The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

Panache does this mean you are no longer married to Mr Dream ? You still can be
I hope you get your seaside trip.

I could never be parted from Mr Dream Grammeretto.......we are those two known as "Two peas in a pod"............so feel free to call us what you will,as long as you do call us!!!

Am in tears (almost!) the darn grey skies and nasty showers have stopped play and our visit for this day.................am not exactly in the best mood!

But perhaps you will allow me a spin in your caboose Doodle a trial run would prove such an uplift...........I have requested another but at the moment am still only awaiting.
That in fact is the story of my life!!!!!

I give up, I honestly give up ?!
Again I didn't make it back here yesterday. In the afternoon I started to feel "icky" and spent the rest of the day (virtually) back and to the loo, enough said. I'm convinced it was that bl...y chicken we had for dinner on Sunday. On Monday I had one unpleasant experience but no more, but ate a bit of the left over chicken later in the day and ... ? My "tummy" is a little sensitive today but so far so good ?.

Missedout, I hope you are not aching too much today. The moral of the message ... don't overdo it. Please.
It's ridiculous that you can't get a supermarket slot for a fortnight. Have you been having problems during the entire time of lockdown and shielding? I hope you have been able to get what you need from the farm shop.

I've got used to calling you Dreamkeeper my west Wales friend but as you prefer Panache that is what I will do ?.
I hope the electricians finish their work tonight and you have your garden fairyland. So sorry to hear your excursion was curtailed, was it completely abandoned or cut short? I so want you to have your lovely day at the coast.

Talking of the coast, the police had to take action yesterday evening because of idiots in Caswell and Langland bays here in the Gower. Big barbecue parties and fighting ?. The police are now setting up watch controls rather than patrol checks.

I hope you are feeling a bit better and brighter today Marydoll. Medication side effects and withdrawal can be a pain in the proverbial, I know that only too well. Sending you,???

BradfordLass, sorry you have an enforced swimming "ban". I love swimming but can only swim in children's pools with supervision now because of my epilepsy. No swimming pools open here at the moment though. Will the hospital where you are allow you to do what you plan? I hope so, it sounds like a sensible solution ?.

The hospital appointment/scan sounds like it was a quick and isolating experience Grammaretto. Seems that it was very safe ?. I hope the results, when your DH received them back, provide good news.

Mamissimo, what fantastic news ?. Ker-ching! So glad to hear that.
I saw that about shielding in England this morning too. Not too sure about it, there were still a considerable number of Covid-19 deaths in the UK yesterday. I do know what you mean about institutionalisation though ...

dragonfly I hope you are feeling okay today.
What are you up to today Doodle?

? I'll catch up with you all later.

Sorry to hear about your dodgy chicken Cherry I hope you are feeling better today.

Hoping your fairyland is restored by this evening Panache.

We have just had sheets of water falling from the sky. It was quite spectacular. Enough is enough though I think it is time for summer to return.

I have been bored today for the first time. I just want all this to be over. I can’t get excited about the football season starting or shops opening. I just want to spend time with family and friends.

Sorry hearing of that dodgy chicken playing havoc in your tum tums Cherry,not nice at all.
Do take care.

Quite frankly call me what you will...............as long as you call me!!!!

I am NOT pleased with the fact these uncaring so and so`s cannot live without their BBQ`s,but take to risking the lives of others.
We dread similar happenings once our borders are opened up again.

It looks as though we may have a touch of fairy land tonight
Dragonfly
But our little visit to the sea was postponed by the darn dodgy showers,but would you believe it,the sun is now slowly breaking through!
There is always tomorrow.
We have had non stop sunshine for some 14 weeks but when we prepare for a small outing,down pours the rain,obviously
someone is saying something!!

I have never enjoyed football,am not really a fan of sport(please do not hang me for being honest) but already i am sick to death with the talk of football this day,let alone a match.

You have the right idea and frame of mind,and I totally agree.It looks as if each day now we are allowed more and more.
My big fear is,can we dare take them or does it remain far too dangerous.I hate sounding stale,but quite honestly I shall not be following these new rules...........until I feel that we are reasonably safe.

We have been watching "The Bidding Room" for the second or third late afternoon,nothing to get excited about,and nothing spectacular on show (as yet anyway) but it passes a little bit of what might be an otherways boring day.
I was taken aback finding out Nigel Havers,a real Ladies man,he is quite short.Not my "cup of tea" at all.

You have been missed Doodle and I truly hope you and your dear man have again enjoyed another day,doing whatever "floats your boat"
Hopefully these thunderstorms are not battering your hanging baskets,just giving them some gentle watering to save you.... should it be your turn for watering duty!
Perhaps you have been out test driving your caboose!

May I request a mug of the same concoction, because indeed I enjoyed a good sleep,feeling better for it too.

Resting time at Chez Panache come this time,and a certain person likes me in the same room...........so I will say my Night night,be back for my drink...........hope your day has been kind and productive,and even better tomorrow.

panache I am so sorry you didn’t get your trip today. I was so hoping it would go ahead for you. I was looking forward to hearing about it.
So are your lights all fixed in the garden now?
DH and I have no interest in football either. It’s all there is on the news tonight.
Like you we are going to take this lightening up of the rules very carefully. No rushing out to the shops that’s for sure,
Sorry your illusions about Nigel Havers have been shattered panache. Not quite the stature you thought ? Hope tomorrow the weather is better and you get your long awaited trip.
cherry it certainly sounds as though you have eaten something dodgy. Hope you have been feeling better today.
I think it’s disgusting all the people descending on the coast and then fighting of all things. As though we don’t have enough problems.
dragonfly I know what you mean. Our family is what’s most important to us and I want to be with them and cuddle them. Have no interest in football at all and no intention of going into any shops for quite a while. I don’t have time to be bored today but I know what you mean.

We have had a funny day today. My cousin phoned when we were having breakfast. I didn’t tell her I was too embarrassed to say we got up so late . We had a long chat which took care of the rest of the morning. This afternoon I was busy ironing and sewing whilst waiting for a delivery of new shoes due to arrive between 2 and 4. By 4.30 DH was impatient to go on his walk but my shoes hadn’t arrived. Text from the company said they had been delivered and signed for by the recipient so I went to look and low and behold there they were in our reception area on the table. The delivery people hadn’t rung the bell or anything let alone get a signature. So a belated walk for us this evening. For some reason I am very tired and sleepy. We were both quite exhausted after our walk. It was very muggy. I think an early night beckons.
Hot chocolate available for all. Sleep well. ?

I am feeling much better but chicken is definitely off the menu for a while! Fortunately I can avoid poultry aisles for a good while to come too ?.

Okay, I won't mention the footie (too late). Sorry gang I enjoy it, I've supported the same team since I was 13 years old and they are not a Welsh club.

Doodle perhaps you are also feeling more tired today because you got up late. It can happen like that. When I read the words shoes and arrive between 2and 4 my immediate thought went to shoe size and that'll be a size 3 then ?. My size. Can't help how my brain works sometimes, I do have an authentic excuse ?.

Really sorry you didn't get your visit to the coast at all Panache. Pleased you've got your fairyland garden though ?.

dragonfly, boredom days are a real frustration, anyone who says they don't have the odd one isn't honest I think. Hope you have a more interesting day tomorrow ?.

Off to watch Cardinal now and will take my leave for today. Night night ?

marydoll hope your treatment works, it’s so debilitating to have long term health issues.

We still aren’t going anywhere, except for walks around the village and gardening, and highlights of the week are a friend coming into the garden for a cuppa and a chat and the day our Ocado delivery arrives ( like Christmas!)?
Sadly two of our near neighbours have died in the past
fortnight ( nothing to do with Covid) they lived next door to each other, very sad, and they really weren’t old.
We are really wishing for rain.....it was supposed to arrive but never did, so another day of having to water the garden coming up.

On parcel deliveries.....expecting something from Amazon I went online to track my order and it said ( this at 5 pm today)
That parcel had been ‘handed to resident’ ! I looked in the porch and there it was, but nobody had rung the bell all day.

cherry I have a mind like that too.
Glad you are feeling better.
Well I suppose it’s a good thing you like the football. At least one of us is happy it’s back on ?. I am watching Cardinal too. Well having said that, I have started by watching episode 1 series 1. I think I will continue. Have you watched many?
lemon sorry about your neighbours. That must have been a shock. I think many people are just doing walks and meeting friends in their garden. I don’t know anyone who’s rushed off to the shops.

Ah lemon just like my shoes. The phantom deliverer. ?

Cherry you can have my share of the football - I have a definite allergy to it......but I don’t mind watching the real men play rugby?

I felt a bit bored too this morning so I cleaned the grout.

?

Cherry Oh, poor you, that is grim. And you too Marydoll, hope you both perk up fairly soon.

Yes, Cherry I can walk round the hospital, it's open to all but I may have to sign in at reception for tracing purpises as we are only at 'cautious normal' stage.

I haven't actually been banned from the pool, except by myself. The reaction to the drug made my psoriasis go totally crazy!

I've had it over 50 years and it's mostly manageable (if unsightly) but not at the moment.
It's even on my eyelids and in my nostrils - too much information? damned those pharmaceuticals!

After an absolutely perfect day weatherwise, yesterday - flawless skies, warm sunshine, today it's pouring down and the sky is low enough to touch the grey-yellow cloud cover. Yuk.

I'm determiend to enjoy my time with Rangi though and the taxi will take us right into the mall so we won't get wet.

Here's hoping for a restful sleep and a much better day for all the Lockdown gang who are not at their best.

Put a slug of the good stuff into all the hot chocolate Doodle dear

Psoriasis is horrid Bradfordlass I used to get it so can sympathise. My DS gets it when he is stressed!
I hope you have a lovely day at the Mall.

The rain came down in sheets this afternoon. I was scared we could flood.

Sleep well everyone I am sure it will be a better day tomorrow.

Sorry about your tummy troubles Cheery you can do without that!

After the Haar burned off, we had a beautiful sunshiny day here. The garden girl came and mowed the grass and the delivery girl delivered huge quantities of fresh veg. I tried to offload lettuce and rhubarb but no takers. (stop press: one taker)
That's typical isn't it - as soon as your veg are ready, they are cheap in the shops.

Pouring rain has put paid to DGD first day back at football practice. She's enjoying school though so that's the main thing.
I never understood the football thing . Neither has DH yet our 3 DS were/are football fanatics and now DGD plays for a Nottinghamshire girls' team.

I hope you find a lovely quiet beach tomorrow Panache and anyone else who wants to.

I sat in on a zoom committee meeting this evening and kept dropping off to sleep.

Sorry to hear about your neighbours' deaths Lemon. I had a phonecall today to say an old friend has passed away rather suddenly. I hope there will be a proper funeral.

No milk left so it will have to be herbal tea tonight. Night Night all. Sleep tight.

I'm just nipping in to say a quick hello. I'm feeling a bit better today although my back aches. We had heavy downpours this afternoon so stayed in. I needed to carry out an inventory of my medical consumables and complete the logs of any reactions for hospital records and email them to team that looks after me. It took ages as I last sent them off in February.

My DIL contacted DH and me on FaceTime as well. We spent a long time talking to her and watching the little ones. They are 4 and 1½. I know most of us have been through it with our own children but aren't they exhausting? Oh, and how we wanted to be there!

Cherry, we have struggled all along to get delivery slots. The farmshop is good but limited. We will stick with them, though, they are local and know where everything comes from and they will deliver on Friday. The farmshop make their own fantastic pasties and curries.

Doodle, I've joined the Cardinal fan club as well (on iPlayer). Dramas like this are brilliant when I'm on my exercise bike. I pedal faster in the dramatic scenes and don't watch the clock!

DH and I are not football fans either.

I'm also pleased for Mamissimo, as I'm much happier without my gall bladder - but cleaning the grout as an answer to boredom...... well, I'm sorry, things must be really bad!

Hot chocolate with a little extra something is needed to calm my concerns for a fellow inmate's mental health!

Sleep well everyone.

bradfordlass I can understand you avoiding the pool if it makes your psoriasis worse. It sounds painful. Are there any creams that help?
Have a good time at the Mall. Tell us what you’ve bought.
mamissimo I’d have to be really bored to clean grout. Well is that the last thing on your to do list ticked now ?
Hope you didn’t get flooded dragonfly. It only just started raining here. Been dry all day.
grammaretto glad your DGD is enjoying being back at school. Hope you weren’t snoring during your meeting ?. It’s awful when you just can’t keep your eyes open isn’t it.
Hello missedout glad you’re feeling better. I bet you enjoyed your FaceTime call. I used to love playing with my DGC. I would happily lay on the floor with them or crawl round with them riding on my back. Good job they’ve grown up now because once on the floor I can’t get up again now ?
I watched episode on of Cardinal on my own and then thought it might be something DH might enjoy too so we both watched it tonight and on to episode two on Friday as DH has an online course to watch tomorrow.
Thats a good excuse for asking for hot chocolate extras ?
Take care all and sleep well. ? ?

Morning All

I’ve missed out on a couple of days gossip and it’s lovely to catch up and read that the ‘normal’ NHS is slowly resuming so treatments and operations are back more or less on track. Albeit a bit delayed. So much relief to know that you’ve not all been forgotten!

I heard too on the radio that swimming pools are looking to open with lane swimming with wider lanes but no butterfly stroke allowed! And that the number of people ‘shielding’ was to be reduced with the suggestion that DH will now be off the list so we’ll just be in the over 70 group, but still able to get on-line grocery deliveries. We’re now going to the chemist and our open fronted green grocers as the locals have really got into the swing of social distancing and it’s all very well organised, and we are cheating with the family bubble as we shouldn’t be making one yet as there’s two of us - but have invoked the Cummings Clause as GDS’s autism needs a bit of normality. We’ll continue as we’re doing now for the time being whatever they decide. Boris does use the words “Common sense” an awful lot, so thats what we’re trying to do.
I swing between concern that we’re moving out of lockdown before the numbers are down sufficiently and rebellion at the rules which don’t fit our circumstances.

Anyway, DH woke early yesterday and decided we would take our little boat and sit in isolation in the middle of Barton Broad for a days fishing. I don’t fish, but just love sitting on a floaty thing watching the world go by. I took coloured pencils to practice. I managed a passable (for me) landscape. What do you call pictures with coloured pencils? Its not exactly sketching and certainly not painting. Colouring in?! Nothing on the cards for today apart from my Face Time appointment with remote DGD3 for her reading practice. She got out of it yesterday!

Good morning you lovely cell mates.
Your life sounds like one long holiday NfkD sitting in a boat on the broad -- bliss.

DH had a surprise call from his consultant last night who said his next batch of drugs are ready to collect from the hospital so that means another trip.
The scan results will be ready for another phone discussion on Monday. I hope DH mentioned his feet. He has a blood test this morning.

FM Nicola will make an important announcement today.

I wish the dentist and hairdresser would open.

We had a nice unexpected visit from a friend who brings us naughty things like gin and jaffa cakes, and chats in the garden. She had been at work all day so it was good to sit in the evening sun.

Morning all.
nfk there will be a few of the gang, including me, who will be envious of your little boat trip. It sounds lovely and I can just picture you in my imagination, you drawing your DH fishing. ?
I certainly hope we can all keep our food deliveries. We don’t fancy the idea of walking out of months of lockdown only to start going into supermarkets again. I bet your DGS was pleased to see you. It had been difficult for so many children.
grammaretto my DH had to have another batch of his meds from hospital the other week and much to our surprise they said they would deliver them to us. It may be worth phoning your hospital pharmacy and asking if they would do the same.
Hope the bloods and scan results are good.
Crumbs i wish your friend would visit us. Gin and Jaffa cakes that’s a good visit ?
Hope everyone is ok. Back later.

Good Morning cell mates all.

I would like to know the answer to one simple question......whilst in lockdown doing the whole shielding bit the sun shone magnificently daily,since we are allowed more and more freedoms the darn rain has started and just will not retreat!!!????

No seaside again this day but since the early morning proved dry we made a determined affort to at least get in our morning stroll.True enough which of us takes the award for being as slow as a tortoise is questionable............however the moment we stepped out of the door the drizzle had started.
Were we going to retreat like wimps?
No we were not,we are made of sterner stuff than that........so bravely did two rounds of our upper pathway,very proudly may I say!!
Though it meant I had to dry my unruly mane on returning but how good was the early morning fresh air.

Please do not mention the word football,already we are both truly sick of it,now the next buzz word seems to be holidaying abroad...........after all we have been through and hearing of these resurgences already,surely it would be far wiser to holiday at home,bringing at least some much needed cash to our poor holiday trade?

Now sitting nicely on a boat out on a peaceful waterside as you suggest NFKD.........that strikes me as true "common sense"......Boris would be proud of you!
Whilst fishing is not my style either but certainly a pleasant way to spend some quality time.Painting too,nice and relaxing.
I picture the very scene!!

Why oh! why do these Consultants and Medics not realise we all have to travel to get to these various sites,can they not try to organise things to save their vulnerable patients I ask Grammeretto??
These trips out take planning and far from easy when one member is vulnerable.
I am in THAT sort of mood today!
I echo thrice my wishes for a hairdresser!........my hair has become shameful...... and I do have some pride left!

Totally on your side regarding psoriasis Bradfordlass,it is something I have suffered off and on most of my life......I would be rich were I to have returned the money spent to try to overcome the issues over the years,a real pain in the bum!!

Indeed it seems you have a whole lot to attend to when re organising all your medical requirements Missedout whilst of course we have all that,twice two for us!..........but it is an area we all need to keep on top of.
Glad to hear you are feeling better,these persistent back aches seem to plague many of us,my spondylitis truly tests me too often.Hope today is a good one

You have certainly found the art of making my bedtime drink sink into those parts nothing else reaches Doodle......another good sleep and I have you to thank.
Can I dare add my housework job this afternoon.......flicking the duster and dismantling contents of a bookcase.......might as well make myself useful when the rains have stopped further activity!!

Have a grand day all,keep to your social distancing and all that,we have to await our turn for news in Wales until Friday.........slow and cautious is our buzz word seemingly.
For those feeling "under par"... do pick up soon

See ya all.

? panache you have noticed the weather change too.
Glad you did your morning walk although very disappointed that you still can’t get to the sea. Actually, if it’s not raining too much it might be the perfect time to go as there won’t be so many people out and about.
I have adopted a pony tail now. I cannot stand my hair falling round my face all day. I have cut some off the top and my fringe but can’t cut the rest of it. I would ask DH to do it but with his hand tremor I’d likely be decapitated ?
What more housework. You are too good.?.

I listened to Nicola's announcement and think I understood some of it . It seems we are allowed out for walks and bike rides but we are also allowed to have distanced meetups with family and friends (as long as not too may) outdoors.
We can travel up to 5 miles, or longer if it's family, or is that just the normal people and not us shielded ones?

Oh blinking heck, I have completely lost track.
Nightclasses required in the art of Lockdown. Can anyone oblige?

Meanwhile I have had 2 cups of tea and too many jaffa cakes in my garden with friends 2 m apart. with much needed gossip and giggles

We have had beautiful weather today.
I invited my DS and family over this weekend but they are too busy to come! We will postpone until the following weekend.

I hope you are all having a reasonably OK day.
Sorry no beach trip yet Panache

No beach trip is the very least of my grieviances Grammeretto and I say that as I grimace!!
Nothing that you have said or done I hastily add ........but probably much like you listening to your chief NS and her briefing, we two have just finished watching the main afternoon one!!!!

I am no politician,but what I am is afraid.......I see through these people at the podium,today we were honored with Matt Hancock.
Quite frankly with all his waffling,another u turn in the Government,MORE covid cases in Hospital which were not mentioned,outbreaks in Anglesay and Yorkshire...........................the App going "belly up"......and all that means,it just goes on and on.
Yet on almost the same breathe other channels are being opened up.
I cannot see a break in this until we again are into another big one.This is here for????? ..........I have lost hope.

There is such a queue already formed to be first in line for any Vaccine that may prove fit for purpose...all front line staff (of course) the BAME society,those with heart or kidney issues and all over 50........common joe soap will wade in at the tail end!!!!!
IF not already lying in state in their box!
So I am afraid............ and quite frankly I think we all need to be.

So yes I think Night classes might be an excellent way forward!!

I really should be let out before I truly "Blow my top!!"

Yes Doodle I actually did clear out the book case, but the rearranging of certain objects I had intended doing did not follow..........I had lost my "Get up and go" by then!!

A friend of mine has totally destroyed her fringe by trying to go it alone with her longer than average fringe!!!
I understand perfectly why you can not allow your man to try his hand,especially with a tremor.
On the other hand he might do you proud,the tremor might have given him an edge!
My hair is longer than at any time,but since it started from an almost gamin cut,but not properly cut since way before I myself was in Hospital.....having only a trim with the lady that calls herself a hairdresser here,has a very nice,large,light and airy salon,but not only does she charge quite high prices, she cannot cut the back .....and that goes for male or female!
So although my hair was layered,and I had it almost a lilac shade by self tinting the white........it is now long and curly down the back,at the sides above the ears.............and generally awful.It does nothing for my sagging morale!
Also again ugh.......white!

The day has remained drizzly,and although I see your point about going out and finding the places quiet,we too might get damp and as I have not long recovered from pneumonia and my dearest so very vulnerable,it is a risk I dare not make.I know you will understand.

Enjoyed The Bidding Room again,it is growing on us and tonight was especially good fun

May I order a doubler with additions if you please Guv,you are such a love.......well you mix and stir to perfection!!

Wishing you all a pleasant evening.
Keep well and Keep Safe!

grammaretto I am quite happy to host classes on the lockdown but haven’t got a clue what is going on.
We are just doing our walks and keeping our distance. Garden visits with sons and no shopping.
Sorry your son is busy this weekend but something to look forward to on the next one. We will be going to see our older son at the weekend for a sit in the garden and a piece of cake.
panache don’t despair. When this lockdown first started they talked about shielded people being in lockdown for 18 months or more. Things are constantly changing. The new discovery about the steroids helps. I think things will gradually improve and what you need right now is a boost to your spirits with that trip to the sea.
I frequently lose my get up and go halfway through doing a job panache. ? I love the thought of your hair being a lilac shade. It sounds lovely. My SIL did a similar thing with her white hair and received many compliments ?
Yes I understand about not wishing to get wet having got over pneumonia. The weather is supposed to be much better next week.
Hot chocolate in the kitchen for all those tuning in early. I will pop back later but now I’m going to watch something about Tutankhamen on BBC 4. ?