Soop's kichen for friendly folk and pampered pets

He can't be! Wow, mawb a very happy birthday to Flynn ??? wishing you all a very special day.

I cannot believe that young man is 1 today, it seems a few weeks since he was born. He is full of the joys of life but no doubt there is a grizzly side to him at times. He may have a better understanding next year as to what birthdays are all about.

Lovely pictures maw and Happy Birthday to Flynn!

callgirl We were at Bolton Abbey last week with some friends and guess who decided to cross the river on the stepping stones...I got half way across and started to feel as though I was going to fall off - did a VERY careful about-turn and won't do that again in a hurry! OH stood on the opposite bank with his camera at the ready.

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A very very special little person is ONE today!
Happy Birthday Flynn!

When we stayed in the Yorkshire Dales a good few years ago, we arrived at Redmire, and looked for somewhere to stay. We saw a sign advertising bed and breakfast in the window of the post office, so that`s where we stayed, in a lovely room, such nice people, tried to go back a few years later, but it`s turned into a rather upmarket B & B now. We loved Aysgarth and the Falls, and spent a lot of time in Hawes. Re Wharfedale, the area around Bolton Abbey takes some beating.

My son was disappointed not to be able to take the ferry from Ardrossan to Campbeltown last month, but it hadn`t started at that time. I told him that he was fortunate to be doing what is, undoubtedly, a long drive, but such a scenic one.

callgirl Of course we'll say hello to David for you . Just sorry that we can't offer you a lift. If we had room you would have been welcome. I'm just hoping that the ferry journey will be smooth. Better not forget my Kwells.

posh Here's a photo of OH setting off from Muker on a damp day last summer. The wild flowers were fabulous in spite of the rain.

thatbags - wow! Never used anything as superb looking as that (recurve?)back in '67! (used a simple bright green fibreglass job) BUT I did (under instruction) make my own string. Usually worked between 25 & 40 yards (I think); did "safaris" (great fun shooting uphill!) & 100 yard clout shoots.

oldgoat - favourite Swaledale walk is round Kisdon, starting from Keld traverse up on W side, over top-great views) & down to Muker (Farmer's Arms pub), return to Keld on one or other side of river (both good).

Thank you ladies, I will have sweet dreams tonight

Oldgoat, no worries, I`ll squeeze in between you both, anything to get back to Muasdale! Please say hello to my husband whilst you`re there.

What's a lovely riser thatbags ? I'm intrigued!
I haven't read the Dales book by Paul Hannon posh but I'll look out for a copy. OH and I help to organise a walking group so we are always on the lookout for new walk suggestions. Swaledale is my favourite, especially in summer when the ancient hay meadows are in full bloom.

Close-up of my lovely riser, made by Border Bows.

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Photo of my bow for poshgran, the target bosses up near the top, and a shooting line. We did various distances. This one is at 30m.

We love Oxford, greyduster, visited regularly from our last home, although if I'm honest Cambridge is our favourite. Both beautiful cities and I am so pleased you and your husband enjoyed your weekend.

How are you staying sane charley? It feels as if your renovations have been going in forever. Any sanity tips to share?

Pleased your equilibrium is restored n&g, as much as we love the young ones they certainly can try the patience and sap the energy. As well as share their germs .

Managed some planting today around the showers, enjoyed achieving something.

How you doing Mawb?

Been thinking about you wot, please be mindful of yourself and do what you can to protect yourself financially.

Pleased your internet connection remains soop, long may it continue to thrive. Early night for me, take care all.

ann certainly not my intention to make things worse for you or force you to face facts. My aim was to say that even though things may get worse, by some bizarre quirk of fate they can also get better. Your DH may of course follow a different path from my dear brother but I do know that you should get as much help as you can when it's offered. No one could be more against help than my brother but when it happened and people came to the house firstly to sit with him and in the end to help him wash and dress, he coped. You need to put yourself first as much as possible. Your DH if suffering this dreadful disease is no longer perhaps the person he was and you need as much help as you can to cope. My SIL is now enjoying her life again. she misses the relationship she once had with my brother but appreciates the love he still shows her now. In their own way, both of hem have found some peace.

Thank you for that Crafting I have been in denial for some time as to what will happen and how bad it will get.
We have had a long time with very slow progress thank goodness but I can see that things are getting worse faster.
I am grateful that my H is 81 and a long way along life's normal span. I may be able to cope!!It all depends on my own ability and ageing process.

soope lovely to see you are back again and thank you for the lovely photos! Do you have a zoom lens or was the deer just not frightened by a nearby human bean?

The bluebells around here are wonderful this year too - perhaps it's going to be a good year for flowers. It certainly promises to be a good year for wasps as we have had several of the little blighters around already, perhaps looking for somewhere cosy to nest and produce young. We've also had a huge hornet indoors!

I'm not sure if the gardening I did today could be described as 'pottering'. I like 'pottering' but this was more hauling heavy pots around; luckily DH came home and took over.

annsixty He flatly refuses to accept there is anything wrong with him so therefore doesn't need any help at all.
I do feel for you, I think my DH would be just the same too.

Eating dinner at nine and ten at night
Greyduster our lovely DD number 2 said that she will look after us when we are no longer able to cope - however, DH and I agreed we may have to decline the kind offer because we can't wait until 9 pm - or whenever - for our dinner!!

ann don't know if my posts are helpful or annoying but as I have as good an idea as anyone who hasn't gone through it themselves I will do what I can.

My brother, a kind, loving, considerate and caring gentleman in all senses of the word started this devastating illness many years ago. He was private in his manner and personality. He thought there was nothing wrong with him and got angry if my SIL tried to get him to the doctor. He refused all help, did not need anyone to sit with him, he was fine. He refused point blank to go to a day centre and was furious with my SIL for taking him there (once) although he was perfectly polite to the people there during the day. He gradually deteriorated and despite insisting he did not need anyone to sit with him when my SIL went out, he did develop a good relationship with the career who came from social services to sit with him firstly once a week then twice. In the end he got on with her very well and they had a good relationship.

Time went on and he began getting angry with my SIL. He lashed out on a few occasions (totally unlike him) and began to get very difficult especially in the mornings. Would not get out of bed or get dressed. My poor SIL was beside herself, very depressed, stressed and constantly in tears. Eventually things came to a point when he had to go into a home for her safety and his own.

Now life is in a totally different phase for them. My brother is in a care home and recognises my SIL when she visits (several times a week) although he cannot remember her name or who she is in relation to him he is always pleased to see her and hugs and kisses her. He is more peaceful now in himself. Cannot complete any sentence but enjoys a walk. Finds it difficult to cope with eating and drinking without encouragement as he's not sure what to do with food or a cup of tea. He seems (as much as we can see) reasonably content. Loves my SIL and shows her much more affection than when he was at home. My SIL is calmer and not so stressed. She misses him at home dreadfully but realises that she could not cope any more.

What you are going through ann is a phase in a dreadful situation and I have the greatest sympathy for all you are going through.

Ann he loved it, and his anxieties about the art show were unfounded. He enjoyed that too! So all the original aggravation was needless. StepGS was so pleased we had made the effort to go.

My D lives near the south coast and in the days when we used to visit regularly we used to break our journey at Oxford and have a day sightseeing and an overnight stay. We loved it and got to know it well. The indoor market is worth a visit especially around C.......s when the huge fresh turkeys would be on display.
The walk along the back of the colleges was also a favourite and as for the good pubs....
So glad you persuaded H to go along greyduster I am sure he agreed.

Here we are, back at the old homestead after our weekend which was wonderful, but being in thrall to twenty year olds who have absolutely no concept of what is a sensible time to eat. Eating dinner at nine and ten at night because they can't turn up any earlier as arranged takes its toll on aging digestive systems. We tried very hard not to get grumpy about it.
soop I was hoping to visit the covered market but we simply didn't get the time. I hope we will go again.
N&G from what I have read, you sound as if the boys have been giving you the run around somewhat! Hang in there; these things too will pass! My GS was in the doghouse big style with his father last week for adopting his usual casual intransigence when faced with the need to get out of the house and into the car in time to be somewhere in a hurry! My SiL is usually very calm and quiet. Not on this occasion! The boy had the law laid down good and proper. All is well now, though, apparently.
Lots of lovely photos to remind us of our weekend! See you all later.

Right, time for extended visit, or else I'll get itchy feet reminiscing further with oldg! But, soop, much as I liked Wharfedale, it's Wensleydale that does it for me.

Has anyone heard if Izabella is OK?
charleyg - on my "slobby" days I am not "at home" to callers of any description; pity you can't do that with your "tradesfolk". Yes, there are certain threads I could meaningfully contribute to, but they are far too strident & I will not enter that arena.
n&g - lovely photos. Boys really do have the "butter wouldn't melt" look down to perfection, don't they?
annsixty & wot - as a relative newcomer & not being in your situations I can only offer kind thoughts.
thatbags - would love to see the archery in your garden! (Did it for D of E Bronze)
Maw - kind vets, forget-me-nots are gentle, unassuming little flowers.

Three hours for 'puter deep scan earlier today & 3 threats discovered that didn't show up on quick scan last night. Kapow! Got rid of them. Ready for repeat of 6 week Mindfulness course starting tomorrow. (I need it to stay sane!)

Now to finish off the Shiraz (2 people, 3 days - we know how to live!!)
Good wishes & to all Kitcheners - because we're worth it!

It's less warm today. There is a fresh breeze. Certainly more cloud than of late. It's been a good day. I've enjoyed pottering. Being able to pop into the kitchen, is such a treat. It's lovely to be back.