The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

DH and I are really tired. Don’t know why really but we are both planning an early night.
Managed to get round to both sons and their families today without encountering any of the promised rain which was good. Lovely to see them all again. Our DGD had made another beautiful cake and of course we had to try some as it would have been rude to refuse. ?
cherry those burns sound awful. I’m glad you don’t iron.
I tend to do mine little and often as I don’t enjoy it much.
DH has received at least 4 calls from the council during lockdown. It seems to be a bit hit and miss depending on which county you live.
I’m glad bradfordlass has enough food too otherwise we’d have to arrange a drone drop of some beans ?
grammaretto sounds as though you had a lovely day with all the family although I wonder if your son in NZ had a bit of a shock ?.
Hope everyone has a good night. Including my DH who was wearing holes in the carpet last night. Sleep well all.

Lots of happy news with everyone able to see family and have parties - how lovely.

Gosh, a NakedHappyBirthdayGrammaretto wearing nothing and flashing her bits at the world and DoodlesDH wearing holes in a carpet! What is the world coming to?

Some good news from my end (if you'll pardon the expression) my Homecare lady is coming tomorrow in defiance of the agency, and will go shopping for my vegetables. Yipee!

We'll have no contact as this time I do have some cash in the house and will santise it before putting it out in the mailbox with a list.

Doodle Waipareira Trust offer full-spectrum care and was set up for Maori but is by no means exclusive.
The big difference in Maori philosophy (kaupapa) is that every issue is considered wholistically: physical, emotional, spiritual and family (called Te Whare nga Tapa Wha - Four Corners of the House).

It's not just a case of 'diagnose and prescribe'. Every aspect of the person's life is considered.

They use natural remedies and therapies alongside conventional ones and in some cases, offer (but not impose) prayer (karakia) before treatment commences. Whatever makes the patient feel comfortable and safe.

It's not just in health but all things. They value and respect elders for our wisdom and knowledge. Companion education is 'kaupapa Maori' too.

All this is close to my own philosophy, so I prefer it to a more conventional way of viewing the world.

No Covid results yet - will keep you posted.

Forgot to say, in a mirror of Eyam in the 1666 Great Plague, all road in and out of Auckland are now closed and police-patroled.

Very interesting to read a little about Maori culture Bradford, thank you.
Belated happy birthday grammaretto, sounds like you had a lovely day. ?
Doodle plenty of cake ... ? mmm ...

It’s dry in east London currently and quite bright. I have a clothes horse full of washing in our (small) utility room and am quite tempted to put it outside on the line. I think it would undoubtedly begin to rain, the moment I finished pegging it out ... so perhaps I’ll resist ...

Have a nice, peaceful day, all you gangsters ?

bradfordlass thank you for your explanation of Waipareira Trust. What a comforting way of giving care and support. If you don’t mind my asking, how did you come to be involved with the Maori people as you obviously feel very much a part of the community?
So glad your home lady is going to continue your shopping. No wonder you’re pleased.
How are your son and his family managing? Hope they are keeping safe.
Nortsat watch out for the weather. We have just had a torrential downpour. Not forecasted and quite sudden. Wouldn’t want your clothes to get wet, knowing how we all love ironing ?
grammaretto I am so sorry I read your post yesterday but somehow completely skipped over the fact that it was your birthday. Belated happy returns from me too. Glad you had such a nice day.
We had an early start this morning. DH had a problem with his leg last night. It was very painful. I managed to get an appointment with the nurse this morning and having checked him out thinks he has got ....cellulitis! Off to collect antibiotics this afternoon and then ta da ..a trip to the hairdresser for me.
Can’t wait.
Hope everyone has a good day.

So sorry to hear your DH now has cellulitis Doodle send him our best wishes.
I love the look of the Waipareira Trust Bradfordlass and can see why it would appeal to you.
I don't get too excited about birthdays they keep coming round except that it is an opportunity to see the family and to have my own way.
as in "I'm having raspberries with extra thick cream because it's my birthday"
I thought there was another Leo on here too...who is it?

The consultant himself has just phoned me about DH's blood test results and about our appointment tomorrow. Isn't that wonderful!
We owe so much everything to the NHS.

My friend, whose DD has been in a car accident in the States (where she lives), has the extra worry about how they can afford treatment. It cost eye-watering amounts for an ambulance, let alone the childcare and recuperation costs which are not covered by insurance.

Mamissimo will be having her gall bladder operation next week - is that right?
Good luck for that and I hope you make a superquick recovery.

Doodle is having a haircut today her head shaved
enjoy!!

I went for a walk in heavy rain this morning. It is really not much fun at all, but I am going to try to get a bit fitter and a friend has offered to chum me so we chat.

It's still raining.
?️?️?️?️
☂️☂️☂️☂️

Evening ☺️

I went out today and inside a premises in the outside world ? ?. I know I had my hair cut last week so did actually go inside a place outside my own home but there were only three other people there (mine was the last haircut of the day) and they were all in full PPE. I hope you are pleased with your haircut by the way Doodle. Anyway I digress ?... my WP and me went to a garden centre ?. Oh dear, I'd better not tell my consultant who advised I shield until my appointment in September ?. There were very few people around and I didn't feel uncomfortable, not until one very tall and equally wide make member of staff was stood in a place where we couldn't get round him without getting very close. He seemed completely oblivious to the issue ?. So we stood where we were and stayed where we were. He looked. He stood. We looked. We stood. Eventually I think he got the message to move but I still don't think he got the reason - grrh! The rest of the visit was lovely ☺️. We got some much needed food for our Azaleas, same bark, some bedding plants to put around our fountain and some spring bulbs to plant next month ?. It was like being in a sweet shop - simple pleasures, ones we haven't been able to have.

Doodle, yes the burns were awful ☹️. The first time I burnt my hand I had no idea what had happened. I remember looking at my hand (no pain at that point) and saying "what are those marks on my hand" over and over and louder and louder. I was told by NHS direct , who co-ordinated my arrival (as it was out of hours) to go straight to the Burns unit. My hand was treated and bandaged up like a boxing glove. We had to miss a holiday because of treatment every other day. When I burnt it a second time I couldn't believe it.

Grammaretto, I'm pretty sure that Mamissimo said last week her operation is in two weeks time - so next week.

Brilliant news BradfordLass. What a lovely Homecare lady, the kind of person who restores a bit of faith in mankind ?.
I've heard of that kind of philosophy adopted by the Maori population only I didn't know what it was called or indeed that it came from them. It speaks to me too, a wholistic approach. A person is not just a body, the brain is not just an organ, we are emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual embodied in the physical.

Nortsat, goodness knows what this summer is all about. We've had days here, today being one, where it has started grey and unpromising but has brightened up before becoming grey and threatening. I won't grumble, unless I've got washing to go on the line.

Oh Doodle I'm really sorry to hear that Mr D has got cellulitis, it's a nasty condition. He's not long come off one lot of antibiotics had he and is now on another. I hope they are effective.

You sound exactly like a friend of mine Grammaretto who when asked about her birthday said "it came and it went but I was with my dad and I saw my son and my granddaughter". In other words, it afforded her the opportunity to see her family. Just like you did and just like that was the important thing for you too ?
I hope your friend in the U.S is feeling okay. I don't get it about America, the land of the free and extortionately expensive health care that most people cannot afford.

"Well, I better be bouncing along now, chum(s)! Cheerio! Hoo - hoo - hoo - hoo!"
(Tigger ) AA Milne

grammaretto thank you for your good wishes to DH. When we got home with the antibiotics he discovered they weren’t suitable for him as they clashed with another medication he is on so we have a new prescription to collect tomorrow.
Ooh I like the sound of your treat. It’s a bit like Eaton Mess and I love that.?
Sorry to hear about your friend’s daughter having an accident in the US. I assumed the insurance costs covered everything. You are right, we are very lucky with the NHS.
Yes, at last I have had my hair cut. I feel light as a feather (even if I’m not ?).
cherry how’s our Tigger today? ?. DH and I use the same tactic of standing still and waiting for others to catch on that we wont walk past them if there’s not enough room. It’s amazing how long it takes for some people to catch on.
DH has a big badge from the blood cancer people which says in big letters “Please stand back I’m shielding”. He wears it on his shirt pocket, I’m not sure it works though as someone we walked past wished him Happy Birthday the other day. ?
Glad you enjoyed your visit to the garden centre.
cherry you poor thing with those burns. I hate burns. So painful even the little ones let alone what you did.
Yes I think mamissimo’s op is next week too. Hope we’re right.
DH isn’t too bad with the cellulitis at the moment. He’s never had it before. Hope it doesn’t get worse as his legs are not good at the best of times.
Hope you have a good night cherry and don’t let Tigger bounce on the floor.
Sleep well all.
Jeeves is back to making hot chocolate as it’s turned colder so just call if you want some. ?

Jeeves, can I please have one of your delicious hot chocolates now, and oh .. can I have some whipped cream and chocolate shavings on the top.

Thank you Jeeves ?

Night gang-sters , sleep peacefully ?

Hello! I'm late.....

Grammaretto you are right....my op is next Monday. I'm still fighting off the darned cellulitis and need to be rid of it by the end of the week. PrevIously it's gone with one course of antibiotics but I finish course two tomorrow and I'm not convinced it's gone. This has happened because my treatment for my main condition was delayed - a bit like chaos theory!

I am sorry for Mr Doodle - at least mine is half under control now. Did he get the chills? I'm a multiple extra blanket girl when it starts and now I always wonder whether it's cellulitis when I shiver.

No interesting news here...I'm too busy being good!

Sleep tight,

Nortsat I have very dear friends in Deptford Wharf.

Cherry ♪ ♫ When an irresistible force ♪ ♫ such as you ♪ ♫
meets an old immovable object like the man in the garden centre ♩ ♪ ♫ you can give a loud BEEP BEEP! ♬ Then something's gotta give, somethings gotta give, somethings gotta give.♩ ♪ ♫.

Glad to see you've got your inner Tigger back.

Grammaretto your walk in the rain plus your recent confessions reminded me of a long-ago visit to a sun club where one of the delights was walking in the warm summer rain.

Doodle I was interested in Maori culture right from the early 70's but my real involvement came a decade later when I wanted to be a bone carver.
It's traditionally a Maori male craft but a famous carver encourged me to pester ask the local marae to consider me. It took years of importunate pleas but eventually they got sick of me going back every 6 months and accepted me.

Then I began learning Maori language (te reo) as well, because I felt that would help me understand the different tribes and designs.

I took courses in tikanga (correct protocols, history & tradition) Maori medicine (rongoa) and Mauri ora (spiritual understanding & well-being).

There was a long break away from things Maori until 2013 when I became involved again and eventually joined the elders' group.
There's still a lot to learn and I'm keen to do more on natural healing practices and herbs.
I still use English herbs, as I did in the UK.
If I were 20-30 years younger, I'd go work with a tohunga (expert) such as the one I was supposed to see today but one needs transport and good eyesight too

I've just taken delivery of a very welcome box of food from Waipareira which I wasn't expecting until late next week.
It contained 4kg of sausages, frozen chips, a leek and some herbs; assorted tins; bagels; shampoo/conditioner, soaps and washing powder; kitchen sprays and much more.
It's taken me an hour to sanitise it all but I was muttering prayers of thanks the whole time.

My son assures me all is well at their home from which they are again working.
I sent him a video on How to Delivery a Baby - not as silly as it might seem if another sudden lockdown is imposed on us in November and his wife goes into labour.

In the video, the lovely Welsh midwife warns the 'mother'
(it's a teaching dummy') 'This might sting'.
That has to be the understatement of the year

Your food box is a lot better than the ones we got from our Government Bradflord. Much better. Mind you, at the time the food was very welcome as we hadn't been able to get deliveries from anywhere else. All very organised now. I really like the sound of the Maori way of life, it brings out the inner tree-hugging witch in me!

We went out for a meal with friends yesterday. Our first meal out since before Lock Down. A local pub with a large garden, canopies and umbrellas and a nice view. Good company and really good food too. It took a little longer due to the new rigmarole to get a menu, wait for our allotted time when the waitress would come for our order, etc but all very efficient and calm. Wonderful! Although I fear and am avoiding the scales this morning!

The day was complete when we had a wonderful thunder storm late yesterday afternoon. And rain! Lots of wonderful rain! You could nearly see the plants reaching up to it!

cherry you know perfectly well that Jeeves would do anything for you. I expect he whipped up a dream hot chocolate for you last night ?
mamissimo my DH is not suffering anything like you are (yet ?) he just has one very tender ankle. The nurse said it could well be cellulitis and he has been given a course of antibiotics. It does sound as though you are suffering very badly. Yes you be a good girl and get yourself better soon. Got my fingers crossed for next Monday and hope all goes well.
bradfordlass our little group is lucky to have you in it. Such interesting tales. The story of your involvement with the Maori people is fascinating. That bone carving is beautiful. It’s not one of yours is it? You obviously have great affinity and respect for the Maori people and their traditions. What an interesting life you have led.?
That’s a pretty good food box. What a good idea to include things like shampoo and soaps too.
Good idea about the baby video. Might sting indeed ??
nfk a meal out. How wonderful. It sounds well organised which I hope meant you relaxed and enjoyed it. Glad the storm came after you got home and not while you were eating ?
Overcast but very humid here today. Trip out to the pharmacy to pick up DHs new antibiotics and a walk I think.
Order some more painting things and a picture frame. Some housework and sewing should take care of the rest of the day. Have a good day all,

Hopefully I shall have better luck in my posting today for last night`s effort just failed miserably........perhaps a reflection of me!!

A warm welsh Hello to you all.

Anyway good to join you gang and as always catching up with your news and views.
Especially enjoying such uplifting posts, whilst commiserating with those still struggling,indeed Mamissimo your Gall bladder `op still pending is such a wait for you,but hopefully this Monday the deed will be done and you will feel loads better,with the cellulitis clearing up as well.
Poor Mr Doodle too suffering from cellulitis,it would almost seem as though its catching through these posts! Wishing him well....... and soon.
I also picked up about you being in further troubles Cherry just when I was hoping to hear you were enjoying your taste of freedom following this long period of shielding.
At least I hear many of you are proudly showing off new hair cuts,a real uplifter indeed.Wish our hair stopped its growing though!!

The excessive warmth and humidity has almost seen us both off to lands beyond,especially having an Hospital appointment for my dear man on the hottest of days.
It proved an outsize trial.
We now await those results.He has improved latterly I am pleased to say, and quite frankly we grasp any improvement with great joy.
Although my own news is ever changing,it appears the scan results on my left lung revealed more than just a serious infection (which has healed since completing the course of A/B`s)
Having had both a mastectomy and 6 weeks of aggressive radiotherapy on that one area means there are some further issues it appears, and again our GP is awaiting hearing a full assessment of the problem,and any due treatments.
Nothing escapes Chez Panache`s household it seems!

Life in general ticks over much as ever it did,still no radical changes to this Extra care Sheltered Housing establishment,although there seems a lot going on in the background.Still people treating the place as though Covid is nothing but a dirty word.
We manage a few strolls around on any good days.

Our areas are completely choc a bloc with summer visitors,sadly social distancing and taking their rubbish home or in a bin does not happen,thus the locals can no longer wander freely or enjoy their own lovely areas.
Such a shame people still have not learnt to respect others.

Sincerely wishing you all well,thank you Doodle for hosting the best tonic ever........and long may this thread exist.Perhaps one day I shall be able to be a more frequent visitor,sometimes nowadays I do not know which day of the week it is..........and what I am supposed to be doing.
Still thinking of you and may I add......... keep on smiling and simply ..........Stay safe!

Hello gangsters, it’s overcast and muggy here too, Doodle. I have been for my walk and put a waterproof jacket on, but I was too hot ...

Bradfordlass, thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge about Maori people and their traditions. It’s fascinating. The carving you showed us is exquisite.

Nfkd so pleased to hear you had a lovely lunch out. I haven’t ventured out yet, so am encouraged to hear of others safe and enjoyable excursions.

Cherry our plan is that our first foray out will be to a garden centre, when we feel ready. I hope your Azaleas ? settle in nicely.

Granmarretto you’re right about how much we all owe the NHS. I can’t imagine what it is like to worry about the cost of medical treatment.

I have begun the ‘big clear out’ of the wardrobe which looks like an extension of Oxfam. I have listed some items on EBay and will continue listing in groups of 6 at a time. My intention is to put the proceeds aside and then when I have a decent sized pot, to buy myself something frivolous...

Have a good day all and keep safe. ?

Panache ?

Dear panache lovely to hear from you again. You are never far from our thoughts whether you are able to post or not.
Good to hear that MrP has had some better days and you have managed some walks.
Hope your own scans do not bring up anything too troublesome and that you get the required treatment ASAP,
I must admit I did wonder if DH had picked up his cellulitis from the gang posting but I think it’s highly unlikely ?
We too seem to be awash with rubbish in our local parks, there are big signs asking people to take their rubbish home with them. The other day we saw a family walking into the park with 4 pizza boxes and some bottles of drink and picnic things. The next day, walking in the same park we saw 4 pizza boxes and a load of rubbish piled up by the side of a bin. Trouble is, being by the river there are rats there and other creatures that come out at night and spread the rubbish around.
nortsat I’m not sure what to wear on my walk. Sun in sun out rain then no rain. I like the idea of saving up for something frivolous. ?

Hello friendly gang,

The consultant gave us news we didn't want to hear. Although DH is recovering well from the kidney stone, his underlying condition (cancer) is not improving and they have run out of options.

I find it hard to stay jolly.

On the upside: our DGS has won first prize in a story writing competition and his dad is loving his new job. DD is getting a bigger house in time for winter and DGD is enjoying school.
I'll enjoy my hot chocolate tonight.

Hiya ☺️. Thanks BradfordLass, that's put a smile on my face ?.
My Tigger is still bouncing Doodle, as long as I don't think of the mysterious grumbling going on making me feel a little uncomfortable but I think that's more than enough information ?

Panache, so good to hear from you - I think of you often. It's good to also hear that Mr P has improved of late ☺️, I don't like the sound of your scan result. You say your GP is waiting for the full assessment - will you have further tests then? I hope, if you need it, they can provide you with the best treatment there is.
I think you may have grasped the wrong end of the stick about any further troubles for me. I'm due to see my breast cancer consultant, follow up and scan, on 1st September but there's nothing else to report so to speak.

? I've had so many interruptions since I started this post... I just know I'm not going to finish it... I started 2 hours ago and have got to go again ?

Quickly before I do .. Grammaretto sorry to hear Mr G's consultant told you that his cancer is not improving. No wonder you find it hard to stay jolly. For you ? .

Hope Mr Doodle has a good night, in fact I hope all of you gangsters and your partners/husbands do.

Sorry, gotta go ?

grammaretto I am so sorry about the news you’ve had today. I’m not surprised it has knocked you back a bit. Will your DH stop treatment now? I hope he is not in pain.
You will need time to take stock and think things through a bit.
A little hug ? from me. Sorry we can’t be of more help.
Well done to your DGS and good news about your son’s job.
Pleased your DGD is enjoying school.
cherry your grumbling isn’t your Tigger growling is it ? ?
You know what they say cherry, when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. Hope you don’t need to go so much from now on, ?
Sleep well all.

I currently have a signal on the narrowboat so I thought I'd catch up. I'm sorry things are not going well for so many of you. Mr Grammaretto and Panache, my thoughts are with you.

DH and I have been having a lovely time on the boat. The anti covid fogging bombs were let off and the boat sealed 4 hours before we arrived.

We have had fantastic weather, although some rain, we seemed not to be travelling during infrequent wet spells. DH pulled a muscle in his side when unloading the car (he isn't trying to get out of operating the locks).

Yesterday we were motoring along quietly, coming up to a bend and another boat came the other way, on the wrong side and travelling too fast. The other boat crashed into the bank in front of us and the driver fell in the water. We heard calls for help, I stopped the boat and agreed that DH should run ahead. (I stayed with our boat and stopped it from floating off.) I knew that if someone was in the water, it takes real strength to get them out of a canal, especially over the metal edges at the sides (from grim experience).

It did not go well, the boater was seriously injured. DH appears to have been instrumental in getting him out of the water with other boaters rallying round. A trained first aider, passing on another boat, took over. Emergency services were called but accessing an injured person on a towpath in the middle of nowhere is fraught with problems.

Eventually, the injured boater was airlifted to hospital leaving his wife behind with the damaged boat (she couldn't go with him because of covid-19). I felt so sorry for them. A happy day suddenly turned into a nightmare.

DH changed his clothes and showered, he could not possibly have socially distanced while part of a group pulling a semi-conscious man from the water. (I didn't see anyone wearing masks except the emergency workers once they arrived). He'd also aggravated the injury to his side and was quietly upset by what he had seen. There was nothing else that we/DH could have done so we moved on. We didn't sleep very well last night.

So tomorrow I will be working the locks and helping with the driving (we usually take it in turns) as DH is obviously uncomfortable. Still that's nothing to what that unknown boater and his wife are going through, exacerbated by the pandemic.

DH and I are counting our blessings today.

I'm continually impressed by BradfordLass' insights into Maori wisdom. I wish I felt that link with older, wiser cultures especially after yesterday.

I am missing Jeeves too. I could do with being coddled while DH is mending. Does anyone know if Jeeves can operate canal locks and drive a narrowboat?

Grammaretto you don't need to be jolly and I don't see how, at an anxious time like this, you can be.
The same for panache and all our other friends who are struggling so hard. No need for brave faces amongst friends.

If you can't post, then fine, we understand. Just remember we're your cheerleaders and thinking about you every single day.

Yes,Doodle that's one of my early carvings. It was for sale in a city gallery, much against my wishes I might add but it didn't sell and I was able to take it back.

All carvings have names. That one is 'Te Haerenga Tuatahi' - The First Journey', as it was the first real piece I made after the practice carvings during my training (all of which were given away).

I'll post the picture of the carving I did after my eyes started failing. It's horse bone and called, 'Te Kaitiaki o nga hou e wha.' The Guardians of Peoples from the Four Winds.' Which really means everyone

You will see birds, a whale's tail, manaia and a spiral koru at the top - they are all important tribal symbols as well as indicating migration. For me, there's an extra element to carving: I am honouring the animal that died. Their bones are now heirloom pieces and very precious.

I'm told it may be another week before I get my Corona test results but I'm totally isolated now so it really doesn't matter.

Love to all

missedout lovely to hear from you. Glad you are enjoying yourselves,
Gracious it’s adventurous on the river isn’t it. Your DH sounds like a hero getting that chap out of the water. I hope your DH hasn’t hurt himself too much. It was obviously a nasty shock for all of you. The other chaps wife must have wondered what to do. stuck on her own on a damaged boat with her husband being airlifted to hospital. What a difficult situation. Hope they are ok. Hope you two better a better nights sleep tonight too.
I also like hearing about Maoris from Bradfordlass it’s so interesting to hear about other places and their customs.
I will have a word with Jeeves and see if he can pop along and help you. I’ll get him to bring a thermos of hot chocolate with him ?

bradfordlass you crept in behind me while I was typing my post.
Thank you for your lovely post to grammaretto,panache and our other friends. You say it much better than I could and I agree with every word.
Your carvings are lovely. I can indeed see the things you mention and I like the idea of honouring the animal that died. What a good way to look at things.
Hope you can manage without Jeeves tonight. I’ve sent him on a mercy mission to missedout. He can help out tomorrow and come back in the evening. ?

Missedout what a nightmare for you and brave DH and the poor injured man and his wife.

Thankyou BradfordLass for such comforting words.
We do feel supported but need to sleep on this latest news. Process it is probably the word for it.

There's good weather forecast tomorrow which will surely help.

Night night gang xxxx