Yawn Yawn Wakey Wakey 2024

Healthspan @lizzie27 , good value all round

 

Probably, after it's been working a while, it'll be efficient. However, I imagine that the first few months of everyone providing fingerprints and having their photos taken upon arrival at the port/airport will create delays and mayhem, whatever the powers that be tell us.

 

Good afternoon all. I've had some spits and spots of rain here which was not expected but as I have been doing indoor stuff - no definitely NOT HW - I wasn't too upset. I am continuing my attempt at knitting my way through my wool stash. I had no idea how much I had.
I agree @Allotment Boy. tulips should be left to be planted from November onwards.
@Penny_Forthem, It might be worth your while contacting any military museums regarding that fascinating passport and photo album. When the people who bought my Mum's bungalow found a case full of my Dad's RAF uniforms (which handy brother and I missed whilst clearing out the place) we contacted an RAF museum nearby and they were happy to receive them. What was quite touching was that when they had school parties in they used to encourage the small people to dress up in all the uniforms they had there and I know my Dad would have been absolutely delighted that this is where his 'gear' turned up. He loved children and was a small person magnet - they all seemed to migrate to him when we had visitors.
What stunning pictures @RowlandsCastle! Thank you for sharing them. I do have to say that, to me, Borthwick Castle is an odd looking building.

 

Like @lizzie27, I was curious when I saw this line @Tui34. I think, I must have missed that news too. Are you going to be moving soon?

 

OH's family have left. Our cottage seems very quiet now.

@Tui34, I've looked at those yellow daisies on iPlayer and I'm pretty sure they are an Inula, maybe Inula Helenium as the big leaves are more toothed around the edges than Inula magnifica.

I took Glucosamine capsules for over a year @lizzie27 and they made no difference, though some people swear by them.

 

Thank you @Busy-Lizzie I see there are around 80 species of Inula!! Helenium seem to be the closest as it is difficult to see on the TV.

Yes, I am downsizing which means the garden as well. Some flowers, some vegetables.

 

Sorry @RowlandsCastle, I meant to add earlier that I think that was an excellent choice of venue by Mrs RC.

 

Had a trip to Dalkeith Palace today, in the local country park.

 

I agree, @Ladybird4
I would love to go back to Edinburgh and see the Royal Yacht, relatives (though not stay with them!) and places I visited more than 40 years ago.
The way @RowlandsCastle is doing it, stage by stage, appeals to me, as I am the sole driver.
I used to live near Newcastle, teaching in South Shields. I left before the Kielder dam was built; I rallied through the forests there.

 

Beautiful pictures again @RowlandsCastle. Amazing number of chimneys!

 

@Penny_Forthem, my Dad was from Gateshead and I remember as a child - whilst visiting my Grandparents and between Dad's overseas postings - going to 'Shields' to wait for the boats coming in to buy fresh fish. I remember shiny scales on the flagged floor of their cottage.

 

Kielder is on my bucket list as I want to have a dark skies experience there at the observatory.

 

I am going to sign out for this evening. Looking forward to Strictly. I'll catch up with all your news tomorrow.

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What fantastic castles @RowlandsCastle - and what a kind woman your wife is to book such a smashing venue for you. Hope there's a lift!

A good idea to downsize @Tui34. We've future proofed this place as much as we can, had rather a wake-up call when I temporarily lost my mobility last year but the garden is going to become more of a problem I fear without quite drastic and expensive alterations as we live on a hill.

Apologies @Penny_Forthem , I didn't realise you couldn't do the IDs online but have to queue at the ports/airports etc. What a nuisance. Rallying in the forests sounds like fun. OH and his brother used to go rallying as well but I don't know where.

I was able to nip out quick this afternoon and finish weeding the main bed before rain stopped play.

Thanks @Bluejayway and @Busy-Lizzie. I'm still debating. I'm already take multi-vitamins and I don't want to overdose, especially while I'm still on other medication.

 

We will have to face the queues in early December @Penny_Forthem when we go back to my house in France. I have double nationality but OH doesn't. He will have to be finger printed and photographed at the ferry port. His Visa has run out and he can't get another before March.