The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

Cherry the fact that you’ve heard from dragonfly has lifted my spirits. Hope she feels like coming back soon.
What a lovely things you say about your mum. You must miss her.
I was very lucky with my parents too.
No deadheading young lady or I shall send Jeeves round! You need to take care of that back.
I was painting yesterday afternoon and must have been sitting awkwardly because when I got up I couldn’t. I couldn’t straighten up at all. I must have twisted something. After 10 mins I was ok again .
Enjoy your spot of tea. ?

Afternoon all ... well Doodle so far ...

The imbibing might have had consequences for everyone else Doodle... ? ?. I'm glad that you are not feeling any ill effects ? I'm not either of course as I don't drink ?.

I hope Mr P is feeling okay after his chemo Panache.

I've heard from dragonfly who assured me that she will be back posting on GN when she's ready ☺️.

It wouldn't be boastful BradfordLass to tell us a little about you've achieved in your life, you should be proud of your own achievements ?. You could be very selective... although, like Doodle I'm sure you've chosen your finest that's topped the others by some considerable way.
Whilst, as you know, I don't have children I do appreciate the love, sacrifice, nurture, education, guidance, sanctuary, security etc, etc, etc a good parent endows. My own mother was a wonderful woman who cherished me and I her. She didn't have the easiest life and lost her husband, my father, very young. She devoted her life to her family, it was the most important thing in her life. She was patient, determined, resilient, sensible and sensitive to the needs of others. She was remarkable. Her love was a forever gift.

Grammaretto I hope you are okay and not worrying.

Well the brisket is in the slow cooker and the veg' is prepped. My back is still stiff but there's deadheading to do... the sun ? is shining and it's pleasant to sit outside... so a pot of tea I think ?

Morning all. Despite all that imbibing yesterday I am feeling quite chipper today.
Mamissimo thank you so much to you and MrM for hosting us all yesterday and putting on such a lovely spread. I must say the sight of MrM at his new BBQ was something to behold ?
Bradfordlass I wondered why you got blown off course ?
You were very brave to parachute in like that.
Your Maori melody was a perfect end to the day.
I think the achievement you have chosen is the best I’m sure.
Hope no one has any ill effects from yesterday. Have a relaxing day all.

I've always found the best part of any gathering was, as Mamissimo said, the relaxing glow and easy conversation after the frentic dancing - something I'm not good at.
Although I must admit I'm a wee bit disappointed not to see the secrets of the leather apron revealed.

Doodle you looked and sounded spectacular!

Yes, our friendships are very special; I for one don't quite know how I'd have persevered without the daily does of
madness smiles.

Sorry I landed in the adjacent field, it was the wind you know. Dratted beans.

But the giggles alerted me to where you were all cosied up around the fire and thank you for saving the champagne - that widow was some pioneer. Of course I looked it up, wouldn't be me if I didn't

As I was walking across from my landing place, I saw Mr Panace and Jeeves behind the hay bales.
That young whippersnapper was telling him slightly rique jokes and MrP was chuckling away. I don't wonder he was smiling when MrsP claimed him for the journey home.
I bet there was a bit of hand-holding on that trip back!

I hope you all enjoyed the ever-so-slightly-alcoholic Bliss Balls I brought with me. Best Belgian chocolate and brandy. A nice little warmer-upper as the stars came out.

Sorry I wasn't up to singing, 'On Ilkley Moor bah't 'at'.
I often think a song about sickness and cannibalism needs just the right atmosphere to go down well.
Hope my medley of Maori waiata entertained you instead.

Nortsat Thank you very much indeed for the link to Mary Branson's magnificent glass sculpture in St Stephen's Hall (somehow, martyrdom seems appropriate).
I've put it on my Facebook page because I feel it needs to be more widely known down at this end of the world.

Cherry It would sound (and be) incredibly boastful to list all I've achieved in my long life, though nowhere near the calibre of those by people I most admire.
Perhaps my best was to be a mother whose children look back on their childhood with love and many happy memories.

Panache so glad you both made it. Looking so splendid too.
At least you didn’t have to parachute out of the helicopter like Bradfordlass ??
The food was indeed excellent. I had noticed MrP was enjoying himself. He was in good hands, Jeeves was keeping an eye on him to make sure he didn’t get up to any mischief ?
What a lovely day in the very best of company. I think I might just snuggle down on this chair with a blanket and have a little nap.
Mamissimo, what time’s breakfast in the morning ?

Excuse moi and my man trailing in almost when you gals.......and of course the few gents..........were virtually gathering your belongings heading for home

That darn helicopter landed at Brawdy Airfield which is near to my former home,when we patiently awaited arival at the H pad clearly denoted on our nearby Marina!!!
What an unexpected treat.
Such a lovely surprise and so beautifully organised.......although methinks a little too much of the grape juicehad been enjoyed and in evidence when we eventually made our appearances!!
What lovely ladies and of course I immediately recognised one or two of you by your hair colours!!!
We had truly tried to dress to impress,but after just having his chemo and we both had our flu jabs, it became rather more a race simply to get there,keen to be amidst such hospitality and friendly faces.

Most of all,after partaking of some REAL food and nothing like that which we are normally fed! plus ample glasses,my dearest was lost behind I think some hay bales .............the mind boggles!!!!
It was only on our homeward call to the Helicopter I realised I had not seen him for ages............but I gather he had been mightily entertained by you lot..........he thought he had dreamt it all on awakening ,he certainly wore the biggest smile I have seen for years!!!

A very big thank you to Mr & Mrs Mamissimo whom obviously know how to create a great atmosphere and entertain us all,meeting up for the first time, and yet I felt I had known each one of you forever.

A respledent BBQ,perfect hosting,great friendship....... and a day that will count greatly in my memory book.
( Mamissimo I hope you do not mind I helped myself to a rather large Doggy Bag to bring home,being so sorely tempted by such lovely goodies)

Hope you all arrived home safely!
Bless you all,you are worth your weight in gold!!

Bradfordlass you may need to request Doodle delights you with an encore of her virtuoso triangle recital ...

No Bradfordlass you didn’t miss it, we saved a VIP seat for you and Jeeves is ready with a beverage of your choice.

We are basking in the glow of the fire pit and our friendship and are delighted your joining us ...

I like that sentiment Cherry ?
Still plenty of food and drink left Bradfordlass. It’s a warm night. You can sit for a while by the fire pit and Jeeves and I will entertain you. Jeeves is on the bongos and I have my trusty triangle. ?

Oh, did I miss it? Drat! Better take this harness off and call the helicopter back.

Yes Doodle it was applause ?

.... and their shields had protected them as they banded together; a circle ⭕ of friendship and understanding without judgement. Sometimes whimsical, sometimes sad, sometimes playful like children whizzing down a helter skelter, sometimes in pain, but always remaining together, banded by the invisible force of mutual appreciation.

Thank you for hosting... sleep well gang-sters ?

Mamissimo Couldn’t have put it better myself ?.
Thanks for a lovely BBQ and to all of the gangsters for their wonderful friendship.
I’ll just sit here by the fire and join you in a brandy.
My ears are still ringing from the applause for our recital this afternoon.......it was applause wasn’t it ?

I love this part if the evening when I slump in front of the fire pit with a brandy and the storytelling begins.....

Once upon a time there were several lovely ladies who came from all the corners and allied bits of the UK. They were united by their stoical stance in the face of adversity and a gentle appreciation of the ridiculous. Their combined ages were over 500 years so they were wise beyond measure but they still loved learning. They had never actually met but were true friends who propped each other up. Boris the Chancer put their worth as higher than gold and threw a ring of shields around them......

Thank you for coming...safe home and sleep tight!

Mamissimo the food is wonderful. If I’m not careful I’ll split my dress ? The garden looks lovely.. MrM is a big hit with the ladies...I wonder why.
Nortsat glad you’ve made it. You’re right my triangle is sparkling in the fairy lights .
Grammaretto lovely to see you both. Jeeves is running round looking after everyone. I don’t think he’s ever been to a BBQ before. ,
Cherry ooh how exciting. I’ve never had a bongo before. I’d love to try it. Must get to rehearsal, ?

Oh hi Nortsat I didn't see you there, a bit distracted by the leather.... ?. Oh, you seen to have found the Verve Clicquot ?. I have to abstain I'm afraid but ... I think my WP may have spotted it but he's happier with a glass of red ?, I think he's spotted a bottle...

Good evening ?. Thank you for hosting us Mamissimo ... Wow, it's a fantastic spot here, oh I had a lovely helicopter ride... Ooh get you Doodle you look devine ?. Hi there Grammaretto, nice to see you sitting back nice and relaxed. I'm not surprised you're exhausted, but I bet you enjoyed every single minute. Little uns are a world unto themselves, often interested in the wrapping paper or the box more than the present, at least initially ? ?.

The food smells delicious Mamissimo, I won't comment on Mr M's, hum, attire ?. Nice tiara by the way ?. Honey's wagging her tail expectantly at my arrival, I think she knows she'll get a titbit from me. How could I resist not to ?.

I think I'll settle down in that comfy looking spot over there... Jeeves can go and warm my heat bag. Two minutes in the microwave will be just right. Why, that's nice. Thanks for making sure Jeeves is on hand Doodle.

You've got no excuses now Doodle, my WP has brought three guitars ? and is ready to accompany you. He has even brought a couple of bongo ?, would you like to try one of them out? I'll leave you rehearse....

Doodle you are quite a gal! And you can sing.
My first time in a helicopter. A bit noisy so my hair is all over the place but what a spread you have for us!!
Luckily I bmob whisky so you can finish the plonk verve clicquot and see if I care.
Who is that vision in leather?
Where's Bradfordlass ? It's still early morning for her.
cheers!

- Soundcheck ... testing, testing, 1, 2, 3 ...
- I agree Honey is extremely vigilant in her mission to protect the beef
- there’s a helicopter circling, so it must be Cherry and Grammaretto
- VIP seats reserved for the Panaches
- Doodle is unmissable and impossibly glamorous in her ‘split to thigh’ red sequinned, strapless evening gown, with her triangle twinkling
- I too just got an eye-full of MrM in his leather apron
- Jeeves has gone AWOL with the Verve Clicquot ...

It promises to be quite an evening ???

Cherry I have Jeeves on standby to rub your back for you and to be at your beck and call.
Mamissimo sorry about that. I was so thirsty I just grabbed the first bottle I saw and drank it. ?
Are you sure Honey is ok with the meat? It looks more like lust than guarding to me.?
I’ve just seen Mr M from behind. ? I guess he still hasn’t found the rest of his clothes yet. Good job he’s got the leather apron on. We wouldn’t want any accidents.
Hope your neighbours don’t mind us partying into the night. By the time we all get here it could be a long day. Lovely smells coming from the BBQ. ?
Grammaretto get over here quickly. You need something for the shock. Leave the woodpile for another day. Perhaps your furry friend will find another home .......perhaps it was a large mouse. ?
Glad you had such a lovely time with the little ones. They are such fun at that age.
Right I’m helping myself to a large glass of red wine if that’s ok (I wear red a lot.....doesn’t show the spills ?) and waiting for musicians to arrive to accompany me in my virtuoso performance on the triangle. ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-365736-09a595b8-d7f9-42db-936e-605fed496be3.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-301032-c6d0e538-acc0-4836-b30b-9a1ff4951d53.png

Come on grammaretto I’ve saved a seat for you both.
I have on my best red evening dress. I’m only wearing it because Nortsat said I had to as a member of the performing arts. ?
Cherry tell WP to hurry up. We need to rehearse before our performance.
I’ve been in a helicopter once over the Alps. It was wonderful. Not sure I’d like to hang from one in a harness though ?
I have attached 2 pictures. One of me practicing my instrument and another in my evening gown (did I mention I can sing too ?)

Not there yet sorry. Start without me. I see you have!!

I have just had a nasty wee shock. I was clearing the veggie patch and plonking stuff into the compost and saw a creature in the long. grass. A big brown rat! I know, I know, that's what we should expect to see sometimes but not in my garden and not even scurrying away!
I scurried inside quickly.
What to do? There is a big pile of wood nearby so plenty of cover for it but you don't just get one do you...
Oh dear I am a wimp, but if there is one thing I am scared of it is rats. The tale of Tom Kitten and Samuel Whiskers and a roly poly pudding has been ingrained in my psyche.
I may need therapy.

I may need some wine and barbie food soon.

The little people have been and gone. We shared birthday cake and I am exhausted from lifting them and joining in their games.
The wee one wasn't remotely interested in her presents but her big sister was. Why have you put crayons in but no colouring book, Granny? Why indeed. The spring bulbs were appreciated by DD as theirs had been in the fire.

Cheers everyone!! I'm going to sit back and enjoy the summer evening.

Well that case of Bollinger Cava didn't last long. Jeeves is very speedy with the top ups! Mr M has lit the gas and the meat is at room temperature so we're good to go.

Honey Beagle is guarding the meat and I've got my best BBQ apron over my frock. Are tiaras de trop these days? Mr M is most fetching in his leather apron and I expect The rest of his clothes will be found soon.

We've put a big H on the grass in the paddock so that the helicopter can find us....we're the house with the fire engine out side and the plume of smoke. Don't panic....they were just passing and popped in to check we were ok as they knew we --have a good cellar--have been shielding and were worried by the smoke.

All will be splendid!

Afternoon ?. I'm waiting for my WP to get his act together, he's watching the footie ?. He's set record for tonight's match as our team are playing but we're going to have to get our act together shortly if we're going to make our flight ?

I've never been in a helicopter before BradfordLass, so forgive me if I don't swap with you. Perhaps Mamissimo can arrange for a helicopter back. I do admire your sense of adventure, I'm not sure I m brave enough to dangle on a line from a helicopter. An interesting item on a bucket list ?. May I ask what the ones you have ticked off? I must admit it's not really something I've even thought of but thinking of it now... performances by musicians I haven't had the opportunity to see are top of my list, there are also a few people I would like to meet and sit down to dinner with. The one place I haven't visited but would like to is Kashmir.
The scan picture is fantastic . It's such a clear image. She is beautiful . Like Grammaretto says, I feel privileged indeed to she her.

I have seen a picture of the glass sculpture before Nortsat but only the one and never with such clarity.
Thanks for the link. It is a stunning piece of art. Suffrage was hard fought for, still is in some places. You've done it again BradfordLass by informing us that New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote.

Doodle I look forward to seeing you in your gown later, can you send us a preview photo? I hope we're not all meant to dress up, just the musicians. I don't intend to dress up either Grammaretto.

I'm sure one of the reserve presents from the loft is fine. A good idea to have reserves ?

Panache are you coming too? I hope so, there's room in the helicopter and I do believe the pilot is waiting instructions and I think he said that there is another on standby too.

My back is still bad, still stuck but I'll bring my heat bag to the bbq.

See you all later...

I popped by to say hello. I am still on my way but making extremely slow progress. There was no helicopter here. More of a lawnmower.

I would love to see you in your best frock Doodle . what colour is it?
I don't need to dress up I hope.
I am still expecting the little ones to collect the substitute present. (I had a few goodies hidden away for emergencies)
I do miss the charity shops for those gifty things.
WOW!! Bradfordlass the photo of the unborn baby ! I feel privileged to see her.

I will make it to join you but I will be running?? late