Good morning Still coughing like goodness knows what Horrid Theory about the mower (out of petrol then flooded) was correct, thank goodness May be some mowing action today if weather is helpful Friends round later for cup of tea, signature witnessing, and a catchup What does Saturday hold for you?

Good morning Two Zoom meetings today 🙄 See you later!

Instead of mowing I did some flowerbed tidying; the phormium bed. Fresh air has done me good I think. Light now going.

Feeling far from fit but girded loins sufficiently to put gardening clothes on & go outside to do a bit of mowing Flipping mower won’t start It may have been out of petrol then stood unused for nearly 3 weeks Naturally after unsuccessful attempts to start it the engine is probably flooded Grrrr

Pizza Express, South Terminal, Gatwick 12 November Christmas “music” blaring Ridiculous! And horrible.

Just bought some Olbas Oil at Gatwick. Anyone tried it? Is it effective?

Morning A travel day back to our French life today Still coughing and feeling under the weather 🤪 rather exhausting Hope all BlueSkyers are ok …

Morning Still coughing like a goodness knows what Another day of lying low at the seaside Social media, book reading, scrolling RightMove, watching episodes of Escape to the Country back to back, you know the kind of things we do to pass the time when we are poorly & need to keep germs to ourselves

Some lovely autumn colours still shining at NT Petworth today

Good morning Today will mostly be spent in the company of two wonderful small people (and their esteemed parents). Actually they’re not so small now! I hope you have something good too Still coughing like goodness knows what. Not nice at all.

Good morning from Sussex Flight on time and car service worked well. Virus still being virulent on chest which does tend to disturb sleep. Yuck. Quiet day ahead. At least that’s what’s planned … highlight will be takeaway curry this evening! How are you?

@thenotoriousguy.bsky.social Good morning What is the JMDF?

You know that thing where in the midst of a dreadful heavy chesty virus you suddenly realise that head no longer feels as though it’s exploding? Other symptoms continue but there’s suddenly a glimmer of hope that it will pass Well, I’m pleased to say that’s me this morning Sadly OH is succumbing 😥

Flight eventually took off three hours late. At least it took off. And landed. Continuing to feel very rough not helped by a very short, very disturbed night. My watch even recorded a hard fall during one of my coughing episodes! Today is a day to survive I think. Hope you’re on fine form.

Announcement that flight will board in an hour (will be two hours late). At least it appears they expect it to take off. Had been researching various alternatives if it was cancelled. No good options 🙄.

Flight delayed “due to operational reasons” whatever that means. Not sure what we would do if they cancel it as there’s not another for several days.

Wearing a mask on the flight to try and keep my germs to myself. Had forgotten what it feels like.

Two other fabulous bits of motorway : the M40 in spring where banks are covered in cowslips, and the M6 through the Lake District. Any more?

Asked hotel if we could delay our checkout till 2 as I’m not feeling well No problem they said, if you change rooms and pay 170 euros Bit steep for two hours??! Instead of which we came early to the airport and have found a nice quiet spot in corner of a lounge Better and more economical option

Good morning Continuing to feel very rough; what a pain! Back home this evening. What a place Rome is … I had to take a photo of this shrub in the Forum. Sadly we saw the building collapse in which one person died and another is still fighting for life in hospital.

Good morning from Rome. Villa d’Este yesterday was magnificent. Here’s a slightly unusual view! Unfortunately down with a bit of a big and feeling rather rough which is a huge pain.

Guess which one is our train 🙄🙄🙄 Good morning

Today : Morning wonderful art in the Galleria Borghese in a calm environment Afternoon another surprisingly calm environment in the wondrous Pantheon Evening an excellent dinner in a real old school traditional Roman restaurant Tomorrow Villa d’Este, by train to Tivoli from Rome Termini All good!

Yesterday Outside ; inside

Let there be light

What a day … Terrible queues and desperate overcrowding made it very difficult to appreciate and enjoy the wonders of the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s. I’ve been a few times before but this was OH’s first time. Exhausted!

Good morning from Rome Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s today See you later!

The Pantheon

Our hotel is the building on the left. Not a bad position?!

Karma

Raining in Rome!

Good morning Today is the 5th anniversary of arriving in France to obtain residency under the Withdrawal Agreement, thus securing rights that were extended to my husband 15 months later under family reunification rules I therefore now have permanent residency Photo taken a few minutes after arrival

How do I know it’s Wednesday? By the “song” of the chasse in nearby woodland …

I’ve not seen a three-seamed walnut before. From our own tree. I wonder what caused it? Any ideas?

Good morning It was chilly (12 degrees) to be outside in dressing gown and hotel slippers, but I’m glad I did. Pretty sunrise. Varied day ahead here …

Good morning Flu and Covid jabs this afternoon More admin and paperwork this morning 🙄 Whatever you’re up to I hope there’ll be some joy to be found! Pic is of Parthenocissus tricuspidata, commonly known as Boston Ivy, which grows on our house and has spectacular autumn colour.

Don’t like the evenings drawing in 😩

Many fewer grue are coming over this year. I’d thought it might be a little early. But I also fear it may be a result of avian flu which is being reported. A tragedy if the latter.

Good morning Hope you all remembered about the clock change? Dry day forecast here which is welcome after a week of rain (even though that rain was VERY welcome indeed!) Leaves to be dealt with Before you reprimand me I should clarify they are plane tree, huge, tough, don’t break down unless chopped

Had 5 hours something sleep Iast night. That was not enough. Need to try harder.

Second eldest GrandBoy went on a university visit today to be presented with hundreds of yobs shouting in the streets, draped in flags. Fortunately he wasn’t discombobulated by it but it’s not nice.

Good morning A day of sorting through documents ahead. Hmmmm. Hope your day promises better!

😂😂😂

Reading about the Waitrose autistic U-turn with interest. About 25 years ago a lovely (highly intelligent, skilled musician) autistic (probably undiagnosed) friend was recruited by Waitrose. After the probationary period they asked her to leave as she “did not fit in”. Now I too have received a >>

Shadows from glass candle holders illuminated by the torch function on my iPhone yesterday as the power cut hit us before sunrise and we were scrabbling around for lights.

Good morning The storm roared for much of the day yesterday but eventually blew itself out. Still damp today. Poor local friends lost power all day but ours came back after a couple of hours. Various stuff going on here today including the chimney sweep’s annual visit. See you later!

View out of the front door an hour or so ago

Power’s back. Hooray!

Good morning Stormy weather has taken our power this morning 😩

Good (rather early) morning Lovely albeit quiet low key day yesterday to celebrate OH’s birthday with a visit to the pizzeria in Eymet. Dinner out with friends tonight. No wonder I’m a bit of a porker!! The rain continues. Magic! And so welcome. Leaves thickly carpet the ground. Autumn is here.