The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Nfk Your duck has a very wicked gleam in his eye !

Hi folks,look what the wind has blown in?!!

Indeed a welcome rainfall and some very gusty wind to boot, but since the ground was rather parched we shall accept gladly.........but hope for a return to some nice pleasant sunshine soon.
With a memo,no heatwave please!!

Finding my time lying heavily right now,in my head are a dozen new plans for how I must move on,but as yet I seem to be firmly stuck in a rut.

Sending you all lots of love and kind days ahead for you all.

Hello all, my DIL has just phoned me to say she is definitely feeling better today. Just like Mamissimo's DS, my DIL has also lost all her sense of smell and taste. I'm really relieved to hear her. You are right Kaimoana, there is definitely another dimension to the anxiety I've felt knowing that Covid has struck so close to loved ones. My DIL has no idea how she became infected, I know how careful they have been. We are keeping our fingers crossed for our DS.

We are making progress here at the Redoubt for invasion from the North. Temporary (stick on) blackout blinds are to be fitted to the children's bedroom window, badminton set and a few other inexpensive garden toys purchased. Bedroom is cleared (into another bedroom), freezer in the process of being stocked and bedding all washed and dried. I too have reached the bottom of our laundry basket. (I chuckled at Kaimoana's picture of Doodle and her laundry basket - it could apply to me as well.)

There seems to be such a lot of organising needed. I used to take this sort of upheaval in my stride - is it lockdown brain or just that I'm getting older that is holding me back?

Take your time Panache, you will move on when you are ready to. Just keep in touch.

I'm also impressed by Nfk's duck drawing.

There seem to be several unpleasant falls going on, please can all the gangsters take care of themselves.

Nfk what an amazing drawing. I’m really impressed. So wish I could draw like that. Did try water colour classes once but I was useless! You sound as if you had fun with your boat.
Panache I’m sure the days and nights are seeming very long after you spent so much time and energy looking after your dear one. You must feel drained but probably rest is just what you need now. Take it slowly and all those plans will fall into place when the time is right. I hope you are meeting up with your friends they will be a great help to you now.
Scary to hear about the people with Covid but good to hear they are gradually improving. And also worrying to hear about Lobstars having falls. Think that’s one of the scary things about getting older. Take more water with it ladies!!!

Good evening ?

Here in lock down life has reverted to doing not a lot.....I think the worry over DS and whether our two jabs will protect us has pulled us both down. We keep asking each other whether we feel OK and we're not normally so polite. usually we're asking each other what the h**l is the matter now? ?

I'm researching humane bird scarred because the pigeons have destroyed my cabbages. They were beautiful and now they're so hacked to pieces. I feel tempted to post them in little pieces through the letterbox of the neighbour who actively encourages them .Mr M says I need to play nicely......

DS has lost his fever but still has a thumping headache and is very weak....we're taking hope from the fever going that he may be beginning to turn the corner. He says he's quite glad that I can't go and nurse him because apparently my nursing style is too military for his tastes.....he might survive COVID but apparently not my nursing!

Love a duck NFK and Kaimoana is right....it does have a twinkle! Lovely.

I think of you every afternoon Panache when Mr M settles down to snooze his way through Escape to the Country. He always misses the second house....and usually one of the others!

And on the holiday front....Ireland won but that's not really a surprise ?

Thank you for saying such nice things about my little duck. Your'e all most kind. I think I've done my usual trick of overworking it. I never learn!

My DF always swore by old net curtains as a brassica and fruit wildlife defence Mamissimo. The added advantage on cabbages is that the cabbage whites can't get in either. Our current bushes are at present artistically draped and clothes pegged. It worked well on the strawberries - although not against slugs!

I hope Grammaretto is ok after the collapsing chair accident.

Do give yourself time to heal Panache. You've been through so much mentally and physically. You've been incredible, but sometimes, just sometimes sitting in a rut for a while is the best thing.

Kaimona oh how I wish I had lovely legs like that ?
Nfk your day on the boat sounds lovely and peaceful. I didn’t realise you were so talented. That’s a lovely drawing and looks like a duck to me.
Panache what a pleasure to see you posting. I can only imagine how strange the world is for you now. You have had such an emotional and turbulent time I’m not surprised you need some quiet time to think things through. I do hope you are ok. Are you well enough in yourself? x
Missedout good news about your DIL. Funny about the taste and smell symptoms.
You are certainly busy getting ready for your northern visitors.
I also used to be great at organising and getting on with things. These days, anything out of the ordinary makes me a bit unsettled. However, I’m sure you will be so pleased to see family you will get everything sorted in time.
Jan I would love to paint/draw too but have no talent in that direction. Has anyone tried diamond art? I haven’t, but my neighbour has done a few. You put little bead type things on a printed picture. The outcome can be very pleasing. I may have a go this winter.
Have you got any hobbies on the go?
Mamissimo do you have a thermometer and an oxymeter? DH and I purchased one at the beginning of lockdown. If either one of us feels a little out of sorts we check and if the results are ok we feel a bit reassured.
Glad your DS’s fever has gone. Hopefully, over the weekend his headache will go and he will start to improve.
Of course Ireland would win. How could MrM refuse you ?
I like watching Escape to the Country too. Basically I am just nosey and like looking at other peoples homes and gardens. ?
For a small fee (and perhaps feeding) I will come and stand in your garden and wave my arms about. Not sure it will be a humane bird scarer though….one look at me could frighten them to death.
Grammaretto I also hope you are feeling better and not in too much pain.
Huge amount of ironing to do tomorrow but then things should be back to normal. Have a good weekend all,

My friend Ali does diamond pictures. This is one she gave me. I think it's a bell.

Hello Lobstars,

Really!
I am absent/busy for a few days and what do I find when I come here again but people going down with covid and turning somersaults on the pavement.
This is too bad.

NfkD's duck is beautiful. Thomas Bewick eat your heart out
Thank-you for asking after my jaw. It isn't too bad at all but it meant the Dentist couldn't complete the work torture he was halfway through.
My DSis and her lovely DH have been staying. They leave today though they say their home has the highest number of covid cases ever so I think they would prefer to be here. We cooked a curry last night and DS came with his crew and dog.
It is good to have people and laughter again.

They are all about to leave so I will sign off. Back later.

Lovely to hear you're ok Grammaretto. It is lovely to have people come and be able to sit around and chat in relaxed company - although not so relaxed you get stuck in collapsing chairs.

The bell is beautiful Kaimoana. Its got an ecclesiastical look about it. A sort of vague church window with a monk figure behind? The sort of picture you just like to keep looking at.

I like Escape to the Country as well. Its lovely on a winters evening to dream of cottages and snoop around people's houses. They're always far to expensive for us though. Anyone would think all country houses are big. And where do all these people come from who happily say their budget is £600,000+!!

Kaimoana my friend loves her diamond art. She finds it relaxing.
Grammaretto good to hear your jaw is getting better and you had a lovely evening with the family.
nfk yes I like the bell too. Not sure about the monk, although it could be. I thought it was the reflection of Kaimoana in the glass as she took the picture ?
Been out for a walk today and got soaked in the rain. Spent this afternoon and evening cutting out a pair of trousers to sew. I don’t really do dressmaking (yes I know I said trousers ?) so have no idea how they will turn out, I was full of confidence before I started. Only 4 pieces, how hard could it be? Thank was before all the material slid off the table while I was trying to cut it. ?
Have a good weekend all. I’m off to rub cream in DHs ankles and feet as he has venous eczema. I live such an exciting life ?

Sunday, 1st August, Yorkshire Day and my dgs and I had another cooking fest at his request.

Some traditional Yorkshire foods for the family included.
Spiced Apple Tart; Fat Rascals, Oat & Ginger Biscuits and a non-traditional but very delicious main of chicken thighs cooked slowly in a melange of tomato-capsicum-onion-courgette and garlic.

Pasta was requested so a gf pasta bake with garlic mushrooms, leek and sundried tomatoes topped with cheese accompanied, plus a variety of other steamed vegetables.

My Dil wanted a steamed pudding. "I haven't had a steamed pud since I was a child".
So a cherry almond and sultana pud was steamed for 90 minutes the old-fashioned way and dgs and I also made chicken sausage rolls, the pastry brushed with a little sweet chilli sauce before rolling up and sealing.

Gubbins didn't miss out; we made banana oat rusks for her.

Dgs quickly made a batch of shortbread so he could take some to school in his lunches and as it turned out, Mum needed some for her coffee group too.

The house was full of the warm aromas of vanilla, ginger and cinnamon, a little reminiscent of Christmas; fitting for a cold, August day.

DGS is also eager to learn the handy tricks too: wet the fork before pressing down on ginger oat biscuits to flatten them; chill the pastry before cooking; how to crack an egg with one hand; soak apples in salted water until you're ready to use them; broccoli will steam to perfection above the pasta pan and wash up as you go along to keep work surfaces clear and clean.

He's such an avid student he was even happy to do that, bless him

When the rest of the family arrived he was justifiably proud of his efforts and praised to the skies which made him beam with pride and ask if he could please come again next weekend

In between all this, I nipped to the next room to teach my Korean student, leaving dgs to laugh helplessly at Mr Bean and Some Mothers do 'Ave 'Em.

Once free of teaching, I lay the table as dgs read snippets from The QI book of 1001 Interesting Facts.

I honestly don't know how we could have spent a happier weekend.

Happy Yorkshire Day

Happy Yorkshire Day

One of my lovely DiLs is a Yorkshire Lass. I shall have to remind her....
The rose you sent me has come into flower today so it must have known though it isn't a white rose of York

I seem to have double booked myself twice this week. You would think I was working and not idling on here most of the day.
When the little DGD came round on Friday we picked and shelled bored beans and peas and played hide and seek. Gt Auntie was delighted to be told she was a good hider.
Later they were to make ice-cream and some Chinese lanterns with the other DGPs ( while we recovered)

Kaimoana I am so pleased for you. It sounds as though you and your DGS had a lovely time together. Nice for him to have your undivided attention and a break from his little sister even if he loves being with her.
The cooking sounds fun. You’ve made so many things. Such a lovely thing to do with him. What a wonderful weekend. ?
Happy Yorkshire day.
Grammaretto what a beautiful Rose. Such a lovely colour.
Sounds like you too had fun with the DGC. It’s so nice to have these special times.
I did intend to sew up my trousers today but after a long walk I’m too tired so perhaps an early dinner and maybe an earlier start tomorrow.
Hope everyone is ok. ? Chips tonight. Naughty but nice ?

Sounds like you had a really lovely day Kaimoana. Quite blissful! (I've never mastered cracking an egg with one hand. DGDs have all tried to teach me to no avail!)

We've just had a lovely afternoon in Norwich at the theatre. Not a usual theatre but one set up at the start of the pandemic. A large posh tent in an enclosure behind the cathedral. Picnic tables, beer stall, even pizzas. And plenty of ventilation through the tent and lots of space. We went to see Henning Wehn and he was very good. Well we thought so! It felt very adventurous! Can't wait to go again.

Nfk I have visions of you asking everyone if they want an omelette now just so you can practice your egg cracking. ?
Glad you had a good afternoon. I like Henning Wehn. He has a very dry humour. I have seen him on Would I lie to you and other programmes.
DH is walking round the lounge with his iPad. His irritable leg syndrome has been worse since we got back from the cruise, I don’t know why.
Hope everyone is ok and keeping well.

Good morning ?

Just 3 days of isolation left for us - but I worry that for DS it will take much longer to recover fully from the virus. I'm like a clucky old hen but I don't like it when after a week he's still sleeping all the time. He says even eating is tiring......comes to something when Mr M us olds have more get and up and go!

We have received the schedule for the autumn village show and the schedule includes a prize for the longest running bean - as it's not till October I've got plenty of time to nurture a giant!

Yesterday I plaited my garlic for the first time.....all that in the picture came from three bulbs planted last November and should be enough for a year! Bargain!

I'm so bored I think I'll do some housework today.....

Hello Lobstars,

I have never even attempted to crack an egg with one hand.
You are a wonderful DGM Kaimoana

I had a chat with DGS in NZ just now. He is a bit shy with me which is sad but maybe it's the (st)age he is at and not me in particular.

They /we are very proud of the Kiwi Olympic prowess. I must force myself to watch some sport so I can say the right things in conversation!

I find Henning very funny too. He is so self-deprecating. Is that a word?

Better go and do some urgent housework.

Mamissimo Snap! the housework not the garlic

Grammaretto that rose is really gorgeous, wish I could smell it
You too had a grandchilren weekend, isn't it grand to be able to do that?

Isn't "urgent housework" and oxymoron?

I must admit that regular Skype sessions with Gubbins has made the world of difference, she's far less shy with me now andwill smile and offer me her toys as long as I am the disembodied head in the phone.

Not quite so sanguine when faced with the whole bod

She's a woman of volatile mood and makes her preferences very clear:
Daddy-food-brother-Mummy....I am just a little ahead of the cat which she does not like.

Oooh Nfk your pop-up theatre trip sounds superb. I do love the theatre and am lucky enough to be able to see live perfomances from time to time. Always an experience and a hlaf

Mamissimo -

I keep thinking of Cherry and wondering how she is, guessing it must have been quite a severe setback for her to leave us. I do hope she's all right.

And of course our others, scattered around and sorely missed...each one precious. Stay well, you're not forgotten.

Funny you should mention Cherry, Kaimoana. I was just thinking of her as I got to, but hadn't opened, the Lockdown thread! I hope she's ok too.

I love the plaited garlic. Very decorative. Can't be used as it looks too nice. I can't eat garlic as it makes me ill, but it looks very nice plaited!

Mamissimo I’m sorry to hear your son is still not feeling great. I can understand your concern with him being so tired. If he isn’t eating much though, that may contribute to his lack of energy. Has he been seen by a GP?
Oh I hope you find a suitable bean for the village show.
Well no vampires near your house then ?. Very impressed with your plaiting skills.
Grammaretto I can crack an egg with one hand…..but not in a way that doesn’t involve eggshell everywhere!
There are many children who can’t talk properly on the phone. I was one of them. I couldn’t think of anything to say. I think it’s a lot harder to talk to people if you can’t see them than if they are in the room with you but when you’re young I think you need a subject that you can talk about. The idea of sport sounds a good one.
Seems several of us like Henning. A different sort of humour and a very gentle sort of personality.
Kaimoana I was tying to find something to say about the urgent housework but you got there first ?
Your little Gubbins is certainly a character. I’m sure the Skype sessions are good fun for you both.
Nfk the garlic is impressive isn’t it?
On the subject of cracking eggs, anyone got a favourite (fool proof) recipe for a sponge that would support some whipped cream and strawberries. I am planning on baking a cake. ?Please sit down and don’t faint. ?

Kaimoana summed it up well and Nfk too. Dear Cherry not sure if you ever read the thread or not but we miss you loads and hope you are ok. You and all the other gang members will always be part of the lockdown gang.
Hope life is better for you x

Forgot I took a screen shot to share with you today. An enormous sunflower in the Dean’s garden at Canterbury Cathedral. ☀️

If at first…

? I keep attaching the photo but it doesn’t appear.