The Crepertoire - put on your peignoir and get into the boudoir

[MrsSchadenfreude]

And out of the armoire.

DD2 has just dragged DH to Sainsburys, scouting for cut-priced Easter Eggs. The little minx has come home with FIVE huge eggs for her mates, plus three for herself, and one each for me, DS and DD1. Each was 62p. Can't fault her bargain-hunting.

MM - if it's because of the political situation rather than your DH's knee, have a look at the Foreign Office advice, although things are so unpredictable even they cannot know what's going to happen. He surely cannot do much between now and June can he?

NU - agree that your DS's home sounds lovely - and his kitchen bigger than our ground floor. I would love a grown up home - I still dream of it one day. We have a small 1950's block with no character whatsoever. The advantage is we are 10 minutes from the train and from there 20 mins to The Champs Elysee, but with a wild forest on my doorstep. That is the tradeoff. Realistically we'd have to move for a decent house as they retail around here for 1-2 million. I do wish we'd been rich when we arrived 20 years ago and housing was relatively cheap.

Crem and Auriga - glad you're feeling better.

I would do the same, MM. Partly as I would be in danger of DPicide if he then ruined it by whining about the knee.

Day of jobs that should have been done over the Easter hols. Including DS's project of making an Anglo Saxon artefact, that we haven't even started as he's been with his BFF all day.

Have, however, taken the kittens to the vet with their persistent snuffling. This rather love Irish young man reckoned they've got cat flu, as do most rescue cats he reckons, though they should ultimately be fine. Couple of injections and £80 later, they're curled up on the sofa.

This morning I nipped into TK Maxx on the off chance, as you do, and ended up with a pair of Adidas Pace trainers, a surprisingly flattering gypsy top, and a navy cropped jumpsuit which is hopefully going to be v useful for work, with something under/over it.

All for a grand total of £60.

MM I was last in Kalkan 2015, and the gradient hadn't got any better!!

I would be interested to return to see quite how it was faring...in 2015, it had appeared to have reached capacity, and no-one would haggle with you (even in the market!) - It had lost its appeal, I thought.

However, I suspect it had a lean season last year, so may not be quite so 'grabby' any more.

I was under the impression that further north, near Bodrum, was more liable for disruption - but that was a few months ago, and the political picture changes almost hourly.

Where had you booked to go in Kalkan?

It is the DPcide side of things that I am more anxious about than the political situation (atm).

Cloud - we are staying halfway to Kalamar in a little apartment.

Last year tourism was 45% down!! I suspect it won't be much better this year.

Beachy - well done to your DC's jumping against v dark skies (FB film).

Poor Turkey such a lovely country going to the dogs.

MI - fantastic - taking tea with your old tutor. Hope you dressed demurely

I suspect (from position of almost total ignorance) re political sit that no-one including FCO knows what will happen and like most things, it will probably be fine - but weeks of watching news and worrying (given the general instability at the moment it is hard to avoid that anyway) does not a holiday make. The walking/ostrich issue seems a biggie to me. Hope you can resolve it, Magi.

herbs - hand-axe? (aka vaguely pointy stone from local park - will his teacher know any different)? some of our manky sandals could pass for Roman, when he gets to them......

ds appears to have finished revision for the day and is listening to Jerusalem while his X-box boots up COD. Should I be worried ?

And two exciting questions:

-does anyone understand what is happening in Line of Duty?
-has anyone used an electrical epilator (I have just ordered one).

WAF, does that mean giving up sugar? I have been trying the not eating sweet things in the week thing. Not 100% successful but has definitely meant I have cut back overall and knowing I can have a treat at the weekend helps.

We (well, DP and DS) are making an axe, courtesy of a template from the internet, and the handle of a beach spade. It will be shit.

That's the spirit, Herbs .

Herbs, should you want to do something a bit different, I have, in similar circumstances a few years ago, rustled up an Anglo - Saxon apple cake, which went down exceedingly well with the class...

I have just had a nap and feel better for it. Will make lamb biriani tonight, with the remains of the tandoori lamb.

MM, I think I would be tempted to cancel as well. As you know I have two artificial knee joints, even before this, when my old joints were bad, walking up and down hills, or even slopes, was painful. If you were going somewhere flat it would be different. We used to go to Olu Deniz a lot and loved it, and the people. We did a tremendous trip to Ephesus once, totally mind blowing. The political situation doesn't look good either.

Herbs, love the jump suit. Good luck to DP and DS with the axe.

We had a lovely drive up the Military Road towards Carlisle; there were lots of hikers walking along Hadrian's Wall and they are building a fantastic new visitor centre at Twice Brewed for Vindolanda. Not so bothered about Anglo Saxon history, but love the Romans.

Hatty, it sounds lovely where you are: for most of us housing is a compromise, isn't it? I have got a bit obsessed with a programme "Building the Dream", would love to design and build a house from scratch.

Pleased to hear that Crem and Auriga are feeling a bit better.

We went to Turkey - Dalyan - last summer and i can believe that tourism was 45% down as the place felt like it was only half full. As a result all the restaurants, tourist boats etc were very keen for our custom but managed to do it in a non-hassle way so it never felt oppressive. The only time it felt in any way edgy was when we had to drive through police road blocks on the way to and from Ephesus. But given that was the day there had been car bombs in a police station I think that was understandable.

And Lalsy, re your second q - I tried an electric epilator and didn't like it. It missed too many hairs to be a complete solution. But I didn't try very long so there may well have been a degree of user error involved.

I went sailing with my family on the south coast of Turkey in the late 80s - to Fetiye, Kalkan, Olu Deniz, Gemila Island, etc - when it was totally undeveloped. Absolutely amazing. I have never gone back, as it would be so different.

I also refuse to go back to Turkey, as the second time I went, this time with a female friend, we got groped, hassled, abused, etc etc by the men. It was just horrible, and I haven't forgiven the entire country.

Axe not going well. DS has the most infuriating 'that'll do' attitude to such things, so I end up doing the bloody thing.

Arghh, dilemma, MM. Will you lose a lot of money if you cancel?

Nice jumpsuit, Herbs. I have a lovely "party" one which will be wheeled out again soon, no doubt. And I don't envy you the chopper project - thank the lord there's none of that nonsense for us any more (just last minute demands for printouts of homework, usually as we're just about to get into the car for the school run).

I've just had a satisfying clothes-sorting session today, checking through my Spring/Summer stuff, archiving my woolly pullies and adding a few bits to the eBay pile. I found two lovely pairs of work trousers which have been in the loft for the past five years, as they were too big when I lost all the weight. For some reason they fit rather well now.

I also did a very crepey thing, which has been on my to-do list for a very long time. I finally got around to checking my state pension projection! Luckily there were no surprises, nasty or otherwise; I've made enough NI contributions, and will get the full whack. Such as it is. It won't fund the high life, that's for sure.

I have had a lovely day and am returning to the Smoke. I really must do more going out and about on otherwise unoccupied days.

Funnily enough....CV I did that recently, and have bought back contributions missed since I have been self employed. I also logged in find out the state of my NHS pension which seems to be better than expected...DH thinks there's a mistake...talk about raining on my parade. Have also decided to invest savings in one of those accounts that pays you a whack for the deposit instead of having a formal pension fund. I don't think any of these will fund the high life, like you say I rely on DH for that

Crem you poor thing! Sickness? How so?

MM Go with your gut. I have never been to Turkey so can't advise from a position knowledge like other Crepeys. I don't trust the place though...

I have permanet house envy...I am never satisfied...and oh god, NU I want a dressing room!

Blimey Beachy your DC are brave

Just home so not great at catching up, sorry Crepeys. I have a klops in the oven with roasties. And it is Broadchurch later
I must also say that we have been binge watching this on Netflix and have I veritably chewed though my arm with excitement and the suspense. I also love closing my eyes to see how much I can understand without the subtitles.
when they're not closed because I can't bear to look

Rose - your link goes straight to Netflix menu (poss because I'm in France). You'll have to let me know the name of the series - always looking for a new one.

MI glad you had a lovely day out.

I have walked through Paris with DH - Concorde to Bastille and a lunch of course.

Also looking forward to Broadchurch but am baffled by Line of Duty. Wondered if the new young policeman (James?) is involved.

A few years ago DH and I did a week's incredibly cheap holiday in Turkey - Cappadocia (coach/they were trying to sell stuff in off season). We were much the youngest people and it was v good funny week. ANYWAY, the tour guide told us with a great deal of enjoyment that in the early 20th century women inherited all the rubbish for agriculture land along the coast ... and then tourism hit and the men went to court to get the inheritances reversed but were rejected. He chuckled a lot. As did we.

Been up to town with dd to return all the stuff we got her for her bday and she has persuaded me into pair of trousers from Zara and Mom jeans from top shop. Gulp. Was lovely to be out with her though. Even in Oxford Circus.

We are looking forward to Broadchurch too Rose. Jamie's 'epic roast chicken salad' first by request. What are you recommending on Netflix? I can't tell...

Am grimly for some reason working my way through Gilmore Girls (season 6), getting more impatient with them with every episode but unable to stop. only when on my own. and useful for boring kitchen chores.

Auriga and Crem, do hope you are feeling somewhat better

MI, trust you've had lovely day with ex-tutor. I envy you still being in touch, I didn't have that relationship with any of mine.

I blinked back a tear when we said goodbye. I have missed her a lot over the years.

I wasn't getting on well with my own parents at the time and my two main tutors slightly took that place; then he died at the end of our first year. She is a lovely woman, and we all (three former students, one of whom still lives in Oxford) v much enjoyed seeing her and her family.

Oh and Magi - cancel. Knees are bastards. Mine seems to be improved by running with a knee supper - but then other muscles start aching!

Not sure why the Netflix link is dodgy..it's a series called Fauda. But you need a strong stomach....

Addle, series 6? I haven't finished series 1 yet! I rarely seem to get the TV to myself to watch it.

Sounds like most crepeys have had a relaxing and enjoyable BH. I have just slobbed most of the day
Back to work tomorrow.

I tried to check my state pension as well, CV, but the system kept saying it couldn't identify me, and there didn't seem to be any way round this - it cheerily said, oh don't call us if this happens, but it showed no way round it.

We need a new thread title, having raced through this one at breakneck speed.