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

anno I've taken a wee break from Wimbledon. Roger is on Centre Court after this match. He's an elegant man. He moves with grace and agility. However, I've also a soft spot for Rafa. And, no matter what, I fully support our Andy. It's a marvellous day. Wall to wall sunshine. I feel bad about not taking advantage of it. Rory, on the other hand, knows when to loll on the lawn. He looks so peaceful.

Thanks for all your comments for Anlon. I spoke to the vet earlier and she wants to do some tests and perhaps a scan if he is not better next week. Been there only 18 months ago with Torres and not sure I want anymore dogs, too much stress.

kitty I had no idea that kittens were cake fanciers. You learn something new every visit.

Maw What news of Paw?

grannylyn65 I call that a winning pic of a cat "lolling"...

Nonna and ann for you both.

Excuse me please. I need to play catch-up with Wimbledon. I shall be logging off shortly. I've a feeling that there is promise of another fabulous sunset (later)...if so, I shall share with you lovely lot tomorrow.

Tizliz I know how you are feeling right now. Positive vibes winging their way to you from Kintyre.

Dinner was fresh broccoli, pan fried salmon and mashed potato . Cooked by Miss Laura !!

She's available for hire

Well done, that young lady! What's for afters? ?

N&G that sounds like a really good meal- Laura is a star. Maybe she could spend a couple of days here during the summer holidays and cook to fill up my freezer.

Did you get any money back from the torn slide? You wasted a fair amount of petrol that day, never mind seeing two miserable faces.

We are movie watching Grey so no dessert but movie munch ( popcorn and chocolate buttons lol) .

She'd be happy to Charley , she's working on pie next !

Yes I got a refund for £15 , so that will do fine

soop, some cats are eccentric and have a taste for cake. When I was young our family cat loved Swiss roll which my Mum put on her grocery order most weeks (not all of it for the cat) and we would find him sitting on the back step beside the box of provisions waiting for his treat.
I'm now watching Federer who is still as elegant as ever. He glides across the court and the racket looks as if it is part of him! I like the way his opponent is playing. It's nice to see someone who comes to the net and volleys, even if he misfires sometimes. I miss the days when the men wore shorter shorts and the women had pretty dresses (designed by Teddy Tinling) with frilly knickers under them!

hipsy, I might have added that here is another Scot, albeit exiled since 1965 - they sometimes let me back in. Your OH's chances of finding "a remote spot with a well stocked real ale pub", are pretty slim because wherever there's the latter the former will soon be swarming with visitors! My BiL wrote a book about the history of drinking in Scotland and did thorough research for it. He'd probably be able to recommend a good pub somewhere scenic.

Life's still a bit manic. Sending hugs to all who need them and good wishes to all poorly pets and people.

Corner come into my garden, close your eyes and take a deep breath. It is heavy with the scent of honeysuckle.

hipsy I'm a curmudgeonly grumpy 72 'graggy' to 3 wonderful dgc
I have been widowed for 14 years Live on my own overlooking the Bristol Channel
No pets as allergies.
Still working part time but have to retire I'm March due to age requirements by employer!
I don't post often but lurk frequently

Greyduster Well done, that young lady! What's for afters? My thoughts exactly Salmon with mashed potatoes sounds much more enticing than saumon avec puree de pommes de terres

Sorry, posted too soon. Wanted to say I'd rather taste it than spend the time saying it!!

Haven't had time to read everybody's news but just wanted to share that Freddie will alas not be joining our family. He was just too boisterous and "dominant " with Basil today and I realised that his size and strength might be a problem for me I am sure he will be a lovely dog for somebody, perhaps a bit younger.
However, a very sweet and quite timid little black bitch who has never raced but came to the kennels as a "reject" because she showed no aptitude for chasing is now my favourite. Apparently she was in dreadful condition when she came over from Ireland just a month ago but is gradually acquiring a lovely shiny black coat and hopefully some confidence. She is only 15 months old!! So little more than a puppy, with lovely white teeth and shiny black nails.
I do hope this works out and I can look forward to introducing Hattie to you all very soon.
No real progress on Paw it might be very serious or it might be a "blip" tests will tell and if it is a liver problem he will probably go to the Royal Free.
We shall,see. Worrying of course.

greyduster, thank you, just what I needed. Stress levels in the stratosphere right now.

Oh dear, mawb, sorry that paw isn't improving. You must be disappointed about Freddie but Hattie sounds just perfect.

Time for bed, goodnight all.

Sending lots and lots of love and hugs Maw for you, Paw, Freddie and Hattie. Royal Free is not too far from me so would be happy to meet you there for a coffee or whatever if you'd like. Look after yourself x

Sorry Paw isn't too good, Maw. Take care.

8Maw* I am well aware that Paw is not at all well but you must also look after yourself.

Sorry about Freddie but Hattie sounds a lovely young lady but putting a spanner in the works, is she not very young? I wonder how Basil will take to her? Flynn I am sure will love any dog you introduce to him.

corner I do hope that you sleep well and that you have a peaceful day tomorrow with an house free from visitors.

Hattie - a bit timid, but I hope to ger her smiling soon!

charleygirl we let Hattie and Basil off their leads in a paddock together and apart from an investigative sniff they seemed happy enough. Basil had been intimidated by Freddie and was very defensive. Perhaps Freddie was only "play fighting" but given the size difference it would not have worked. Although Hattie is still,young she is clean in her kennel and has been spayed. I think there are certainly challenges but also possibilities with a dog who has never raced.

Swanny that would be lovely, I will let you know!

MawB, a shame about Freddie, but things sound promising regarding Hattie. I do hope that your husband shows some improvement, traipsing to London wouldn`t be much fun.
We now have C/H. They were here all day, from 8.30am till just after 7pm. The heating isn`t needed just yet, but I`m still gtting used to having hot water without having to wait for the immersion heater to heat it up.
Soop, sorry, I didn`t really mean to sound such a killjoy about Mr. Murray.

I was in a deep sleep when I was wakened by the sound of Tara screaming. growling and yelling. I came tentatively downstairs expecting to see her in the middle of a cat fight with one cat who had the temerity to come in the cat flap.

She was fighting off the intruder and I strongly suspect that it was bully boy, a large ginger tom who sniffs around my front door but in 2 years has not had the intelligence to work out how to get in a cat flap.

I am wide awake, she has settled down for a night's sleep!

Maw I can see that Hattie is much smaller than Freddie was and I agree, it is good that she has never raced. She would love a quiet home where she would be loved and well cared for.

I am sure that she will not be timid forever once she learns to trust yourself, Paw and the children. When she gets to know Basil she will have a great time.

Another hot night and a sticky morning!
Now I have had time to read yesterday's posts I am well impressed with everybody's energy!
Yesterday's exercise also of course gave me an opportunity for granny time with the fabulous Flynn, he is such a wee clown! We went for cold drinks etc in the middle of Epping Forest ( Butlers Retreat if you know it) and he was in his element exclaiming at all the doggies/babies/people " Eeh" is his favourite exclamation, and waving to them.
I am a dab hand at the M25 now and was back at MKH in just an hour to surprise Paw with a visit. He has a nice corner bed by a window which is quieter than the rest of the bay as there is a little bathroom opposite him instead of another bed. They have an air con unit which was pumping out cold air so as he was feeling cold, I shut the window which was giving him a bit of a draught. However the old chap in the diagonally opposite corner started getting stressed and saying he couldn't get any air and got quite arsy about wanting it open again even though the nurses explained that actually the window should have been shut for the aircon to work properly and also brought him a fan. He was threatening to get out of bed and open it himself etc etc OR get them to swap the beds over. I just thought Oh dear. I like Paws quiet corner away from the bustle of the corridor so I got him another blanket and opened the window an inch (!) which seemed to pacify the old chap.
Such is hospital life.