The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Oh Panache I'm so very sorry to hear that Mr P is back in hospital because he's had some bleeding. I hope that that has been taken control of. Of course he wants to be home and of course you want him home with you too. Perhaps, as Jan has said, the hospital will allow a visitor now. Covid infections are down so much in Wales now I don't see why a visitor won't be allowed. I'm sending you the warmest and gentlest cwtches to you x
Doodle is right, you are one of the gang, one of us and you are always in our thoughts. I hope Mr P isn't in hospital long and is home where he wants to be, with you.

Short message this evening I'm afraid, I have stabbing pains in my ear (very odd) that are driving me to distraction, and a headache which isn't helpful ?

Panache I am so sorry. I know MrP wants nothing more than to be with you. I hope you have him home soon.
We have had some new members join out little group and conversation may have moved on but be assured you are in our thoughts constantly. You are and always will be part of our gang. Please take care of yourself I pray your DH will be allowed home soon, much love and hugs x

So sorry to hear this Panache. Hope your DH will be home with you soon. Our hospital is allowing one visitor per day now. So hope that it’s the same for you.

Oh dearest Panache. I am so sorry.
Is there any visiting allowed?

I guess my DH was actually very lucky to be able to be released from hospital and be at home. His dad was not so lucky.

I shall be thinking of you both and hope for better news next time. xxxx

A warm greeting from the Welsh coast where the weather has been a real treat.
When joining in forgive me for thinking I had entered another planet.........there seems a completely different take to the thread I first joined!!

However just a little note,my dear man is again back in Hospital as there was some bleeding,this continued and worsened through a day and night so with it being a weekend I had little option but call for an Ambulance.
It is extremely disappointing as he wants so much to be at home.............where oh! where do we go from here?

Sending love to you all.

Missedout how nice to be able to see out from under your fringe again. I too am hanging onto my fringe till haircut day.
Funnily enough I too bought my first strawberries of the year. Sainsbugs are delivering them tonight.
I’m glad you have help in the garden too.
Perhaps all those with interest in compost heaps (not the right word, I’m sorry) should discuss them in this thread a bit like discussing a good wine. Aroma, bouquet, texture, body etc ?
I’m hoping for a days sewing today. I think Jeeves would love a knitted tank top from you Missedout.......or are you just after extra hot chocolate. ?
Grammaretto glad your mysterious object has been removed.
I can understand your DGD’s problem with her hands. On our last cruise prior to lockdown we had Norovirus on board. The crew were vigorous is making sure hands were sanitised at all lifts, stairs, rooms. I too get very dry cracked sore hands.
I have found Norwegian hand cream (Boots, Amazon) helps also Vaseline at night rubbed well in.
Kaimoana I might show you a picture of my sewing later if I finish it.
Yes my DGD always plaits her very long hair before bed. Mine isn’t that long but I could manage a top knot I suppose.
Hope you enjoy your mug cake. Is it (I hesitate to say this ?) a shop bought one or one you have made yourself?
Peassandcues another beautifully coiffed. I shall have to put a paper bag on my head before entering here.?
Are you a Line of Duty fan too? We haven’t watched all of it yet. I got so confused with the first episode we decided to watch it all on catch-up when the series is finished so we can watch one episode after another.
I have found a series on the BBC iPlayer called Between The Lines. I didn’t realise it was an old series back from the 1990’s.
We enjoy it. Lots of familiar faces for TV of the era. A police series but old style and enjoyable for us.
Mamissimo you always make me laugh. What has poor MrM been up to now. ?
Perhaps you should stack all the drawers around his chair like a moat and tell him to go through and organise them before you let him out.
Another with a haircut due. Lucky you.

I am so excited. I bought a top from Amazon. I have never bought clothes online as I don’t fancy returning them but I saw one the other day and thought I’d give it a try. I was so sure it would be awful. It arrived this morning and.......it fits. Perfect for summer. Light and airy. Nice weight and well made. I intend to order another. Picture attached. Have a good day all, the sewing machine beckons. ?

Good morning ?
Ah Peasandcues are you far from Hampshire? If less that five hundred miles I could meet you halfway and we could swap some seedlings? I currently have tons of flat parsley seedlings and one of the curly type.....rather too many cabbages, I'm fine for lettuce thank you but I will probably have some bean plants going spare soon......and a husband!

Mr M is in full organisation and clearing out mode.....from his chair! He repeatedly comments over his glasses and with THAT look that he couldn't find his whatever and could I locate it for him in the wherever drawer. I suspect he is deliberately naming the wrong drawer so that I am endlessly emptying drawers and putting most of it back...... he's driving me potty!

I have bought the mechanical parts of a set of horizontal Murphy bunk beds so that I can banish Mr M to the workshop while I get the decorator in. If I don't keep him gainfully employed he will stand chatting to the decorator interfere endlessly and we will have words. I need the floor space clear in my new sewing room but I need two beds for the DGC so Murphy beds are the way to go. New ones were over £3k so I've been watching eBay like a hawk!

We watched Leonardo on Prime last night and were ambivalent about it. We will watch a second episode to see if it warms up!

Haircut and eyebrow prune this week.....they've grown like a hedge and get caught in my fringe which comes to the end of my nose so professional strumming is required. ?

Thinking of the missing and hoping there's some sun for everyone

Morning all,

I'm now suitably hairdeessed. At last. Catching up on everyone's news a day activities. I managed to build up my beds yesterday. Doodle, I too love walking around graveyards. I find them such beautiful and calming places. Our local one has a stunning landscape of fells and the village.

Grammerroto - I'm sorry for your daughter, that must be very difficult. I have no doubt that if my husband passes before I do, I may have a battle on my hands. I'm sorting housing for my relative who is currently living with us, hoping she is able to move in locally as we have a lovely carer who comes in to her for personal care. I'd hate to have to begin finding someone else now. What will be will be though. Handwashing at schools is out of control and while I think handwashing is important, I agree it is OTT for little ones. My DIL spoke to her school about it. Because schools buy in bulk, I fear some harsh chemicals in the products.

Five little lambs? How wonderful. I'm afraid I'm not destined to be a sheep farmer. Tried that one and while I love them, our sheep kept getting out. We have twin lambs locally and they're just so cute. I can admire from afar.

Have a great Sunday all. We are counting down the hours until Line of Duty tonight. I have to transplant some tomato plants this afternoon. I've have too many now.

Forgot the Sensei

Doodle You are always an entertainment. As usual an eclectic post encompassing children, memories and emasculated unmanned boats
I'm glad you're coming to terms with your art works; they need to ease our souls, not irritate them

Grammaretto Nice to see a picture of Windy Wellington – I couldn’t live on a hillside like that. The Waitakere equivalent is Titirangi.
Can’t someone have a word with the school about this obsessional handwashing which is damaging your wee girl’s hands? Healing cream won’t work if it’s constantly washed off. It seems the teach is a bit OTT or maybe OCD.
My opinion is that someone needs to apply a little common sense in that classroom or it’s perilously near to abuse.

Cherry your mention of a food hall brought to mind one of those stone-floored banqueting halls with the Laird at the top table and all his serfs milling around.
I spent many hours in Heaton Baptist Cemetery when I was a girl and teen. It was a wonderful place to watch birds and sketch.
I don’t hold with this ‘morbid’ nonsense; morbid is a state of mind.
Doodle My hair is long too and before bed I tie it up on top of my head like a sensei (see pic – I do not have quite such a luxurious beard). You might prefer to plait yours over your shoulder. I had a very dear Irish friend whose hair, even when plaited, came to well below her waist. I lost touch with her and wish I knew how to find her.
Yes, Missedout the story of your car is familiar. As we are just leaving summer behind in NZ, many people are complaining that the rubbery seals on car doors and boot are sticking – hinges too are rusty from lack of wear.

I’m giving up on the screen reader for now. I find I can’t remember what anyone’s said, whereas if I struggle to read, even if it gives me sore eyes, I can remember and respond.
I made myself a green omelette of broc, silver beet and corn kernels but could only manage half, it’ll do for tea.
Think I’ll make a Coffee Mug Cake this arvo.

Fascinating graveyard story Cherry A bit spooky even..
It was a plastic bag up the tree and it has been pulled down now by a potter with a broom handle.
I can believe you have tried every possible medication available. You are the expert on your condition.

I am concerned for my DGD whose very sensitive skin is red raw from all the hand washing and sanitising they are made to do at school. She is only 6.

I am glad peasandcues that you can always live in your house. My DD is in a tied house and there is no certainty with it. They have moved 5 times in 8 years.

Your outing sounds wonderful Kaimoana. The food ---- interesting.
I don't fry anything in deep oil ever since a chip pan fire scared me off for ever.
I have been known to ask the kebab and pizza house across the road to make chips using our potatoes.

I've had my night cap, thanks Jeeves. Off to bed now.

I had my hair cut today - I can see out now (I haven't dared to trim my fringe since I was offered today's appointment 4 weeks ago). I also started the day with a migraine. DH thought I should perhaps cancel my appointment! I told him that was not an option, I would go, even if I needed to be stretchered into the hairdressers.

It felt strange to go to the nearest city, seeing people sitting outside at pavement cafes. DH wanted to stop and join them. I felt guilty saying that I was not ready yet.

We had a food delivery earlier today. Everything was there except DH's favourite, there were no grapefruit. On the way home from my haircut, we passed a roadside fruit and vegetable stall (I think there must have been skidmarks on the road, the car sort of turned in so abruptly). We bought grapefruits and local (polytunnel) fresh strawberries.

I couldn't open the car boot to put our fruit in, my car had been used so little that the boot was stuck fast. I ended up bouncing my derrière on it when I got home and finally, with a ghastly creaking sound the boot opened. I obviously had the right technique - but a lesson to be learned as well, i.e. remember to open and close doors, windows and boot from time to time on a standing car.

The strawberries were gorgeous.

It's good to see Cherry back, I'm sorry you have not been well.

Also that Kaimoana has Grace and a computer with an American accent.

I now have a gardener too, we have decided to add a Katsura and an Amalanchier tree to our garden. We will still have to wait for the autumn, hopefully the Bramley apple tree will be available then too. We have a compost heap but I can't think what I should say about it. Our gardener seems quite pleased with it anyway.

I've just bought some more wool and a knitting pattern, so like Doodle, I will be crafting again.

Does anyone think Jeeves would like a knitted tank top?

Good evening from a sleepy Doodle. We have been for a long walk and I have been doing exercises with an online video. For some reason I am very tired tonight.
Cherry our team didn’t win ?. I bet they tried hard though.
My hair is so long now it wakes me up at night as when I turn over it gets caught under my shoulders and I can’t move.
Good to hear yours is being cut Monday.
Glad my DGD story put a nice image in your head. She’s 18 now but I can picture her so clearly in her red wellies and little corduroy skirt stamping her feet in excitement because grandad was going to fill her little watering can for her so she could water the plants. ?
I think the boat must have come loose on its own. Reason being we live by a busy stretch of water and many boats are moored here. There are many people walking up and down the bank during the day and as this was early evening I think someone would have spotted it if done deliberately.
Your goofball made me laugh. I looked it up. Narcotic or stupid person.....don't think M&S sell them. ?

Well last night it was unmanned narrowboats and tonight trotting horses. Just while I’m sitting here typing this, a trotting horse and cart, like they have in some races, went past. Then another, and another ...I’ve now counted 15. I wonder what it’s all about ?
Your medication side effects have certainly been bad. So many times you take one thing that helps with one problem but then causes it’s own problems.
I too love walking round graveyards. I like reading the gravestones and the messages engraved on them. How strange to find one with the date of your birth and a similar name. When DH and I went to Switzerland we were amazed at the beauty of the graveyards we saw there. Beautifully tended. Wonderful flowers. Many wonderful tributes to climbers or guides who had died on the mountains.
One of the most peaceful places I have visited is a man made lake high up on a mountain path in Switzerland. Nothing around but mountains and the lake is bordered by boulders. The boulders are engraved with the names of all the climbers who have died climbing the Eiger. It is the most beautiful spot.

Just glanced at DH. He is supposed to be listening to a video on photography but he’s asleep. I’ll have to wake him with a coffee in a minute.?
Kaimoana I agree. Lovely to have our Tigger back.
Trust you to have found a reason to laugh at water systems. ?
Perhaps I need to have a hose with a tap fitted to me too.
Grammaretto glad you enjoyed your time with your friend.
I too thought the thing in a tree was an animal until I read the article. As for your tree ornament, at first I thought plastic bag but that’s the wrong shape. It’s pretty uniform, a doily? How high up in the tree is it. Could you reach it with one of those extendable hand grabber things?
Your DS had a lucky escape with the campervan. Good thing it stopped without damage.
Oh 5 little lambs. Will you be able to see them. Perhaps you could get some instead of a lawnmower,
My sewing has been a bit better today. Probably because I am copying someone else’s deigns and colours. I am learning more about the stitches I’m using too so a bit happier with the output today.
Hope all the gang, new and old (that’s old as in long established not years ?) have a good weekend.

Afternoon fellow gang members.

Aww Doodle what a lovely image you've put in my head of your DGD ?. I wasn't really angry oh yes I was, oh no I wasn't , just frustrated ?.
Whoa, that was a strange happening! I wonder if it came loose from it's moorings by natural means or was it the result of a malevolent action ?. Cynical thinking? Probably. I do remember a story from a few weeks back though where a boat was deliberately loosened from its moorings so it's got me raising an eyebrow. I'm glad it was captured and I hope there's no damage to it or something else. I'm sure the owners will have been contacted.
I haven't been to Marks for ages, even though there's a food hall in the village. before I corrected "food hall" it came up as goofball ?. I'm not even that sure what that is or means. I very rarely buy anything in Marks anymore, I do like them for their bras and their footwear is pretty good for me because of my odd feet they do half sizes. I do like their eclairs though.
How is your sewing coming along?

I'm very sensitive to medications too Kaimoana. One of the reasons my epilepsy is difficult to treat - it's truly refractory. I've had liver function impairment with one medication, forced normalisation with another two which has serious consequences, I had speech problems with another and yet another resulted in kidney stones. Consequentially I've ended up back on the first medication that was I was prescribed, which I was taken off because the consultant I had at the time wasn't happy with its efficacy (shakes head). For my type of epilepsy I don't have a great deal of choice. There are only two other medications that I could be prescribed but they are both have their origins from one of the medications that caused forced normalisation. There is no way in the world I am risking going back there, it was horrendous.
I've had weird side effects from medication for other conditions too. At one point,during the menopause I had high blood pressure but the tablets I was prescribed made my face swell up like a balloon ?. My lips were thicker than Mick Jagger's ', I looked like a groundhog and it changed my voice so much I was sounding like a "toff" ?. None of it funny really. I didn't hesitate to had the covid vaccine though, side effects didn't really occur to me. I suppose there could have been bad ones but there weren't ?
Can't resist saying it, gardeners - what do they know ?. If you need to feed other plants why not trees, they are still plants. I was a venture scout when I was a child. All our projects were environmental. We often spent all day, on occasions, feeding trees in various locations.

I find graveyards interesting too Grammaretto, some people have said that's being morbid but there is so much history in a graveyard. I visited one, many moons ago now, and came across a headstone that had the date of death the date I was born, but not only that, the person's name was identical to mine bar an added letter in the surname. Oddly, I sat beside it and felt peace. I' won't forget that headstone.
I'm sure your room and the paint will look lovely when the space is back in order ?
That's an awful lot of orphan lambs your friend has bought rather her than me. She's got her work cut out!
? what is in your tree? Looks like a plastic bag or is it a glove puppet ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202104/medium-274289-wellington-hill-houses-capital-city-new-zealand-north-island-hilly-area-many-homes-side-mountains-dense-101707324.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202104/medium-973677-bagintree.jpg

Yes a computerised watering system! Can I order one, once it has been invented?
My df and I met and explored the graveyard. I didn't know she took an interest in gravestones too. We walked to the castle, listened to the birds and trotting ponies in the distance, and ate our picnics al fresco. Glorious. slightly marred by the noise of power tools from someone high up a scaffold She agreed it was a wonderful spot and hardly another soul.
www.crichtonchurch.com/

I must be very foolish Doodle as I thought the thing up the tree was an animal. Your story of the escaping narrow boat reminded me of when DS moved to Wellington NZ with its numerous 1:4 hills. They left the campervan parked overnight and thought it had been stolen when it was missing in the morning. In-fact it had rolled, possibly very dangerously, down the slope and had come to a stop without crashing into anything. He tried to start it and discovered that a thoughtful neighbour had placed a stone to stop it moving.

I'm sure compost makes everything grow bigger and better. Isn't that why you see goats and hens in orchards?
My Pottery friend, turned sheep enthusiast, went to the market yesterday and came home with 5 tiny orphan lambs. I won't be seeing her at the studio for a while...

I won't know what the painting really looks like until the room is back in order Cherry but I am not bothered. Am I bovvered? nah! If in a few years I can't live with it perhaps it will be someone else's' problem.

I am so glad that Grace seems to be a lot better for you Kaimoana

I'll leave you with a mystery white object in my tree. it has been annoying me for a while I don't know what your prize will be but if you can get it down, or tell me how I can, I will think of something.

It's SO good to have CheeryCherry back - what a trouper you are!

Doodle I'm fairly ambivalent about the jab to tell the truth. I’ve had bad reactions to many conventional drugs over the years, so this delay has given me a chance to re-think. Several of our elders outright refused it.

Fizzy will be freely and widely available everywhere fairly soon. Waipareira obtained a first batch for us elders.

By the way. The little church in yesterday’s picture is St Michael’s and All Saints, built in 1914 and de-consecrated in 1997. Weddings, dedications and funeral are still held here by those who want a traditional but secular venue.

I once had a spirited conversation with a gardener who moaned that his usually reliable, old fruit tree suddenly wasn’t.
I asked if he fed it and he gave a scornful laugh, “You don’t feed fruit trees!”
A vibrant exchange of opinion followed.

The next year, when it fruited profusely I was prepared to eat umble pie (and probably plum jam as well) but he looked a bit sheepish and told me he’d applied copious amount of compost all winter.

A computerised watering system - just what every leaky old person needs - are you trying to put Tena out of business Mamissimo?

Awful thing to say Kaimoana but I'm glad Hanna has had the heave-ho. Grace's English may be poor at the moment and she may never have made a bed before ? but she sounds like a willing worker and she'll learn.
I haven't checked out what I sound like as an American yet but if Doodle is French, Mamissimo is Chinese and Grammaretto is Afghani what am I? Welsh? ?

Grammaretto, you very norty girl you should not be moving furniture around on your own. Not unless it is light or fairly light on wheels, That's you told! I'm with Doodle, you need someone to help you.
By the way, it sounds like you're happy with the decorating job, the colour etc ?
I hope that your outing to the church was a peaceful and positive experience and you enjoyed the meet up with you old friend ?

Peasandcues (good name by the way) it sounds like you live in an interesting and attractive place. I'm quite partial to woods and me and my WP are fortunate to live near to a few, a beautiful park with a stunning area of woodland, an open expanse of common and of course being in the Gower the wonderful coast. I'm glad that you didn't lose where you live when you retired and that you have the security of knowing that you have a lifetime tenancy ?

Oh Doodle, sorry to tell you this but I have an appointment to have my hair cut on Monday. To be fair, I desperately need it as it's as far as it's long ?

cherry you reminded me of my DGD who used to stamp her feet but not in anger but excitement. Her Daddy called it her happy stomp. ?
I can’t believe so many people got would up by a croissant but what I want to know is who wasted it by throwing it in a tree. I’d have eaten it
It must be a good time of year for all those who enjoy gardening. Sounds like your WP was busy but I’m pleased he was making you rest. How is ‘our’ team doing, by the way?
I’m just so excited to have you back ?.
Mamissimo your watering system sounds splendid.
You were wise to have your garden planned for getting older. I know so many who have lovely gardens and enjoy them but have to give them up later in life as they can’t cope any more,
Pleased to hear you gave Fergal his tablet without needing surgery. I expect he’s gone off in a huff now.
Ooh I just fancy Pizza. What time should I come round. ?

We had a strange happening tonight. A small narrow boat must have become lose from its moorings and was being carried downstream by the current without anyone on board. It was eventually captured by another larger boat and brought to the side and tied up. I wonder what will happen when it’s owners return to it and find it has disappeared. ?

I’ve been shopping in Marks. Didn’t buy any clothes but had a good browse and bought.........4 chocolate cream eclairs.....we had 2 each after dinner ?

Just lost my post, stamps feet ?. Try again tomorrow ?

Silly Polish peoploids ?. I saw a news report about that Doodle. It's easy to tell from your picture that it's a croissant ? but then perhaps that's because I knew from the report.

Hold the front page! Who'd have thunk it, Mamissimo is a gardening geek ?. All this time and none of us knew ?. Swanky drip and leaky watering system you have, I'd better not tell my WP, he'll be . Today he spent much of the day gardening again nothing new. He planted dwarf dianthus around one of our water features, painted the fence (or some of it), put compost from our composter in the new, rather large, flower box he built recently and sowed wildflower seeds. I'd had plans to continue hacking pruning the ivy since I had to put much of it on hold but was banned ? from gardening as my WP didn't want me overdoing it! ?
We had an irregular visitor in the front garden today, a buzzard. It plucked up a starling, made its kill and sat proudly for a few moments before making off with the kill. Nature in all its gory glory, a privileged visit. My WP also found three broken into eggs today, two wood pigeon eggs and a blackbird's.

I'm glad you have managed to get the tablet down Fergal's throat Mamissimo ?

Kaimoana I think you're right, I have had a bunch of Wild Petunias but because I couldn't exactly remember which flower it was I convinced myself it was geraniums depending on how they manifest they can be almost any perennial flowers ?
It's great to hear that that you had a great time yesterday. It does sound like it was very enjoyable ?.
Sorry you haven't been able to have your jab yet because you haven't had enough notice to arrange transport. They won't do that again to you will they?

I'm going to post this now as I don't want it to disappear but I will come back.

Good evening?

How lovely to have Cherry back in the fold. We must send Jeeves to throttle the neighbour keep the peace for her.

I love that there is another compost addict on this thread! My HotBin is going full pelt at the moment and Mr M says I need to buy a storage facility for the current surplus. You may recall the manure spreading - as I grow veg using no dig in enormous raised beds my need for organic matter is insatiable.

We had our gardens redesigned to make them manageable for our old age so I'm luck to have water piped to all umpteen corners - and automatic watering for the truly precious stuff. I use soak hose for the trees until they're established and all the other drip and leaky hose systems are computerised so that precious water doesn't get wasted. I'm a gardening geek!

We finally cornered Fergal last night and got the tablet down with no scratches......lots of hissing but for once I'd got all his toes inside the towel.

We're firing up the pizza oven tonight so summer must be here....

Pleasant evenings to all

Well done peassandcues. For those who didn’t guess the mysterious animal that got Poland panicked......it was a croissant ? ?.

Kaimoana hope you do get your jab soon.
So Grace has already got stuck into housework. Good for her. Her English will improve with you. I hope you two get on well and she is help of help to you. Your fig tree is being well treated. Hope it thrives in its new location.
What an interesting and enjoyable evening you had. It sounds delightful and food and drink too. The setting looks beautiful.
All that and a good chat with others. Just the thing to lift your spirits. What a handsome couple they are. Is your new computer working properly now?
Grammaretto I would get help with the furniture if I were you. You don’t need any injuries. I’m another who gets things out and doesn’t put them back. I have two neighbours whose homes are always immaculate. Nothing out of place and certainly no crumb would dare drop on their floors. ?
Hope you enjoy your day meeting with your friend. DH and I are going to venture into M&S today, if we don’t feel it’s too crowded.
Peassandcues I have been reading about the battle of the M&S caterpillar too. ?
I’m glad you can continue where you are. The setting sounds beautiful. I expect in your DHs more mobile times you would be put in the woods a lot but now I expect the paths are not suitable.
I don’t envy you the compost but I do envy the hair appointment and beauty treatment. I frighten myself when I look in the mirror and see this wild haired sallow skinned old woman looking back at me. I’m another who doesn’t like driving. I have been doing so a lot more recently since DH fell down the stairs before Christmas and broke 6 ribs. His back aches if he drives too far so I am doing more.
Have a good day all.
Panache still here and thinking of you. Hope you both are ok.
Cherry how’s that Tigger tail today?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202104/medium-921219-rawiri.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202104/medium-366355-corban-.jpg

Doodle the imagination, especially in Krakow it seems, is an amazing thing. What's next, witches on broomsticks?

Blimey Cherry poor you, poor her, what a nightmare.

Grammaretto I’m not bothered about missing out on the vaccine, there'll be other chances.

Grace
She tells me her English is so poor (and it really is) because she’s a maths teacher.
Maybe my having dyscalculia is what makes me so good at talking all the time?
She’s a nice lady and got stuck into the work without offering to haul me off to restaurants.
I was her first client on her first day and she’s never made a bed before.
We are a work in progress.

Tonight’s theatre performance was many things:
Slow – Rawiri Paratene (you may remember him from Whale Rider?) speaks very slowly and has aphasia like me; he's had 3 strokes. “Three strokes but not out” he joked.

Moving: the courage of the man to put a show together and spend two hours constantly on stage, was incredible.

Interesting: the show was a retrospective and swan song. I had no idea he had been an activist for te reo (Maori language) partly as a result it’s now taught in many schools.
As it’s one of Aotearoa’s official language’s, it should, in my opinion, be taught in all schools, not necessarily as a compulsory subject but as an encouraged option.

We were greeted at the theatre (it’s set in lovely parkland, see photo) with hugs and speeches (we are honoured guests) and hot drinks.

We sat in the foyer chatting; there’s nothing like old Maori women for laughter and cheeky comments, they are hysterically funny most of the time.
Then came seafood chowder and fry bread (see recipe) and finally we were taken into the auditorium for the performance and glasses of wine. I hada a nice little Pinot Gris (£25 a bottle – is that good? It certainly tasted that way)
www.maoritelevision.com/kai/recipes/fry-bread

At the end, more, short speeches of thanks for support and funding, then we came out to the foyer again and a gorgeous supper of so many good things of which raw fish is always my favourite - and more wine.
Raw fish recipe – the vegetables vary; we had finely chopped capsicum and onion in ours.

www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/joes-world-plate/recipes/te-ika-mata-o-titikaveka-raw-fish

Is it any wonder, loving food as I do, that I have allied myself to te ao Maori where it’s tradition to serve it at every event and it’s all free?

Good morning,

I know what it was, Doodle. But I won't blow the story. I'm gripped by the M&S v Aldi and Colin the Caterpillar story. Aldi has responded to the High Court litigation on Twitter. ?

We can stay in the house, it was a lifetime tenancy so we are very lucky given today's housing situation. While we have woods and land and lots of wildlife, I think it would take years to move. It will depend on how my husband in the coming years as his mobility worsens. For now, we will continue on and managing his health conditions as best we can.

Cherry, thank you for the welcome. I am sorry your neighbour is causing you distress. Must be very difficult even knowing she is in crisis herself.

Today, more gardening. I need to turn over the compost heap and sort through it. I have just put shredded paper on the new stuff to break it down and I need to get the old stuff onto the potatoes as they need lots of nutrition and by eck, there is some potent stuff in my compost heap. I wish for a good day for all of you. Tomorrow, it is hairdresser time and my relative with MS is joining me for a beauty therapy session with our mobile hairdresser.

Glad to read Scotland is easing up on restrictions too. My DH has his second jab this morning. One thing I am dreading is when he can't drive any longer. He is fine now but with my relative who can no longer drive, when he can no longer drive, I'll be thr only driver in the house and I detest driving her car.

Have a super day all.

Hello Lobstars,

(Thanks for the reminder Cherry my thoughts process rather slowly these days)
The animal in the tree looks like someone has flung a fur jacket up there. Doodle What is it?

You and me too Kaimoana re getting things out and lacking time, will or energy to put them back.
I don't know if I should ask that lovely family to put the furniture back or do it gradually, piece by piece myself or with help if I can find a DS or a friend.

I hope Grace is an improvement on Hanna. It would be hard not to be. I hope you enjoyed the theatre and the next one does look good. Sorry you missed out on your vaccine.

We have our Tigger back. What could be nicer
Am I right in thinking your team is doing rather well?

Well I am going to risk potential crowds, indifferent weather, a longish drive, lack of food and loos to visit a closed church and meet an old friend this morning.
I will let you know how it goes......

So lovely to see old and new GangStars posting… and welcome-back Cherry.
As there are 2 lockdown threads, Wild Petunia, had he come to post for you, may have become confused.

Anyone heard how the Panaches are faring?
Doodle I can’t believe how my social life has become rocket-fuelled just lately.
Months of Lockdown in the Hermitage and now theatres and road trips… what is my world coming to?
Utter chaos probably.


Tonight’s theatre is a Waipareira freebie and I shall have transport…… if I can find a skirt.

The theatre trip in May is a paid-for thing. My dil asked if I’d like to accompany her. She’s read the book and was very impressed. I’ve never heard of it.
www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/awf21-blindness

My goodness, all this hearty gardening! It makes me want to rest on my laurels, or indeed any other handy shrub.

Did I tell you I’m having my fig tree removed?
I shall require only a local anaesthetic.

It will be re-sited (if only re-sighting were also possible) on my enclosed back deck. It’ll have its own cosy 60ltre pot in a sunny position and I’ve pre-ordered the best possible food for its delectation. If it dies on me now after all that, I don’t give a fig.

I didn’t go for my jab this morning. I simply can’t find transport at such short notice.

Doodle Pfizer is the only free vaccine available here. The government delayed so they could evaluate all the others and they claim Fizzy is the safest.
If people want a different one, they can apply, have it imported and pay.

After seeing Honey Beagle a la Damien Hirst, I am now humbly offering my horticultural themed photo. It’s called Breakfast in the Garden.

I’m off to tidy up prior to Grace, for whom I am truly grateful.

You may wonder why I need to tidy when the cleaning lady is coming?
The kitchen work surface is still covered in shopping which this lazy old boot hasn’t put away;
I’ve re-organised the living room (yes, it was possible but heaving furniture around took the energy needed to put shopping away ) and the dining table is also covered in un-sorted papers, all very important notes to self which I forget to read.

The bedroom currently houses the new desk for my computer, so bed-changing is out until that’s moved to the spare room.

I always seem to have enough time to get things out but never quite enough to put them away again.

Love to all