Furtle goes visiting

Furtle is getting ready for her sister to turn up so they can drive off to Colchester hospital together to see their ailing Nan, who we all hope is getting better after her fall. This is their Nan who is 90 and who likes to read spy and detective novels and drink G&T and who every morning has a glass of her 'heart starter' - a shot of whisky.

I am told that there is much anxious waiting for the sun to appear over the yard arm after which there is a furious scuttle to the kitchen to mix the G&Ts. These are taken between about 11am and 2pm and then it is tea only until the bedtime snorter of whisky to ensure her heart stays the course until morning. Of course, if there are visitors, it is acceptable to continue with the G&Ts after two 'o' clock. Furtle tells of the time her Nan visited her parents (Furtle's parents) and was mixed a huge G&T in a glass as big as her head. She was sitting in an armchair smiling happily swinging her feet back and forth because they didn't reach the ground, whilst nursing the Grandmother of all Gin and Tonics.

I like the sound of Furtle's Nan, who sounds like a tough and feisty Old Bird. This is to be encouraged. There should be more formidable dowagers in the world.

Furtle assures me she shall be a formidable dowager one day. When I pointed out that meant that I would have to be pushing up the daisies, she decided to settle for tough Old Bird instead.

Furtle goes visiting

Furtle is getting ready for her sister to turn up so they can drive off to Colchester hospital together to see their ailing Nan, who we all hope is getting better after her fall. This is their Nan who is 90 and who likes to read spy and detective novels and drink G&T and who every morning has a glass of her 'heart starter' - a shot of whisky.

I am told that there is much anxious waiting for the sun to appear over the yard arm after which there is a furious scuttle to the kitchen to mix the G&Ts. These are taken between about 11am and 2pm and then it is tea only until the bedtime snorter of whisky to ensure her heart stays the course until morning. Of course, if there are visitors, it is acceptable to continue with the G&Ts after two 'o' clock. Furtle tells of the time her Nan visited her parents (Furtle's parents) and was mixed a huge G&T in a glass as big as her head. She was sitting in an armchair smiling happily swinging her feet back and forth because they didn't reach the ground, whilst nursing the Grandmother of all Gin and Tonics.

I like the sound of Furtle's Nan, who sounds like a tough and feisty Old Bird. This is to be encouraged. There should be more formidable dowagers in the world.

Furtle assures me she shall be a formidable dowager one day. When I pointed out that meant that I would have to be pushing up the daisies, she decided to settle for tough Old Bird instead.