The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

Hmm yes with Cherry in charge of the butler interviews, we could be some time.

On the subject of pumpkins (still unplanted) they were given to me by someone who had grown them from seed so they are still small and vulnerable to slugs. I have never tried growing them before but I guess the idea is to have them ready for Hallowe'en. though in Scotland we scorn the American pumpkins and prefer our tough turnip lanterns

I have been glazing pottery. DGD gave me a solid model of a person? (possibly) for me to fire. It has not been hollowed out so could explode.

Dragonfly I can only think the Bournmouth crowd peed in the sand or in the sea.
Minsmere sounds 100% preferable NfkD

DD sent a photo of her 2 wee ones wading into their local loch. I hope they are safe.

A cartoon in Private Eye amused me:,

"I'm just popping to the non-essential shops, Can we think of anything we don't need?"

cherry I am pleased to see you are taking your responsibilities seriously. As you will see from previous posts our gang members are keen on getting the right kind of butler for their needs. Glad you are so prepared to help out in this way. I can see from the length of each interview you are giving them all a good vetting. ?

Hiya gang, just popping in quickly to let you all know that I'm working through the allocated workload our gov'nr Doodle has given me. Seems like it's work experience as part of my parole conditions ?
I have scouted out prospective butlers and have interviewed many. One or two were evidently unsuitable, too short ?. I have a couple more interviews to carry out and then the butlers will be available for your personal selection ? ?
Catch up with you all later.

Hi nfk yes there was talk about helping the homeless. I read that too. I hope some have been helped. For those who don’t choose to live on the streets it must be awful to be turned out again.
I couldn’t believe the scenes on the beaches. What is the matter with people. Your little trip to Minsmere sounds nice. A good long walk. I’d love that without having to dart into hedges all the time to avoid others.
grammaretto yes I was up late. Too hot to sleep. Have fun with your parsnips and pumpkins. Forgive my ignorance (as mentioned before I’m not much of a gardener) do you grow pumpkins all year round. I usually only notice them in October for Halloween.
dragon sounds as though you are pleased about the rain. We have full on sun here. I have just had a dyslexia moment. I thought you said you were planting crocuses and I was about to use my limited gardening knowledge to say surely those are spring flowers, when I checked again and saw that was the name of the company?
Sorry you still can’t get to see family. I remember you saying they lived quite a long journey away when you were looking after Dexter. How is he by the way?
marydoll how lovely to have you back with us ?
Sorry you are still feeling rough. Do you have any expectation of when the drugs might start working?
Yes it was me who asked about it. I have looked it up and am sorry that both you and cherry suffer from it. It sounds very painful and debilitating.
Do you have any voice dictation (I know there’s a word for it by I can’t think of it) software on your computer/tablet devices?
We too are livid about all those selfish people crowding on beaches and other places which could set us all back again.
We have a booked slot next Monday at our local NT. Be nice to walk somewhere else for a change.
Good luck with the cake. Hope your DH has a good birthday tomorrow.

panache hope you and your DH are ok after yesterday. Thinking of you ?
Have a good day all.

Morning all, I have been AWOL again and have missed much of your news.
Everything seems to be such an effort just now, I'm still waiting for the miracle drugs to kick in!
I foolishly overdid it yesterday and felt quite unwell last night. Silly old fool that I am. I just want a normal life.

Dragonfly, I know exactly how you feel. It's DH's 70th birthday tomorrow and it will be a very quiet affair, as family won't be allowed in the house.

I think it was Doodle, who asked about de Quervain's. Mine comes and goes. At one point I was unable to drive for six months and sometimes can only type with one finger, which means it takes ages to type a post.
When I thought I might get back to work, they were going to instal voice activated software on my PC to make my life easier.
In the end I had to retire early on health grounds, so it never happened.

Mamissimo, your comment about us having to manage our own safety resonates so much with me. When I saw the pictures at Bournmouth, I could havewept.
I experienced a similar attitude by some people at the hospital on Monday, total disregard for social distancing, not sanitising hands, not wearing masks etc. I was quite anxious when I got home.
I had spent 15 weeks, trying to keep safe and then a few idiots made a mockery of it all. ?

Nfk, I would love to own a camper van, I have always dreamt of having one. DH is not in the least bit interested. He has no soul, that man!

Gramaretto, Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow was the same as the Meadows. It was so abd, the police became involved.Everyone seems to think that as Lockdown is over in England, it must be over also in Scotland. At this rate I shall still be shielding at Christmas.

I have to sign off now, a birthday cake needs made. Hugs to all my fellow lockees. Take care everyone.

Good morning looks like it may rain here which is good as I put lots of plants in yesterday. I ordered them from Crocus and they are excellent.

I just wonder what all those people in Bournemouth did for loos. Apparently all facilities were closed.
When we lived in Holland we could cycle to the beach through the woods. We now live the furthest from the sea we could be.

Really missing the family today as others are beginning to see theirs. Ours can only visit if they can stay and of course that isn’t allowed. I am hoping there is no second wave as my letter said shielding will be paused at the end of July, not that it will be finished.

I hope everyone has a lovely day.

Hello gang!
I hardly slept last night and it looks like you were patrolling past midnight Guv.

I will be sad if nothing is learned from the Lock-down. eg: Turfing the homeless back on the streets. Packing into planes for the obligatory fortnight in the sun.
Don't we have enough sun here?
It was fascinating driving across Edinburgh yesterday to pass the Meadows (main city park) which was packed and then to see Princes St (iconic main street) pretty much deserted. No tourists at all and plenty of cyclists.

I feel sad too that public transport is having a setback when it was doing so well with trams and the 100 seater "super buses" and talk of free travel for the young as well as the old.

I love that we can appreciate our gardens, those who have them. I must transplant pumpkins and parsnips today.

Oh, Mamissimo how awful that the homeless have been turfed back onto the streets. Especially when there was so much positive talk about taking the opportunity to take positive steps to helping them. It’s not as if they can safely sleep on the beaches at the moment!

It really worries me that there are so many mentally challenged people out there. I was astounded at the Black Lives Matter demonstrations when all the warning were being made everywhere. But, I find it mind-blowingly incredible that anyone would drive for three or four hours to the coast on a hot day with children and expect that no one living more locally wouldn’t have had a similar idea. Did it not occur to them that it might just be a bit crowded? And then, the crowds outside Anfield last night.

Still, it leaves more secluded spots for those of us who don’t follow the herd. We had an early start on Tuesday and took our campervan to RSPB Minsmere. The hides and some tracks were closed but there were very few people around and of course, we had our own loo - and bed, for an after lunch nap! We walked further than I have for ages and I only just woke up in time for DGD2’s reading practice yesterday morning!

Right, no excuses. I’ve a bit of ironing to do before it warms up!

bradfordlass I will send your butler requirements to cherry. Hope she can pick out a good one. ?
Oh that’s a shame about your friend Rangi. I assume a state house is a bit like a council house in the UK. Will the state not help with heating costs? Beautiful picture of the bird.
mamissimo oh dear. I suspect Mr M is not flavour of the month tonight. Two hours in a traffic jam in this weather is not fun.
Like you, I cannot believe the stupidity of those crowding on the beaches today. We’re being really careful and they’re acting like there’s no problem at all. Really makes me mad their putting us all at risk again. I too thought/hoped the homeless would still be helped and someone would take the opportunity to talk to them and see if some permanent solution could be found.
Yes please call Jeeves. cherry should have found someone to fit the bill by now.
Sleep well all

I think my DH should be fired from his post as personal tour organiser! Hottest day of the year and he decides that we should head for the coast - not Bournemouth - to a quiet spot we know and have a nice walk with the beagle.

We set off in his toy with the roof down and went bowling along like Toad and his friends......to spend two hours in a traffic jam. I found this to be pretty much like a car park only hotter and more frustrating. We abandoned the idea of the coast and came home. I’m insisting on staying home tomorrow!

I think the strangeness of lockdown has heightened everyone’s awareness of our mortality , especially so for those of us who have suffered, endured and cared for so long. We didn’t go through it all to have a spiteful bug pull the rug out from underneath us. I think we’re having to dig deep at the moment and the cavalier crassness of the behaviour In Brixton and Bournemouth on the news tonight shows how much we have to manage our own risk. The other buggers think they’ve done their bit and it’s over.

All kinds of daftness is out there....in Worthing all the homeless people have to leave the hotel now because the insurance company won’t cover them now that lockdown is over. I had hoped that we would learn and move forwards with more compassion after Covid but I think I expected too much!

Yes please to a Lady’s Maid. One to dress my hair would be most welcome!

A New England Iced Tea would be lovely tonight....shall I ring for Jeeves?

Sleep tight

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202006/medium-17569-welcom-swallow.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202006/medium-731131-house-from-walkwasy.jpg

What we really need in our 5 star prison hotel, is a tall, strong butler who's a fully qualified dentist but who began his career as a hairdresser!
I'm sure Doodle can find one.

Dream you poor souls, you both have so many burdens to bear, as do many of our Lockdown Gang but as far as we can be at such a distance, we'll be here for you.

Cherry What a wonderful description of your trip to the beach - I was quite transported.

Yes, Rangi is quite the character and at 80, does very well. She lives in an uninsulated, cold State house and spends a lot of time in bed just to keep warm.

Listening to and watching Swifts, was my joy when I lived in Cornwall (and we had a bat too, we called him Little Drac.

When I first came to this house, only 4 of the 14 were built - it had been orchard and bush.

The Welcome Swallows came that first summer but they soon learned their ancestral home had been taken over by developers.
Over the years, fewer and fewer came back. Now, none do.

Native bush was planted once the building finished and over 11 years, some birds have colonised it.

This picture is taken from the bridge which spans the little river next to my house. You may just see my cottage through the bush.

missedout a really warm day today. Glad you enjoyed your time in the garden. Yes I always thought glamping was going to a site where everything was laid on for you but it seems you are making up your own glamping kit. Why not. I’m all for creature comforts. ?
Sorry about the butlers grammaretto they’re all in with cherry being interviewed. She wanted to check them over personally. Maids should be here by the morning to run baths and help with grooming, make up and hair.
Sleep well all.
marydoll and panache hope you are both ok.

Did you order butlers Guv? I've seen no sign of them. Maybe they are hanging out in adjacent cells. Hmph.
I hope my boudoir is bring prepared.

See you tomorrow. Sleep Well. I hope you're not too hot.

DH and I have just come back indoors from the garden. After the heat of the day it is a magical place. Being sited on the edge of a village, we can sit and look up at the nearby hills. We have been watching the aerobatics of the swifts and delighting in the evening scents. It has been a rare moment of tranquility after a hot day. We would have stayed out longer to wait for the bats to arrive but the midges were starting to show interest in bare skin!

Dreamkeeper, my thoughts are with you and your DH. I also hope MaryDoll is gaining comfort.

Doodle, you asked if I have been glamping. My ACs were all in the scouts in the 80's and 90's. They all laugh at our glamping ways. We have almost perfected the art of camping in comfort. However, we take all our own 'stuff' and in my mind, glamping involves having the 'stuff' provided by the site. I'm sure others may tell me otherwise.

Cherry, I think I wrote that my mum was born in South Wales. However, her grandparents moved there from Somerset. I sometimes visit the house where my grandfather (mum's father) used to stay as a child with his aunt. The house is a cafe that is still operating. I have a lot of Welsh cousins.

Time for cocoa and bed I think. I'd love a maid or manservant to tend to my needs. I have a hair appointment (the first appointment of the day) booked for 3rd August but an interim hair trim and someone to run a cool, scented bath for me in the morning (after my exercise bike session) would be much appreciated.

Thank you Doodle for providing the equivalent of glamping in lockdown.

cherry your visit to Bracelet Bay sounds idyllic. So quiet and a lovely day with sea and sun. Bet that recharged the batteries. Yes there is quite a Celtic heritage. I love Wales and would happily have been born there.
We went out early this morning for a walk before it got too hot. Like you, the car was boiling when we got back.
Well you lot really! . Not only are you asking for butlers now but you want to be able to choose what they are like ?
So a tall strong one for cherry Plus a ladies maid who specialises in hairdressing. Certainly, no problem.
They will be on hand tonight. I have instructed the ladies maid to run your bath and place some scented candles round it. A nice glass of something of your choice and a few nibbles await you. Hope you sleep well tonight.
grammaretto glad you got to see your GS on his birthday and share his cake. They grow up quickly these days don’t they.
panache hope things are ok with you and today wasn’t as bad as you feared. Thinking of you
Marydoll and Dragonfly hope you are both ok too.

Posted too soon!

Missedout, you say that you can't claim to have an interesting heritage and then say your mother originates from south Wales ?. So do I, I'm interested ?.

There does seem to be an inordinate amount of Celtic heritage amongst the Lockdown Gang members, I find that interesting too. I don't know why but you threw me a curve ball there Doodle, I'm surprised to find out that but for the fact that you were born in London you are essentially Welsh ? ?.

Missedout, the last time I went camping was at a small festival and the time before that was when there was the total eclipse in the UK, so quite a good few years back. Before the lockdown we bought an airbed for extra guests and we're astonished by the variety of camping equipment you can get now. We saw sofas! When the heck ... ? It's a lot more luxurious than it used to be.

Mamissimo, I think you're right we should have butlers as befitting this 5* establishment. If I ask nicely do you think I could ask that my butler be a tall guy, strong too so that no rope is required ?. Do you also think that if I asked very very very nicely the Gov'nr would also provide us with lady's maids? At least that way there may actually be a tiny chance that I will no longer look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards ?.
Your, what on paper would ordinarily be a routine (but often physically demanding) trip to the tip turned out to be a grand tour.... of carparks then. Perhaps you should start taking a photograph of each different carpark you visit on your next your. You've certainly given me an idea and I think it's something I actually might do ?

Your friend Rangi sounds like my neice1 BradfordLass. She has kept the figure she had when she was 15 years old, yet what an appetite she has. She can easily eat in one meal what I can in 2 days! Mind you, she does use up an awful lot of nervous and otherwise, energy ?
Sounds like you had a better day out, even if it wasn't completely free of that pesky fairy. I hope that means whatever power it has had to wield has waned ?.

I hope you did manage to see your family for your DGS's 13th birthday and had a lovely day Grammaretto*.
I also hope your tooth hasn't given you grief today. I think you, me and my WP are in the same boat at the moment, we need to see a dentist but you can't class it as urgent ?.

*Panache, nevermind all your DH is going through you have been through an awful lot yourself. It is clear that you are waiting, like I am too, for a follow up consultation with your Consultation. I'm waiting for that an a now overdue scan ?. It's no wonder you have had, are having panic attacks. I'm glad you felt able to open
up to us all here and there is absolutely no need to make any apologies to any one of us. I hope your DH's treatment went as well as could be today ?

Hope you are doing okay Marydoll and you dragonfly

Panache I had not appreciated the extent of your situation.
I know you had to quickly downsize last year{ (?) because of ill health but I had not realised you had so many problems of your own. Being carer for DH as well is a huge thing.
Hugs and more hugs for you.
I wish we could transport you to a beautiful quiet beach not Bournmouth

We drove to sit in DS garden today. Just stayed for coffee and birthday cake . It was so nice to see them all again. The birthday boy is as tall as his mum. We didn't use the loo or go in the house!
There were paper cups and plates for us.
It was very hot. We are due thunder storms tomorrow.
Typical Scottish summer: 2 fine days and a thunderstorm.

Evening all.
We've been out! ? We saw and and this time smelled the sea. We were quite lucky as the village wasn't too busy (except those queueing for ice cream from the famous ice cream parlour) and Bracelet Bay was quiet. At Bracelet were just us, two women, which looked like mother and daughter and two little girls dancing about who must have been the grandchildren of the former and at the far end of the bay a man with a young boy and a dog. There was a beautiful sea breeze at the bay, the sun was dancing a slow silver waltz on the sea and the air was sweet with salt. It felt quite surreal and almost unreal until I picked up a pebble and saw the limpets clinging on to the edges of the rock pools. It was as if, for a while the rest of the world didn't exist. The village was bl..dy hot though ?. The car was like an oven when we got back in it to come home.

Ah there you are panache I thought I’d check and see if you crept in behind me.
panache some people are happy to share their thoughts and feelings and others have a natural tendency to being a bit more private. I too am one of the latter.
I hope you didn’t feel pressured into telling us about your health problems. I certainly, and others on this thread, have probably been aware you and dear Mr P have some serious health issues. It is hard to be positive when in pain and suffering. Seeing someone you love suffer is worse than suffering yourself I feel.
You have certainly been through quite a lot yourself health wise and bowel problems are a cause of low mood and pain in many, being a significant part of our lives.
I hope the panic attacks lesson. Do you do deep breathing? Also if you have a fan at hand, putting that on cools the temperature. Hope you and your DH get through today’s treatment and can relax and rest a bit after x

bradfordlass if we are going to have butlers here then I think fixed guys would be the order of the day. We don’t want unhinged ones (actually I suppose I mean hinged ones) ??
Glad you enjoyed your fish. Sorry it was a bit cramped but at least it was open!
That wicked fairy is a bit of an imp I think. Trying to make like difficult. Glad he wasn’t too much in presence yesterday.
grammaretto that’s a good idea about the tent in the garden. I’m sure your grandchildren would love it. Many happy returns to the teenager. Hope he has a good birthday. Yes good risk assessment but as Maw told me on another thread if you use someone’s Loo you have to clean it and sanitise it all on leaving..........and do the hoovering and ironing too. ?
Hope panache, Marydoll and dragonfly are all ok.
Catch up later. ?

Thank you for your caring Doodle we shall all be the better from it,I know I have,and I love the kind thought behind the bell............it has not gone un noticed.
You are very special.

Indeed on hearing the sad news regarding the earlier story you brought us it really brought home the deep suffering all around us.

Whilst just to very briefly put you in the picture.
I know my biggest problem is not opening up and sharing.....it is as it has always been.

Little wonder these panic attacks are re occuring though, with each chemo treatment my dear one has he suffers more, and we both are so aware that his condition is worsening.
Today is another such one.
Whilst I have certainly not recovered from the many Hospital admissions and then a serious operation with prolonged ITU followed by pneumonia,no sooner home but I sustained a nasty fall requiring further Hospital admission and stitches,then another small `op..............all of this since Christmas.
I had District Nurses delivering treatment up until mid March,the day I had my first,much needed appointment with my Consultant Lockdown was announced and we were both put in the shielded category.
So I missed that.
My main problem first started with all my cancers and losing my main bowel back in `84.........although the life/death affair at Christmas may have saved my life but I am left with so many on going acute problems.
Whilst I ask in these turbulent times...........which of us is really the carer?

I first started with these attacks prior to our move last year and all that came before.....with no family members to share with.
Now I am back in that grip whilst knowing full well I have still both painful and on going issues with bowel,as well as too many other problems.

Apologies to you all but I hope you now understand something of my position
I have lost all my mo jo.

grammaretto love your sleeping bag story ?. I think camping like caravans has come on a lot since the ‘olden’ days. Seems quite luxurious now by comparison.
missedout have you ever been glamping (I think that’s the expression)?

Thanks for sharing your adventures BradfordLass I can imagine your happy jaunt so well.
Sorry your impish fairy wasn't far enough away.

Fixed guys are what you trip over in the night on your way to the campsite loos. I may put the tent up in the garden to tempt DS to come over with the DGC at the weekend.

That trip to the dump Mamissimo. What a highlight! and sitting in the car at carparks.

We are going to attempt to see them in their garden today. It's a bit over 5 miles but should be do-able. I want to see those children so much and it's DGS birthday today. He becomes a teenager. Our DiL is a nurse and her loo will be the best sanitised in the world. How do you like my risk assessment?

Nameless dread. Yes I have had that but not panic attacks.
I need to see a dentist. I think they are only open for emergencies and this isn't. The pain comes and goes.

I had better go and do something before the morning disappears.

Those fixed guys can have their uses but don't tell DH!

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Mamissimo's butler sounds a great idea and Missedout added to it by telling us: a few fixed guys need to be secured.
Indeed, what could be safer than a fixed guy as a butler?

I admit to a pang of regret that camping is no longer possible for me, I did love it so. When I had to get rid of my foul-weather tent, it was like selling an old friend.

Rangi was right about the fish being good but the place was small, cramped and extremely busy.

Rangi is a tiny wee soul but boy can she eat! Her lunch was 2 fish, 2 eggs, chips and salad. I had 1 fish and coleslaw and felt packed full.

The wicked fairy stayed away until we got back to Waitakere where he was waiting to spook my mobilitty card.
Then after I'd bought some buckwheat, he jumped in and punctured the paper bag so some of the grains fell out.

The weather was delightful and once again I was fine in a t-shirt.

Not going anywhere tomorrow, I simply must catch up on all the things I've put aside, in order to go jaunting in a free taxi. Farmers Market at the weekend though

Dream what a lovely mosaic of cultures you and your DH are.

Oh dear, they found the poor man; five children now mourning Daddy, it breaks my heart.

I used to have panic attacks which woke me. My doctor said it was hormones.
They're active during the night and sometimes get out of balance.
The fear was so acute and yet I knew there was no reason to be petrified. My friend Jane used to call it 'nameless dread' as she got it too.

Wishing you all a much better, cheerful and happy day