Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2025

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Good morning one and all. I wish I lived near to Bristol as it would be joyous to see all those hot air balloons at their annual event. Every summer here we would be lucky to see one or two each summer and also many microlights but haven't glimpsed any for the last few years.
Looking good for Canasta.

 

Saw the physio. who informed me that my problem is nerve based, very common, no one knows why or how it happens and nerves can take years to repair. Some people suddenly have a floppy foot without any pain. No particular treatment, she offered me a shoe support to try and avoid me tripping, said I would give it a go, and did I want an MRI scan to see if her diagnosis was correct. It is a specific nerve, not the sciatic nerve, which supplies the shin down to the big toe. I agreed to an MRI scan, the only other treatment could be an injection into the nerve/spine or surgery, which she didn't think would be suitable for me. Too old and infirm. I am not sure how I will get on with the support as it will hold up my foot in a flexed position all the time, which means I will have to lift my foot higher when I walk. It was a demanding experience driving to the surgery, 10 minutes, as I have a manual car and use it for the clutch, which is my left foot. Diminished feeling and movement made for a lot of concentration.

My daughter called in later in the day to let me know her father had died on Wednesday evening. She was able to go to the nursing home and be with him until his end, thank goodness. My son was shocked as he expected his father to live for several more weeks, now they can catch their breaths, knowing they did all they could for him. Losing a parent is always difficult and very sad for children, so now is a time of recovery for them both.

My daughter is coming to collect me this morning, we are going to explore a local "pop-up" butcher that only opens on Fridays, 10:00 am-4:00 pm, to sell their own home-grown Short Horn beef directly to the public. We will then go for a coffee, if we have any money left.

I have been in touch with our club treasurer about one of the club mowers. Finances are not my thing, but I did put forward a suggestion for future financial planning, which he thinks is worth further discussion in committee. I was staggered as I thought my idea would be ridiculed and thrown out amongst guffaws of hilarity. It will be interesting to see what comes from it. It seems there is still life in the old codger and not "all" of my brain cells are addled.

The weather forecast for the week-end looks good down here, at least that will encourage the multitudes, who have descended on Newquay for the Boardmasters Weekend, to stay on Fistral Beach instead of roaming the streets. It will be heaving with youngsters celebrating finishing GCES and school etc. plus a lot of wrinklies living their youth. Last year was awful, the whole thing was flattened by a storm. I did feel sorry for them, under flimsy tents which were just blown away leaving them in a sea of mud. I have no idea what sea conditions are going to be as the reason for the weekend is surfing.

 

Good morning all,
Yes, I bet seeing all those balloons in the sky is a spectacular sight and even more so at night when they are illuminated @Ladybird4.
Your paella sounds delicious @Busy-Lizzie as does your plum pie .
It’s sunny and cloudy here this morning with a bit of a breeze. I think the forecast is for a fine day.

 

Morning - a lovely one!
Have a dog on my lap, a coffee to hand and the only sounds are birds, the wind and hub snoring gently!
Went to Swans farm shop yesterday; it's a proper one, where they farm, butcher and sell their own meat and make all the pies.
I remember travelling home from France one year and we saw all the hot air balloons. Spectacular.
Another year, we were on a ferry sailing into Portsmouth through the flotilla celebrating 50 years since the end of the war. Sailed past the royal yacht and got a Royal wave!
I do miss France.

 

Good morning all.

Your mind sounds full of life @Goldenlily26! I hope your foot improves.

Not sure you would miss France at the moment @Penny_Forthem, it's too hot! we have an amber warning for a heatwave, 35° today, 36° tomorrow. I will stay in my old stone cottage where it's cool - but, bother, the bank wants me to go and sign something this afternoon.

One of my French daughters-in-law is descended from the Montgolfier family who invented the hot air balloon.

 

I accidently ordered 2 punnets of purple plums instead of nectarines so I gave the plums to my daughter to take home for the Crumble Making family expert, my son in law, to make plum crumble, making me a small one for myself. He is a great cook.
I love seeing hot air ballons flying overhead. They used to freak out my previous dog, she would bolt, anywhere, regardless. Across roads, between cars etc. anything to get home and hide, a miserable shaking heap. Poor thing.

 

Condolences to your family @Goldenlily26

 

Just had the red arrows fly over.
@Goldenlily26 I'll add my condolences too.

 

When we lived between Bristol and Bath, we would often see hot air balloons. Usually early in the morning, we would hear the roar of the burners, and look out of the bedroom window to see one passing by, sometimes alarmingly low! Went to the Balloon Fiesta a few times too, very impressive.
So glad the loo is all sorted, @Ladybird4. We do have several manhole covers around the house, and I'm remembering a few years ago, using a long bendy wire thingy fed down a drain to clear it. Quite a while ago now, but we still seem to have a selection of heavy duty drain clearing equipment tucked away in the garage. Hope I won’t need to use it again ( I am the designated dirty jobs expert in our house! OH is too squeamish, and also has no sense of cross contamination measures - best to keep him at a safe distance!) I do have two sink plungers, carefully marked, one for sinks, basins and the shower, and one for toilets. Useful to have on hand just in case.

Grey and overcast today. Last day of the Sidmouth folk festival, which usually renders the town a no go area for us for the week. We’ve popped down during previous years to see the goings on, but it can get very crowded. Good to see everyone enjoying themselves, and fun to see the various versions of Morris dancing.

 

They had big fat prawns on offer on the fish counter at Leclerc yesterday @Busy-Lizzie so I suggested paella but Possum says she doesn't like it! Risotto then with lemon and courgette but I got home to find I had 8 kinds of rice in my pantry including paella rice but not risotto so cheated and just served the peeled prawns on top. It was delish - but don't tell Possum about the rice.

We used to get hot air ballons flying over in Belgium and occasionally landing in the field behind. Our dogs would rush out and bark and wag with great gusto. We've done flights in Belgium and Oz - Alice Springs - and really enjoyed both.

Good to have your problem identified @Goldenlily26. Did she give you any stretching and flexing exercises? Sorry about your OH.

Bone dry again here but I was woken at 5am by what I thought was thunder. OH thinks it might have been farmers banging around with tractors but it was still dark and a different noise. Been out messing in the polytunnel this morning before it got too hot. This pm will be planting treasures and pickling cucumbers when it gets too hot.

Have a good afternoon everyone.

 

The red arrow planes that flew over earlier must have been 'spares' as all 9 have recently flown right over in formation. We were out with the dogs and had a spectacular view.

 

Thank you @Penny_Forthem for the Birthday wish.

we returned last night from 2 week trip to Louisville, Kentucky, a NSRA car show. our car got top trophy out of nearly 10Thousand cars. Home for next two weeks then another car show, but close by this time, only a 2 hour drive. . Garden needs so much attention. Later.

 

Another very hot day, did the watering early as I had a mammogram booked this morning ouch!
Love hot air balloons, it's so quiet when you're up there. We have now let out two black redstarts out of our wood burner, we were alerted by neighbour's cat who is often wandering in and out.
I would welcome a swap please, rain if you have some to spare.

 

very well done @redstar for bagging top prize out of 1000’s of cars. What an achievement. It must be an absolute beaut.

Sorry to read the news of your ex @Goldenlily26 .. at least the children were around him in those final times which must be comforting for them. my sincere condolences to you and the family.

 

This is our car. @Songbird