Soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets...

Morning all !!

Had a full on day yesterday. Picked up my youngest daughter and the two little boys to take them to see our potential new house in Norfolk. I was super well prepared with a car trip bag, clip boards, paper games like Car Bingo and suitable prizes. We took a picnic and broke the journey half way for the best bacon sandwiches EVER ( I quote Jackson here !!)

They were really good because in total we spent about 4 hours in the car. We found the local park and had a high old time there and then went to Thetford forest to look for bears( they had all gone to Lakeside to buy toilet paper according to Cooper aged 3...that boy watches too many adverts!!) and to throw stones in the stream !

My daughter seems a bit more resigned to the move now and whilst not exactly enthusiastic is not crying about it !!

The canoeing sounds fun Grey. Our big two would be up for that - the little too would be a touch too much to handle in a canoe I think !

ann I know what you mean, the girls drop off their kids to us with no concept of how much effort we have to put in to occupy/amuse/restrain them !!

Can't wait to see your pictures and hear about the trip soop

Your neighbour needs to nip that jumping up in the bud right now Charley . Sam was very much like that and whilst cute as a baby is no fun as a big boy with claws. He now knows better and waits to be 'invited' !

Please send 4 of your patented child units Nellie !!

Hope all went well morethan.

Oh, after last weeks bloody nose I can certainly subscribe to the 'not on my watch' thing Grey. Enjoy your fishing and hope you find yourself again

Well, I must away. I have packing to do as we are away for a week in Somerset with eldest daughter and her family . We have chosen a beautiful house , looking over a reservoir with plenty of dog walking as Sam is coming and they are bringing their young totally out of control untrained springer spaniel!!

Relaxing is not the word I would apply to this week away but we shall see !!!

Very good psychology to take them to see the house N&G the unknown is always more threatening. Now she can envisage both the house, the journey and the possible attractions for the children she should be easier in her mind. Good thinking!!!
I had a lovely day with DD and the little ones o their gorgeous garden and the park behind it, although I would be terrified to be in charge of DGD as the lake is right beside the path and she is FEARLESS but falls over a lot.
Bless them, they made cards for me on losing Gracie . You will recognise me instantly and I realise my anonymity is blown
Paw coped in my absence although you would not believe it from the grumpy demeanour. The quiche/sausage roll/fresh pineapple/carrots ready to boil which I had left remained untouched and he seems to have cooked himself a big bowl of spaghetti. That's fine. I don't mind throwing food away and I was happy to snack on the sausage rolls when I got home. Each to his own.

Isn't ANYBODY around in Soop's absence?

Just back from my 2nd garden centre visit of the day. Different garden centres, different friends.
Rather muggy weather, not much sun but warm.
Resisted the WhiteStuff and Seasalt but bought H a nice short sleeved shirt, now to get him to wear it!!

A gorgeous day here for the majority of the day but it is clouding over now. I believe that rain is forecast for early evening.

Tara went out early today and I have not seen her since. Yesterday she would not leave my side that is if she was not resting her eyes on her bed.

I think that the end is in sight re the builders- I have given an ultimatum, I want everything finished and the house to myself by a week on Sunday. Spring has passed me by, I do not want summer to go the same way.

Thanks Maw , we needed to make it very clear, we ARE going. My daughter had been -- beating us around the head-- telling us how upset the boys would be. The boys , it turns out are thrilled, not put off by the journey ( why should they be ...they sleep most of it) and have planned their new play area out already.

I love your cards! They're priceless aren't they ? Men eh?? Can't live with em, can't kill em ( unless you have a frozen leg of lamb to hand !) .

Sounds like a nice day ann , I love a good garden centre ( well actually I like a good cafe but who cares?) .

I think you have shown patience above and beyond Charley . I will keep my fingers crossed it's finished swiftly to your satisfaction!! How are your poorly hands?

We are off to Somerset tomorrow for a week. I hope the sun shines on us and the big kids because we have much planned . I'll pop in when I can xx

Where in Somerset? We have oats of grans in this neck of the woods!

Near Bridgewater Galen , just for a week

I've just done a bit more potting. Still have the petunias and geraniums to do. It's hot in the evening sun and I've come in for a cold drink and some paracetamol for my complaining back.

Sorry, still croaking in the corner, feeling bleurrgghh, & suffering withdrawal symptoms from self-imposed purdah - at least the head in egg-slicer feeling is going, now it's just bog-brush at back of nose/throat & voice volume turned down considerably. OH still asks questions from other rooms - I will not answer, or move,........but I think, a lot......

Sorry, self-pity over. (Realised I've said sorry twice - wasn't Ronnie Corbett in a sit-com called Sorry?!)

ann - I like a good garden centre me.
charley - good for you.
Maw - cards are sweet, glad your day was good.
Greyd - how was Ladybower?
N&G - enjoy Somerset trip. When we last moved we didn't tell MiL anything after the first hint 'cos she constantly questioned everything, in depth, many times over, all the time. What a surprise she had when she next came on a "state visit"!!

Right, need to move; I have had a stupidly idle day watched my washing dry, fed blackbirds currants, tried unsuccessfully to continue my further education, read Book Club book & "chatted" a bit here. Will stir stumps on the morrow to pick up prescription - the high life eh!!

Have a good evening all, I might wander back to the cocktails thread & take a look......although I'll probably end up with (packet) pea soup which always hits the spot for me.

Just remembered ...... Timothy Lumsden! (Sorry)

oats of grans?? Better than "oasts of grain" perhaps?
Don't you just love blimmin iPads?

Not realising the new hospital entrance and drop off areas are now in use I TOILED round the outside of the hospital to Outpatients' x-ray from the Planned Care Unit pushing Paw in a wheelchair as it was too far for him to walk.
Never but never again!
It made me realise how bl**dy awful the pavements are, how useless some ramps are for coping with a kerb, plus it is actually uphill and how awkward small wheeled hospital wheelchairs are. (Think the wonkiest shopping trolley ever with a full load of cans and bottles plus someone sitting on the top. )

I've a decent one you can borrow indefinitely if we can meet up. It folds up and goes into a boot

Cheltenham looks doable fr me and is about halfway.
There's a rather nice service station just before Cheltenham on the M5 where w could meet!
It's been praised by HRH Prince Charles?
What could be better??

Was a wheelchair pusher for years, mawb so totally understand. Infuriating, isn't if? Your cards are very special, sounds a good day, some things - like ignored food - are better, well, ignored!

Oh dear poshg, that isn't sounding good. Lots of tic required. Maybe a hot toddy or two?

Sounds a good day, ann, I like a garden centre. We had a couple of independent ones here which have been taken over by Wyxxxx, OK but a bit samey. There's another independent half an hour away which is more fun

That was exactly the right thing to do n&g, the boys will feel involved. Once you are settled if you are happy the family will be happy. Hope you get some Somerset sun. .

Had a cleaning and garden day today then a very unexciting trip to a supermarket. We know how to live . Taking the granddaughters to a cave system tomorrow. I keep repeating 'they can't hurt themselves, they can't hurt themselves.........'. Oh yes they could .

Take care everyone.

Agree, galen, that's a fab service station, more like an up market farm shop. We always find a reason to stop there .

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posh sorry to hear you are still not well. DD is struggling with the same thing - can't seem to shift it. So is her friend - and she's a doctor! Have you tried an infusion of fresh ginger, honey and lemon? Very comforting.
Ladybower was delightful as always. In spite of the met office lying about the wind direction which meant I was fishing on the wrong bank, I caught three good fish! And there was a cuckoo calling on the woods. Bonus! There was only one other angler there so plenty of solitude. Photos attached.
Maw the cards are delightful - destined for the treasure box I hope!
n&g enjoy your holiday in Somerset. Remember doing my Army training in Yeovil many moons ago! Great fun!
corner which caves are you taking your grandchildren to? We have some splendid ones near here. Let us know how they liked it.
If I've missed anyone please forgive. I'm out on my feet at the mo. Too long a day for a silly old s*d like me! Must find a sitting down hobby!

I had a young lad come and help me in the garden today, feel shattered now but it is all done in one go. I paid him £10 an hour which he says is too much, but I can't pay him less, it wouldn't seem right. Lie in tomorrow morning.

Greyduster loved the photographs, it is a pity H can't drive anymore or we could have come to meet you at Ladybower sometime. It was one of our favourite spots to walk and sometimes picnic. It looked so peaceful today.

Beautiful photos greyduster. Looks restorative. We're off to Clearwell Caves almost in the Forest of Dean. Over the bridge, a bit of a trek but think they will like it. Its a natural cave system used for mining iron ore. A bit different. We aren't going on a day when they can go 'real' caving, maybe as well for my nerves, there's a marked walk, sufficiently rough underfoot to make it feel like a cave. There is the inevitability of a shop where Mr C will undoubtedly be conned out of agree to buy something and a restorative cafe. If the weather is kind we hope for a walk by the Wye on the trip back. Fingers are already crossed .

That sounds impressive tizliz, a well deserved rest tomorrow.

Hold firm, charley, the eviction order must be served.

cornergran My DS took the DSs down Clearwell Caves last summer to try 'proper' caving. DS discovered, too late, that his girth was too large to allow him to squeeze through the underground passages without a great deal of struggling and sweating. It gave him a proper fright and the little boys wriggling along behind him shouting 'hurry-up Dad' didn't help. Don't think they'll be doing that again in a hurry.
We love Gloucester Services ,too. It's only about 20 miles north of where the relatives live but we always find an excuse on our way back up-north to stop and buy some of their tempting goodies.

I'm weary but in a satisfied sort of way after a day spent buying plants and trying to organise pots etc in the garden. Still some work to do but it's looking good so far, shame about my poor knees and aching back though!
Glad you've enjoyed Ladybower greyd and had the chance to recharge your batteries a bit . I've never been there but think some of the family have, it sounds familiar.
You're Cave trip sounds a good plan corner, hope you have a fun day...with no mishaps!
tizliz could you send that young man round to me tomorrow? The old one that was assisting me decimated some plants with his big plates of meat feet
Good to hear you've had some well deserved trips out Ann, I'm very impressed that you were so restrained with the retail opportunities!
I'm sure there's lots more I've missed, sorry granspals I'm cream crackered after my day in the garden. An early start tomorrow to see the dietician, that's sure to be fun!

Just popped in before we go...... if Grampy is never heard of again - I did it !!

What is it with men? We leave in 90 mins and he's faffing around with unnecessary stuff ! You know the sort of thing...... I'll just hang this picture ( what ??? The one I've been waiting 2 months to go up and you want to do it now ? .? )

I'm cleaning out the fridge and when I turn round he's decided to make egg and soldiers for breakfast ??? I HAD MY BREAKFAST 90 mins ago because I'm leaving soon!!!!

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

And breathe........... I'll see you all when I get back or sooner if I need a) bailing out , b) help burying the body c) a good lawyer

Do you live in our home n&g? Oh the tales to tell . Safe trip and a happy holiday. Wishing you lots of Somerset [sumshine].

Made a cuppa at 7am and let the dogs out, back to bed until 9.30! Then OH made breakfast - only crumpets but he did it without me asking.

The young lad works at Dunrobin castle, but only mornings so apart from the long drive I am sure he would appreciate some more work.