The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Great news Panache. So pleased your man is and can enjoy the snooker. Enjoy every day

What a lovely uplifting post Panache. Indeed every day is precious and I am so pleased you are enjoying today.

Warm greetings from the shores of West Wales.

The weather has proved changeable over the latter few days,still no rain though and today the sun is again shining.

For once I am able to come along in upbeat spirits so please my friends make sure you mark it with a big cross!!!

Indeed I am delighted to say that once the initial poor few days following the Blood Transfusion had settled down,my man is enjoying a very pleasant break from pain and stress.
The Snooker Tournament came at just the right time!!!!
It is such a joy watching him now following his favourite game....... without too much pain and stress.
Days such as these are valuable and savoured by us both.

Thinking of you one and all,hoping life continues to prove kind and fruitful daily.

Good morning gang-sters.

Thank you for the sandwiches which are delicious. How do you manage to make them Cherry when your kitchen is in chaos?
I do hope it starts on Tuesday with the minimum of hassle.

How lovely Grammaretto two holidays with the family. I too have never been to Sky although we lived in Scotland. We went to Islay which was lovely.

Your post made me laugh Mamissimo. I love sausages and mash and fried onions and baked beans so no problems for me.

I wasn't aware that Kaimoana was missing - I hope she is okay.

I have never been to Africa (except Egypt - does that count?). My DH's parents lived in Kenya for a number of years and he has been on Safari many times in Kenya, S Africa and Uganda but has never wanted to go back. I have an ambition to go to Botwana.

I took Dexter for his pre-op this morning. He is having an op to open up his airways on Tuesday. Having heard all the things that can go wrong I am very nervous about it. I think it will be a long day. I will ring DD tonight to make sure she is happy to go ahead. I suppose they have to discuss all eventualities.

I am still hoping for rain here but as the sun is out it doesn't look very likely.

Good morning gang-stars.
Grammaretto thank you for the good wishes and sandwiches. I would like tuna and salad on Granary bread please.
My partner and I are in the ‘Two Jab Club’ as of Saturday and are both feeling a bit rough. The first jab resulted in my having quite a pronounced allergic reaction, so pleased this one hasn’t been too bad.

I am attaching a photo of the flowers my partner sent me recently, to cheer me up. I hope they have a cheering effect on all gang-stars. Have a good day gang ... ?

Good morning ?

Glad you're liking the makeup series.....I can't help thinking they must have whiffed to high heaven!

I was up early again this morning and planned my day while I drs k my coffee. The sun is lovely this morning so I thought I'd take the beagle out for a stretch once Mr M was up, and then do some gardening.....he however thinks I need to bring the shower head and hose downstairs and remove the limescale from both, and then we can take his hormone moment to the garage to check its tyre pressures. Men and women are very different!

I've finally decided that I have a problem with sausages.....whilst I like sausages I don't like the meals that sausages are part of.....I don't like mash so bangers and mash is meh, I'm not a fan of a fry up, toad in the hole has, according to world expert Mr M, got to come with mash and beans. I can be easily persuaded to eat sausage and red wine risotto however. Why do sausages have to come with mash?

Grammaretto I never, ever darn because I am creative.....I can't whistle because my face is too smiley....I can't ride a bike because ......there are quite a few things I have chosen not to master for very good reasons ?

I'm off to hide from Mr M occupy myself somewhere remote!

It would be good to see our missing Lobstars. Sending love and sandwiches made by Cherry to you all.

Doodle
Nothing like a laugh to splutter over my breakfast!
Thankyou. The Georgian look indeed.
You have been very much too busy Cherry but just think what a difference it will make to daily living when it's done. Sandwiches are always welcome.

I can't believe the room (whose ceiling fell in) is now finished, well almost finished. Just needing the furniture put back (or disposed of) and new curtains. DD & co are coming on Saturday and will help. I put all the cushion covers through the machine and dried in the cold north wind yesterday.

I feel very pleased to have done and delivered 2 things. The commission in time for the birthday and the mending I offered to do before Lockdown sometime last year which I sub contracted to my dressmaker friend on Monday. She did say it was tricky and nearly broke her machine but brought it back the following day. I confessed it wasn't all my own work.... I watched the Repair Shop and realised I could never be that painstaking and still smile!

I have never been to the Isle of Skye. That's a confession in these parts. DH refused to go once the Bridge was built as it's no longer Over the sea. I'm not nearly so particular.

How wonderful that you had those African adventures when you did NfkD. I do hope your bottom is better.

I looked into medical insurance for us . The Maggie's Centre gave me a list of specialist places, but in the end we went to France for a week in 2018, by train with just travel insurance and it was fine.
www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-edinburgh/

I have just watched the make up programme. Good thing I saw it before having my hair done next week. I will now go armed with a jar of fat and powder and ask for a Georgian look ?

No sooner do I mention Cherry and there you are, creeping in behind me. ?
You sound as though the last couple of days have been full on getting ready for your Kitchen. It’s always chaos when the kitchen is being done as so much of the home revolves around it. I really hope you are pleased with the result when it’s done. Do you know how long it will take?
Yours are the best sandwiches I’ve come across Cherry thank you. ?. If you need some running repairs on your Tigger tail, I’ve still got my sewing machine out.
Sorry you can’t have a drink.......I’ll have one for you if it would help ?

Grammaretto oh how lovely. We’ve never been to the Isle of Skye but the Lake District is a big favourite.
Those pottery courses sound fun. Other grandma has been on watercolour painting holidays which she enjoyed too and another relative on creative writing courses.
Mamissimo don’t know whether I’m more envious of the beach walk or the chips ?
I am aiming to watch the make up programme good to hear you and Grammaretro enjoyed it. I too hope the panaches are ok.
I am also wondering where Kaimoana has got to.?
Grammaretto I bet your house would be a lovely one to visit. That bookcase of books sounds fascinating to me.
Nfk I’m so sorry for your little botty. I hope it gets better soon. Would you like Jeeves to rub some Hello Vera on it.? ?
Wow that’s some holiday. Uganda. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I know what you mean about holiday insurance. With all DHs medical conditions it was getting a bit difficult. We have been going on cruises for a few years now with Saga. We take out their own insurance which is a lot easier as it just covers us for each individual trip.
DH has been on Safari in Kruger National Park. Thankfully he was only eaten by insects. ?
Hope you are ok to Cherry

What a day (couple of days)! I'm quite worn out, again why are there never enough hours in the day to do things that have to be done or the energy to do them The chaos of trying to sort two rooms in preparedness for the kitchen start the day after the bank holiday ?. It's never just that job though is it? It's clearing space to store stuff too and in our case that's meant some of the junk in the garage has had to be loaded into the car and taken to the dump, honestly a nightmare! Then the guy who's coordinating between adaptation grants and the contractor has the most brusque manner imaginable. To top it off I've had seizures of course. Who'd have seen that one coming ... ?. If I drank alcohol I'd be sitting here with a stiff drink right now ?. My head is just one big brain fog ....

I am thinking of you all. I do have my fingers crossed for Mamissimo's DD2, I am pleased that Grammaretto is going on not one but two holidays and I am concerned about the whereabouts of Kaimoana I am hoping that Mr D is alright and you too Doodle. I am sorry to hear that you've pulled a muscle Nfk and hope you are sitting comfortably Missedout and that Jeeves made sure you had a sandwich from the last pile I left Jan. I hope Nortsat and dragonfly are feeling more themselves and the Panache's are getting all the help and support they need.
Yes Mamissimo I have been making sandwiches again and regardless whether you or anyone else needs one they're there for you all ?

I'm sure I've left gangStars out, dratted brain fog! Still got a bit of Tigger tail intact so just minor repairs needed ?

Just a quick pop in before I have to make a couple of phone calls.

I gather from the remarks that those deleted posts must have been not nice ones. In a way I feel sorry for the people who post them. They must have very sad little lives. Not like the deletes which are the result of an overheated discussion. They're the ones which get me intrigued when the replies are still there, but replies to what?!

My bottom is a little better today, although I still can't reach my feet and going to the loo is agony - I need a padded seat like Henry VIII!

I'll definitely look up the History of Makeup programme on catchup. It sounds interesting and I really like Lucy Worsley - and her wardrobe. I wonder if she hires her clothes?

I love hearing about your gardening Grammaretto, especially the veg as DH has used his right of veto this year and we really don't have room for them, but I do love growing veg, even when the results aren't as I hoped.

We got quite addicted to safaris Doodle especially photography ones. Our last one was just before Covid kicked off which turned out to be excellent planning. We'd decided it was likely to be our last big Abroad holiday as the insurance is going up horrendously with DH's age and our decrepitudes. So we thought we'd go out with a big one and had our own guide. Uganda. I can thoroughly recommend Uganda. Its not too big a country and has so much variety. For me the best bit is that you don't have to walk much, and the accommodation on safari's is out of this world!

Opps! Time for my first WhatsApp call!

Yes I watched the makeup programme last night Mamissimo though I missed the beginning. I found it by chance after channel hopping in despair. It's brilliant. Why is Lucy W so unpopular? I don't object to her though all the family do. Simon Schama is MiL's boyfriend/heartthrob.

Wonderful! Chips at the seaside. The only place to have them really but it needs to have been warm with that smell of the sun on your skin.

I have come back here, away from the dust and dirt of the room recently decorated. I am starting to put all the things piled in the centre back in their place. We inherited an enormous Victorian bookcase complete with most of the Victorian books. We found a butcher's bill inside a book. Perhaps I could open my house as a museum?

There has been rain so the potatoes will need earthing up. Beans aren't going out just yet.

Good morning ?
We made it to the beach for our chips walk yesterday and it was smashing.....very quiet, sunny and sparkly. Prosaically today Mr M is having his feet done....

Is anyone else watching the history of makeup on BBC2? It's on Tuesdays and a little social history gem. Mr M copes well with it because it has a lot of science and good historical specialists. and no sign of the ghastly Lucy Worsley.

I'm hoping the relative quiet on here is a sign that the Panaches are getting the help they deserve, that Cherry is busy making more special sandwiches for everyone that needs them and that the rest of us are gently gathering up the threads of life.

I must go and sow beans......

Hello Lobstars,

I also hope Cherry is having a good sleep.
I hope the Panaches are being looked after properly.

Yes I know where I am going. Doodle The DC had booked with me in mind. The Lake District first -only a 2 hour drive from me and the Isle of Skye later. Both lovely places.
I agree about activity/special interest holidays NfkD
I used to run pottery courses during the Summer which were very popular but a lot of work. I am too old for that now.

I have been on a few myself. A porcelain week in the South of France (interspersed with delicious food, wine and swims in the pool) and a Neolithic pottery course on Orkney, where we made pots, built a kiln and fired them as our ancient forebears might have in prehistoric times. Very good fun
orkneypottery.co.uk/
I see someone else is doing something similar:
www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/prehistoric-pottery-workshop-at-the-ness/
DH did not accompany me so I am used to travelling by myself although I prefer public transport.
The bus backing onto the Orkney ferry, in a gale, is very impressive.......

Time for my 4th cup of tea. See you later.

Grammaretto I am pleased you decided to go on holiday with your children. I hope you have a good time. Do you know where they are planning on going?
Nfk you’ve got the same idea as DH. Do things while we can.
I hadn’t thought of special interest holidays that sounds a good idea. DH is keen on photography trips.
Where did you go on safari?
I bet you enjoyed your boat trip although the return to dry land seems to have been painful. Ouch ? a poorly bottom.
Hope it feels better soon.
Kaimoana, where are you? I hope it’s computer problems keeping you away and nothing else.
Cherry did you get a quiet night last night? Hope so.
Panache still very much in my thoughts x

Nfk and all those who wondered about the deleted posts?

GN was infiltrated this morning by two ( or possibly one poster with two different identities) new posters .
What they wrote on here was weird but not too bad but the things they wrote on other threads were rude and disgusting.
They were not posting in relation to this thread or the GM one they were just using rough and very crude language to upset people. Along with about 20 others I reported their posts and GN deleted them. Just so you know, you didn’t miss anything worth reading ?

What is going on? I hate it when posts get deleted as I really, really want to know what they said! I shall look at the GM thread in a mo.

So pleased you've accepted your holiday offers Grammaretto. We've decided we're in the 'Don't know how long we've got so make the most of it' camp. Although we still avoid crowds. My anti-social DH rather likes the new normal. When you feel the time is right, rather than look at singles holidays, try the special interest ones. We've been on birdwatching, photography and animal tours with a complete mix of people. The last one, a safari, there were 14 of us and only three couples.

Cherry, can I put forward the suggestion of helebores for your new shady spot? We have the several shady spots and they do very well there with hostas following on. I'm pleased to hear that you've got the direct Crisis number for help with your problem neighbour. Don't be afraid to use it. The lady needs help before she gets really bad and in dire straights and the only way is to keep reporting.

That old Triumph Herald boat is still around Jan. At least it was a couple of years ago when I saw it on the river at Wroxham. Maybe it was a different one which looked the same, I seem to remember cars used to rust rather a lot back then.

We got all the cushions and seats and everything back onto our little boat this morning and even went for a chug around for a while. It was lovely, loads of swans nesting in the reeds. But I fear I may have caught Missedout's boat injury tendencies - just as I was about to step up onto the finger jetty when we got back there was a twang from that big muscle in my bottom and I seem to have pulled it! Not too bad walking around but I can't pick things off the floor, or put my shoes on, and as for going to the loo - I need a padded ring! Hopefully a very temporary setback!

Grammaretto That’s so funny. I find myself saying just the same thing. Always remember a friend who was 90 saying she enjoyed running the Old Folks Club! Pleased you’ve got holidays. I know when I was on my own was so pleased to take up any offer of a holiday or meal out

How weird!
I have accepted both holiday offers! I would never refuse in case I don't get asked again. I may be able to tackle singles' holidays eventually. I can't really see myself on a coach trip with a lot of old ladies people like me

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Lockdown gang see the GM thread and ignore. Reported

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

? not sure what that’s about