TOO WARM IN THE KITCHEN!!

Need to escape for a while. So far today I've made 2 large quiche, lemon cakes, apple and sultana cake and chocolate cakes. May not sound much, but I've had both ovens on and the kitchen is stifling as a result - plus it's a gloriously hot sunny day with no breeze to speak of, so nothing's going to cool it down in a hurry. Think I might go for a drive into Morpeth and stand next to the chilled misted vegetable counters in Morrisons for a while.

HOW AM I GOING TO...

... go about getting Cakes-A-Go-Go into offices? And where do I start with setting up a home delivery service? These are the questions of the day - and at the moment I'm not coming up with any obvious answers!! However, this is the direction we are (note I said 'WE'!!) hoping to move in, with a view to making more of a profit than we currently do supplying coffee shops. Lots of talking, thinking, planning and organising to do in the next few weeks!

WOW...

... gone 2pm already - where is the day going? It wasn't the best of starts this morning as I was woken by my phone announcing a text from Kevin at silly o'clock wanting to add items to the order he placed late yesterday. This was despite me asking him for his order by end of work hours on Saturday. So, me being me, I set to and added the requested items, all the time chuntering on and making Charles, myself and probably the dogs as well thoroughly miserable. Why do I let him do it? Why can't I just say 'NO'? Nobody else would do what I do for him. Just going to look in the mirror to see if I've got 'MUG' stamped on my forehead.

AND AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS OF FAFFING ABOUT...

... during which we almost set off for Druridge, only to suddenly realise that Christina needed a lift to Eshott Hall at 11am which meant we would miss Hannah and Rachel starting at 10.30, and then DID set off wearing waterproofs and stout boots... ... I get a text from Helen saying that the event had been called off because of 'Health and Safety"!! I'm not too sure about this really. I would have thought that an event that included... ... battling your way through mud, the North Sea, crawling under barbed wire, sliding down a giant mud slide, facing your fears through the tunnel and over 20 more obstacles... ... had probably already breached most health and safety guidelines ​anyway!!

TYPICAL!!

After weeks of glorious weather, the one day that we need to be at the beach cheering our nieces on in the Norse Challenge and it's pouring with rain and blowing a gale. The dogs won't even venture for a wee!! Oh well, looks like its winter woollies and waterproofs for us.

HAD A LOVELY TIME...

... celebrating Christina's birthday yesterday. She loved her presents - of which there were many. The food went down really well, although there's a lot of birthday cake to be eaten up here. Might need some help with that. She's off to Ladies Day today, so I hope she has a great time.

STARVING!!

Got a bit of a party tea going on for Christina - or it WILL be going on when everyone gets here after work. Have gone with a tapas/buffet sort of thing, but there are so many different aromas emanating from the kitchen that I seriously doubt I'll be able to wait much longer before having to sample the wares!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

To our lovely daughter. Is it really 33 years since that momentous day in Oxford, overlooking the Dreaming Spires!! I remember it as if it were yesterday. Have a lovely day Christina - you deserve it! xxx

BACK FROM...

... the weekly hairdo. Absolutely sweltering! I'm sure it's hotter than ever today.

THE HOUSE FEELS SO EMPTY...

... when the girls aren't in it! We dropped them off at 10.00. They spent the entire journey on tenterhooks, even though the words 'hairdresser' and 'Woofcuts' had never been mentioned. Once we got them through the gate, Rose slipped her collar and was making a very determined run for it, but I managed to corner her by the hedge and carried her back to the torture chamber. Lily by this time was in a holding pen and seemed okay really. Rose had turned into a trembling wreck in my arms and continued to shake uncontrollably when she was placed in HER pen. We left them, feeling completely traitorous!

WOOFCUTS!!

Oh how I hate these days!! I swear the girls know the difference between a jolly jape in the car... ... and being driven to the doggy idea of hell on earth. Actually, whenever we take them out and are heading up the A1 they don't really settle until the Shilbottle turn-off is out of the way so they are sure there's no danger of being thrown, trembling, into the drying cabinet at Woofcuts. I am not joking - they know these things. That's why, this morning, we can't mention the plan for the day. So, between you and me, we've got to get them to Shilbottle for 10.00, then I need to do a bit of food shopping. Hannah's coming round later, so I need to get something for dinner. After that it's probably just a matter of getting Kevin's order sorted for tomorrow and going back to pick the girls up after lunch. Nothing exciting then.

HIDDEN GEM!!

Why have we only just discovered the tiny but exquisitely beautiful hamlet of Eshott? Christina has been working at Eshott Hall today and we went to pick her up, got there early and had time to have the most delightful stroll around the village with the girls who had come along for the ride. Do they do meals at the Hall or is it mostly a conference/wedding venue? Need to find out more!

BIT OF A NON-DAY TODAY!

No real plan for me. Can't really bake because I've got absolutely no storage space at all, anywhere. I've been into Morpeth and done all the jobs round the house. There's nothing on the telly apart from stuff about a royal baby - we're changing the guard at the moment. Charles is actually at school finishing off the clearing out process. I thought he'd already done that, but obviously misunderstood how much there was to do! (Not like I ever had to clear my own office!!) Can't wait for tomorrow when the girls will have had their hair done by this time. I know they hate it, but they'll feel so much better afterwards.

IT'S A BOY!!

Congratulations to William and Kate!! (His weight is just one pound lighter than Christina's birth weight!)

ACTUALLY...

... we were really impressed with the new Morrisons! I know - how sad is that!! I love the greengrocer section and the fact that there is so much more choice - and space!! We got a bit confused with the parking mind you and started out in the underground car park, but then realised that we would be better going to the roundabout by the garage and parking at the top there by the main entrance. Also love the fact that the home baking section has been extended. This will be a big help and will enable me to avoid having to search around in a number of different shops to find what I need. Have had a busy day in the kitchen since we got back. Thankfully the weather here is NOT like the rest of the country where it's apparently the hottest day of the year so far!! The new tumble dryer arrived just after lunch. It's a direct replacement for the one we had before. It looks so white though compared to the other Bosch appliances in the utility room. Just goes to show how faded and discoloured they've become in three years. Right - where's this Royal baby then eh? Come on Kate - PUSH!!!!!!

HOW SAD IS IT...

... that the highlight of my day today will be going to the new Morrisons that is opening in Morpeth this morning? They've been running the old store down for weeks and it's become increasingly frustrating to find everything I've needed, especially baking stuff, but today sees the opening of the new superstore should put an end to all that. I want to do the recce that you always need to do in a new store so that I can get used to the layout as, sadly again, I like to write my shopping list in 'shop order'!! (OCD or what!) However, Morrisons has to wait until after the Radcliffes delivery which we are about to set off to do now.

A LOVELY DAY!

Lovely company, great food, had a really enjoyable day. Charles is trying to persuade me that we need to go on holiday for a fortnight in October. While I think it would do us good I cannot get my head round leaving the girls for two weeks. What is the matter with me? Other people do it without a second thought, but I just can't think about it. Don't know what to do.

BBQ LUNCH!!

And someone turned the sun off!! What a shame. After a couple of glorious weeks, we've now got an overcast day (like yesterday actually) for our family BBQ. Never mind, It's still warm, so it won't keep us inside. Just waiting for the 'kids' to arrive and then we can start cooking. Had a fab meal last night at Cafe 21. It's a while since we were last there, so it was a real treat to eat there again. Their twice-baked cheddar and spinach souffles are to die for!!

TUMBLE DRYER...

... knackered now!! Got a new one coming on Monday though so that's okay. Could have done without the additional expense though.

JUST WAITING...

... or Helen, Bill, Hannah and Tex to arrive. Looking forward to a relaxed day today, followed by a fab meal at Cafe 21 this evening!

BIT FRESHER THIS MORNING

Lovely breeze, mix of sun and cloud. Oh just heard the weather report - maybe we're benefiting from 'sea breezes'!! Charles left for Preston just after 6.00 this morning. The girls are confused!! They're are clearly wondering why they're up at this time. Ha ha ha - that's partly to pay you back for all the disturbed nights you've given us!! Going to have a day of flower making today. I'm starting on the flowers for Rachel's wedding cake. I know it's not needed until December, but they keep for years and I might as well make a few whenever I have a bit of time on my hands.

BIT 'DOWN' TODAY!

Not sure why really. Charles has been out pretty much all day and is out again for the evening. And he'll be away all day tomorrow. So I'm feeling like Billy No Mates. Christina isn't having anything to do with me at the moment. She's upset with me for no reason, but I can't get that through to her. Rose is worrying me because her paw still looks sore and I just know that she's going to end up needing a visit to the vet. Despite using the spray that's supposed to stop her licking she's continued to nibble at it, so that plan clearly hasn't worked. I haven't got a clue what to have for my evening meal. Hardly worth bothering just for me...

ANOTHER GORGEOUS MORNING!!

I cannot remember the last time we had such a run of good weather. Lovely!! Charles is spending his first day of retirement in the Lionheart studio doing a show from 11.00 - 3.00. This replaces the scheduled one for tomorrow as he's driving over to Preston to take his Mum to a hospital appointment. As for me, I'm not expecting to be too busy today. I've ordered some nasty-tasting stuff to spray on Rose's sore paw and that is due to arrive today, so I need to wait in for that. (I hope it works because it'll be a visit to the vet if it doesn't.) I do need to do some food shopping, but won't b able to do that until the delivery has been. Helen and Bill are coming up at the weekend and we're all going to Cafe 21 to celebrate Charles's retirement - at least we hope we are, I've still got to book it!

WELL DONE CROFTWAY!!

I think that was a really fitting send off for Charles this afternoon. The music was great, the children were well behaved despite the incredible heat and it was obvious that Charles is held in high regard. James, Claire and I all felt a bit teary-eyed when he (eventually) arrived in the hall to rapturous applause, but he held it together valiantly, although there did appear to be a bit of a frog in his throat on occasions. Brilliant buffet. I had a total disaster with my contribution and, in fact, didn't get anything onto the table because the strawberry cupcakes had completely melted by the time I got to James and Claire's in Gosforth,so I left them for the workmen, and then there was no room on the table for the brownies - so I just took them away again, In fact I may have one right now!!

CHARLES HAS SET OFF...

... for his final assembly at school. In about half an hour I will be following him. James and Claire are coming too. So are about fifty cakes that somehow I've managed to conceal from the man who never normally misses a thing!! Will take my camera!!

THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!!

Last day at Croftway for Charles. Not too sure how he's feeling about it, although he IS still here, having been told to stay at home this morning. He's going to do the Radcliffes delivery for me this morning. This is good as it means I can get on with other stuff. (Stuff that he doesn't know about!!) Still keeping a close eye on Rose who is worrying at her right paw and making it really sore. Whenever she gets a chance she has a nibble at it, so I'm wondering if there;s any sort of product I can buy that will taste horrible and stop her licking? Any ideas?

ITS FAR TOO HOT TO BE...

... in the kitchen and yet, sadly, that is where I've spent most of the day. Kevin's order is ready now though, so most of my work is done for today, I'm delighted to report. I've just noticed that Rose appears to be limping. Aaaaargh - I hate it when they're hurting. Knowing Rose, she'll have chewed her paws and made them sore. I'll go and find the aloe vera gel - it seems to soothe most sore bits. Not sure what to expect from Christina tonight. I decided against ringing the team today. Instead I'll see how she is this evening and make a decision in the morning.

BAD START TO THE DAY.

Christina is in a bad way today. Although she has left the house for a business meeting with her partner already, she has spent the short time between waking and leaving the house in a continual high-volume, angry rant. I think I need to let the staff at the Mental Health Clinic know and will give them a ring later on, although it won't help relations between the two of us. It will however, inform them about her sudden breakdown and, from my perspective, it shares the load a bit. What they will do about it I've no idea.

BAD AFTERNOON.

Christina had some bad news this afternoon and has had a complete meltdown as a result. I'm resisting calling the crisis team because I hope she will manage to calm herself down and get herself out of it, but at least I know they are there if needed. It's a shame because she has done so well recently.

GLORIOUS MORNING!

Absolutely beautiful start to the day. Warm, sunny but just a bit if a breeze taking the edge of the heat - perfect. Not too sure what I'm doing today really, apart from some shopping at the rapidly depleting Morrisons in Morpeth. Might go and do that early on then Ive got the rest of the day to do other stuff in the kitchen - whoopi-doo!! Charles has gone off to school with a crate of cheese scones, another of fruit scones, butter, strawberries, jam and clotted cream. Hope the staff enjoy them!!

JUST HAD BREAKFAST AT...

... "Curiously Wicked" the 'Edwardian' tearooms in Morpeth that tries to emulate Bettys but doesn't quite pull it off. However, they do put on a good brekkie!! James couldn't stay long as he had to meet Claire's train, but we had a good chat with Hannah, followed by a mooch around the shops. Started getting things for Christina's birthday next week. Back home now on scone duty!

REALLY ENJOYED...

... last nights BBQ. James was here of course and Christina asked if she and her new bloke could join us, which they did. They all ended up sharing lots of school stories (Rothbury and KEV1) and having a good laugh at their exploits (and I always thought James was a GOOD boy!!) It was just a really nice, relaxed evening. And so we approach Charles's last week before retirement. Apparently I'm making dozens of scones this afternoon for him to take into school tomorrow. And then I guess there are a couple of things planned for him during the week. Hope he enjoys it all.

PICNIC LUNCH AT ALNMOUTH!!

It was another fabulous morning, so after delivering the cakes to Morpeth we picked up the girls, packed a picnic and drove over to Alnmouth for a few hours on the beach. Bliss!! Now we're getting ready for a BBQ with James who should get here shortly. However, I notice that it is clouding over a bit now. Is this the end of the good weather I wonder? It IS a bit cooler and definitely more pleasant, so maybe it's not a bad thing.

STILL RED HOT...

... and I've got to make fresh cream and strawberry cupcakes to take to the Macmillan coffee morning at Howard Terrace Methodist Church in Morpeth. (Always get a lump in my throat when I set foot in this church as my Dad was the minister here many years ago!) Not just taking cupcakes. I thought it would be nice to take a big cake (the new chokka mocca), brownies and a banana loaf so there should be something for everyone. Better go and get sorted out!!

IN A NUTSHELL...

DID DELIVERY - WAS TOO HOT. WENT TO MORPETH SHOPPING - WAS TOO HOT. HAD HAIR DONE - WAS TOO HOT. CAME HOME AND BAKED FOR THE COFFEE MORNING TOMORROW - WAS FAR TOO HOT. Really hope it cools down before bedtime because there'll be no sleeping in this heat. Why haven't we got a fan? I'm sure we used to have one!!

I AM...

...FAR...TOO...HOT!!

CHRISTINA HAS BEEN...

... fine today. Even after her appointment in Berwick, she remained really positive and upbeat. Well done to her, because it really cannot be easy.

GOING TO BERWICK LATER!

Bit of a trek,but it's where Christina has to go for the second opinion she has requested. We're all going to go (Lily and Rose too) because I'm not sure what frame of mind she'll be in after her appointment and I think, even if we say nothing, it'll be good for us all to be together on the way home. Charles and I will walk the girls while she's having her session. This is probably the first of a number of appointments and it's highly unlikely that any definitive diagnosis will be made today.

MIND YOU...

... I really could have done without the constant drone of the electric hedge cutters from next door today. Hasn't helped the old migraine hangover one bit.

MIGRAINE IN ASDA!!

This was not good this morning. There was no hint of it, although when I did the delivery to Radcliffes, Andrew kept asking if I was okay and said I didn't look right, so presumably it was brewing then. Certainly hit hard and fast, but fortunately I managed to buy migraleve from the little pharmacy and within an hour it was under control sufficiently to enable me to drive home. Although I should have had a lie down in a darkened room, I've actually been pretty busy since I got back and now definitely feel the need to have a little snooze!!

MUST BE AT LEAST...

... ten degrees cooler than yesterday, but it's actually very pleasant. It would be nice if it brightened up a bit by this evening when we're planning a BBQ for James and Hannah - with American pancakes too apparently as James has a craving for them! Got two deliveries to do this morning - Applebys and then Radcliffes. On the way back from that I need to go to Asda in Gosforth - not normally my first choice but Morrisons in Morpeth appear to be running the shelves down in readiness for the move to the mew store in a week or so and I was very frustrated yesterday in my attempts to buy cakey stuff to discover that they actually had nothing at all that I needed. Right better get sorted. Back later...

HOT DOGS!!

No that's not what we're having for dinner, it's what the girls are today. They really don't know where to put themselves. Mind you, neither do I!!

WHAT A GORGEOUS MORNING!

Very warm and sunny. Not really a day to be in the kitchen, so I'm hoping I've done enough preparation yesterday to ensure that it's a relatively light day today. Need to go into Morpeth early on, so I might take the Peugeot with the top down.

YAY!!!

Stitches out. Bulky dressing swapped for light tubular bandage . No lifting for four weeks though? How's that going to work?

STITCHES OUT TODAY!!

Can't wait!! Hopefully I'll be coming home with just a little elastoplast instead of the bulky dressing I've worn for the best part of a fortnight. It has been my mission to keep this bandage as clean as possible and I've wrapped it in cling film each day in order to achieve that. And it is still pristine I'm pleased to say. However. it'll be such a relief to get it off today. Ooh, just heard that the Andy Murray documentary is being shown again this evening. I MUST tell Mum because she missed it first time round and hasn't been able to get iplayer sorted for some reason, and I know she will really appreciate it.

WELL DONE ANDY MURRAY!!

What a game that was. And the win was so deserved. I think he was pretty shell shocked in the minutes immediately after the game finished. But we were leaping around the living room (Christina was here. It wasn't just Charles and me!) and getting pretty emotional about the whole thing!! It's been a really nice weekend actually. Perfect weather. The Lions win yesterday and Andy today. A lovely trip to the coast yesterday morning. A memorable afternoon today spent with Christina and John. Yes - very good weekend. AND hopefully tomorrow my stitches come out and the dressing comes off. I really cannot wait!!

HMM - BIT CLOUDY TODAY!

Very warm and humid though. We need to get a bit of tidying up done in the garden and then I think we're going to take the girls down to Morpeth for a walk by the river and coffee. They had a lovely time at the beach yesterday, and we were planning to repeat that and to take a picnic, but it just doesn't seem nice enough. (I spent too many days shivering on the beach waiting for the sun to briefly appear because my Mum was a sun worshipper during my childhood!!) This afternoon will obviously be spent in front of the telly as we hope and pray that Andy Murray can do what he couldn't do last year. I wonder if they'll be tears of joy this time?

UNSPOILT BEAUTY!!

THE BEACH, I MEAN!!

ON A GLORIOUS SUMMER DAY LIKE THIS...

... is there anywhere better than the beach at Alnmouth? We've just spent a couple of blissful hours there. And on a hot, sunny day like today it was quiet, peaceful and uncrowded. Fabulous!!

HAD MY HAIR DONE...

... quite a bit lighter than it was before, but kind of an intermediate shade so I can decide if I want to go stay darkish with some highlights or go back to blonde. Not terribly happy with it at them moment, but hopefully it'll help me make my mind up. Kind of watching the tennis. Murray is making hard work of this against a giant of an opponent with a scary glare and a deadly serve. It's not easy to watch!!

FRIDAY!!

I used to get excited about Fridays - but not any more! Just like any other day for us really. Had a fairly early start and got the chores done around the house before 8.30. I'm just enjoying coffee and a waffle, while Charles is outside slogging away, cutting the grass. I think the idea was that he would get it done before it gets too warm - which is what is supposed to happen over the next few days although there's little evidence of that so far!! He's got his radio show this afternoon, with Dan Smith as his guest. Sadly I'm going to miss the live show as I shall be having my hair done (colour - so it'll take a while) at the time. Don't think I can do much in the way of baking today as the freezers are pretty much filled up again, although I might find room for a few batches of scones.

GOT A...

... thumping headache. Aaaaargh! Might go for a lie down, as soon as the carrot cake comes out of the oven. Damn! Got to wait for another half an hour then, but wouldn't be able to relax until it had been seen to.

BACK HOME...

... and it was awful, as predicted. Still never mind - we've got to have a weekly 'meeting' at home to sort out our diaries and then another session like today's in three months time, so what more could we ask?

SETTING OFF...

... in a few minutes. Just trying to work out which channel the Murray match is going to be on, as it will start while we're in our meeting. Wish us all luck!

BIG DAY FOR US!

We've got the first meeting with Christina's mental health team - and with Christina herself - today. We've been warned to expect it to be difficult, and I have no doubt that it will be, but at least it is an opportunity for everyone involved to share information and to observe at first hand the dynamics of our relationship with Christina. We're having another tense morning. Possibly this is a pre-cursor to the afternoon meeting, although I suspect it is rooted in other issues. Whatever the reason, it makes life very hard for all of us.

LOT OF TENSION...

... in the house this morning. It was beginning to build yesterday and is very much in evidence this morning. Not sure what has triggered this (although I'm pretty sure it is connected to a bottle of wine), but I hope I'll manage to get Christina to talk about it later on because this is no good for any of us and just places increased stress on us all. We do have a meeting tomorrow with the mental health team, so hopefully, if there ARE major issues today, we will have an opportunity to talk about them then.

TWO HANDS ARE MOST CERTAINLY...

... BETTER THAN ONE!! I can state this with some authority now. Before last week I had thought that what I couldn't do with my right hand I would simply do with my left, completely misunderstanding that more often than not a second hand is needed for grip, tension or steadiness. My problem is that my fine motor control is pretty non-existant at the moment. Chopping, using scissors, opening cans are non-starters. I've just tried to make an apple cake. Charles had to peel and chop the apples before he went to work. Christina had to cut the lining paper. I managed to weigh the ingredients myself, although breaking the eggs was a challenge, but the worst bit was actually getting the mix from the bowl into the cake tin because I couldn't grip the bowl sufficiently to enable effective scraping. Ended up leaving quarter of the mixture in the bowl and another quarter dolloped on the worktop. Very frustrating.