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

Iam64 we had lots of holidays in Crete in the past. We stayed not far from Chania and one highlight was walking the Samaria Gorge. I loved that part of the island and everything about it. Happy memories.

Iam64 Continue to enjoy being restored. Enjoy the beauty and the tranquillity.

annsixty I'm wearing a very large woolly scarf. It's been one of those days.

I'm ironing in the morning. Will join you lot sometime thereafter. Keep cosy.

soop that's incredible. I was always amazed by the midsummer sunsets in Scotland.
ann I put the CH on today too but DH turned it off again as he was too hot! I'm going to sneak it on again as it's blowy and cold down here. Needed hwb last night! Think my feet are in a cold world of their own though.

We have finally succumbed, we have switched the CH on.

The one we visit was home to the dog trainers uncle for many years. All the dogs and their owners formed a guard of honour at uncle's funeral some years ago. We still visit monthly, do a little demonstration of agility and obedience. The dogs meet and greet and even my giddy young dog is always on his best calm behaviour.
Crete in spring is glorious. We are late by three weeks this year as we had a sudden death in the family, so all was rearranged. You can imagine how restored we feel x

Iam64...the heady scent of flowers...it's as if I can still smell them.
The care home did, at one time, have a Labrador dog visit. He was lovely, and took his time to visit each in turn. He raised many a smile as he did so.

Soop, I fear an addiction to Crete developed when I first visited 31 years ago with our the ten month old daughter. She was regularly whisked off to meet mama or nana, on return she often had a big chocolate smile. We came back when she and her younger sister were both away at university and return every year if possible.
I empathise with you about your visit to the care home. We no longer have parents but I do visit one monthly, with our lovely dog trainer and a group of women of a certain age and our assorted dogs. My two did the visit today with the trainer. They're staying with her during our absence - I darent compare the cost of my holiday with theirs ?But they're having a great time .

This morning's visitor...

Bella Same view at 22:00

Bella It was taken at 22:14 precisely.

Amazing sunset soop! What time would that have been?

The pic is of last night's amazing sunset. Our sitting room was bathed in a rosy glow.

I've been to the care home. M tried her best to stuff choc biscuits into my mouth. I had to resist the temptation to taste because, since the wedding, I'm a trifle plump aboot the waist.

There was supposed to be a minute's silence for the victims of the London attack. Two residents had no idea why they were being asked to "keep quiet"...consequently, there was an awful hubbub with talk of "what's up and why..."

corner and anno it's blowy here too. The waves are white-capped. Raining hard and a little chilly. At least the midges are keeping a low profile. You should see my bites. P'raps not.

Maw What a lovely photo. Isn't the sky the perfect shade of blue?

Tegan2 Thank you for sharing. I had no idea that peanut butter could harm a dog. Not that I own one, but it is an important to remember such important advice.

NanaandGrampy It's such a good thing that you have brilliant sense of humour.

Charleyg You are so much classier than a guinea pig. Do you get a treat at the end of the session?

I loved reading your message, Iam64, I've holidayed in Crete...just the once. I almost believed that I was meant to stay put. Everything from the climate, food, villages, people, was, as they say, "right up my street".

PoshGran Lovely to have you back with us lot, it's good to hear that you are on the mend. Itrust that you enjoyed the half glass of ...what did you do with the other half. Don't mind me. I'm still floating on cloud nine!

Greyduster You are obviously a lot more polite than I am. That so-called lady would have seen the back of me in a jiffy. Bugger the dishes. She needs to learn some basic good manners. Bless!

Just popping in for my first visit in too long. I'm in Greece so picked up sticky cakes from the excellent bakery, help yourselves. Join me in finding the clothes I brought seem to have shrunk in the wash....
Our daughters are watering the pots and greenhouse, so have kept us up to date with weather at home. The dogs are staying with our friendly dog trainer. She has space for three but knows me two so well, they are her only guests this week ? The dogs are texting us, sending photographs of themselves swimming in the river, running on the moors and snuggled up watching tv with the woman they worship. I'm sure they'd like to stay and equally sure they'll be waiting at home when we get back.
It's so pleasant to call in here x

When we lived in West Wales, our dog, a lab cross, would physically baulk at the sight of the sea. You almost had to drag him onto a beach and he actively hated water. Unfortunately, as we were a family who spent a lot of time on the beach, the wilder the better, it was tough taters, boy.

Thankfully my dog is of the same mindset as me when it comes to walking in the cold. As for the weather, I'm afraid it's all my fault, having gone out and bought a new hosepipe as I was worried that my lawn was getting too dry....[sorry]...

N&G, - not exactly beach weather today either, unless it's more inviting where you are. In my teens I used to enjoy walking the dog on the beach in a howling gale, but 60 years later, I'm quite glad to be living inland. My climbing rose which has been at its best this year, has a drift of pink petals on the path underneath it and the little patio roses I bought from Waitrose last year don't look too happy either. I haven't been down the garden yet to see if fence panels are intact.

N&G Sam and Holly are welcome here anytime for their annual hols. Butter would not melt in their mouths. The only minor problem here would be exercisng them, I cannot exercise myself so the dogs have little chance. Tara has heard dogs barking but I do not think that she has seen one up close and personal- her claws are very sharp, have they got face visors?

I am a guinea pig early pm for around 6 medical students with me talking about osteoarthritis, signs, symptoms and how it has affected me. I feel sorry for my GP finding willing guinea pigs every few months.

Good morning all !

Had to laugh at your shop incident Grey , I spent nearly a year with a 'chipless' card and spent my life explaining that it was legal and they were obliged to take it.

Internet is up and down here so I although I have read all I can't reply.

Suffice it to say there were no donkeys ( except Maws) yesterday, the weather was dire!

And this is what the high winds did!!

Beach today...... wish me luck ?

Thanks Tegan but I make my own peanut butter so it's got nothing in it . It's a once a year treat for Sam :-)

Nonaandgrumpy; please be careful giving a dog peanut butter as some of it contains xylitol which is poisonous to dogs [you probably know that anyway but I felt I should mention it; I give my dog turmeric for her joints and tumours...some people mix it in peanut butter but were warned to check the ingredients first...]

Today's a day for hunkering down isn't it? Autumnal weather (the pots didn't need watering last night!) plus some Force 10 bickering elsewhere!!
Ah well, I can think back instead on the happy memories of our trip to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of the D-day landings a few years ago. There are 3 streets/avenues/a square named after Paw's father who is a bit of a local hero as he led No. 4 commando which included the French commandos on D-day.
It was a very special weekend with copious amounts of food and and Anglo-French entente cordiale, plus (!) we met President Chirac and there was much singing of the Marseillaise.????

Nothing like a wet day to bring out the best in people greyduster . Sounds a horrid day all round, pleased today has begun more positively. Look after your leg.

Sounds like progress, poshg, keep taking care though. best to recover properly

Blowing a gale here this morning. Sadly the beautiful blooms on the climbing roses of yesterday are now multi coloured petals on the lawn. Look pretty actually, just in the wrong place.