The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Good morning from yet another glorious Norfolk day. Theo and I are back in our summerhouse! Internet is a bit iffy in here though.
The summerhouse was put up last November. Many years ago there was a greenhouse in this corner but DH lost interest and got rid of it. Since then this corner of the garden had just been left really apart from a half hearted attempt at a vegetable plot!
Then last summer I realised what a beautiful sunny corner this is so I mentioned it to be greeted what “whatever for?”! However I don’t give up that easily and eventually I won!! I love it and even his lordship quite likes it too!
Fancy Doodle and Kaiomoana reading the same book. What a coincidence. I used to read a lot but at the moment have trouble concentrating.
Grammaretto. We have a community website in our village and if anyone needs any help they post on there. We found the man who put the summerhouse up on there and found our window cleaner as well. Are you sure the American body builder was no good?!!!

Missedout I agree with the others. A lovely description of your walk. I could almost have been there with you.

Well you’ve been busy by my standards too (mind you I am incredibly lazy ?) . Walking, baking, knitting, hairdressing, you put me to shame.
I too cut my DHs hair. He also doesn’t have much. He has a lot less by the time I’ve finished. I seem to do quite well until almost the end when he says can you take a little more off above the ear and ........oops there goes a chunk. Still it will grow back ?
Sorry to hear about your neighbour. If your children played together you must have been neighbours for quite a long time. It will be some comfort to his wife and family to have you close by.
DH is doing well though I am worried that he still has pain in his back when he stands for any length of time. I am going to contact the GP as he has no follow up after his accident and I do wonder if he needs some physio advice.
Take care and keep walking. Your DH is right, it does you good and lifts the spirits. Lovely to hear from you ?
Grammaretto twice as nice to have two posts from you ?
Well I don’t believe it! There was me thinking I was making a little joke and you actually have grown tomatoes in a car. ?
What a novel idea for a greenhouse.
When ‘other grandma’ downsized, her daughters went round to help her. They were busy putting things in the skip and she was busy taking them out again ?
Are you quite sure the body builder from America isn’t acceptable, might be quite interesting? ?
I’m surprised you haven’t had a response from people nearer to home. Hope some suitable people apply soon.
Ah if only is could swim I could certainly manage a trip to the Isle of Wight with the amount of Vaseline I’ve put on myself in the last few days ?
We could swap for a bit. I could do your knitting and you could do my painting by numbers it’s never ending ?

Another day in today I think. It’s a shame really as the weather is so nice but the pollen is still causing me trouble. Steak and chips for dinner tonight and a nice bottle of red.
Panache I hope you are ok and managing.
Have a good Sunday all.

Hello Jan you crept in while I was typing.
I envy your summerhouse. I can picture you and Theo enjoying the sunshine together.
My BIL has a summerhouse overlooking his garden pond in a nice sunny spot. Lovely place to sit and relax.
I see you are interested in the body builder too ?
Have a good day. ?

Just a very quick visit from me ?. I've had two seizures today and can hardly think straight so I am having a quiet loungey day. I'm thinking of you all and hope you all have the best Sunday you can ?

Cheery
I hope you get a good rest.
My local walk was far too crowded today. Probably because it's Sunday and there is nowhere else to go?

Cherry do take care. No bed romps tonight. x
grammaretto we find the same at the weekend. So many people out and about.

You will remember I am learning how to do our accounts on DHs spreadsheet system. Well I have written copious notes and studied hard so today I thought I would do a transaction on my own. I wanted to make a donation to a charity, so with notes at the ready I set to and followed my checklist, onto online banking, making the payment, recording it on the accounts spreadsheet and going to the final sheet where he has impressed on me I must check the balances are the same before I close it down. If they are different, then something has gone wrong. They were different ?. I only paid out £30 but the difference on the balance page was over £16,000. Gulp. Fortunately DH was with me and had seen what I was doing. We closed everything down and when we opened it up again it was all ok. Phew!
He thinks it was a glitch because he had been looking at some old accounts before I went on the computer. Stiff drink needed tonight.
Had a lovely chat with our DGD tonight. Just checking on how we were.
I’ve still got sore eyes so off to bed early with Stephen Fry again tonight. Wonder if I’ll stay awake long enough to learn anything new.
Panache hope you are managing ok.
Take care dear lobstars.

I also was on the computer and was found wanting.
I tried to attend a concert. I paid online but I couldn't join! I spent at least 15 mins clicking on everything but to no avail. I was locked out. Wail!
Earlier I tried to make an advert for the flat. I could not copy and paste the photo I wanted.
Computer says no.
My friend who has been in hospital for a month after breaking his hip, despite getting covid he has recovered enough to get home tomorrow. So some good news.

"Wanted American bodybuilder to replace argumentative Korean cleaner."

Doodle switching a computer off then on again is often the best remedy for anomalies ..as long as everything had been saved.

Again with the coincidence - I too tried to make a donation at the weekend but their website wasn't playing. I hope it was because they were snowed under with money

Glad to hear your friend is home Grammaretto - what a relief. Pity about the concert, what a hassle.

I wonder how MrM is doing? Gall bladder trouble is painful so I hope he gets that fixed soon.

Mr&MrsPanache have been constantly in my thoughts, especially when I visit the Dean in his garden. All love to them.

What a gentle relief to have Karen helping me this morning. Whilst she was taking my books back to the closed library and posting a letter, I made a giant pepperoni and bacon pizza for her and family. It brought back so many memories.

The stainless steel tray 12" x 14" I used was originally the drip tray in a very old fridge we were given in 1987.
When it packed up, I kept the tray and it's been in constant use as a cookie or pizza sheet ever since. Nothing ever sticks to it.

It has slightly rounded, raised sides so when I made this pizza, I pressed the dough right to the lip, so it held more topping for hearty, man-sized appetites.

If you wonder why I'm forcing food on my poor friend, it's because:
a) she does many things for me which are well outside her remit and will never take anything for petrol or even let me buy her morning tea.

b) she absolutely hates cooking and yet is responsible for feeding 4 (now down to 3) adults every night.
When we go out, she'll often say, 'What can I make that's quick and easy?'

After a full day's work which starts at 5 am - her first client is at 7am across town - I don't wonder she's exhausted when she gets home.

So as I love baking and cooking - and whilst I still can - we barter talents.

My son sent me a little audio file of Gubbins talking to him in the night when he went to settle her down.
One of those moments which defies description and all one can do is cry.

Aw shucks! I should have told the American Body Builder to try at yours Kaimoana

Your advice for mending a computer reminded me of the scene from that wonderful old film Brief Encounter. When she has grit in her eye and the tearoom waitress suggests .......
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf0FauoUB8U

I have been trying to get a quote or 3 to have my room decorated. The one where the ceiling fell in. I find it very depressing to have a room which is unusable. However it seems that no one is allowed to work at present unless it's essential.

I shall do some pottery today. I watched the throwdown and am slightly motivated.
I potted up my rose into my planter yesterday and today there is a frost.

I shall try to contact the ticket sales people about last night's missed concert and either get my money back or watch a recording. It isn't important in the greater order of things - just annoying.

How lovely to see Gubbins even if it's just on video.

Right I am going to do something today...

Let's hope St David's Day is a happy one. Thinking of the Panaches

St David`s Day and yes the residents are being treated to a special meal,all home made of course.
A very pleasing newsletter informs us we now have 2 new chefs plus 2 new assistants so we are expecting to enjoy meals very shortly.

A quiet but ever busy weekend and indeed were it not for our good friends we would have been entirely alone.
Seeing how tired I am they are returning with some sleeping draughts.............nothing too powerful as of course I need to be alert at all times.
We are coping though my dearest is well and truly struggling so,yet now and again that determined spirit shows itself still.
What a trouper he is.

Hopefully you will all enjoy a pleasant and perhaps even a fruitful day.

Enjoy your special St David's Day lunch, Panache
I am glad your good friends are keeping you company sane

I emailed the ticket seller who has sent me a link to a recording of the concert I missed and another 2 so I really can't complain!

-

Wot-ho Everyone and Happy St David's Day! Its my opinion that England 'threw' the rugby on Saturday in honour of the day. They were certainly pants in the second half which was all I watched.

My bit of Norfolk has just had several wonderful spring days which I've spent mostly in the garden - meaning my hands, wrists, elbows (and most of the rest of me) has been sooo stiff by the time I've stopped. I've enjoyed it so much but
I do get taken over Justfinishthisbit syndrome and suffer afterwards. Today is an enforced break. It's freezing out there in a grey, cold mist, so I'm back to sorting photos and slides.

I'm so glad you have friends to keep you company Panache. Much as you must be valuing the time you have, the support of good friends is so vital. I hope they're feeling able to give you the hugs you need on our behalf.

Pleased to hear that Mr M has had his MRI, I hope that means he'll get sorted shortly.

I envy you your summerhouse Jan. I thought when we laid out our garden that we were going to have one in the corner which gets the afternoon and evening sun. But we were getting short of money at the time and sheds are so much cheaper and better value ...!

To top off the lovely sunny days, we gained a DGS on Saturday! Under the heading of unofficial occasional (bubbled) childcare. DS sold his car and DGS went with him to drop it off for a last drive in it and DDiL followed a little while afterwards in her nice little reliable Seat. Except it wasn't. It decided to die half way there. So I was called in for emergency pick up and childcare! Wonderful! He stayed all day and we both felt so much better for his company! And we got to drop him off at their house - and stay for coffee (outside of course!) Fortunately DiL is working from home and DS works within cycling distance - just. And summer's coming!

Grammaretto I’m sorry you missed your concert. How disappointing. Pleased to hear you will get a link to that and two more.
Sometimes these computers (and printers) are more trouble than they’re worth.
Pleased to hear your friend has recovered and is coming home.
I see there is a GN thread about the pottery throw down and people disagreeing with the choice of who got eliminated.
What are you going to make now, another planter?
Kaimoana
Another coincidence, you are talking about baking trays and I’ve just been trying to order one online. I have an small oven tray just the right size for what I use it for but unfortunately it has a roll top edge and the inside has gone rusty. Whenever it gets wet it drips brown rusty liquid on my pale grey worktop and marks it. It’s days are numbered and it going in the bin.
Your pizza sounds nice by the way.
I bet your little Gubbins video will be played over and over again ?
Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus. panache and cherry hope I’ve got it right. ?. We always celebrated St David’s Day as it was my Welsh father’s birthday too. Mum used to make his favourite Welsh cakes for him.
Panache I do hope you get some decent food now. You could both do with some building up. Glad you had your friends with you over the weekend. They sound good friends indeed. Hope you both sleep well tonight. x
Nfk this lovely spring like weather is certainly a boost.
When you get bursts of those keep going moments it’s amazing how much you can accomplish.
What a lovely surprise to have a visit from your DGS. I bet you enjoyed it tremendously.
Cherry hope you are ok and enjoying St David’s Day. Leek soup for dinner?
Mamissimo hope you and MrM are ok and doing well.

Evening Indomitable LobStar Gangsters.

How could you possibly say that my email backlog are only photos of Gubbins Kaimoana? There is no only when it comes to the beautiful, alert and inquisitive ? Gubbins as you well know! The photos are a wonderful gift, thank you ? I'm with Doodle, I bet you'll watch that video over and over again ?

Grammaretto I've heard of growing plants in some unusual containers but never a car and I must say Doodle are you psychic? We've currently got some alpines growing in a large broken head, that's about as unusual that we get and before any of you ask no it's not my head as I've got a small head ?.
Sorry about your concert, I'm glad you've got a link to the recording and two more besides ?
I'm pleased that your friend has recovered enough to have left hospital. I hope he's going to manage alright after breaking his hip.

Missedout I enjoyed walking with you on your enchanting walks. It's wonderful how the atmosphere around water changes so much with the weather, despite you description of universal grey it sounds far from dull or bleak but rather ethereal.

You sound like you've been doing what my WP always does when he's gardening Nfk ?. He frequently tells me that he's just doing such and such a job in the garden and it'll only take 20 minutes ?. Half a hour later he's still out there, then half a hour after that etc. He's been doing garden painting jobs over the weekend and goodness knows what else out there He ends up suffering the consequences and really shouldn't be doing any of it because of his chronic pain syndrome but try telling him that! Who am I to tell him not to, he loves it. I hope all the aches and pains have eased on your enforced rest day.

Panache I'm glad that you had your friends to help you on the weekend ?. I hope your special St David's Day meal was lovely. It sounds, by the fact that there are going to be new and more staff in the kitchen, like better food generally will be provided. I hope so.

Almost right Doodle, you just missed out the word Sant after Dewi ?. No, not leek soup here ?. We used a secret recipe handed down to me from my mother, a lamb recipe and no it's not cawl either. I usually make Welsh cakes, can't remember the last At David's day when I didn't but didn't feel up to it this year ☹️. Ah, so your father shared his birthday with our saint, as my nephew would say "cool".

I hope Mr M is comfortable today Mamissimo.

Jan I'm glad Mr J came round to your way of thinking the idea of your summerhouse and likes it too ?. It's funny how t'net can be fine in one place but a metre or two in a different direction can make a huge difference. We have one lovely spot, thankfully not the only, for sitting in the sun in the garden but it's an internet not spot ?.

Kaimoana', your appeal to swap Hanna did make me giggle. Only one question, if it matters, is an American bodybuilder any good at cleaning ?

How did your pottery go today Grammaretto? Are you making something else for the garden or something different this time?

Grammaretto
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajC4Az4wscc

Thankyou Kaimoana I enjoyed that! a brilliant parody.

I am making plant pots for indoor plants, vases and mugs.
Cherry
The ABB (American Body Builder) claims to be good at lots of things. I am rather prejudiced against BBs having had to ask one to leave. He was a Brazilian BB and insisted on eating huge quantities of meat although he knew I was vegetarian and was only staying for a couple of weeks. He would only take instructions from DH when it was me who wanted help.

What a delightful afternoon for you NfkD It sounds a real tonic. I hope the car reached its destination.

I'm watching a fascinating TV programme about Welsh art while knitting of course but I keep looking on here to see what you are all up to. Dreaming of Summer Houses for the most-part .

I read your post with relief Panache - you really do need good victuals to keep you strong - and good friends too. So glad you now have both.

Nfk A lovely day babysitting your dgs - that must have been a nice surprise.
Maybe you can fit an extension on the shed to use as a summerhouse?

You got really good value there Grammareto almost worth missing a concert to get 2 freebies. Will these two be live?

Doodle I've almost worn out the Gubbins videos My son has promised if we come out of lockdown as planned, I shall definitely have a visit, from him at least, which is always wonderful.

Cheery You're absolutely right and I'm hanging my head in shame. Gubbins will never be only' anything.

Would a BB be good at cleaning? Oh, I'm sure I could teach him a thing or two
Not so sure about the meat issue though.
I made myself a delicious leek sauce to go with my vegetable today and I don't think anyone could have been finer fed.

I've been reorganising my pantry (yes, first the oven now this - life continues to be breathtakingly exciting) putting stuff into plastic boxes. Remember the days when plastic was the demon king? Before we needed tons of PPE.

All the baking ingredients were already neatly boxed but one shelf (cornflakes, rice krispies, McVities digestives and my favourite Nairn's oatcakes) wasn't.
They were still in their ordinary packets.
The funny thing is, I used to be able to feel which was which and now when they are in clic-clacs, I can't.
Maybe I've done myself no favours?
Time will tell.

How's Mamissimo does anyone know? I miss her jolly posts and I was hoping to hear MrM had been relieved of his bladder.

Hope all the missing friends are simply enjoying the Spring.

I'm reading, and enjoying, How to Belong by Sarah Franklin - has anyone read it?

Very muggy here: 27 degrees and 65% humidity.

I'm off to have another shower but before I go, a spectacular shot by photographer Antony Newby of the full moon over Leeds.

Hello! Mr M has been busy keeping me on my toes since he brought his lumpy gallbladder home on Friday. He has another pre-op assessment booked for next week and hopefully the darned thing will be removed in another couple of weeks. They can't take it out while it's inflamed.

I've put him on a diet so he does little feel hangry. Unfortunately it also means he still has the joyous milk diet to look forwards to!

Our clever Sil helped DS to move into his new house at the weekend - he's very skilled at all things practical and an ex policeman and ex electrician. He discovered that the electrical set up in the new house is very far from proper and correct and potentially unsafe so I have been stressed out trying to get a highly qualified electrician to do an independent inspection. There is some suggestion that the builder has been fraudulent in claiming qualifications he doesn't appear to have.

Poor DS is understandably very upset because he had a full survey and has every sign off certificate but it's shown into sharp relief how low some people will stoop. I have my leg of lamb and best pinny ready for action when I catch up with the developer!

H Beagle went for her grooming session yesterday and for the first time couldn't manage to jump into the back of the car....she's 12 so I think she feels a bit like me! She does smell nice though....I think they use Lenor ?

Today for the sake of my sanity I will stop the world and do some gardening....

Hello Lobsters. Pleased to see Mamissimo posting. Hope Mr M gets his gall bladder sorted soon. My daughter had hers removed several years ago and recovered well but she was only in her thirties! How I remember having to lift dogs into cars as they got older and also the lovely smell of a freshly bathed dog! Really miss our little dog but know it’s sensible not to get another. Never seems much point in a walk without a dog!
Kaimoana Well I wasn’t reading How to Belong but looked it up and downloaded a sample. Really enjoyed the sample so downloaded the book! Have read quite a bit and think it’s good. Just hope it doesn’t go downhill suddenly. So thanks Kaimoana CherryCezzy*. No summerhouse today unfortunately. Dull and quite cold but yes it’s funny how your spirits can lift by just getting out of the house. It’s not very big but could get four people in - if we were allowed four people!!

Good evening Lobstars. I am so glad this isn’t a video call. I look a sight. My eyes are still puffy and red with bags under them and I’ve washed my hair today so I am really the wicked witch. ?
Jan16 are you really 16, I am quite envious ?. I can just about remember that age. I met DH when I was 16.
Our dogs were never much for walking (having short little legs) but I do miss them.
Your summer house will be a boon when the weather gets warmer. Lovely place to sit and be inside outside ?
Mamissimo I hope MrM is well enough for his op soon and the pre op goes well. I have a feeling you might be ready to force them to take it out by then ?
Oh I am sorry for your son. Not what you need when you move into a new house. Good job your SIL has his wits about him and spotted things weren’t as they should be. The survey should have picked it up I would have thought.
I hope Honey beagle so enjoys smelling sweet she doesn’t rush into something smelly for a long time. Enjoy the gardening.
Does MrM have a bell he can ring when he wants a cup of tea needs you urgently? ?
Kaimoana hope you come out of lockdown soon. I know how much you love to see your boy ?
Your mention of leek sauce reminded me that DH read in the paper yesterday (St David’s Day) that recruits in the Royal Welsh had to eat a whole uncooked leek as some sort of initiation ceremony. Bet it wasn’t nearly as tasty as your sauce.
I hadn’t thought that you would know your store cupboard by feel. DH always makes me laugh that he recognises all his medications by shape size and colour. He takes 10 different tablets every morning. With his hand tremor, some go missing on the floor and then we have hunt the tablet time. He can see them but can’t pick them up, I can’t see them but can pick them up. It’s like an episode of that old series the Golden Shot..... Right a bit, left a bit .....?. Did you ever watch that?
Lovely photo of the moon.
Grammaretto forgive the ignorance but do you start your projects with a lump of clay? I was thinking of the similarity of kneading bread and wondering how strong you must be to get it to the point you can manipulate it.
Hmm yes I can now see the downside of having a body builder around. Have you had any more suitable applicants yet?

Well you really made me laugh. I was reading you post and I (mis) read the fact that you were watching a programme called
‘Welsh art while knitting’ . I thought, I wonder how they do that ?.
Cherry how have you been today. Glad I got my Welsh message almost right. One always wonders if something rude may be spelt by mistake ?
Little Gubbins is a wonderfully smiley baby isn’t she?
I won’t ask why you have a large broken head in your garden but wonder whose head it was supposed to be?
Do you have any luck with the Alpines? I grew some once but they didn’t like my garden (or my gardening)
Panache hoping you are having calmer days and better food.
Keep safe gangsters.

Good evening LobStar peoploids.

I can see why you couldn't want to let your flat to another BB Grammaretto. The last one sounds like a sexist oink , very inconsiderate and selfish too if I may so.
Gosh, you do sound like the "Great Pottery Throwdown" has inspired you. Lots of different types of pottery planned ?

Kaimoana I hope you don't think I was chastising you re. Gubbins. I'm a terrible tease, but also a 'pedant' in some ways ?.
I love leek in a variety of sauces and so does my WP. I make a leek sauce, or variations of, quite regularly. You'd never guess That I'm Welsh. I like leek sauce with fish especially. Not a huge fan of them raw though ?.
You have found some energy haven't you, never a bad thing. If you've got any to spare that I can borrow I'd appreciate it. There's so much that needs doing around the house ?. It's got to the point that I've had to write jobs that need doing on the calendar because then it's an appointment and I can't go missing appointments ?.
If you can't lend me any energy I'll settle for a McVities digestive as I love them ?

Your DD was very young when she had her gallbladder out Jan. I'm glad that she recovered well from it.

Hope you've enjoyed your great escape in the garden today Mamissimo and avoided a visit to a psychiatrist ?. I'm crossing my fingers that Mr M's inflammation comes down quickly, doesn't resurface and his op' can go ahead in a couple of weeks time. It must be thoroughly miserable for him and a worry for you both.
It sounds like there was a hooky survey ? on your DS' new home, not of your DS' doing. If a full survey hasn't picked up problems with the electrics then something's iffy. There must be some path of recourse he can pursue.
I can well imagine he's upset, angry too. I'd be livid ... I do have a leg of lamb in the freezer!
I hope honey beagle keeps smelling lovely for a good while and rejects any urge to find anything mucky ?

Doodle you haven't half put a smile on my face - one always wonders if something rude may be spelt by mistake . You are so right, especially where Welsh is involved.

Good evening Lobstars,

I am happy to hear that on the whole the Mamissimo household is doing well and that honey beagle smells divine.

Cherry too sounds quite upbeat which is great.

Doodle looks a picture with her wild locks and poor puffy eyes.

I've had a far too energetic day today and a stinky one too.
First I decided to put a camembert cheese in the oven to melt/soften because i was told it would be delicious. The smell was so awful that even after throwing it 100 miles out the pong is still filling the kitchen.
As it was cooking a friend arrived with an enormous bag of sawdust needed for my firings. She was being kind but it has to be kept dry and I couldn't find anywhere suitable so I unloaded a lidded bucket full of old bags of clay and other things which don't matter if they get wet and then there was a disgusting stench like something had died at the bottom of the bucket. I gave up and brought the sawdust into the house.
I then went for my walk but my pal had a plan to look for somewhere she had seen on the map and we must have walked 5 miles at least and when I got home the kind man who chops wood was chopping wood and I had to make him tea and all I wanted to do was collapse. He carried on until after dark. He's not related to your WP by any chance is he Cherry?

Good night dear Lobstar friends. Love to the Panaches
Hot chocolate for me please, Jeeves.

I didn't quite finish my post earlier, so in the words used on 'Mastermind' of which I am not ....

The broken head in the garden didn't start off that way Doodle. It was once attached to a body ?. A garden statue fell and smashed in a storm a few years ago and my WP who can have bonkers ideas sometimes be innovative decided it would make a good planter. I think he planted something in it first (I can't remember what) but found it wasn't doing so well so planted that somewhere else in the garden and bought some lovely alpines which have thrived. Alpines can be tricky Doodle, there are some places in our garden where they'd have no chance of survival. Some alpines are so finicky conditions have to be Goldilock, just right ?. We try to avoid those ones!
Sorry your eyes are still causing you problems. I must say though, the more you tell us about your hair the more and more I think it's just like mine.
Yes, Gubbins is an adorably smiley baby ?

That was a long walk Grammaretto ?. I'd want to be sponsored to walk that far these days ?.
I was told that once about camembert too but have never tried to do it. I'm glad I haven't now. Hope the smell is gone by the morning! I won't ask about the bottom of the bucket but I hope you didn't find something dead in it, yuk. Sorry but I had to have a giggle about the fact that you ended up bringing the sawdust into the house ?. All you need now perhaps is to apply for a license to serve alcohol (sorry, I'm such a tease) .
No, thank goodness, I don't think your woodcutter is related to my WP - he does tend to stop at dusk (usually).

Enjoy your hot chocolate Grammaretto ☕
Nighty night gang.