The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

Reveille!
I thought I was late up but seemingly not.
The porridge is delicious but there is also muesli but no milk I'm afraid until the shopping arrives. Croissants are delicious from the French Partisserie today - warm and flaky.

We are mourning the dear dog today. She was such a friend but as I said to DD she had a happy life in their family and although short she made a huge impact and would have been like Nana in Peter Pan if allowed to be.

Impressed by your list of to do things Mamissimo. Poor beagle having to have his innards revealed

So many lovely story books for little ones these days Missedout but almost anything by Julia Donaldson.
The Ahlbergs and Shirley Hughes are still wonderful too. Books which rhyme and are pleasant to read aloud. Try Mij Kelly's " a bed of your own" or how about Marmaduke Duck and Marmalade Jam by Juliette MacIver
Our 8yr old DGS is now writing his own stories and he reads them to us!

www.bookdepository.com/category/2455/Childrens-Books
We use the Book depository who send worldwide unlike Amazon.

I wonder what all that was with the Fire Engines yesterday.
Thanks for all the tips about creams for dry skin Doodle

Now to chase any late comers..........

Good morning all.

Thank you Grammaretto for the reading suggestions. I've already been book browsing. Being a gran at a distance means I don't know which books my DGC already have.

I don't wish to rub it in but woke up to the smell of lovely fresh bread made overnight in the bread maker. I bought the machine when I retired and it has been manfully (personfully) making delicious bread for 6 years. Today's loaf is a mixture of malted, seeded flour and white bread flour.

I have to be a bit careful with my amateur tooth filling repair, the little seeds can cause havoc.

My husband is restless today and wants to get out. We have a food delivery expected from the local farm shop but I think we will go out for a while afterwards and try to find a quiet spot for a meander. Wish me luck inmates.

grammaretto I am so sorry about your DDs dog. How sad for all of you. I can remember well how we felt when our 3 died. Hope the family are ok. At least she is not suffering any more.
Ooh I like muesli and croissants. Think I’ll have that today and make do with black coffee. Thank you.
mamissimo poor Fergal. First worming now flea treatment. That poor cat will be glad when his personal grooming is over ?. I love the idea of your drawing of your beagle. She sounds like quite a character.
dragonfly we have a nice comfy chair for you beside the pool to have your evening cocktail served there. ?
Catch up with everyone later. Take care ?

After a couple of little weeps, I'm back on track.

Managed the Helter Skelter - what fun. Would have done it again but that climb to the top was too much. Maybe we need a lift in the turret?

I notice Grammaretto described me warm and flaky

Managed to get some lovely material for this little blanket-bag-coverlet-cuddleup. What shall I call it? I did think Cuddleup of course but there's a 'cuddler for hire' service with the same name, which made me laugh. How do they stop it going beyond cuddling?

Anyway, I got navy polar fleece for one side and a nice cotton floral which won't show the dirt too badly, for the other. All washable. If I tack it together, my friend Allie will sew it up.

To thank my friend Linda for taking me to the shop, I shouted her Morning Tea.
I had avocado, spinach and chicken in a slider or was it a panino? (I wish they wouldn't say 'a panini', it doesn't make sense) and Linda had a gigantic piece of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Not my taste but she obviously enjoyeed every mouthful.

Later in the afternoon, played host to an assessor from the agency who provides my free household support.

She was willing to give me more hours as my eyes have deteriorated so much but I'm learning ways round most domestic tasks so declined.
I only accept help with things I definitely can't manage for myself, such as getting to the distant shops and library (nothing is within walking distance).

So a very productive day which took my mind off Micki but then the tears came back when I heard a podcast about Princess Diana.
I'm not a royalist but neither do I blame them for being who they are and that girl had a sad life from a child and was always searching for affection. Poor kid.

I put a slug of grog into my hot chocolate last night Doodle and I'm going to do the same tonight but then I'm back to being tea-total

The government has just decided to double the 'winter power supplement' for the elderly. Great news.

`Morning cell mates.

A sad day for your family household Grammeretto,losing one`s dear pet is truly losing a family member.I can almost "feel" your hurting heart.
We truly suffered on the loss of ours,in fact one death was in early December and we failed to celebrate Christmas, or our Wedding Anniversary that year.
Years ;later and they are still very much in our conversations.
However now on the verge of being free again you will also have some pleasurable experiences during the course of the day.

As for the porridge,you know the old saying....."you can never please ALL of the people ALL of the time........." and I guess that goes for porridge making!! Well devoured and relished in this quarter let me add!

Whilst Missedout the mere thought of waking up to the aroma of freshly baked bread made my mouth drool!! There is something so special about it.
I also like the thought of a food delivery from a farm shop,nice and fresh,just the ticket for your meals.

Thanks for the news of our Cherry Guv Doodle I suspect when she returns she will be bubbling over after her enforced rest.
I can quite understand your feelings on a well fitting washing up bowl,I rather think this lockdown period has taught us to be pleased with the smaller things,and after all,anything that makes our lives easier is never a bad thing.
Sadly the parcel will havc to be returned,another headache probably in this climate we now find ourselves in.There were shirts and trousers for my man,larger size s than usual, hopefully assisting his more painful parts,but they really were baggy in the supreme so best try,try again I think.
I am pleased that he still remains keen to keep a good image.

Poor Fregal,he is constantly in the limelight it seems Mammissimo and yet if we care for our pets of course all these mundane things have to be done.

Am struggling badly on two differing fronts,a very painful right wrist,possably the root cause is my Spondyilitis (have had numerous MRI`s as the condition worsens,then my vision is getting seriously impaired.After any time spent on this keyboard both areas play up and I have great fears that my computing days are coming to a close.
A real humbug.

Our outs today will just be our usual strolls,tomorrow we hear when our car light system and service will be carried out.......and so we can plan ahead with hope in our heart.

Have yourselves a good day,perhaps yet more Fire Engines if we are lucky!!
Weather remarkably kind,some sunshine and still no rain as yet.
See you all later.

bradfordlas that material looks lovely and as you say won’t show the dirt and should be nice and cosy. Made me laugh when you said you would shout your friend morning tea. I know exactly what you mean but in this age of lockdown I had an image of you one side of the street and her the other yelling slices of toast and tea or coffee to each other.?
Your wish is my command. We will have a lift installed in the turret immediately. I read yesterday was your last blog. Hope you have enjoyed doing it. You certainly posted some interesting articles.
panache sorry your parcel has to go back. It is difficult getting clothing on line but sometimes we have no choice.
I am sorry about your wrist and eyesight. It would be a shame if you could not keep up with your computer use. Is there some form of auto dictation you can use on your computer so it can type for you?
Glad your car is coming along. I would love to hear you have been to the sea soon.
Back later for another catch up.

Thanks for the condolences everyone about the dear dog.

Dreamkeeper I am sorry you have such a sore wrist and problems with your sight. As Doodle says can computer technology help?

I quite recently bought an USB audio player with nice big simple knobs for my in-laws, from RNIB but I think it's already too late for them as they can't learn new things now, at 94 and 95.
They still enjoy television.

I miss the charity shops for picture books and the libraries.
I often buy duplicate books and they just pass them on. My criteria is I must enjoy reading them aloud.
The Marmaduke Duck series are by a New Zealand author so they definitely won't have them. Missedout

My lovely delivery girl delivered earlier. She even brings me things I haven't ordered but she knows I'll like! Her husband is cycling over later to mow the grass. I forgot to give back the dungarees.

I shall have to think of someone tall and willowy to give them to.

grammaretto your delivery girl sounds like a good find especially if she has a DH who cuts grass, ?
Our hanging baskets are arriving soon and I am on the watering rota. I can’t wait to see what they are like. ?
Went for a walk today. Quite quiet no fire engines. Didn’t meet many people. It just kept on spitting with rain. Not much just enough for me to keep putting my hood up then off then up then off..... nice to walk around our usual haunts and see the flowers and trees in full bloom now.
I’ve been painting since we got back. I will never be an artist. I can’t even paint between the lines let alone free hand. Today I have been painting using a lovely maroon, deep crimson and vivid orange paint. Much more interested than the blacks and browns I have been using so far.
Hope everyone is enjoying their cocktails. ?

Hubble bubble, Doyle and trouble
Cherry's back or maybe her double ?

Thanks for sending gov'nr Doodle out on a search party for me all my fellow parolees. I didn't think my going AWOL could be missed and your concern for me is humbling. What truly lovely caring people you all are ❤️.

The stabbing pains I had were in my breast not my chest as some of you thought. Last Summer I had a lumpectomy (left breast) followed by radiotherapy which finished a week before Christmas. I've had tenderness ever since but apart from the first week or two post-operatively no pains like that. The stabbing pains are gone now but my breast is very sore, feels swollen and it's like having a tight band around me just below my breast. I'm pretty sure it's a side effect but there's nothing that can be done at the moment. The weird thing though, and surely it's not a side effect, is that I've been sleeping for Wales ? ?. Very tired, still tired, very strange, still strange ?.

Sorry to read about the death of your friend BradfordLass ?. What a genuinely happy face she had, she must have been a very pleasant friend to have. My friend (and neighbour) died a good few weeks back now, she was one of life's true souls. I'm not religious so when I say that I mean in nature and heart.

I love your cuddleup. When you described it without the photo it sounded very bizarre interesting but I couldn't conjure any image of what it might look like. Putting your initial description and your photo together it makes perfect sense. You are very clever ?

I loved your latest post, like Doodle said your words "I shouted her morning toast" conjured images for me too. Unlike Doodle, however I had visions of you shouting "morning toast" as a term of endearment ?. I also loved the extra "e" describing the fact that your friend enjoyed her carrot cake ? as it seemed to emphasise her obvious pleasure ?.
Brilliant news about the double "power supplement" ?

Sorry to hear about the loss of your DD's dog Grammaretto. We've only ever had one pet, many many years ago now. He was stolen. A friend decided to gift us a "replacement". She had to take her gift away, I couldn't bear it.

Dreamkeeper, I hope your car is sorted out now ?. I know how much you are longing to see the sea. We still haven't gone ... I've been far too tired but all being well ... tomorrow is another day and I hope ?.

I hope you're all enjoying yourself on the Helter skelter ?. I don't think I ought to try it out, bit too wibbly wobbly for me ?. I can however, enjoy the vision of each of you slippy sliding down ?.
Perhaps I can persuade one of you to join me to watch instead? I quite like the sound of a comfy chair by the pool - so dragonfly can I join you there?

cherry welcome back. I wouldn’t normally chase down fellow posters. You are certainly allowed days off without posting but I think we all got worried because in your last post you said you had pains. I think we had visions of you on your way to hospital again.
Lovely to have you back with us. We missed you as you can see from all the posts. You’re just lucky I didn’t come looking for you with handcuffs and a guard dog ?‍♀️ ?
Special comfy chair for you also the attention of one of our most handsome waiters (wardens) to serve your every need (well cocktails anyway ?)

Good to see you back Cherry you were missed.
Sleep is such a great restorer that I can never think needing to sleep a lot is anything but good.

DH has slept a great deal today/ It may be the rain. It's been heavy rain all afternoon and the lovely man didn't mow the grass but he says he will come at the weekend.

I weeded a bit earlier and repotted my broad beans. I have some outside and some in the greenhouse. I'm hedging my bets.

I also hope that you see the sea again soon Dreamkeeper
That's a very jolly cuddleup you have made Bradfordlass

DD and her family buried their dog in the woods today. The wee one said some funny things such as "shall we get another dog to be a friend for her?"

Hot chocolate tonight please as the temperature has dropped and not sure if you'll see me at the Helter Skelter. Thanks but no thanks. I'll pass.
Have fun everyone!

Good evening - good to see you back Cherry

Grammaretto those dungarees sound just the thing for the Helter Skelter - all modesty would be preserved and you could pop a pillow down the back to protect your derrière.

Both animals were successfully cornered and flea treated so they’re off the hook for a month now.....the grouting is still, needless to say, still waiting! I managed to distract myself by teaching DD2 how to prune and shape her Busy Lizzie by FaceTime.

My MIL gave me a small Busy Lizzie the first time she came to dinner after we got married and I’ve kept it going through cuttings for 44 years. I gave both my daughters a rooted cutting from the parent when we went to dinner with them. One DD is good with plants.....DD2 does not have the green fingered gene.

I’m rambling so it’s time for bed....a simple chocolate for me tonight please....

Good to see you back Cherry you certainly can join me but it will have to be hot chocolate!

Dreamkeeper, so sorry to read about your worsening vision and problems with your wrist.

Before you feel you have to give up using IT, why not get in contact with the RNIB? I used to volunteer to assist visually impaired; they were referred by the RNIB to the charity. There are applications for computers that can help you make the most of what you have. Voice recognition and dictation systems are also becoming so much smarter. You'd be surprised at what you can still do with the right help. Especially for someone like you who will be motivated to keep going.

Today, I’ve been bored and I’ve eaten too much! I made a cake yesterday, completely forgetting that today I had included a couple of Danish pastries from the farm shop as part of my order. I'd also included fresh local strawberries and cream. I had an extra session on the exercise bike but that only burnt off a couple of mouthfuls.

I really enjoy reading about what is going on in your lives. I've only ever worn denim dungarees a couple of times. I needed an additional belt round my waist because the dungarees 'gaped’ at the front whenever I bent over. They made loo trips difficult too.

I have ordered a new top online for myself and some of my favourite coffee beans. I'm not sure that I will actually ever go shopping again.

I’m sorry but I'm going to have to skip the hot chocolate tonight, too many calories. Good night all.

Welcom back Cherry

Gramaretto Our dog, never allowed out without a lead, used to dig his way under the bushes of our garden to escape to the playground where he loved climbing the ladder and sliding down the slide

Dream If you have a PC, then you almost certainly have integral software which will not only read everythig on the screen to you, but write at your voice dictation. My eyes are not quite bad enough for that yet but I shan't be giving up my lifeline on the world if my son will help me access the VOS (voice operated software)

I already use VOS on an artificial intelligence device and all I have to do is speak to it and it activates all manner of things. Wish it could take me out occasionally

I fell asleep on the sofa not that long after posting ??.
I haven't long woke up again and it's passed 1am, so I should actually go to bed!
dragonfly, I don't actually drink any alcohol IRL (affects meds) so hot chocolate is fine - except atm as I don't think I need it to fall asleep, I could sleep on a string ?.

Good advice to Dreamkeeper, Missedout.
That's the trouble with lockdown sometimes, it can be a bit boring. I try to do different things (except for the last few days ?) each day to "break" things up a bit. Nothing wrong with a bit of extra ? sometimes ?.

Night everyone ?

Good Morning cell mates.

I can pass my early riser warder role to someone else who wants it!?

I was astonished to receive a text from the Courier asking me for instructions on how to deliver the long overdue parcel.

I am going to allow my 3 students into the pottery studio to work by themselves. I think I would wait forever for someone to know the right answer but since the Scottish R rate is now below 1, I feel it is safe enough. They will work on their own and use the downstairs loo which we don't use.
Own or paper towels etc. DH agrees.

RNIB have all kinds of wonderful services. There is also a workshop near here where the "Blind" make wooden toys and other things to sell. The talking books are free - just a pity my in-laws cannot manage to listen.

Poor DD has put on weight and that's adding to her depression. I have also put on weight in here. It must be your excellent cooking Doodle I blame you!
Put that cake away now!

grammaretto hope your DGC are ok about losing the dog, sounds like a nice burial. Sounds as though you may get your parcel sometime soon. I didn’t know you had a pottery studio. Are you a potter (not sure what the right word is) ?
I think many of us have put on weight. I certainly have....quite a lot. Lack of exercise and being locked in make food an enjoyable thing to look forward too. Hope your daughters spirits lift.
mamissimo I bet your DGD had great fun pruning her plant with you on FaceTime. I bet mum enjoyed the break too.
That’s a nice story about your MILs buzzy lizzy. I am hopeless with plants, indoor and outdoor. My father , a keen gardener, once gave me a Mother in laws tongue which he had carefully tended and grown for me. On arriving home with it, I decided it needed a little water and in trying to hold the pot under the tap I ended up dropping the whole plant into a bowl of hot soapy washing up water. It did survive but is par for the course with me ?
dragonfly hope you had a good night. You too cherry . You still sound very tired. It’s good that you sleep well. My DH often has restless nights with IBS and he is always tired.
missedout that’s some helpful advice you have given.
I too have been eating too much. I made a lasagne yesterday. DHs favourite. Delicious but not slimming (mind you that might have something to do with the size of the portions we had ?) Hope your top is nice when you get it. I find clothes difficult to order online.
DH and I enjoy cruising. We go with Saga so just smaller ships and full of oldies like us. After our last cruise I decided to treat myself to a new long dress for the next cruise. It was really nice. My style and fitted well. They did another One in different colours so I bought that too ( they were in the post Christmas sale). Needless to say they are still hanging unused in the wardrobe and will probably be there for a long time to come.
bradfordlass your dog’s escapades made me laugh. He obviously enjoyed the playground. ?.
It’s nice to be part of a gang who are so kind in being helpful to one another and offering advice. You are a lovely bunch.
We have hanging baskets arriving for our communal garden today. I am on the rota for watering and it will be my turn tomorrow. Can’t wait to see what they look like ?

Hello fellow cell mates.All present and correct I hope?

Would you believe we are still awaiting rain,and although much cooler, the skies are blue and the sun shining.The sounds of the sea are calling louder!!!

However talk about the kind giving for the sheilded with one hand here in Wales,our First Minister quickly took it away when adding certrain conditions very smartly a day or so ago.
Yes we can exercise outside and meet with one "outsider" in appropriate places etc.The rider has been we stay like this for another 10 weeks and certainly no trips to the Stores,Pharmacies etc........ .BUT.I add with a smile, he did not mention the sea!!!

Thank you very much all whom have sympathised with my on going problems, Missedout and each one of you,your advice I take to heart knowing you mean well.Indeed yes my PC is set up for voice recognition etc and I know this is going to be the future path for me.
But with such a catalogue of ongoing problems facing both of us,affording such a shaky future, sadly I am struggling badly to get going in what would be a whole new way.It has been so very difficult over many years and obviously I am flagging badly.
Perhaps I shall find my "get up and go" at some stage.....you and me both Cherry

Good to have you with us Cherry but sad hearing you still have those same "stabbing "issues,and seemingly some lasting breast pain following your lumpectomy and radiotherapy.
I got badly burned during my 6 week aggressive treatment,it was a real trial at the time since for those 6 weeks I lived in a nearby Hostel to Singleton with 9 other Cancer patients undergoing treatment,half of which were men.I was told to go naked up top which was not quite my idea when men were present!!!!
One patient`s wife took pity on me and my predicament,she went into town,trawling a few of the stores,bringing back some floaty large sized kaftans...........so I could wear them without a bra and still let the air heal.
That same person is now one of my dearest friends!
Rest is vital and perhaps this is what you need in abundance right now.

I am envious of your Hanging baskets being brought to your place Doodle I have always loved this time of year when I was able to do my own baskets,troughs,window boxes and I was never happier than outside watering and pottering in the sunshine!!
It looks as though your place will be a riot of colour.
Sadly our place although a lovely well kept garden,none of our "inmates" will now add the summer planting so the place totally lacks colour.
We both had talked and hoped of doing it ourselves but of course, like very much else for us all,the virus came first!!!
Anyway enjoy.
What a great idea taking turns with the watering,that is what I call co operation!!
In the heatwave of ` 84 I had some 86 pots etc to water (twice daily) plus some 150 new golden leylandii planted earlier.
I am delighted.......and proud.....to add I did not loose a tree or any of my floral pots.

Loved the Cover up you intend sewing Bradfordlass but rather disappointed that you did not take me up when I cheekily mentioned my favourite colours of sea colours......jade,aqua,turquoise and purple!!............I could well do with your handy touch!

It was a bit of a palaver getting our parcel returned but it is now done and dusted, whilst I have been the recipient of a rather pretty light summer top in shades of coral and cream.
That makes a good start.
However it is just as well we are not advised to visit stores for with things as they stand, I shall have no desire to enter such premises again.
So am with you there Missedout
Thankfully over the latter years I have made some good connections with mail order firms.Having said that,only days ago I had sorted out a few nice casual outfits but on ordering the waiting list said august...........so summer could well be over! I think instead I will order now for winter!

Your mentioning of that "Busy Lizzie" plant that you have enjoyed cuttings from it for some 44 years Mammissimo reminds me of a fuchsias that used to fill the Harbourside in Saundersfoot when we lived there.
Every time I passed by I would nip a little cutting..........and when we packed up house and home last summer there were several beautiful fuchsias tubs that were sold,and another dozen doing well in garden area ..........those original cuttings went back some 35 years probably even longer!!
Memories ..............and how precious they are.

A hospice that we attended before lockdown continue to keep in contact with us and on `phoning today and I mentioned how much I longed for a sea trip made a very good suggestion.To go out in stages,first trip to a lovely area overlooking the Haven waterway which is but a half mile away,second a little Bay further away and then our favoured Broad Haven........so when the car is ready we may well try those tentative steps.

Don`t overdo the weeding Grammeretto,we would not like you to do any harm to yourself!

Since lockdown and shielding of course we have had no cleaner,so its been a busy morning here,just as well I haven`t forgotten how it is all done!
So I can be forgiven for trailing along,not looking for sympathy but one nice tall glass of something iced would set me up nicely.
Over to our Guv Doodle ....whom never fails to deliver!

Enjoy your day and perhaps we shall meet at sun down! Chow!

As you all know, it is my dear DH who is the shielded one, not me. He has, over the years had many health problems, heart, cancer, stroke, prostate, blood cancer and so on. He never complains. All that has happened to me is that I had a hysterectomy after suffering some unpleasant but not painful symptoms and I have asthma, which nearly brought me to an end in my youth but is well controlled now, and my joints ache a bit. Apart from that I am fit and as far as I know healthy.
I have come, over these weeks of lockdown, to realise what a fabulous bunch of people I have been locked in with. Your many, many ailments, both now and in the past all mentioned not in self pity but in a matter of fact way. All the difficulties you are coping with day in day out. I would just like to say that although this lockdown had brought a lot of suffering and problems to many, it has brought me to a place where I have got to know an amazing bunch of people and it’s a real privilege for me to spend some time with you. ?

I feel the same Doodle such a great gang who have been through a lot and like you I am shielding but not the invalid which makes me feel strange sometimes. Particularly when these lovely people deliver all our needs
apart from the Hermes courier who still hasn't come
We managed to have a fish supper delivered just now , no problems at all. That's low calorie isn't it

I moved piles of branches from one end of the garden to the other for a bonfire in the future and I was huffing and puffing. I am so unfit.

How far are you from the seaside Dream?
I am a potter Doodle but haven't made much recently.
I still haven't done the embroidery on the baby jumper I am knitting and I have just heard the baby will be induced in less than 2 weeks.
the doorbell has rung and it is indeed Hermes with the long overdue Summer trousers. They threw it on the doorstep and ran off as soon as I appeared.

We will have some more Summer won't we? It was rather cold and windy today.

DH spoke to oncology and as a result is off his meds for a few days to see if his side effects ease. He is already feeling better!

I'll grab a cocktail and settle down to watch tele. See you all soon.

Thank you all for my welcomes back ?.

I'm still feeling very tired, perhaps I'm sleeping too much now ?! I haven't fallen to sleep on the sofa for a long time. I normally have a strange relationship with sleep and struggle to fall asleep because my brain (being abnormal ?) "puts out" sleep waves when I'm awake ?.

Grammaretto, your parcel issue has turned into quite an epic saga. I hope the fact that you received a text means it has been delivered today or if not you will receive it tomorrow.
Ah, so you teach pottery. How interesting. I hope you still produce pieces of your own. What do you like to make? What is the one piece you have made that you are most proud of? What sort of glazes do you prefer, if any? Oh, please tell us more.
By the way, I think a burial of your DD's dog in woodland was a lovely choice of resting place ?

Glad both animals have been successfully de-flead Mamissimo. I'm visualising your drawing of your dog ?, any progress with that?
Growing from cuttings is immensely satisfying. I think it's pretty amazing that you have grown cuttings from one plant for 44 years. When we moved to our house we knew that an awful lot of work was going to be required in the gardens. It had well established cultivation ... of wild grasses and a hidden lawn ?. There wasn't any other plant in either garden! Eighteen years later my WP's green fingers have transformed it. Yes, it's a truism that a garden is never finished (not all plants live forever) but last month I have to say it looked stunning.

It makes me a little sad that you are essentially putting a cruise on hold Doodle, partly geared up for one too. This dratted (being polite) virus is a thief of plans and hopes and dreams. We will steal them back!
Love the idea of hanging baskets. That is one thing we have never done. We thought about it last year and didn't do it and said we would definitely do it this year ?. We will steal that dream back for next year ?.

The messaging in Wales has been extremely confusing this last week hasn't it Dreamkeeper? First we were told the message for shielders was no change (ie. 23rd June) then it was unlimited exercise and we could meet one other person/s outdoors and now I'm very confused! A friend texted me earlier today saying shielding full stop had been extended until August. Another texted me to say we could go outside, just not into other places. I honestly don't know what we have been advised any more!

Hi there gang, I'm just popping in for a bit of TLC. What a day I had, I'm exhausted! Especially due to that dratted maths class, they are so unruly!

Glad the trousers came at last Grammaretto, still no sign of the gloves. Good to hear the oncologist is trying to help your husband. It must be so difficult.

I have to admit to not reading the rest of the thread, I'm going back later to read it properly and give it my full attention. It doesn't mean I don't care, I just don't know where the day has gone and my brain is mush just now, due to my RA flare up. My maths class can confirm. .

I had planned a restful morning, as DH was going out of the house for the first time in 12 weeks, to play golf.
My friend phoned over to say wasn't it great her DH and mine were off out. Bliss.

Then the phone rang. It was my newly retired RA consultant to see how I was doing. My new consultant had been diverted to Covid ICU and my old consultant at 70 was picking up the reins again.
He is an absolute star and I was devastated to see him retire.

To cut a long story short, he was concerned that Covid had put the scuppers on my new treatment and my RA was pretty bad just now, with no sign of any respite and I hadn't had my fortnightly bloods and kidney checked from 3rd March, either. .
The outcome was that I should dip into my emergency lung steroids pack and take them for my RA, until they came up with a cunning plan.
I really need a spell in the day ward to be checked out and try out the new meds under supervision after my last allergic reaction, which put me in coronary care, but it is too risky, as there has been a Covid infection there.
My consultant will call a case conference (I feel very important ) and include the Professor, to see if anyone has any suggestions.
He was so kind, it made me quite tearful, especially when he reiterrated that I would be shielding for some time to come. No parole for me! ?

I then had to brave the dragon at the end of the phone in doctor's surgery to explain what was happening, as it would be a few weeks before my consultant would be able to contact my GP. You need to speak to a doctor, I can't help you! said she.
That's what I'm trying to tell you, said I.
Well, a lovely GP phoned back immediately and was so kind and supportive, asking why I hadn't asked for help sooner.
Basically, I was afraid I would need to go into hospital and never come back out again !!!
So we have an interim plan, until the doctors decide what to do.

In between all the phone calls (including a few impatient ones from DD), I was trying to make millionaire's shortbread, as a thank you for my kind neighbours. It turned out extremely well, despite all the interruptions.

Then DH appeared back and I hadn't had any benefit of him being out! I used to complain about him being out too long!

My neighbour then phoned to say that her wee grandson had come to visit (she hadn't seen him for 12 weeks) , did I want to come out and see him.
I spent a very pleasant half hour in my font garden, chatting away to various neighbours at a very safe distance, apart from DS1's MIL, who doesn't observe social distancing. ?.
We were all trying to distance ourselves from her.

Then it all went pear shaped. A carton of cream ahd burst all ove rthe Tesco delivery. What a mess!! I spent nearly an hour, trying to clean it off the shopping.
I then noticed all the bread products, mine and my daughter's were flattened. ?. This the second week the shopping looked as if a three year old had packed it!!
I was raging, probably it seemed worse that it was because I was struggling today.

So I phoned Tesco customer services and got the loveliest young man, who was most apologetic.
The poor young man had to listen to me rabbiting on about how grateful I was for priority slots , and how helpful the drivers were, before I started on about staff training, although I knew it was difficult with so many new staff.
Once a teacher, always a teacher.
He actually thanked me for being such a nice customer and agreed that this had been an issue for some time , as they had so many new starts.

I feel that being in shielding is a full time job.
There are enough hours in the day.
Anyway I'm leaving some of my baking to go with whatever you are all drinking.

I need to go, it may be tomorrow, before I pop in to read all your news.
DH is hassling me to watch a film! (Exasperated icon needed)

Keep safe my friends.

? posted too soon!
Dreamkeeper, I think they downplay the risk of burns. Yes I was told it can happen but that didn't mean it would happen to me. Everyone I spoke to said they got a bit burned and so did I. The skin there is still rough and unsurprisingly discoloured. Sorry to hear you got badly burned, I wouldn't say mine was very bad but took longer to heal than they anticipated.
I had my treatment in Velindre rather than Singleton, although my operations were in Singleton.
I think your plan to do your trip in three stages sounds like a very good plan. That way, the steps are smaller and you actually get a bonus of three trips out ?.
C'mon we'll both get our get up and going getting up and going ?.

Oh Doodle, what can I say except ?.

Drat! I was willing your parcel to come before I posted again Grammaretto. Great compensatory delivery though ? .... Woo hooooo ker-ching - delivery! Don't worry summer is coming back (according to forecasts) by the middle of next week ?.
Pleased your DH is already feeling better ? ?.

Marydoll can I pass these to you and not comment for now (tired again now, getting slow brain syndrome) ?

Night night all ?