The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

I disappear for a day and find that you've all been busy bees on here and now I can't keep up ? ?

I had a 'mare of a day yesterday. Not with ailments I must say, although I keep waking up with new bruises ?. Some days are just popped in to try us I think ?

Sorry Grammaretto but it's a hot one here too. I love the heat but the feeling is not mutual.
You really are incorrigible, pronounced Winlgish or Wenglish indeed ?. Encouraging Doodle too! I think you know only too well it's pronounced Wenglish ?. It's the only language I speak really ?
I love the basket of flowers and veg you took to your in-laws by the way. It's the sort of gift that is right down my alley (strange expression that ?).
May I ask, if you are Balance can you stand on one leg whilst holding your alternative arm at 90° without toppling over? ?. Glad you had a good day with your yarn group.
Personal care for virtually any family member is a tricky one as it is so intimate, it's much easier when the person is a stranger from the start. I would be uncomfortable too, although I have in the past had to do it very occasionally. When there is no alternative after the initial inevitable awkwardness it becomes easier.

Missedout, I'm glad your knee is healing. There is nothing wrong with knee pads, have seen the professional riders?
I had to laugh about your shed take. It reminded me of something that happened at my mother's house years ago. The handle had come coffee the bathroom door and my mother had warned everyone not to completely shut the door. My brother, sister in law and neice1 came over and they had been warned in advance, On arriving, in his haste to dash to the loo, my brother forgot. We had to get a cousin to take the window out ? so he could get out and lower himself into the flat roof of the kitchen. He and my cousin spent the afternoon putting the window back in ? ?

Oh Mamissimo, I was really pleased for you when I read yesterday's post where you said you felt more human only to discover that you a gallstone attack. I hope that you are feeling much better today and the antibiotics are working to combat the cellulitis ? Sorry to hear your operation has been put back a bit, 9th August will I'm sure feel like a long time but it will come.

Yuck, your post could have come with a health warning BradfordLass. The decomposing rat is yucky enough but the Dolt doesn't even bear thinking about!
I see, from Doodle's demonstration on lovely Lavender how the adapted cuddle up works for adults and it is a good idea. It's perfect for keeping warm on a winter's evening, my WP could do with one. I don't, however, think it would work in bed for me though as it would be too restrictive during a seizure. I may, however, see what my WP thinks about it for him, he might think it's not masculine enough (I don't see why but I know him well).

By the way BradfordLass how did the tree planting go ?

No Doodle my neighbour hasn't been up to any more tricks ?. I think my trick must have worked

Better answer phone...

Scammers!!

My mother would have put the ? in the dog house Nflk ?. When my mother's dog was told off (never nastily) he would slink away very sheepishly; he was a sheepdog ?
Sounds like you had quite a novel experience at the hairdresser's. To be honest, it sounds like the safest place, outside your home, to go ?. Glad you had a nice catch up with your friend.

Keep being determined Panache, hope you are managing to get out into the garden ?

My friend, Ms S, uses knee pads when she does some on her cleaning Doodle and she has a pair as well as a kneeling pad to use when she does the gardening ?. It's worth giving it a go, I'm considering it.
Are we likely to see Lavender on the catwalk showing next season's clothes? ?. I think she's lovely by the way.
Good to hear that your state of the art, all singing and dancing waste disposal unit has arrived to report for duty.
Enjoy your day out at Cliveden ?, the slow cooked pork will be beautiful later I'm sure ?. I'm not sure I could ever be a vegetarian ?

Hope you are feeling a little (or preferably a lot) better today Marydoll ?
Thinking of you dragonfly ?

I'm nipping in quickly to say that I probably won't be posting for a few days - did I say that I will be with the 'Northern' branch of our family? I am looking forward to it so much but hope I can cope with the bustle of busy family life after months of just DH and me (and the impassive vintage car in the garage).

I completed all the 'pink' jobs yesterday. It's peculiar that I don't really care if the house is 'lived-in grubby' but loathe the idea of returning to a house that looks like that - weird or what!

I had my hair cut today - and feel so much better for the outing. I found it odd to gossip with my hairdresser while I was wearing a mask. It's a strange world out there - it took me quite a while to realise that the pavements on either side of the main road in our nearest town were one way. DH kept crossing the road to look in the shops but then continued in the wrong direction. I didn't notice anyone glaring at us though.

I'm trying to put together my various medications so I don't forget anything, they will have to have a separate case/trailer of their own.

I have made DS's favourite cake - although I notice that it was DiL that requested it.

Cherry, we had a toilet window incident too but this time we were locked out of our house (DH and keys do not go well together), DH had to borrow a ladder and try to wriggle through the only open top window of the upstairs toilet. He managed it (another hilarious moment with legs waving out of a small upper window) but ended up with his head practically in the pan. DH's brother is just as bad, he managed to lock us all out of our own house (when the DC were young), luckily another ladder was borrowed and DS managed to get through our small upper bedroom window. I now refuse to have Yale locks on our house, the outer doors need a key to unlock and lock them. Our DCs are all quite good on ladders.

I hope you all have a good weekend and those who are poorly are feeling better by the day.

Doodle, I wish I could borrow Jeeves. As much as I love my family, I can't see them providing the sort of peaceful haven with the additional extras that I have become accustomed to here.

grammaretto . Gang-sters ? I love it.
What an awkward situation you are in regarding the AP.
Is it your husbands parents and the DSil your sister in law?
Is there a chance the other carer will return soon or a new one could be found?
I feel very sorry for those whose holidays have been spoilt. Especially those with young children but my biggest worry is for those who’ve lost their jobs. Our holiday was cancelled and our sons and many others have had their plans changed. In the scheme of all that is going on, there are bigger worries.
Well done on the light bulb. Sorry, you are not having my shiny new double decker waste bin. I am keeping it in pristine condition......nothing in it yet ?
cherry sorry you had a trying day yesterday and more mysterious bruises have appeared. We certainly need to make you a double thick duvet cuddle up to protect you from knocks and cushion your falls. Perhaps a large helium balloon tied to your waist so that whatever you do it will keep you upright. ?
cherry I love your toilet story ?. When our younger son was a toddler, he took himself off to the bathroom and accidentally turned the knob on the door and locked it. Having spent a while trying to get him to open it again without success and with him getting more upset, DH decided he would have to force the door open by putting his shoulder against it. Of course he broke the lock and splintered the door frame in doing so.
Every time our little one walked past the door and the broken frame he looked at it and said “naughty daddy bwoke it” ( daddy was not amused ?)
You could make your WP a tweed cuddle up cherry or one like the old fashioned smoking jacket ?
I’m sure Lavender would be much in demand for the catwalk cherry. She is certainly pipe cleaner thin enough.?
Cliveden was lovely but so hot ?. We came back exhausted from the heat so have been on the balcony recovering with a nice glass of chilled white. ?

DGS went home last evening - much I think to the dogs relief and we've all spent most of today sitting in the shade recovering. As its supposed to be really, really hot tomorrow we're taking the boat out to find a shady backwater. Then on Saturday DGD2 is coming over to 'help' look after her cousins' dog. She want to take him to the beach on Sunday for a paddle. I fear he'll not be able to walk on Monday! Her dog died last year and she's missing her dog time.

grammaretto can the morning carer do a bit more so the evening shift isn't so personal? Hopefully, if you do have to help it'll only be short term until an evening person can be found.

I love all the loo stories. We missed our big bathroom mishap. We came back from holiday once having left our then eighteen year old son home alone. Except he invited a couple or three friends round. They apparently had a bevy or two so stayed the night. One slept in the bath (I didn't believe people actually did that) as he wasn't feeling well and it seemed logical to stay near the loo - they had been drinking. Next morning there was no sound from him - and he'd locked the door. We would never had known about it if the bathroom didn't have a lovely new door which fitted much better than the old one!

I feel your excitement Missedout!!
I hope you have a wonderful trip and your family look after you. I also hope you won't need the trailer full of medicines.

I'm loving your toilet stories lavatory humour plainly
Mine was long ago when we lived in a bungalow and the bathroom was directly opposite the front door but that's another story. On this occasion our DC were small and we had invited some neighbours in for tea. Their 2 small boys went to the loo and locked the door. When they tried to open the bolt which was really low down, the older boy tried very hard but couldn't and got more and more upset. I put a ladder to the outside but all I could see from the tiny window was the smaller child happily exploring the bathroom cupboards with their panoply of potentially deadly powders and creams..
I called a glazier who quickly came and broke the rather beautiful frosted glass in the door. to release the boys. I don't know which of us was most traumatised.

When I told my knitting guru friend about my idea for teaching "disappointment" in school, she said they already do! It's part of a course and is called Resilience. Should be compulsory.

Your pork supper Doodle reminds me that we are having vegans over tomorrow. My SisinLaw and her DH. She is DH's sister and I must say looks very slim and healthy on her vegan diet. I am now looking up how to make flax egg...... It was too wet today for visitors.

It's hot chocolate time already! Sleep tight gang in or out of the cuddleups.

Just popping in quickly to say to Missedout - have a lovely time with your northern relatives ?

Jeeves made a complaint earlier that someone had poured icy water on the helter skelter and as he slid down.... safe to say he doesn't want to sit upright at the moment ?

Off to grab some delicious hot chocolate and then I'm off to try and get some ?

Night gang-sters ?

Sorry. Fell asleep in the chair and DH wants to go to bed now so I will have to catch up with everyone in the morning.
Like cherry I just want to wish missedout a lovely time. Hope all goes well and bring some holiday tales back for us.
Take care all. Sleep well

Nfk I think there are no-sew alternatives, other than safety pins! We have things which one puts either side of the fabric and then taps smartly and two halves meet up through the fabric. Alison calls them ‘domes’ but I’m vague because I’ve only heard of them, not seen them.

With the ADU (Adult CuddleUp) you could make as much wrap-over as you wished and it doesn’t need to be floor length if you used it as a dressing gown.
I imagine it could be good for the elderly and wheelchair bound too.

I’m full of admiration for everyone’s fighting spirit; you are all so inspirational and certainly deserve better days.

Yes, Doodle waiata (singing) is part of our elders group. Maori, like Welsh are fine singers and musicians.

It was all new when I got there; swipe cards and the ubiquitous sanitizer but no masks, although I’d taken mine.

Falco is Marcus Didius Falco, created by Lindsey Davis. Her popular books have been made into audio and a BBC Radio 4 series. They are interesting and amusing.
He’s an Informer (Investigator) in Rome (AD71) and Britain.

Grammaretto I used to call my mother ‘Aged Parent’, which she accepted along with all my other eccentricities, having never read Dickens.

I have a door story too.
My father was not handy about the house, so minor repairs, fuse and plug replacement etc were left to me, even from an early age. The spare bedroom door had a faulty catch and to everyone’s annoyance banged repeatedly in the slightest wind.

I was about 11, so had no money and Dad was very lax about buying a new catch, so on it went, bang, bang, bang.

Eventually, I got so cross with this, I used a sanitary towel, hooking the loops round each handle, so at least when the door closed, it merely bumped quietly.

My father was so outraged by this hugely embarrassing remedy that he went and bought a new latch!

Have a good break with your Northern rellies Missedout - and all you who have family contact now.

Grammaretto I've been meaning to say, Nettles are delicious cooked, especially young ones. Grasp them firmly, or use gardening gloves then clean well.
Not unlike spinach and you can make soup from them too.
www.thespruceeats.com/sauteed-stinging-nettles-2217561

We are sitting on slightly damp chairs eating our po.....e in the garden trying to decide how to fully appreciate this one hot day.
Some sad news has marred it already. Our dear friend has lost her brother in an accident, not covid related except that no-one could visit until the very end.
I hope the North doesn't mean you can't see your family Missedout
With this latest lockdown.

I have made nettle soup in the past Bradfordlass we had some Spanish helpers who had never been stung by nettles before and were a bit blaze about harvesting. Although well warned and supplied with gloves they had a rude shock.
I love your sanitary towel story. Very BL!!
Off to make the vegan cake.

Tomorrow is THE DAY a lot of people, my husband included, will feel released, end of shielding, but it’s not a magic date, I’m sure the Bug is watching from somewhere? so still take care everyone. With new restrictions in place we all need to be aware. Good luck all.

nfk your trip in the boat sounds idyllic today. Have a relaxing day. Nice to have spent time with your DGS and now your DGD coming tomorrow. You’re being kept busy ?
Ooh your bathroom story was a good one. Like ours, it resulted in a new door ?
grammaretto what is it with boys and locking bathroom doors that they then can’t open ?
I’ve never heard of resilience classes in school. It’s a good idea. Mind you even us grownups have difficulty with disappointment. (We just don’t throw ourselves on the floor in a tantrum .........at least not when anyone is looking ?)
Hope your meal goes well tonight. Will you be eating vegan too? I haven’t heard of flax egg. Something else to look up on google. Hope the cake is good.
Sorry to hear about your friend’s brother. One of the worst things about this virus is not being able to visit family in hospital or care homes.
bradfordlass I think your cuddle up would be brilliant for anyone in a wheelchair. I will look up Alison’s domes. What would we do without google. (I wonder what happened to all those people who used to go door to door selling encyclopaedias. I had a set bought for me when I was a child)
I love your ‘door’ story too.? one way of getting a new latch ?
Hi megs hope you’re both getting on ok. We will be using our own common sense regarding release from shielding. I think we will carry on what we have been doing for a while and see what happens.
Thinking of all the poorly gangsters and hoping you are doing ok. Take care all. Have a good day ?

Hey Doodle, thanks and agree.

It's been a strange sort of heat spell here today ?. It started bright and hot but turned very very grey - not that hot either - that was this Summer then ?

I've really spent most of the day indoors today, completed my latest non art piece - not sure what I'm going to do next. I may come up with something tomorrow, when I have a change of scene ☺️

We were meant, originally, to go to my niece's today (garden of course) for a pre birthday (her's) gathering but it was postponed to tomorrow instead. It's a big birthday for her so it's a bit of a shame she can't do more with it but she is naturally very positive in nature and I know she'll make the most of it.

BradfordLass, I never did really get why, apart from the famous male voice choirs, the Welsh are renowned for being good singers. In my family only one was able to hold a tune, my mother. I, on the other hand, could easily scare sheep away ?. I've only ever known a handful of people I would say could sing. I'm sure the Maori population are better singers.
What a fantastic tale about the door, I love your ingenuity ?. It worked like a dream too - embarrassed your dad into action ?

Sorry to hear that a friend of yours has lost her brother Grammaretto and has faced what I think is another cruelty of this virus - not being able to be at the bedside of a loved one at the last.
I hope the weather cooperated today for you and you had a lovely day to enjoy.

Hi Megs lovely to see you here. Tomorrow is not a magic date for me, 16th August in Wales. I agree too though that really it's not a magic date for anyone who has been shielding and as we know now some places are having many restrictions put back in place and other loosenings are being postponed. It is all too early to be complacent, to rush to do things that we have not been able to do. I think it's something everyone, let alone those who have shielded, should heed.

What have you been up to today gov'nr Doodle? Have you started your own modelling agency and signed any more clients beside Lavender ?. I agree she does have the physique of the models we see on the catwalk these days, more Marilyn Monroe's are needed I think.

What a day. So hot that the fan I had on was blowing hot air on me. Phew. Too much for me.
Had a bit of a tidy up. Not too energetic. Just putting enough away to make the place look tidy before a lovely glass of chilled white on the balcony,
Lots of boats on the river today. People out enjoying the sun.
DH not feeling so good I don’t think the antibiotics agree with him. Lazy day today.
cherry what was your latest non art piece? I have made 2 face masks. I hope you enjoy yourself at the party tomorrow.
I know you are very close to your niece and nephew so hope you have a good time. Take a sun hat, it’s due to be hot,
There are several good singers in the Welsh part of my family cherry. My brother and my cousin had lovely voices. I love listening to the male voice choirs it always brings a lump to my throat.
My model Lavender has found herself back in the toy cupboard today. I may make her an outfit in the future but she is, as we say in the business “resting” ?. I must confess to doing nothing much at all today. Too hot. Although I did watch a video about how to draw landscapes. I have no artistic talent whatsoever but I would love to be able to draw trees. It was an interesting video but didn’t help much. I have been watching the Joy of paining by Bob Ross on BBC I think. He makes it look so easy.
Must persevere with my cross stitch but not tonight. I can’t see well enough at the best of times but after a glass (or two) I stand no chance.
Hope you all had a good day and the poorly gangsters are coping ok.

Thanks Cherry.

It was quite lovely today. A warm breeze and sunshine but not too hot. The vegan cake went down well and the discussion went well too so I think SiL can return south without worrying too much about her DPs. If I do emergency shifts they are not arduous just putting a light meal on the table and checking the meds.

Another friend turned up to see us this evening and stayed for supper.in the garden. He was asking if we had now stopped shielding.
I replied that it has always been our own decision but we were keeping as safe as possible.

My knitting is not going well. I may have to unattach the button band.
I don't have the energy to stay up for chocolate. Night night gangsters!

Night grammaretto glad you had a good day and sorted out the care of the AP. Helping out a bit is not too bad and providing food easier to do than personal care.
I have eaten some vegan chocolate cake and apart from being a little on the dry side, it tasted fine. Your cake sounds as though it was a success.
I said it was always the button band that got me with knitting. Seems you are having trouble too. Hope you get it sorted.
Sleep well all.
bradfordlass Jeeves is back on duty now (although he is still feeling a bit sorry for himself) please let him have the big cushion in the kitchen. He still needs it for his .....tender bits. ?

Not a good week for me with further grumbling gallstones and antibiotic bleh. I can't quite get my mojo up somehow. We will go home tomorrow and then I'll hopefully be up to tackling Jeeves. ?

Megs36 Although we're supposedly free here, a lot of people, having been locked down so long are keeping their outings to an absolute minimum.
The roads are busy, but places such as the swimming pool and cinemas are deserted. So it looks as if caution is still very much the watchword.

Nfk Auckland is known as The City of Sails, so a huge number of people are taking to the water in order to get their leisure time in safety. I envy them and you as I love being on or in the water.

This picture show just one of the many marinas around the city.

Cherry I'll have a word with Jeeves as the 'icy water' was my doing.
It was actually alcohol-based sanitizer as the surface of the helter-skelter (according to him) needed re-sanding and it has to be grease-free first.

If he'd told me he was going to use the drattted thing at 3am, I could have warned him.

No matter, it's all done now and the surface is as smooth as....the place he said he had splinters itwas just an excuse to get Cherry to kiss it better.

Doodle I'll give him the big cushion but not until he's done all the washing up, drying and putting away which he left yesterday. Then I might let him sit down to shell peas and those runner beans we've been gifted.

Meanwhile, I'm off for a soak in the hot pool as my bones are playing up today and it's a beautifully clear night to watch the stars.

Jeeves is banned from the hot pool when I'm in it and batting his eyes at me and telling me it's good for his botty will not change my mind.

I'm a hard wumman

mamissimo sorry your time with your daughter has been spoilt by the gallstones and the antibiotics for the cellulitis. DH is on antibiotics at the moment and doesn’t feel to good either. Hope you get home without a hitch and start to feel better soon. Jeeves has missed you ?
bradfordlass I think caution is the way forward if we are to beat this virus. DH and I are still keeping ourselves to ourselves. No shopping, no eating out. Just keeping an eye on what is happening and using our own judgment on what we do.
That marina looks packed. There must be hundreds of boats there. Do you ever go sailing?
Glad you’re keeping an eye on Jeeves. He certainly can’t go in the hot tub until he’s done his chores. Enjoy your stargazing, just make sure Jeeves doesn’t slip into the tub when you’re not looking. ?
Sleep well all.

Good morning gang....I've staggered through this week and will be glad to get home tonight. My lovely DD and SiL have made me feel so comfortable - and that's a feat when you feel Blurgh. We have managed to pootle a little carefully and as long as you stay away from the tourist spots the locals are all being really sensible.

They've not had any cases of Covid in her small town at all during the crisis but with the hot weather the tourists are coming daily for the beach - and the locals are getting up at sparrows fart call to walk their dogs and take the air and then hiding away till the evening.

I had an appointment at Brogdale, the fruit tree specialists, to pick some fantrained and espalier trees for delivery in the winter. They are so knowledgeable and took us out into the orchards and thought the greenhouses to choose varieties that were right for us. Seven lovely five year old trees will arrive in December and will complete the fruit garden we've been creating along a wall. Apparently there are now peaches that cope with the south of England conditions so we took the plunge, together with two new Apple trees, a cherry and a pear.

For all of you struggling with button bands....my DM taught me a method that never fails....and I'm left handed too....when knitting anything we knit in the back of the last stitch in each row and this creates a little bobble along the edge. It makes it a firmer edge and so easy to match the rows

I've only bought one other thing on this trip....some Baby Bottom Butter from W**tr**e. Now where is that butler.....?

mamissimo I am sure Jeeves, along with the rest of us, will be pleased to have you back
Nice to hear you were so well looked after but a shame you felt so rough. After another awful night DH is giving up on his antibiotics. He’s taken five full days worth but they make him feel ill all day. His wrist feels better so I hope the infection has gone now. He’s back to see the nurse Tuesday so we’ll see what she says then.
What an enjoyable visit to Brogdale. Something nice to look forward to in December. Sounds as though the gangsters will be alright for fruit in years to come.
Good tip for knitting. Not done that before.
Get home safely. Jeeves has missed you. bradfordlass has been making him work hard ?