The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

Morning all, just popping into wish you all well. I just can't keep up just now.
Still suffering side effects, now I have a very painful mouth and eyes. DH will be glad, my incessant chatter will be curtailed.
It will pass eventually, my GP assures me. Six weeks is a long time to wait! I'm spending to much money and time on online shopping to console myself. Very shallow!!!!?

Hoping Panache and her DH are ok.

Take care everyone.

The best news is that I got my first hug in sixteen weeks from DGD yesterday. I was overwhelmed and exhausted.by it all! ?

Hi Doodle, it's OK, I haven't lost it yet. I have run out of birthday cards so am making do with Christmas cards!

G'day cell mates.
We just had a WhatsApp photo of DGS playing in the snow on your desert road today. Bradfordlass They are in their campervan. I hope you are all warm enough. Glad to hear the boiler is working.

Enjoy your pizza night Mamissimo what a lovely host to tailor flavours for your guests. It reminds me of a successful birthday party we had for DD when she was about 8 or 9. I made pizza dough and each child rolled their own and chose toppings. They loved it. I hope you enjoy yours.
I love Indian food too. Just before lockdown we tried an authentic, fairly new restaurant in Edinburgh. I hope they survive. The city is still so silent.

Thinking of Panache today and ofcourse I hope your plumber comes Cherry

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grammaretto ....it said water resistant on the box. Obviously it was the box which was water resistant, not the shoes.

Doodle no, not water, it's milk you need to cool your mouth after eating Indian foods.

Yes, I will post pictures of the CuddleUp once it's finished. It's all tacked but I now have to wait for Alison, who has the sewing machine.

It's been known to snow where I live but not often. We get frost on the lawn but that's usually burned off with sunrise.

About 350 km down the road are the famous Whakapapa
& Ruapehu ski fields and during the school holidays (just begun)_ families flock down there for fun in the snow.

Not me, if I never saw snow again I'd be 'appy.

Let's hope Ruapehu doesn't erupt again this year. The naughty mountain quite ruined the snow season last time.

bradfordlass fortunately I managed to avoid any ‘accidents’ with all my water and cold based activities today ?
Pleased to hear your heater still has a good life ahead of it. Wouldn’t like to think of you getting cold in the mornings.
Thanks for the advice about the curry. I wouldn’t be ordering a hot one but I will have water and coconut at hand.
Meeting up with friends for a meal sounds fun.
Hailstones! My goodness. I had no idea it was so cold. I always think of NZ as being a warm country. Does it get very cold where you are?
grammaretto as far as I know we only have panache in hospital and I really hope she’s back home soon.
How do you make kale crisps? Do you fry fresh kale?
Sounds interesting.
Hush puppies, haven’t heard of them for a while. They were very comfy shoes though. Salt water doesn’t really do shoes much good..except perhaps wellies. ?
missedout glad you’re ok. Perhaps we hired a contortionist trainer instead of a masseur by mistake ?
Good, safety first. Is this a cycle helmet for wearing out on the road. Are you gaining confidence in your cycling now?
Er missedout I think you might have been in lockdown too long. It was cherry’s birthday not Christmas. ?
Hope you have a good night tonight and have an untangled sleep ?

I've finally untangled myself after the ministrations of the masseuse. I don't think English was her first language. I thought she had understood me when I said I had knots in my back and shoulders....

I don't have much to report at all. I seem to have achieved nothing except an avalanche of emails confirming online purchases.

Today I bought a batch of birthday cards, the only ones I have left are Christmas cards. I'm sure my AC would appreciate the thought and think it funny but he will have a birthday card anyway.

I've also bought a cycle helmet! I didn't realise I had such a small head. I didn't want to pay the earth, it took me ages to find a small one that can be delivered next week.

Then there are the 'emergency' unisex urinal bags... (least said the better) but we plan on a couple of longish journeys after lockdown ends.

Also ordered AC's birthday present.

Tomorrow is the day before another food delivery too, so I will be throwing out the fantasy list and replacing it with what we actually want .... such fun!

I'm sorry I missed Cherry's celebrations - I could have at least wished you a Happy Christmas.

I'm also thinking of Dreamkeeper and Mr P as well as MaryDoll.

Once again Doodle thank you but hope you will understand if I pass on another massage.

Have we two cellmates in the sickbay?
I hope they are comfy and getting good treatment.
Until you drew attention to it I thought eating icecream in the rain whilst walking round a watergarden was a normal thing to do.
As for the wet shoes. It was probably the seashore.
I ruined a pair of hush puppies shoes by walking along the seashore in them. They were new and it said water resistant on the box.
I think I have already told you I'm a bit simple.
The lettuces are round ones. They have been so prolific this year along with the kale. We have kale crisps with everything.

I hope you get the toilet and the sink working again soon.

Oh it's late. No wonder I'm so tired.
Night night

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Doodle If I was desperate for the loo, this scenario would have me crossing my legs and pogo-ing to the nearest:
the drizzle.... an ice cream whilst walking round the water garden. Gosh, you're brave.

I was assuming Cherry had a similar accident when she wrote:
my sketchers and socks got sodden but that wasn't because of the rain ...... but it seems she may have walked into the sea!

The gas-tank man assured me the heater is just fine and one tank is good until 2022, so that's a relief. The back-up tank has expired though.

Whilst he was here, the weather went absolutely barmy and when we opend the door, there was a little drift of hailstones in the porch. (see photo)

Back to Doodle:
If you can get hold of coconut cream powder, a tablespon or two of that always softens the fire of an Indian meal and to me, is much better than yoghurt (although I use that too, especially to make a raita).
If you can only get tins of it, what you don't use in your savoury meal, will make a lovely rice pudding. Samoan people often make it and add pineapple when serving.

The trick with Indian food is not to drink water to try and cool your mouth (lager too is a myth) it's better to drink milk or a lassi, as it's the fat content which does the cooling.

Friends dropped in yesterday and suggested we all go out for lunch on Tuesday.
I shall introduce them to Bikanervala, a vegetarian restaurant where they make the most divine Masala Dosa. That'll be fun.

Thinking of our dear cellmates currently in hospital; hope all is well.

I’m very selective where I venture on GN mamissimo. I’m not much into arguments with anyone.
Oh dare I confess I love pineapple on my pizza too. Not with chicken though. Hope the weather is good for your get together. Making your own dough. That’s sounds good. Please bring any leftovers to the kitchen for us to taste ?
You’ve just reminded me I have a pile of shredding to do too and some ironing so that will probably keep me busy tomorrow.
I’ve been wondering about the panaches too. Hope they’re ok and Marydoll.
Sleep tight all

This gangsta nonna is fine thank you Doodle but I’m jolly concerned about the heightened emotional state elsewhere in GN. I think they need to send in a great gran to knock their heads together and send them off for a nap to reflect on their lack of courtesy!

We’re having some friends over for pizza at the weekend as the weathers going to improve - tomorrow therefore will be dough making day so that it gets at least 2 days to cold prove in the fridge. I love making pizza but one friend has requested chicken and pineapple. I find that worrying!

I do hope The Ps are individually and jointly coping, that Cherry gets her plumber back and that everyone has something pleasant to do tomorrow as it’s going to be a damp one. I’m going to shred more of DMs papers and allow the light to shine in forgotten corners. For almost 20 years I held power of attorney for three elderly family members and my children refer to my study as the Archive. I’m determined to reclaim my space now that their estates have been wound up.
Somewhere in there are my things!

Sleep tight

Hi cherry sorry your toilet is still broken. Our sink is due to be repaired in 8 days. Can’t wait.?
Comes to something when a walk in the drizzle is a highlight but after lockdown we appreciate things much more.
Glad your neighbour hasn’t been ogling you again. I think you might have won that one.
I agree bradforlass is full of interesting snippets and facts.
I have developed a pang for a curry. I have no idea why (I am not pregnant ) as I don’t think I’ve ever eaten one. DH likes curry but I’ve always found it too strong for me. He was talking about it the other night, not having had one for a while, and I suddenly thought actually I’d like one too. We shall have to see if we can find an appropriate take away near here.
Thank you , Waitrose arrived with my mozzarella and coleslaw so the salad has now been consumed. Cheese and biscuits to follow and a glass of wine to relax and unwind with.
Hope all the gang ok. ?

Where has today gone, who stole it and is s/he in custody?

? My plumber cried off! Still got a broken toilet ?. He was very apologetic and told me he had taken on an emergency job (probably bigger more lucrative job more like) and firmly promised he would come tomorrow lunchtime. I agreed, well there was no way I'd get it done sooner anyway. He's got one more chance but not a third. I hope he doesn't let me down especially as he's someone one of my friendly neighbours knows.

Talking of neighbours, my weird neighbour opposite hasn't been up to any tricks since I pretended to climb out of my window with tongue hanging out ?

BradfordLass, I didn't say in my post last night (I was very tired) but I must say that you are far from producing tripe when you post. You always come out with something interesting, whether about family, interesting places or amazing people ?

I bet your yarn group can spin a tale or two Grammaretto ? what type of lettuce did the members leave with, were they the frilly variety or long leaf Cos I'd like to know ? ?. Sounds like a nice get together ?.

It's not that easy to know quite what to do on any birthday if you shielding, either for yourself or because of a loved one. I'm relatively easy to please because as long as there's good food and my WP I'm happy ?

Sounds like you had another lovely trip to Cliveden again Doodle. I couldn't help it though but I couldn't help titter at the fact that you were walking around the water garden in the drizzly rain; nevermind the icecream. It so reminded me of what I did only yesterday, walking toward the sea in the drizzly rain ?

Hope Waitrose have arrived with your dinner Doodle

What with all that cake you supplied me with yesterday Doodle and the one from Marydoll I won't need to eat again for a month ?

Quiet here today .... hope the rest of the gang are not struggling too much ❤️ ?????

Our trip to Cliveden was enjoyable despite the drizzle trying to put us off. We even had an ice cream whilst walking round the water garden ?. The flowering borders were lovely again. New colours even since last week.
Back home to warm up with a coffee now waiting on Wair rose. Can’t have dinner til they come as they are bringing it
grammaretto poor tree. Fancy being used as a urinal.
Hope everyone is ok.

Yarning covers a multitude of sins Doodle
But when they are not meeting they get up to all sorts of mischief - a bit like us in here.

I hope the public toilets open soon. According to my local informant the ancient tree in Fortingall is being used as a urinal and worse.

I delivered a facemask to FiL who was thrilled. I hope it is released from quarantine sometime soon.

I agree BradfordLass always has something interesting to tell us. I get an education on here.

Just having an aperitif before I think about cooking supper. We get later and later.

How did you all fare today?

grammaretto is your yarn group a knit and natter group or a telling a story group? Nice to have some company.
We won’t be going to the seaside until public toilets are open again and those at service stations. I’m sorry to say neither of us would make it. Even the short trip to Cliveden means a bit of careful planning.?
bradfordlass you do come up with the most interesting things. I’ve just been reading about Artemisia on google. What a life and what an artist.

Hello everyone. I missed the GM thread. I half invited, subject to the weather, my yarn group round to my garden for distanced coffee. Two, who live nearest, turned up and we had a nice real life catch-up and they left with a lettuce each.
Then we felt raindrops and they put their coats on!
As you say Doodle we'd not be able to do these things back in March.
Have a fun time at Cliveden.

How are your plans for the seaside going?

I am so glad you enjoyed your birthday Cherry I haven't decided what we will do for DH on Saturday.

cherry so pleased you had a good birthday. A good trip out and a takeaway. What could be better ?
We are off to Cliveden again this afternoon. 50% chance of rain ?. Might get wet. Then back home in time for a Waitrose delivery. 16 weeks ago at the beginning of lockdown neither would have been possible, so a reason to be cheerful despite the rain ☔️
Hope panache is ok.
Marydoll I’m off to the GM thread to check up on you and then going to look up that lady in the painting.
Hope all the gang are ok and have a good day. Back to see you all later, ?

Happy 8th July ?

Thank you, all you wonderful peoples for the birthday wishes ❤️
I did indeed have a lovely birthday.

I didn't order any tripe Mamissimo, I've only seen it on a menu once in the last decade, I didn't order it then either ?.
I did, however, have a pretty good takeaway (not as good as the one I used to use but that's gone). I had one of my old favourites, a chicken pathia and peshwari nan ?

Yes Doodle we did go somewhere pretty special - Oxwich Bay. It drizzled a bit and my sketchers and socks got sodden but that wasn't because of the rain ?

BradfordLass that is one fantastic painting, only vaguely familiar. I must look her up. So I share my birthday with a woman who didn't have an easy life ?
I'm interested to know her story. I, on the other hand have difficulties in my life but it's not a hard life ?

Think I ought to get some sleep now.. night lockdown gang ?

bradfordlass I’m sorry, not only am I confusing you with grammaretto I cant even spell your name right. ? my only excuse is that I was up really early this morning (for the plumber) and have been half asleep all day ?
mamissimo my posts have gone missing too. I will send one of the butlers to ask Mr Gates to pull his socks up. Good job you did your work in the correct order and didn’t weed the ironing and iron the drive ?
grammaretto I am a Leo too. A ferocious one ? grr ?
Hope you can get your heater working bradfordlass. I gather it can get quite cold at night. That poor lady in the painting does look a bit hard done by. When I’m more awake in the morning I’ll look her up on Mr Google.
Hoping that panache is ok and MrP coping without her. Wishing a good night for marydoll and a happy day for cherry
Hope all the lockdown gang have a good night. ?

I don't mind being Grammareto for a while (or even that Freudian slip of a breadfordlass) . I can throw a few pots whilst she's here dealing with horizontal rain you could surf on.

Panace and Marydoll I'm thinking of you. If I could scoop you up and bring you here to pamper and look after, I would.

Happy Birthday, belatedly to dear Cherry I hope you enjoyed the delicious tripe in Mamissimo's birthday greeting.
I've programmed my computer to permanently produce tripe - you've probably noticed

Visit today from a man who has actually retired from the job I rang him about, but from the goodness of his heart is coming to look at my portable gas heater. I suspect he'll tell me it's not worth repairing.

There's a heat pump installed in this wee, rented house but I can't afford to run it, so my little gas fire, which I use only on the very coldest mornings, has given me good service.

Today is the birthday of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593) so I'll share a painting by her. She did not have an easy life.

I hope you have had a lovely day Cherry
DH is a Cancerian too.
I'm a lazy Leo.

Doodle please get that nice Mr Bill Gates down here toot sweet to sort the IT in this facility. Earlier today I triped a birthday greeting to Cherry, sent love to The Ps and generally rumbled on a bit.

I weeded the drive and did the ironing today so not a total waste ?

Sleep tight!

Hope you had a good day cherry. Did you go somewhere nice?

Ah cherry your little minx ways don’t get past me ?

Happy, happy birthday. Have a lovely day. Hope you enjoy it. ????????????????.

Happy Birthday Cherry, I hope you ahve a lovely day! ?