The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

Nortstat Pretty Patel (?) has said absolutely nothin' about bannin' minglin' with virtual guests so the more the merrier. Beef is now out of the smoke box and resting with its rub before I slow cook it. Are strawberries alright for you on top of the cheesecake?

Ladies you are looking at the utter chump who forgot to delete the two bottles of Veuve Cliquot from her online Sainsbury's order. I always reserve my slot with 2 bottles of fizz and delete them when I put my actual order in. Mr M's face was a picture.....not in a totally good way! I told him that he must have distracted me whilst I was shopping ?

Panache I think you are wise to move on from the debacle of your awful catering. If something goes awry for me I find I need to let it out and then put the lid back on so that it doesn't consume me. I guess it's what tough women do - I know that you are made of very strong stuff! Let's hope the new chef is a whizz.

Gin time....how lovely!

Panache I do hope the new chef has some good skills and the meals improve. Hopefully you can both have a relaxing time in the garden this afternoon.
More hair compliments. I hope it’s not going to your head ?
Grammaretto I have never had nut burger please bring another for me to try at the BBQ. I wonder if Mamissimo has enough room for all of us ?
I hope you won’t have any side effects from taking your DHs medicine. Perhaps it will relieve your cold symptoms too.
Grammaretto no ?. What awful news about your DDs possessions. So sad to lose all those things but at least, as your DD said, no one was hurt. Must have been such a shock though.
Nortsat This BBQ is looking up by the minute. Live music too. What instrument does you partner play. I am always envious of anyone who has musical ability (I was always the triangle player at school ??)
NFK how are you. Well I didn’t know that about burglars. I always thought the light would deter them.
Glad you enjoyed your time on the boat. It doesn’t really matter what your paintings are like as long as you enjoyed doing them.
Mamissimo the beef sounds good and strawberries with the cheesecake.
It’s extraordinarily generous of you to buy such expensive bubbly for the BBQ. Tell MrM we are most grateful.
Have you got enough glasses and chairs for us all?
Bradfordlass will have to stay up late to be with us. At least we’ve got Jeeves who can serve the food and pour the drinks.
Sleep well all.

Such a lovely tranquil photo NfkD thankyou.
As Doodle says, it is the doing that counts. as I keep telling myself as I unpick my knitting
I am so glad you have ordered extra wine for us all Mamissimo what with MrNortsat's music it will be quite a party.
What time? I am getting excited. It's a long time since I've been to a party. The burgers will be cashew nut - my favourite.

Evening fellow gangsters.

Did somebody Mamissimo say we were all invited to a barbecue on Saturday, ooh lovely ?. Nortsat I'll bring some flat breads and a mixture of koftis, some meat, some vegetarian, and couscous. If it's a live music night I'll bring my WP too, he can give us a rendition of "Hotel California". What instrument/s does your partner play Nortsat?

Doodle when I first saw the picture of Grammaretto's fine looking worms I thought it was a picture of fried onions or noodles ?. To be fair I was looking at a teeny weeny image on my tablet. Worms are amazing, the way they go to work in our compost bin - lovely compost.

We still haven't found the best way to take a cutting and propagate from our tree rose. It's a thornless wild rose but we're not 100% sure which. I looked at your link, a while back now BradfordLass but I don't think we can do it that way, it's quite woody. We've searched the RHS site, amongst others and are still none the wiser. Anyone else have any ideas?

Your neighbour sounds worse than mine BradfordLass. Ours has opera glasses, but binoculars - there can be very strong ones ?. We have sensor lights too, they are much better because they detect movement. Having a light on all the time isn't as strong a deterrent and Nflk has a good point. It's worth considering doing something to make her think, my pretend climb out of the window with tongue hanging out has largely worked. I occasionally catch a glimpse of her curtain twitching when I'm sat in the lounge but that's as far as she's gone since.

Grammaretto I probably would have put my foot in it further than you did ?. I'm hopeless at concealing my reactions and I'd have tittered and raised an eyebrow too. I hope you don't worry about it too much, it was an odd answer she gave after all.

What a horrible beginning Honey had Mamissimo but a very happy outcome, rescued, looked after and cherished by you ?

Panache, I'm keeping my nose on my face for now and my mouth ? but I can't promise it'll stay that way. You should not be paying for something you don't have - warden. ? Please take care both of you. I hope you managed to have some time outside.

My WP is in much better spirits Grammaretto, cheery ?, even keep I'd say ?.

I on the other hand did something very stupid today. We nipped into the village as we needed to pick up some recycling and food waste bags. We popped in the Co-op to picks up some odds and ends and as we walked back toward the car I saw that Mountain Warehouse had a sale and my WP spotted a t-shirt he liked. We went in and whilst I was looking at a dress I turned awkwardly and jarred my back ?. So easily done - grrh! I'm not very cheery, more a case of ouch. I feel so stupid injuring myself so easily, I don't know whether to laugh or cry ?

My decluttering hasn't got very far ?

Grammaretto I agree that is a lovely picture from NFK The water is so still. Very peaceful.
Oh I love cashew nuts too. How do you make a nut burger please?
Cherry more goodies. Lovely. I will bring some fresh fruit and some cheese for later. I’m so glad to hear your WP is feeling brighter now. When he’s playing Hotel California, do you think he would like me to accompany him ......with my triangle (ever hopeful ?)
I think you are challenging Bradfordlass to some outrageous behaviour to deter her nosy neighbour. ?
Sorry you’ve hurt your back. Hope it doesn’t bother you tonight.
Just going to check up on Jeeves then off to bed for me. ?

Oh my brain cell. Grammaretto, that's so horrible for your DD. Has she lost all the sentimental stuff too because, whilst costly, none of the other stuff matters in the end though it doesn't feel that way initially. When we were younger my WP were living in rented accommodation and had a lot of our stuff stolen but we managed to retain many things of sentimental value that we still have today. Aren't the premises themselves insured? Where does the liability lie? None of my business but surely if it's in a storage facility... I hope she's not too shaken by it.

I'll ask him Doodle ?.

Sleep well all ?

Good morning gangsters, I’ve got my coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle).
Mammissimo, how shocking that Honey was bred for the tobacco industry. It’s marvellous that you were able to take her into your family and give her a wonderful happy life.
It’s hardly surprising that she is somewhat food orientated ... but the whole bag of Werthers, each unwrapped, did make me laugh - what a great story.
Panache, hope you both have a good day and that the new chef makes some improvements in your meals. Your hair is drawing yet more compliments, how lovely ... I am never complimented on my hair ...
Grammaretto I am so sorry to hear about your daughters belongings... what a terrible blow. Bless her, she must be devastated. Of course it’s a relief that no one was hurt but it’s a dreadful loss.
Nfkdumpling, you may not be very pleased with the results of your painting but your beautiful photograph is worthy of a frame. I could live very happily with that picture on my living room wall.
Cherry, I hope your back is ok. Mmm ... the flat breads and the koftis ... I am ready to sample those at the M’s bbq. My partner plays the guitar, mostly classical and jazz. He’s currently working on some ‘cool jazz’ from the 1950’s. Most of his gigs/weddings/events work has dried up during lockdown. He has all his students and mastercasses on Zoom now. So he’ll be delighted to do a couple of sets at the bbq. Give him a some of the beef and your koftis and a glass of something nice ... he’ll be there ...
Doodle, percussion always adds a nice extra element to jazz music, there will be a staring role for you on the triangle, of course.
Bradfordlass hope you’re ready for a late night at the bbq on Saturday...

We both had good test results yesterday. My partner had a PSA test for prostate cancer (it’s in his family history) and it came back clear. I was so relieved I cried.
We had our flu jabs and my arm is now really aching.

It’s a bright, sunny morning here today, I hope it bodes well for a good day for all of us... ?

Good morning from me too.
A sunny day which is so nice and lifts the spirits.
The music for Saturday is promising to be very special. Thanks in advance all you musicians.
There are 3 squirrels and 2 magpies vying to get at the bird feeder. I saw a tiny bird earlier but how do you stop the squirrels? I have strung the feeder to the washing line but they still leap up.
I also hope a new chef at the P's residence can only be an improvement. Cheap food doesn't have to be bad or tasteless. We know that so surely any chef worth their salt knows that.
Pottery day today.

Ps such good news about the test results Nortsat

Nortsat my DS will simply adore having your DH available to jam with....he's a guitarist too....he plays quite a lot of heavy rock but I'm sure your DH will be able to improvise and keep up. With Doodle on the triangle they won't miss a beat. ?

I'm off to Wisley now....

Hiya gangster friends ☺️

Nflk keep going with your water colour painting, I'm sure your paintings are usually very good. Any of your art, no matter how bad you think it is, is bound to be better than any of my non-art ?
Your partner is obviously a skilled and talented musician. This virus has been, is, devastating for musicians, I'm glad h can still reach his students via zoom. My WP plays mostly blues/rock but isn't bad at improvising. Mamissimo it would appears that there'll be three guitarists at the bbq and one percussionist on triangle ?.

Enjoy your time in Wisley Mamissimo ?

Not sure what you can do re. the squirrels Grammaretto ?. Any ideas what to do about common pigeons? No matter how awkward we make it for them to eat from the feeders for the smaller birds they always find a way. It's not that we don't put food out elsewhere that they can eat.

When I drew the curtains this morning I was just in time to se e a flock (?) of comma butterflies fly past the window. A beautiful sight ?. There seem to be a great deal of butterflies still around. We had a red admiral in the bedroom when we woke up yesterday morning, my WP gently encouraged it toward it the window and off it flew, so satisfying to save it ?.

Unfortunately my back is no better, in fact it's worse ?. I have stenosis so I've obviously aggravated it ?. I'm stuck in a semi-erect position, looking like the stereotypical old lady ? ?. It's happened before and it'll happen again no doubt but between times I always recover so it's a case of back to whatever exercises I can bear. Serves me right for looking at a dress I don't need ?.

Oh again, my brain cell!

Pleased to hear that you and your DH have had good test results Nortsat ?

Good afternoon all.
Welcome back Nortsat ?. Ooh I’m so excited. My first professional appearance as a musician. I must go and polish my triangle soon ?
So pleased about your test results. Your partner is wise to keep being tested.
Our flu jabs booked for a few weeks time. Hope your arm gets better soon.
Grammaretto yes another lovely day. Hope it stays fine for our BBQ tomorrow. Is it teaching day today or making something in your studio?
Mamissimo this BBQ is getting better and better. I hope your other guests won’t mind the gangsters gatecrashing.
Such musical talent in our group 3 excellent guitarist ......and me.?
Have a lovely time at Wisley.
Cherry your butterfly flypast sounds lovely. I looked up the collective word for a group of butterflies and came up with swarm which I don’t like at all. Alternatives which I much prefer are a kaleidoscope or a fluttering ?
I’m sorry you back is still painful . My SIL had a really bad back for much of her later life. When it was really bad she would have to do the exercise that relieved it (curling up on her back in foetal position and rolling side to side). We used to have FaceTime conversations like that sometimes. ?
Hope your exercises help and you feel better soon.
Waitrose delivery due soon. Time to wash the shopping again.

I look forward to seeing? and hearing the shiny triangle Doodle
I haven't got round to any pottery yet. I am putting some of my work into our community shop and the girl who has taken it wants price lists and artist's statements so I spent wasted too much time doing that and suddenly it was lunchtime and then I thought I would tend to the greenhouse - chuck out the last of the cucumbers and wonder why I bother with grapes as they produce much vine and hardly any fruit unless the snails gobble them all.

I then took cuttings from the lavender for DD's new garden next year, if that ever materialises. In betwixt there are phone calls and meals to make so the day goes.

Now, surely it's almost tea time!.

I hope you enjoyed Wisley Mamissimo I have never been there.

I am sorry you are in pain Cherry may it go away soon . in time for the barbeque.

The beef has been cooking for just over three hours....a couple more to go. *Doodle is the only person I know who has their own triangle!

I have ordered a helicopter to bring Cherry and a teletransporter for Bradfordlass. The drive will be clear for the rest of you but Grammaretto had better set out now. It's jolly decent of you all to bring bits....Sainsbugs did the dirty on me yesterday and lost half my order!

I've had a lovely day with me small people and I bought a boot full of plants, including the dwarf hydrangeas I was lusting after.

See you all tomorrow!

Crikey....so many typos I'd better have another Merlot!

Grammaretto I’ve been practicing all day. There is a great deal of skill to the triangle I’ll have you know ?
What sort of pieces are you selling, have you made more teapots?
Mamissimo what a lovely photo. Your little one is so sweet and a lovely little smile too.
The beef should be lovely and tender. Really looking forward to our get together.
Hope Bradfordlass can make the BBQ. It’s quite a journey but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. ?

I didn't notice any typos Mamissimo . I'll have to leave in a minute to arrive on time.

What an adorable picture!
We were sent some lovely photos today of the birthday girl and her sister on a boat on the loch so yesterday's horrors are not impacting too much, thankfully .
I had ordered a, garden related, present for her bd but it didn't arrive and I still don't know why not. The money left my bank! I hope it will come eventually but I am disappointed. I'll have to wrap up something from the attic and hope a 3yr old won't notice.

Ooh a helicopter - for me ?. Thank you so much Mamissimo. Will it be landing at the airport on Fairwood common? Easier than landing on the green by the lane ?.
Aww, that's one beautiful photo. Do I detect lovely strawberry blonde hair crowning the incredibly cute little un?

Oh yes Doodle, that's it: a fluttering. I've heard that before. Thanks for looking it up. I don't think butterflies suit being described as a swarm. When I think of a swarm I automatically think of locusts ?.

Grammaretto, it does sound like something munched your ?. The wasps got to our plums this year ?.
Sounds like your DGD had a lovely birthday ?

See you all at the BBQ. Night gang ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-75910-babyface2sept2020.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-833476-te-pou-te-wiki-o-te-reo-maori.png

I logged on yesterday, read all the posts and made the usual notes as an aide-mémoire. Then, after the theatre performance at my house, and the guests who stayed on to chat, I simply ran out of energy.

So all my notes are out of date and useless - but thankfully, everyone else said it all for me and better.

Grammaretto Vine leaves are wonderful stuffed (meat, veg, rice etc), rolled, covered and baked in a little stock. Dolmas, dolmades, stuffed vine leaves, call 'em what you will. Delicious.

Mamissimo a beautiful photo of you and your moko, I hope I can have similar quality time with my grand-daughter when she comes. I received a scan showing the close up of her face.
Technology is astounding.

The lovely actors from Te Pou came, during a day of torrential rain, so we invited them inside. It was fun.
Here's a picture taken outside my house, just as the sun came out.

Cherry I envy you your helicopter. It's the last thing on my bucket list.
I've achieved all the other things most people say they'd like to do - but although I've travelled inside helicopters several times, I'd like to dangle on a line & harness under
one.
Perhaps, instead of the time machine, I could use yours to get to this bbq?

It's Women's Suffrage Day in Aotearoa-New Zealand.
In 1893, New Zealand became the first nation in the world to grant women the right to vote.

Good morning gangsters, I have got my coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle).
Bradfordlass, how lovely to know that it’s Women’s Suffrage day in Aotearoa - New Zealand. That’s something we’ll worth celebrating as the First Nation to grant suffrage to women.
The scan of your granddaughter is beautiful... what a lovely picture to have. She will be fascinated to see that when she’s older.
Cherry the ‘fluttering’ of butterflies sounds lovely. As to pigeons eating from the little birds feeders ... the collared doves are the most cheeky ‘so and sos’, here in east London. They can’t fit on the feeders for the small birds, so they land on the edge of the feeder and tip it up, so the seed falls to the ground. Then they have a buffet meal in the ground.
Hope your back is a bit more comfortable today.
Grammaretto hope the birthday girl had a lovely day. I am sure whatever present she received from you, was very exciting to her! Looking forward to hearing more about your pieces of work, at the community shop?
Mammissimo, what a lovely photo of you with one of your littlies. Those hugs and cuddles are priceless.
My partner will pack the car with the amps and mics and the mixer ... so he’s all ready. I’ll polish his ‘gig’ shoes for him and his DJ has been to the cleaners. We’re looking forward to the bbq and I am on salads duty.
Doodle it’s evening dress for our star percussionist, so I am expecting to see you in a lovely gown ...
Panache, will you be wearing an ensemble to compliment your lovely hair?
Further to Bradfordlass’ mention of women’s suffrage, I have added a link to New Dawn, the glass sculpture by Mary Branson, in St Stephens Hall at the Houses of Parliament. marybranson.com/newdawn
It commemorates all the people involved in the struggle for women’s suffrage. It is made up of coloured scrolls of glass Venuses (the symbol of womanhood) and it lights up like a sun. The lighting changes are linked to the ebb and flow of the River Thames.
I thought that maybe some gangsters may not have seen it.

Looking forward to raising a glass with you all at M’s bbq ?

Grammaretto shame your present didn’t arrive. Deliveries are all over the place at the moment (I wrote that without thinking ?) Sounds like the birthday girl was enjoying herself with her sister.
Cherry How is your back today. Hope you and your WP can make it to the BBQ. I am so looking forward to the recital. ......and the food.
Yes I agree a fluttering of butterflies sounds so much better. ?
Bradfordlass we missed you yesterday. Sounds as though the theatre performance was a success despite your nosy neighbour. What did they do?
What a lovely scan pic. You must be impatient to meet the little one. Hope you can teleport to the BBQ in time.
Kia pai te hauora. (Hopefully meaning be in good health ?)

Muffled voice coming from the back of the wardrobe.Nortsat ....where am I going to find an evening dress. Must be something here somewhere. Ah yes this will do ? ?
Thank you so much for the link to the sculpture. It is stunningly beautiful. I love the idea behind it.
Panache hope you and MrP make it to our virtual BBQ in Mamissimo’s garden. I’m sure there will be a shady nook and comfy chairs for you.
Must go and give my triangle a last polish and make sure Jeeves has got his best butler suit on (not the one with the holes cut out from when he had his accident

I’m here Mamissimo sitting in your lovely garden in my best frock as per Nortsat’s instructions. I have my triangle with me and am just waiting for the rest of the orchestra to turn up,
?