The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Grammaretto sounds as though you had a lovely day with your DGD and a nice walk by the canal. Those satnavs can lead you up the garden path sometimes ?
Cherry your plate of sandwiches made me smile. ?
Sorry about your not so funny bone. That hurts doesn’t it?
Oh no. Our team lost again. Give them a good talking to.
At the grand old age of 70 something I have bought a yoga mat. Not actually for doing yoga ?‍♂️ but for doing some exercises for my knees and back. I found the floor too hard so I have splashed out on an extra thick mat. Perhaps it will put an extra bounce in my step exercise ?
Panache hope you both have a peaceful night x

Hiya gangStars.
I banged my funny bone earlier, not funny and it's set my de quorvains off again ? and my football team lost again ?. Oh well ? ... can't win them all but they'd better win the next one.

Having problems typing so I'll just leave a big pile of sandwiches for you all ?. Panache there's an extra large couple for you x

Hello lovely Lobstars,
I have just realised that this will be your chance to see your family and dexter the dog for the first time in a year? Dragonfly
Wonderful.
I did a rather foolish thing this morning and trusted my satnav. I ended up halfway to Glasgow where there is a road with the same name as DS's in Edinburgh. All because the last time I went the way I know, I got stuck in awful traffic, roadworks etc. I made it eventually and found a lovely peaceful spot by the canal and had a pleasant day baking with DGD and a walk to a nice garden/plant sale with the dog.

Your treatment has been diabolical Panache. I hope by writing about it and reporting it, you get some closure.

Family quiz tonight so I had better get organised.
See you later.

Well Kaimoana you certainly had me going. ...I’ve pooed all over my roses........I picked my way precariously with a bucket............ surely not I thought! ?. Ahhh...sheep pelllets...what a relief. ?
What a beautiful book. Such a lovely idea.
Yes of course the trees are easier to pick from. Why didn’t I think of that? ?
Mamissimo thanks for the wonderful explanation. I too love trees...just don’t know that much about them. ?
I can still picture the Vim container with its metal top with holes in. Do they still make it?
You sound full of energy. I too have stored lots of items to take to the dump and things for the charity shop. Having phoned to see if they were open I too would be annoyed if they then said they had enough.
We have a brilliant charity shop near here. They take everything and whenever we go in we are met with people who take stuff and say thank you so much for helping us.
Cherry’s sandwiches... I love that .. Cherry sandwich to you too. ?
Dragonfly lovely to hear from you again.
A walk in the woods with your DD and Sil sounds a really pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Oh Poor Dexter. Whenever I think of him I think back to the start of lockdown when you had him. Hope he is ok and his treatment works. We had a little Yorkie who had severe breathing problems and had major surgery in a specialty animal hospital in London as the local vet said it was not something they could do. She was only 2 at the time. I can still remember the day we got her home. It was my birthday and she was so pleased to see us. We had many, many more happy years with her.

Panache I am so sorry it has come to this. We all hope that our loved ones will be well looked after but you have certainly been let down badly by one and all. It won’t help you, but I hope your words to those concerned will make them sit up and take note. The news about your finger is not good. You have so much to contend with. Like dragonfly I too send you and hugs . Wish it could be more.

Oh Panache and hugs.

Another beautiful day,trees in leaf,blossom everywhere, with the sun warming up daily.

Having had a sleepless night on thursday following my dear one`s continuing haemmorhaging and sickness,plus my own gall bladder/pancreas issue playing up ,I decided enough was enough.
This last week had been a real nightmare.
Of course we understand all too well where we are heading,that in itself is pure hell,but the fact those that are being paid to help us keep on disappearing is just taking our pain to another level.
On friday I spent as much time as I could spare sending those hurtful folk some home truths,letting them know how disgusted I was with the treatment being metred out to my dearest

I did not feel very much better though, because that very afternoon I learnt this raw and painful finger (supposedly Bowen`s disease) which has been treated several times with cryotherapy, now needs surgical removal,requiring plastic surgery because of its position.

However for now we plod on in the only way we can as my dear man`s condition is so very low,any good from the Blood Tranfusion being negated by this continuous bleeding.

The last semblance of hope has evaporated.

Hopefully one day I can come along,smiling with some uplifting stories................but for now,life is so very hurtful and difficult.

Oh Gosh what a lot of news since I last visited you Lobsters.

Panache I feel so sorry you are going through all this. At times like this support is key. I hope you both have restful weekend.

Cherry it must help that you now have an ally to help but it shouldn't really be your job. Surely Social Services should know about Jo as it has been going on some time. Her poor children!

I too love graveyards Grammaretto. I have never visited Highgate but would love to go. I found the one in Zermatt interesting - all the young men who had fallen on the North Face of the Eiger. So sad.

I went for a walk in the bluebell wood yesterday.
Today DD and SiL with Dexter are coming. We are having Dexter for a while as he needs an operation to improve his breathing and the vets are so much better up here than in London where they live.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Good morning ?
Are you sitting comfortably.......*Grammaretto*'s wonky trees are trained cordon trees. They are frown like that to enable you to get more in a small space, to grown different types and to make a living screen. They're an easier way to pick, better cropping because you make more lateral fruiting spurs....and they're a bit intensive to prune. Other similar methods of cultivation are step over, fan trained, and that weird one where they look like soldiers practising standing 'en echallon'.

I like trees ?

I'm full of vim this morning (I used to love Vim) with a vast array of diy challenges to throw at Mr M. Yesterday we had an appointment at the dump and took DS' bed and forgot all the old crates and heap of junk in the yard and we drove extra to take stuff to the charity shop.

I rang ahead and they we accepting donations and when we got there the guy came running out to say that they'd been swamped and couldn't take any more till Monday. Good job I didn't have the lamb in my pocket! It puts a whole new level into life when you ate constantly 'by appointment'. ?

I need to go and fill some screw holes in the plaster in DS old bedroom and then to the greenhouse.....hugs to all - or some of Cherry's gentle sandwiches ?

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How lovely to read about your happy day - I hope you have many more Grammaretto

If I were to guess Doodle and really don't know, I'd say trees on an angle might make the fruit easier to gather.
Vertical ones need ladders, don't they?

I've just poohed all over my roses.
I have Crepuscule along the front deck rail but its roots are in the lawn below.

I picked my way precariously across to tip a bucket of sheep pellets on the roots.
The winter rains will disperse the goodness and the roses should continue blooming.

I really was afeared of falling with every step - I'm becoming a wimp.

You may remember I am hoarding buying beautiful and interesting books to leave to my grand-children. This is the carousel book I bought for Gubbins.

Kaimoana I’m sure Jeeves can rustle up a cake. Perhaps a variety box, one to suit all. ?
I’m now going to have a look at Seasalt too. I just have my coat so might investigate further.
Grammaretto pleased to hear you had a good time with your friend. We used to go to Cliveden every couple of weeks but like the Botanic Gardens we have to book that now. Would be nice to be able to go somewhere on a whim.
Excuse the ignorance of a non gardener, but why are those trees in your picture planted at an angle (or did a strong wind blow them over)?
Hope all the gangsters are ok. Sleep well.
Jeeves on hand with beverages for all ?

Hello lovely gangstars,

A long tiring day here but nice to spend time with my good df and see her new home. We wandered around the Botanic gardens, which is near where she lives, admiring plants and catching up. It was so warm we both caught the sun.
Because of covid you now have to book and numbers are restricted. I will miss that and hope it's one of the things which can continue when we build back better or whatever the slogan is

I guess it is progress Cherry with the neighbour. I hope the situation can be resolved in a good way.

I hope DH's treatment is not too gruelling Jan.

Summer dresses sound a lovely idea. I will have a look at seasalt myself. I have a t-shirt and body warmer from them but never thought of a dress. Their warm coats are great aren't they Doodle!
Off to the kitchen for a nightcap. See you all later.

Oh Doodle I'm sure a short detour to a cake shop is justified

Jan16 My family had a close friend who had thousands of acres of land in the Yorkshire Dales, including a farm in Buckden. He left it all to the National Trust but we had many, many wonderful weekends and holidays in the area, as well as on his property in Ambleside.
My happy places too.

Reading your post and Doodle's I scooted off to Seasalt and fell in love with 3 or more dresses. Ideal for my son's wedding in fact. They post to New Zealand too.

Cherry I do hope this intervention comes to something for your neighbour; it is criminal that Mental Health hasn't done more and for the wee girls (I'm enraged about that aspect but trying to be calm).
It might help to cut cut and paste some of your heart-rending posts here (as I wish Panache would do too) but I know you'll pull no punches if you're up to it. Gird up yer loins and battle on

Grammaretto it's so nice to read about your invitations and commission as that's not only lovely for you but shows how well regarded you are - that's nice to know.

I hope all our 'missing ones' are okay - you may be out of sight but never out of mind.

Jeeves, can you arrange for cake in the kitchen today, please? Doodle couldn't get to the bakery.
Love to all xxx

Jan lovely to have a trip round the coast. It has been a beautiful day here too.
I can’t remember, is your trip to the Yorkshire Dales before or after your DHs treatment? As you say, quite a lot of visits but worth it if it helps.
Cherry glad you’ve got an ally but what an alarming story. How frightening for your new neighbour.
Good to hear you have managed to make contact with someone who may be able to help. At least it’s a start and you’re not on your own now. Your neighbour Jo needs help. Threatening to kill people needs some investigating. I hope she gets the help she obviously needs.
Hope your evening is peaceful too and no side effects from your jab.

What a day!

Started off simply enough and I had my second covid jab ?.
I said yesterday that I have an ally re. my neighbour and we planned to meet up next week ... we did it today. Basically my ally is my neighbour's other neighbour, my new neighbour - the one that moved in my friend's house. I'd given up on trying to get other neighbours involved! When our new neighbour, Ria, moved in she and my dissociative neighbour, Jo, seemed to get on okay and the girls and Ria's son played together. I didn't approach her to see if she'd be willing to help. Ria quickly came to realise Jo was unwell but she didn't trouble her. That changed but she didn't tell me until yesterday. The upshot is that - in front of her son Jo threatened to kill Ria ?. ?. Today over a cup of tea we've worked out a plan that may work. I have finally uncovered, after much digging, the exact number (unpublicised) of a senior psychiatric nurse (who I was told might be able to help re. Jo specifically but I couldn't be given that information) and Ria had a friend who's a social worker! I rang the nurse today and Ria rang her friend. I gave the nurse as much detail as I could and Jo's name. I didn't give her Jo's address. She told me she would investigate and ring me back. She didn't ring back. She paid a visit to Jo instead. Ria has been given instructions by her social worker friend to write a letter . Step one, could be a long ladder ....

Doodle. I’m obsessed with Seasalt! Must admit I only buy in the sales cause think they are really expensive. Got a few of their dresses - not that I’ve worn ant much in lockdown but here’s hoping! Went out for lunch today. Yay! The had a ride round the coast. It was such a glorious day and tomorrow should be the same.
Kaimoana Thanks for the tip. Looked on the link but it looks as if we’re not eligible. Need to be on a low income or benefits. Don’t suppose we could plead old age! Actually it’s not too bad. Had schedule from the hospital today giving the dates and time of every treatment. We were very impressed. It’s only 3 weeks and there are a few days off so we will cope ok. Only niggle is every treatment is in the afternoon which means every day is messed up but it will be worth it.
We holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. The scenery is amazing. It’s my “happy place”!
Cherry so you are a Seasalt fan too. I have to shop online as our nearest shop is 50 miles away. Actually I don’t mind doing online shopping as you get to try on at home and really think about it! Pleased you’ve met someone to talk to about your neighbour. You must feel as if you’re treading on eggshells all the time but I have no idea what the solution could be. Does the house she lives in belong to her or is it rented?
*Mamissimo” we’re not into gardening too much in fact we have a lovely girl who comes for a couple of hours every two weeks but I do love flowers. Quite happy pulling up a few weeds and enjoy planting out a few annuals although we really love the old fashioned lupins hollyhocks and foxgloves etc.
Hope everyone has a good weekend and the sun shines for us all

Couldn’t find the newspaper article so I took a photo from the Dean’s garden

Grammaretto it sounds as though you had a lovely day yesterday. Invitations for next week too. Nice to have something to look forward to.
I expect the recipient of the jug will be very pleased. Nice to have something unique and a thoughtful gift too.
Kaimoana glad you enjoyed the woodland video. I did indeed see the Flitillary flowers in the Dean’s garden and funnily enough they were pictured in the newspaper too. If I can find it I will post the picture. Amazing flowers.
I love Anzac biscuits. Someone I used to work with made them. They are indeed delicious.
Glad your meeting with the Blind Association went well. Shame you can’t have a guide dog. My DILs sister is foster mum to guide dogs in training, she has had many over the years. Lovely animals.
Ah the mystery of Grace and the bed is solved. Making your bed will indeed be a new experience. I think I’d rather lie in a clean fresh bed than on a hard floor any day. Heated or not ?
Cherry hope you had a quiet night.
Panache hope you are ok and MrP comfortable.
Back later. Off to hospital today to collect another bumper supply of DHs cancer meds. No cake shops en route ?

The Mystery of Grace and the Unmade Bed

Apparently she has two ways of sleeping.
1. An ordinary bed which has what sounds like a mattress protector and then 'a mat' which is changed every week.

2. In her living room she has a heated floor. Here's where she does all her leisure things: watches TV, listens to music etc., and often falls asleep - staying there, on the floor, all night.

I got the fright of my life a few hours ago. I changed the default language on my computer from US English to UK Englisn - and why not?
When I rebooted, a lot of the applications wouldn't work. Waaah!!

I managed to fix most but the browser defeated me as obviously, in order to re-instal it, which was necessary, I needed the browser to do that.
(Would that be Catch 22? Or just the B**geration Factor?)

Fortunately my DS was able to remote into the system and fix it.
It turned out to be a far more complicated job than I ccould have managed with my dodgy eyes.

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It’s Saint George’s Day. Greek in origin, he was believed to be a Roman soldier in the Praetorian Guard martyred for his Christian beliefs.
Amusingly, his mother’s name means “able to multi-task”, we should all be called Polychronia!

Jan16 I too wondered about Grace's ignorance of bed making and asked my Korean lassie if some Koreans maybe slept on the floor. She said no and was as puzzled as we are! I'll interrogate ask Grace today

I’m so glad you had a family visit; good emotional health is far more important than rules, as long as no one is at risk and clearly none of you were.
Before you do those 90 mile trips, you may like to look here as some people are entitled to refunds under an NHS scheme.
Which part of Yorkshire are you visiting? I was born in Bradford.

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

Doodle I liked your previous bluey-purple blouse so I’m sure the new one will be lovely. It doesn’t surprise me that 2 supposedly identical pairs of trousers weren’t.
My clothing varies from 2XL to 5XL, all roughly my size of course –if you see what I mean. I’ve long thought it time for universal, sensible sizing in clothing. 2XL etc., means absolutely nothing.

Thankyou for telling me about the Dean’s wonderful video, it was truly beautiful and very peaceful. I’ve sent it on to my DS, who would be off to England tomorrow if he could.
Did you see the Fritillary flowers a few days ago? As far as I know, the only chequered flowers in nature – beautiful.

Grammaretto Glad your plumber turned up and will soon repair the other leaks as well. Let’s hope this is the last of the house stuff to need attention. You need peace and quiet so you can go to pot.

Glad to hear Panache and MrP are a little more settled.

My assessment with the NZ Blind Foundation went well.
A very nice chap who forwarded my name for information on all their services, most of which I may not need.
Kitchen safety will be interesting as will Better Mobility - and he asked me if I’d like to be considered for a guide dog.
Oh, I would love a dog so much but I had to decline.

It's almost Anzac Day and I baked a batch of Anzac biscuits to commemorate.
Can't eat them myself but guests have wolfed them down. They used to be sent to the troops overseas. Here's the recipe; I used barely a third of a cup of sugar and they were still tooth-achingly sweet. So delicious though.

www.foodinaminute.co.nz/Recipes/Anzac-Biscuits

Wishing everyone a peaceful night and a happier day.

It is late for me, but I just wanted to say goodnight to you all. I am relieved to hear that Cherry has an ally in her neighbour problem. I hope there's a happy outcome.
My invitations are to actual friend's houses for coffee outside, and a walk with them.
The commission, almost finished, is an inscribed jug for a special birthday gift.
A df and her dog sat in my garden today and had supper with me so it has felt really nice and sociable thanks to wonderful sunny weather.
Gaelic today wasn't so good. I think I have forgotten the little I learned before the 2 week break.
Jeeves, a wee whisky for me for a change please.

Cherry if you go to Google, the video above the Google name is the one Kaimoana copied so you can play it straight from the Google screen. You’re not off in a space odyssey are you? ?
So you’ve got the shopping bug too. I like Seasalt, I bought a winter raincoat from them about 2 years ago. I love it. Waterproof, wind proof, long and with a warm furry lining and a big fur lined hood. I can face most weather in that ?
That was a good find with your prints.
Good to hear your kitchen is going ahead soon.
I hope your new found ally can help with your neighbour. Hope it works out.
Sleep well all. Jeeves is on walkabout so just call if you need anything.

Where did Thursday go? Somebody stole most of it from me I think ?. I can't believe it's 9 o'clock!

I clicked on your link Kaimoana, there was nothing there on my screen, most odd ?. Perhaps I'm not on Earth ?.

Grammaretto I'm a bit confused not difficult. You said you have two invitations but don't say to what ?. Do you mean for your second jab or something else? I think these second appointments are coming thick and fast now, Doodle & Mr D, you due yours and I have mine tomorrow.
Great news that you have a commission ?. May I ask what you have been commissioned to do?

Jan, pleased that you've seen your family. We won't tell anyone you broke rules, you didn't tell us which rule ? so we know nothing ?

Been doing a little bit of spring/summer wardrobe shopping then Doodle ?. Weird how you can buy two items of clothing that are the same/similar from the same clothing store and one fits but the other doesn't. It seems to be the case everywhere though. I ordered a pair of boots once. Just one pair. They were sized the same but one was bigger than the other ?. I returned them and ordered another pair and they were fine. Very odd. I meant to say that the top you bought and posted a picture of is the sort of thing I like, very nice. I've been spending today too. We went into the village and had a meander around a few shops. I had a voucher for Seasalt so of course I had to have a look. I came away with a lovely top and an even lovelier dress ?. We also bought a couple of prints from a charity shop for the bargain price of £5 each. They are limited editions and are probably worth ten times as much each. We'll put them up in our dining room after our kitchen has been done. We finally have a start date. Whoo hoo ?. May the fourth be with us ?

Even more good news ?. I have an ally in my corner to help solve my neighbour issues ?. We're meeting up next week to discuss. It's quite a long story so I won't go into detail now but I have promise that something might actually get done to help matters✅

Panache I'm glad that Mr P is home with you and I hope the sickness he's had has subsided now. Sorry to hear your fall bladder issues have reared their head again. I hope you've had a gentle day. Sending you a cwtch on the western breeze x

Dear Panache glad MrP is back home with you and that he has had his blood transfusion. I hope your gall bladder quietens down, you have enough to contend with at the moment,. I hope you both have a peaceful night and some rest. Take care x
Mamissimo I’m not up with the price of seeds or plants but I gather that’s a big increase on before. You should have taken your frozen leg of lamb with you.
Is there a particular type of music your tomatoes like?
We have had our second jabs and are fine so far. I feel a bit light headed but apart from that ok.
Hope the rest of the gang are doing well ?

Panache you must be exhausted! When the calm comes so the Adrenalin leaves so rest as much as you can. You're a marvel!

We went to the garden centre for the first time in ages this morning and I was gobsmacked utterly surprised at the price of veg plants! A packet of 50 bean seeds is £2.50 and they wanted £6 for six bean plants! They were the right size to plant out now but planting our time is at least four weeks away. It makes my blood boil! They should be fostering a real love of growing things rather than condemning new gardeners to failure. I. Am. Cross. !

I'm off to the greenhouse to play nice music to my tomatoes....