The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

It's raining again!! Another dash out - doomed ?

Cherry it's April showers in June, Same here and I agree about the forecasts. I thought they could get it to an hour by hour prediction . Maybe another casualty of Lockdown?

DH laid out some simple but delicious snacks (crispbread laden with cheese and capers etc) on the outside table. I wandered off to gaze at my "new" patio, eating one of the said snacks, but 3 huge seagulls were eating and carrying away all the rest. There was an empty plate.
I wish they would fly back to the sea. We are about 8 miles inland but that's driving . For the birds it's only 5!

Indeed yes we too had April showers up to late morning,since then clear blue skies,warm sunshine........ but quite a strong breeze blowing...............doing nothing for my unruly locks that`s for sure!

Your tale of the sea gulls eating your nicely prepared snacks on the table in the new patio area which you have re discovered Grammeretto,it reminded me of the horrors we had when living overlooking the Bay at Saundersfoot.
We had what is called an upside down house,living quarters/kitchen upstairs leading to a wide balcony.
This balcony proved to be our main living space,table,chairs,etc throughout vlong summer months.................and of all the cheeky sea gulls we were visited by, we had a one legged "tormentor",quite honestly it would virtually take the food from your mouth if you were not careful!!!!
They can be aggressive too.
They are definatly one down side to living by the sea!!!

It seems you had a disaster there drying your clothes outside Cherry......however judging by the weather forecast,there are going to be soaring temperatures this coming week..............catch up time for you!

By the way Nfkd...........Gellyswick is pronounced with a hard G........although I honestly would not recommend it for a holiday........there are 64 other beaches here in Pembrokeshire...........some,true enough are very difficult to get to,obviously they are the very best!
But plenty have all you may need for an enjoyable day out.
However Gower is equally attractive,easier to get to as well.

Just think this Doodle............Sitting on the loo,full glass of your favourite in hand,then listening to those lapping waves crashing on to the rocks!!!!!
Why did I not think of it at the time!!!
We did enjoy our walk,sat on one of the benches awhile, soaking up the rays,along came one resident(a rather nosy parker!!) who hoped to catch up on news,a shame we had little to share!
However it was a joy to meet up with my new found friend,safely back in her flat after extensive heart surgery,looking fit,but like so many of us,her dyed hair has grown so much it was now a light grey,and she was not any happier about it than we are!
It made the day special seeing her well again,and we had a good long chat.

Time I think to start thinking about supper,my dear man`s day draws to a close very early,quite frankly I am not far behind!
So I it will be dreamland following our hot chocolate for sure!!!

Hope you have all had a fab day,with another one planned for tomorrow.
Stay safe.

Would you believe it (rhetorical)? We got the washing in after that last dash and the sun came out! At first we thought - no we won't risk it but .. we changed our minds. One load of washing is completely dry, yay ?! The second ?, not quite - give it half an hour and it will have to come in anyway. It's a case of "never give up, never surrender" today ?.

BradfordLass, I remember the picture of your friends very well, lovely looking couple. Sorry to hear that he has died, and of course that she is so far away from you that you won't be able to comfort her "in the flesh" or go to the funeral. I'm sure she knows that you are there for her, to listen and provide what comfort you can. ?

I hope those of you who had plans for Father's Day have enjoyed those coming to fruition ?. Hope your DH had a look in with his chocolate Doodle, only joking ?

Panache, BradfordLass suggested adult colouring books and of course as I said they gave me the inspiration and impetus to try my hand. Doodle's choice of a paint by numbers is a good one I think too. If you are interested in the adult colouring Amazon has a varied selection but The Range (I previously mentioned) is not very good but has lots of other materials.

You know I have a nosey neighbour, seems you too. They get everywhere, don't they! To get rid of a nosey neighbour face to face my mother used to tell him/her that the Dr had told her she had an infection (sometimes picked up from abroad) and that people ought not come to close ?. Maybe not appropriate in these times though.

Grammaretto, how lovely to uncover a part of your garden you have obviously set to one side for the purpose of rediscovery ?. Shame about the seagulls stealing your snacks, they sounded just up my street. Have you not got one of those collapsible food net coverings, they are great for outdoors.

Well it might be a briefer post than normal from me tonight dear friends. I’m afraid I have partaken of a little too much food and wine tonight and I have already nodded off twice whilst watching the tv. .
Had a lovely afternoon with DS and his family in the garden and we left just as the first spots of rain started. Nice to see them all again.
I think many of us have been attracted to the Welsh coastline reading the various posts here. Maybe next year as you say nfk. My friends have a camper van too. Lovely way to get around and visit places.
grammaretto I love the thought of you sitooterie ?. A little sheltered nook for you to enjoy the sunshine. Sorry the seagulls ate your snacks. I bet they couldn’t believe their luck ?
cherry sorry for your washing fiasco. We were lucky with the weather this afternoon. Yes all this talk of coastlines has made the lure of the sea forefront in our minds. Wouldn’t it be funny if all the lockdown gang met up on the Welsh coastline in a years time??
panache sounds like another nice walk and then a chat with your friend. Nice for her to be back with you all again after her operation.
cherry dry washing at last. You seem to have had more changeable weather today than we did.
I hope you all sleep well tonight.
DH loved the chocolate mousse I made the other night so that was a well kept secret. It was very rich so I just put it in small ramekins. More tomorrow ?
Sleep well all.

Ah Doodle, I didn't want to mention the mousse as well ?.
Sounds like you had a lovely day with your DS and family ?. Are you sure the food had anything to do with you nodding off ? or was it just the wine really ?. Either way I'm glad you enjoyed your day ?.

Yes meeting up on the Welsh coast would be an hilarious state of affairs (I don't mean that sarcastically) ?.

I meant to say earlier, Panache - good to hear that your friend is doing so well after her surgery. I'm sure she appreciates being home and having your company.

Take care gang, sleep well ?

Dreamkeeper said: one could sit on the loo and hear the crashing of the waves. Blimey, that's some bladder you have there

Grammaretto I just LOVE 'Sitooterie', it explains perfectly. I think I'm going to re-name my deck.

Nfk 90 mile Beach is spectacular and if you'd like to read a little more about it...
the-lockdown-diary.blogspot.com (Day Sixty Two)

Thank you all for your kind thoughts about my brother Au Kien Tri. I am trying now to concentrate on all the good memories.

Here's an endearing little picture of my son and his daughter (now both 40!), staged by her Mama, hopeful they'd marry when they grew up.

What a lovely photo Bradfordlass But it is sad about the loss of her dad.
You all sound as though the day has gone well. Nothing like good company, nice food and wine to lift the spirits.
I'm definitely up for a trip to South Wales next year!

Hot choc was extra delish tonight Guv you didn't slip in some of the mousse did you?

A very good morning to all, its a wonderful day here in Norfolk.

I’ve really not ventured anywhere into deepest Wales Cherry. Wales - Norfolk isn’t the easiest route to drive. Until recently all main roads in England seems to be to or from London and towing a caravan slows things down as well. But now we have a campervan and have decided that our jaunts to really foreign parts in Abroadland are just too much hassle and effort we’re turning our attention to Britain.

We have a sitooterie in the garden of our local stately pile (Blickling Hall) here in Norfolk Grammaretto - it confuses visitors utterly! Ours is a shady spot, more of a hidden bower for hot days.

It looks as if you’re already doing what I was going to suggest BradfordLass, and going through old photos and remembering the good times of a life well spent. I shall now look at your Blogspot link. Thank you. We spent A memorable New Year near there in 2000/2001 at a wonderfully weird campsite where everyone parked in a big circle like a wagon train and our host entertained with a large bonfire in the middle and we had rather too much booze! It was the finale of our wonderful tour around NZ. Happy days!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202006/medium-187963-cley.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202006/medium-387459-coracle.jpg

Your NZ trip sound amazing Nfk and reading that you're in Norfolk remined me I once stayed in the famous Cley Windmill.

I was a nanny and had to stop my rambunctious charges leaping into the Broads and being swept away.

In the event, it was their father we should have kept an eye on.

He hired a coracle of all things and couldn't control it.

It went spinning out of control down one of the waterways with him in it, wildly waving his arms and crying out to his wife: 'Arabella! Arabella!' in panic .

She, in high heels and designer yachting gear, tottered along the bank brandishing a boathook yelling, 'Jasper, shall I call the Coastguard?!'

You're not supposed to laugh at your ultra-posh employers but I couldn't help it.

Hope your tooth has eased Grammaretto.

Go on, Mamissimo dare to be Teal streaked, you'll never have a better opportunity .

Cherry nice to see you're feeling a little more cheery. Why dash out to the laundry, just leave it, it'll dry eventually

I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't Friday 13th as every darned thing that could go wrong this morning, did.
Little niggly things such as swipe cards not working and appointment times given incorrectly and the battery dying on the free mobility scooter I borrowed at the Mall.

I would have walked the full distance but I'd already done my dash, was really pushed for time and my ankle started hurting (it's fine now).

I was glad of my taxi home and a reviving cuppa.
The afternoon went well, mercifuly.

Rangi and I will go out for lunch tomorrow; our driver (Oooh, posh!) will take us. I could get used the the good life

bradfordlass you and I must have similar humour. Your thoughts about panache and the crashing waves were the same as mine
Lovely photo of two little ones. ?
Your time in Norfolk and description of the coracle debacle made me laugh. I could just picture it.
Oh dear sounds like you had one of those days. Glad your ankle is ok. Better day tomorrow I hope for your trip with Rangi ?
Well cherry I must confess I may have had a little more than usual of food and wine yesterday. I did sleep well though ?
grammaretto glad you slept well. As for the hot chocolate..well the secret ingredient stays secret ?
nfk Wales is beautiful and definitely worth a visit. I think a camper an would be a lovely way to get around in this country. You visit to NZ and the campfire sounds good fun. I bet it was a lovely trip.
Hope all goes well for Marydoll and her hospital treatment today.
panache, missedout and dragonfly hope you are all ok.
Back later ?

Hi Cell mates.
Just had a nice long videocall with DS2 in NZ. DGS has had a mention in the national weekly story writing competition. He loves doing it and is already writing his next one..

We've been invited to birthday tea in DS #1 garden this week. DGS will be 13. But there is the problem of needing the loo. I veer between being ultra fussy and devil-may-care!

I love Norfolk NfkD I was at art college in Norwich many years ago and used to go out to the villages with my sketch book. It was either by bike, bus or train so a little restricted but one of the villages I liked was Loddon. Years later when doing my family history, I discovered that the one who emigrated to NZ in 1860s had come from Loddon!! Spooky. There it was on the census of 1851. I thought at first it said London but it says NFK Loddon.

DH should get his scan results today.
I hope MaryDoll's hospital day or longer, goes well.

grammaretto we too are visiting our sons in their gardens and have thoughts about needing the loo. So far we have been ok but we take with us plastic gloves and hand sanitiser so that if we did need to go in the house we would wear the gloves to go in and out and then use the sanitiser. Both our families are being very careful and keeping social distancing while out so hopefully we will be ok.
Nice to have a video call with your son. Has he been in NZ long? Good for your DGS in his writing competition.
Interesting little connection of your visit to Loddon and your family history. ?
Hope your DHs scan results are ok.

Doodle it is OK to use the loo, but the guidance was that you are meant to clean everything afterwards.
You could hoover the hall and do their ironing for them while you are at it!

MawB Thanks! I guess we would be breaking the rules anyway by visiting them, as we are shielding until 31st July.

Because we are in Scotland, we have to abide by Nicola Law, not Boris Law (with the Cummings clause...) which is different.

I tried a lockdown quiz yesterday and did not get the answers all right.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53093943

maw. I was hoping for a quick splash and dash as they say in the motor racing world. ?

grammaretto I tried the quiz and got 5 out of 7 so not quite up to speed yet ?

bradfordlass I read your blog at the time you wrote it but went back again today from your link and read it again. It really is an amazing place. I remember that volcano erupting in December last year and those unfortunate people being killed.
We once did a cruise with an onboard volcanologist. Lovely lady and such a good speaker. Her lectures were always so interesting, the room was always packed.

Aww , BradfordLass, that picture of your son and daughter is wonderful. It's always so lovely to see them like that, capturing a kiss. I won't go into details ... but when they were very little (about 2yrs old) a "neice" and "nephew" of mine ( my mother seemed to collect them ?) were captured on camera rolling around naked on the bed together and when asked why, well it just begged to be asked, they said it was because they were married ? .

Nflk, I do appreciate the difficulty of driving/travelling to Wales by car. I wouldn't say that the Gower is in deepest Wales but from Norfolk it might as well be. My WP is not Welsh and his family are living, dotted all around parts of Norfolk. As I have epilepsy I am unable to do any of the driving so that task falls completely upon my WP and he has chronic pain syndrome which makes it virtually impossible to do in one continuous drive, nevermind the fact it takes around 6 hours or more. I hope that when you do visit the Gower next year that you can manage to cope with the journey because it is a hard one. I think it's better to break the journey into two and have a stop off night between.

Well, I'll be back later to catch up with the rest of the gang, I'm in the middle of sorting out cupboards! I know, I know... I can't believe it either ?

Better late than never gals,a meaningful Hi there.........one of those mornings.
Caught up with all the ironing and had our early morning stroll.
Such a busy life style!
Weather rather grey,cool and breezy,never the less the temperatures are about to go sky high and we shall all be dreaming of holidays....... from cruises to simply paddling pools.
The one thing we all have in common is that spot of dreaming!!

How wonderful all those lovely family get togethers and how heart warming hearing how meticulous you all are regarding hygiene,although amid family.
Obviously it pays of so well worth observing these rules.
Sadly there seems to be a lack of this aspect, thus bringing about all these new "spikes" here In Wales,England and now a mega outbreak in Germany.

Such lovely pictures Bradfordlass and my word you certainly have some interesting stories to relate,you keep us uplifted for sure!
You have obviously lived a colourful life.
So very sorry hearing about your brother.
Did I hear correctly a Blog being mentioned?

Whilst I second the fact Mammissimo should go for teal streaks!
Perfect timing!
Have just spoken to my Hairdresser and she advised me to call again in 2 weeks, as she is awaiting the Green light to start up again.....................the queue will be endless......but we have to re start somewhere.

Any relief from your toothache situation Grammeretto??
Did you manage a better sleep?
I think our Doodle has the best cure...........all that wine proved so tempting obviously!...........one has to test to acertain the contents are exactly as stated!
It would lull you into a deep sleep though,as good an excuse as any!
I guess the sheer excitement of seeing and being with your loved ones again can be truly tiring................but certainly very pleasant

NFKD My husband is a scot and so the travelling from the 2 countries were never that easy,whilst when getting into Wales there were masses of winding lanes and no motorways..........so I suppose coming from Norfolk could prove difficult too.....but if you want something you will find a way!

Should you be looking further west by the way,you will find us at the furthest of the western edge of Wales ........a bit of a trek but I can assure you well worth the journey,if on the other hand you are looking for the bright lights and ready entertainment,count our area out.
Here we are all the great outdoors,into every kind of water sport,mountaineering,historic interests,whilst of course we boast the smallest of Cathedral cities,the birth place of St David,our patron saint.

By the way love your sitooterie,sounds truly posh!!!

I will not need an awful lot of persuading regarding taking up art work Cherry and I have taken note of both your advice and that of our Doodle
Now whom is the busy little housewife...........cupboard cleaning indeed?
However I think most of the country have tidy cupboards since this virus came to call..........something to help those long hours I suppose!

Whilst I have to declare your sense of humour is second to none Doodle,whilst both you and *Bradfordlass had me in stitches about my chance remark of sitting on the loo!
I think having such a warm caring heart AND a sense of humour like yours will get you through life always.
Should you need anyone to help de clutter all those wine bottles please just know I am readily available!

Thinking of you Marydoll,hoping,trusting all goes to plan for you.

A few of our inmates seem to have taken early parole,now what have they got that the rest of us have not?

On that note I shall call time,see you all later,meanwhile be good,very,very,good!

Ah there you are panache I’ve been wondering what you were up to ?
Yes bradfordlass had a very interesting lockdown blog. You could follow the link on her post to read it.
I wouldn’t be after the bright lights in Wales panache I love the beauty of the countryside and the quietness.
I think all of us like the sitooterie ?. I think we should have one here in our lockdown garden.
I must be the only lockdown person without clean cupboards. I have done my usual housework tidy up but have spent all my spare time sewing or painting (in other words enjoying myself ?)
Unfortunately, my DH monitors his wine collection most carefully so a missing bottle or two would be noticed ? Bottles given to him by our sons ( who know of his love of a good glass of red) are always dated and named so that when we drink them we know where they came from and he always remembers to tell his sons how nice they were and when we drank them and what we ate at the time.
Back to check on you all later. ?

Hello, I'm still here. I'm also wishing MaryDoll well.

It's funny reading about NfkDumpling and Blickling Hall. It's one of our places to visit with the vintage cars when we camp nearby at Stiffkey. Perhaps next year.

Because I don't know what is happening to shielders, the other grandparents will be helping out with the DGC at the end of next month. I like them very much and have no axe to grind but am just so very disappointed that it won't be us.

I know, Dreamkeeper, I need to be a bit more patient but I have a sense of time running out.

Stop press! Just missed a phone call from my hairdresser wanting to set up an appointment! I'm sorry, but now I am really cross that we shielders are being left in limbo! (I suppose I sound really shallow now but I'm cross about not being able to make an appointment with the hairdresser but have been in tears about our other missed opportunities.)

Please Cherry, be careful sorting out cupboards. The closed doors of my cupboards should have avalanche warnings stuck on them!

Hello missedout glad you’re with us ?
This thread is getting more and more like a travel thread. It’s lovely. People talking about places they love to visit. It’s certainly sparked my interest.
In England the shielded will be relaxed a bit early July and entirely relaxed on 1st August according to BBC news. Where do you live missedout I can’t remember if you’ve said.
Will need to get more detailed information things are looking up.

Oooooh Missedout, when you come to Blickling with your vintage cars are they lined up outside fanned out facing down the drive? If so I was on duty in the hall last time you came!!

We’re quite confused as to whether or not DH should be shielding and how much. He’s borderline on several different counts now so he’s given up shielding and just being really, really careful. But now they’re likely to relax the two metre rule we’re getting nervous again. I think we’ll just continue on our merry way, going out a couple of times a week, but being very anti-social!