbey was quite shallow last week - maybe two feet deep. The problem was that it was very clear and as it rushes through the gaps it catches your eye and throws you off balance. So far it seems that only ann has managed it. She didn't mention how many years ago though!
posh Having said that that I haven't read Paul Hannon's Wharfedale book, I just spotted it amongst a pile of other stuff on our dining table. I think we've got too many walking books in our house.I really like the way he presents the information. Walking books are a bit like cookery books - you can just enjoy looking at them and savouring the contents.

Galen Lovely to have your update. Be good

ann Us lot will be thinking of you and hoping that your dear husband can get through what promises to be a very long and trying afternoon. Have a glass of wine ready for when you return home.

Thank you for asking after the leg. You are all very kind. Yes, it apparently still needs a light padding. The skin is very thin and I'm a clumsy mare.

I got interrupted mid post (real life gets in the sometimes! ) but I'll try to get back in the kitchen later.

Oh soop, rattle away any time you want to. I'm glad your leg is healing nicely but although as Greyduster says your other medical problem is indeed not life threatening, I'm sure it makes life exceedingly uncomfortable. Good luck on Wednesday.
I love the expression "rufty tufty". Hard to believe that angelic looking Torben could be anything like that. Maybe that's where the expression "boys will be boys" comes in.

Ann best wishes for tomorrow.

corner I am sure I could manage the stones if I borrowed a Zimmer frame! I wonder how deep the water is- luckily I can swim but possibly not as well when fully dressed.

Sounds a good cruise Galen- Alexa must be having a quiet time, I am appreciating it.

soop is your leg still padded because it will be very tender for a long time.

ann tomorrow would be a long, stressful day under normal circumstances but it will be very tiring mentally as well as physically for you especially if H decided he has had enough. You will be very glad when you are at home and can partake of a glass (or 3) of wine.

A blustery, dreary day outside, not exactly uplifting weather here.
Nonetheless;
oldgoat - your photo made me smile. Firstly for the flowers, but secondly thinking of all the pics I have of my OH's back on some scenic walk! I bet others have too.(We repeat some walks 'coz we know where the kissing gates are & we always oblige, be rude not to.)
Maw - hope the cake-making goes well. (I'm useless at baking....but...)
n&G - P Valerie! Thank you for providing a brilliant idea for DD birthday next month!
NonnaW - how brave of your OH. My thoughts on reading were - 80s?/saxophone? = Baker Street by Jerry Rafferty. Fab.
ann - good wishes for tomorrow.

'Bye all, must go, need to get into my new course this evening. Early start tomorrow & best singing voice for the regular Rhymetime "littlies" who are possibly being augmented by the local playgroup...such fun!
Requests anyone??