Summertime...and the Crepeys are easy

[motherinferior]

With much love to BD.

(We are going to county cork btw in frugal manner.)

And addle what the hell? Sounds like acrobatics, what on earth are they talking about?

They mean 'do it even though you have no idea how to do it and it'll almost certainly involve working outside working hours', I reckon.

Oh god am late to hit desk, laters.

Beachy - very worrying and doubly so because of the distance. Fingers crossed for them.

MM agree with this post - I don't think we appreciated the freedom we had. We've had scans and bag checks for several months now which have got even mor thorough since Nice. Yesterdays events touched me greatly, even though I consider myself a totally lapsed Catholic.

Stropps - I do hope you're feeling better. DH many years ago went to see an old man who lives alone up a mountain - untrained but known to the locals like a witch doctor.

Beachy - what a worry - at least friend is in hospital & presumably your DD is near so also close to help if needed.

Stropps - hope you are in less pain today.

Thanks, Magi, that is interesting. I have just read this, which also looks at historical perspective (v depressing, no idea how reliable).

God. I read that the other day, Lalsy. Rings horribly true.

Am already in summer holiday confusion of too many entertainment options and not enough concrete dates, combined with career uncertainty. Feel I should be using the time to write my grammar workshop, book rooms, etc, sell myself as local copywriter/editor, or find part time job that actually pays money, such as Lidl cashier.

Hey Rudy, how's it going?

Beachy - what a worry. Presume DD's friend has travel insurance and is getting some sort of assistance?

Here, I'm on holiday countdown, trying to get all my work ducks in a row for next Wednesday's departure. The DDs and DN are at Thorpe Park today, then I'm flitting off up the M40 later to stay at DDad's house overnight before the funeral. DDad won't actually be there, as they have gone to Norfolk for the other funeral, so I shall just raid the wine cellar larder and watch TV on my own.

I was in the loft last night, and dug out my favourite childhood cuddly, Mr Toad, which was knitted by AuntyS. I shall take it to the funeral because I know it will make DM smile.

CV, what a lovely thought, to take Mr Toad.

MM that's quite profound and beautifully put. But I don't want my children to feel (like DS2 keeps saying) that they have been born into a terrible world. I feel that I have to keep telling them to find the beauty on a less global level. That not everyone is consumed with hatred and suspicion of difference. That there are still so many of us who fight for a just and harmonious existence, and have ceremonies and memorials so we and hour children never forget the atrocities of WW2 and the holocaust. After all, I was certainly closer to IRA bombings that plenty of people realise...the Brent Cross flyover...and the one that went off at the British legion at the bottom of my garden. And the PLO planted a bomb under the sixth form block of my school. Maybe it wasn't such a golden era after all.

addle bullshit your way through it...chances are no one else understands either

beachy have PM'd you. Is there any news?

Hello rudy How are you?

CV Mr Toad...that's lovely.

My week has gone completely pear shaped. I had it all planned out...work, which has now all been cancelled, and some social events as Ds2 is in Europe and DD is at the theatre all week. Now I'm feeling at a loose end..but very much looking forward to the mini MU in fashionable Islington tomorrow afternoon. Are you coming mrsS?

What a worry for you, Beachy: fingers crossed it all works out OK for DD and her friend.

CV, I hope the funeral goes well, and how lovely to take Mr. Toad. What's your itinerary for the US?

Herbs, when do you come up to Northumberland? I have just picked up the Waitrose Garden magazine and there is an article, with wonderful photos, of Alnwick Gardens: there is also an extra piece about Northumberland in general - try to pick it up. We might go to the Gardens on Friday with my DSis - she is on the way here atm.

Glad to hear your back is a little better, Stropps: you are having a really hard time of it. How are your kidneys now, Crem?

Lalsy- I thought that article was brilliant. We never seem to learn from history.

Rose - it's true I was thinking we take safety for granted but I do remember lots of IRA stuff on the news when I was a child although I think I just dismissed it.

Alnwick well worth a visit Herbs and you can eat in the treehouse (I think you may need to reserve first).

Just had text from beachy who can't get MN to work on board the ferry...
The girls have been transferred off the island by boat and ambulance. Her DDs friend is in hospital and DD is staying with her. May be in for 3 days.

In other news DS2 has just messaged from Bruges that he is buying me a Bruges lace tablecloth. What a sweet boy

Test, test..... Bizarre that I can actually have a messenger phone call free of charge from this boat all the way to Thailand, but can't post here

I have just had a diverting email exchange with an annoying PR who was trying to tout around some really anodyne quotes about the menopause from an ‘expert’ – stuff you could get from looking up NHS info in two minutes – tied to some celeb’s divorce. I said how was it linked, and that the info wasn’t very new. She said it was a matter of women talking about something that wasn’t talked about; I told her I’m menopausal and my friends talk about it ALL THE TIME, queried the citation of osteoporosis as a ‘symptom’ of the menopause (I’d call it more an association) and pointed out that Christa D’Souza and Marina Warner have just both brought out books on the topic, not to speak of Germaine Greer and Jenni Murray. I think she may stop bothering me in future

Aaaaargh, I can! Thanks Rose. Yes DD is now happily ensconced on a sofa bed in a hospital with her friend, with air con, wifi and a balcony in a private room. As she said, no need to find a hostel tonight!

At one stage during the transfer to hospital, she was on a moped, with a man, two full rucksacks and two smaller rucksacks. I can't even picture it.

All seems a bit more stable now.

Oh Beachy sending good luck vibes. I was very ill in India nearly 20 years ago (hosp on drip 24 hours, etc) scary, but I'm sure they will look after them

Early start paid off on drive up to see DM - got here in 4 hours! DD slept most of the way, but then helped sort some more stuff at the house (we have accepted an offer) and was fab with DM who is increasingly confused and upset. DD got rather tearful as we left because DM was upset

We are now at the spa hotel, but she is flaked out on the bed and I want to go and use the spa...

Phew Beachy, that's a relief! What's up with DDs friend?

Thank God, Beachy. What a worry nevertheless. The things they make us worry about.

Phew! Sounds like they are being well looked after now.

ds is packing for his walking holiday. Wibble, wobble.

Stomach infection when you try to get more out of DD, she says that friend is on a drip and they're injecting all sorts of stuff into her

They're both quite sensible so there won't have been any illicit anything going on. Just some weird stomach problem which has led to dehydration etc etc.

Where's ds off to? Very jealous of a walking holiday after spending too long in a campsite over the last ten days.

Glad everything ok Beachy.

Lalsy where is DS walking?

I'm confined to the sofa for half an hour - DD1 has coloured my hair.