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

Double the quantities for the filling

Glad to hear ds is stable, Rudy. Cake is just the best thing in a crisis, isn’t it?
CV, I omitted to heartily congratulate you at lunchtime because I hadn’t caught up with the thread! Oh, the dangers of not RTFT. Well done, you – you so deserve it! It was so lovely to see you as I waited for my granny-gang.

The thing about older crepeys is that they have time to meet a lot plus one of the ones there today lives really close to me and keeps inviting me to things, which is rather wonderful. I have to tell you, however: they are terrified of MNers. And very, very slightly disapproving. Another downside - as we left that lovely café, the staff shouted out: “Bye-bye, grannies!” Nice.

(In case anyone thinks they have missed something – no, neither of mine have sprogged yet, but I will take any excuse for tea and cake. and I may be a little bit older than some of you ) And dh is a cunt silent type who doesn't do chat.

Mmm, think I will make Stuffed Monkey when we get back. Maybe also a poppy seed cake.

Oh Rudy, what a dreadful time of if you've had. I am just so relieved that ds has responded to the treatment and is doing ok. As someone who has to take meds for the rest of my life, I would say that he'll need plenty of support, and it will take time, but he will get used to it. My very best to you and the rest of the family.

On the subject of cake, I have just made a chocolate and beetroot loaf ( have been given a surfeit of beetroot ) and it has turned out very naice thankyou. Will take ddad a bit tonight. According to mum he is sitting up in bed looking pink and much better.

Nice to hear about your walk Beachy. I went out myself today for a fastladywalk, in the countryside hereabouts. Beautiful breezy sunny day with fabulous views, scurrying rabbits and squirrels, and fruit laden hedgerows. I came home with more blackberries, a load of haws and a rucksack full of damsons.
One of those good to be alive days.
Am completely exhaustified now.

Cremo, he'll be looking evenue more pink after your beetroot cake Glad to hear he's begun the recovery process. And that you had a soul-refuelling day

Molly, sounds like you've had a great day too!

Beachy, my DD would be soooo jealous of yours if she knew! I fear we may have to bite the bullet for her 18th (she went to the first yesterday and has another next week!)

Beachy - my DD would likewise by jealous. DD2 has made it clear we totally let her down on her 18th by being in the Lake District when she wanted to be in Paris with her mates. Also we only have a small place, so cannot really throw big teenage bashes.

Rudy - so glad DS has been stabilised. Sounds like the very worst is over and hopefully things can progress slowly but surely. Try to look after yourself so you have the energy to look after him.

CV - congratulations on your promotion - we'll drink to that next week.

I am going to start yoga next week, so as there were some promo's on I went and bought myself some decent sports stuff. I have done gym for 10 years in an old t shirt and tracky bottoms. I bought a sports bra and one of those slinky t shirts that go in between the shoulder blades. Plus some stretch lycra leggings - they say breathable but seem rather hot - I may be reverting to tracky bottoms soon.

Crem - could you let me have the address of where we're staying just in case my phone gives up - which it did in the Lake District.

Crem, I like the sound of a fastladywalk. For many reasons.

We had a teen party last night. Funny how all the Kevins are. "Are you dd's mum?" "Hi, I'm Sam" - like I care, mate.

We've finally found the Lost Gardens of Heligan. They're like a slice of paradise and it was a perfect, golden afternoon.

Stonehenge tomorrow on the way home, then into September properly. My phone has buzzed all day; the pace is already picking up.

Rudy, you must feel as though you've been hit by a truck  hope you can all have some time to recover and adjust. And Crem, hope you find your DF is feeling a bit more human tonight.

Boring normality is so under-rated.

I knocked something inessential but annoying on the head today and am relieved.

I force us all to stop at Stonehenge whenever we are passing. Am SUCH a hippy.

I love Stonehenge but hate the fact that other people are there - I want it all to myself, ideally misty and mysterious.

Hatty, how exciting that we are finally going to meet you!

Auriga, have you been here? Our friend used to be the head gardener there

We are off to a lovely friends 50th tonight. I think DD has given me her cough (hopefully not the cold) - it is at the annoying "frog-in-the-throat" stage

Last night here, and we are off for a curry shortly. Next year I am going away on my own and leaving DD2 in bed with her phone as that's all she's wanted to do all holiday. And I'll leave DH at home with a pile of books and DVDs. Am off out for Paris reunion tomorrow as soon as we get back, to more muttering from DH.

Herbs, the weather was cooler today, and it rained, but it's supposed to be hot again next week.

this is the 15 year old having a party.... I am a pushover and I'm soooo not in the mood!

Man alive, I am BUSHED. Tube and train to Hampton Court, busy busy but amazing playground, lunch, busy but ace maze, train to Wimbledon, then on to the tram, which has been DS's ambition for about six months. Nipped in to see my old employer's new office in Croydon, drank prosecco and ate crisps and played football in the vast expanse of empty space (DS must think this is what work is all about), then train and tube home. Need Wine.

Oddly totally lacking in appetite at the mo. Obviously this hasn't stopped me eating.

In inconsequential news one of my earliest memories is of being sick, on one of the actual sacred stones, at Stonehenge

Molly, caught two timing us with grannies!!

Beachy, you are indeed clearly a pushover - but a very nice one...

CV, belated congrats on your enhanced status - well done and thoroughly deserved.

Rudy, so relieved that things seem to be heading in the right direction for ds. Will still keep everything crossed for him atm. You must be exhausted with all the worry and uncertainty. I do hope he's more comfortable and that you can stop being in emergency mode for now?

Crem, would you like my (vv simple) instructions for damson vodka - drink of the Gods.

Mrs S, it is very provoking but teenagers do a lot of loafing about on their phones at every opportunity in my experience... but that doesn't make them unable to do what they need to do when it comes to it. Pick your battles. Why do you want to leave dh behind next year?? Couldn't you two go off and leave dd2 to do her own thing on your holiday? In Spain this year we sent the dss off to do sightseeing (funicular railway anyone?) while dh and I sat in bars drinking lunchtime Camparis... can recommend that!

Good weekends to all.

GGG. Let's see who I prefer, eh?

MrsS I'll come with you next year!

Oh for walking with Beachy dog who rounds you up (or did with me, ds and dp). - she clearly felt we should be together :) AND she sucks the blackberries off the bushes - soooo cute :)

Molly, DON'T MAKE US BEG.

Rudy - I too am mighty relieved re DS. I can imagine grabbing the prospect of 'lifetime medication' if it meant certainty and getting your boy home.

Dear Rudy and Crem, I do hope the worst is over for now.

MI thank you so much for kind enquiries. Today Aged Parent phoned up at lunchtime - I've been phoning every day - asking me not to phone this afternoon - not a time that I usually phone - because they were feeling ill and wanted to have a sleep. Okaay... No pressure or guilt then.
Aged Parent, although old and frail, does not actually have urgent health care needs, though they feel that they do and keep phoning up GP/paramedics to say so. Both of those are extraordinarily patient and helpful. Really cannot fault NHS care. The trouble is that that all they can offer - reassurance, more tests - will not be enough for AP. AP's problem is old age; nothing dramatic, just everything not working as well as it used to. And of course that is very, very frightening for them ...

Meant to say that I love the sound of stuffed monkey Rose - the name alone is enough to make me want to make and eat one! I want news of your fab dresses (with pics if poss please). You have to keep the s and b flag flying for the rest of us!

This pm I took dog to the groomers and then went to the hairdressers - we both look much neater you'll be pleased to hear...

Am going to a prom tomorrow - Steve Reich - post modern stuff in a repurposed multi storey car park in Peckham - which sounds super exciting to me - expect all you Sarf London types have already been there 3 x - but will be an adventure for me and dh...

Rudy - it sounds like things are stabilising, at least; hope your boy is comfortable and not in so much pain. Feel free to eat as much cake as you wish.

Auriga - Heligan is heavenly, isn't it? I dragged everyone there in summer 2014; the DCs would barely get out of the car when they heard it was a garden, but we had the most lovely day, playing croquet, photographing blooms, and exploring all the nooks and crannies.

Molly - terrified of MNers?? But we're so lovely.

Hatty - well done on the yoga. I'm feeling like I should get back to some sort of fitness; I haven't ladyjogged since July because my right knee has been sore for ages. I'm starting to wonder if it might be linked to the enlarging bunion on my right foot, and maybe I should seek out some sort of podiatrist who can tell me if I'm actually falling apart or not.

I've never thrown a teen party. DS is terrified people would "touch his stuff", so he prefers to party elsewhere, and the DDs are much less sociable. Suits me...

Thanks for the good wishes re: promotion. I'm actually really excited. I chose a very good time to ask for it, because the company is expanding at the moment, and there is a lot to get stuck into. I really don't want to go elsewhere if I can help it; they are such a lovely bunch to work for. Heck, I'm never going to be the high-flyer I was in my 20s, but life has different priorities now, and the fact that my current employers have recognised my efforts and are rewarding me for them is good enough for me. An email is supposed to go out announcing it, but hasn't yet, so a few people were wondering why I didn't head out of the door at 3pm as usual.

Meanwhile, DS had his interview at college, which went well. He's gone for two A levels and a BTEC, which I think will suit him well. I have a tiny twinge of regret because, of all his mates, it's the steady, well-behaved ones who are staying on at school, and the slightly more, err, edgy ones who are going to the college......but he can't do the courses he wants at school, and the college will be a more grown-up environment.....argh....Anyway, decision made, I think. College.

Crumbs, crepesters....new thread needed!

Flora that sounds sad and vexing - you'll get much help on here re Aged Ps. My mum is still languishing in a care home where she booked herself in three weeks ago for three days when she was discharged from hospital. It's very unclear whether there's actually anything wrong with her beyond being old and tired and scared or not. She still is adamant she doesn't want me to visit her. Ho hum.