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

I must apologize for not having commented on all the various goings-on in the kitchen these past three weeks. I have been staying in Chester with my very dear school friend who, sadly, has an aggressive brain tumour. Even in the short time I've been here, her health has taken a downward turn and I dread leaving her tomorrow to return to Malta.

I have found it hard keeping up with everything as I am using my phone instead of my iPad, so please forgive me if I haven't seemed concerned about all of you who are coping with a lot of various upsets. Believe me, you are all in my thoughts and I wish only the best for you and yours.

Back to the sunshine tomorrow. I'm not impressed by the UK summer so far

Maw I'm so glad that paw is feeling a bit more chirpy, you can perhaps relax a little
N&G how aggravating that your house sale has gone t**s up! Maybe it's fate, and a better/different solution will manifest itself.

Best wishes to all kitcheners who are having difficulties

I've said before (and no doubt will say again!) please stand still you lot.

My phone has been playing silly b****rs and I have been unable to get onto Gn propely to post.

Maw, I'm so glad paw seems to be picking up. You will be getting him back home soon which will be lovely (for the first few days!!)

N&G, that is a buggeration of the highest order - shall we send the Grans round? Have you decided what the way forward is? Will you stay or will you go? I'm sure there's a song with those words or similar. Have you had enough cake yet or would you like some more - a tad early for wine I think.

We have DS2 staying as they are between houses. He, his partner and 2 boys seem to be living between 2 houses too. Some at her parent's, some at ours. It's a bit disconcerting not knowing who might be in the kitchen first thing in the morning?

gaga, I hope your BiL is comfortable. Mum was on morphine patches but eventually managed without them. We had been choosing hymns too but a few weeks later she was in the lounge - berating everyone within striking distance. Take care of yourself.

I must go and iron - I'm sure it breeds whilst I'm not looking. Then off to the pub for lunch and gossip.

That is good news Maw.
It's a glorious sunny morning here. This has been the best British summer for several years, at least here in the north west.
I hope everyone has a good day.

No corner I only open a bottle every few weeks and I opened a bottle over a week agao so that is my lot for a while.

I would break the habit of a lifetime if the work was finished here!

One glass charley? Now that would be telling . hope you joined me.

Great news MawB!

Maw that's such good news to hear!

That is good news Maw, especially if he had a small appetite this evening. He needs to get rid of the oxygen but things are looking brighter.

corner I do hope that it is only one glass that you are having! I can see a group session with the AA as you are not alone.

The gas heating engineer is coming tomorrow am. The way my luck has been going recently with this house I will need a new boiler.

Wonderful, maw. I'm toasting you both with my glass of chilled white. .

Great news Maw , enjoy your wee tipple

Well, that's excellent news, Maw. Hope you enjoy your wine and have a peaceful night's sleep! ?

Men!!
For the last few days I have been (metaphorically) choosing the hymns, but this afternoon when I went to visit Paw in hospital he had been out of bed to sit on his chair fir an hour or two, was sitting up and looking quite chipper!
Still on oxygen but he also put away quite a hearty supper.

Think I can treat myself to a cheeky wee tonight!

N&G so sorry. Loads of and ? on its way to you. As many others have said the same thing happened to us. We ended up with a much better home and somewhere we liked more. Hope things work out for you too.

Soop what a journey you and MacS had to go through. I hope the results are ok.

maw what a lovely photo of paw, such a handsome man. You are really going through it at the moment. Hope paw has a peaceful night.

Charleyg I wished for a more equal game between Roger and Maran. It wasn't to be. I had to leave the match and buzz off into the garden. I did enjoy the mixed doubles. Last night's men's doubles was fantastic. I thought that it would never reach a conclusion.

Gaga From hereon everything will be done to make your brother-in-law's life as comfortable and pain-free as possible. My thoughts are with your sister. I dread having to be in her situation. We have to make the best of what we have.

N&G When we sold our cottage in Cornwall and moved to Scotland, we did so believing that the farmer selling the plot on which we were intending to build our retirement cottage, was honouring our agreement. We walked into the estate agent's office to continue with the proceedings and discovered that the plot had been taken off the market, re-advertised, and sold to another purchaser for a larger sum. When we walked away from the office, we were shell-shocked. No one had bothered to inform us of the situation. We then had to rent an apartment for ten months (costly it was, too)...and yet another farmer offered us a plot. We were mid way through the transaction and, lo and behold, our solicitor phoned to tell us that a caveat forbade the sale of that plot. I cried for a very long time. We then bought a near-clapped-out caravan and moved into it. All our furniture remained in Cornwall. A lady in the village mentioned our plight to the lovely man who offered to sell part of his large garden. After many months of heartache, we completed the transaction. We finally built our little dream home beside the sea. That same neighbour became a true friend. Sadly, he's now in hospital with dementia.
for you. x

N&G, I'm so sad about your house deal falling through. It's more than frustrating. It's sickening. I haven't been through it myself but last year (or two) my son and his partner had more than one 'alleged' agreement fall through but finally they managed it and are now extending the house they bought with plenty of snags in that process! I dread to think how much all the faffing around has cost them.

N&G what a complete botheration- I am so cross on your behalf. I suppose that it is better that you find out now rather than on completion day but the thought of starting the whol process again must be frustrating in the extreme.

The latest on my BiL is that the GP is in liaison with the Hospice to decide on a plan. Apparently they do "Hospice at Home" now - which includes Nursing Homes and the Hospice staff come in several times a day to do what is necessary. Hopefully a plan will be agreed early this week. He is now on morphine patches which have helped a lot with his pain but he is still not eating and getting thinner by the day. I may know more tomorrow.

Pleased about Roger - he's always been my favourite! Also pleased that Chris Froome is still leading in the Tour de France. Both he and Roger are such gentlemen.

I felt so sorry for Cilic, he was overwhelmed I think with the entire occasion when the doctor et al came on the court. I did not realise that Roger has 2 sets of twins. The boys were wondering what was going on I think.

I bought a light lunch for the builders coming tomorrow and now they are not coming! I will freeze it because I have tonight's supper and tomorrow's sorted out.

My usual evening of zilch on TV but I have a lot to tidy here.

Hipsy Well said.

N&G Also know how it feels.I honestly think that after agreeing to purchase a property and then pulling out with no given reason THEY should cover your costs

Oh blimey, N&G, when it happened to us there wasn't enough cake in the world, but here goes. , , , along with lots of - maybe a barrel? We also had no reason given. Dont lose hope, we had another buyer within a month which rescued our new home and all went smoothly. Much nicer people the second time around. Everything is crossed for you.

Charleyg Roger is possibly the best tennis player ever - but I really would like Cilic to win. The mixed doubles should be great fun. I've a magnum in the freezer.

Nellie your granddaughter's photo was lovely. Meant to say so sooner.

grannyqueenie Your photos are beautiful. I'm glad that your week away was blest with sunshine. We have sunshine today. For us, spring was more like summer. Our turn will come.

callgirl1 Rest that knee. It's strange that such aches and pains come and go. One day I'm able to walk fairly briskly and almost pain free. The following day, I hobble like the little old lady I am.

Greyduster I know that feeling well. Although it's been a very long time since we were last caring for Torben, whenever we said farewell I would feel totally deflated. We will be with him at our family gathering in early autumn.

NanaandGrampy We both know how it feels to be let down big-time over house selling negotiations. Some folk have no scruples. It's so unfair. We lost nigh on £5000 when two plot purchases were scuppered within twelve months without as much as a by your leave. It took us several months to recover from both disappointments. We thought, like you, that a man's word was his bond. Like the rest of us lot I am extremely angry on your behalf.

Greyduster I seem to have missed out in life as I do not know Nigel Molesworth. I'll have to look him out as his wisdom seems profound

N&G There are no words suitable for publication to describe your erstwhile buyers . No matter what their reason for pulling out, all it would have taken is a phone call to say so, not weeks of silence. Sending you and a lorry load of and

Early good afternoon greetings to our lovely lot in the kitchen.

Gaga I'm truly sorry to hear the latest news regarding your brother-in-law. Should he be moved to a hospice, he will be in a peaceful place and receive the kind and caring support he deserves. Keep strong for your sister's sake. She needs you more than ever right now,

Maw The photograph of Paw is a winner. The expression on his handsome face speaks volumes.