Hot town, Crepes in the city

[bigTillyMint]

I think Jamie Bells ears are bigger! And DSs hair is lighter (though he is sporting a 1980s barnet!), and his jaw a teeny bit widea, but he looks a bit like him in the pics of JB aged about 18 which I am incapable of linking to

Scuppered on sundowner front as it is raining Though still hot However no we get to try the huge complimentary umbrellas! Not sure how we'll fit them down the street with the mad traffic/pedestrians

Oh no! Poor old dad. Let's hope he's easily mended. Take some gin in a tin with you.

In newcy, after a day ambling down the coast and visiting farm - it wasn't white-wot sit, but eshot heugh, or something. Anyway, seemed to satisfy the YM's desire for sheep and goats, his favourites. Then we stopped at Morpeth for late lunch. Morpeth seems very naice. Could buy an eight-bedroom house there, overlooking the river, and buy a couple of student houses in Gateshead with the change. Tempting.

Our hotel is opposite St James's Park stadium, NU. A converted office. Trying to be swish, but misses certain points, like the only light in the bedroom having a shaver style plug, and no adapter, and there being three tellies in our 'suite' but only one remote control.

We walked from here to the quayside, and went down an unfortunate road full of bookies and pissed Geordies pissing in corners. Even the delights of Grey Street and the quayside couldn't quite shake that first impression of the city from DP's mind. We ate at a bbq smokehouse place, and now I can't even do my trousers up at all.

Herbs, you do make me Shame you can't go out to sample the nightlife down the Bigg Market

Eyebrows are dyed. And eyelashes. It was a bit tricky as I can't see a lot without my reading glasses on, and it is tricky to do with glasses on!

Ooh yes, get down to the Bigg Market, Herbs. And make sure you wear Very Little Clothing, regardless of the weather.

Oh heavens, Crem - hope DDad is easily mendable and not in too much discomfort. What a worry.

Here, DS is going into a flat spin trying to decide about next year. I've told him we need to sit down and talk tomorrow; I don't mind which way he chooses to go, as long as I am convinced he's really thought about it, rather than going for the path of least resistance. Poor thing - he's no good at life-changing decisions (well, who is?).

Poor ddad, Cremo. My ddad was like that, had heart attack at the postbox at the end of his road, phoned his friend (who is more infirm), had tea, went to GP's and was then called an ambulance.....

But you know, we won't be any more accepting of help, will we?

BD doing sterling work with reprobate dogs and chickens! Me, herding children and dh, into happy family mode! Day outing tomorrow in hire car, wish me luck....

Currently sitting on balcony listening to Jayne McDonald wannabes wafting in on the lovely warm wind!

Yes, yes re the Very Little Clothing, CV

Beachy, everyone looks very happy on fb - you must be doing a good job

Cremo, how's your DDad?

Oh yes, I felt simultaneously both underdressed, formality wise, and overdressed, skin-wise.

To add to the air of debauchery, DS has just thrown up all over the bathroom. We're hoping it's a one off. And that we won't all join him!

I do love that BD is holiday one chez Beachy. Aren't us crepeys just great.

Crem - the menu you emailed me looks v much like the summer, not Autumn, one you posted here, but just in case it's the right one, I'm tomatoes, pork and chocolate.

Hope all well with the father.

Sorry not to have replied to kind comments before now - was travelling home, leaving aged parent in hands of aforesaid community matron and paid carers, whose hours have now been greatly increased. Fingers crossed. To answer earlier query, aged parent is (very far) south of the border and DH and I are (very far) north. Health care provision is very variable in rural Scotland; many communities simply cannot find GPs willing to live and work there. Our nice GP or locum visits village 7 miles away on two mornings per week. We have lovely , caring and experienced community nurse living locally but she is part of a team that has to cover a vast area over single-track mountain roads. They hold a surgery in same village once per week - and do home visits for really seriously ill people as required. For the rest, we are in the hands of poorly-paid-volunteer emergency responders and out of hours nurse practitioner who operates from a base over an hour away. For the moment, the emergency responders happen to be absolutely excellent retired health professionals doing far more than anyone has a right to expect of them, but, as a system, it's not ideal.

Crem - am so sorry to hear of your DFather's accident. I do hope he will be ok.

Re Northumberland - I travelled back by train towards Edinburgh on Weds evening through really beautiful sunset. The sea, Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle, Alnmouth and its estuary were all lit up by dying rays. It's magnificent countryside. I also rather like Newcastle, where DH and I have spent many pleasant hours wandering around waiting to catch ferry to and from the continent. (But the late lamented ferry from Rosyth, run by a Greek shipping company staffed by dashing and courteous Greek officers, was even better. I remember one summer evening voyage, passing Bass Rock, sitting on the observation deck being surrounded by dozens, maybe hundreds, of gannets flying alongside the boat, darting and diving. Magical.)

Rudy - I am so sorry to hear that. Very kindest wishes.

Oh Rudy. and many hugs. What can we do to help? I'm often awake in the night if you are posting - I will check in.

You, too, Crem.

Rudy -

There is nothing more I can say but I will be thinking of you and this will be the first place I will come to tomorrow & hoping for good news.

Trite - but you (all of you) are in the best place.

Also thinking of Crem & your DD.

Oh god Rudy - hope all will be okay..

Yes I am doing dog and chicken sitting chez Beachy...

Oh Rudy - and hugs to you, and hope for good news in the morning.

And Crem - hope they sort your DDad out quickly and that they didn't do any damage moving him.

I mean DF, Crem................sorry.

Rudy, so sorry. thinking of you and hoping for better news

Rudy, so sorry...we are here....hope tomorrow brings better news .

Oh Rudy, thinking of you. Hope he's OK. How old is he? (can't remember)

Rudy, thank goodness you took him back. I'm really hoping you will have better news from the hospital tomorrow.

Crem, so sorry to hear about your ddad's fall. Hope he hasn't broken his hip.

How is he doing this morning, Rudy? Thinking of you all xxxx

Crem, what's the word on DDad? Hope he had a comfortable night.

Hope things a little better this morning, Rudy big hugs.

Rudy any news?

Likewise Crem - how are things?

OMG Rudy, so sorry to hear that. I am crossing everything that they are doing something miraculous and things are a bit better. How worrying for you - well done for trusting your instincts and getting him back in there

And thank god he's not at Reading right now