Just got back from the vet. Our cat was involved in a fight and came in with blood everywhere. Weirdly, the vet can't find a wound on her so the cat's had an antibiotic jab and we are keeping an eye on her. If I ever get another cat (unlikely) I'm going to get the Reacher of the cat world.

Maybe your cat is already the Chuck Norris of the cat world? The blood could be the other cats.

I am starting to think I'm turning into a hermit. I have a husband I love, am in a home I love, with animals all around that I love, a garden and grounds that I love and I just don't like to leave. Work is a necessary evil but I have to force myself to socialise with the people I work with and that as infrequently as possible, or anybody in fact (except Red) I find myself looking forward to visitors because it means I don't have to go anywhere to visit and be perceived as normal, but also looking forward to that peace that comes when everybody leaves.

I get anxious when people come, I find myself writing obsessive lists to cover everything from what meals I am going to provide for the entire time, to what activities I am going to use to entertain people. I am also finding myself more rigid and a lot less laid-back when plans change, I am less tolerant of other people's caprices, trying to cope with change exhausts me and I hate the feeling that I'm not enjoying entertaining people the way I always have.

Historically I have been the most chilled out, hospitable person, completely fine with people dropping by at short-notice, I always keep the spare bed ready for unexpected guests and love welcoming people and making them feel at ease. I still do all these things, but they now give me stress and I have to recharge with alone time when it's all over.

Have children. You'll want to get out of the house as often as possible. It just seems easier that way.

You've had a stressful last couple of years, things will get better over the next little while but these things take time. Enjoy your time alone with Red and take a break etc, true friends will always be there for you when you need them

I really need to think about what I say before typing them.

I have that problem all the time. Welcome to the club, we have cookies!

Zippy - maybe it's the newlywed symptoms Anyway I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying your house.

The fact that, today, around 80% of this forum is classified as "offensive and tasteless" by our IT filters. Can't wait to get home to see what I'm missing!

Thank *** his passport has arrived. Now we CAN go to Bruges on Saturday

Mine's arrived today too.

Northern Lights illuminate the UK



More fron the BBC here.

Anybody seen anything?

Nope.
I'd love to see the Northern Lights first hand.

I am too far south to see them this time. I have seen it some years ago one August, really early in the season. Normally it is a month or so later.

+1