The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Mamissimo I hope he is well enough for the MRI tomorrow and to come home again.
Get some rest while you can. I expect you’ll be busy when he comes home ?
Cherry I’m not sure I’m brave enough to help deliver a baby. Mind you washing a smelly terrier wasn’t that easy either ?
Glad the thought of me with my head in a bucket made you laugh ?. It may well come to it but I might just try going to bed instead
Hope your mouth isn’t so sore now and the robotics kick in and take the pain away.
Grammaretto I kept all (almost all) my sons art work, school books, craft things for years. Had them in boxes in the loft. When we moved we had to cut down but I have kept some things and some baby outfits and a blanket. I still have some cards they made for me. I find it hard to part with sentimental things.
I’m off to bed soon. Vaseline round my red sore eyes, hair pinned back, no make up to irritate my skin, what a glamorous woman I am ?
Sleep well all

I hope Mr M does have have his MRI tomorrow and can come home Mamissimo. I hope his inflammation settles and his operation can go ahead soon ?

Doodle who needs glamour anyway ?. I hope the vaseline helps tonight . I had lazer treatment for lipids around my eyes years ago and had to use lots of vaseline around my eyes one Summer. I was told to wear dark glasses and I had some funny comments on days when it was warm but the sun wasn't glaring. The consequences if I hadn't worn them ?. My advice Doodle, just don't go near any naked flames tonight ?.

Sleep well tonight gang, I've put my order in with Jeeves for my hot chocolate now ?

Good and bad news about MrM; no doubt he'll be on the robotics as well. I guess the shower made him feel a litle better but he'll be spitting feathers that his cunning plan operation was thwarted.

Doodle I'm sorry to read about your eyes. I have some excellent stuff called Systane. I wonder if it's available in UK?

One of the things which made me jettison a whole load of stored things was having to clear out Mum's place when she died. I swore I'd never do that to my children - it was such a huge task and trying to manage it whilst working was more than difficult.

I do still have folders of their school work and no doubt they'll have a snigger before they throw it all away but there's not much.

Glad to see Nortsat back with us, albeit temporarily. I miss our gang when they're unable to post.

I like ixion's idea of cushions made from band t-shirts (almost tempted to buy an AC/DC and make one for myself) .

One thing I remember from quilter's group is being told that if you use a stretchy jersey-type fabric, it has to be placed on a cotton backing first.

Cherry I don't know if you get emails but there's one winging its way to you.

Minor dramas in the Kaimoana household today.

I sent a Maori brooch to someone in Wellington who was going to forwarded it, with other items, to a young Maori guy in USA.
NZ Post has a very poor reputation (couriers have blown them out of the water since Covid) so I paid extra for tracking.

It was posted 12th - today I was told it still hadn't arrived.
Enquiries show that despite a clear, block capital address - it's ended up in Invercargill 767 kilometres away - recipient unknown.

This meant a long and unnecessarily complicated form to fill in (you can imagine the curses) asking NZ Post to get it and send it to Wellington.

My cynical self knows they often just ignore or fob off such requests but the brooch was going to a government department, so I'm hoping for the best.

Then Hanna and I almost came to blows (we sorted it out so all is well but I'm still shaking).
I asked her if she could take the cleaning sprays from the shelf under the kitchen sink and give it a wipe.

"Too difficult, why you ask me? Ask Monday lady."
How can taking a few bottles and an aerosol be 'too difficult'.

It led, I'm afraid to a long and heated conversation in which she justified herself by listing all the things she's been grumpy about (and there were lots) and doesn't like doing and how all her other clients love her and don't want anyone else.

I have a list from the agency of necessary jobs to do; I don't decide.
It says, "clean kitchen cupboards" and this means inside and out, removing the contents first.
It's not done often, in fact it must be 12 months since the one under the sink was wiped.

She continued to harangue me long after I'd told her I wasn't going to respond but I just sat there, face averted and let her run out of steam.

I don't think she understands what I say half the time, so when she'd calmed down, I quietly said this but no, she understands everything.

'So why did you bring me sushi and a big box of dumplings last week when I've told you many times I don't eat carbohydrates and listed them ?"

'Because you said you liked sushi.' Obviously the bit about "but I don't eat it now" got lost in translation.

We managed to have a rational conversation before she left and she said, "We're closer now after argument." and gave me a hug.

I'm utterly exhausted.

Have a good day everyone.

Blimey Kaimoanalobstar I feel exhausted just hearing your run-in with Hanna.
Your experience and wisdom paid off and you weren't murrdered and neither was she. Phew!

I just have too much stuff.
There is a drawer full of school work and art work. There are 4 drawers of photos. At least now photos just accumulate on the phone and laptop.

I hope MrM has his scan today and can come home.
How are your eyes today Doodle?

I heard that a friend who lives near but who I haven't seen for a year, had caught covid from her DGC who have been back at nursery. The whole family have it and her DD is coughing badly. DD is expecting #3 baby in a fortnight.
She, the friend, sounded OK on the phone and firmly refused help from me.
I was planning to see DS and his family tomorrow and create a bubble with them but now I am a bit nervous although that family is all working and home schooling so it's not like a nursery situation.

Too much worrying. I shall make a cup of coffee and go and sit in the greenhouse and drink it and listen to the birds.

Mr M was successfully scanned at 8 and I can sign his release papers for care in the community at 13.00 ?

This is a better day.......thinking of you all with gratitude.

Phew Mamissimo good news indeed.

Hello All. Have had a few strange days. Just as Boris gives us some hope I decide to be miserable! Don’t really know why but have decided to pull myself together and get a grip as there are so many worse off than me.
Was devasted to hear the news from Panache. Really hope her poor man is not in too much pain and that they have been able to have some quiet time together. Sending love.
Doodle. See you’ve been having problems too. Not sure what but hope your eyes ok now.
Grammaretto I too have loads of my 2 daughters school work. Know eldest daughter will just Chuck hers but youngest will keep hers plus her sisters if she gets a chance! I’m not a hoarder but DH is. Every little piece of string will go in the garage as “it might come in handy one day”. Grrrr. And we have more screws than Screwfix!
Mammissimo pleased your DH is home and whatever the problem was that it’s sorted. I seem to have missed a lot!
*Kaiamona” you always manage to make me smile. Thought UK post could be bad but not as bad as NZ! Pleased you and Hana sorted things out.
I’m writing this in our new Summerhouse. We have wall to wall blue sky in Norfolk and it’s really warm in here. Theo came in to keep me company!
I’m trying to book us a break at the Norfolk Broads to give us something to look forward too in May. Unfortunately the whole country appears to have the same idea but sure something will turn up.

Thanks Jan it’s just hay fever. Sorry you’ve been a bit low. I think we are all suffering with this lockdown dragging on.
A summerhouse, how lovely. Theo looks very comfortable.
Hope you manage to get a holiday sorted out. We all need something to look forward to.
Mamissimo good news. Hope the scan results are ok and MrM is now safely back home with you.
Cherry the Vaseline worked well. It stopped my eyes getting all stuck together and seemed to soothe the skin so it doesn’t irritate so much. I am hoping that I might develop lovely long lashes too but we’ll see ?
Hope Jeeves dished up some magic hot chocolate and you had a good night.
Kaimoana what a dreadful day you’ve had. I hate arguing with people. It seems Hanna has her own idea of what her chores should be and they don’t necessarily include what she should be doing. I’m sorry if it’s upset you. Last thing you need is a battle with the carer. I’m glad you made up but you must have been quite shaken. I hope she’s in a better mood when she comes next. ?
Grammaretto we have thousands of photographs. We have four large boxes of them under a desk in our spare room. We keep saying we must go though them and sort them out. We were discussing this the other day and when my son phoned we mentioned it to him and he said don’t forget you’ve got boxes of photos in our loft too. We had forgotten.?
Sorry to hear about your friends and their DD having COVID.
My nephews son, daughter and son’s girlfriend al have had COVID recently. They have recovered well.
Hope your friends daughter is ok.
I love to listen to the birds too. Not knowledgeable enough to know which birds they are but I do like to hear them.
My eyes are still itching. Not as bad as yesterday but they tend to get very sore in the evenings and ache.
I may do like last night and go to bed with an audio book. I have Stephen Fry’s Mythos from the online library. I’ve been listening to it for three nights but I must keep falling asleep as I don’t remember any of it ?
Thinking of the Panaches.
Sleep well all

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-993899-eyes.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202102/medium-306123-snow-garden.jpg

Sorry to hear you've not felt too good Jan. I hope things perk up a bit. How's your DH?
I do envy you the summerhouse.

Oh Grammaretto that's sad news of your friend's family. We can be optimistic though: the majority of people recover well.

Doodle I don't like arguments either and it's still with me today but I'm trying to shrug it off.
You're right, Hanna likes the easy, clean jobs - preferably sitting in a cafe somewhere or just chatting with her clients but she does do a better job than some cleaners I've had.

Maybe you should wear a diving mask or goggles to stop pollen getting to your eyes!
I hope you don't aspire to have eyelashes like this picture. I wonder if she's going to have her mouth fixed next? I do hate that moronic pouting look. In my Yorkshire childhood that was what we called 'looking sackless'. (dim-witted)

Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs! I'm re-reading Mythos as well (Fry can be rather graphic in his descriptions can't he?).
The aim was to discuss it with my friend in NJ as she has it too but Skype with its breaks and stutters, doesn't lend itself well to that.

Nfk and the other snowbounded. This is what we are reduced to if we want picturesque snow in our gardens...making it ourselves.

It's a property about 20km away and I think they were doing it for a TV programme.

I'm glad to hear MrM is due home.
I wonder how long Mamissimo hesitated, pen poised above the release form, "Now, shall I or shan't I?"

I'm about to don full PPE and clean my oven. What unbounded joy is mine.

Have good days, good friends and good food everyone.

Good morning Indomitables.

I couldn't post yesterday, internet wobbles ? on and off, on and off, one minute there next minute gone! Seems fine today ☺️

Kaimoana I have received your email, thank you. I will respond (or pm you) if/when I can. I don't know if you've seen the gn thread but there's been ongoing issues with my email provider since another company took over, grr! I gave up trying to access them and now I've got a "back load" of emails to respond to - going right back to the end of last year. Some people will think I've abandoned them ?.
Hanna is a cheeky so and so Kaimoana! If certain jobs are in her remit then she shouldn't be questioning you, much less arguing, when you ask her to do them ?. What gives her the right to do that and shake you up and upset you into the bargain? She has no right, I'd be reporting her.

I'm glad Mr M had his MRI yesterday Mamissimo ?
Did you sign his custody release papers? I hope he's ensconced into your custody care now and is comfortable under your feet at home ?

Grammaretto where does all this stuff we all accumulate come from. It seems to me that even the most diligent of declutterers , like my wonderful sister (in law) was end up with mountains of stuff. When I was younger we had so very little and at one point had virtually all of that stolen, now I know we have too much. I'd love to declutter properly, if only my hoarding WP would let me ?. A different prospect for you at the moment though, it can't be easy going through things, and hunting, that hold so many wonderful memories.
I read on the morning thread that you are going to form a new family bubble, I think that's great ?
Sorry to hear about your friend and family. I hope they all make a swift and full recovery.

I'm pleased that the vaseline has helped a bit Doodle.
I too love listening to the birds singing. Mr Robin has been singing his heart out over the last couple of days. We have lots of different breeds that come into our garden, some I couldn't have identified a few years back but I am learning ☺️. My WP has almost turned into a "twitcher" ?

Sorry to hear that you've been feeling down Jan. I hope that you posting is a sign that you are "on the up" and that it continues for you ?. Ah I see that your DH is a hoarder like my WP ?. I think he even has mail going back years! I daren't touch it either, a) it's not mine and b) he says it might be important (goes off shaking head with a can't vein expression on face).
Ooh I have summerhouse envy ?. It sounds heavenly, I'm sure you're already enjoying it and will have lots of lovely times enjoying it ?. Planning a break sounds good. I can't bring myself to make plans like that just yet. I hope your plan comes off and you find somewhere lovely to stay.

Back laters ? and hopefully with a smile ? on my face after the footie but with today's opposition I doubt it ?

Oh Blimey, Auckland's locked down again - Level 3 for seven days this time - I did an extra big shop on Monday for just such an eventuality.

I've plenty of audio books to hand as well.
And I can always come here, which is a blessing.
So all good in the Kaimoana seashell.

Level 3 means:

Stay at home unless you're an essential worker.
Work from home if you can.
No school.
No visitors or visiting (including Gubbins) .

No great changes for me, although I was hoping to go swimming again.
<sigh>

Kaimoana we have mentioned coincidences on this thread before. Fancy you and I reading the same book ?. You’ve probably read more than me as mine is an audio book I listen to at night and often nod off, I love his speaking voice.
Gracious I wouldn’t like to look like that photo even on a bad day. I’d just settle for a few more eyelashes and eyes that aren’t puffy, baggy and red (actually maybe looking like the photo would be an improvement ?)
Hope you have a sparkling oven at the end of the day. If you do, you should show Hanna what cleaning looks like.?
Cherry sorry your wobbly internet and email provider are causing you problems. We rely on the internet so much especially in lockdown. It’s a pain when it’s not working properly.
Vaseline has helped a lot. My eyes aren’t quite so sore or itchy but they ache if such a thing is possible. Bit like eye strain, a hovering headache and feel like I’ve got concrete in the corner of my eyes. All I need now is to have a bad bout of tinnitus where I feel as though I’ve got an iron rod through my head and I would be set for a performance of Frankenstein’s monster ?.
My DH is a collector rather than hoarder. He collects paper. Anything he finds interesting on any subject he will often print it out to read again. We have newspaper mountains, magazine mountains and a whole alpine range of clippings. ?
I will be listening out for your cheering Cherry. Hope your team wins. Please give us another knuckle biting report.

Oh no Kaimoana not again. Sorry about the swimming. Hope little Gubbins can visit again soon.

The need to pop by my friends is ever strong and I get rather distressed hearing of the various stress and trials each one of you seem to experience far too often.
You certainly have your handswell filled Mamissimo with your fella and his escalating problems,hopefully each one is now being sorted.........and you still remain ever cheery......and in better health.
So good having you back with us Norstat,sincerely hoping you are feeling a little stronger.

Weather is outstanding with a very warm sunny afternoon here for the past 2 days,of course that merely tantalises us,reminders of last March when even though in lockdown we still had our high hopes.
My dear man`s pain is mainly under control now thankfully,but he is so very frail,no longer wanting food and even fluids take very much persuading.
He is going down so rapidly I can hardly bare watching the decline...........standing by being so utterly helpless.
Yes I am constantly busy from caring for our home,now two beds to cater for,lots of laundering and ironing whilst I am alone in all my dear one`s care at this stage.
It is a labour of love,but also one of real heartbreak,my once tall,strong and ever smiling husband almost shrinking and fading before my very eyes,it truly is so deeply painful.
GP,and Palliative care will be in touch again tomorrow and some respite is being planned,however they have all made it plain I am virtually all alone with my dearest over weekends .......and Bank holidays.........I have been provided with what they describe as an Emergency kit,which in the circumstances only serve to frighten the living daylights out of me.
Of course no one has exactly explained it all to me.

Thank you all for your loving support,believe me I am in great need.

I hear about the new lockdown in Auckland Kaimoana what a bummer.

There were people swimming in the river Forth today. It was sunny but too cold. It was nice being with the DGC and their DP and later DS carried a huge pack of compost for me as far as my car. Not sure what to do with it now.

Panache I can imagine what life is like for you right now although I had DS with us for the least couple of weeks as it turned out. It is anything but peaceful but do try to get some rest if you can. We are all with you in spirit my lovely. xxxx

Cherry I didn't have much stuff when I was younger. I didn't have so many clothes and I didn't constantly change them either. I used to go home from college for a weekend with a paper carrier bag holding all I needed.
If I had to move house I would have to have --several skips- a clear out but as I am not moving I don't have to.
Family quiz tonight. I had better have a nap.
See you all again soon.

I hear about the new lockdown in Auckland Kaimoana what a bummer.

There were people swimming in the river Forth today. It was sunny but too cold. It was nice being with the DGC and their DP and later DS carried a huge pack of compost for me as far as my car. Not sure what to do with it now.

Panache I can imagine what life is like for you right now although I had DS with us for the least couple of weeks as it turned out. It is anything but peaceful but do try to get some rest if you can. We are all with you in spirit my lovely. xxxx

Cherry I didn't have much stuff when I was younger. I didn't have so many clothes and I didn't constantly change them either. I used to go home from college for a weekend with a paper carrier bag holding all I needed.
If I had to move house I would have to have several skips a clear out but as I am not moving I don't have to.
Family quiz tonight. I had better have a nap.
See you all again soon.

Good Evening ?

If there's a skip doing the rounds can I have a go please? DS moved out today but has left a mountain a tidy pile of things he would like me to take to the dump recycle. I've asked Jeeves to lay it out on the drive tonight to see if any of you fancy helping yourselves......set of golf clubs with 2 no 4s but no 6......a small radio which apparently no one ever listens to these days....about 40 randomly sized hangars....a collection of strange heavy metal posters.....2 harmonicas.....

I collected Mr M at lunchtime yesterday and halfway home he clapped his hands to head......"I've left my hearing aids behind in the locker"......I felt like clapping my hands round his throat ears but it did explain why he wasn't answering me ?

Hopefully the coming week will be uneventful....

Come close Panache let me give you a cwtch. I wish I could give you more than those as words xx. It's so hard for you all the time, harder still on the weekends. I can feel your exhaustion and despair; standing by being so utterly helpless. You are standing by though, you are there surrounding Mr P with all the love you have for him when his need is greatest ❤️

[Hmm] Doodle, isn't collecting paper to read again hoarding, especially when it takes on Himalayan proportions? ? I'm not going to tell my WP that Mr P is a collector it'll give him ideas ?.

Grammaretto I hope you didn't think I was suggesting or thinking that you are or ought to declutter. I was merely responding to the fact that you said, as you look through drawers, you have too much suff. Two years ago my WP said to me that we ought to hire a skip to get rid of stuff in the garage (it's a wonder how he gets the car in there) but have we? No ?. 2019 came and went and not much got done because of my cancer operations and treatment and we all know where 2020 went. We dread the idea of booking and taking innumerable several trips to the tip but it looks like that's what we're going to have to do, and soon! We need space in the garage for the stuff from the kitchen whilst the work is carried out ?

Sorry Mamissimo no skip here but it sounds like we need a giant one between us all. Having said that, you say your DS has left a collection of strange heavy metal posters. Some "rock" posters can be rare and valuable. I've no idea of course if any he's left behind are but it may be worth checking out.
Sounds like by leaving his hearing aidd Mr M did the sort of thing I tend to do. On one occasion I went for a day out 50 miles away from where me and my WP were living at the time. In the evening I was driven home by a friend, got out of the car and only then realised I'd left my bag behind and my door keys were in it and... my WP had already left home to work a night shift ?. My friend drove me all the way back to get my bag and back home again. Oh the shame .

A mixed bag on the sport result front today. Wales (me) beat England (my WP) in the rugby ?. We're on the same page when it comes to the footie though. A match of lots of possession for the opposition in the first 25 minutes but not one shot on goal. Then, seconds before the half hour mark - bang, they scored ?. Nine minutes later our players surged forward and our striker took a perfect shot and ... hit the bar ?. Just before half time there was more surging forward and from close range ... the score was level! ?. The second half produced very few chances for either side but for one moment .. drat 2:1 down. The match was ebbing away. In the last minute of the game a free kick was awarded. To us ☺️. The ball in was a peach and one of our defenders rose to meet it. He headed the ball... it went wide ?. That was the last action of the game. Yes as we thought we would we lost today but we can hold our heads high as we're the only team to have scored against the opposition since early in November. ? that tomorrow's result goes the right our way.

Mamissimo Glad your helpmeet and strong right arm is home with you again.

Panache I hope you can take some comfort from the fact that you're involved in your beloved's care. So many are separated and can only fret at home, grief-stricken that their darlings are alone in a distant hospital ward on those last days.

Cherry Glad you got the email. The ones in the backlog are just photos of young Gubbins - no need to reply to anything I've sent.

I totally agree about Hanna but you take what you can get in this game. The next one might be worse
I won't report her; she's already told me she's overtired/overworked and thinking of giving up the job, so I'm trying to make allowances for her fatigue.

Doodle My Mythos is audio too. In fact, I first borrowed it from the library and liked it so much I bought a copy, so have actually listened to it several times already. Each time, I hear something new
In my Library Haul, collected on Friday, I have, 'Fry's English Delight' and that's an old favourite about to be re-read too.

I spent a lovely time in the garden with the Dean yesterday, Doodle - I'm so grateful for that link, thank you xxxxx
So many birds enjoying Springtime, although I couldn't hear a Robin. Perhaps when the gardener starts turning over the soil, they'll come in.
One of the things I like about where I live is all manner of English birds, as well as the NZ ones.

Your mention of tinnitus made me smile (no, I know it's no laughing matter. The friend who fixed my printer suffers much with it).
It's just that I woke in the night and half asleep thought oh crumbs, now I've got tinnitus! and then, fully awake, realised it was the cacophony of crickets outside in the bush.
Cicadas all day, crickets all night!!

I hope all our missing loved ones are still reading at least, or carrying on as best they can. dragonfly; Missedout; Nfk; Nortsat; FannyCornforth - and where's HappyMe, Granny Gravy, The Social Hermit, muse? Still watching from the wings? Hope you're all staying well.

Doodle I seem to remember reading that Preparation-H is good for reducing bags under the eyes.

Slightly reminiscent of the old joke "If your feet smell and your eyes run, you're built upside down."

Panache always a joy to see you posting.
I’m glad to hear MrP’s pain is being better managed but worried you’re not getting any help on a daily basis. No wonder the Emergency Kit has upset you.
Know that we are thinking of you. Hope you both have a peaceful night and am squeezing in to join Cherry’s cwtch.
Grammaretto glad you had a nice time with your family. Perhaps you could grow some tomato plants in the boot of your car. Hope the family quiz goes well.
Mamissimo I expect you will be finding your son’s bits and pieces for some time to come. ?
Glad MrM is home. I’m sure you are running round after him enjoying relaxing together. I too hope you have a peaceful weekend.
Cherry apparently not. Hoarding is something completely different. DH collects only ‘useful’ information. Like the weather forecast for Switzerland every day from June to September so he can plan when the best time is to go on holiday (all carefully entered onto a spreadsheet for instant access) bless him ?
Do you know, I am almost getting into footie. Not actually watching it but reading your commentary, it’s so exciting I was sitting here, on the edge of my seat, hoping for a win. I am almost as disappointed as you ?
Nothing much to report today. Not been out, so my eyes are a bit better. Did some painting this afternoon.
How is your non art coming along?

Kaimoana sneaking in behind me again I see ?
Dyslexia strikes again, or is it greed? I misread Fry’s English Delight as Fry’s Turkish Delight, one of my favourite sweets ?
Glad you like the Dean and his garden. I enjoy it so much. He has a lovely speaking voice. So easy to listen too.
Your cricket story made me laugh. Perhaps I have crickets in my ears too ?
I’ve read the same thing about the eye bags too but I’m not about to try it. Knowing me, I’d end up with haemorrhoid eyes. ?

I must still be half asleep! That joke is: "If your feet smell and your nose runs, you're built upside down".

Some of my marbles have definitely rolled away.....

Hello Lobstars, I'm not really missing. I read your posts every day but I'm too lazy to get my laptop out and touchtype my posts, they take so much longer on the iPad so I need to set aside time, usually late at night.

I have been quite busy (bear in mind I am physically lazy so my 'busy' is probably most people's normal). DH has it firmly fixed in his mind that I really enjoy and need a daily walk. He seems to think this exercise should be extended every day as well. This morning we were out for two hours. We walked along the country footpath then back via the reservoir. It was cool, misty and still but the sun looked as if it was going to break through. However, when we walked on to the reservoir wall, the mist lay heavy. Ducks and gulls were dark silhouettes on the flat, grey water that just disappeared into infinity, no sky, no horizon, no colour and eerily quiet. It was almost as if we had lost touch with reality.

Yesterday's walk entailed washing the mud off the walking boots before going into the house. I suppose having a Sunday lunch tomorrow/later today at least means that I can't go for a long walk and cook at the same time.

I cut DH's hair (what's left of it anyway) today. That seemed to take ages but it is at least respectable now (I cut my own hair a couple of days ago - I wouldn't trust DH to do it). Clearing up the mess took time, I can imagine local birds' nests being lined with fluffy white hair.

I have some wool left over from the jumper I finished knitting so I'm knitting myself a matching hat with the same wool. I made a cake too.

On a sad note, our neighbour died last night. He has been frail for a long time and it was not a surprise but he was a lovely, knowledgable, quiet man. I feel so sad for his wife. Their children are the same ages as ours and played together when young.

We could also do with a skip, although we tidied up the loft a few years ago, the pile of junk our stuff to be 'upcycled' has now gone beyond a safe slope and I am frightened to open the loft hatch.

It's late and I'm tired, soooo much walking!

Dear Panache, I'm thinking of you and your beloved.

I also feel for Norstat and Jan16, my mood is up and down too. I sometimes feel very depressed but I'm still here and thankful at the moment that I am well. I take a lot of comfort from my fellow Lobstars and am grateful for the good humour on here.

As ever, thank you Doodle, I hope the Dude is well.

Missedout what an absolutely enchanting description of the reservoir walk. Magic. Thank you.

I've stolen it for my journal

Hello Lobstars,

I agree about Missedout's wonderful reservoir walk.
Sorry I posted twice yesterday. I was tired after that day back in the world.

Growing tomatoes in the car Doodle. I actually did that once!
DS was a budding film maker and had brought an ancient Rover car home to be used in his film. It was used - it had to be towed- and DS left but the car didn't so I decided to use it as a greenhouse and we had a good crop of tomatoes that year.

I am happy to know that MrM is back with you Mamissimo with or without his hearing aids. Does this mean he missed all the fun of the removal? How does your hallway look now? It must be slightly more spacious - no?

We hired a skip once during major building works and DFiL (the one who moved house every few years) proceeded to chuck things of mine onto it. I had to rescue them . Now I rather wish I had let them go as they were just chairs with 3 legs, or no seat, and various "projects" which are still here somewhere.

I have had 2 replies to my request for helpers. Both quite unsuitable. One is an American body builder, the other a couple from Argentina.

I can see how dating apps work now or rather don't.
If there is no-one to match your criteria you get the next nearest etc.

I am glad the vaseline has helped your eyes Doodle I heard that it is also the go-to jelly for protecting your skin on long distant swims, so says this inspirational woman who can count swimming from Cornwall to the Scilly Isles as one of her achievements (Beth French)

I was listening to her interview while knitting the back of the man-sized jumper and wonder if I will ever finish it. It could be quicker to swim the channel.

I hope Panache you are coping still. I hope your friends don't stop helping at weekends even if the medical staff don't come out.
I hope all you gangsters have been able to enjoy some nice weather.