The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

grammaretto good your DH had a better night but how about you, are you sleeping ok?
Reading about your hot bin being full of worms was perhaps not the thing when having breakfast - good job I wasn’t eating spaghetti ?
Another little boat related story for you. When the children were young, we went to the Norfolk Broads for a holiday and hired a boat. All went well until the last day when DH leant over the side of the boat to pick up our ever so tiny dog....and hurt his back. Had to call the Dr to the campsite who gave him some knockout painkillers so he could make the long journey home. No problem you would think, except... we had a brand new car that I had never driven before, I don’t like driving on motorways, have no sense of direction and can’t read maps.?. I loaded up the car and off we went two boys, a dog and a sleepy husband. Every time we came to a roundabout or cross roads I was saying to DH wake up, what do I do? It was a nightmare journey home and I have never forgotten it. All because one tiny weightless little dog wasn’t big enough to get on the boat herself ??
Back to check up on you all later.?

Sorry Guv. That was thoughtless while you were eating.

I'm not surprised you got a bit lost driving around Norfolk. I was so lost there once - on my own with 3 noisy boys in the back of the car. I was trying to find a holiday house my brother had rented but despite asking a couple of people and having a small hand drawn map, I seemed to be driving in circles.
I then became so upset that I stopped the car and sat by the side of the inevitable ditch and cried. I was spotted by a tractor driver who asked if I was alright. Norfolk folk are kind.
I pulled myself together and began to drive in a another direction . I found a shop so stopped and went in to ask where this place was.
A policeman came in shortly afterwards and asked if I was the woman seen in a distressed state at the side of the road!
What was I doing driving around fields in Norfolk when I lived in Scotland and where was my husband? I'm not sure they believed me but I found the house and my brother's family about 3 hours late.

DH had a fainting fit today while I was out.

That’s alright grammaretto. It takes a lot to put me off my food ?
Lovely Norfolk tale.
Oh grammaretto I’m sorry about your DH. Is he ok? I hope he didn’t hurt himself. Are you getting any help?

Grammaretto , that's a worry - it was a fainting fit not any other? Has he been having these incidents, if you don't mind me asking? I hope he was sitting down and hasn't injured himself. Has be been checked over? Sorry to ask so many questions. I hope he's okay.

Cherry He phoned me and said he was alright again but he'd had a dizzy spell and collapsed, gently, onto the carpet. I told him to have a drink and something to eat and to lie down. He was quite better by the time I got home.
It is a worry as it's not happened before.

That must have been worrying for both of you Grammaretto whatever you do don't feel guilty! These things happen and can also highlight where some support may be useful. I do hope you're getting some help.

You'll all be very pleased to learn that the running beans are all done now. ?

Covid test for me tomorrow and then home to isolate until Monday....bring it on!

Sleep tight everyone

grammaretto that is a worry but at least he wasn’t hurt and your DH obviously was capable of phoning you and talking about it. Perhaps he just became a bit light headed. I do hope he’s alright.
mamissimo wot no more beans ? what will you do with your days now ?. Fingers crossed the test is ok and you’re all set ready for Monday.
We went for what we thought would be a quick walk before dinner only to meet an acquaintance we haven’t seen for a while. By the time she’d filled us in on all the things she’d been doing since lockdown we had been out an hour and hadn’t even reached the corner of our road. ?

Grammaretto I echo Mamissimo, never ever feel guilty. Even if we're around, we all know how quickly things can happen. Not one of us can be keepers of another. I'm so pleased to know that Mr G obviously recovered quickly. Since it hasn't happened before it's very likely just one of those things and in all likelihood won't happen again.

So the running beans have done with running ?. Hope the covid test goes well and then I hope you will have a "chillaxing" weekend before the hospital on Monday.

? Doodle, I hope your acquaintance had interesting things to say... captured on a street corner and all that.

I haven't quite had the day I intended. I was going to make an apple pie for dessert (I don't often do desserts on a Friday) to follow slow cooked ham but just about managed to cook the ham, and veg. I'm still feeling a bit icky ?, it's been a few days now. I'll see how I feel by Monday and if I'm still feeling like this I'll venture to the pharmacy.

I think I'll forgo the hot chocolate tonight and just take a glass of water to bed.
Night gang, hope you all sleep well ?

cherry yes. Our acquaintance is a nice lady, much younger than us and very vivacious and bubbly. DH and I hardly ever get a word in edgewise. ?
Sorry you feel a bit icky too.
Jeeves has been busy tonight. He missed you all while he was alway at sea with missedout. He’s been round all the rooms, plumping up the pillows, turning down the beds and scattering rose petals and spraying fragrant oils for a good night’s sleep. He’s got it all done in time to be ready for when bradfordlass arrives with her chores for the day. ?
Sleep well all.

You lot are having an eventful time! Glad your DH only had a slight fainting fit and he's okay now Grammaretto.

I had a few **exciting events yesterday.

The light bulb above my head (too high to reach) started fizzing and flashing so an emergency electrician had to dash out and fix it. That meant I couldn't use my PC until it was all examined and replaced.
He also replaced 3 bulbs in the bathroom - it's now so bright in there I have to wear sunglasses!

Then a friend came, en route to another job and took my gas-heater's tank to be filled. So I now have heat again and can throw off me vest and liberty bodice.

Ironically, the weather in the night turned so warm** I got up and opened my outside door.

**only warm to a Yorkshire lass, everyone else is wrapped up in duvets.

Enquiring about my test results, I was told it could be another 12-14 days. It doesn't matter, nothing would change, I'd just stay isolated.

Three tops ordered from the USA 2 months ago, arrived. The parcel had a 'holiday' in Tokyo for 10 days; had been opened and I assume santised by NZ Customs and finally sent on to me.

By an amazing miracle (because I don't usually look) I found a collection slot at a supermarket 12km away. A cancellation maybe?

Astonishingly, it was just one hour on one day but the very hour/day my Homecare lady will be here to go for it! So I snapped it up immediately and spent 67 quid on things I'll need over the next month or so.

My other homecare girl, the pregnant one, wanted to come and change my bed yesterday but I'm just not prepared to take any chances with her health and baby's.
Bless her, she said to message if I wanted anything as we could always do it in a contactless fashion. People are kind and not just in Norfolk.

Grammaretto asked if the Sallies had sold their souls. I'm afraid so.
They are run by a marketing company (as indeed are most major church charities) which maximises profits, although as charities they're not supposed to make a profit at all and pay no tax.

Last year the media made a fuss that for the first quarter, the Salvation Army profit excess revenue was $12 million and yet they are charging homeless families for essential furniture (if they are lucky enough to be re-housed).

Nevertheless, they still do good works and I benefit from a beautiful home at slightly less than market rates.

In 2016, they evicted 4 old people who defaulted on their rent and as a result changed they policy from housing the poor and needy to....well, let's say of the 14 houses (24 people) in this street; solely owned by the SA; only 3 of us are not working at very well-paid jobs.

**exciting only for a bored old woman in isolation

I suspect you are all in bed by now so Jeeves, in his 'Kiss Me Quick' hat and bell-bottoms - and I, will do our patrols and make sure everything is ship shape and Bristol fashion.

Hoping you all have a good day tomorrow

bradfordlass you have had an exciting day. Must have given you a surprise when your light fitting started fizzing. Good you got is sorted so quickly. Having your gas heater filled too, you are doing well.
I do feel though, that a word of caution is needed. No matter how warm you are you need to wear your liberty bodice because as my dear mum used to tell me, if you take off your liberty bodice you could catch a chill in your kidneys and you don’t want that. ?
3 new tops, that’s certainly exciting. Hope you like them.
Wow a supermarket slot too, you are certainly on a winning streak. Nice to get a good order in.
I agree with you about your pregnant homegirl, but how lovely of her to want to still help. She obviously cares for you.
Hope she is getting on ok.
It’s sad the SA are being run by a marketing company. I suppose that’s the way of things now but I feel sorry for the evicted old people.
You packed such a lot in yesterday I feel exhausted myself reading it ?
For some reason I didn’t sleep well last night and was up early (well early for me ?) this morning. It’s weekend which means I am going to do some fun stuff today. Some more quilting and some other sewing projects.
I see Jeeves is still in full sailor mode. Oh well, if it keeps him happy. ?

grammaretto hope your DH suffered no ill effects from his faint yesterday. How are things today?
panache and dragonfly still thinking of you too. Hope you are feeling ok.
Hello to all the other gangsters. Be back later to catch up .

Present and correct Doodle although i have no fabulous tales to relate, but always feel better after reading the exploits of other gangsters!!

Almost got blown away with the overnight gale that hit our west coast with ferocity,the high seas were certainly rather scary,today its a case of pleasant times with blue skies but always ready to run for cover from some sharp showers.

Having had a good Tesco delivery we have to search and book another immediately or risk being without,thankfully we do not need them the Bank holiday week............which is just as well........... because there are none!

Sorry hearing of your dear man`s fainting wobble Grammaretto these things do happen when least expected, so you must not ever beat yourself up about the fact you weren`t there at that time.Some things are unpredictable and no one can stand over their loved one non stop.Main thing is informing his Medics and let them perhaps find out the reasons,though oft times such things are just a one off.

Hope all remains well for Monday`s mission Mamissimo, whilst our cheeky Cherry continue to take care and no mad cap rushing around allowed!!!!

Have yourselves a grand weekend but at all times do keep safe.

panache lovely to hear from you again.
I saw some pictures in the paper today of high seas at Porthcawl. Couldn’t believe how high the waves were.
Glad you are keeping up with your deliveries (that makes you sound like a delivery driver but you know what I mean ?)
How is MrP getting on? Hope you are both ok.
Take care and keep safe. Don’t go out in high winds ?

I wondered where you'd got to yesterday BradfordLass, seems you were well occupied ☺️.
Eek, a fizzy light bulb. It's always quite scary, very unnerving. Shortly after we moved in here in 2002 it happened in our guest bedroom and freaked me out, my WP was as cool as a cucumber ?. He knew immediately what was wrong, turned the electricity off, got his tools and ladder etc and sorted it out. The same thing happened in the dining room, scared me again. This time it was a trickier job for my WP, meaning a trip to a diy store, but again he was as cool as you like and fixed it. Both times we had an electrician check the work and my WP had a ?.
Funny how new lights/bulbs seem to make a room brighter than before but I'm convinced it's true ?
So good of your friend to get your gas bottle filled, unfurl your liberty bodice and enjoy the warmth, even if you do need to open the door ?
These marketing companies etc, whether they are meant to be non-profit or not are always usually more interested in watching the coffers fill rather than anything else. It's disgusting that a so-called charity evict more vulnerable and embrace the better off! Not what I call charitable. Rant over.
Quite a while to wait for those test results. It would be nice if it was sooner -then you could see your lovely Homecare girl. It doesn't appear that you have the virus but of course you need to be cautious.
Enjoy your new tops ?

Sorry to hear that you had a bad night Doodle . Enjoy your "crafty" time today ?. I'd ask for a crafty peak but I'm not going to risk it just in case you ask to see any of my non-artistic artwork. The answer to that would be a big fat no as it's embarrassingly awful ?.

So pleased you have popped in to see us Panache, we don't stop thinking of you and we don't stop caring about you and Mr P.
We have had those gales here too, last night wasn't as bad as the night before. Yesterday when I woke up, the tree in our back garden was frantic. It was gesticulating like no tomorrow and endeavouring to uproot itself and take itself to a safer place. It decided to stay in the end.
Glad you've got a good Tesco delivery and are not left floundering over the bank holiday ?
No, I'm not dashing around ☺️. I am however playing catch up for yesterday but only because I intended to make an apple ? pie but didn't get round to it ?. That's what I'm off to do now.
Take care of yourself and your dear man.

I hope the rest of our gang-sters are okay today, I know you are hoping to see both your DS and DD today Grammaretto, I hope you do ?

Back laters ?

Hello me hearties - it's me again! We have mainly had a super week on the 'good ship Doubtless'. The weather has been mostly kind but I worked the return (Watford) locks in pouring rain (mainly because I didn't want DH to risk any more injuries, even though it was my turn to drive).

Yesterday was fun, trying to get the Doubtless moored against the marina jetty in the storm. Once at the jetty (so we could fill the diesel tank and get the loos pumped out), the marina engineer told us to leave the boat there and they would return the boat to our mooring for us when the weather is calmer. The engineer didn't know how close he came to being kissed by this pensioner, he is lucky that social distancing rules protected him from more than covid19.

I have spent hours online, trying to find news of Monday's injured boater. We know the emergency workers were talking to TV news at one time. However, I think DH and I will never know if he recovers.

Today, DH and I are both weary. There is a lot of clearing up and I now have a hole in my favourite leggings, I must have caught them while on the locks. I will try and darn them this week. Does anyone remember wooden darning mushrooms? Sorry, I'm rambling.

Doodle, I really appreciated you sending Jeeves to help. I think he enjoyed his little sojourn with us although our limited wine stores seemed to be depleted rather quickly while he was with us. He didn't seem to have much boating experience, though. When I asked him to 'cast off', he got out some knitting! He was quite good at holding the centre rope so we could tie and untie mooring lines. His bulk came in useful.

I wish I had some of your Yorkshire blood BFL, I'm a southern softie. Despite it being summer here, at one stage last week, I wore multiple layers - I obviously didn't have my liberty bodice with me - I clearly remember those funny rubber buttons that were misshapen after a hot wash

I'm glad to be back to talk to my online friends. Your posts seem to be fairly reassuring at the moment. I hope Mr G's dizzy spell was a one-off. Thinking of you all.

My dean friends. A quick message to say I won’t be in for a few days or while. Something has happened with the family and I can’t post. Take care of yourselves and keep safe, I will be back when I can x

Go well Doodle and a big hug from us all. We promise to try to behave and to treat Jeeves kindly.

Okay gang.....Party! ??????

In all seriousness I wish Doodle a safe return....and I hope none of you have to have the swab type Covid test. The nurse was so thorough I had a nosebleed, despite warning her that the uppermost reaches of my nose were damaged a few years ago when a feeding tube was yanked pulled out too fast. I'm not surprised now that so many home tests have invalid results. Still, 'tis done now.

My DD has just let me know that she's booked us a Christmas treat......crikey! Is it time to get the decs out already? I do t know where this year's gone.

My DS and his partner have gone camping this weekend. Rather him than me! He reported this morning that they'd only had 7 divorces whilst erecting the tent.....his father and I used to divorce regularly in camping fields when trying to erect the awning. I'm glad we go to hotels now. I'm a tad dispractic (?) and I think he's caught it off me.

Hope the pie was good Cherry - I've just made a diabetic trifle of all things. DH loves pastry but I'm trying to keep him off it....it's a loosing battle.

Glad you didn't get blown away Panache - it was hugely windy here and the poor old tomatoes took a battering. I would have like to be by the sea. I love the crashing waves.

Sleep tight everyone.....hope it's restorative for you all.

Doodle, whatever it is, whatever had happened I hope you, Mr D and all your family are alright - a big cwtch from me, we'll keep a light ? on for you.

Missedout, a warm welcome home ?.
? mooring in a storm ?. I'm pleased you had help from the engineer ?.
It is unlikely, but not impossible, that you'll ever find out what happened to the injured boater but your DH did a wonderful thing to help and I'm sure he's safe and recovering and forever thankful. How is your DH by the way, I hope he's recovering well.
Can Jeeves knit then? Perhaps he can darn too and can repair your leggings. It's so annoying when you get a hole in favourite item of clothes. I remember the darning mushrooms, my mother had a couple in her sewing basket but it's so long ago now I probably wouldn't know how to use one ?

Yuck, ouch Mamissimo, I didn't want to say anything before you had the test because I'd heard the swab is unpleasant. My friend's father had one when he ended up in the hospital because of the gash on his arm.
The yuletide treat from your DD sounds nice. Yes, I didn't want to use the C word ?. Say it quick Mamissimo two thirds of 2020 gone in a flash ?
It sounds brave of your DS and partner to go camping in this weather but they're young and I'm sure they'll have a great time.
I think you may mean dyspraxic ?. I'm just useless, completely cack handed ?
Yes, even though I say so myself, the pie was good. In the end I made it an apple and plum pie. I've got pastry left to make something tomorrow, maybe a cherry tart ☺️
I haven't had trifle for a long time, I love a good trifle but preferably homemade. I should avoid pastry really, not because I am diabetic but, let's just say this - it does nothing for my waistline and my waistline does nothing for me.

Sleep peacefully tonight gangsters. Night night ? ?

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Oh poor Doodle I am so sorry to read there's a family difficulty. I do hope it's resolved soon and all is well.
It seems all mother's sahred saying back in the old days. 'Take your coat off or you won't feel the benefit when you go out.' is anothr
The tops are excellent. Not too heavy, being a cotton mix.

Mamissimo we'll all be thinking about you as you go for your op.

Panache good to see you back again and those high waves sound spectacular. Nature is amazing.

I once had a similar tree experience Cherry during the hurricane season when I was a lot more agile than I am now.
I went out in monsoon-like rain, wild, wild winds and tied my poor, desperate psoralea pinnata (see pic) to the fence in several places. Of course I got soaked and frozen to the bone but it saved the tree. It's a wonderful tree for attracting bees and butterflies but sadly, it died 4 years later.

I was given 5kg of apples and as my son and I like Apple Crumble (or indeed any crumble ) I peeled and cooked some to freeze.
I grated/zested an orange and cooked one batch in the orange's juice. That's going to make such a lovely crumble (with blueberies?) when he's free to visit.
He phoned to reassure me all is well at their home and I was able to say, quite truthfully, "I'm on the line to New York. Can I ring you back?"
My friend Jayne and I Skype most Sunday mornings.

Missedout You're quite right. That test is a pain in the brain for sure. The whole of my head and neck shouted and stiffened as if I'd just eaten a mouthful of wasabi (as indeed I once did in Thailand, thinking it was avocado ). No results yet though.
I have a wooden mushroom and used it only last week to darn my long, stripey socks.

It's been a domingo plácido for me. I had a favourite but rare breakfast. I cored an apple, sliced it thinly through its middle and placed a slice on half a toasted bagel. They fit exactly.
Ate the rest of the apple whilst I did my email

Grammaretto hope all is well with you and DH? Here's the latest batch of hats etc., don't know when I'll be able to deliver them, or to whom...and I'm running out of wool.

Still, only 3 days left and we may be back to Level 1 and the shops can open again.

Take care everyone.

Hello gangsters or is it sailors?
Doodle whatever has happened, I hope it's not too serious. Sending hugs. We will miss you. Xxxx

Missedout glad you made it to dry land still in one piece. It's so hard to find what happens locally. Facebook sometimes gets a result.

Mamissimo it won't be long now. Fingers Xed for you.

Panache it is good to see you posting. Keep away from those high seas.

BradfordLass thanks for your kind words. Your parcel from America will have been exciting. I bought pullup trousers in Lidl yesterday for DH as he can't wear normal ones. They were no good for him but, guess what! they fit me! I bought him some ladies pyjamas which are fine not the top part, incase you think I am dressing him up like a babydoll,

We had such a lovely day yesterday. The family came abd even the weather behaved. It was tiring but so nice. I had the little ones harvesting the veggie plot and the 2yr old finding potatoes was magical. I wish I could post a photo of her happy, muddy face.
Breakfast time here. See you soon.

Shielding works! Received my Covid test results back and it's negative......would have been a huge surprise if otherwise. The results came back in 5 hours which I was quite impressed by.

Grammaretto the sizing of Lidl clothing is unique and I think closely modelled on those fraudulent rip off adverts for clothing we see on the right on GN. I think you need at least 2 sizes different to your usual size and it could be either bigger or smaller. All part of the magic of the middle of Lidl!

My DH wears floor length white throbes from the UAE for night attire. He hates PJs with a passion but it does cause some funny looks when room service delivers.

House insurance renewal for me today.....or the annual ritual of telling our insurance company that they're having a laugh and if they'll knock £50 off this years price I'll stay with them...

Rough seas indeed and I am making an extra effort to sign in to say I am so sorry that you and family have seemingly "hit the buffers" dear Doodle.
You have proved the anchor of what on times has been an extremely turbulent ship here, swaying on the rocky waters.
When you have issues we all feel the pain and without prying or requiring to take up your time,do please know we all care,we shall be thinking of you and praying for all to be well again ........very soon.

Awaiting delivery of a home baked cake with coconut my man`s favourite ............and cherries.........mine.Say no more,yes we are happy people!
It takes very little to get us both smiling!
He remains in improved health at this moment,
These situations can, sadly,change with a flip of a coin.
However at this time leaving me in a very good mood.

Counting down with fingers crossed Mamissimo So far.so good.

Sending every good wish to all my fellow rather precious gangsters,do keep smiling and keep safe!

P.S. Mamissimo another dear friend had the covid test done by a nurse,also remarking it was extremely uncomfortable with her nose sore afterwards for days.................and yet to know you are All clear is the result we would all like to hear.