The Lockdown Gang - on parole!

Marydoll just reading your thread made me exhausted. I too have had a delivery with cream all over it. DH was so disappointed as he’d been looking forward to scones with jam and cream. Quite right to phone Tesco and complain at the packing. If we can’t go shopping ourselves we need the goods to be delivered in an edible state. So glad to hear your consultant phoned you and someone realises how poorly you’ve been. Hope the steroids help. The millionaires shortbread looks delicious. Please leave samples in the kitchen. I’m not surprised the maths class wear you out. It is a job keeping up with them all. Please know your class all love you to bits Miss. I have made so many new ‘friends’ and they are such a lovely bunch. Time for a rest. Hope you have a good night.?
cherry don’t worry about our cruise. It was due to be a special one this year as it’s our 50th wedding anniversary but in the scheme of things it’s not important. Keeping safe and well counts for more. Our hanging baskets have duly arrived and I must say we were all a little disappointed. They look somewhat bedraggled and half dead at the moment but we will give them TLC and water and see what comes of them. I hope you get a good night’s sleep tonight.

grammaretto oh your mention of a fish supper has my mouth watering and I’ve already had my evening meal,? Hope the new trousers fit. I’m sure there will be more sunny weather so you can show them off. Interesting how quickly your DH has picked up off his meds. Hope they monitor his carefully and check how he’s getting on.
I echo cherry’s Interest in your pottery. If you don’t mind telling us we would love to hear more. Enjoy your cocktail and have a good night. ?

Although tired sleep does not seem anywhere near my agenda this evening so time shared with my new play mates will be time well spent.

I will not feel quite so worried about my long posts after reading yours Marydoll. That has certainly surpassed mine and I feel sure that if you were not exhausted mid way, you were by the last sentence!!!!
A day to remember especially the Tesco fiasco!!
We have only had one in over 2 years of having deliveries and that happened about 6 weeks ago.
We live on the 3rd floor,since the Virus of course they don`t deliver into our kitchen but all is presented in their bags.
On opening the door there must have been 20 bags and I was mid way bringing them in when I saw a carton of eggs,knowing we have eggs delivered via our milkman I thought I had better check............and yes they had delivered that lot to the wrong address!!!
Fortunately I caught them before they left the building and there was a whole lot of scurrying around,taking these bags back and in turn, finding and delivering our order!

That is truly a wonderful post Doodle and knowing you for quite a while,I know it to be a genuine one right from your heart.How lovely of you putting your thoughts on to paper.
I feel equally as blessed and feel I have made friends for a lifetime.
Hope those baskets are a floral treat.
Also that you do get that cruise maybe later than planned but something special to keep in your thoughts,I think we all need those.
You and I have very much to be grateful for as we have solid gold in our staunch men folk.
There I go again,tears are never far away these days.....I am getting soft in my old age.

I too thought it very interesting hearing of your Pottery School Grammeretto,it is something I have never tried,but have been a great lover of Moorcroft (except for their prices!!!) and those simply but beautifully hand made ones.
Hermes delivered my pretty top and very kindly took away our returned parcel,summer trousers for my man which just were a bad fit.
Having re ordered another 2 pairs I hope to goodness I shall have better service than you have had!
This county is virtually surrounded by the sea by the way,or at least three parts are. I have lived within sight or at least sound of the crashing waves all my life,until this final rather enforced move.
We are still only some half a mile from a wide waterway,and
a Marina is not much further away,then a plethora of bays and beaches.
That half a mile has just been too far since we have been imprisoned!!We cannot see or hear!!!
Of all the things I could wish for, obviously I am a simple soul at heart.......... just wanting to see or hear the sea!!

I could not agree more Cherry however Drakeford was clear today.We were originally to have stayed put until june 15th,but now allowed out to exercise and meet one from another household, but keep stringently to the guide lines.
Now the next up date is mid August and no to Supermarkets,Pharmacies etc.........this is just the small change to help us whom have been locked up kindly giving us a small breather!!!!!
Mind you it is quite likely to have changed by next week!!

Hope you are right Cherry looking forward to yet more summer!!
Time I sipped my nightcap and headed for my bed,my dear man is already there dreaming pleasant dreams!!!

Porridge with demerera sugar,orange juice,a very strong black coffee and if you are very good I might manage a round of hot buttered toast for breakfast!!!

Like I said,I am easily pleased!

Keep Safe.

Just on reading about your rather bedraggled hanging baskets Doodle,so sorry hearing that, a good trick is to dip the whole basket into a bucket of water if you can manage that,hope you have enough buckets or shall I jog up with a few?

Leave them standing awhile...............probably the immense heat has made them wilt a little.

Dreamkeeper I was restricted in choice, even though the shop had a huge range of fabrics.
Your colour choices are mine too but the Mummy in question prefers emerald and red. I was unable to find either in the width, washability and price.

I'm reasonably happy with what I got although I would have loved one with brightly coloured parrots - it was too narrow and I didn't want a central seam.

There's hope though; my grandson may want a similar cover for his full-sized bed where a central seam won't matter.
I'm going to give him a granny-voucher which says he's eligible to have a cosy-coverlet and we can go back to the shop where he may choose exactly what he likes.
It made me miss quilting very much.

My horrible morning sickness seemed to be a one-day thing, thank goodness, so I'm going to make Viet-namese fish and rice for lunch. Always a favourite.

Yes Doodle this thread, for which, bless your heart, has restored my faith in the goodness and kindness of GNetters.
The forum had come to mean nasty backbiting. None of that here in over 1140 messages. How wonderful

The sun's shining, birds singing and I have a quiet weekend ahead - Hurray!

I wish you all, exactly the same

I'm checking in to say goodnight as well. I seem to have spent the whole day online. My next delivery slot is at the end of next week so I have filled my trolly with mostly items from my favourites list as ‘place holders’.

Waitrose emailed me last week to say I am now on their shielded list and I will be offered priority slots. There weren't any slots to be had.

I'm wondering what I can do for my garden birds, they are feeding their broods and we are running out of their favourite foods. The supermarkets I shop with also seem to have run out (we usually buy bird food from the local market). I try to buy everything together in one big shop but may have to resort to Amazon, as much as it goes against the grain (no pun intended). I wish there was a way of keeping next door's 3 cats away from the feeders.

My husband has gone to bed, he is muttering about me being late again. So I will say good night and sleep well to all of you.

Just briefly before I settle down.

If there is a space when you order at the supermarket, for comments on each item, I suggest you write something such as "Please make sure this is at the top of a packed bag so it does not get crushed". This for cream, eggs, bread etc.
Might work :-)

G'day cellmates ! That was the morning greeting when I was a child in New Zealand (although not followed by cellmates!)
I am enthralled by your supermarket delivery tales and so lucky not to need one as we have our wonderful girl (she volunteers at the community shop and comes across for a list and the empties).

When I volunteered for RDA we used to do bag packing at supermarket checkouts at Christmas and people were always generous. One Saturday I offered to pack and the woman said no thanks I like to do my own. Fair enough! (esp as I was not a supermarket shopper myself)
Then she asked about the charity and suddenly offered me a pony! Her DD had left for uni and had lost interest. By Monday we had that Exmoor pony in the field!

Marydoll I am so glad you had the talk with the lovely consultant and the team will examine your case. about time

DH is so much better today. It's terrible when the side effects are worse than the treatment. He's off the drugs till Tuesday and his voice has come back! He had lost his beautiful voice. His friend phoned and thought he'd got the wrong number.
I was a singing widow rather than a golf widow. Each week he would be singing in a different church or ancient vault. That was one of the reasons I started my pottery club.

Before I forget Dreamkeeper why don't you climb to the top of the turret and look out at the sea?
and Marydoll why did I eat all your millionaire's shortbread? I also hope the gloves arrive soon.

I hope your aches and pains are easing Cherry , Mamissimo and Dream and that everyone has a happy day

Good morning world ?
I was so tired last night that I forgot to drink my chocolate or turn out the light. I realised this morning it’s time for my six weekly drug infusion again so it’s a trip to the hospital for me on Monday. Where did those six weeks ago!

Grammaretto I would love to see pictures of your work. I have collected early Lotte Globb for years - I find her mugs comforting and her use of colour really does give a feeling of her environment. One of my Daughters loves my collection so I gave her 12 of my pieces when she got married to start her off. One day I will buy a larger piece but I’m an art tart and I buy so many pieces that I like....

Doodle it has often seemed to me that people who have long term conditions have learned acceptance and can move on with their lives. Many of us refuse to be defined by an illness or condition because we only get one go at this living business and so we live with it rather than in conflict with it. We’re not brave - we’re well adjusted. ?

We spent yesterday doing a risk assessment to see if we could have our cleaner back....and I think we’ve got it planned out now. The plan includes letting herself in, Wearing a face covering and gloves, and a final wiping of handles of the vacuum with a dettol wipe - and then the handles of doors as she leaves. We can shut ourselves in study while she’s here. We ware going to think about it for a few days before suggesting it to her.....I really don’t want to scrub that grout!

It’s Sainsbugs delivery again today and DH wants to empty the fridge and throw stuff away before they come. He’s developing an obsessive train of thought that I am not stock rotating adequately. I have robustly pointed out that I still have him after 44 years and maybe he’s past his sell by date but not his best before!

Have good days ?

Now it is my turn to check in, standing tall and straight to attention!

What a cheerful gang you are,such an uplift reading your posts and Bradfordlass i second your comment about the lack of any nastiness amongst our penitentionary here,much of that of course is because our Guv is herself such a warm,caring and kind leader.It is refreshing to feel free to have your say and not get your head bitten off!

I understand your dilemna when choosing material,so you are completely forgiven! Sounds as those hands are going to be truly busy!...........Good luck.

Now why did I not thinking of climbing up the turret to espy the sea Grammeretto ?.............the fact it is that close and yet still out of sight and hearing which is so un nerving,
I am so used to falling asleep to the delightful noise of those crashing waves..........and the equally delightful ozone smells drifting up my nostrils.

Another interesting story regarding the acquisition of a pony.......just like that!Amazing though what can happen in the most unusual of circumstances.

Nothing eases the mind quite as much as a good,thoroughconsultation with your Consultant, and I am pleased you have had just this Marydoll
.My man had his too via a `phone call yesterday.Not as good as a face to face but nevertheless it meant a lot in these fast moving trying times.

I have been pondering along similar lines as your good self regarding introducing back our cleaning lady Mammissimo,granted we have much less floor space, but its those higher and lower areas and corners that I cannot reach that are starting to niggle me......as are our very large dirty windows!!!
Normally cleaned on the outside every 6 week but contract on hold since the lockdown.
No rain in all this time does mean extra dust!

We are all finding these Supermarkets are still running out of various necessities and obviously bird food is one of them Missedout, whilst we cannot get demerera sugar.Slots seem easier to acquire though so probably in time all will run smoothly again..........with these blips we talked about yesterday!
We have a Tesco slot next thursday.

We have raindrops on our windows,time for a rain dance I do believe!! We are in real need for sure but it simply keeps on NOT happening.
So not that much on our agenda for this day,roll on some more summer weather and some lolling outside!

Perhaps more free time to peruse those mail order catalogues...........I think they will have to be the main way forward as I cannot see Stores will allow us the time to simply wander through and of course,no touching.

Hope its a good day in Gower Cherry

Am keeping my fingers well crossed for those wilting floral baskets Doodle,I hope your tender touch and loving care will soon restore them.I so loved this time of year when a gardeners work was never done!!
I was not cut out to be a "lady of leisure" for sure!!

With sunny thoughts,and breakfast consumed I will "Love and leave you" with the promise of returning later.
Keep out of mischief ........and keep safe cell mates all.

Morning all.
panache the hanging baskets look a little livelier today. They had a good watering yesterday and seem a bit perkier. When they bloom a bit more I will post some photos.
We have had many food deliveries since lockdown. Never had anyone else’s delivery though. Good thing you spotted that in time, it could have been a big problem.
We have only had two breakages in all our deliveries so far. The cream one time like Marydoll and a bottle of red wine . The delivery man cleaned it all up as best he could but it still left a mess over some of the other contents of the bag. I must say I have been very impressed with the friendly and cheery service we have received from all our delivery drivers. Even the ones coming late at night having worked a long day. We had Sainsbury’s come last night just after 9pm so I spent ages washing all the boxes, packets and jars. I don’t know if it’s needed or it makes any difference but I’ve got into the habit of doing it now.
bradfordlass glad you’re feeling better today. I love quilting too. Not very good at it as I only started after I retired but I can happily spend hours doing it. I once made a Bargello wall hanging. I explained it to DH. You buy lots of fabric in different colours, cut them into strips, sew them back together again then cut them into more strips then sew the strips together agin but in a different order to make a pattern. He looked puzzled, I can’t think why ?
Just read your idea about putting comments against things on the shopping list. I hadn’t thought of that. It’s a good idea and I will give it a go although you would think common sense would apply ?
missedout glad you are recognised by Waitrose now. It took a few days after receiving notification from them about DHs shielded status befor we were able to get slots so keep checking. Like you I like to have some staples on standby.
grannaretto yes you are lucky to have someone who will shop for you. That way I’m sure you get better dated produce and more suitable products. We have been waiting 7 weeks for some tomato ketchup. It has been on all our orders. We have tried ordering our usual Heinz then DH suggested we should tick the allow substitutes box as well and try ordering different size bottles to see if we could get some. After 7 weeks we received some ketchup in our delivery last night. 2 bottles, one enormous squeezy bottle and a really tiny glass bottle. We can now have homemade burgers ?
What a surprising gift you received from the lady in the supermarket. Not often someone gives you a pony I would think.
Glad your DH is feeling better. These medicines so often have bad side effects. Will he have to go back on his meds on Tuesday or will you have another consultation with the doctors on the way forward?
mamissimo hope you slept well last night. I think your idea of your cleaner and her rota should work well. It does need some thinking about. I have plans for when I take the rubbish out at night. It took me a couple of attempts to work out in which order to do things to avoid touching door knobs and dustbins with my bare hands. ?. Hope you get all your ordered items from Sainsbury’s. If your DH has got time on his hands to do stock rotation in your fridge, perhaps you could get him cleaning the grout whilst you sort the shopping ?
Have a good day all

Hello you jolly lot.
I've read quickly through and been blind sided by Marydoll's experience. We have chatted on various threads about the invisible disease that is RA. There's a great facebook support group with the punch line "Rheumatoid Arthritis, you don't get it, till you get it". I was diagnosed in my early 40's when the lovely consultant took a proper medical history and identified I had the genetic base and a dose of glandular fever at 25 did or my immune system and allowed inflammatory arthritis (and several other auto immune conditions) in.
I've been fortunate, been on the meds, the type I think Marydoll is waiting for, for about 8 years now. Changed my life, the only downside is they lower the immune system so I'm lock down. Mind, couldn't be with a jollier group than this one.
Marydoll, it's dreadful that your treatment is on hold because of covid. My specialist nurse phoned recently and one of her worries is that all new patients, or patients like you, waiting for new prescriptions have been put on hold for three months. Sending a virtual hug and a box of chocs Marydoll. As it's virtual if you don't like chocs, please select something you prefer
Our tesco delivery arrived yesterday. Everything present and correct, though I did not order 2 cucumbers, one would have been ample. I ordered Cumin, the list said the small packets were out of stock, so I duly ticked the large pack. We had 4 ... We delivered a cucumber and a pack of cumin to one adult child and gave the other a pack of cumin when she stood in the garden to wave at us yesterday.

The other huge excitement today was himself going to the best fish n chip shop locally and bringing home our lunch. I feel as though I've eaten enough for three people, in fact I possibly have. Instead of cooking this evening, we have a cheese box together with olives, specialist hams and crackers. Our local cheese n wine bar has started doing home deliveries, so a glass of wine will be enjoyed as we nibble this evening. This is possibly the most exciting lock down day . I probably need to lie down in a darkened room.
Doodle, I keep reading that we don't need to wash down our deliveries with a solution of bleach and water. As you say, its become routine. Let's face it, it isn't as though we are overwhelmed with distractions.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Hello gang, I started to check in a couple of hours ago (after a gruelling session on my exercise bike - I watched the last episode of the first series of ‘Hidden’ on iPlayer while pedalling away, it was grim viewing but the time flew by). However, because Doodle has referred to me and Waitrose in her post, I thought I'd check again for a slot. Big mistake because there was one (a slot)! I’ve spent hours navigating around a new website, trying to plan what food I may need in two weeks time. Normally, I start with my favourites but I didn't have any. So another chunk of time has gone by with nothing really to show for it.

I’m sure that, from my various posts, you will all realise how little I enjoy housework. I'm more than able, I just hate it. All my working life I have said that I would prefer to go to work so that I can pay for a cleaner. Now retired, I can’t justify having a cleaner. My husband is active too, but is clever enough to know that I would just let him get on with it if he started, so he waits to 'help' me. I am truly envious of those of you who have a cleaner waiting in the wings and are planning to put socially distanced cleaning into place!

I'm also not much of a gardener but, now we have rain, I may carry out some tidying and weeding - there are some flattened areas where my bike has 'rested' too.

I'm waiting for a delivery of a new top today. I hope I like it and it fits.

I have ordered some books to read with my DGD over FaceTime. l’m looking forward to that.

Must go, will check back later.

Afternoon lockdown gang ?

Gosh Marydoll what a day you had yesterday. It doesn't sound like you had much time to take a breath. I am please though that you had contact from your "rehired" consultant. It sounds like you had a partial outcome and with the fact that a case conference is to be held concerning your treatment it sounds like a plan for long term treatment will be put in place before too long. ?that is the case and that any new treatment is effective and side effect free.

Reading all your woes with supermarket deliveries Marydoll, Doodle and Dreamkeeper I feel incredibly blessed that I've had a volunteer to do mine sometimes. Usually packed well and use by dates have generally been good, there haven't been any substitutions but that has meant sometimes going completely without something. The volunteers here have been told that they must not substitute. I can't grumble though ?.

BradfordLass I can't put it any better than you about this thread and I echo your sentiments about our Doodle ?.
I know that for us all that the partial "release" (or none) will continue for some time yet but I don't know about the rest of you I'll be lost when it does come to an end ?.

I love your idea of a "granny voucher" for your grandson, he gets an input and you make him something special. It reminds me of the sort of thing my fabulous SiL used to do. She was a very talented and special individual and the thoughtfulness of care she put into the gifts she made was a remarkable demonstration of her love. You are the same ?.

I'm afraid it's a very grey, slightly wet and cold day in the Gower today Dreamkeeper ?. The wonderful coast waits again. We are fortunate (well we will be when we actually manage to visit) in that Wales has a lot of outstanding coastline. One of my favourites is Rhossili but they are all gorgeous. I am also very fond of Brandy Cove and Bracelet Bay. I love to see the children investigating the rock pools at Bracelet and have promised my three great nephews a trip there when they next (eventually) visit.

Grammaretto, wow just wow, what an amazingly generous gift. When I read the first part of the sentence that you were offered a pony I thought you were using rhyming slang and that was generous ? but no more generous than that!

You must have amassed quite a collection Mamissimo to give your daughter a dozen pieces of your prized pottery ?. Lovely thing to do when she got married though. Has she added to the collection, if you don't mind me asking?
Hope you don't feel so tired today but I guess it's very understandable since you are due your infusion. I hope you are resting.

Doodle, ah yes - you've had to put the bigger 50th anniversary celebrations on hold because of this dratted virus! You will get them at some point and when you do I for one hope that the cruise you do take is the best one you've ever had.

Here we go ? - telephone ringing and I know who that will be!

I know it sounds a bit excessive Missedout we have two big lawns and I have started paying a gardener to mow one of them and the DH of my delivery girl is tackling the other - right now. He is a botanist and is, I hope, enjoying creating a natural meadow or tapestry lawn which he says is all the rage right now. We have found orchids about to flower, fox and cubs, daisies of various kinds and we pulled out the ragwort to replace with cowslips. It's looking good.
The brute of a machine was empty of petrol so I drove to the petrol station and bought more. I paid at the pump and washed my hands thoroughly on return.
Housework? what's that? A winter activity perhaps.

Fancy you a collector of Lotte Glob's work Mamissimo
I love it too though apart from a book I have nothing of hers.
I am proud to say I had work in the same exhibition as her at Aberfeldy a few years ago . She famously leaves her pieces in the landscape for everyone to enjoy.
PM me and I will point you to my work. I am too shy to go public.

Looking forward to our family quiz tonight and a hot chocolate afterwards.
DH is feeling so much better he is cooking the supper while I play on here..

Here is a picture of the pony. His name was Ozzie and he actually arrived with his stable mate and the 2 wee rascals taught lots of children to ride.

Grammaretto - what a lovely pony. I'd love a pony, love the way the Queen still rides her fell pony, what joy that must be for her

You have certainly been busy since I last dropped by!

Pleased to hear the hanging baskets have perked up Doodle,very disappointing when they arrive not looking their best.They need time to adjust to their new surroundings whilst a good watering does wonders.
How many have you and how many in the rota to do the watering??
What part of your building do they hang.......I know you mention your balcony so I have visions of them somewhere in that vicinity?
Correct me if I am wrong!

Cherry I cannot understand why both Porthcawl and now the Gower have had refreshing rain and yet we have only managed enough to dampen down the slabs in our terraces!!
I bet I shall regret saying this!
Apart from the mishap that happened just the once we have had good service from our delivery men,always polite and smiling.
We only have Tesco and Morrisons who deliver in our area,so lack the choice many of you have.

I think I mentioned doing several long blogs on the `net each one depicting all the many beaches and historical points,complete with pictures and descriptions,the first our Pembrokeshire Coastal Path,the second was Gower!
Both and the others highly successful.
We have visited Rhossili lots but have visited many of the Bays, especially when I Nursed in Swansea General Hospital,living in Parc Beck!
I think we are extremely fortunate to live in these places.

Love your Ozzie Grameretto a real darling with quite an unusual history.So did you actually "acquire" two at the time of his arrival?
Our last home stood in an acre of grounds and yes it involved much lawn mowing,although a ride on made it a little more pleasureable!!!
Towards the end we decided to leave about a third grow into
a flower meadow,only making a pathway through to our Wendy House!
It was rather successful so I am sure you will end up pleased with yours.

You put me to shame when talking of your exercise regime Missedout though we do have something in common......."Hidden" we have watched all episodes and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Today we have watched "Little boy blue" based on a true story in the Liverpool area.Most enjoyable and both a change and treat for us

Tesco must have decided you were in real need of cucumbers Iam64.......although by all accounts you managed to dispose of one!Annoying when your order is not quite what you asked for.
Having a Fish n`chip dinner though is always more than acceptable,it is something that seems to please us all!
We have just partaken of a Hawaiin Topped Pizza,and yes delicious it was.My appetite is very poor,but I did manage a small share.

Having said that I think it time I skipped writing for tonight,for the few still to pop by I wish you a pleasant evening and I shall read of your mischiefs in the mornings!!

Enjoy your drinks gals,bottom up I say............Cheers!!

I was right about who was ringing us ?. Yes, my WP's sister. I know when she rings I'm lucky to still have a voice by the end of the call ?.
She's been a bit in the doldrums, understandably, since she hasn't seen any of her three children since March. My WP however always finds a way, whichever way that is, to make her laugh and cheer her up ?. She's hoping now, barring hiccups, that she will see her son in the week; he's the only one living in the UK.

Missedout, it's a bit of a b....r not being able to get everything in one place easily atm. My WP loves the birds and I think he'd go a bit scatty if he couldn't feed them, he'd worry about them. We have an "ironmonger" shop locally which does all sorts including bird food and we are lucky because they deliver. It's a little more expensive, for some bird foods, than where he would normally go. Is there somewhere near you that could deliver?
I hope your new top arrived, you like it and it fits ?

Iam, if you're looking to dispose of another packet of cumin can I have first refusal please ?.

Grammaretto, it's a shame you are too shy about your work but clearly you shouldn't be since you must be talented to have had it exhibited. You could however tell us what you really like to make, go on - please ?

Yes Dreamkeeper you have mentioned your blog - could you, if you don't mind, provide a link?
Did you do your nursing qualification in Swansea then? I didn't go into general nursing but did train for psychiatric nursing but not in Swansea. I switched careers quite early on though after a very unpleasant incident.

I've noticed a bit of a theme today, first fish and chips, then pizza and we had a curry today. Who had a Chinese takeaway or any other besides the three of us (and husbands/partners) ?.

Well it's that time of night again -where has the day gone? Oh, I Know - on the phone ?

Night all, sleep well ?

Iam. You have me almost drooling here at the thought of cheese and wine and olives. Even though we’ve had a nice salad this evening I could really do with cheese and olives. As for fish and chips at lunchtime, now I am green with envy ? I wonder what Tesco thought you were going to make with 2 cucumbers and 4 packets of cumin? ?
missedout I watched Hidden too. I really enjoyed it. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened so rushed through all the episodes. I know exactly what you mean by the euphoria of getting a delivery slot then having to spend ages going through trying to find the items you want. DH has now perfected this. He adds a few expensive items to the list to get it over £60, or whatever the minimum is, just to secure the slot, then we go back later and edit the order when we’ve had a chance to think about what we want. Glad you got one though. Like you, I hate housework. I have developed my own routine which is to do it in stages about an hour or so. at a time and then stop and do something I enjoy for the rest of the day . Hope your DGD enjoys the books ?
cherry having a volunteer to do your shopping must be good. At least if your sell by dates are good that it a big plus. Sometimes we have a glut of things we have to get through quickly. Can’t complain though, we are not going without (far from it if my weight is anything to go by ?) You’ve piqued my interest with your mention of Brandy Cove and Bracelet Bay, I have never heard of them. I will have to look them up they sound very intriguing. All this talk of sea and coast is making me long for a trip to the sea too.
grammaretto your tapestry lawn sounds interesting. Lots of wild flowers to enjoy. Did you really find a fox with her cubs in your garden? We have a couple here that come out at night and walk along the river bank. Good to hear your DH is well enough to cook. Ozzie is certainly a handsome chap. I bet he was very popular with the young riders. Hope you have a good time with the quiz tonight.
Hello panache we have 6 hanging baskets. They hang on brackets from a wooden pergola. We have 3 areas of communal garden and our balcony overlooks the pergola and the surrounding area (see I have a vested interest in what the baskets look like ?). There are 4 of us in the watering can team so we take turns in doing it. DH and I are very lucky with our neighbours. Most of them are around our age and nice to chat to. All of them have offered to help us with shopping etc knowing that DH is shielded. Even our 92 year old neighbour checks to see if there’s anything we need. We are very lucky being here. Hawaiian pizza is my favourite but DH loves the pepperoni ones. Which means I get one all to myself ?.
Sleep well all. ?

It's been raining for 5 days now and although we surely need it, somehow house arrest seems worse when there are grey skies.

Grammaretto my heart softened to see your sweet pony, what a dear thing.

Dream I sent you a PM - did you get it?

I spent all Saturday either knitting or swapping the summer clothing for winter stuff.
First I had to find the box where it was stored! My garage houses a lot of things for my DIL, so that meant a bit of pulling and pushing and just a litte *@!$#^

That done, I shook it all out (it smelled lovely as I'd stored soap with it last September) and hung it up. Old favourites which go way back emerged looking smug.
I shan't be buying anything new, not at my age.

Then an old friend rang to remind me she was craving my shortbread, so I'll be making that today - as well as Skyping with a friend in New York as I do most Sundays.

Ooh, I think I see sunshine, I hope it continues - I don't mind rain as long as we also have

Lovely to see you are all happily chatting away with lots to say.
I must explain about fox and cubs Doodle it is a plant.

Yes there were two ponies. It was a hectic weekend bringing the two across to the stables. They were inseparable. Both quite old but they loved to be part of the group with adoring children and they lived a good long time.

Cherry I make tea sets, jugs, mugs, bowls and plates. I have recently been making some large planters.
I do some commissions too when someone wants
something special.

Our quiz was such fun tonight. My brother set it and I came last but there were 11 of us around the world. Next week there will be even more. The sport questions defeat me and the things I ought to remember such as what's the name of Boris's latest baby, but didn't.

See you all in the morn.
Good Night. xxx

Hello, another late post again, my husband will be grumbling about me being late to bed.

Dreamkeeper, is 'Little Boy Blue’ on iPlayer? I have Series 2 of ‘Hidden’ to get through but could do with another absorbing drama while pedalling away. It's amazing how much easier it is to exercise the body when the mind is elsewhere. The trouble with the bike is the saddle - need I say more? I need time to ‘decompress’ afterwards.

Cherry, I guess I could buy bird food from the nearest garden centre but a volunteer would have to go there for me, they would have to drive. I don't like to ask really. Also, my top is still sitting in its wrappings on a table behind the front door, waiting for any remaining covid-19 virus to die off. I will open it tomorrow (such restraint on my part - under normal circumstances the pack would have been torn open before the delivery driver had turned his back).

My husband was given a trail camera one year and we have quite a few videos of foxes and badgers in the garden. Actually, in one shot, a cat saw off a fox in no uncertain terms. We also have shots of four badgers in a row coming over the wall from next door and wandering off across the lawn. I'd love to see a hedgehog though. I found some hedgehog pooh recently though not enough to think the hedgehog was doing any more than passing through.

Doodle, my husband is lovely but I’m afraid I couldn’t trust him to do an online shop. He’s fantastically practical but when it comes to the digital/virtual world, he just can't seem to visualise the processes he needs to go through to fill a trolley. He enjoys shopping in the real world (a husband that likes shopping is a bonus so I'm not complaining). It's a good idea to fill the virtual trolly up with a few expensive items. I could just order wine, spirits and washing machine capsules! It would be awful if I forgot to amend the order in time.

Thank you for you continuing hospitality, what a lovely bunch you are. Goodnight.

Just checked the posts before closing and see that Fox and cubs is a plant (I will look it up tomorrow) - I've never heard of it - forgive my ramblings about our garden wildlife.

Morning all! I'm up with the lark again. I think I should make a blind for my window so the sun doesn't stream directly on my face. We have managed without for 40 years but never say never.
You must give us a photo of your hanging baskets once they flower Doodle I am glad you don't have to always water them yourself as they are quite demanding.

Missedout
I have been told on good authority that where you have badgers, you don't have hedgehogs . Badgers skin hedgehogs.
What birds do you have in your garden?

Well done on your winter clothes Bradfordlass. although you don't have harsh winters in NZ. do you though it can be wet and windy.

Better go and start breakfast. What will it be today?
Orange juice for me. I had rather a lot of red wine last night.
See you later.