The Lockdown Gang - Just chatting ⭐️

Hello gang,

Great to spot you Missedout between your family visits. You sound really upbeat. I think the warm weather agrees with you.

Shops, even supermarkets, seem to be full of bedding. Does this mean people are buying new bed linen constantly?
Am I the only person whose cotton sheets still have grandmother's laundry mark at the corner and some stitched sides to middle? I told you I never throw things out....

I have been to Chinatown since those early days, Kaimoana and had some great food in Greek St. Funny how those very early memories stay with you though.
When I was at art school in the 1960s we used to go and sketch the early morning scenes at Covent Garden. Crates of cabbages and apples being loaded onto lorries for distribution. Then finding a cafe open where some theatre people would be still up from the night before.

Today MiL is coming to lunch. I have to collect her and vegan SiL and think what to have. I forget I have no cooker just a single ring and a microwave.
I might be getting oven envy Missedout!
It isn't hot today - at least not yet.

How lovely to see you Missedout and your Soaker Gun might be just the solution Mamissimo needs for the neighbours thieving pigeons quite apart from it being great fun for her DH

I'm glad you're seeing family; it's not much of a risk when they've had their jabs and the rewards are worth a tiny threat.

I used to go to Soho every year Grammaretto. When I lived with my Vietnamese friends, the Chinese New Year celebrations were held (and still are) in the various streets there.

The huge excitemet of the children when the dancing, posturing Lion-Dragon came out was wonderful to see. Much later, I had flashbacks when I watched Padstow's 'Obby 'Oss, which has similar origins.

For me, as you might guess, the food was great too.

Which is why I always smile a wee bit enviously at Jans posts as she enjoys her meals out and morning teas with friends.

I just looked at the bread I made and would so love a slice but know if I ate, my joints would seize painfuly, my tummy rebel and my brain fill with fog (or is it cotton wool?) for the rest of the day.

I am expecting an OT this morning; she specialises in falls. (prat or water?)
I don't have much trouble falling down, it's the getting up I need help with

Thinking of all those who can't be with us.
I miss Cherry and Nortsat and is Doodle home yet?

Enjoy your summer days and balmy evenings

Hello Lobstars, I'm slinking in quietly. I'm sorry to be an infrequent poster but I am a regular reader.

What has been happening at the Redoubt lately? Well, at vast expense I finally have a new built-in combi microwave! Two attempts at repairing my old one failed and I had to have it replaced with a later model which does not match the other cooking appliances. Still, it comes with wifi and an 'app' so I can program it remotely! (Don't ask me why I would want to - it wasn't top of my requirements list.) Frozen beefburgers were cooked to perfection in just 20 minutes using the combi settings. Pizzas and baked potatoes are pretty good too, I'm using it more than my main oven.

Despite remaining so vulnerable to Covid, I have made up my mind that I will spend time with my family although, in every other way, I continue to shield.

Last weekend DGD1 and her Mum and Dad (DS1), spent the night with us. The weather was very hot and the soaker gun (bought to deter next door's cat from killing our birds - it keeps DH happy although the cat just moves away and gives us that look) was brought into action by a usually very timid DGD who thoroughly soaked her unsuspecting dad. We detect an unexpected (but much hoped for) growing warmth towards us. DH and I have no idea what has changed but we'll take whatever is on offer.

We also have our Northern Branch visiting us for a week soon. All the adults have been double vaccinated and the children will have been out of school for a while too. I'm just hoping I will be able to cope with all the action after nearly 17 months of shielding.

Mamissimo, what is it that is so confusing about bedding? We have one king sized bed, two standard doubles and a collection of singles and child beds. I cannot get DH to understand that only the king sized bed needs the king sized mattress protector and undersheet. All the duvets (apart from the single) are king sized although we have a selection of duvet togs. Hmmh....

I hope Doodle's cruise is going well.

My thoughts are still with Panache. I would think that now must be the hardest time.

Hello All. Still hot in Norfolk but rain is forecast at the weekend which is so annoying for people who work.
Had a lovely day going round the coast yesterday and a great meal in our favourite restaurant where you can sit outside. Welcome breeze from the sea! Mr J has been out for a meal with a friend today so that’s 2 days no cooking for me! Will just make me a salad tonight which is what we seem to have been eating for days but too hot to have an oven on!
Doodle has certainly had great weather on her cruise bless her. Hope she has enjoyed herself.
Mamissimo you made me laugh about Amsterdam. We went and were taken around the red light district. Sure it’s just a show put on for the tourists but such sights!
Kaimoana good that you enjoyed your NZBlind meeting and that there were helpful friendly people there. Hadn’t heard about the floods in NZ - they sound dreadful.
Hope everything went well for Panache on Tuesday I did think about her.
Just had a friend round for cup of tea and managed to find a cool corner in the garden. Had a good gossip and natter as ladies do!
Hope everyone is well and enjoying the sunny weather!

Good morning ?
I am going to try to be prodigious today Kaimoana because I've been studiously avoiding some tedious admin for weeks.

My bedding storage needs a complete sort because Mr M various elves have had a good rootle and mixed up all the sets and we currently have the wrong sized sheets on the bed and it's like sleeping on corduroy!

Our broadband is due to be upgraded to fibre to the premises tomorrow so I have to dismantle my desk so that the new cabling can go in. Mr M has disappeared to do something very important five miles away and won't be back till food time the jobs complete. He had his clipboard with him so I'm guessing he's directing the traffic at the vaccination centre. From what I see on the news he may be very bored!

Grammaretto your tale of Soho made me smile. Many years ago we took my recently widowed FiL on a sailing holiday to the Netherlands. We spent a couple of nights in Amsterdam and on the last night he expressed a wish to see the Canal Strasse........Mr M said we would accompany him. So my husband and his father took me for an educational post prandial stroll through the red light district. I've never forgotten my embarrassment as a twenty one year old but equally I've never forgotten being torn as to who was the most exploited there....the hoards of tourists or the women?

First today though....I need to put new wheels on the top basket of the dishwasher....a woman)s work is never done!

Hello lovely gangstars,

Well done indeed to your DS, Mamissimo. and so nice that you were there to celebrate.

What a lot you have romped through Kaimoana. I hope you get some rest too.

My little DGC are positively greedy for stories. You don't get away with just one. I picked up a pile of picture books at Oxfam to bring on holiday and had to read all 6 every night and even then they demanded a "head story" usually from mum or dad.
Not much news from me which is a relief as it has been mostly awful unless you want to hear that a melon exploded in the kitchen so I have just washed the floor.

Was the red light above the door? I never knew that . I thought it was in the window.
As an naive schoolgirl I was exploring Soho, whilst waiting for my appointment at the dental hospital in Leicester Square, as you do, and hoping to add to my stamp collection as there were a few specialist stamp shops. I noticed that several doors had small signs offering French Lessons.
I remember mentioning this to my DM later who seemed shocked and told me to keep away from that area and showed no interest in the stamps.

I hope no news is good news from the gang?

Well done your DS Mamissimo for such an achievement.
For all they say succesive governments have dumbed down education, I still believe it takes a lot of jolly hard work and intelligence to get an MBA, or indeed any advanced accreditaton.

My dil and I were talking about this very thing . I Skyped with Gubbins who sits surrounded by books and heuristic toys (what we used to call spoons, boxes, cups, balls, sieves and dishes ) and you can almost see her progress as she choose the right sized shape for the relevant receptacle, or tests the texture and measures distances.

I had recently watched a short clip of a frienda grand-daughter and there's a TV playing constantly in the background (how's that for dumbing down?) and although there are books in evidence the baby doesn't seem to be interested.
Lots of soft toys but nothing for adventurous or educational play at all. Such a shame.

I should imagine Panache would appreciate an iced chocolate milkshake if the weather is warm.

I've got through a prodigious amount of work today. Mountains of paperwork knocked off; dishes of all varieties cooked and covered, bread made (still rising) and many online things in the "when I have time" basket now eliminated.
I is feelin' gooooood'


My friend Phil informs me I might set up a VR unit for less than I supposed. He and I will go out to the home of the man I met yesterday who has invited us for a demo. He has Oculus (there must be a pun there for a partually sighted person)

Meanwhile, I'm scurrying around this house wondering what I can sell to boost the coffers.

I don't think my Salvation Army neighbours would appreciate a red light over my door.

Good Evening ?

Very proud parent day today as we were able to see DS get his MBA and his Chartered Manager award. It was a much smaller event than usual but none the worse for that. Wish we could work out who the two old codgers in the photos are....somehow the last couple of years have turned us into our parents!

Now we just have ten days until our holiday and boy are we looking forward to that!

If you are reading Panache I'm sending my thoughts and I'll get Jeeves to bring you an extra fan with the cocoa.

I reckon Doodle must have reached the frozen north by now. How I envy her the sea breeze!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-949853-flods.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-678022-flood2.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-528538-house-sail.jpg

Nfk Oooh, fresh raspberries. I doubt I could resist just eating them long before any jam making took place! I love them with clotted cream which I make myself but I can't grow the rasps

Uncle Google, whom I admit has a rather unusual line in translation, tells me Allanfa is exit.

But I remember falling about hysterically when I mentioned formalin to my Mum and she said, 'Do you mean formaldahyde?'
I was convinced she was trying to fool me with a nonsense word (she often did).
So it's clear Allan and Allanfa mean the same.

Maybe no one in Wales actually does call their child Allan. I think Araf is a rather nice name

Went to my first NZBlind meeting today. Very nice, helpful people who have all walked this road before me and can warn me about the bumps and potholes thereon.

I learned a little more about Virtual Reality and how it can change the lives of blind people. It sounds amazing but way, way out of my budget with a basic start price of $3,000. (about 1500 Sterling). Dream on....

Massive flooding in NZ is causing a state of emergency, closures of venues and schools, mud slides and evacuations of whole towns.

I live right on the edge of a steep bank and every year I think the floods will send me sailing down the river.
Stay well everyone

How was today Panache? I hope it wasn't too hard for you.
Sending love and prayers
xxx

(We went to the beach yesterday evening when it was quiet. Had the place nearly to ourselves - it was 19c with a stiff, very cooling easterly breeze! I decided not to swim after all.)

Kaimoana Araf is on all the road junctions - with Slow underneath and Allan is on the way out of shops and stuff, so I assume it means Exit. But it must have another meaning, else why would any Welsh person call their son Allan? I did know other words - but have forgotten them already, which is why I've never been good at languages!

We went to our local PYO farm for raspberries this morning and they're sitting in the kitchen waiting for me to jam them. But not until the sun goes down a bit! We're not going to have many tomtoes either Mamissimo. The plants are doing wonderfully - all leaves and hardly a flower!

I hope Panache isn't suffering too much in the heat on this of all days.

Just popping in, if I may, to send Panache the warmest of thoughts for tomorrow?

Good afternoon ?

Can someone turn the sun down a bit please? It's 32 in my kitchen and I don't do well in the heat.....when they remade me the heat regulation bits defeated them so I boil! I'm having to leave the bath full and sit in it very regularly.

There won't be a tomato glut here this year as we've lost the lot to blight. luckily we still have tons of chutney from last year

We had a lovely weekend with DC's godfather but I'm completely catered out! Mr M has just asked me what's for dinner tonight and he might just have got his ears boxed. I'm dangerous when I'm hot!

I'm off for another dip in the ?

Lovely and interesting post Doodle glad you are having such a wonderful time.

I must have missed the 'outedness' (can't really say 'outing' can I it'd sound like a Sunday School Trip). I can't imagine how anyone could work out where you live, that's quite scary.

What we colloquially call 'Geranium' is actually Pelargonium sidoides which is used to treat quite different ailments from the true geranium - Geranium sylvaticum. (see pretty pink pic) so be sure you know the difference or your bronchial patient may end up with a speedy byt breathless dash to the loo

Grammaretto How sad that Denmark has red-zoned you. Will this wretched situaion never end? What does 'pinged' mean?
Yes, there are many native British shrubs which have much the same effect as Manuka or Kanuka.
I always find it totally amazing that instead of just growing in the hedgerows, these wonderful plants all contain compounds which heal. Truly astonishing when you think about it.

Go on then Nfk tell us what Araf and Allan mean.

I've helped my rapidly failing memory by picturing something which reminds me of the word or phrase.

In this case, it would be a smart pilot saluting (a RAF) and although I understand you have a comic named Allan Davies, I'm afraid I'm of the Allan Whicker generation

The day with my family was fantastic and in the afternoon, Daddy, Mummy and Gubbins fell asleep in the sunshine pouring into my living room - and I have the photos to prove it! Hee hee

Today, another delight as DGS stayed over and we had a cooking day. His predictable menu: pizzas, garlic bread, apple pud (like Eve's Pudding) and shortbread.
So we had a wee talk about the amount of
stodgy carbs recommended in a 3 course meal!
He's so keen, he even does the washing up without being asked. So we both had a superb day.
All the food went home with him and I enjoyed a chicken salad

I'm sorry about your poor df and that your cruise is not going ahead Jan. That is a disappointment.

I hope you enjoyed the weekend Kaimoana. I look forward to hearing about it.

Df leaves tomorrow. I shall miss her. Because she used to live nearby, she has people to see and things to do so is no trouble as a guest and we have lovely chats over breakfast and dinner.

You just reminded me of chocolate Jan. I'll have a little before bed, thanks.

Welcome home Nfk. Pleased you enjoyed Wales. We had a great time on the Broads. Seems a long while ago now!
Doodle. Think we are cancelling our Sept cruise. The friends we were going with will cancel as Anne has badly broken her leg and drs have said it will be in plaster for 8 weeks which is about one week before the cruise so she will not be very mobile. I’m quite pleased although not sure Mr J is. Also think P and O will probably cancel or else completely change the itinerary.
Dragonfly Hope you enjoyed your scones and rhubarb jam! Love savoury scones but don’t have a sweet tooth - except for chocolate!
Kaimoana. Hope you’ve had a great day with your family. We’ve had a quiet day today after going to a friends for a barbeque yesterday evening. There was soooo much food!
Panache hope all goes well on Tuesday. Will be thinking of you and sending love and best wishes.
It is sooooo hot in Norfolk today - hopefully cooling down tomorrow!

It is so good to picture all your doings.
Doodle and the Dude on their floating palace, NfkD speaking Welsh in her camper bubble.
I looked after a Welsh Mountain pony called Pandy once. I didn't know it was a place. How ignorant am I.

It's not so much the expense (though that too) it's just the inconvenience of having nowhere to cook and with a friend staying too.
The good news is that my DC and DGC didn't have covid so can resume their lives. I think I told you they were pinged on a day out in Derbyshire my English family
The not-so- good news is that the UK is now on a red list for Denmark so my DB won't be able to visit me. He was due to come next month and to help sort out DH's millions of books and also to be with me.

I tried to grow tea tree and managed a bush which lasted a few years. Manuka, as it is known in NZ where it grows like a weed, is rather an attractive shrub but I am sure there will be a native plant which will do the same thing. Isn't there?.

I am going out tomorrow with the walking group but I will surely be thinking of you Panache on Tuesday.

Wot -ho everyone!

We've been to Welsh Wales and I've learned two words. ARAF and ALLAN. And I'm doing my best to remember them for when we go back next year. When we decided to cancel our week in Jersey back at the end of April we tried to book camp sites in the Gower and around there so we could call and see our friends nearby. But all the sites were full! So we opted for four nights in Brecon and four in Tredegar, but had to have an overnight in Pandy (excellent pub) as those sites were nearly full too! Brecon was lovely despite the rain and we shall stop there again on our way to the Gower next year - we're booking this week!!

I apologise again for not saying when I just vanish off, but having been 'outed' I realise how easy it is for someone to figure out who I am - and where I live!

Interesting to hear of yet another use for tea tree oil. There was a flying ant on the table outside as we were eating our dinner and we have a lot of ants nests. I have no objection to them as the blackbirds feast on them, but it's nice to know of a way to keep them away from the house. The blackbirds do like to feast on them. I use tea tree in oil burners in winter to keep away germs and help alleviate colds. Geranium, I believe, is also good for that. Kaimoana, is that right?

"Just off the coast of Wales" sounds idyllic Doodle and you must be having calm seas too. There's something about the sun setting over a calm sea. Perfect!

Rhubarb jam sounds good Dragonfly. I have tried making it before, but it didn't keep well. And with all the rain Norfolk had while we were away, we've come back to a bit of a glut. I shall try again.

It's good to see your posts Panache. I too will be thinking of you on Tuesday.

Hello all. Just off the coast of Wales.
Been a wonderful day warm and sunny and yes thank you Panache a little breeze to make it pleasant.
Hope you are all coping with the heat, or without it in your case Kaimoana ?. Glad to hear young Gubbins is having fun with you on Skype.
Grammaretto sorry to hear about your electrical problems. You seem to be having more than your fair share of household expenses at the moment.
Jan hope the gardening is going well. Don’t overdo it in the heat.
Ants, moths, mice, whatever is going on in lockdown world. Hope you get your problems resolved Mamissimo and Grammaretto
Mamissimo I’m not sure about the Titanic picture but instead imagine an old couple in their pyjamas sitting on their balcony watching the sun disappear slowly on the horizon. Been the most beautiful evening. A warm pink gold sky, calm sea with a few ripples. We’ve been out there for hours. So peaceful.
dragonfly hope you are ok. Your scones and home made jam sound lovely.
Panache hope you are able to enjoy some quiet time in your garden when the sun isn’t too hot. I will be thinking of you Tuesday. So pleased you have friends who will be there with you. Take care all and keep safe. Snowdon for us tomorrow

Panache dear heart, your magic worked! Currently it's 18 degrees with people walking about in tee shirts and shorts, bare feet or sandals. Very rare for July.

It's rained in the night but now the sun is pouring in and I have all the doors and windows wide open. THANKYOU

Thinking of you all and just hoping you are enjoying this sunshine.
I fear I am ducking under cover, as no longer can I sit out and enjoy as of yore.
Quite happy to parcel some of the warmth up and send it off to you though Kaimoana Don`t like leaving you without!!!

I can imagine our Doodle out there on the beautiful blue sea enjoying .......hopefully...........just a little breeze which helps to make these temperatures more palatable.

Enjoy!!

Grammaretto The Secret Scottish Mothball Bomber - now there's an image !
But I was already laughing at the Bandit Duck

dragonfly Children are such a joy. Gubbins isn't quite at the stage where her commands (and they certainly are) are intelligible but there's no doubt what she means.

Today it's all go for a full family Sunay together and I've volunteered to cook masses of vegetables to mash for Gubbins' meals as well.

So I better get on instead of sitting here....

Enjoy your sun - I have lovely sunshine but no heat in it.

I hadn't tried Tea tree for against moths though I have tried everything else.
When we were young, mothballs prevailed. These are now banned due to poison. Makes sense so it's war! Naphthalene , the ingredient of the mothballs kills humans as well, indirectly.
The traditional active ingredient for mothballs was Naphthalene but due to serious concerns over its safety it has been prohibited for use in pesticides since 2008.

I shall source T tree immediately.

Sorry that doesn't help with the ants one bit Mamissimo

Hallo everyone.
All your family holidays sound wonderful I am very envious.
We don't ever seem to be able to get everyone together even though we are such a small band.
DD and DS get on well but live completely different lives. I suppose that is because one has young children and the other is a party girl!

Mamissimo I used talcum powder where the ants come in. Not only does it work but it makes the room smell nice. Strangely it is the only thing I use it for these days.

Lovely to hear the cruise is going well Doodle.
And Panache you are often in my thoughts and it is lovely to hear you have such good friends. I still send you hugs.

Lovely that Gubbins is able to Skype Kaimoana - little ones are so entertaining. I had a conversation with my 2 this week and it was very hard to tell which was which as i couldn't see them. The eldest of 6 got quite exasperated at me asking who I was speaking to 'it is Clara and Harry of course Granny' she said - put me in my place!!

Today I am having coffee with friends and anticipating the home made scones with home made rhubarb jam and cream!!