Soop's pleasant (if boring) kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

Had a day with nothing in it today, a bit odd, feel more tired than I do after a busy day, very flat. That'll learn me, will be busy tomorrow .

callgirl I agree with soop sometimes Reiker sizes aren't standard. I'm usually a 6 and find 39 is fine the majority of the time but sometimes too big.

Goodness, charley, isnt kidnapping a crime? Extenuating circumstances though, how lovely for you to see progress. I was beginning to think I was the only person in the kitchen that doesn't drink gin, a relief to know I'm not alone.

We're also blessed with good neighbours ann, I wonder sometimes what they think of us.

Sounds as if life has been interesting, n&g, hope the campers didn't starve.

Well done to your granddaughter, greyduster, that's an achievement. Don't think I could do it, in fact I know I couldn't .

Hattie was hopeful about her food, maw, she sounds a real tonic.

Take care everyone

Nana&G ...yes please. More news tomorrow.

granniequeenie Wow! I'm impressed with your young granddaughter's tree climbing skills. Ringing the bell would have boosted her confidence no end. A very good photo.

Greyduster The pie sounds delicious. Second helpings are most definitely a thumbs up.

Maw 'Us lot' love Hattie. She's a star.

Crafting Snap! I shall look out for the "pinky one" too.

Charleyg PLEASE tell me that the work on your house is as good as finished. I can't take much more stress (on your behalf). You have the patience of several saints.

callgirl1 Reiker shoes are on sale at the moment. I looked at the pair that I have (unworn) in the wardrobe. They are a size 38 and, too large for me. I'm a 4.5 and had intended padding them out with thick insoles. Haven't done so yet. If you should order a pair, select a size smaller. They may be cheaper. Worth a looksee.

Rained all day long. The wind is whipping up the waves. Rory has done nothing other than eat and sleep. It's a tough life for an retired alpha cat with a reputation to maintain.

Evening all !!

Its been all go here with a sleepover and then our eldest daughters car broke down on the way to Cornwall for their holiday and finally their camping fridge blew up as Tesco's delivered a weeks shopping!!!!

Anyway - just trying to catch up so Ill be brief ( very unlike me !!)

Glad to hear the building work restarted Charley !!

Sorry to hear of the severe lemon shortage in your house Ann and what a nice neighbour. I slice and freeze mine and pop them in a drink still frozen. Works a treat !

We got caught in that rain too Maw only going to the car but wet enough to need to change everything. Glad to hear *Paw continues to improve.

Regular service will resume tomorrow !!

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All this talk of gin and tonic is tempting me sorely. I only discovered relatively recently how much I like gin! Thanks to gifts from various daughters I now have quite a selection on hand...hmm... it must be alcohol o' clock shortly!
Ann good neighbours are a blessing indeed, we have slightly odd ones on one side but it's more than balanced out by the lovely young family on the other side who we know would always lend a hand if we needed it
Charleygirl I'm imagining a rather bemused and possibly slightly nervous builder working at a rate of knots to regain his freedom!
Hope you're feeling much better soop, that outing sounds lovely. I seem to remember they also make a rather nice gin on Islay!
Good to hear that paw has had no more setbacks. Hope you're ok too maw with your own disturbed nights to cope with.
A nice quiet weekend here after a fun few days with 2 gds staying. They were almost always a delight to have and we were out and about every day. The youngest (8), is the baby of the whole family, she's short for her age and a little lacking in the confidence her older (10) and very sporty sister has. I was so pleased she opted to do this tree climb and made it right to the top to ring the bell. It's a big ask fir such little legs!
Enjoy your weekends all!

I think you've found the best tonic maw and it doesn't come in a bottle. She's called Hattie ??

soop I love the elderberry one too. I think I might be on a look out for the pinky one that tastes like gin but isn't. Sorry charlie I won't need a room in your AA hotel. I like a drop of too much to think of giving it up.

Hope paw is feeling better maw

That's the one greyduster as good without gin as with (well, nearly),

I have just walked the hound and am sitting down with a welcome but she keeps bursting in from the garden (where she is sunbathing as usual) presumably to tell me it is her teatime (5 o clock)
It is ONLY 4.30 Hattie!!

"I will chain the builder to me....". Could be the start of a beautiful friendship, Charley!
I have closed the door on my bathroom, ripped up the Roll and Stroll off the stair and landing and claimed my house back until further notice.
DS came today to go to footie with DH. I asked him if he was staying to lunch after. "No," he said "I can't, I'm on a diet." Fast forward to three o'clock. "You didn't tell me it was meat and potato pie!" "But you're on a diet!" "Is there just a little going spare?" And of course there was (and seconds). Don't you just love them? ?

Sorry folks but I will have problems getting accommodation for so many at the AA over a weekend! I do feel that you all need residential care and I personally will keep out the riff raff.

I have never tasted gin in my life!

soop with luck the weather should still be okay next month unless you get a nasty storm.

I am in 7th heaven, the builder and electrician came late am. The electrician got a mound of work done and is returning on Wednesday to finish off.

I will chain the builder to me and take him to each job and stay with him until each is finished.

I've tried Fever Tree elderberry flavoured tonic. It's delicious.

I think that's the one I had in a local pub last week. Fevertree Aromatic? It has Angostura bitters in it. I liked it.

Ooh I will look out for that. Not a lover of soft drinks but with gin...

Has anybody tried the "new" Fevertree tonic which is a pinky orange colour and tastes of Angostura bitters?
It is a very nice soft drink on its own too, tastes like a pink gin but isn't!!

You can feel very vulnerable (or on behalf of the patient) Paw was once in an observation Ward when two prison officers walked in wheeling a patient who was promptly handcuffed to his bed by one arm and to one of the prison officers by the other!
I am sure their security was impeccable but when paw was offered the option of discharge with a nurse to come in three times a day to do his IV a/b's we jumped (metaphorically) at it.

ann I'm looking forward to my Gin with Fever Tree tonic and a large slice of lime at six o'clock sharp. If I have a double, that's my lot. If I have a single, I treat myself to a second single as the clock chimes nine.

annsixty That's what I call a result.

Our granddaughter (who recently married a lovely Dutchman) has delightful in-laws. They (in-laws) have a home in Amsterdam and are looking for a home in York. Well, we've received a message to say that they would very much enjoy seeing Scotland. They have a camper van and intend visiting us in Kintyre for a weekend next month. There was talk of going on the ferry to Islay to visit the Laphroaig distillery. We looked into the timetable for the ferry, and should we decide to join them, we would need to be at the ferry terminal at approx. 5:30 in the morning. Should the weather turn nasty, the crossing could be cancelled. We've never taken a tour around the Springbank distillery in Campbeltown. Pleased to discover that the tours have been given 5*****. After the tour, it's possible to enjoy a Scottish Platter lunch. Trusting that this alternative will appeal.

My good neighbour txtd this morning to say she was going to Simply Food, did I want anything.
Did I ever? She has just been with a net containing 3 lemons and 3 limes. I am going to chop and freeze.
Is a triple ever justified? I always have a large one anyway!!

Good afternoon to 'you lovely lot'...the rain is hammering on the window and the sky is several shades of grey.

I also enjoyed the Greyhound poem, Maw. It's very true, they are a big hearted breed and very gentle with it.

Talking of interrupted sleep when in hospital, there was one occasion when I got into deep do-dah. I hadn't made a commotion. Honest! I was in room, on a drip for about seven days with a serious infection. There was a window through which other patients could stand and watch me as they used the telephone in the corridor. There was a chappie who made frequent calls. He appeared to spend far too long peering through the window. I was unnerved and, one night, I pushed the chair against the door. Staff reprimanded me. I fully understood their concern...however, I didn't feel comfortable knowing that my room could be accessed by anyone who may have wished to pay me a night call.

TIzliz I would like to think that there have been any days recently when I don't need alcohol, but I try and make every other day a dry day!!

Greyduster dry days are for days you don't need alcohol and not set days ?

No, not unfair maw, perfectly reasonable. You want paw to have the best environment to recover, what's unreasonable about that?

Our hospital system is often unprepared and certainly understaffed for patients needing much more input to keep them calm. We've had personal experience too ranging from a very confused elderly lady pulling my drip out to a woman standing bouncing on her bed all night opposite a very sick friend. It's simply not helpful for anyone's recovery.

Hope the eye mask helped and today brings positive change. You must be exhausted now. As for Hattie, I'm with her, that sort of rain is best observed from inside a comfy, warm home.

Wishing you luck today charley, quiet day here other than Mr C changing a light fitting, I will be poised by the phone ready to call an ambulance . Take care everyone.

Hattie "discovered" heavy rain last night and emphatically did NOT like it. We had an absolute cloudburst just as we were leaving the house for her bedtime walkie and fortunately I popped a coat on her, but we were both soaked through within minutes. You know when the rain is bouncing waist high? Just had to turn round and head home regardless of "business" undone (so a call to go out around 2 was permitted)
What a wimp!!
Hope today brings a refreshed Paw I took him an eye mask to blot out the hospital lights and am actually glad he has a hearing problem as there is (I think) a seriously disturbed old man in a room diagonally opposite who shouts the odds. Demanding his "dinner/cup of tea", complaining his legs hurt (fair enough) endlessly shouting for a nurse, protesting that he is on his own (he was moved from a bay for the sake of the others) but trying to auction his hospital bed at one point was the limit!
I do feel sorry for him, but if he stops paw sleeping and recovering, that is as far as my sympathy goes.
Is that unfair?

Excuse me cornergran what patience?! My machete is sharpened and ready for use.

The builder and an electrician are supposed to be coming tomorrow- I will probably faint if I see them.

That sounds better for paw, but maw please, please don't let hope overshadow experience about discharge. Better for you both to be sure paw is ready. No matter what the hospital staff think you know him best.

Lovely Hattie poem, my dog envy is stirring again maw.

Oh ann, how difficult. Sounds like frozen lemons are a seriously good plan. Many, many hugs for you.

Sounds like you will need the patience of charley greyduster, what a shame your neighbour has to leave, even if he will return to finish your tiling.

Your age story made me smile, kitty, good job something
can today. I'm a right miserable what's it.

Get better soon, soop, that conversation was just what I needed today, triggered a huge smile.

Oh well, best be off, quite hard to keep my eyes open. Take care all.