The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

I seem to be an infrequent poster. I open the posts and read through them every day, but the days seem to be drifting by and not much is happening.

Mamissimo, your most recent post made me feel better about my lack of direction at the moment.

My DH bounces awake (and I mean bounces!) every morning with a list of all the jobs he plans to do for the day. When he goes quiet, I know he is wondering what he will eat. DH sometimes gets his head snapped off by me because knowing he will have a full tummy during the day seems to be central to his well being. I’m just sick of planning meals all the time but if I ask DH what he fancies, it usually a) requires ingredients we don’t have, b) requires hours of work for something he eats in minutes, c) is often something I have difficulty eating. Some will ask, why doesn’t he cook the meals? Well, he will but a), b) and c) still apply and there is the added disadvantage that he really isn’t very good at it and, while I would always give him full marks for effort (and clearing up after himself), despite years of practice on his part and coaching from me, he seems to have a short-term memory and his time management skills desert him. One job to be completed at a time. DH is so good about everything else though, I have no right to complain.

However, first thing in the morning, I hear DH’s list and think what food I will prepare. Then I what am I going to do? The housework is always there (oh for a cleaner, I think I may have mentioned that I loathe all housework before). So what else… read through GN (I can’t stand the news anymore), perhaps I should look at my next online food shop and plan that? I will use my exercise bike (currently watching ‘In the Line of Duty’) and carry out my various medical routines. I may make a cake if we have run out…

Yesterday, DH and I had our eyes tested - that seemed a pretty bizarre experience. The opticians’ shop was quiet and only one other customer came in while we were there. I really don’t know how they can survive. Our prescriptions didn’t need changing so we just paid for a big box of lens cleaners. The town was busy with tourists and I was glad to get away.

Panache, I keep thinking of you and your DH. I don’t understand your circumstances but could you contact Age UK and ask them for advice? I worked for Environmental Health 30 years ago and used to inspect food premises. I’m truly out of touch now but I would guess that your care provider should have inspections if they are providing food. Perhaps you could find a way of bringing this about anonymously. You have been so strong in the past, don’t let the b******s bring you down!

BradfordLass, I don’t have many memories of school days but one of the few that has stayed with me was in my infant school when we had an exchange teacher from New Zealand for a year. Among other things, he taught us a Maori song and we did a sort of stick dance (short sticks, tapping out rhythms against one another - could have been a bit dodgy, I don’t think Health and Safety would allow it these days). I can still remember the sounds of the words and the rhythms.

Grammaretto, I've lost weight because of my teeth. Not a good way of doing it. I'm looking forward to eating peanuts again!

Cherry, well Conan Doyle wrote "The Sign of Four", he just didn't count far enough!

The evening meal calls - chicken fajitas I think. (We had supermarket delivery yesterday too - such fun!) At least that is fast to cook and I managed to get some decent avocados to make guacamole. I’m so pleased that I found out that you can just put whole chillies in the freezer and use them as needed, still frozen.

DH’s stomach calls….

Thank you all for being here - even if you would much rather be elsewhere.

Rule of Six does indeed sound mysterious and exciting. Trust you to find a hidden meaning Cherry
I sat outside a cafe today where 3 others were already gathered -distantly. I think we were breaking the rule of only 2 households.

DH finally dropped off to sleep an hour ago and the Hospital phoned! Why am I not surprised. I answered and told them he was asleep and could they try his mobile later. They did and woke him.

Whenever I've lost weight it has been by eating less, eating healthier and having more exercise. It's hard work and takes ages. Putting on weight its so much easier and more fun

I hope you are enjoying the last of the summer sunshine out in the garden everyone. It's humid here and was raining earlier. I may have a nap too.

Good afternoon gangsters ☺️

It was a lovely morning here and I felt quite energised so I thought I'd set to the chores and then, after the visit to the pharmacy, have a pleasant afternoon sitting in the garden with a pot of tea and a gooey bun.... It's raining now ?! Spectacular ?
Life .... it can be incredibly frustrating ?. Members of my group quiz were planning to meet up for lunch in our favourite cafe on Thursday but the new rule of 6 had put a stop to that, humf! Best laid plans of mice etc.

Do any any fellow think that this newly coined phrase, rule of six, has a sci-fi or spy thriller series 'ring' about it? I do, or maybe a "Lord of the Rings" sequel where a sixth ring is suddenly uncovered or even an Agatha Christie style murder mystery ?. Or am I the only one who has these peculiar notions ?

Doodle I hope you and Mr D enjoy your visit to your BiL's today ☺️. I'm sure it'll be a lovely 'catch up' for your DH and his DB especially.

BradfordLass I certainly know someone who eats like a horse and never puts on weight - my niece1. She can easily eat double the amount I eat and has a very slim and trim figure. From behind (or not close enough to see the life's 'work' on her face) she looks like a pert teenager not a 50 year old woman?.

Off to collect my and WP's meds now. Back later.

Today.....how to spend today ?

I should attend to the boring necessary admin tasks that are stacking up on the desk, Mr M wants me to sieve some soil over a slightly lumpy bit of grass that he wants to make bowling green smooth - or I could plant a few hundred crocus bulbs while it's warm enough to lie on the grass. Activity or indolence....

Mr M is a tad older than me and I have noticed a creeping tendency for him utter the phrase "when are we going to...." when he means when am I going to do whatever it is. A really annoying phrase however is "We really must..." which usually means that I have to shelve my amusements plans and do something worthy.

So today I will reluctantly help him to mailmerge twenty personalised emails to a list of addresses that he can't find on the computer, sieve the soil for him and probably day dream about anything and everything while I'm doing it.

We are taking our DD and The DGC to Wisley on Friday because I think at 2.5 years of age Mim is just the right age to be introduced to the giants in the Tropical House and the carnivorous plants. Immersing her in gardening this year has produced an interesting view of food to her. During our chat on FaceTime last night she told me that Sainsburys have "Granny's carrots and Mummy bought some for me". Clever DD!

If I'm now supplying Sainsbury's I've no more worries over my running beans or rapidly ripening tomatoes. Sorted!

Hello and g'day dear gangsters,
I hope we are baring up as usual.
DD wrote baring up and it caused me some amusement little things for little minds
I am in the doctor's carpark with the rain pouring down waiting while MrG has his blood taken for the umpteenth time. If only it were a magic cure. Blood letting, leeches etc.
I enjoyed your post BradfordLass
DGS in NZ sang us a Maori song. Lovely. When I lived there in the 1950s we learned very little. A few songs and some customs.
DGD in the Scottish Highlands is learning the Garlic (as she pronounces it) and the Highland dancing (which she loves)

I wonder too if you'd be better off with tasty readymeals in the microwave Panache ?

I'll be back later.

Yes I think it pretty disgusting that I have only just got a shielding letter when it is finished, but no worries I knew I should be shielding and sort of did but I am ready now for the next lockdown. Stock of food and I am now thinking Christmas shopping, not so much presents but food and as it will only be two of us it will be pretty easy.

Today we are going out, picnic and hot drinks packed, bikes on the back of the car and we are off to nearby S Wales for a cycle ride. We have found a very lonely route so we will be in no danger of meeting the hordes out for the day, and anyway its a weekday.

Tomorrow we are going to tackle our fig tree and cut a load of its height off as its a bit near the house. Been a lovely year for figs, just love them.
Well I am off now Mr B is waiting to go, the cat is in for day and dinner tonight is sorted.

Bradfordlass kind of you to offer help (as you did to me too ?)
I could read your clip. What a lovely idea. I understand the troupe much better now. I can’t see what your neighbour has to complain about. Social distancing can be adhered to without a problem I would think. I wonder what they will be performing.
I am not particularly found of cream and the thought of drinking 900 mls of it, well ?.
Please do not stop wittering on e pai ana matou ki te whakarongo ki a koe (which I hope means we like to hear you, according to Mr Google) if you get my drift. ?

Cherry and Doodle you probably read my post which offered to support Panache to change things. I'm assuming she prefers not to go that route and that's just fine.

Cherry lovely to see you back - take care

It's wild, wet and windy here but I'm hoping it will leave before Friday.

Yes Doodle it's the same theatre group. They've been doing free performances for isolated elders the whole of lockdown. I don't know if you can read what their poster says (I've cropped a lot away). ropu = group; 'whanau' = family' kaumatua = elders.

They rang to ask if I'd like another performance and, having accepted, I told my neighbours.

The local busy-body emailed to say I'd no right to do this and to wait until Level 1. I shall ignore her.
The troupe will be in the drive or carpark opposite; further away by far than recommended social distancing.

Yesterday the authorities located 1 new case, bringing the total, all in quarantine, to 96. We're hoping to go back down to Level 1 fairly soon.

Mamissimo once again I've stolen your first sentence and as a fanilode longtimey of the Professor, I share your deep joy. It was featured in 'Carry on Regardless' so an apposite phrase for us here.
Baked Beagle and Running Beans for tea?

If anyone was listening to Radio 4 yesterday, you may have heard the g-gson of Agatha Christie donate a 900ml (1.583 pints) mug out of which she used to regularly drink cream.
900ml of cream - regulalrly!!

Why wasn't she enormous? Why didn't she die of clogged arteries at 50, instead 'of natural causes' at 85?
Because we (politicians included) are fed a lot of nonsense about overweight, its causes and consequences.

We all know people who eat like horses and never gain an ounce and bigger people who eat sparingly and don't lose weight. My own sister ate 3-4 times more than I did and never took any exercise. Thin as a rake.
Stupid Boris.

I've applied for a postal vote for the up-coming election. It's been very difficult in past years, to find anyone to take me to a polling station.

I must have it witnessed by a JP or 'smilar person of standing' (are JPs perfect then?). That's no problem; the lovely old bloke who brings me spinach and silver beet, is a JP.

No reira, e hoa ma (therfore my friends) ka kati toku korero (I'll stop wittering on)

Mamissimo tales of the hotbin ?
My dad was a keen gardener. One day (bearing in mind this was about 50 years ago) a man with a lorry called at the door selling manure. My mum (bless her) thought dad would be so pleased with this for his garden (150 ft long) that she bought the lot ?. Took my dad nearly all night to wheelbarrow it from the road to the back garden. A family classic story ?
Oh more running beans, great. I might catch some this time ?
Well whilst not on the shielded list I am definitely an overweight over 50. More to the point, so is he and he is certainly not joining our lockdown gang (no political thought behind that comment ?)
Both tarts would be a welcome here. Please send tasters.
Panache I am really angry with the powers that be in your establishment. That is not on. You and your DH should not be reduced to this. Nutritious food is required for you both.
Is it possible you could buy in ready made meals that you microwave. I know someone who does this and I believe there are good companies around. Do you have to pay for the meals or can you refuse? Someone needs a rocket.
Nortsat I loved the turtle quote too ?. MrM is naughty.
I expect you will have an aching jaw tonight afterl that lovely lunch with your friend, so much to chat about after 12 months. Glad you had a good time.
Cherry lovely to hear from you again. Don’t ever feel bad about not posting, you are in our hearts now whether you post or not. As is Dragonfly. It is not always easy to post I know that. We are just glad when you do.
Life is not roses for us all the time and I had my own blip a few weeks ago. Thank God my problem has been resolved a bit but I am well aware there are times when people don’t feel like posting.
I am so sorry for your WP. He needs his pain killers. Is your DH able to attend the funeral by web link? I hope he gets his meds soon.
More seizures for you too. The last thing you need,
I agree with you about the paintings. Dramatic images and very thought provoking.
Cherry you are much braver than both me and my DH. He has been wonderful throughout his many ops but he has always said to the Consultants and Nurses, go ahead and do what you have to just don’t tell me about it or explain what is going to happen. The foot thing was perhaps the most simple op he has had and the least life threatening but the thought of it was horrific. I will save you further details ?
Been really warm here today. Spent quite a while getting some photos together to show BIL tomorrow as we haven’t seen him and his wife for some time.
Did a little painting this afternoon just for an hour or so. I’m amazed how little I accomplished in that time ?
Jeeves has been sunbathing today and has a red nose. He wanted me to tell you it wasn’t the drink ?

Missed your post there Panache. I'm disgusted with the way you are being treated re. meal provision. How are people meant to keep body together nevermind soul on what they are serving up. Abandoning Sunday roast as we're heading into winter comes across as callousness to me too. There must be an avenue to go down to pursue them on this.
Sorry you are still feeling rough. Please take care x

Nortsat you snuck in. As you can see I'm still in the land of survival ☺️.

Right where's that food...

Good evening gangsters, I've missed you. Maybe this penintentiary does have something Hotel California about it BradfordLass since I 'checked out' but 'didn't leave' . I couldn't leave, my heart wasn't in it.

I feel like such a wimp taking so much time out when you all manage to carry on posting despite all the difficulties you all face. My WP's friend is being buried on Wednesday, he can't go to the funeral but he's okay about it. I've been more concerned about the fact that he's been without his pain killers for several days (still is) than that though, is that awful of me as is sounds so bad. Hopefully they will be at the pharmacy tomorrow, along with one of my meds . To top the week off I've had dratted seizures again ?, something I didn't need.. but then does anyone who has them need them or any other medical condition for that matter? Stupid question ?

Oh, a belated Happy Anniversary to you and Mr M Mamissimo. As you know me and my WP are not married, but we did meet 34 years ago come December. In many ways not much different to you in that we were living together before the following spring, so a bit of a whirlwind romance. I find it weird to think that we have been together longer than my mother and father were, and very lucky too.

Grammaretto I so hope your DH'S appetite improves. It must be very difficult for you when you've always known him to have a hearty appetite. I'm sure you're tempting him with all his favourites. Eating a little is fine if it's often so if you manage to "sneak in" some snacks...

I'm very struck by the refugees artwork Nortsat. Both by their magnificence and their harrowing nature. So many of the pieces struck me, "No voice", "Broken Human Rights and Women's Power particularly. So many aspects of the plight of refugees are encapsulated in all those pieces. Very powerful and should be highlighted more I think, those images have a power no news reporter can capture in words.

Barmeyoldbat I would say that it's nice to have you with us but given the circumstances I'm not sure that word is appropriate. It's very peculiar that it is only now you have received a shielding letter especially considering that officially it has been lifted for everyone. Pretty disgusting I'd say.
I heard that further shielding letters may be sent out too Mamissimo. If they do will they do a better job and send them out to all people that should be shielding and get it right this time, do you think.

Eek Doodle those spiky splints Mr D had to have put in his foot sound like torture instruments. I know you've said it didn't hurt him and thank goodness for that but the idea makes me squirm. I'm not scared of the sight of blood or torn flesh and cope with injuries, both my own and others, but the thought of this is beyond my limit.

Not more running vegetables Mamissimo ?! Hope it's no more than enough for one Sunday lunch ?
You've made my mouth water with the idea of your tare rating ?. I've got such a naughty sweet tooth. Just as well that gong to the dentist's has never bothered me ?

I'm pleased that there is good hope that the Maori language can survive, hopefully to thrive again one day BradfordLass. So much gets torn away, structures, land, traditions etc. but tongues should never be silenced.

Panache I hope you are feeling a bit better, it sounds like a nasty bug and/or food. Hope you are looking after yourself and not putting all your energy, what you have of it, into caring for Mr P and neglecting yourself! Lecture over.

Off to get myself some food now I think..

Good evening gangsters, hope you have all had a good day.

Panache, the issue of your meals and the reduced quality and choice must be a real worry. I am so sorry to hear this. I fully understand your need for a few tears of frustration and tension. I wish I could say or do something useful. Dig deep, love.
Mammissimo your apricot tarte tatin sounds lovely. I think Jeeves should pop a couple of portions round to the Panaches. Any photos of the beagle gently baking on the patio?
I missed the opportunity to congratulate you on your 44th wedding anniversary. How lovely ?. My partner and I have also been together for 44 years .Mr M’s image of the aged turtles ? is taking a while to shift from my mind!
Doodle have a lovely visit with your DH’s brother tomorrow.
Bradford I hope we hear more from you about Maori Language Week. I am so enjoying learning more about Maori culture from your posts.
Barmeyoldbat welcome to the gangsters thread. I sympathise with your surprise/shock at not having been properly advised to shield. Thank goodness you were already being so vigilant. I stopped shielding on 31st August but have only been out twice, aside from daily walks. I feel a little reticent about going out.
Hoping all is well with Cherry.
I had a lovely lunch out (the first time since March) with a friend today. We haven’t seen one another for 12 months ... we were so pleased to see each other, it was lovely. I am quite tired after all the chatting.

Have a good evening gangsters, special good thought to Panache ?

Hi to my favourite gangsters all.

Still feeling decidedly ruff,ruff, and having the new Autumn menu delivered today,finding out there have been considerable cuts to the daily meal,even our Sunday Roast has been abandoned and three veggies reduced to two.............mainly peas and more peas!

Feeling frankly sick and finding no where to turn to just yet.
SO worried about my man and this lack of a decent nutricious main meal.

So excuse me whilst I hide away and shed a few tears to release this tension building up...............sad thing is.........I never can cry!

Take great care and stay Safe gals.

Happy lunch time gangsters!

Deep joy in the house today because we spent most of yesterday working with compost. Our HotBin has been a star purchase and yesterday we harvested enough mulch for one of the big raised beds. I'm about to order a load of bare root roses for winter delivery and by the time they come the worms will have done their work and everything will be off to a flying start.

As I write this the beagle has assumed her favourite position lying with her back against the house wall on the tiled patio - she's baking gently and very happy!

Checking the veg beds today I was slightly horrified amazed to discover a new crop of beans. There will be enough for lunch on Sunday!

I see on the BBC website that an MP is exhorting us to shop our neighbours to the police if we think they are entertaining more than 6......I hope people only do this for large gatherings of covidiots because I would hate to see communities split by busy bodies peering through the net curtains.

I also understand that they are preparing to send out more personalised letters to advise people how to protect themselves according to their medical risk....the same article said that Boris had wanted to include all the overweight over 50s in this but was deflected. Doodle I think you'd better get an extension built on the penitentiary toot sweet!

Last night I made an apricot tarte tatin for desert......and we enjoyed it so much that I've just made a beetroot and goats cheese one for lunch.....and there goes the pinger ?

Nortsat I have just followed your link to the pictures painted by the refugees. What amazing talent. Able to portray thoughts through art without words. I found the picture of the boats being flicked away by fingers got to me. Like flicking a fly or insect away. Just don’t know what the answer is. Very sad.
Grammaretto that would be a shame to miss your DGDs birthday. Hope if nothing else you get to FaceTime or zoom. I expect there will be another round of cancelled parties, anniversaries and family get togethers. It’s a shame so many ignored the need to distance and got together in such large groups. Figures are going up again.
It must be a worry for you with MrG not eating much. I expect you are trying to find things he likes to tempt him with.
Hope he feels better soon.
Bradfordlass well I certainly think you’re doing your bit for the Maori language by educating us on this thread. We enjoy learning more of the culture of the Maori people.
Yes those spikes really were like skewers and almost as long. They didn’t hurt him though. They were like splints put in to keep the bones straight while his foot and toes healed. Awful to look at but it certainly helped.
Never heard of orange beetroot. I love beetroot and eat lots. The red by products can be a bit worrying if you forget you’ve eaten it ?
I remember the last time you had a concert on your drive. Is it the same group of people?
We have a bread maker and DH used to make bread almost every day. We stopped for some reason. My mouth waters when I look at pictures of your artisan bread.
Shame your hair colour has washed out so quickly. My DGD put a red (auburn) colour on her dark brown hair but was disappointed when it didn’t really take. She tried a permanent one which worked well. It gave her hair a lovely auburn glint in the sunlight. My hair is...... brown. Only a little silver around my ears. Not exciting but at least it has kept its colour so far,
Reminds me I must wash it today as we are going to visit DHs brother tomorrow. First time for ages so looking forward to seeing them.
Have a good day all

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-82226-tiki.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-147976-horse.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202009/medium-137202-beets.jpg

Kia ora koutou katoa. Ko tenei te Wiki o Te Reo Maori.
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Hello everyone, this is Maori Language Week.
______________________________
It's not so very long since this was an endangered language as so few spoke it but now there's hope it will prevail.

Nortsat What astounding pictures in that gallery, gets right to the very heart of the pain. I fear the face of that little girl will haunt me forever.

Doodle My goodness, the spikes through your DH's toes sounds awful. Poor thing. Glad he can walk better now.

Mamissimo Congratulations on your anniversary. I was so impressed by your whole post that I pinched it and put it in my diary

Grammaretto What a lovely surprise for you with the little ones bouncing in.
I'm somewhat trouble by your statement to Barmeyoldbat : " You can't actually leave."
Have we been bought out by Hotel California?
If so, I shall form an Escape Committee. I'm sure Jeeves will help me find a wooden horse and Doodle can set us up in a new luxury dwelling.
MrG's lack of appetite is worrying; let's hope that improves. When I was very ill, I bought a juicer and lived on veg-fruit drinks for ages.
I recently discovered and bottled, orange beetroot; exactly the same taste but (obviously) no pink and staining juice.

Barmeyoldbat Welcome, we're a small band but we look after one another here. Jeeves is especially good at making sure we're all happy and his Bliss Balls are a revelation.

You've reminded me, I must make a loaf for Friday when Te Pou Theatre are doing another free concert in my drive way.
Do you have a breadmaker, or do you, like me, knead by hand?

Oh dear Panache it's miserable to be struck down with the dreaded lurgy (and on top of everything else too ). I do hope you and MrP feel better soon.
I re-coloured my hair last night and thought of you, as the Dusty Lavender didn't last the promised 6-8 washes at all.
I may stick with green in future.

I'm not sure what your Monday announcement will change in the UK as Radio 4 seems to think different rules will apply to different areas.
However, from what I can gather: if your potential visitors have been isolated and are Covid free and you are too, you can meet up.

I hear there are some places which are already vaccinating. I wonder if that will give more than the 3-week immunity conferred by plasma transfusions?

Take care everyone.

Oh dear Panache that sounds awful. You poor things. I hope you can access some help.

Congratulations Mamissimo and MrM. You sound a very happy couple. MrG and I did something similar. We met and married within 3 months, 51 years ago.

Welcome to the lockdown prison Barmeyoldbat. You'll soon find your way around and if you bump into Jeeves, let him know what you want and he should attend to it.
Within reason you understand, You can't actually leave. I suppose you can sit in your cell and do jigsaws. This cycling lark though, not sure....

Doodle we must surely be related now that I'm 2% Welsh.
I seem to have lost all my Englishness in the Ancestry update so can no longer claim to have come from Norfolk or Gloucestershire for that matter. Mostly Scots and Irish..
FiL refuses to get his DNA tested. He says it's a load of rubbish. MiL has done hers.

If this semi lockdown continues we will have to miss DGD's 3rd birthday next week and she won't get a party. Another disappointment.

MrG has a very small appetite so has to be coaxed to eat. How different from his old self! I made a wholesome veg soup for tea with beetroot and carrot, turmeric and garlic. It was nice but I think we may be eating it all week.

Good night everyone.

Oh Panache I nearly missed you. So sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. I hope you are on the mend soon and those meals improve considerably. Thanks for popping in.
Take care of yourself and MrP

Evening all. Sorry I’m late today. It’s been a busy day.
Bradfordlass Ah so that’s what Blitz balls are. I did wonder ?
I’m surprised you have walked barefoot for so long. I expect your soles harden after a while and you get used to it. After all our ancestors didn’t have shoes. My DH has no padding under his feet. His skin is very thin. He had a foot operation a few years ago that I can’t even begin to think about where he had metal spikes through his toes and foot like skewers. Horrendous to look at the X-ray but at least when they took them out it helped and he has found walking easier since.
Yes I had a laugh about Mamissimo and the trees too. My mind works in mysterious ways ....I may well be barking ?
I love your tree family quip. ?
I know what you mean about seeing your family happy. It’s all I care for really. Glad you had such a lovely time.
I try not to cry. I’m afraid if I start I won’t stop. I am however very emotional.
I bet you can’t wait for the new arrival.
Nortsat I think we could all do with a personalised unicorn. Sounds fun. ? You are so right. I wouldn’t mind a visit to pot fest to see the exhibits too.
Thank you for the link. I will look at that.
Yes we should be grateful for all we have. The conditions that some have to live in are deplorable.
Mamissimo congratulations on your wedding anniversary. What a lovely day it’s been. My goodness met and married in 5 weeks and still together. That’s amazing. You were obviously meant to be.
Oh I love that comment about you sons question and your DHs response. That is an absolute classic ??
Grammaretto how lovely to have a surprise visit from the little ones. Sounds as though they had fun in the garden.
Yes potfest could raise some eyebrows ?
Enjoy your walk.
Barmey welcome. That must have been a shock for you to discover you should have been shielding. Good job you were being careful anyway. Online shopping is certainly a help and going out on your bike should give you lots of exercise away from others.
I expect the time will pass as it has for most of us on this thread. You will find us in a luxury penitentiary here with a hot tub and a resident butler Jeeves who will bring you hot chocolate or the beverage of you choice every night.
Hope you are comfortable. ?
Panache Cherry and other gangsters, hope you are all ok.

A quickie posting offering humble apologies for my slight vanishing act..............gone down with a high temp followed by real gastric problems that have kept me feeling like nothing on earth.........
I told you we were worried about our meals!!
Thinking of you all,wishing you all well being for you and yours............and peace.
See you soon,hopefully.

Hello everyone I am about to join you. It would appear I should have been shielding since lockdown started BUT my hospital visit for March was cancelled so I had no idea. I have now received the letter to shield so here I am.

I have been careful during lockdown but now I have decided an online shop for my groceries and we are going to buy our bread flour straight from Skipton Mill in 25 kg bags. Should be interesting but we make bread nearly everyday so we get through a fair amount of flour.

The Dr has told me I can still go for my daily cycle rides but I must not stop for coffee, cake and a chat, so life won't be worth living. However I have ordered a new super electric mountain bike so that when Mr B goes out for his off road run I can go as well, up and down some interesting tracks and also it will be easier for cycle rides.

We were going to go for a weeks holiday in North Devon and take our adult gd but now we have booked another place for her and a friend so she isn't sharing or travelling with us.

So my new regime has started, I might even get the jigsaw puzzle I started 3 months ago finished and read a few more of my books from a pile waiting for me to pick up and enjoy.

Hello gangsters,

I like the look of those travel programmes Bradfordlass
I have never been to the USA but feel I know it only too well. Through music, and they have the best music. Through films and TV and politics. Sometimes it seems we are another little state.

Is it that soon BL when the baby is due? A good friend here is expecting a grandson about the same time. Exciting!

We had a lovely surprise yesterday. I was out trying the new battery lawnmower ( MrG and I puzzling over the instructions for an hour at least) 2 little people came running to see us, with other granny. They are staying there for the weekend.
MrG went to hide all his medications but the girls were good as gold. or "Good as" as they say in NZ. and only wanted to pick apples, cucumbers and the, seriously slow to ripen, tomatoes.
I think the rules change on Monday so we'll be 2 households up to 6 people.

I wonder how many people are disappointed when they find out what Potfest really is Doodle

I'm off for a walk now. See you later.

Good morning...a beautiful September morning when I creaked downstairs this morning...the sun was just up and the golden grass in the paddock had a blue tinged mist floating over it. It was a stand still and just be moment.

Thank you Bradfordlass for the interesting reading list. The only thing missing is a spot of Bill Bryson to bring me home again ?

Today Mr M and I have been married for 44 years. We met and married in five short weeks and grown well together. My resident DS Came in late last night and arranged himself on the sofa in the way that always means we're in for a tricky conversation. "It's your anniversary tomorrow, would you like me to make myself scarce?" The avant garde comedian Mr M replied "no need, we're all good. We had sex like aged turtles after you left for work this afternoon". It was lovely to watch DS's range of facial expressions as he wrestled with this image...and I mopped up my spilt drink ?

To the garden....?

Good morning Gangsters, hope everyone slept well. I have my coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle).

Nfkdumpling what a shame about your bird watching trip to the Scillies. Looks like we’re in for a few days of decent weather too.
Bradfordlass your family meal, with the freshly smoked pulled pork sounds lovely. All the gangsters clearly want to try your Blitz Balls, so we’re expecting Jeeves to have a bowl of them, at the ready ...
Mammissimo, you must let us know when the garden centre deliver your personalised unicorn... I can’t wait to see it.
Grammaretto the Potfest looks really interesting. I expect when we were all young, we might have been interested in a different kind of Potfest ... However nowadays we’re all fascinated by the ceramics.
I am joining with others in hoping Cherry and Panache are well.

I had a garden visit with friends this week, who have a house on one of the Greek islands near Lesbos. We were discussing the terrible fire in the refugee camp (which Grammaretto flags in her post above)
My friends have a friend in Greece, who works for a project that seeks to improve the circumstances for the people in the camp. Last year they held a wonderful exhibition in London of artworks created by the refugees. Christie’s then auctioned the works to raise money for the camp. I thought you might like to see their paintings www.theguardian.com/global-development/gallery/2019/dec/25/we-never-chose-this-refugees-use-art-to-imagine-a-better-world-in-pictures
I hope the link will work.

Have a pleasant day all and let’s be thankful we’re not in a refugee camp on Lesbos.

Mamissimo I found the answer to your problem {grin]

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1PfMPTz5j5G09yNpsLjX9S/six-places-to-travel-without-needing-a-ticket