The Lockdown Gang - carry on chatting ⭐️

Dexter looks contented but a cross between a lion and a teddy bear. He doesn't bite I hope.
I am also very glad that your DiL is improving Dragonfly

Oh dear - what a difficult time you are having Missimac
At least there are carers to help.

I hope Mamissimo is OK. Sending get well thoughts.
Luckily the smallest DGD tested negative for covid but she is not at all well.

You are very clever Doodle to make clothes and to shut the fridge door. I hope you find a new one quickly. I bought my last one from John Lewis online because they promised to take away the old one and dispose of it responsibly. Like you, I had to measure it to fit in the space.

I often wear an apron. I am a very messy cook and a messy eater
Our American cousin bought me this one for Christmas.
www.seasaltcornwall.com/cotton-studio-apron
I love it and it has no ties.
She always comes laden with gifts. I know she's bringing dresses for the wee girls.

I had to come in from the garden - it was too hot!
I chose the new stair carpet this morning. The sale finishes on Tuesday so that concentrated the mind. I didn't go for the lovely wool one but got a crappy cheap artificial one instead in the hope that the moths won't like it.

Cup of tea time already.

Its good to read that you have a DD living close by Missimac, if only for moral support and to know there's someone for emergency back up to take the pressure off. The lockdowns must have been impossibly hard for you. Hopefully we won't have to go through them again.

Dexter isn't at all as I imagined him Dragonfly. I've never seen a dog like him. He really is gorgeous! Built for cuddling! Pleased to hear that your DiL is a bit better. A positive step.

We forced ourselves out for a walk at Strumpshaw bird reserve yesterday as the sun was breaking through occasionally. No birds to speak of but its a lovely place for a walk.

We woke to a lovely sunny day here today and I thought we'd joined the rest of the country and it was summertime again, but it then clouded over fast - and then it started to rain. Heavily. And I had such high hopes! Even the weather forecasters had had high hopes. The sun is out again but the wind is firmly from the north. I expect a lovely clear night before the clouds again tomorrow!

I know what you mean about Nottingham Jan as I live nearby. It is a long time since I went into the centre as I am closer to Leicester. There is some lovely countryside around though and the roads are not as busy as other areas of the UK. I often think the East Midlands is very underrated.

Dexter is extremely gentle Grammaretto. He has such a sweet nature although looks a little gentle at times.
Pleased you have chosen your carpet. I think the new synthetic ones are excellent.

Sorry to hear that Mamissimo is poorly. I hope you get well soon.

Yes Dexter is very cuddly Nfk. I have had cars stop and the drivers asking for a cuddle. He is very tolerant.

Pleased to hear your daughter is nearby Missimac. Aren’t daughters wonderful.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202108/medium-242895-supermarket-shelf.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202108/medium-402917-bushel.jpg

missismac I had a friend with a prolific plum tree which stopped fruiting. I asked her if she fed it, as she did with all other parts of the garden. It had never occurred to her to feed a tree. She did this in Autumn and the next year it was back on form.
You know how you can hear and use a saying but not know what it literally means? The picture is of a Bushel, which held 8 gallons, easily enough for Doodle to hide her light under.

dragonfly so glad to read your DiL is improving, it’ll give her hope (and you too) for full recovery and a more peaceful life for your DS.

Grammaretto those studio aprons look just the job, I'd love one.

I too wear aprons, although nothing so fancy as Doodle’s Mum in her frillies. My favourite apron came as a gift from Japan (and Bo Yoon) looks like a pair of curtains and is truly hideous but it’s wide and covers all.

I’m fairly sure Mamissimo was over her bug when she wrote but it’s very contagious so she may be nursing MrM or her DS if he’s still there.

Dexter is beautiful.

On Friday, dear Mepa proved her worth a hundred fold.

She arrived at 2pm and took money and a note for 8 essential items.

By 5pm I was seriously worried she’d had an accident but when she got back at 7pm she told me there were such long queues even to get into the carpark, let alone the supermarket, that she was worried to be alone in her car if it got dark.

So she wisely nipped home for her husband who stayed with her as she heroically waited in line yet again.
Two items were unavailable but she went out again today and got them elsewhere.

What a gem. That lady is a real blessing.

I had no idea a 3-4 wait is typical at the moment and supermarkets are reporting that some shoppers are clearing whole aisles into several trolleys.
Attempts to bring a little fairness only results in abuse of staff.

Our lockdown has been extended. Now 437 cases of Delta.
All in quarantine but who knows how many are still out there?

Pleased to report Gubbins’ teething fever broke and she actually slept 3 whole hours last night.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfnwhlywWjA

Gosh Kaimoana Mepa is indeed a star. I remember having to queue for bread in the 70’s and hating the stress of it. Why are people so selfish clearing supermarket shelves?

Had to smile at Gubbins sleeping 3 hours. Our DGS is 3 and only just sleeping through the night!

I agree with Dragonfly, your Mepa is a keeper, Kaimoana
3 hour sleeps for Gubbins=Progress.
I remember a young health visitor at the 1 year checkup was asking about milestones and sleep. She looked rather surprised when I said that baby never slept through a whole night.She offered no suggestions except to say if I didn't mind then it didn't matter. Sound advice in my opinion.

Now I can't sleep through a whole night. Each night feels like a long haul flight when you are just nodding off and are rudely woken and can't get back to sleep so you check the time and realise you are still flying over Australia and there's another 20 hours to go.

I read Heavenly for Heavily NfkD and thought you were thrilled to get some rain as I imagine it baking hot in Norfolk. Come to think of it, DSis has been camping near Cromer and had to go home early, it was so wet.

I don't know if I said but there's to be a wedding in my garden next month and today the couple plus the registrar are coming to talk to me about it. Very exciting a bit too exciting?

Sorry for even suggesting that the gorgeous Dexter might bite. It was just his resemblance to a lion. Dragonfly

Good morning Gang-stars from Missy, Ollie and me. It’s quite a bright morning here.

Thank you for your kind enquiries about my DP (dear partner) and his MRI scan. We are awaiting results. He said he felt like an actor in a science fiction film, with all the clanking and strange noises. Those who have had an MRI will appreciate the remark.
When I had one, a while ago I was given headphones and a choice of talk radio or classical music, to off-set some of the noise. I opted for the music and it was a Mozart Piano Concerto. I found myself wondering what Mozart would make of his music being used at MRI scans some 240 years after he wrote it.
Kaimoana bless Mepa and her diligence and determination to get your groceries.
I think it’s dreadful the way people clear the shelves in supermarkets during lockdown. It’s so selfish. I saw a woman in the supermarket here, with 48 tins of sardines in her trolley. She wasn’t allowed to buy them!
Nfk Strumpshaw Bird Reserve sounds lovely, a perfect name for a bird reserve. Glad you enjoyed your walk.
Grammaretto, we look forward to seeing a photo of your new carpet.
Oh Dragonfly Dexter is fabulous. He absolutely looks like a Dexter. I could do with about half an hour of fussing and stroking him, right now. I think he would be a wonderful therapy dog. How fortunate you are to have him.
Missimac, hello. It’s nice to see you on this lovely, kind thread. I am a ‘popper in and out’ as circumstances allow. I hope you and your DH are having a decent day, today.
Jan, I hope you enjoyed your Indian food yesterday. What did you have?
We had Indian takeaway last night - mushroom bhaji, lamb bhuna and chicken biryani. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Mammissimo hope your improvement continues. I gave a wry smile at your DH organising Dhansak curry for supper, when you could possibly manage a little scrambled egg.
When I came out of hospital a couple of weeks ago my DP ordered take away pizza (pepperoni) when what I actually managed was a slice of toast!
Doodle, good morning, wishing you a pleasant day.
Thinking of Panache.
Good wishes to Missedout and indeed anyone I have missed out (did you see what I did there? ?).
Have a good day all, from me and the Gang-stars molls ??

Oh Nortsat I do wish indeed that Dexter was mine but he is my granddog and lives 200 miles away. We always have him for a few weeks a year when my DD goes on holiday but of course recently they haven't been away. We had him for 3 months though at the beginning of lockdown as they couldn't get up here to collect him!

I too wonder about Panache and how she is doing. I expect she is carrying on as her usual brave self.

How exciting to have a wedding in your garden Grammaretto. I wonder if you will be able to post pictures.

The sun has just put his hat on here so I am going for a walk to a craft exhibition.
See you all later.

Kaimoana. I wouldn’t have thought of feeding a tree either, but I think the trouble with our original trees was the treatment they received from our neighbours. For many, many years we had an old lady living next door and she loved the fact that our trees overhung her garden because she picked all the fruit her side and enjoyed it. But when she moved out we had new neighbours who object strongly to anything overhanging their garden. They regularly cut back the overhanging branches until the trees were completely one-sided and looked dreadful, and stopped fruiting. I know it is their right to do that, but it was a shame to lose such good trees.
Thank you for showing me what a bushel is - I always thought it was a sack of corn or something similar - you live and learn! It is a strange expression though - I’d never thought about its meaning before.
What a good friend you have in Mepa and what a terrible situation in your supermarkets. It was much the same here at the start of the pandemic - toilet rolls seemed to be the thing that people panicked about the most, but some supermarket shelves were emptied of just about everything until some controls were brought in.

Dragonfly My daughter is certainly wonderful and I’m very lucky to have her so close. I don’t know what I would have done without her these last few years.

Grammaretto. How exciting to have a wedding in your garden. Is it a family member getting married? You must have a lovely garden.

Today is Zoom day for me. Every Sunday my siblings and I (four of us) have a zoom meeting at 2 p.m. and have a good chat and catch up on each other’s news. We all live in different parts of the country and used to try and get together twice a year, but Covid (and increasing age) is almost making that impossible, so we do this every week now, and I always look forward to it. Isn’t modern technology marvellous.

Good morning ? Thank you for all the well wishes - they worked and I'm restored to normal functioning. Mr M is back on snoozing OIC duties and safely out of the kitchen! I'm nine pounds down but we're off to see DS this evening so the slimming effect of the virus won't last long!

The remainder of my AC have gone camping together this weekend and I would not love to be a fly on the wall......DD1 is in the throws of putting her house on the market and DD2 is all hormoned up for cycle 2. Both are emotional.....

Kaimoana my late FiL was Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures for a county and when he retired he was given the opportunity to buy the complete set of imperial dry and wet standards for the county as they were going metric. Mr M inherited them all. - from 1/4 oz to a full bushel! They were made in 1825 from bronze and we also have the Royal Grant for them signed by George 1V.

Grammaretto a wedding in your garden is a nightmare awesome responsibility.....does it involve a marquee? I think I hope not! What colour carpet did you plonk for?

H Beagle had a quiet day yesterday after Mr M someone left the pet food cupboard unlocked and she stole 500gms of chicken dumbbell treats. She spent the day creating unpleasant miasma and sleeping off the carbs!

And now I must go and finish the raised chicken and ham pie I'm making for lunch tomorrow - I need to get it chilled before I add the jellied stock. Whatever you're up to I hope it's stress free!

Goodness you lot have been busy. I must catch up.
Jan sounds like your DD lives in a nice place. We live by a river too and enjoy our walks along the riverbank.
Hope you enjoyed your meal out last night.
grammaretto that’s the first thing I ask about a dog. Does it bite ? My DGS has a huge dog and scary looking but quite aloof. Very gentle but not keen on being petted by those outside the family. His new puppy is very keen on social contact, especially if it’s with someone giving treats ?
Our old fridge came from John Lewis and so will the new one when we get it for precisely the reason you mention. DH and I are not able to move it so hope they will arrange it all for us.
I love your apron. I have seen ones like that before. I like the idea you can just slip it on.
What colour did you end up with for the carpet?
We used to buy 100% wool years ago but now go for a mixture. They seem to wear better.
A wedding in your garden, that sounds lovely. What a lucky couple. Do you know them?
Nfk what a lovely name, Strumpshaw. ? Sounds a nice place for a walk. Sorry your lovely day turned to rain. Ours was the other way round, rain first then sun later
Kaimoana I have never seen a bushel before. Thanks for the photo.
Well what a wonderful person Mepa is turning out to be. That’s an amazing shopping trip.
When we had lockdown shortages we were rationed to how much we were allowed to buy of items. It’s a fairer way than just taking all you can get your hands on.
Glad Gubbins is feeling a bit better. I expect that makes mum and dad feel a bit better too.
Nortsat hello to you and the Molls. Love it when you are popping in. ?
Good to hear your DP got on ok with the MRI. Does he have to wait long for the results? Your meal sounds nice. We had chicken (again) with carrots and potatoes. Tonight for a change we are having ..chicken, carrots and potatoes. ? I have to treat DH’s stomach with care.
Mamissimo so pleased to hear you are feeling better. Nine pounds! My goodness you were really ill with it. Norovirus is a very nasty bug. You might find it takes a while before you feel like eating properly.
Have a nice time with your DS tonight. I think perhaps you are wise to be missing the camping trip. I do hope they get on ok.
Well yet another lockdown coincidence, Kaimoana posts a picture of a bushel and you come back with a really interesting story.
Oh Honey beagle ? you know you shouldn’t…but temptation is hard to resist.
dragonfly I love a craft exhibition. I am usually in awe of what others can make. Do you do anything like that yourself?
You must miss seeing your DD with them being so far away. Do you face time or zoom?
missimac I’m glad your daughter is so close by and on hand. You certainly need that help and support.
Well how wonderful to meet up with your siblings like that every week. I don’t do zoom much (once actually) but I can see how much of a boon it is to those who don’t live near to family.
Hope you have a lovely catch up .

The mind of a dyslexic person.

Jan writes “ hasten to add I was reading.
Nfk writes “it was raining heavily
Grammaretto writes, I read Heavenly for Heavily

And doodle mixes up all three posts and rushes off to search for this new book you are all reading called Heavenly for Heavily. . ……must be out of stock as I can’t find it yet ?

I had better be careful what I write Doodle.
It has been a long day. It wasn't heavenly but it was fine.
I can't say much about the wedding but everything seems organised and does involve a marquee.

After that I had a visit from a friend of a friend who's an architect and was asked to look over my house with a view to converting it to create 2 or 3 flats. He was very impressive and taught me more about my house in an hour, than I ever knew in 40 years of living in it!

It would all be impossibly expensive and disruptive. There were jokes about Grand Designs and Kirsty and Phil
Those are not books by the way.

In the middle of all this some friends of DH, on holiday from England, called in on the off chance but I didn't even invite them in.

Scotland has a record number of covid cases and I am not happy about all the defences being ignored.

I hope your AC are having a happy time camping Mamissimo

I have already had my hot chocolate. One of those Montezuma discs whisked into hot milk. Mmm.

Welcome back Mamissimo What a wonderful legacy your DH has inherited. I always knew a bushel was a measurement (Mum grew up on a farm) but I didn’t know it was an actual receptacle too.

dragonfly46 I don’t think I’ll pass on the news about your DGS still not sleeping my family are living in hope that a more mobile Gubbins will become more tired .

Grammaretto A wedding, how splendid. I hope the weather is kind. Will you be allowed to attend in a posh hat?
Yes, Gubbins is making progress but her Mama is very much a ‘by the book’ person and all her friends’ children slept through since birth (apparently ). My DS is much more sanguine, exhausted as he is because he knows he was a non-sleeper too.

Nortsat Nice to see you, Missy and Ollie posting. I’m glad I wasn’t given a choice of music or talk radio when I had my MRI – I would be a basket case after 2 minutes of either. Give me the noisy clanking anytime Hope good results come back for your DH.

Nfk I do wish there was a way to help the birds near my garden. They struggle to survive and are preyed on by water rats, cats, possums, magpies and mynah birds. When I first came here, the Swifts came back every summer but we’ve ruined their habitat, so now they don’t. At night the native owl Morepork or Ruru called. No longer.
A Bird Reserve would be wonderful; I’d rather have birds than humans.

Jan You whetted my appetite for Indian food but alas, it never tastes quite the same as ‘shop bought’ when I make it.

Hope Missedout is doing okay – all good wishes coming her way and for Panache too.

Missismac That was a bit drastic of your neighbour. I hope time allows the trees to get over their shock and decide to fruit again. Maybe a little TLC feeding after that severe pruning will help this Autumn?
How nice that you Zoom with your siblings and that you have such a lovely daughter, she sounds a real honey.
Yes, technology is incredible. I’m so glad I lived to see and use Artificial Intelligence, it’s quite remarkable.

Doodle We too have rationing in supermarkets but greedy people get round in many ways not least by taking family and friends and buying up to limit with each one, or creating a (potentially violent) fuss if asked to stick to the rules.
Understandably, very few staff feel like standing up to that.

Some supermarkets brought in security teams last lockdown but as this latest was imposed very quickly, security firms were and still are stretched with supporting police at the still-tightly-closed city borders and in hospitals, as well as all their usual work.

We are now up to 603 Delta cases and as long as they continue to be found, our strictest Level 4 will continue.

Experts are calling for even more stringent measures. Despite this the National Party (like Conservatives) refused virtual meetings and insisted on personal attendance in parliament, puting others at risk

Grammaretto I hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Well done for not inviting unexpected visitors in.

My day was quite productive. As you may remember my DGS is getting ever more enthusiastic about cooking and I'm putting together a simple recipe book for him.
So that kept me busy on this dull, cold and miserably rainy day.

Hello Gang,

Just popping in to say I have read your news - who needs a novel! and am on tenterhooks for the next installments.
You are always productive Kaimoana as is Doodle
Lovely to see Nortsat and her pussycats.

Nothing planned for me today thankfully
Though I am double booked on Thursday. Dentist or walk around a magical old house and grounds with the walking group. Which would you choose?
www.mavisbank.org.uk/history_menu/the-landscape
I think you probably know what a Dentist looks like.

Definitely the walk Grammaretto but I suspect the dentist will win!

Nah! I am about the cancel the dentist and hope I don't live to regret it.

grammaretto hope they have nice weather for the wedding. Are you invited or are they just making use of your garden?
Your friend who is an architect didn’t have any ideas where the deeds could be hidden did he?
I would imagine it does cost quite a lot to convert a house into flats rather than building purpose built ones. Having said that, there a a number of beautiful old(er) houses near us which have been converted into flats.
Good for you not letting unexpected visitors in. In these COVID times we need to be careful
I’m with you, a walk round the house and grounds and hope you don’t have toothache while you’re doing it.
It looks a very interesting place to visit.
Kaimoana Our first DGD was a poor sleeper. We bought her a little aquarium toy that clipped onto the bars of her cot. It had little fish floating about and played some soft music and low lights. It helped a bit if she woke up in the night.
What a brilliant idea to make your DGS his own cook book. I think that sort of activity should be encouraged. Always useful to know how to cook. Both my sons cook……much better than their mum ?
Out to lunch with friends tomorrow. The restaurant we were going to phoned and said they were sorry but they would not be open. No explanation. We have booked elsewhere.
Panache hope you are ok. We miss you and cherry
Sleep well all the gangsters.

Hello again Lobstars, as usual I haven't been posting regularly although I read your posts every day.

I really have so little to report. DH has been busy in the garage and is on the phone a lot to his old car friends (read that how you will!).

I've visited a friend in her garden one afternoon and our burglar alarm started beeping one morning (call out to engineer because of a fault).

We are going camping in Norfolk soon. I'm not sure it is a good idea but my mental health takes precedence over my physical health. We would normally have gone with the old cars in July but moved the stay until now when there is a greater health risk. I have treated myself to an extra warm sleeping bag for chilly nights. DH says he is always hot but I notice he's added a fleece throw to the 'take to camp' pile.

DS1, DIL and DGD1 are visiting us for lunch tomorrow. DIL has recovered from Covid and the other two didn't catch it so they feel relatively safe. They are still taking regular lateral flow tests. DGD1 goes back to school this week.

You all seem very busy. My thoughts are often with you.

Kaimoana, I hope you get plenty of support, I'm pleased you have Mepa.

I dare not cancel a dentist appointment Grammaretto, my first appointment after last year's tooth extraction is next April!

Good luck with the new fridge Doodle.

Hello Missedout lovely to hear from you.
My DS and family went camping one year. He is not the most practical of men and my DGS informed me that after a lot of swearing and a bashed thumb DS left it to DIL to put up the tent which she duly did with no trouble ?
Do you camp in a camper van type thing or in a real tent? Are you visiting a proper site?
Glad to hear your DIL has recovered from COVID. Hope you all have a nice lunch together.
Thank you. The new fridge will have to wait till we’ve eaten the contents of the old one. I have tied up the door with some string to keep it shut. Bit of a faff every time you want to get something out but it’s worth it as I have a good 10 days of food in the freezer.
Have a lovely day tomorrow ?

Grammaretto

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6g1I37_r1E

Kaimoana ?

Yes Kaimoana I could have written that ode
However, I have changed my appointment until next week. It is a review so perhaps there'll be a walk on part for Pam?

Missedout It must be much warmer where you are. It feels too chilly for camping now.
I have warned the American cousin to bring warm clothes.

As for good weather for the wedding Doodle - that would be a bonus. I fear the garden will look like be a quagmire if it rains.
Any news or MRI scan results yet?
DH had numerous scans but I seem to remember we had to wait a while for results.

How is the cook book coming along Kaimoana?

Evening all.
DH and I went out for lunch with friends today. Lovely to see them and we did enjoy our lunch. Unfortunately, I burnt the roof of my mouth quite badly with the first bite. It wasn’t too bad at the time but it is quite painful now. I am trying to anaesthetise it now with a tried and trusted remedy ?
Another gloomy day here weather wise. So that was summer was it?
kaimoana I love Pam Ayers. On one of the other threads there is mention of her doing a program for channel 5 on the Cotswolds, don’t know when it’s on yet. Not much use to you in NZ though.
grammaretto I was thinking it was today you were going on your trip but I see it is Thursday. Hope the weathers a bit better.
Hope all the gang are ok.