The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

Chutney of the day.....Tomato Masala, a Keralan Indian spiced number to go with Naan and curries- that's another couple of kilos gone. DD rang to say could she come to lunch tomorrow- bingo! Tomato soup and a loot bag of the blasted red things to take home with her. We are determined not to waste food ?

Our local town was very quiet this afternoon and I noticed people being very aware about space....we only have three cases within a ten mile circle but I think everyone is very aware and slightly scared.

I'm a bit low tonight but I will take a leaf out of Cherry's book and come back with my tail up.

Sleep tight.

I’m really sorry if I missed someone out. I’m not firing on all cylinders tonight.
My dear friends you have all made such nice comments about hoping we have a good holiday and have a rest etc........you have no idea. I wish we’d stayed at home.
We arrived here yesterday in torrential rain and got completely soaked unloading the car. Finally got everything in and packed away then I started thinking about something to eat. The place has good heating but DH was complaining about being very cold. Then he started shivering and then it got worse. I wrapped a coat round him but still couldn’t control the shaking. I tried making him a hot drink but he couldn’t even hold the cup. Then he started saying he was really tired and after a few minutes he seemed to lapse into unconsciousness. I couldn’t rouse him so I phoned 999. To cut a long story short, the ambulance crew were fantastic. He roused enough to talk to them but they said he had a raging temperature and rigours. Concerned because he is a blood cancer patient they said they would take him to the nearest oncology hospital an hour or so away. I wasn’t allowed to go at all due to COVID restrictions so off they went.
Our sons were fantastic, both wanted to drive down straight away but it was dark and still torrential rain so I persuaded them to wait till I had more news. After many hours wait I managed to find out that he was suspected of having sepsis and a slight chest infection and they were treating him with intravenous antibiotics. They managed to get his temperature down to normal but kept him in overnight to check on him. I am pleased to say he is back with me in the caravan tonight, tired but otherwise ok. He had a weeks worth of antibiotics to take and hope that sorts things out. Neither of us slept much last night so an early night tonight I think. I could have done with your company last night but unfortunately the wi fi wasn’t working at all. Not quite the relaxing holiday we planned.
Do hope you are all ok. Will be in touch when I can. Take care and keep safe.

Hello gangsters. How are you all.
Panache hope this lot of antibiotics work and you are feeling better soon. It’s lovely to hear from you as and when you can pop in.
It sounds as though you have been really busy. Please don’t overdo it. You are not well yourself and those sutures seem to be causing you pain. Sorry MrP is feeling low at the moment. Not surprised he’s upset at having to wait another 6 weeks to be able to see his consultant. You two are certainly going through it,
MayBee it’s understandable you are down if you are missing visits from your DGC. The rules are confusing and it’s hard to comment without knowing all the circumstances. Do you chat to your son, can you ask him about visiting you with the children?
Nfk good your area is reasonably clear of COVID. Still wise to take precautions.
Grammaretto I sincerely hope you are kept safe for the hospital appointment on Thursday. Good the ward concerned has been closed but I doubt that takes all your fears away. An uplifting visit from your DGC. They obviously love their pottery.
Mamissimo I note the post about me being washed away in our caravan. You are closer to the truth than you may have thought, the caravan is ok but we got absolutely drenched. More about that later.
I’m sure your consultant would have been impressed with the pearls had she seen them. ? so pleased that your blood results were good, that is good news.
Missedout even if you had been norty at the party, I doubt the rest of us would have noticed ?. Are you treating your poor hand yourself? Should you not be seeing a nurse at the GPS. I realise how difficult it is to do things . DH had lots of trouble when he fell and grazed his arm. We got round the washing bit with him wearing one of my marigold gloves and a plastic arm sleeve from the GP. Nurse at the surgery told him they advise patients to use baby wipes for washing when they can’t use one of their hands for some reason. That maybe something you could do.
Bradfordlass really hope your friend is now getting some help poor woman. Hope she feels better in herself soon.
cherry hope you are getting on ok and you too dragonfly.

You were lucky to have your operation when you did Mamissimo and seem to have recovered very well.
How interesting to have teazel farmers in the family.
Fancy putting on your pearls for the telephone consultation. You never fail to surprise me!
You've done the Christmas cooking too. Who will make your birthday cake?

Ooh Missedout I feel for you with the damaged hand. I hope it heals quickly.

I hope your night was a better one Cherry
MrG had a much better night than usual. Perhaps he really did need some meat?

We haven't heard anything from the hospital so will just keep the appointment on Thursday and hope and pray that precautions are in place. The affected cancer ward has closed.

I hope your friend is able to properly recover where she is Bradfordlass. Maybe, as a cry for help she will attract some help - or is that too much to expect?

The weather has been so wet all day. I must get out for a walk while it has stopped.

See you all later.

`Morning dear gangsters all,hopefully you are all well recovered and preparing for the next BIG event!!

Am pleased Doodle .......and envious....hearing of your break in a caravan in a quiet spot,that spells peace and recovery to me,you both eed and deserve it so hopefully you will come back (eventually) completely renewed.
I can imagine some nice countryside walks which in Autumn are a lovely colourful scene to behold................just the ticket to uplift and put you in step with the universe again.

It would seem that you have very much the same idea as myself Mamissimo.........dressing up "fit to kill" on one of your Consultant appointments.........eve though it be via zoom or the like...........I am a firm believer in this.
Even last Thursday I took great pride in dressing nicely.
In your case it seems to have worked well for you have had very pleasing blood results.
If Only I had my darn wonky gall bladder removed!

Actually it was only by taking note of my diary that I realised we have a truly busy few days,well busy for us decrepid lot!!!...........
My dear man`s chemo on thursday,our hair cuts friday,monday I have a dental appointment on tuesday I have my breast sutures removed...............somewhere in between I have to change our bed,clean the flat , do the laundry and iron.
Any offers of help welcomed??!!

Still feeling under par as these breast sutures are obviously hurting my arm and its movements..............however nothing compared to what has gone on before!
I will survive for certain!!!

I am certainly well aware and thinking of you with your sore hand Missedout
These scars usually look worse than they really are.

Anyone think Boris has gone down the right path with his restrictions for England???
We have been quite incensed that he simply fails to grasp the fact he needs to get this virus under control.......and pronto.
It is fast reaching all areas and again his determination NOT to halt people from these badly infected areas leaving their homes and possably heading into areas such as the west coast of Wales.................. where thus far we are escaping the greater brunt of covid rates.
Not only will he have to pay,but so will many of us I fear.

Hope your tigger tail is about to start wagging again Cherry.........we do not get anything but doom and gloom right across our fair land these days, so I can well appreciate that...........along with your own issues............ it makes life more than difficult at times.

Very much in my thoughts Grammaretto and I sincerely hope you have found a way to meet with Mr G`s appointment,perhaps even by passing the ward?
So very difficult these days.

My man has got rather depressed when firstly his Consultant failed to ring up in place of a face to face consultation,this now being for the third time.
Having chased them up, we learnt his treatment is failing so that made things worse,then hearing he will next be seen in 6 weeks after a further blood test does nothing to allay the fears in his head........or the suffering within his body.
We are travelling through very hard times for sure.

A day of showers so at the moment there are no walks planned,but we live in hope!
Have a peaceful and productive day ............and remember.........do keep safe!

Good Morning....I'm sitting here laughing at myself because I have a telephone appointment with a new consultant and I've dressed for the occasion....tidy and with pearls. I know she won't be able to see but I will feel that I'll give a better impression. How daft!

I've been learning about Teazle farmers in the USA in the late 1800s. I couldn't work out why I had so many deal relatives ancestors from one area engaged in such an arcane occupation but it turns out that many families from Somerset went to the Onondaga county of New York and thrived there by farming teazles for the textile industry. They were used to raise the nap on cloth u TIL the 1920s.

My most distant relative to do that went from living in one of the troglodyte houses at Cheddar to being a farmer of 160 acres in twenty years. A good decision I think.

My consultant has rung and my bloods are the best they've been for a long time - I'm so glad that I was able to have my gall bladder removed last month. I feel so much for those who are waiting for surgery at the moment but if it's any comfort I felt very safe in hospital and could see the card that was going into keeping Covid away from routine NHS.

A haircut for me this afternoon and that's about it for the day - I hope you all have equally gentle times.

Missedout I don't remember you doing anything untoward at the party but who would have noticed with all the shenanagins going on?

Two solutions occur to the flannel dilemma - first, a sponge might be easier for one hand. But when I had a rta years ago, I rolled my flannel in a hand towel and stomped on it!
You could try a bread bag over the dressing but it sounds as if you need a relaxing bath with Epsom Salts.

How sad not to see your Northeners. And also to see your poor DH in agony. I'll try to send good vibes.

Oh dear Cherry please know we're all thinking about you and hoping for better times.

I had a call from my friend, now locked into a psych ward for the next 10 days. All I could say was try to take advantage of the peace and quiet and recover. I felt that an utterly feeble comment but what else is there to say? She, like me, value time alone and with no noise around.

when I first got AMD they warned me some patients have hallucinations. Yesterday I saw a rat slithering slowly across the carpet. It wasn't of course but an interesting delusion nevertheless.

Maybee did you find out about the "hot" areas? I hope you're not worrying.

I'm going back to bed now, having eaten a little guacamole.

Take care everyone

I'm sneaking in quietly, if I offended anyone at the party, I apologise. I remember enjoying myself and it took ages to wash the resin (from violin bow?) out of my hair the next day or ..... was it today?

I hope your robotics work quickly, Panache and that Doodle enjoys a much deserved break.

DH had a scheduled operation cancelled with one day's notice in March. Now he has another pre op appointment next week, just as the Covid numbers are rising. While DH's problem is not life threatening, he has been suffering for at least 18 months. I hope he stays safe. I wish the same for Mr Grammaretto.

Cherry, sorry to hear that your tigger tail may be drooping again. I hope you have a good night's rest.

We were hoping to make a rapid weekend trip to our Northern family branch but heard today that they are in a high risk tier. I guess we won't see them in person again this year. I hope we can get to see our other DGD soon, they live in a medium risk tier area. I've told her Mum and Dad that the chickens are asking after her. DH and I have our fingers crossed.

I re-dressed my poorly hand today. I'm such a wuss, I could hardly look at it and it hurt! It's going to take a while to heal. I think I will have to have a bath because I don't think I can keep my hand dry while in the? . I'm struggling to give myself a good 'strip wash', I can't wring out the flannel. I'm glad I insisted on a having a bidet installed when updating our en suite. Too much information perhaps.

Good night all.

Thanks Panache to think of me with your own situation the way it is.

I cooked chicken tonight for MrG to see if some meat would help him. I have cooked vegetarian for 30 years but sometimes he likes a bit of meat.

We missed you NfkD on Saturday! although the champagne was flowing and I can hardly remember who was there

It was lovely seeing the littlies this morning. I could hardly get the busy pair to stop their pottery for lunch. They kissed grandpa but didn't jump on him. They instinctively knew that he is fragile.

Nfk Maybe you need to emphasise your health issues when asking for improved commication? Surely you're in a vulnerable category. As for the wretched computer; the answer is often to reinstall things which are going wrong.

Panache Glad you were 'seen to' and are now a little more comfortable.
I don't know about living life in the fast lane - at the moment, a snail could whizz by me.
We're down to Level One which means social groups have resumed but I'm not well enough to attend (for their sake as well as my own) as I had such a high fever last night that I was in wonderland. It's still very hazy in my head so no doubt it will go up again this arvo.
I can't eat either but am taking Buckwheat Tea and water to keep myself hydrated.

Grammaretto it's grim news about the cancer ward, are you confident that all super-precautions will be in place for you DH?

Enjoy your break Doodle hope it's not too wet. I began married life in a caravan and have a particular fondness for small space living.

Lemon Meringue? Makes my teeth ache just reading about it. Give me an oatcake anyday ;-)

Evening all.....glad you're home again Panache. Here's to hoping that the robotics kick in quickly. Isn't it always the way that you go to get one thing fixed and then collect some new problems while you're there.

I think Boris has missed a big trick today by not banning travel in or out of the top tier areas. If anyone in Liverpool wants a night out they'll head out of town in the same way that Bolton went to Wigan on Friday nights. I feel angry for Wales - it doesn't need any more virus either.

I hope doodle hasn't been washed away in her caravan- I'm on the south coast and it's been a damp drizzling wet sort of day. The forecast seems to improve later in the week so fingers crossed!

Early night for me- I need to recharge!
Sleep tight

Glad to see you back Panache. Hopefully on the road to recovery - well, as recovered as possible!

Maybee, it's worth looking on the Government Covid website. There's so much information on there. And the www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54373904 site tells you what restrictions are in your postcode area.

I'm in a low incidence area (well, medium on the new regime) so we can visit other houses with only the rule of six restriction. Shielding isn't in force at all. It's very much down to our own common sense taking our health problems into consideration. Theoretically I can have my DD and family to stay the night as there'd only be six of us in the house. Not sure we'd be comfortable with that yet although she wants to come at half term. We're waiting to see what things are like then.

If your DGC are at school there's probably more chance of infection from there than a meeting with your ex.

MayBee70 That sounds very mean. I agree the rules are confusing . Today the grandchildren were brought round to us and left for a couple of hours. I've just taken them back to the other grandparents. We adults stood at the door! We can both see the children but not each other. Does that make sense?
I think you are allowed to see your DGC if they are under 12 but it's up to you of course and maybe your son is protecting you.
We are in the central belt of Scotland and the rules may be different where you are.

Feeling a bit down today after hearing that my son had taken the grandchildren to visit their grandad (my ex) the other weekend. I haven’t been in anyone else’s house for over 6 months and don’t plan to do so for the foreseeable future, not just to protect myself but everyone else. I really don’t know what the rules are any more but thought you couldn’t go into anyone else’s house if they weren’t in your bubble?

Hello to all my partying friends.

Here`s hoping you have all recovered,it seems you will all need a super speed to get fighting fit in time for yet another birthday do,and knowing our Mamissimo whom does nothing by halves my imagination is already going wild!!!

After a lengthy wait I have again been attended to and am hopefully via yet more A/B`s on the way back to feeling better....but still with a pretty useless arm in the meantime........thankfully it is my left one.
However I can forsee my contributions maybe rather erratic as my dear man has so many issues and I have had to alert various people needig some guidance........all time consuming.
So I know you all to be so understanding,I will do my best to keep in touch .............in fact my greatest concern is missing a few days and all that uplifting reading.
You all live life in the fast lane it would seem!

Thinking especially of the dilemna facing you and your dear man Grammaretto.........naturally we all worry hearing when this darn virus is nearing our shire or town,but having it in the Cancer Ward which you both attend is in deed concerning.
Please keep in close touch with the Staff there and they will surely find a way around your husband`s needful appointment.
Keep your pecker up dear lady..........there are always answers .
Hopefully you are all feeling reasonably well,and on the road to full recovery from all your jigging around!
Stay safe .

Nfk we missed you. Sorry about your internet problems.
Mamissimo’s birthday bash coming up soon, so another chance for a party ?
Hope you get your pond fixed. Sounds a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Thank you. The weather is looking overcast but not too wet for our little break so we hope to be able to get out a bit.
Grammaretto that’s lovely to be having a visit from your DGC. I bet they like coming to your place and playing with your clay. Any budding artists?
Panache I sincerely hope you are ok and back home.
Take care all. Will catch up when I can.

Good morning Everyone

I'm annoyed. That's the second 'Do' I've missed! To make it worse McAfee kept popping up to say my internet was working fine - And It Wasn't! All weekend. No sooner had I got online and started to type something, it crashed. I'd be halfway through reading something and the screen would start to dance - and it would crash. I think our old BT phone line from the pole is knackered, but I can't get anyone to come and see to it as there's no way to contact Open Reach directly and no provision for knackered wires on the Sky site.

I think it's the deluges of rain we've been having of late. All seems to be well again now as it's not raining and I have six pages of chat to catch up on. It looks like you all had a really good time though. So HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY NORTSAT!

We've got a leak in our pond. There's a tiny, tiny hole in the liner - somewhere. So most of the weekend between showers has been taken up by hauling overly large plants out - it's a job that's been needing to be done for some time - and watching to see where the level drops to. It's about six inches down now and the dropping has slowed considerably so we must be getting close to the hole. Except that yesterday the level went up by half an inch as we had such heavy downpours!

Have a lovely break Doodle

Will try to pop back again later to hopefully see how Panache got on. Fingers crossed she's tucked up at home safe and sound and sorted.

Yum lemon meringue pie! Something I used to make but never do nowadays.
I had a phone call from the other DGP this afternoon, who are looking after the DGC for a few days . She's bringing them over here tomorrow and leaving them for a while. Perhaps we could make lemon meringue pie? more likely play with clay...
I hope DH is up for it. As long as they don't jump on him it should be fine.
I'll need to clear the decks. It looks like a mess little untidy.

Mamissimo my son loves lemon meringue pie. May I take a piece for him please? I try and make it but mine aren’t very good. Yours looks lovely.
Hmmm. Not sure I saw a single trustworthy senior citizen on the dance floor last night Mamissimo but I’ll give you all the benefit of the doubt ?

Doodle we don't need a prefect- we're all trustworthy slightly senior citizens......what could go wrong? ?

Panache poor you.....sounds like you need some of those robotics PDQ. Hope they sort you out quickly!

You'll all be terribly excited to learn that the HotBin did get sorted this afternoon and I've left a spare (is there ever such a thing?) lemon meringue pie in the larder. I put Jeeves in charge of it so that there's some left for latecomers.

I do hope you are alright Panache and get that pain sorted out. Sending ((hugs))

Evening all. Just recovering from the party. What a wonderful time we all had Nortsat. Did you get your clock?

Hope all goes well at A&E Panache and you are back home safely soon.
Cherry Jeeves is keeping himself busy today. I think he’s a bit embarrassed by his performance last night.
I agree we need to recover before Mamissimo’s birthday.
DH and I have decided some quiet time is in order and we are going to go to my BIL’s caravan tomorrow for the week. It is near the south coast but on a secluded spot and we will take all our food with us so no need for socialising. The WiFi there is a bit intermittent (to put it mildly) so if you don’t hear from me, don’t worry. I will try and keep in touch the best I can.
The question is, who should be in charge while I am away...........after last nights performance I am not sure.....Jeeves will report back to me so be on your best behaviour. ?

Panache, just a note to say hope all went well at A&E and that you are now more comfortable.
Sending you all good thoughts and virtual flowers. ?

What a birthday bash that was Nortsat ?. I'm pleased you enjoyed your special day. Now we know just how kinky Jeeves is too ? ?.

Dame Judy, who's she anyway Doodle ?. Mind you perhaps BradfordLass thought the same thing because she's kept very quiet (I am only kidding) ?. Perhaps my accent was a tad incomprehensible by the end of the evening after all ?

I'm glad we've got a good bit of time to recover before your birthday bash Mamissimo as going by your moves on the dancefloor you'll have us all doing a cancan. Oops, I hope I haven't given you any ideas, don't think I'm up to that kind of dance ?. End of the rubber beans, don't go getting any ideas about rubber either ?

Catch up later hopefully. I did have another seizure in the night so if I don't return today I know the gang will understand.

Sorry to hear about your arm Panache. It does sound pretty nasty, not a nice prospect but I think you are right to visit A&E. I hope they give you a thorough examination and get the swelling down for you. I hope Mr P is alright in the meantime.