Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

Hello all.

Not much to report. We went to the SM for a few things. On the way home the road into town was jammed with traffic so I was glad we went a bit earlier than usual.

It's sunny but chilly. I don't feel like gardening. I have a load of ironing to do in front of the TV.

 

Afternoon folks.

I’ve wrapped presents so all good to go. As I bought the sweets, crisps and biscuits for work (ages ago) I will drop them to my colleague on Monday so the team have their treats. I won’t be back in work next week unfortunately but hoping to go back soon. Very pleased I did the festive snack shopping (for home and work) before I was unwell. I have a delivery of the fresh/fridge bits due on Monday.

It’s been mostly fine today so I’ve had a cuppa outside and got my ‘steps’ up wandering round the garden. Twisted ankle hazard with all the fallen apples! I hope they provide the birds with some grubs at least.

@Ladybird4 I was thinking could your bird be a sparrow hawk? Only because if it was lying in wait in the shrubs that is typical behaviour. I’m not sure looking at the picture as they look similar. Great bird to have seen though!

Have a lovely day everyone. May lurgies, germs and pains move on.

 

@AuntyRach my visitor was definitely a kestrel - too small to be a sparrowhawk and although it looks as if he is lurking he had actually sort of 'fallen' into the shrubs and that was the movement that drew my attention to him as he struggled to right himself. I do get a sparrowhawk in my back garden and he is definitely a lurker - by the bird feeder! Pleased to read you are on the mend and managed to get outside for a wander.

 

Yes we managed to get our late morning coffee outside as well. All looking a bit sad and sorry after so much rain. Lots of bulbs in the pots are showing already. Some things are showing swelling buds already. It's all so mixed up.

 

Like you said @Ladybird4, that would be a great spot for the Big Garden Bird Watch!

I have noticed plenty of daffodil bulbs poking up today - some in pots I didn’t realise had bulbs in!

 

It's been a lovely day blue skies and sunshine - so welcome after yesterday's heavy rain all day. The workmen overrun so had to come back this morning and finish the job. It's much quieter now they've packed up and left. Unfortunately though the bin lorry couldn't get through so our black bin which, unusually, was full to the brim hasn't been collected. I'll have to report it as we won't get another collection for a fortnight.
I managed a hour and a half in the garden, cutting up prunings, doing some more and generally pottering. Bliss!
Had a brief phone chat with my daughter, who's exhausted due to her temporary job, just two evening shifts left to do, then she's coming home for Xmas (plus cat). I asked her what she'd like to eat on Xmas Eve, thinking I ought to make more of an effort, so was thinking perhaps half a salmon or posh fisherman's pie. The answer was egg and chips! OK, I can manage that. I must do my mince pies soon as well, she really likes those.
Glad you're feeling better @AuntyRach and do hope you get better soon @Liriodendron - your virus bug sounds horrid.
My appointment for the Respiratory Clinic has come through already for 21st January so I'm pleased about that. I'm hoping my scan results are delayed until after Xmas, don't really want to know before.

 

A sunny morning, and we went to the coffee shop near the sea. It was cold out but we were wrapped up suitably, and enjoyed a stroll along the front. The surfers were out in force.
I took the plunge yesterday and ordered myself a smartphone, priced matched in John Lewis. Looked at the website this morning, and it’s gone back up £80 to its regular price. Very relieved I didn’t hum and haw for another day, I would have been extremely cross!
The few scam calls we get tend to hang up when the answerphone kicks in. I rarely answer straightaway unless we know the caller, but when I do, if I don’t speak immediately, they hang up. Always sensible to block any suspicious numbers though.
Poor @Liriodendron, and OH, hoping you will recover quickly, and at least be feeling better for Christmas.

 

Been living in this house since 1989. Of those years I worked full time outside of the house, 50 - 60 hours a week, counting traveling time. Developed a routine of keeping the house clean, food shopping, cooking, and laundry and gardening over those years, of the hours minus sleep I had left. Now retired, I still keep with that routine. But now I can sit, I sit during the times I would have been at work if I feel like it, or go out and about exploring the area. Still maintaining the routine. So my husband has to make some remarks to me for sitting. I want to slap him silly. Thanks for the vent.

 

I am going to say goodnight to you all now and see you in the morning. Tomorrow will be a peaceful day for me. My RHS 2026 calendar arrived today so I might just get it filled in. Normally I save that until New Year's Eve but I left a few important dates off last year so if I start transferring stuff earlier it allows me to spot any glaring errors.

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Another busy day, including meeting friend for lunch, hitting the pet food store (ouch), sorting last minute presents (when people we've not exchanged with for years, suddenly do!) and finding our battery collection has no AAA batteries (think Tool Station tomorrow).
Lunch was the best this week; linguine al cartoccio con gamberoni and caesar salad.
Good company.
No more socialising, apart from family, so now we can concentrate on getting the house tidy.

 

Thank you for your kind thoughts! OH and I are wandering round the house coughing in turn... but beginning to feel a bit better. And I was cheered immensely by a Christmas email I received from my schoolfriend and bridesmaid, who I was afraid might have passed away, because I knew she'd been very ill with Long Covid and she'd not replied to my message last Christmas. She is recovering slowly, still needing her mobility scooter to get about, but she's clearly turned a corner. She lives in Jersey but I'd love to be able to visit her... must see what I can arrange...

 

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.....not that I'm wanting to panic anyone! Good morning all. Dry outside at the moment and quite windy. I am hoping for a quiet day today.

Here steady on @Penny_Forthem! Are you feeling poorly?
@Liriodendron, glad to read you and your OH have turned a corner and how wonderful it must have been to receive that message from your friend.
My arm is a bit stiff after yesterday's vaccination but its just the usual muscle ache and doesn't really bother me. The number of protective vaccinations my siblings and I had to cope with, travelling around the earth with Dad on his various postings, has made us all fairly impervious when we need others these days. Pincushion syndrome?? Must apologise if there is anyone here who doesn't like thinking about injections.

 

Good morning to you all!

The sun is trying to pierce the clouds here although it is dismal. It is raining stair rods in Montpellier with flooding in low areas.

My nice friend isn't coming this weekend. Feeling a bit low after having his flu and covid vaccinations yesterday. Anyway, the farmers have barricaded roundabouts and autoroute exits making circulation difficult. He may as well stay warm and organise his 2 week absence over Christmas.

A nice surprise to hear that very old friends from Western Australia are in the vicinity and will visit at some stage.

Fizz and I are off out - walking down the road to retrieve my bike. It is very muddy, so walking only over the next few days until things dry out.

My 2nd physio session involved starting stretching exercises yesterday and I had a sore neck and back yesterday evening. Early bed with the electric blanket and my book and a faithful doggy who often sleeps beside my bed. Neck and back are fine this morning.

Ailments aside - enjoy your Saturday and good luck to those brave enough to go shopping!!

 

Morning all.

Crumbs surely don’t go shopping today folks! I’ve said to my MIL who likes to do a food shop on Saturdays to stay clear today.

There’s a lovely bit of sun this morning, so that’s a tonic for this Solstice weekend. The big question is, do I make a roast dinner on Sunday or leave it as Christmas week…???

Have a good weekend all.

 

Leave it @AuntyRach