Crepey wattle and daub

[herbaceous]

At last! I get to use my thread title.

Over here, my hags.

Poor DM MI they say the effects of chemo are cumulative. That was certainly my experience.
And good point lalsy about the UTI. Worth checking tilly ?
waf I have to be like a sergeant major to get them out walking. Once we're there it's soo worth it. Having said that today we have been enveloped by the French fog!!!!! Didn't stop us though.

I have just had a text from ConS and HerrD who are casting the rehearsed reading tomorrow apparently and said what did I think and could I talk on the phone if needed. Holy shit
In cinema with DS2 to see Suite Francais. Laters

Oh my giddy aunt. Cinderella was ABSOLUTELY FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC. I was sitting about six inches from the screen, so thus utterly immersed, but OMG the costumes! The sets! The chandeliers! The gallant prince! That Dress! The golden coach! I nearly cried at a number of points during the film.

Any flimsy feminist credentials went right out the window. I want a prince to rescue me from my life of mediocrity, and I want him NOW.

Your life of mediocrity is over, anyway, Herbs. Your "Bright Trainers" thread is toplining in the Mumsnet email, which must surely be sent to a few princes. One of them is bound to come knocking, holding a bright trainer he'll want you to try on.

It is? Perhaps I should update the masses with my actual purchase. I'm sure they'll be thrilled. And it should hasten the prince to my door.

indeed Herbs, you are legend! You are the Crepey zeitgeist! bright trainers. Not only were you the op but I think I recognise a direct quote from you under one of the featured choices!

First day back at work, home to cook mattar paneer for assorted family members who are a) at the pub b) in front of the telly c) in their room although we should have been round the table at 8. bloody hell. on the other room I can blame the overcooking of the rice on them, so that's ok

Nerys Hughes, MI?! still remember liver birds fondly and crepily - how come and what was she like?

BTM am with Lalsy and WAF on the impact of UTIs and well done on organising carers. Also thanks for the revision reassurance - DS seemed pretty cheerful on his return today - so that'll do.

good luck with the phone call Rose.

MI - there were some v nice Autograph brogues in the hh oxfam in a ridiculously tiny size should you happen to be passing that way

QQ - I'd like to take the credit for any trainer-based MN zeitgeist, but there were some other similar threads at the same time, and I fear some of the info might have come from there. However, any faint zeitgeisty light that can be cast on to my haggard features can only be a good thing.

I LOVED the Liver Birds as a kid - being from that neck of the woods too!

Herbs, a claim to fame! I have to say, though, that some of the trainers on that advertising link are seriously ugly and uncool. The DC would definitely agree with me! Molly

Well done Rose - hope the call goes well!

Have had quite a laid-back afternoon (with friend and our DD's who are also friends in another hipster café - get me!) and evening (with DH in the pub) and I am now gearing myself up for a shopping trip with DS tomorrow, eeek!

Ungrateful bunch Addle. I lurve mattar paneer and would have been so enthusiastic if you'd cooked that for me. Honestly, lucky we're not in this parenting lark for the gratitude...

Me too QQ! We'll come round and eat it for you addle!

Ooh, cheesy peas. Save me some. I had a virtuous superfood salad post-Cinderella, so am now craving something bad and sinful.

Spicy prawns and salad here... not a patch on paneer

Spicy prawns sound good too!

I had a virtuous hummous, beetroot and salad on wholemeal sandwich at 4.30.

Have found a tiny pocket of North Norfolk with 3G - beside the pool at our holiday barn. So I'm (for once) happy sweating in the heat, watching the DDs splash about.

DS is still being a little sod, even though he will grudgingly admit to having enjoyed our day swinging through Thetford Forest at Go Ape yesterday, and today's tootle around the Broads in a wee boat. He isn't impressed by the fact that his inflatable bed deflates overnight, and he "can't be bothered" to go in the pool. And all of the DCs are aghast that there is No Dishwasher.

The house is very cute, and there is lots to do. I think DH and I would have had a lovely time here alone, or with just the DDs. But I think the incessant moaning might possibly drive us home before Sunday.

I've just asked the DDs to get out of the pool - my wine glass is empty and my phone is almost out of battery.

CV at kids being aghast at no dishwasher. I remember us all washing dishes in the Highlands of Scotland - it was just normal way back then.

Pool and wine sounds lovely.

I remember the Liverbirds and especially the music. I wonder if it would look very dated now like other much loved seventies sitcoms.

Anyway off to get DD1 on the Eurostar although she was a bit teary at the prospect of one month of exams. I think she expects uni to just be partying! We will join her for a long weekend next weekend and then that'll be it until June.

Haven't seen NU a while - waves hi to NU.

We're home.... Whizzing South from Heathrow. That is a long flight, really left our hotel 24 hours ago, so we are all a bit cream crackered.

Very excited about seeing dogs though!

I can report that

(a) NH was v lovely - I was doing a Q&A with her for my CDiff mag (she's also involved with the National Osteoporosis Society, which is how I got hold of her)

(b) the champagne cocktails at the Ritz are also v lovely

(c) the Ritz canapés are delicious but small

(d) I am never drinking - or indeed doing anything strenuous - EVER AGAIN. I have to conduct two interviews but I think I may need to draw a veil over today. It wasn't helped by the fact that when I finally staggered got in DD2 was crying and saying she couldn't sleep, so I ended up giving her a cuddle and snoozing with her in her cabin bed (Auriga will appreciate this is not madly easy) and then staggering back upstairs, with frequent interruptions caused by the fact I am also having the period from hell.

Bloody good cocktails though and the champagne was nice too.

MI, cocktails at the Ritz sound lovely. Probably need something more generous than a canape to soak it all up though.

I had a very cheering evening with a friend in Peckham. It's very trendy round there now. We went to a lovely restaurant and ate and drank for Britain. Apart from anxiety dreams (am working tomorrow), I feel surprisingly OK today. Lush.

Welcome home to the returners from holiday and boooooo to irritating children on holiday. Mine have been surprisingly well behaved for once. Cannot believe next week is back to the grindstone. Ah me.

I too had an anxiety dream. I was teaching, and had failed to make a lesson plan, and couldn't remember anything. The classroom was then invaded by a crowd of ill-mannered oiks.

I am now sitting at the computer, making said lesson plan. Lunchtime will see me and DS at an Easter egg hunt and picnic with a gang of chums. One of said chums will be dressing up as the Easter bunny to hide the eggs. She fears her outfit is rather more Donnie Darko than fwuffy bunny.

Cocktails at the Rita - way to go!
Is your DD OK MI - having a hard time?

Monty where did you go - might be somewhere worth trying?

I am in Topman with DS who is trying on jeans. 32L

Stropps, get photos please!

of cocktails at the Ritz - is this something one dresses up for or can it be done in jeans?

I had one drink last night and have a vague headache. I think the new pub in town is a bit loud and I'm probably a bit old. Still twas enjoyable.

DD1 safely on the Eurostar and will stay in London tomorrow for the Boat Race. My poor DD2 meanwhile has a mock French literature bac tomorrow at 8 am - this is done a year before the rest of the subjects.

I think it's just disturbed sleep patterns, BTM - but as you know, she's a worrier and I worry about her worrying.

What is it about last night and anxiety dreams....I actually had to text DS1 ( the dream was about him...) at 7am ( not popular) to check he was ok....

Welcome back to beachy!

Respek to you MI on your celebrated interviewee ( love Nerys) and your communing with the hoy poloy in posh venues. Wow.

CV are things any better with grumpy DS? Can you send him home on the train or out somewhere on his own? I have done this.

hatty on DDs departure and I agree, where is NU? Also I wonder how crem is doing?

tilly has he bought anything yet?

DH and the DC are indeed going back on the train after lunch and I am having some time to myself for a day or so. It's the reward I get for doing all the tidying up on departure. Well worth it....