soop's friendly kitchen for like-minded folk and pampered pets.

Glad you got the ABs N&G - let us know what your xray shows.

I hate to tell you N&Gprovided that you have been prescribed the correct antibiotics you will not notice a change for the better for around 48 hours. At least that is the start and you can only improve. Please keep the chest infection to yourself- I have the cleaning bug on board and I really cannot cope with two bugs although very different.

I must sort out my supper and may even have a glass or two of wine- sorry to tease you N&G but that is verboten for yourself.

I'm more than fed up. I too did an exceptionally entertaining (and flipping long!!) post yesterday and it has disappeared!

I have managed to catch up with everything, I think, and hope that everyone with illnesses or caring for people with illnesses (that's even worse!) start to feel better quickly.

I hope Anno is op free and that N&G got her medication and isn't still chained to the chair in the surgery refusing to move!

A gentle stroke for Rory and hugs for his humans.

We can get an appointment, often within the hour, at our UCC Maw by phoning 111, might be worth a try?

I have some gorgeous Morecambe sunshine available if anyone should like it - I will try to filter off the brisk wind before I send it. We had a fabulous drive round bits of the Lake District today but first we had to get past all the visitors in Ambleside and around Windermere. It is about 15 years since we were last there and it has got so much busier.

Part way rond I got a message from DD3 asking how to make my Swiss Cheese Bake - difficult to remember and type a recipe whilst trying to keep an eye on DH driving a single track road with ENORMOUS pot holes.

Must get ready for dinner - it's a hard life - I've been having the most delicious Bellini's before dinner - made with peach schnapps - rather than Eau de Peche - and prosecco. They are highly recommended. (hic)

Evening all,

I am now the proud possessor of a chest infection and scheduled for a chest x Ray tomorrow. It seems the reason I cannot lay on my left side is that lung is all 'bubbly' , so it's like breathing under water ?.

BUT I do have a course of antibiotics and high hopes I'll feel much better soon.

Pass the sunshine soop and * Grannie* don't stop talking about your lovely holiday , I love a bit of holiday envy!!

Off for an early night in the hope of big improvements tomorrow xx

Been a bit absent lately as I have been helping with our local Highland Games. Takes three days to set up and three to take down. Unfortunately it rained and the car park was so bad we had to ban cars - there was a free bus. Today it is lovely, just the weather for picking up 150 mud and manure covered track mats. We just hope that the company we rented them off can lift them in to their lorry. Tents are all dry and put away and I have walked the field three times picking up litter - it is a horse field and we have to be very careful. I am just off to have another shower and then another load of washing. Had a great time even if our takings were down a little. And one of the 'heavies' broke a world record!

Greyduster I enjoyed reading your post. You mentioned that your friend was born and lived in Tarbert. Is that the Tarbert that we are familiar with? There are a few. Ours is a village at the head of Loch Fyne in Kintyre.

Oh dear, Swanny Several of my masterpieces have disappeared into the ozone. It makes me so and I rave and rant and use unladylike bad language. MacS knows when such a thing has happened. He mumbles "tut" and leaves the room.

N&G Keep us lot updated.

corner I deliberately kept away from the care home last week. I was feeling hoarse and a bit wobbly on the pins! Went today. Guess what? Almost the entire room full of residents were coughing and spluttering for Scotland. Talk about an unhealthy atmosphere. The heating was (in my opinion) far too high. Fresh air would have been a healthier option.

My thoughts are with you, anno. Sending healing vibes in your direction.

Maw you make perfect sense. I shall order a white coat and a stethoscope for you and us lot will nominate you for the job of shaking up and re-modelling the health service. When will you be available to start?

Granniequeenie Your package of sunshine has arrived safely. It's a beautiful day in every way. Thank you. I shall send you last night's sunset. It was a stunner!
Your kingfisher photograph is perfect. As for the little kitty cats...^that Tom^ knows how to give the girls a good time. Or so he thinks. It's a very good thing that I'm not around. I would take pity on the entire tribe. And you know what happens when heart over-rules the head!

Charleyg Very funny!

ann how are you? Do you get out a little more frequently? Every time you do, you will benefit from the change of scene. Even if it is simply for an afternoon's window shopping.

You were blessed to see him, Gq! I had no idea they liked saltwater either. Don't worry about talking about your holiday - it's lovely to see that someone is getting some good weather. I bored everyone on here rigid with our recent holiday weather woes! The sun is shining now we've come home!

aggie Well said!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201709/medium-479968-0923b53a-1ce2-48ed-bfd0-cb813b08a8c6.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201709/medium-38711-0a5b0524-59b4-48c0-9a51-060d4d3965a1.jpg

Right then a very large package full of sunshine has duly been dispatched, addressed to soop c/o of the cosiest kitchen ever. Gransnet UK. I can't see there being any problem with locating the address and I know I can depend on dear soop to share it out fairly amongst all those who need it most! Hope the GP has come up trumps by now n&g and you've been properly checked out. Best wishes to all poorly people and anyone struggling on an uphill journey of any sort today. I'm feeling very blessed to be where I am and with who I'm with, don't want to sound smug or what my children used to call "showey offey'" talking about my hols.
I've no idea who is feeding our visiting kitty, charley but there are a number of cats and small kittens around the apartment grounds. While on the slender side they do look well enough i.e. glossy coats and clear eyed and I'm guessing survive on scraps or are fed by the resident staff. A rather plumper black Tom is strutting about, I'm guessing he enjoys a full and busy life!! I'm sure many are tempted to take one home, but there would be pitfalls along the way of that plan .
The other afternoon we spotted a kingfisher darting around by the water's edge, as we walked by the sea on the outskirts of the resort we're at. I had no camera with me so we returned yesterday evening better prepared and to our delight there he was again! I'd always thought if kingfishers as freshwater birds but I guess I was wrong in that.

N&G Success!! Now you shackle yourself to the leg of his chair and refuse to move until you get what you want!
Anno fingers crossed here for you.

Hurrah ...only a 30 minute wait and have a midday apt! Result!!

It's often easier to see a prescribing nurse at our practice and surely increasing that service would lift pressure on GPS . After all, I'm NOT an emergency I just need antibiotics I think.

Fingers crossed anno that it all goes well .

I find it incredible that the powers that be have not made the connection between increased pressure on A&E and the virtual impossibility of getting a GP appointment.
Is there not a more creative approach which could be tried? Anno's triage system (could be staffed by nurses), sounds excellent. I believe Luton &Dunstable hospital has a GP centre next to A&E, patients are triaged when they arrive and if appropriate sent to the GP centre.
MKH has a so-called Urgent Care Centre which is effectively a 24hour doctor but whatever time of day you go, there is an illuminated sign saying "Average wait 3 hours"
In an inspired move our surgery sent out their resident paramedic when I said I NEEDED a home visit for Paw when he was showing symptoms of a UTI the day after he came out of hospital in August. Even better than a doctor he had his pack of "kit" with him and could do a urine test there and then. Only thing he can't do is prescribe.
All of these show instances of joined up thinking, but it needs better planning, management and investment. The corollary might then be less pressure on hospital beds and we would all be better off.

My fingers are firmly crossed anno
I want you driving again very soon?

PS We seem to be lucky with our GP practice which has a triage system. You ring up in the morning, ask to speak to someone on triage who will then call back to make an assessment and arrange either to leave a prescription, or see you or make you an appointment with a doctor later in the day.

Up a bit earlier than usual to be ready for a local volunteer driver to take me to see the consultant about my fractured shoulder. Fingers tightly crossed that he won't want to operate. The extensive bruising is fading and the swelling has mostly gone down, but it's sometimes very painful - well, I need to remember that it's only 3 weeks since the fall. I'm an impatient patient.

charley our surgery has stopped allowing anyone to request an appointment in person before 9.30am. It's phone or internet. Of course by the time 9.30 comes all appointments for that day have gone. Objections have fallen on deaf ears, apparently it suits the majority. .

I asked the last time I wanted to see a GP that day if the cleaner was available- it raised a laugh if zilch else. There has to be an easier way when one is not well but not ill enough to go to A&E.

I stated previously that I have given up phoning but drive to the surgery but that is not always an option if eg one is coughing one's head off and should not drive.

Good luck n&g. Hope you - and common sense - are prevailing.

I'm sniffling this morning, just can't have proper germs, Not in September. Would have the same trouble getting to see someone, anyone, at our surgery. Telephone roulette is not what you want when unwell.

Oh well, onwards. Sorting wardrobes today. I'll like the outcome, let's skip over the process .

Take care everyone,

Morning all !!

I am up early to make the dreaded GP call... I have the number on repeat and a coffee and am prepared to sit and wait for the 40 mins or so I shall be in the queue !! Of course that's still no guarantee I will get an apt - so we shall see :-)

That blue sky looks like just the pick me up I need Grannie - please send some this way!!

Ah our practice is all high tech Corner and Callgirl, apparently no sitting and waiting ! BUT when it works its fab but its these not really emergencies where it all goes to hell in a hand basket. I had a bad night and am ready to fight dragons this morning - I just hope I don't have to.

I know JUST what you mean Charley , if I didn't have to shop or cook I'm sure I wouldn't be overweight ! I have to say I indulged in a little piece of Stevie's birthday cake last night and it was lovely !!

ah aggie sometimes I wonder if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing. Its always such glib advice- lose weight- wouldn't we have all done that if it was so simple? I was intrigued to see a video of Mo Farrah running on a treadmill in the pool !! That's what I need , no impact stuff !

I call that the 'wow factor' Grey , its my aim when gift giving , that look of unmitigated delight. Don't you think the best friends are those that no matter how long between visits - you just pick up as if you saw them yesterday.

Right - I'm off to make THE CALL !!!!

Just popped in to see how Rory is getting on. soop you and MacS have given him so much love and care no wonder he is hanging on.

Hurray!

Just over an hour ago I wrote an absolutely brilliant post (!) catching up with everyone in the kitchen over the last week. Just as I went to 'post message' my internet connection dropped. I cursed, re-connected and partially re-wrote my masterpiece, only for the same thing to happen again

After cursing profoundly here I am trying again, although a shorter version.

1 - Commiserations to all who are poorly or looking after poorly or recuperating partners and pets.

2 - Congratulations to all who've had birthdays recently. Special wishes to kitty 's son and to Paw. So glad you got to do the garden party Maw with balloons n bunting. I know you felt it might not happen at times recently but some lovely photos to remember the special day.

3 - Happy to hear that Rory is still with us soop and although I felt a bit choked on reading it, I think MacS 's funeral plans for him couldn't be bettered. for when the time comes.

4 - Green with envy Galen and downsized although I had a lovely holiday break myself.

Fingers crossed for success this time and love to you all x

Soop I defy anyone not to be affected by your situation with Rory. He could have no finer people caring for his needs than you and McS.
Gq last time we were in Kos, we had a lovely young German couple in the room next to ours who "adopted" a stray kitten (they were everywhere) and were intent on taking it home with them. Not quite sure how that worked out as we left before them, but they were the only ones who seemed to think it was a good idea! As for Cretan sunshine, wheel it on! The 10 tog quilt went on today in place of the 4.5! It is officially Autumn in the Duster household.
N&G Happy birthday to Stevie! He looks really excited. I have a picture of DS with that same look on his face on a long time ago (I think he was six!) having received his heart's desire, a battery operated record player! He had the same look on his face this year on his 50th with the Apple Watch his missus bought him. They're always little boys at heart! I'm sorry you and Grampy are still poorly - GP surgeries are the same wherever you go, it seems . Do they do telephone surgeries at your end? Better than nothing if you can't get in. DD has started with a cough at the weekend. I hope it doesn't take hold as she is not good at taking remedies and she has a job interview coming up shortly.
I had a long chat last night with the friend who sent me the out-of-the-blue email and she said "I knew it would be easy catching up with you - it's as if we last spoke just yesterday!" DH was still working when she last came to visit us. Nine years ago? Must be! I am so looking forward to seeing her next month.

When I had my new knee I was overweight but it was never mentioned and I was not to lose weight, to my surprise I may say.
Since then I have put back that which I lost at the time and now my hip is so painful I can not walk far never mind exercise so good luck with that aggie I wish you well.

soop 13.31 ?