Crepey coalition of chaos

[herbaceous]

Roll up hags, for all things Hotter.

Ohhh, there are two there I fancy after I have finished the Attwood, as well as the Deborah Levy. A Complicated Kindness, and The Reluctant Fundamentalist. (Thanks MsMargarita and Flipflops) I might also re- read My Name is Asher Lev (Chaim Potok) which after Jane Eyre is probably my favourite book of all time. It was MsMargarita's mention of the one about growing up in a cult which made me think about it again. I think it taps into my fear that I also grew up in one..

The sun is coming out here in the wilds of the norf London suburbs. I hope it gets to you, Fluffy. I have been to the final teachers meeting the term and am now getting a wash, cut and blow dry...before meeting BFF for late lunch.

Rosenspants, did you see the Bristol Jane Eyre at the NT? If not it is coming back iN September I think. I really enjoyed it. very physical which raises my hackles when they do it with books I love but they did it well.

No, I shall investigate, however!

Lots of great books recommendations here - thank you!

Airborne, you recommended me an olive green swimsuit while I was away and I can't remember the stockist. If it comes to you, no problems, would be grateful to know.

Cremo! Another fan of 'Slow Horses' - they are quite marvellous books :)

Just read "lie with me' which I enjoyed. Gave up on The Muse....

crepes, reader on 6.27 as rec by Flipflops only 1.19 on kindle and I've also downloaded first jackson lamb - thank you crem

Have just downloaded it - thanks MsMargarita!

BD !!! Jackson Lamb has to be one of the best drawn characters of recent times. I have read the m. Herron Zoe Boem series as well, which is reminiscent of Jackson Brodie ( Kate Atkinson) books a bit. I liked them, but they are a wee bit dusty or something. bD we like a lot of the same stuff I think.
I just downloaded The Lie which is a novella with some of the characters from Jackson Lambe series, I think, but sadly no sign of the fabulous Catherine Standish. A true & resourceful crepey if ever there was one.

Dad is finally out of hospital. it has taken weeks to get a care package organised. Just getting him home was enough to completely wear him out for days. Mum looks like she's been steam rollered and keeps talking about whether to go ahead and book a holiday at the end of August( France) and do I think Dad will be fit to go. ( not really, NO FfS)
Am, ex, bloody xausted.

intend to finish Engleby before bed ( Seb Faukes) love the descriptions of Jeffrey Archer and 1980s musak.

Crem - so glad Dad is out of hospital - here's hoping for his continued improvement - dreadful weather in France at the moment - rain in the north and fires in the south.

I loved Engleby - read it years ago and couldn't put it down. Made DD1 read it before she went to Cambs.

BTM - happy birthday to DD - looks like she had a great day.

Oh Happy birthday to your dd BTM

mrsmargarita Its a company called Aspiga who have the olive swimsuit. I think they call it khaki.
I'm not sure how I've landed on their mailing list. Have not ordered from them before, so can't quantify their quality!

Need to make list of books and get off MN!

BBC weather forecast was luckily very wrong, and we've had a dry-ish day with odd pockets of brightness. No bad thing, considering I've had 2 cousins and their 4 kids to entertain most of the day.

You don't half forget quite what a little noisy ( but lovely) whirlwind they all create. Nothing like a beach and mud slides to entertain 5-10 year olds. Wetsuits make all the difference.

I certainly needed my gin. Adnams Copper House, if you're asking.

Airborne, thank you! Off to look.

Thanks for the birthday wishes. We had a lovely family night out of cocktails and dinner before she went off clubbing with friends - first time she has done both legally

Glad your DDad has been allowed home, but your DM doesn't seem to be grasping the reality of it all, does she? Must be very tricky for you Cremo

Have discarded David Grossman temporarily in favour of Night Train to Lisbon, which is much better holiday reading.

Crem, not surprised you are exhausted....that sounds so wearing and worrying....

Crem that sounds ever so tough but there is only so much you can do to convince your DM of reality. So sorry. I guess you just have to say your piece, repeat a few times, and then it's over to them.

My DM is hot off the plane early this morning from over a month with DSis in the US. I have a leaden weight in the pit of my stomach which is bad of me as I have had a month off. we have just paid her tax bill online....but she insisted on doing the typing, with me dictating and telling her where to click. Jeepers. I used to be a sweet natured, patient girl.

I have also had a vile time on JL trying on swimsuits which are good prices but with about as much support as a muslin nappy. I think I am going to have to order that £100 Landsend one which, in spite of all the flash sales there at the moment.. almost daily, is not reduced AT ALL. Bravissimo has the best swimsuit strapping for runaway flesh , but you have to be Houdini to get in and out of them without strangling yourself. And of course no costume anywhere can deal with my thunder thighs. Pfffff how depressing.

And I put on a pound this week. And it's all Herbs and Loves fault. Damn that wonderful brunch. In yer face Slimming World.

Yeh, kick em to touch Rosen. I just had a Portuguese custard tart ( in your eye Nutricheck) in swanky new hipster coffee house. Thick with nerds and beards. The waiter curled a lip and nearly passed out when i asked for "an Americano"
How vulgar! Ffs

I have read night train to Lisbon and enjoyed it until it got a bit, erm, labyrinthine. The colours were exquisite though Mrs S.

A friend had suggested we take off for a couple of days, to the seaweed baths in Sligo. I am going to say yay and just bog off into the Wesht.

The sea baths in Sligo sound superb - and alliterative too - I want to come!

Good on yer Crem - get a break you deserve it.

Rose - well done for not strangling DM - breath deeply. Your swimming costume dilemma did make me laugh - I'm sure you'll look gorgeous in any of them - a pound in weight is neither here nor there.

Yay Crem, go for it. With luck there will be bad mobile signal too....

Rosen, I don't usually spend much on swimsuits but I have lands end gym pants, bought in sale. They are really excellent and I now wish I had stocked up as they don't seem to do them any more.

Reasons to be cheerful

1. I've NOT got wet today
2. I've caught up w very old NCT mate
3. I've seen more blue than grey today
4. DH chilled enough not to be argumentative

Oh gawd, Rose I once broke a tankini top trying to get into it.

I tried on a dress this week - fitted like a glove, I did like it, but it was like getting in and out of a wetsuit without the handy pull cord, great long zip from mid bottom to hairline, a, I supposed to have a lady's maid or what? Very stressful changing room contortions.

Snigger Glad I'm not the only one who can't do myself up, or get myself undone... "alas, alack, I am undone..." I think the seeds were sown very young if I'm honest....I am mortified to admit that I am a bra front doer upper....and then have to twist it around and in to place.

Glad you had a better day Fluffy