The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

DS has just texted to say he's on his way to collect DDiL! Things seem to have settled, she can keep food down and is out of pain. They think it's 'adhesions' although I'm not really sure exactly how or what as thats what they've said in the past before her last really big op to put things right. It seems to be a bit of an excuse that they don't know what the problem is. I hope it's not starting up all over again.

My memory Doodle has been awful as long as I can remember!! I was told at school that I would be really quite clever if only I would concentrate and make an effort. I think the main problem is that my mind wanders extraordinarily easily but I absorb random facts which get filed in miscellaneous places in my brain. Names is the worst thing. If I don't use information I forget it. DH tells me stuff and I make a real effort to remember but a few days later and its gone. It's like having baby brain all the time.

But it does mean I'm very good at lateral thinking as I'm already there. I tend to have two or three things on the go at the same time, and could hold a conversation with all three DC at once when they were young. It used to be called scatterbrained I think. Now its ADD.

Ahoy m'hearties!
Who ordered all this rain? We've been away on a sneaky trip to spend time with the DGC and it's been a squelch of a trip. DD had booked garden tickets for Hever Castle and we didn't want to waste them so it was galoshes on and brollies up.

Eldest DGD is two and a half and just out of nappies so I visited every public convenience in the grounds with her while the others wombed around the lovely grounds. Bless her, hopefully she won't be so singularly focussed for long.

It's preserving week here - we will use up the last of the beetroot in a beetroot, chilli and ginger chutney, the Green tomatoes go in an apple chutney and then we'll tackle the Christmas puddings, cake and mincemeat. Then we will sleep!

I'm off to make a cup of tea and read back to catch up...

Evening gang, only me ?

My footie team ⛹️ faced a very tough side today, a team that hasn't lost this season.... We Won! ?

I note today that memory is a 'theme" for discussion amongst us. Well... I remembered ?that one of you asked why the sinkhole near us has appeared, was it you BradfordLass? As the area is coastal a large amount of the stone is limestone. The sinkhole, which lies just a few feet below the surface and is the size of three terraced houses surveyors have discovered, is due to ground water erosion of the limestone. When thinking about it I'm asking myself - could it have been prevented by better management or maintenance ?. I don't know the answer but surely such erosion doesn't happen overnight. There are parts of the road (the sinkhole spans across it) that doesn't have good surface 'run off' and there have been concerns about management of the common. There are bollards closing that part of the road off now and a diversion in place. Goodness knows how lo it's going to take to deal with the issue.

Mamissimo it certainly wasn't me who ordered the rain today, we had enough yesterday and the day before.
Sounds like you've had a furtive time away ?. Nice one ?. I have visions of the rest of your little family group strolling around enjoying the view of the gardens and you hastening to view all the toilets with a fascinated little girl in tow ?.
Hope the preservation is going well. If I do make a ch......s cake this year I think it will be a small one.

Nflk I'm pleased that your DiL wasn't at the hospital for very long and that she is keeping food down and is no longer in pain. Crohn's disease is an unpleasant condition, I remember two ladies on a surgical ward when I was nursing, one couldn't bear the weight of a sheet on her body. I hope she doesn't have a repeat of what she went through prior to her last operation and stays pain free. Will she have a follow up soon?

BradfordLass, several days ago you made a meatloaf and that was a couple of days after I too had made one, though with different ingredients. Now you have posted a picture of beautiful peppers and talk about peppers, garlic, onions and tomatoes being a good base for many meals. Guess what I used yesterday. I think it must be a case of great minds think alike ?.

Grammaretto, thanks for the links. I've looked at the GudrunSjoden site before and seen a few things I've liked but haven't ordered from them. I've looked at reviews and they haven't been very good. Lots of people saying they were good at one time but not anymore. Do you buy from the site and if so do you disagree? They do some colourful clothes and I like colourful ?.

Ooh Panache I like the sound of your cognac coloured long line cardi'?. I'm much more a cardi' person than a jumper one. I have some nice jumpers but cardi's are more versatile I think.
We spent the best of a whole year at one time travelling around the UK in our second campervan. We only had the one 3 week continental trip. We would have loved to have spent more time travelling in Europe but hey ho.
I've been quite concerned about your oozing 'lump', is it still oozing? I'm another one who's memory is a bit c**p so sorry if you've said but when is your next hospital appointment and will they treat it? Please take care.

Are you sober Doodle ?. Have you managed to do the sewing "mark two" today?

My mouth is as dry as a bone... must get a cuppa, and I need to tidy up, #lazyday ?

Evening all.
Mamissmo nice to have you back with us. It made me laugh to hear of your toilet visits with your little granddaughter.
Shame about the weather but hope you enjoyed your trip. It’s always lovely to spend time with the little ones. ? When you come to making the Christmas Puddings and cake, please will you make extra for us gangsters. ?
Panache we certainly have had a lot of rain in the last day or so. Actually despite being a bit tipsy I did quite a lot of quilting yesterday. Fully intended to carry on today having come up with a marvellous plan half way through the night. However, like many things, I didn’t think it through properly. It will work just not as straightforward as I thought. It will require some mathematical calculations from DH but as he’s been busy working on his photos today I didn’t want to disturb him.
I’m hopeless at quizzes. Better at puzzles than general knowledge.
Your gilet sounds really nice and very cosy. Reminds me, I must start bringing out my winter woollies ?
NFK that is good news about your DIL. Hope things settle down now. I have a friend who’s had adhesions. I think it’s where bits of your inside stick together. Like Panache your poor DIL seems to have been through a lot.
I don’t think anyone ever told me I could be clever if I concentrated ?. I rely totally on my DH as my memory. Without him I haven’t a clue. I was in hospital once and they started asking me all sorts of questions about my medical history (there’s not much, two births and a hysterectomy) I told them they would have to ask DH. No point in talking to me, ?
cherry your team won again. This is getting to be a habit.
I think it was me that asked about the sinkhole. I wondered if it was water and erosion related as so many of them are. It sounds a very big hole. Is it very deep ?
Sewing Mark 2 ended up being playing around with bits of thread and colours for a while. All went well till I came to start sewing and realised that centring my piece in the middle of my quilting was going to be a bit more complicated than I’d bargained for. I will find a way. ?
Mamissim the kitchen is a bit of a mess and I was hoping Jeeves would be around to help clear up. I haven’t seen him yet. ..........you didn’t leave him behind did you ? ?

No I have just looked at the gudrun sjoden site Cherry but a friend buys lots from them and always looks colourful and unusual. I have bought snag tights which fitted beautifully. I bought some for MiL too.
The day turned lovely and sunny here but I am very tired after the open studios.
I'm glad your DiL is on the mend NfkD what a worry for you all.

Bradfordlass your veggie cooking sounds and looks fab. I am a pescatarian or a vegetarian who sometimes eats fish. Lunch today was carrot and lentil soup which was thick enough to use as mortar. My excuse is I was dealing with customers

Your research into Autism is interesting. A nephew was diagnosed with Asbergers at high school and had extra help as a result. He went to Cambridge to study maths and computing. My SiL was very anxious about him but I don't think he felt out of place as many high achievers seem to be on the Autistic spectrum!

DH slept most of the day.

Nfk* good to hear your dil is out of hospital now. Dynamo, the Bradford Lad has the same, as does my young friend Shoresh. Is it just a young persons' problem?

That's a good school policy, to learn about autism; education should be about respecting everyone's diferences.

It's 28.5 C degrees in Kaikoura but only 22 here - that's hot enough thankyou

Panache you'll look very swish in your gilet. Any chance of a photo?

Mamissimo if only you had some of Grammaretto's Elderberries, you could make syrup, a sovereign remedy for winter coughs and colds.

Cherry great minds indeed My memory for some things is very good BUT if I think of a item which needs adding to the shopping list and don't make immediate notes, I'll forget in seconds

Last week the lazy homecare lady took approx 3 minutes to "clean" the bathroom. The agency have a list of what should be done, so this week I handed it to her. I doubt she was in there 2mins this time but still told me she'd done it thoroughly. She didn't even open the shower door!
Normally, I may have politely taken her back and pointed out things which must be done but I wasn't up to being forceful. To hell with it.

Workmen arrived, unexpectedly, to clean the roofs, with a gigantic generator which, of course, overlaid everything with constant noise...for 8 hours!

Neighbour Dirk rang to warn me to cover my roses as last time this happened, it killed his. Fortunately, a few days ago I'd purchased plastic sheeting. It was a mission and a half to put that in place.

When lazybones got here, I had some respite as she took me to the library and greengrocers and redeemed herself just a little by agreeing to take me to the park when I couldn't face going home.

Naturally that meant she didn't need to clean the kitchen or vac the carpets, or prepare the vegetables or fold the laundry. I'd asked her to do this after the bathroom and thought she had, but I notice it's untouched in the basket <sigh>
Ah well, my usual girl is back next week.

Grammaretto I'm glad your nephew did so well.
Is your DH eating any better?

I've just been re-reading (audio) The Etymologicon and trying to find it to purchase but unless I join Audible or its ilk, which I don't wish to do, it doesn't seem to be for sale anywhere.

Sorry Doodle I delayed Jeeves; I needed someone to listen to my rant and he's so sympathetic.

Good morning gangsters, I hope everyone had (or will have Bradfordlass) a comfortable night. I have my coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you *Doodle).
Dragonfly, I second others in saying don’t be daunted by long posts, just pop in and out as you feel able and post whatever you want to. ? So pleased to know that your DGD is happier at her new school.
Bradfordlass, I agree that Ronnie Scott’s club looks seedy in the daylight. At night I think it looks exactly as a jazz club should look, dark, funky music, candlelight, red wine ... I am glad you met Ronnie, he was an interesting man.
Your improvised ‘hug’ arrangements for sleeping were interesting to read about. It’s surprising how our bodies can work out what’s best for us.
I have breathing difficulties and always sleep on my front. Doctors are now putting Covid patients, who are in induced comas, onto their fronts, as it helps to clear their lungs. I didn’t know that but instinctively sleep that way.
Doodle, how is the quilted tablemat coming on? I am looking forward to seeing a photograph.
Your chick pea and cashew nut takeaway curry sounds lovely ... mmm!
Panache, I am liking the sound of your new winter coat. I bought my current one in 2013 but I don’t think I’ll invest in a new one this year.
Missedout, so you were a jazzer in the ‘70’s ...
Nfkdumpling hope your DDiL is comfortable. So glad the Covid-safety arrangements are benefitting your DGS, the measures sound positive for a child with autism.
Grammaretto, I like Gudrun Sjoden too. I have a round leather bag and a silk scarf from them, which I must have had since about 2010! They are both still in great condition.
Oh, Mammissimo, apple chutney sounds yum. I have left over cold roast pork, I think that would be perfect with it. I have just ordered 48 bamboo toilet rolls from ‘Who Gives A Cr*p’ uk.whogivesacrap.org/. How about swapping some rolls of environmentally friendly bamboo loo paper for a jar of chutney?

Birthday Party, my partner and I feel it’s risky to go out to eat on my Birthday, so we’ll be celebrating at home on Saturday. However, we are ready for the virtual shindig. As some gangsters are not jazz fans, I have decided to hire one of the performance spaces in Cadogan Hall, with a string ensemble. My partner is an accomplished classical guitarist, so he perform with the ensemble.
We will programme long intervals (to ensure Bradfordlass can enjoy some quiet time).

Looking forward to raising a glass with all of you, it will be a ‘wine night’. ? ( not bloomers).

Grammaretto good job MrG has a nice sleep while you were busy with your studio open day.
Do you only use your studio for yourself and your students or do other artists come and use it too? Is MrG into pottery as well or just you?
Bradfordlass I think your homecare lady is not up to the job. Bet you’ll be glad to have your usual girl back? Wish I could clean my bathroom in 3 minutes. I keep it tidy so it’s never really dirty but even so it still takes a while to get round everything.
Oh the noise of that generator would have driven me mad. Good job you’d got that plastic sheeting, just in time.
Oh glad Jeeves was being helpful. He is good at listening ( mind you I think he just likes sitting down with a cuppa and having a natter) ?
Nortsat hope you had a good night.
I was surprised to hear about COVID patients being put on their fronts but a doctor on the TV showed how it works. I had always assumed that lungs were at the front of the body not the back. Apparent, sleeping on your front reduces the pressure on your lungs and makes breathing easier.
I had quite a battle with my quilted mat yesterday. My brilliant idea did not work in practice but a bit of jiggling has come up with something I like. More sewing to do but hopefully straight forward from now on. I will send a picture as the idea behind it is our lockdown gang. ?
Oh I am looking forward to your party. Classical night.........I may well bring my triangle ?. As soon as Jeeves has finished patting Bradfordlass’ hand and done the washing up and peeled her veg we will get him onto making your cake. Any good cake makers out there who would like to supervise him ?
Have a good day all.

Hello to our hearty troops,hopefully much less of the wind and rain,although the forecast does not bode well for next week.
It is dry,rather grey and breezy here,we seem to have escaped the greater rain.........again.
However we live in hope!

Perhaps our men have sleeping sickness Grammaretto for my man is helping himself to a snooze right now,true enough he has been in much pain for the last couple of days,taking extra strong painkiller helped him to some sleep...........but today he is rather zombie like.
It does spare me time to catch up here though!

Pleased hearing the good news re your DiL NfkD........although these days that does not necessarily mean she is feeling much better.But of course home is always best.

Don`t kid yourself,you have a good memory Cherry.....yes still awaiting this Dermatology appointment although marked urgent.
However I was to have been seen by them in July......checking up on my last little `op.........however quite frankly I have quite a dilemna,you see this is held in Prince Phillip Hospital,outside Llanelli .........and that area is rife with covid......you see my point I am sure.
But yes,it still remains an urgent case.

Am not usually "into" cardies but again like coats,necessary living here it seems.

Really envious of you and your Camper van living,like us with our Caravans,at least you have precious memories,and they count such a lot as we get older.

Have been hearing much about Hever Castle and then not only do you mention it today Mamissimo, I actually had a little tour around its magnificent gardens (thanks to Breakfast TV,and their weather gal!!)
Amazing how much I learn this way.

Did I hear you mention the magic word....chutney?
That would be the ideal "cover up" for our inedible meals here I feel sure!
I do love home made chutney by the way!

Sadly no photos Bradfordlass as I simply have not mastered the art of producing pictures here on GN.....yet.

I was thinking of you Doodle whilst dyslexia was being discussed this very morning
It mentioned that most with it are very artistic and creative........spot on there...... when I think of your painting and quilting for starters.
Sorry hearing about yesterday`s few mishaps,perhaps simply,just not your day.........or perhaps too much vino!!!

Indeed I could not agree more Norstat......home is best,and safest,for any of our celebrations right now.
On that note do you think it wise to have all of us indoors partying the night away,Boris would be most annoyed!!

We have a late night Hospital visit if you please,not at all to our liking,but one of those "musts".
I have a scan of this offending lung at 6pm.
I only hope my dear one`s back pain eases by then,but it is only a short trip and we shall soo be back in our comfy nest!

Time to wish you all a speedy farewell,take great care and hopefully life is being as kind as can be to you all

Hello Gangsters,

I hope you get on alright at the hospital later Panache fingers crossed for you. Do you get a taxi?

Some people are behaving strangely at present. A new group have begun work next door in the Town Hall and I hear there is someone in particular who is policeing everyone to the Nth degree.

She insisted on opening the windows in the shared office - quite right too but wasn't expecting a squirrel to be sitting on her chair when she returned from the loo.

I have a friend who works in the same building who keeps me informed amused by the goings-on.

MrG is a bit better today. He says the macaroni cheese for supper was a big improvement on the soup/mortar I served for lunch.
His mum though has been a worry this morning. I have been trying to get someone to call and check on her and him but her Dr's surgery is like Fort Knox with a dragon (or several) in reception.

Times like that I imagine that I am the Queen and wonder what they would do if I was! "Sorry marm, we don't do home visits and you're too late to get a phone call today. Don't shout at me..... you may be 94 but we have other patients"

I'm already looking forward to your party Nortsat. I love music although I don't play an instrument - not even the triangle.

Nortsat Despite what I said about music, I could listen to acoustic, classical guitar without clenching my teeth
I listened to Andrés Segovia and Julian Bream, as a teenager, wanting to learn on my very cheap guitar.

Doodle I'm going to sound very judgemental here but the homecare people seem to fall into 2 categories: those who are temporary workers, like my friend Deepthi, a senior social worker, waiting for a permanent work visa.
And the ladies who left school with few or no qualifications, married early, had children and are now back to work.

Like the lady who came yesterday (and whom I discovered later, had done nothing in the bathroom except leave the unused cleaning equipment on the dirty sink), they are not the sharpest knives in the box and couldn't really do anything else.

I keep up the basic hygiene in both bathroom and kitchen of course but rely on someone with good eyesight to do it thoroughly in between.
I hate being reliant on people for everything but without them, I couldn't be independent in my own home. So I'm grateful to have this free service, however much I moan when it falls short of what it should be.

Panache hope your late-night appointment went without a hitch. You'd both be coming home in the dark and I wonder if you were driving and how safe that was for you? Hospital appointment clerks take no account of such things, as I know to my cost.

Grammaretto a squirrel on the seat? I wish I'd seen her face

I hope you get someone to check on your mil - what about the Age Scotland Helpline, would they advise you? 0800 12 44 222 That's if mil is in Scotland of course.

Alison's birthday morning tea has been postponed until tomorrow, so I'm all dolled up and nowhere to go.

From a delightfully sunny 22 degrees yesterday, Waitakere is now basking in almost 12 degrees and overcast.

Wishing everyone a restful night and a glorious day ahead, whatever the weather.

Panache sorry to hear MrP has been in a lot of pain. Painkillers quite often have a strong sedative effect but at least he is getting some respite from the pain while he is asleep.
How funny you should see Hever Castle on breakfast TV this morning. Did they show many of the toilets? I gather Mamissimo has visited them all with her DGD ?
I understand the dilemma of needing to be seen by someone but avoiding the COVID areas. I doubt yours is an appointment they can do on the phone.
Oooh Panache how could you ? as if I would allow my to interfere with my quilting. Drunk in charge of a sewing machine could be dangerous ?
Hope your scan goes well. Hopefully at that time of night it shouldn’t be too busy and you can get back home quickly.
Grammaretto that story about the squirrel really made me laugh. I bet she had a surprise,
I wonder what the people in the office are up to?
So uplifting to hear MrG is feeling a bit better today. Macaroni cheese is a good filling dish to get inside him.
Sorry to hear your MIL is not well. Somehow I don’t imagine the Queen has the same problem with the Drs receptionist (mind you I bet one could stick up for oneself if need be ?)
I could always teach you how to play the triangle at Nortsat’s party. It’s a very underestimated instrument you know ?
Bradfordlass it’s a shame that your homecare lady didn’t at least try and make an effort to clean up. It may be a free service for you but I expect someone is paying for it and it’s not fair for her to take advantage like that.
Shame you missed your friend’s tea today but now you have it to look forward to tomorrow. Hope your friend has a nice birthday .
Sleep well everyone. No erotic dreams now. We don’t want to frighten Jeeves ?

Good morning! I was completely chutnied last night so fell into bed early. We made the beetroot and chilli and brined the green tomato ready for today. While that's cooking I'll weigh out and mix the Christmas puddings and the mincemeat to that they can cook tomorrow while we garden. I think we are gluttons for punishment but I hate food waste!

Has anyone else noticed that supermarket delivery slots are getting a little sparser recently? I was slow off the mark booking this week and I'll have to wait till Saturday...so that means a sneaky takeaway on Friday. We will have earned it!

DD2's Covid test results was negative but it took 4 days! Ridiculous when she's a teacher. She's scuttled back to skool this morning feeling like a fraud. My other DD has a UTI but the doctor thought it might be a kidney stone. As she's gone to Sainsbugs this morning I don't think it's a stone.

I'm looking forward to the Nortsat bash and wondered if there was a dress code? I'll bring some chilli chutney to go with the cheese - and my castanets to accompany the guitarist. Mr M wondered if should bring his bugle to play the Last Post but I told him firmly that would put a damper on the festivities.

Panache I do hope you are safely returned and all was well. I don't like the thought of you out after dark!

Bradfordlass I have decided to employ cleaners by height in the future. Our last one was four foot nothing in her socks and long sighted so she couldn't see or reach the dust/fluff/cobwebs....the current post holder is over six foot tall and dyspraxic. She can't see the dust/fluff on the floor, keeps breaking the hoover but removes cobwebs from the cornice without using attachments.

I'm off back to my cauldron and will pop back later

A bright and breezy greeting gangsters,yes faded blue skies and sunshine here,whilst we are being treated to a complete garden make over............trimming all the box hedging,ditching the many brambles,weeds etc and generally putting right what a summertime of growth has done to our garden!!

I can actually feel a fever mounting in anticipation of your "do" Norstat..........I did learn the violin whilst at school but quite frankly, I don`t think I should dare inflict the pain on your delicate eardrums!!!
Diligently awaiting further instructions .

Feeling completely jaded after an early delivery from Tesco.........no bags but those crate fillers again,so I donned my mask,popped my head outside the door and asked the driver very sweetly, could he bring in all our bottled water..........which he did with a smile......so I did manage better than last time.
Obviously time to be wary though as our Shredded Wheat request was subsituted by Cornflakes..........just as well we have quietly been stockpiling a few basic essentials.
I canot start the day without my shredded wheat!

So along with less delivery slots it is time to keenly look out for your own essentials.

Understanding and feeling for you Grammaretto with a husband whom is obviously finding food difficult at this point in time,so hard for him........... but it makes it so hard for you too.

For all that mentioned this......I was fortunate with my appointment last evening,arriving at the department with just the requested 5 minutes prior to be seen,I was quickly huddled into the room and within minutes was back out buttoning up my coat...........hence home before the dark.
We are making a point of only morning and early afteroon appointments allowed now......so fingers crossed.

Indeed Doodle my poor man is in even worse pain this day,so painkillers have been administered very early.

I find it such a co incidence hearing someone here mention a place and the next minute I seem to hear or see that same place mentioned on TV........small world!!
No toilets mentioned on my "visit" to Hever Castle by the way!!

We had the similar dilemna with our lady cleaner prior to shielding Mamissimo........she was surely not a lot more than 5' .......so her cleaning reflected that,she cleaned the one area I could (and now do) manage myself,no thought to the above and below!!
This one also had tender hands and kept breaking things,so indeed shielding and relieving her of her duties was but a joy!!

Considering joining you at 22 % Bradfordlass............whilst having vision issues like your good self, this cleaning of certain areas does prove quite difficult.
Even after hoovering my man has to check our two dark coloured rugs for "bits".......... because I never can hoover them perfectly.

Supposedly the menu states"Cawl,with crusty bread and cheese".........a really welsh meal that has me licking my lips.
However I dread to think what may arrive...............but for now, whilst still good humoured I will wish you all a very good and peaceful day,hopefully sprinkled with lots of pleasant tit bits which you will later reveal to all of us!!!!

Take good care.

Mamissimo I think I will adopt that phrase for being worn out, completely chutnied ? Don’t forget to put some aside for our kitchen.
Yes I’ve noticed there are not as many delivery slots now......mind you I am not adverse to a take away. ?
Glad your daughters test was negative.what a relief. I doubt your other DD has a kidney stone. I had one once....I wouldn’t have been to put one foot in front of the other let alone go to Sainsbury. ?
I am looking forward to Nortsat’s party too. Your castanets will add to it. Not sure about the Last Post though. ?
Perhaps you should employ your cleaners on alternate weeks one to do down below and one to do ceilings.
Panache oh so you have gardeners in tidying up. I wonder if the gardeners are any good at cooking ?
I think you could play the violin. I’m sure you are as accomplished on the violin as I am on the triangle?
Glad you’re getting your Tesco deliveries, I should hope you don’t have to carry bottled water, that’s far too heavy.
Good job you’ve got supplies of Shredded Wheat to keep your energy up. Yes stockpiling seems to be coming back.
Good idea to have your appointments early or late to avoid the rush.
I am so sorry MrP is in such pain now. Do the painkillers offer relief?
I don’t think I have ever heard of Cawl. I await your verdict and en explanation please. ?

Doodle! ? I can assure you that "down below" is immaculate and not requiring the services of a short, long sighted domestic assistant! Norty! Jeeves checks the housekeeping standards regularly.

Now back to Bake Orf.

Helle gangsters, I attach a photo to show a typical scene on the canal.

I hope there is a strong enough signal to post this!

Obviously meant to say 'Hello' to all. I've had several unsuccessful attempts at posting, so got careless with the post that actually went out!

Isn't a cawl something to do with a calves afterbirth Panache? Or is that just what it's called in Norfolk.

DH wot does the shopping has been stocking up too. A little at a time. When does stocking up become stock piling? B&Q are selling toilet rolls in 24 packs. I suppose the chap in front of us who bought two might be stock piling?!

I've only ever had a cleaner for around a couple of years when the children were little and my back was really bad. She refused to do their rooms unless they'd been tidied - which meant the often didn't get cleaned - it was all I could do to keep the rest of the house tidy in case I got told off too. She did the ironing too and spring cleaned one room a week on top of regular stuff. She was a whirlwind!

I had a reflexology appointment this morning and I'm feeling decidedly calm and laid back, my achey back isn't and my feet feel wonderful. I don't know how it works but it does so I don't care!

I think I'd better book a Tesco slot next - or try to. I'm worried now. We can, and do shop locally most of the time, but with things getting worse Covid wise I don't want to loose our vulnerable status so we're still ordering on line once a month.

Oh, Missedout that looks wonderful. And its not raining! (Although we did see the sun briefly today.)

A very good evening gang ?

Yes I've been afflicted by the proverbial shakes and shambles that are my seizures. I'm not very chatty but my Tigger tail is intact, just a little droopy.

To add insult to injury yesterday was taken up with a stream of endless phone calls to circumlocution offices. I must have rang 13 (why that number not that I'm superstitious) different numbers, spoke to 14 different people and had 9 calls back. Finally at 5:50pm there were no more to make and no more received, oh the relief.. well it would have been if everything was resolved but it wasn't. Today has panned out a little better, only 4 calls to make but... well let's just say I still have one outstanding issue to resolve. Car ✔️, utilities ✔️, bank ✔️ but oh the one and outs of a long-standing saga (since January anyway) of our new kitchen and remodelling the configuration?❌. Enough to give anyone the shakes, disorientation and discombobulation.

Mamissimo I hope you are recovering after being chutneyed.
Great news about your DD2 ?. Four days is disgusting for a teacher to wait, it puts other colleagues and the school children in limbo and that's without considering family members and understandable concern (and concerns regarding whom those persons have been in contact with).

Panache I'm glad that you didn't have to hang around when you had hospital appointment. I'm sorry to hear that Mr P is experiencing a lot of pain again at the moment, I hope it eases back again. I hope ? that the cawl was good or at least acceptable. I'm still mulling over the issue you are having and since it is a service you are being provided the food ought to be of a nutritional standard, eg. 5 portions of fruit &/or veg' a day. To not provide this it does constitute abuse; a simple matter of safeguarding vulnerable persons. Sorry I'll shut up but it angers and upsets me.

Grammaretto I hope you have managed to obtain help from the GP practice to check on your mum and that your mind is at rest. I'm pleased that Mr G managed to eat some macaroni cheese, I hope that he has been eating okay since.
What's going on at the town hall building? I'm nosey intrigued to know more.

You want to know what cawl is Doodle. Shall I tell you ?. Since you asked *Panache I'll leave the honour to her ?
What have you been up to this week, and how is Mr D?

Hopefully I'll post again tomorrow, all being steady and not shakey ?

I hope the rest of the gang are okay. Nighty night.

Oh Missedout that looks perfect. Where are you?
I took MrG on a drive today. The River Tweed with changing Autumn colours looked lovely but we didn't get out of the car.
I think I need both the tall and the short cleaner. please I sat on the floor with legs up the wall today in yoga and was far too close to the dirt.
I'm not surprised you are all chutnied out Mamissimo. That was a marathon.

I'm glad your hospital visit was quick Panache and I hope your meals are improving.

Cawl is a welsh soup but caul is the fetal membrane. You learn something new every day on here.
Night night everyone. Sleep well.

Eek, didn't mean to put all that in bold, it looks like I'm shouting at you Doodle ?
Grammaretto has more or less told you what cawl is, a Welsh stew made with lamb. Being Welsh Grammaretto I remember, as a child, reading David Copperfield and being puzzled when Dickens described his eponymous hero as having being born with a caul ?. I couldn't fathom it out, I remember wondering whether the spelling had changed but it couldn't mean the hero was born with Welsh stew. Someone then explained that it was a scull cap or hood ?. More puzzlement since babies are born naked ?

What a wonderful view Missedout, very evocative of Pre Raphaelite artworks.

Nflk I'm tempted to say that if it works don't fix it. It's good to know that reflexology works for you and relieved your pain ?

Ata marie katoa.

Mamissimo I too used to play castanets. Had a lovely sailor uncle (also a magician) who brought gifts from exotic places and I taught myself (incorrectly but effectively) to play.
I do hope Doodle wasn't drinking when you added the bit about 'down below'

I had a similar moment with Ali who often comes out with Malapropisms. We were talking about free lawyers and she said, 'It's called "pre boner" .'

Nfk Glad you feel better after relexology, long may it continue.
People here are not just stocking up but Xmas shopping too. I don't think buying early and storing is the same as stockpiling. Wise to do it now though if you can.

Panache You gave me pause when I read: "Even after hoovering my man..." I thought it a novel way to keep him tidy but then read on and it all made sense.

Missedout what a lovely picture of the canal; it must be so peaceful there.

I'm going to a free, community dinner tonight.
Gosh, leaving the house twice in one week!
It's catered by the Hare Krishna people; they feed thousands, free, every week.

I'm sure we all have our own image of Jeeves but last night, I dreamed of him!
I shall have to be careful or I'll end up like Alexandra David-Néel with her tulpa!

Mamissimo I am so pleased to hear that your down below is spick and span I wondered why Jeeves got a bit hot under the collar sometimes, now I know what he’s been up to with his feather duster.
Missedout that is a lovely photo. The trees are just starting to turn. It looks so peaceful. Thank you for posting it to us.
Nfk hmm. Not sure I’d like to eat that.
The chap who bought two pack of 24 toilet rolls is certainly stockpiling........otherwise he has a serious problem ?
I have never had a cleaner (apart from me) . Too embarrassed at the state of the place. DH collects paperwork and puts “important” stuff on most surfaces round the flat, so we can find it when we need it ......except we can’t ?
That’s interesting about the reflexology. Your the second person I’ve heard of whose benefited from it.
Hope you get your Tesco slot sorted. Hopefully the supermarkets will be better organised this time round.
Cherry sorry you’ve had a shaky day. Your poor Tigger tail, shall I ask Jeeves to starch it for you? ?. I have just remembered I was thinking about you in the wee small hours this morning. I heard a strange noise and opened my eyes just in time to see DH fall out of bed . Fortunately, he was unhurt just bemused as how he managed to get there.
Sounds as though you had a really trying day yesterday. Hope today brought better results.
MrD is fine, thank you for asking. His blood cancer test.results seem to reasonably ok so hope his consultant is pleased when he has his phone appointment in two weeks time.
He had to go to the opticians today as his 8 month old glasses came apart from their frame. They are supplying a new pair foc. He came home very impressed with how well the opticians had set up their shop for COVID and all the precautions they were taking.
I have been sewing again today. I decided my latest quilt (may well be a wall hanging rather than table mat) would be a design to remind me of our lockdown gang. Not being of a very artistic nature I doubt others will understand it but I will show you a photo when it’s done. How is your non art doing.
Hope you have a steady night.
Grammaretto a nice drive looking at the coming autumn colours would have been a nice treat. Hope you both enjoyed it.
I will send Jeeves round with his duster to clean your crevices. Perhaps not while you’re doing yoga ?
Bradfordlass in the morning service at Canterbury Cathedral today the Dean (not the NZ Archdeacon) was talking about NZ and it’s history. Hope you are ok and have an uneventful night shift.
Sleep well all.