The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

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Hello Lobstars, two more photos from our journey. The first of a tantalising glimpse of a fantastic house and garden through a bridge. The second taken from the front of our boat around 8pm tonight and showing how tranquil an evening on the boat can be.

I hope Jan's DH gets on OK.

I hope Panache and her dear one are spending quality time together.

I have my fingers crossed for Mamissimo's DD.

I'm glad that Cherry's kitchen is coming together and really pleased Doodle no longer has a bloody nose.

Wish us luck on our return journey, Lobstars. High winds and narrowboats are a dreadful combination - the flat bottom means being sent sideways more often than forwards when the wind blows.

ixion you are always welcome here. I was just confused ?

ixion, now now, don't Spurs are surging ! I'm really disappointed as it doesn't look good for us now. The truth is the last few games we haven't played well, we play better with three at the back. It's been hard without Rice too but when he came back yesterday he wasn't fully match sharp ?. Don't forget, Brighton are one of our bogey sides. There's still a chance, my bubbles haven't burst yet!

Dexter's operation seems to have worked then dragonfly. Great news. He was clearly happy to go home, even if he might miss you and vice versa, to see mummy ?. It'll be lovely for you to see your family in Brighton soon and your "Now I am six" DGD ?

Jan, I agree - no complaints from me that my appointments were all in the afternoon either, I was just pleased and grateful to be treated.

Well, I was hesitant to intrude here doodle, as it's not my usual patch, but when I read that there was another Hammers supporter out there, I just had to say hello.

Crumbs ixion you made me jump. I thought I’d posted on the wrong thread for a minute ?

Megs hope you are keeping ok. Good to hear the treatment for your DH was successful.
Grammaretto your cat was beautiful. Obviously a garden lover. Are your potters students attending regularly now or are they local potters who use your kiln?
I followed your link earlier. The Storehouse place looks a good idea. I wonder how much trade they have. It’s how we used to buy food years ago really.
Sounds a strange thing to say but I am longing to go to the dump. I have so much stuff to get rid of. Where does it all come from?
Cherry ooh no I wouldn’t fancy an ice cream with a nose bleed. That would put me off. Been fine today thank you.
When will your kitchen be finished and ready for use, are you pleased with it so far?
I like my thread cuddlers. I have a tidy sewing box for a change.
I’ve been sewing today. Finishing off the hems on my evening dresses (I know you didn’t realise I was so posh ?). Ever hopeful we will cruise again one day. We don’t go on the big cruise ships just Saga ones. Quiet and peaceful.
Jan shame you can’t have hospital accommodation, it’s very good for people who don’t live close. I stayed in some when DH was in Brompton. I stayed in a hotel when he was in St Mary’s in Paddington as they didn’t have anywhere for relatives to stay.
Dragonfly so glad to hear Dexter is doing well.
Sounds like a lovely trip coming up soon. I, not surprised you can’t wait to see your DGD.
My DGD finishes school for good next week. I really have trouble believing it. I can remember her going to her first school and running out to meet us when we collected her at the end of the day. All the school plays and fetes. How did that time go so quickly.
Thank you, the nose seems to be behaving itself today.
I too hope the Panaches are ok.
Hope everyone has a good night. Jeeves is ready with the hot chocolate ?

I fear cherry that Our Team is now on the downward turn⚒.
Yesterday's draw was just not good enough and Spurs are surging ...
Just like our dreams, they fade and die.....

It was good while it lasted!

Good afternoon.
Sorry I have been absent but I have had a lovely weekend. DD came to pick up Dexter. He was so pleased to see her and wouldn’t let her stop cuddling him. She was thrilled that he is so quiet now after his operation.
We are seeing them again in a couple of weeks as we are staying there on our way down to Brighton to stay with our DS.
DGD was 6 last week and we did not see her in person at all when she was 5! I can’t wait.

What an amazing performance that was Kaimoana.
Those nosebleeds are not good Doodle I hope you don’t get anymore.
You must be relieved the kitchen is nearly finished Cherry. I remember the upheaval when we had ours done. Hopefully the bathroom is not such a big job.
Jan I was lucky when I had radiotherapy as it was not too far and I drove myself. I wasn’t particularly tired, it was a doddle compared to chemo! It will be nice to get away before it starts.
I too wonder how the Panaches are.

Megs36. No sadly our NHS trust only provides accommodation fo relatives of very poorly patients. But thank you for the info. Great news that your husband has recovered from his lung cancer but not good about the COPD. A friend of mine who is only 52 and has never smoked has COPD. She suffers badly at times.
Cherry. Strangely enough my DHs appointments are all in the afternoon which as you say just messes up the whole day. But no point in complaining. Just grateful it’s being dealt with.
Very gloomy here after a lovely day. Had some rain but think more might be on the way.

Cherry,thankyou,it was lung cancer ,yes it was successful although he has COPD possibly as a result of fibrosis after treatment but who knows what would have happened without it .
We were ever thankful at the time.

Megs that was a heck of a lot of treatments in such a condensed period of time ?. Successful treatment though I presume ?

Mamissimo I'm crossing my fingers ? for at least the next two weeks then for your pupo DD. I completely understand where your DD is coming from and where are too. I'd be willing the clock to speed up. I'm wishing her and her DH a very happy outcome ?

Aww Grammaretto that's one lunched out cat ?.
I've heard about the carbon challenge but I don't know much about it except what you have outlined, I'll take a look at the link.
Quiz question: did anyone draw up the questions? I've been to one of those ?. It was fun all the same. Did you enjoy yours ?

Wow Kaimoana what an incredible experience the Darkness performance sounds, immersive and participatory. Lovely to share it with your DDiL too ?. More loveliness (and even more lovely) smiles from Gubbins ?. Never in doubt that that was just a matter of time ?

Jan I agree, sorry to say, daily radiotherapy for three weeks will be monotonous. My radiotherapy sessions were all afternoon appointments so it did steal each day feel like there wasn't much time for anything else but that wasn't entirely true. Driving one way each should make it an easier trip each day. The consultant in right, in the main tiredness is by far (but certainly by no means always the case) the most common side effect. It was the case for me but then I'm prone to side effects ?. I hope your DH doesn't experience any tiredness when he has his treatment?

I'm glad you didn't have an icecream with a nose bleed Doodle, don't think I'd want to eat one of those ?. Seriously, I'm pleased that you haven't had another one ?. You will promise to ring the Dr's if you have another one though, eh?
Perhaps elastic bands would do the job of the cuddlers but they're not as durable, those little twist "thingy's" (I can't remember what they're called) probably would too but they're virtually impossible to reuse. I think the cuddlers are cute ?.

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That play/experience must have been wonderful Kaimoana . I remember you were apprehensive beforehand but an outing with DiL must have been rather special. I don't believe I have ever had an outing with any of mine on their own. Jolly Gubbins afterwards too. Ain't life grand!

I would be on tenterhooks (I am) Mamissimo with a pupo DD Perhaps better concentrate on keeping pests away from those lettuces. Apart from the scary cat I have to water the garden along there and she has lost seedlings galore to slugs. I hope something is left when they return.

We had a cat for about 20 years. She was a rescue kitten who gradually settled in but was always climbing and leaping. She could leap onto the gutters and walk around the house, meowing to be let in our top floor window. Here's a photo of her giving new meaning to Raised Bed.

The kiln is full of potter's club work. It's a small electric kiln but I have several acquired over the years.
I went to the dump yesterday with a carload of stuff so I must be making some progress.

Jan. I sympathise with your problems re your husbands treatment. We had a similar thing about 5 years ago when mine had 36 sesssions of radiotherapy over12 days, 3 every day and how do we get there panic. Luckily the hospital (cancer centre) had a Lodge where we stayed for two weeks, we just popped out shopping when necessary and did our own cooking or had the occasional meal in the hospital canteen. It was NHS funded and just donations. We were told that if it was full ocalhotels or Bn B s could provide accommodation, I wonder if your local NHS Trust has a similar scheme? We said it was our Autumn holiday ??
I wish you well and a successful outcome.

Jan that’s good there should be no side effects for your DH.
I hope you don’t find the driving too arduous.
Your description of colours is lovely I’m so glad the cataract operation made so much difference to you ?
Grammaretto perhaps the cat realised her wellbeing depended on you and decided to be approachable. Have you ever had cats yourself? I had one once when much younger but I preferred the dogs they were more affectionate although needed much more looking after.
Shame about your quiz night. Did you just have a chat instead?
What do you have in your kiln at the moment and how long does it have to be kept alight? Not sure what you use to fire it up, gas, electric, wood?
Will have a look at your link in a minute.
Have a good firing if that is a term ?
Kaimoana what an unusual experience Blindness was.
It sounds quite chilling. It reminded me in part of the Day of the Triffids.
Nice for you to share an experience with your DIL and some lovely smiles from Gubbins made your day I’m sure. ?
Oh Mamissimo it must be such an anxious but possibly exciting time for you all. I do hope things work out well for your DD. I toyed with the idea of watching Leonardo but wasn’t sure it was my cup of tea. I’m watching The Bridge again. The first time I watched it was on TV and I couldn’t read half the subtitles in time. This time I am watching it on my iPad and have a better idea of what is going on. I like it because the Danish voices remind me of my dear SIL .
Ooh is it running bean season again. Time to get MrM in the garden doing his Worzel Gummage act to scare the pigeons off.
Have a good day all.

Good morning ?
How wonderful Kaimoana to experience the power of transformative theatre. Sometimes performance shines a light for an entire audience and that collective response is awesome - as was a grinning Gubbins.

Well it's been a rollercoaster week but DD2 is now what is known as PUPO - pregnant unless proved otherwise! I would very much like the next two weeks to pass quickly so that we know how this plays out....but DD says she wants to savour the hope.....

We finished watching Leonardo on Prime last night....picturesque twaddle ?

Don't tell anyone but the beans are in.....as in running beans.....the tomatoes are ready to be hardened off this week and the pigeons have eaten my lettuce.....it's war!

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Hard to know how to describe ‘Blindness’. Profound, chilling, unsettling, scary and for me, intensely and personally true.

The Concert Chamber at the Town Hall was dark but for the lights you see, as we entered.
Once everyone was seated – two by two, masked and distanced but facing in all directions, we put on stereo headphones and the narrative began.

Isolated totally from our world and unable to see or move, we were catapulted into a world of pandemic and panic where all but a few percent of the populace was blind.
Juliet Stevenson (mark my words, she will become a Dame) was magnificent as the Narrator who has to hide the fact she can see, in order to stay with her blind husband.

The sound engineers have contrived a work of genius, so realistic that when she was speaking in my ear, I had to remind myself my Dil was there, not her.

It’s a brutal story but then violence, criminality and revenge are only just below the surface in many of us, waiting to turn humans into predators as soon as social order breaks down.

Perhaps the most telling phrase, uttered at the end, was advice for any pandemic, ‘Don’t lose yourself.’

When everything which makes you who you are: children, family, art, writing, travelling, hobbies, socialising – is taken away and you are forced to live a tiny, government-ordered, threatened existence, are you still who you were?

During Covid, normal life skidded to a halt, we cannot be who we were but we must not lose sight of who we are.

When the perfomance ended, two people clapped hesitantly but stopped when no one else joined in. It just wasn't a thing one applauded. We all filed out in silence - thinking.

A better review here:
britishtheatre.com/review-blindness-donmar-warehouse-london

Best part of the day: when I arrived at my son and Dil's house, Gubbins beamed at me and continued to do so when we got back from the theatre.

Jan you and DH probably love driving. I hope it works out alright. At least it's more-or-less summer time and not the depths of winter.

The carbon challenge is a 2 year government funded project to educate the population on how to lessen our impact on the environment. Today was the opening of a drop-in space.
www.penicuikcarbonchallenge.org/

I met the cat Doodle. She seemed much more friendly than I expected.

We had our quiz tonight but only 5 of us turned up and no-one had prepared questions!. It's a year since we started our Saturday night quizzes.

I'm firing my kiln tonight so will have to stay up late.
Thanks for the tea, Jeeves. This Bedtime one is quite nice.

Doodle according to the Cosultant there are no side effects from Radiotherapy except maybe a bit of tiredness. Certainly my friend was perfectly ok when she had her radiotherapy. Kaimoana does sound as if your Grace is still not getting the idea of bed making! Very strange!
Cherry hope your kitchen is going well. You will be so pleased when is all finished and sparkly new.
Doodle Cataract operation is amazing. Once is done the colours are so bright especially the blue sky. I had worn glasses since I was about 14 but now I only need them for reading. I’ve had great fun buying sunglasses as had never been able to wear them before. Great op!

Grammaretto I think elastic bands may work too. I hadn’t thought of that.
Well we managed our walk and ice cream today without a nose bleed. It was actually quite warm.
Where is the carbon challenge centre? Is it an exhibition?
How did the cat take to you?
Jan sounds as though you’ve got everything planned. I take it if your DH is driving to the appointment every day, he should recover from the treatment quite quickly. Is that right?
How long will he be there each day, do you know?
No not heard from Panache recently which makes me hope that MrP is home and she is spending her time with him.
Hope cherry is getting on ok.
Dragonfly I read on the GM thread that Dexter is going home to his mum soon. Good he’s on the mend and the treatment seems to be working.

Hi All. Thanks to Doodle Cherry and * Grammaretto* for your concern about all the driving but it really won’t be that bad. DH will drive to the hospital and I will drive home. We are very used to driving and are driving up to the Yorkshire Dales on holiday next Friday. We did think of staying nearer but the cost even in a Travelodge is considerable and as the hospital is not actually in Norwich we would be twiddling our thumbs wondering what to do. Also we would need to put our cat into a cattery just adding to the cost. I think the only problem is the sheer monotony of going every day and the fact that our social life will be very limited!! I’m hoping for a few meals out on the way home!
There is hospital transport but it would mean getting up at silly o’clock and hanging around all day until everyone had had their treatment so it’s not really an option but if it gets too much we would probably go for it.
Has anyone heard from Panache - she has so much worry.
Will be back later and thanks again

Would it work with ordinary elastic bands Doodle?
My sewing box is a mess of threads. It certainly makes sense to stop them wandering.
I met the cat today. She really does look like a wildcat with a dark striped tail. She belongs to my walking friend who is off to the Western Isles next week, ferries and covid permitting.

The MP, the MSP and our local councillor turned up for the opening of the carbon challenge centre today. I was impressed.

The picture is a wildcat not the MP

Not dim at all Grammaretto. I came across them by accident when I was browsing Amazon. They clip round thread spools to stop wandering threads going all over the place. When I’m sewing I often have 4 or 5 different threads that I swap in and out of the machine and the ones I’m not using keep getting caught up in each other. I have a picture of some of my threads being ‘cuddled’ by the thread huggers so you can see how they work (at least I think that’s how you use them ?)
I too was wondering if Jan and MrJ could stay near the hospital somewhere during treatment. It sounds quite a long journey for both of them every day.
I have trouble driving at night too. I think it’s quite common with blinding headlights and deteriorating eyesight. We avoid it as much as possible now.
I assume it’s a local cat you are feeding, for a neighbour perhaps?
Hope everyone has a good day. I’ve just finished my morning exercises and my 5 minute Zumba. I am exhausted. Time for a coffee break I think. ?

Hello Lob-stars!

I still don't get how the thread huggers work Doodle. I am dim.
I agree with you about Cherry's wet room. Please can it be put on hold until the Cherry family have had time to settle in to the new kitchen.

90 miles a day for 3 weeks Jan. Is there any way you could stay nearer the hospital while it's happening? Too too stressful.

I have glasses on a string for reading and anything close up but I have never before had a prescription. It was partly because I mentioned that the night driving is now horrible with blinding headlights and when I couldn't see an enormous bird of prey DGD was showing me . "It's just there grannie!!"

Next week I am on cat feeding duty so will get my instructions later today. I'm not really a cat person but it turns out the cat isn't a human cat either. It is half wildcat.
But if it's left unfed, it knows to jump up onto the sideboard and get its own food.

I hope the bed making saga is soon remedied Kaimoana

Those photos Missedout make your trip look like heaven.
Great that you saw your northern branch. I'm looking forward to seeing my Southern lot in June.

Ah Cherry thanks for caring. No I don’t often have nosebleeds. I have had one or two over the years but nothing like these last two. Sorry I misled you, the first one was two nights ago at home. It eventually stopped and was ok until we were out walking today. I think I wiped my nose and it started bleeding again. I will see how I get in over the weekend.
I can understand why you are exhausted with all the upheaval going on in your kitchen. If you agree to the wet room does it have to be done straight away or can you have it done in a few moths time. It does seem a good idea but I can understand why you need a break.
I have two pairs of glasses. A pair for driving and walking around and another pair for watching TV. I couldn’t get on with varifocals as I wear my glasses half way down my nose and couldn’t see through the bottom bit without tipping my head back. Fortunately, I don’t need glasses for reading or using the iPad so I don’t have to wear them all the time.
Hope you have a good night's sleep tonight and recover a bit over the weekend.
dragonfly I think I read on the GM thread that Dexter’s lump is nothing serious and he’s going home to his mum soon. So pleased to hear that. Hope you are keeping ok too.
Panache hope you and MrP have a peaceful weekend.
Going to wake Jeeves up it’s time for my hot chocolate.?