The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Jan The book doesn't go downhill, the drama keeps coming right to the end.

Mamissimo What an awful blow for your poor son, he won't feel safe but isn't there a claim, a guarantee of some kind against faulty workmanship?

In the complex of 14 houses, which make up the ghetto street where I live, the first 4 were built by reliable professionals.
Then the landlords pared the original budget right back and the other 10 properties were contracted to a company who had a great deal of trouble finding registered people for that price.

The Project Manager told me he hated the idea of taking on unqualified labour but had no alternative.
So now, the landlord (you all know who I mean) is in a protracted legal battle to fix blame and get compensation for dozens of faults, some of them dangerous.
It must be costing many thousands more to fight than they shaved off the budget.

Doodle My parents used to watch Golden Shot (picture from sexist days - thank goodness times have changed a bit )
I've never been a telly fan but I am a fan of leek sauce on Yorkshire puddings but due to my self imposed, nearly carbless diet, it will be winter before I allow myself to indulge.
I always have squeaky leeks in the fridge, rwy'n hoffi cennin. It seems crass to say it in English

I'm still reeling from Nfk's confession statement that she watched pants! I do remember laughing at the long shorts old-style footballer, Stanley Matthews used to wear, so perhaps they still do in Norfolk.

Cherry Offended? Upset? Of course not - I was teasing too.
I doubt you could say anything which would offend me. Goodness knows I've had some fairly horrible things flung at me on GN and I just and feel pity for people who need to be so nasty. Which is something you never are dear Cheery.

When I first began reading GN posts, I wasn't quite sure what WP was and so, in my head it became Wild Petunia.
Now, when I know perfectly well it's Wonderful Partner, it is still Wild Petunia to me.

After a run of very hot, dry days, we're now having a couple of soaking wet ones, for which the garden is grateful.

Hoping the Panaches are still at peace together and to all our lovely gang who are battling this invidious virus and its consequences...remember we are indomitable!

Good morning ?

Today I shall battle on in my search for a reputable electrician for DS. I had a corral of cowboys to pick from yesterday and one reputable and suitably qualified one who wanted to charge me four figures for two hours work.....

Our UK house buying system is insane.....DS had a full survey but these days full structural surveys don't include electrics. Instead you get a certificate from the people who designed the system, saying everything is fine.....I need to have it all rigorously tested to provide evidence that the certificate was fraudulent .....and then we will present the evidence to the developer for comment.....I see a legal battle heading our way but I do love a juicy challenge. ?

I bought a new fruit cage yesterday and it's very pretty....with a domed roof like a little temple.

Today Mr M is having his feet made happy so I will drive him as a treat, so that I get an outing too.

Will you be watching The Terror tonight on BBC 2.....looks chilling ? it's about 2 navy ships trying to find the Northwest Passage and getting trapped for years in the ice.....

And now for a jolly breakfast of cereal and a banana.....be good!

Good evening Lobstars,

It can't be evening already. Where do the days go?
Not sure I am ready to watch thrillers on my own in a big empty house Mamissimo/. You watch it and tell me about it.
A glass of G&T, a bit of knitting and some Gaelic homework will do me.
I like the sound of your temple to fruit.

How awful that you have a battle with developers on your hands. I hope you do better than we did.

Years ago, when the flats were built at our gate, the developers constantly cut off our water and electricity and part of our shared wall was stolen. When I wrote a complaint I received a letter from their legal department and I gave up the fight.

Many years before that a good friend had tried to fight the council over an injustice. They won. He lost and became ill and died aged only 40.
I hope you and DS get justice.

It has been quiet on here. Is everyone OK?

Dear lobstars. I have had a PM from Panache. Apparently it was/is her birthday. I sent best wishes from us all,
Poor Panache has hurt her back and has swollen legs too. The Palliative care team are coming tomorrow. I replied telling her she is very much in all our thoughts.
Ooh Cherry that sounds a bit sci-fi peoploids. ?. I used to love sci-fi when I was a child. My brother used to take me to the library with him every week and I would raid the sci-fi shelves for Issac Asimov books. They really fed my imagination.
Sorry I’ve wandered off somewhere ?
You sound bubbly (as you so often do ?). I hope you are doing ok. I was thinking of you again today as when I was listening to the Dean at Canterbury, he read a section of ‘The house at Pooh Corner’. Tigger didn’t feature this time but Eyore, Piglet and Rabbit did. The Dean is a loss to the world of Audio books. He has the ability without putting on silky voices or raising or lowering his tone, to convey different characters and emotions , hurt, bewilderment and joy in such a pleasing manner. I could listen to him for hours.
Sorry, rambled off again!
Grammaretto I am still wild and woolly looking but my eyes are a bit better today. ?.
I looove Camembert cheese. Have never cooked it though except coated in breadcrumbs (Waitrose) .
My you went for a long walk yesterday. 5 miles is a lot. No wonder you were tired when you got home.
Back to Cherry again. So when you said you had a broken head in your garden you sort of meant a decapitated head.
A good idea for a planter. We have a neighbour who has the same but her stone head is smoking a cigarette. I have no idea where she got it from

Kaimoana I’d forgotten it was Bob Monkhouse on the Golden Shot.
Ooh, thinking of Cherry’s WP as Wild Petunia. It makes him sound very exotic. ?
It’s been raining here all afternoon so after a morning of housework I have been on the phone calling all the people I needed to catch up with. Nothing much to say really as we’ve been nowhere and done nothing. I’m hoping I can do some painting later this week if I’m a good girl and do my housework first ?
Mamissimo I wish you luck in your search for an electrician for you son. Hope you find a decent and reliable one.
I’m amazed electrics isn’t covered by the survey.
Thank you for mentioning The Terror. I will look at that. I read the book about the Terror and Erebus ships and what happened to them.
DH and I have been watching a short series called White House Farm on Netflix. Not a nice subject as it’s about a family murder but it’s based on a true story and we have enjoyed watching it.
Grammaretto I can understand you being careful what you watch. I don’t like anything frightening.
I’m pleased to hear you are continuing with your Garlic. How are you getting on?
Have a good evening with your knitting.
Take care all

I did not type garlic ?. Truly I didn’t ?

Oh poor Panache as if she doesn't have enough on her plate without a bad back and legs. I'm glad you sent her our love and thoughts Doodle - they need every one of them at the moment.

I was and still am a great Asimov fan, although I'm not over-keen on sci-fi.
He's written hundreds of books on every subject. Go to Wikipedia and you'll be amazed...and that's only a selected bibliography, not a full one.

I loved his joke and history books and when I was doing a major project "Humour in Art", I wrote to him and received a wonkily typed and signed letter back. If you're interested, I can copy it and let you see.

It amazes me, when sailors are so superstitious that two ships Terror and Erebus (Greek god of darkness) were ever thus named and sent on such a voyage.
Destined for disaster from the outset.

And don't get me started on Mount Erebus; it's still a raw nerve here.

For ever now Grammaretto you will be studying Garlic - don't breathe on me!

Our Skype session yesterday was just as disastrous as every other time Gubbins and I have come into contact.

It began with smiles (she was on Daddy's knee) then she saw me and that was it...tears all round.
I managed a short talk with my dgs (his voice is breaking, bless him) and my son looked totally exhausted, so I didn't have the heart to chat for long.
She's only 3 months old, so I comfort myself that things will change in time. At least I know she's a happy lassie when I'm not around .

I can hear a storm rumbling its way down the valley towards me, so I'm going to switch off my computer (even though I have surge spikes attached) and make some breakfast. I may have Scottish kippers.

Stay well everyone.

Hello Gangstars, I'm trying to post before midnight.

Doodle - garlic or Gaelic - easy mistake to make.

Aren't the lobstars a busy lot (I've looked up the collective name for a group of lobsters and there seem to be several choices including a pod and a risk - although perhaps risque comes closest, given the predilection (or not) for body builders.)

Mamissimo, my DS and his little family moved into a new house today. I just hope that they don't have similar problems to your DS. Also that Mr M's feet feel good and he has twinkly toes! I hope the robotics work soon and the gall bladder becomes an 'ex' soon, I remember the pain of it well although (thankfully) didn't get enough warning to need to go on such a miserable diet beforehand.

Since my last post, DH has further extended our walks, I've restarted Pilates online classes and been using the exercise bike. I am shattered.

Kaimoana, I told my DGD your joke about the nose running - she thought it was hilarious.

Not all has been sweetness and light here. I don't know why but two of my AC aren't really friends and every so often one upsets the other. One of them complained to me. These are supposed to be adults! However, thinking about it, it may be a symptom of continuing lockdown and the stress it is causing. I bounce between worrying about each one in turn. I just want to go round and cuddle them all.

I'm not really a fan of audio books. I used to listen to them in bed at night to help me to sleep. The trouble is that it worked but the audio system didn't know when I went to sleep so I wasted time the following night trying to find 'my place'.
I remember the last audio book I listened to was an Ian Rankin Rebus book. I never got beyond chapter 10 although started reading chapter 10 countless times. I ended up buying the paper back. Please don't think I am disparaging audio books, they must be a godsend to those with poor eyesight. If I fall asleep reading the Kindle, it kindly keeps my place.

I hope the rest of the gang have a quiet night, especially Panache and Mr Panache and Cherry and that Doodle's swollen eyes get better soon, they obviously account for many of the 'auto-correct' problems.

Missedout A lot going on at your place today and I'm very sorry to hear about your AC's altercations.
My history: my sister was frequently belligerent and often violent, her target was me of course It's a miserable situation.

I'm glad your dgd enjoyed the silly joke

Although I love audio books, I can't lose myself in them like I could with a riveting hard-copy book. I miss that.

Hello Gangsters,
I didn't think Panache's situation could get much worse and it just has. Thanks for sending our wishes and love to her Doodle.

My Garlic is coming along thankyou. Actually it's the last week today and we have to say if we want to continue. I am making extremely slow progress but enjoy the hour each week. I hate homework and when it's suggested we do more classes - no!
I may be getting a helper from the Western Isles!
I wonder if she has "got the garlic" as they say (they honestly do)
I can say my name and I understand when you tell me you are not wearing underpants beneath your kilt.

I have asked for 3 quotes from decorators to make my big room beautiful.
One is coming tonight.
Another tells me they can't work at present but I can go on a waiting list and the third hasn't replied.

How do you listen to audio books? I have never tried them and wouldn't know how to start. Do you have a device?

When families fall out it is the worst thing Missedout. DH and I only wanted our AC to like eachother and they certainly came together when he died but even now I sense niggles and resentments between a couple of them.
DS#3 is the peacemaker, who refuses to get ruffled by any of his siblings' squabbles.
I love them all equally but some are more touchy than others. This includes the partners.

I had better make a start on chores for today.

See you later

Kaimoana yes poor Panache is going through it and says she is so worn out she doesn’t have time to post. I hastened to reassure her that although she wasn’t posting she was still very much in our thoughts.
My goodness fancy you having a letter from Asimov (yes I would like to see it if it’s not too much trouble) . I hadn’t realised he had written so many non sci fi books too.
I’m sure I have told you before that our first granddaughter screamed blue murder every time she laid eyes on us for quite a while. It passed and we soon got greeted with big hugs and smiles. It may well be that at the moment she doesn’t mingle much with others and is used to just being with mum, dad and brother.
I often envy your delicious cooking but you can keep your kippers ?
Hello Missedout do you have to post before midnight? Do you change from a beautiful princess to and ordinary kitchen maid like Cinderella when the clock strikes 12? ?
A risqué of lobsters. I like that ?
Wow you are getting fit. I need to exercise too but I don’t see me doing all that. At least DH and I are back doing our walking.
Hope your son’s move goes well and he’s happy in his new home.
I am so sorry about the disagreement between your children. It must be so upsetting. I am sure the lockdown is causing all sorts of problems for families. Hope things improve between them.
I know what you mean about the audio books carrying on if you fall asleep. So far I’ve managed to turn them off and settle down. I only really use them when I have a problem with my eyes or eye strain. I sometimes listen to an audio book at night if I wake up and can’t sleep but am too tired to read.
My eyes are much better today thank you.
Grammaretto I’m glad you are enjoying your garlic. I won’t ask how you come to know the words for not wearing pants under the kilt. What have you been up to??
I hope your helper is suitable. After all this lockdown I can imagine you needing some help with the garden and all.
Audio books
I listen to audio books on my iPad or iPhone. I’m not sure if you can do that on a kindle or not. I use an app called Libby which you download from the App Store. It is an online library app which I think works across the UK. It links to your local library and you can virtually borrow ordinary books or audio books. If you download an audio book when you press play it just starts working.
I will put a link below which explains about how Libby works. Because it links to the library it is free, you don’t have to pay to borrow the books. You need a library card but if you don’t have one you can contact your local library to set you up. If you want any more info, let me know.
help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6144.htm

I too don’t like families falling out. All we ever want is for our children to be happy and get on with each other. It’s hard though. My father had many brothers but only really liked two of them.

Waitrose have been. Shopping washed and put away. Off for a walk. It’s gloomy but not raining fortunately.

Hi All. Doodle. Yes I use Libby but you can’t read their books on a Kindle. I read mine on my I pad. It’s good although I find you can wait weeks for a specific book and also I find that our library anyway has a limited supply of books. I love a book with a good story not one of these boy meets girl, jumps through hoops and eventually they marry and live happily ever after type! Really enjoying the book Kaimoana recommended How to Belong.
The days are passing fairly quickly really but like everyone else we seem to be living such a limited existence. Oh to be able to meet friends for coffee or a meal out again. It hopefully in a couple of months that may be possible - fingers and everything crossed!

Hello Lobstars,

Panache is having it tough. There seems to be no let up. Sending more hugs and flowers.

In Garlic the phrase gu leòr means lots/enough/much/plenty which I would guess is the origin of galore. So hugs galore!

I have had to turn down my Help offer as DD has warned me that we still are in lockdown and I have to stick to the rules. She has also offered to help me herself. Hmm

Thanks for the info about audio Doodle and Jan. I wonder does that mean I will have to get a suitable device before I can listen? I don't have either kindle, iphone or ipad.

It has been bitterly cold today and was snowing a bit on my walk. After such a wonderful weekend too.

Mamissimo and Missedout fancy, both your lads are moving house at the same time. Good luck to both them and their families.
I hope those who haven't posted for a while are doing OK.
See you all later.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202103/medium-710389-shark.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202103/medium-200087-plankton.jpg

I listen to audio books on my CD players Gramaretto. I have one beside my bed, one in the living room.
Audio CDs come free from my library; I request them online and when they're available we pick them up.

I can't use hand-held devices, so although I have the equivalent of Libby, called OneDrive, to listen to a downloaded book, it would have to be on my PC.

My computer is in the spare room and my computer chair very uncomfortable, so that's not really an option.
I have been looking for a comfy chair to pop in there but so far no luck.

News from NZ: scientists have found luminous sharks.
We already have bioluminescent beaches due to plankton a sort of water-borne glow-worm but this is an exciting discovery (to me at least )

Yes Doodle poor wee Gubbins has seen no one but the 3 family members, so not surprising she fusses when she sees The Wicked Witch of the West! It'll come right.

Jan Your taste in books is similar to mine although I don't mind 'fluffy' books (Agatha Christie etc) to fall asleep to I don't bother winding them back, just put in the next disc!

It's cold this morning, a definite foretaste of Autumn.

Jan I have been grateful for Libby during lockdown but would far prefer to go to the library and choose books there. I also like a real book in preference to reading on the iPad.
I haven’t noticed a long wait for books from Libby but perhaps I am not reading that many at the moment. My copy of Mythos is from Libby.
Like you I don’t like romances. I prefer a good thriller or mystery. I love it when I find a book I can’t bear to put down. ?
Kaimoana I think Libby is One Drive too.
If you can get that on your computer then perhaps Grammaretto could too.
Shame about your help offer Grammaretto. How lovely your daughter is offering to help ?
I’m not surprised it was snowing where you are. It was jolly cold on our walk today. I hope the weather warms up soon. We could all do with some sunshine.
Kaimoana I don’t really fancy getting close to a shark even a luminous one. I do however love those programmes where they go deep into the ocean and film all the wonderful and strange creatures that live there. Good job I’m not at the bottom of the sea at the moment with all this wiry, wild and woolly hair, I would frighten the life out of anyone who saw me. ?
We watched the first episode of The Terror on BBC tonight. About 2 minutes in I realised it was actually based on a book I read some time ago. Not sure we will continue with it as we both found the sound quality to be very poor and couldn’t understand half of what was being said. Probably just us getting old.
Got to take our car to the garage tomorrow morning so must get up bright and early.
Like you Grammaretto I hope all our missing gangsters are ok and coping. Hugs garlic to everyone. ?

Grammaretto, you can download library audio books to any PC or device running newer versions of Windows, Apple and Android and listen to them using headphones, earbuds or speaker. Download the OverDrive/Libby app from the playstore. There is plenty of information on YouTube.

Doodle, I need to adjust my tiara ....... that's better - not midnight yet is it?

DH usually goes to bed by midnight. If I'm tapping away, at a keyboard, absorbed by writing a post or playing a game, I have been known to lose track of time! It means that I disturb DH when I creep into bed. I'm a night owl - DH has always known that. I've offered to sleep in another room rather than disturb him but he maintains it doesn't matter, he says he doesn't mind although I sometimes get the grumpy treatment. I don't particularly like antagonising DH although I reserve my right to do so. That's why I try and press 'Post' before the witching hour!

I'm sorry that we are missing a few lobstars. I also hope they are OK.

Jeeves, I think perhaps a hot chocolate with some little marshmallows on top would be rather pleasant tonight, if you please.

Kaimoana, oh yes I remember the Golden Shot. The right a bit, left a bit ... is something me and my WP are familiar with ?. It can be particularly helpful when either of us have got an itch that needs scratching or can do with a massage. I know how that may sound ? but I don't mean that kind of itch or massage ?.
Interesting .. your original thoughts that WP stood for Wild Petunia and that that has stuck in your head ?. I'm glad you didn't think it stood for something like Weedy Pansy ?. I'm not certain but I think I'm the only one on gn that uses the abbreviation WP ?.
Thank you for saying that I'm never nasty. I hope I never am, there's no need for nastiness. There's nothing wrong for eg. challenging someone's opinion or kindly pointing out errors of fact but there's no need to be nasty doing it. I'm sorry that you've been on the receiving end of nastiness on gn, you as one of the nicest people on gn ( like all the gangsters are) really don't deserve it.
Why do they do it, these companies etc, always cost cut, cut corners and then when problems inevitably follow deny culpability tooth and nail, like you say costing them more in the battle? I guess I'm answering my own question with the answer by saying sometimes, all too often, they get away with it as the opposition backs down.
Sorry to hear that Gubbins is still wary when you appear before her. My mother used to get incredibly upset by the fact that my nephew1 used to cry and shy away from her when he was very little. By the time he'd reached the age where he was walking and racing about he used to run straight to my mother when he came to her house ?. It'll pass, she'll love her grandma.

I hope Mr M has very happy feet this evening Mamissimo ? and that you had success finding a decent, reputable and correctly certified electrician?. If your son's new home has issues it's likely that it's not the only one that these developers have bodged the electrics of. Do you know whether this is the case? Safety in numbers to fight a legal battle?
We did watch, or rather my WP did, 'The Terror" last night. Great actors in it but for some reason I couldn't get into it. My WP enjoyed it.
I like the sound of your new fruit cage ☺️

Grammaretto, you're asking the wrong person if you think I can answer your question as to where the day goes ?. If you find out please please let me know!
Probably just me but I couldn't work out whether you are going to continue your gaelic classes or learn independently with the help of someone. You are continuing one way or another aren't you?
I hope you managed to get the quote to get your room decorated and I'm hoping that perhaps you heard from the other decorator too, obviously better to have a couple of quotes to compare.

Doodle thank you for letting us know about Panache. We all understand if she's not able to post and I hope she knows that we are thinking of her and how much we care. Sending you a cwtch Panache x
I suppose peoploids does sound a bit sci-fi. I've used the word for years, stolen from a Bowie song.
So the Dean is continuing with his Winnie the Pooh stories then. The books are a boon of wisdoms I think. Lovely stories for children but such a lot that we can all take out of them. A friend of mine in a huge fan ?
Yes the head in the garden is a decapitated one ?. When the statue smashed the top of the head not only got severed off it lost the top, hence it makes a good planter ?.

Missedout, so your DS has moved virtually the same time as Mamissimo's, what a coincidence. I hope he doesn't find any hidden issues. Is it a new build?
I don't know what to say in regard to two of your AC quibbling except that it's quite common, especially under stressed circumstances. It's definitely stressed period we are all living through at the moment.

I'm with you on that Jan, oh to be able to meet friends for coffee. Such a seemingy small thing but craved for, sigh ?.

I had my new gumshield today, hurrah ☺️. My dentist is so lovely, she called it my sleep guard and dream sweet ?
Well, the kitchen design has put the flags out finally been done properly! The only thing now is the wait ? for the work chaos to start, but I know it won't be straight away.

Scary story you may want to skip.

You can be forgiven for believing "The End of the World is Nigh" as here in NZ at least we seem to be conforming to the Biblical prophesies.

Plagues and right now 3 earthquakes (8.1; 7.1 & 7.4) which has triggered a tsunami and all the East Coast (both Islands) is under evacuation orders. (see picture)
To add appalling insult to injury, as one family in Whakatane dashed to safety, their house began to burn

Despite these emergency warnings, surfers have leaped into the water, no doubt hoping to 'ride the wave'.

Obviously, Bali wasn't warning enough. This is NOT a wave.
If it's as bad as they predict it will be a 40ft wall of water containing cars, trucks, furniture, trees, boats and bodies.

Where I live, it's high enough and inland, to escape the worst. Still scary for others though.

How frightening Kaimoana, I hope you and all your loved ones are OK. The BBC news reports no damage as a result of the quakes but warns about unpredictable tsunamis. I hope that things don't get any worse and there is no loss of life.

I had a call last night from DS about the huge quakes. He was perhaps playing it down but said there were tsunami warnings.
He said the quakes were out at sea. If they had been on land it would have been very destructive.
Thank God no-one was killed.
That is quite a picture Kaimoana

Hi. Kaimona and Grammaretto yes read about the quakes in NZ. Scary. Pleased that there was no loss of life. Remember we had a minor one here several years ago. We were woken up by a loud rumbling noise and the house shook briefly. No damage but very frightening!
Cherrycezzy So what does WP stand for cause I’ve been wondering! Just can’t work it out. Whole Person? Wacky Person?
Think we might take a trip to the river this morning. Quite a nice bright day and it’s high tide at 11. We will take a flask and have our morning coffee in the car like the old people that we used to smile at many years ago!! Oh dear!!!
Hope poor Panache is getting some quiet time with her DH. Such a sad time.
Am impressed by all the hobbies everyone has. My days just seen to pass with not achieving anything much. Have even arranged for someone to come and clean my oven! That’s the height of laziness isn’t it but I just can’t face all the hassle involved! Had told DH that once it’s done I won’t be using it again!
Hope everyone of you lovely people have a good day - I will just drift through mine probably accomplishing nothing very much!

Another lovely day though a little chilly.

Just popping by to say you remain much in my thoughts but life is getting busier and i am now getting beyond tired,though please know people all around are offering help and I am accepting gracefully.

The Palliative team have the GP,The district nurses,the home hospice team,Shalom house respite team and even the Hospital all on board in these final chapters,if it weren`t so terribly sad it would be mightily impressive.
My dear one is in full knowledge of all that is happening,although very sadly, he is visibly fading away.
However we are together and that means so very much.

Thank you for your caring,love to all.

Much love Panache. I am so pleased you are getting so much help and support now and that your beloved is more comfortable. I know you're running on empty but hopefully you are getting some peaceful time together too. ?

Your situation sounds very familiar to me. Panache Lots of loving thoughts to you.
?

Missedout your tiara is very fetching. ?
Ah now I understand about posting before midnight. Hope Jeeves provided special hot chocolate last night and you all slept well.
Cherry you can’t possibly be old enough to remember the Golden Shot. In my mind I picture you as a young bubbly person with a big smile ?
I agree with you, I see no need to be nasty to anyone. Surely we can have a difference of opinion without any unpleasantness.
Perhaps I’ll have to ask your WP to let me know what they are saying in The Terror. I found the background music a bit annoying too....perhaps I’m going a bit deaf. That could account for it. Hadn’t thought of that ?
Yes the Dean often reads extracts from one of the Winnie the Pooh books and Beatrix Potter. He thinks we could all learn from the way the characters respond to one another.
Jeeves is very put out, he is sulking in the kitchen. He has reliably informed me that he is your sleep guard and better than a lump of old plastic any day ?
Good news about your kitchen.
Kaimoana what a frightening thing to have happened. I hope you and all your family are ok. Glad you are high up.
Grammaretto hope your son and his family are ok too.
Any pottery (potting ?) being done today?
Jan your trip to the river sounds nice. I can just picture you both looking out to sea and having your coffee whilst watching the ‘young things’ go by. ?. We do the same when we go to Mudeford. Just sit in the car and watch the sea.
I fully agree with getting someone in to clean your oven. It’s a job I hate which is why I bought pyromaniac ovens (well it’s what I call them anyway ?)