The Lockdown Gang - not setting foot outside!

Grammaretto this is a jolly genteel lockdown facility if the inmates are sewing masks instead of mail bags - do you trade them for snout like Fletcher in Porridge? I bet Doodle takes a cut in return for the chocolate!

I have been blessed with a surfeit of runner bean and french bean plants this year - I wish GN had a trading facility!

Did anyone watch the excellent ‘Hospital’ programmes over the last 2 nights. We forced ourselves to watch because we felt we didn’t really have a true picture of the experiences of hospital staff and patients. We watch the news and read the papers but we have no cases in our surrounding villages and it all seems vaguely surreal......we are in such a bubble that it’s good to be sobered. I’m in awe of the people at the sharp end and of the quiet bravery of the patients they featured. Humankind at its finest!

I spotted Gov’nor Doodle, ‘Cherry’ and Marydoll in the window of the Old Argy tonight. Suggest everyone checks their hot chocolate tonight in case it intereferes with their medication!

Sleep well!

Have just come over here for some fresh air.....and can anyone lend a hand with a mop and bucket as marydoll was so excited by the bar opening, she has had a little ( large) accident.We may need to call our friendly firemen in with their hoses at the ready.
Has anyone got a put u up bed I can snooze on?

cherry good idea to take some painkillers. Hope you feel better in the morning.
grammaretto hot chocolate or G& T await you. Take your pick or both if you want to be adventurous ?
marydoll sorry the problems with your SIL haven’t been resolved yet. You don’t need all this hassle. Sleep well. You’ll need your energy for school tomorrow. We’re all excited it’s going to be Miss Doll’s birthday ?

mammissimp really as if I’d slip some Argy poteen in the bedtime drinks. I want you all up bright and breezy in the morning. ?. I must say you’ve given me an idea for increasing the prison income. Masks instead of mailbags seems a brilliant idea. Now, who was it who had a sewing machine ?
lemon we can’t have you sleeping in the corridor. You’ll give the place a bad reputation. Get yourself into an empty cell. Hot chocolate in the kitchen, soft cosy towels on the radiator. Lovely smelly soap in the en suite. I run a posh gaffe here. This is an upmarket prison I’ll have you know.??

Gramaretto has the doctor explained what kind of side effect?
If you knew, for instance, that it was constriction of the blood vessles, a soak in Epsom Salts may help.
If it's nerve damage/sensitivity, a topical cream such as Emla could help.

Maybe you already know Emla is applied to the skin when veins are hard to find, making it painful when a patience has to have multiple injections, blood tests or a canula inserted.

I feel so very sorry for him and indeed all of you who are going through so many health challenges. Try to keep smiling.

I finally got round to cleaning the oven!
It's an awkward design and the door doesn't detatch and I see it all through a dim mist as well.

I was grateful for the big box of disposable gloves suppllied by Waipareira as I hate those thick Marigold things.

I tried to order a vegetable delivery from a smaller shop who've just started that facility but they were having problems with the website - I'm fated not to get me veggies.

Dreamkeeper What a shame they mowed all the wildlfowers down, just as the birds and insects need them most. Why don't they listen to Nature?

PS: Please can anyone who knows an open Trivia group online let me know via PM?
I'd love to join.

Morning bradfordlass you have been busy oven cleaning. It’s a job I used to hate. Our oven was under the worktop and getting on the floor and reaching in was so difficult. When we had our kitchen done we bought a pyrolytic one so it cleans itself. I still have to do the trays but it makes it much easier.

Good advice for grammaretto. GN is a mine of information on so many subjects.
Hope everyone has a good day ?

How hardy are we!!! Lovely blue cloudless skies sop yes we both have had our morning stroll and despite almost finding our teeth chattering in the chilly breeze, we do feel fortified and it has given us something akin to an appetite!

Since learnt that the coastal path programme Doodle is actually on a Monday night,obviously a case of too many tipples again!So it looks as if we too have missed out on the Pembrokeshire episode.Not too happy about that.

Perhaps in these days when there are times I am left almost biting my nails, trying to fill the time constructively I should be writing a sort of diary regarding our house move Grammeretto..........because for a serious hoarder of everything, believe me this move at my age with frail health and caring for a very sick husband,completely wheelchair bound at the time,it was one mammoth achievement..........surely I am allowed to pat my own back on this occasion!
The Charity shops,Auction rooms and those there on the spot at the right time certainly benefitted big time.
Financially we really lost out.However at that time that was the least of our worries,and quite frankly we have not looked back since.

Although our lawns etc are nicely spick and span following the hard work of a team of gardeners I do wish they would take account of nature just as you said Bradfordlass......there are times for everything and that wildflower carpet was truly a picture.

Big event of the day,a Tesco delivery this afternoon and yeh! hopefully some flowers because yes Mammissimo I took your advice and ordered.Looking forward,hopefully, to some colour I have to say.

Thankfully now we may sometimes moan about lack of space but hurrah! my cell mates all,no more oven cleaning for me!We actually do have an oven installed in our kitchens but with our main meal delivered,most times we have no need to use it.That I must add is one big plus.
Changing for a pyrolitic oven was indeed great thinking Doodle,it is such a thankless task.

Does all that happens in the Argy Bar stay in the bar by the way? I hear all this hinting and of course being a typical nosey parker I am intrigued!!

Poor Cherry you really seem to be in constant wars and so may I just add,go carefully,we want you around all in one piece and in tip top spirits.

Time to lay the lunch table me thinks, so I bid you all a good constructive day,not too much partying but by all means if there is anything exciting happening do let this arty dodger know!!
Stay safe gals.

Thank you for your kind words Dreamkeeper ?. I am considerably better today and I think that in a couple of days I way even be able to do the twist again (?) ?

Something exciting has happened in the Cherry household. We had an unexpected delivery earlier. A beautiful white fragrant Azalea. My three great nephews saved up to buy it for us it says on the card. I've never seen one quite like it before and the fragrance is absolutely exquisite. My WP is already dividing up and moving some perennials around because he automatically knew as soon as he saw it exactly where he he wants to plant it. He's pleased as punch and I'm very touched ?.

Mamissimo, I wish there was a trading facility here on GN too. I would love some of your French beans ?, not quite sure what I have to trade atm though as we only grow fruit in our garden and none have made an appearance yet. I'd have to send you an IOU ?.

You've been doing everyone's favourite job, not, I see BradfordLass. I had every plan to do mine a few days ago but that went awry ?. There's always next year ?, seriously I think I'm going to wait until Monday now.

Hello cellmates!
I haven't made any mail bags masks today, sorry Guv.
I have written up some family history for DD as she asked me. I was so shocked to find she was interested. She must be middle aged. or rather she knows I am the old one now.
DH's feet are a bit better today. He was given advice from DDiL (a nurse) DD ( an authority on everything) and me (who tries to make him follow advice)

Good news from Dragonfly on GM thread that Dexter is improving.

I noticed it 's Marydoll's birthday. I hope she has plenty of cake, chocolate and flowers. I know she doesn't drink.

Well done Bradfordlass ! I never get urges like that. Do you have other symptoms?!

Mamissimo the delivery girl brought 3 tomato plants and a coriander, grown locally and I sent her off with some lettuce seedlings. She will put them in the village shop for anyone who wants them.

I hope you had a better day/night Cherry

I would be fascinated to read the story of your move Dreamkeeper

It will be G&T time again. See you all for hot choccy later.

Well good evening all. What a busy day. Lots going on at school today with it being Miss Dolls birthday. I hope she enjoyed the celebrations, we certainly went to town ?
Ah panache the Argy yes. What happens in the Argy stays in the Argy .....mostly. It is certainly not a place for genteel ladies being full of a rough crowd. Dear soop is our resident chef of burnt offerings. lemon runs the bar. It would not be fair of me to say what Marydoll does on her birthday ?. I went in there a total innocent and it changed me forever ?‍♀️
You would be most welcome if you wanted to come in but it is a spit and sawdust pub I’m afraid ?

cherry glad you are feeling better today. No more using the floor as a trampoline tonight please. ? Your azalea sounds lovely. What a nice surprise and so thoughtful. ?
grammaretto I often wished I’d asked my mum to write down some of her life stories. She led an interesting life and I have trouble remembering now. What a good idea from your daughter. Thank goodness your DHs feet are feeling better. That must be a relief for you both.
I also read Dexter was improving, that’s such good news. Hope dragonfly is feeling better about it.

Yes Dreamkeeper, the Argy is a bit "spit and sawdust" but do drop in. I frequented the Alphabet as I only "moved here" after the move there from the Argy but there is such fondness for the old place I've had to take a look ?

My neice1 is the one in our little family who is, when she's got time, is researching the family tree. I did a bit when I was younger and gave her the details for where I'd got up to. Atm she is stuck on my mother's side as it's proving difficult to research the Greek ancestral line.

That last post was a bit all over the place I think ?.
I didn't even address the person I wanted to address in the last part of my post, sorry Grammaretto I was responding to you .

I think the brain fog must be returning, either that or it's the painkillers ?

CherryCezzy I guessed you were. The Greek will be challenging but exotic!

A cousin of DM had been working on our impossible wall and has found some fascinating new facts.
I checked out an old note book of DM dated 1937 and found some unexpected addresses too so DD can now look on google maps to see where they lived.. The internet has certainly made searching possible.

If I had moved house, I may have had to dispose of things like that. The notebook - not the internet.

We had a human visitor for a cuppa in my garden today, at a fair distance. I didn't even have a biscuit to offer her.
Must try harder.

Bit subdued tonight - my lovely sister in law rang to tell us that the doctors told my BiL that he has almost reached the end of a ten year battle with pancreatic cancer. She’s 81, deaf and has macular issues and is recovering from a stroke. Her daughter lives in Dubai.....and with this blasted coronavirus we can’t give her any practical help because we’re all shielded.

He’s been one of my dearest friends for forty plus years and I can’t believe that we may not see him again.

The only blessing is that they can afford whatever help they need but all the money in the world doesn’t replace hugs and family laughter.

Sorry - didn’t mean to spill all that but these strange times give me the wobbles occasionally.

I shall tuck myself in for the night and play that daft game on my iPad until the hot chocolate comes.....if I’m snoring just pull my hair gently and I’ll roll over.

Sleep tight.....and Dreamkeeper I hope your flowers were lovely!

cherry glad you have visited the Argy. It is rough but has a number of interesting characters with more than a bit of fantasy thrown in for good measure. Hope you feel a bit more comfortable tonight and get some good sleep.
grammaretto family history is interesting isn’t it. My brother was very keen on researching our history. A few shady characters emerged ?

mamissimo sorry to hear your sad news. That must be very upsetting for you particularly at this time when you can’t be with the family. With your SIL being deaf she won’t really have the comfort of talking on the phone much either. So sorry.
Hot chocolate and the usual alcoholic accompaniments in the kitchen but I’ll just pop round with a tray of drinks for all those already in bed.
Sleep well all

Massimo, I'm so sorry to hear your news. Your poor sister in law, having to deal with this, with family far away.

Apologies, I haven't had time to read the thread again, and am afraid to offend anyone, by not commenting. It's just that I'm pretty wiped out.
It's been a very long week , but I've had a lovely birthday today, much improved by my GN friends.

Cherry, sleep tight.

Grammaretto, you sound a bit low, not your usual self.

Bradfordlass, Panache and my special pupil, Doodle, sleep well.

Poor dear Mamissimo how very sad. I really feel for you all.
I am glad you enjoyed your day Marydoll I hope you had some chat with your DGD?

I am a bit low this week. It's getting to me.... not the covid but the lack of any real hope! DD sent a photo of DGD in her school uniform. She's just turned 5.
Enjoy your chocolate everyone

Just popping my head round the door.

I hope you have a pain free night Cherry and wake up refreshed.

So sad to hear your news Mamissimo these are strange times where we cannot even say goodbye to loved ones.

Hope you are okay Grammaretto and pleased you had a lovely if tiring birthday Mary.

Dexter was signed off by the hospital today which is a huge relief. He still has his cone until next week but he is a much happier doggie. Apparently the ulcer was very bad and will take a good few weeks to heal but we all feel better now.

Sleep tight everyone.

Grammaretto, wow, I'd love to have something like that from my mother. I started with just a couple of pages of notes. I didn't even know how many siblings my grandfather (her side) had until after my mother died. Okay it's not relevant to compiling a traditional family tree but it is interesting.
We haven't found any "shady characters" ? in our family history Doodle but we have uncovered a juicy story which involved a bit of a cover up so perhaps there were ?.

Mamissimo, so sorry to hear your sad news. My fabulous SiL died from pancreatic cancer. I really miss her every day. She was one of a kind, artistic, talented, practical, witty and a no nonsense lady. I, at least, could help my neice1 and nephew1 and say goodbye when the inevitable came- it's one of the most difficult things about this virus - the powerlessness to help etc. We are here for you if you have wobbles x

I'm ready for my delicious hot chocolate now gov'nr Doodle. Good night inmates .

Glad you had a good birthday Marydoll?.

I've finally managed to get a food delivery Yay!

The shop is a little more expensive and I quaked to spend $100 but what I've bought will last a month (other than the fresh veg and fruit which will be renewed weekly now we're at Level 2)

I'm sad to read of all the illnesses and trials and feel a bit mean talking about my good news.

One of George Harrison's songs said:

But it's not always going to be this grey
All things must pass, all things must pass away

Don't lose hope Grammaretto or any of you - we're slowly but surely winning.

Our brave old world will give way to a braver, newer one.
It's exciting to think of all the lessons learned that will make things better for us all.

Sleep well y'all.

Doodle Can I please have just a little shot of Tempus Fugit in my hot choc tonight, to celebrate

Thanks for your bright and cheery message and flower Bradfordlass
You must be so happy to have a delivery at last.
It is funny the things we miss.
I don't know what $100 is in our currency but it sounds a lot for one person but if it lasts a month it isn't much at all.

I think we must be saving by not going shopping.
I didn't think we would manage without the rent from the annex and income from my occasional teaching but with no petrol, no outings, no new clothes, no tradesmen to pay we are eking out the pension.

On the down side, we are beginning to miss our stream of International helpers - some in particular who came back year after year. Having that youthful energy around was lovely and takes your mind off your own medical worries for a while and we always had someone to cut the grass and to lift heavy things.
I will need to PM you about your downsizing experience Dreamkeeper.

I am sorry for you Mamissimo in your family grief.

I am very pleased too that Dexter is recovering Dragonfly You will be so relieved and it will be a boost.
DD's dog is also much happier after her operation. She's barking at the postie but struggling to jump up the step into the house as we all would be with 25 staples in our tummies.

I have a subscription to Ancestry if anyone wants a lookup?
I like to look at old photos and imagine their lives - some were impossible really.
On that note I had better go. DH has an appointment with the nurse for more bloods and it's a chance to glimpse the outside world.

.