The Lockdown Gang - carry on chatting ⭐️

Such beautiful roses Kaimoana . Thanks for the photo and I enjoyed your joke.
A horse yes, Doodle I always wanted a horse but they need a lot of looking after unless they are wild and you don't want to ride them.
That is interesting about the cooked cucumber but I don't see why not. After all courgettes , marrows and pumpkins are all the same family and you cook them.

What a pity you had the grumpy shopkeeper experience.
When I was a girl the Chemist was a very bad tempered man who I was scared of. Asking for sanitary towels or almost anything was an ordeal and he would either not hear or tell me I didn't want that and should have something else. He was still there when my own DC were young and I remember asking him if he stocked left handed scissors, probably knowing I'd be met by contempt! In his day all left handers used normal scissors and there was no such thing.
I once asked (someone else) why he was so rude and was told that his only DD was killed ( knocked down by a car) on the road outside his shop so that was given as an excuse.

The old stair carpet was lifted this morning. Progress! I had to empty some big chests of linen and found guess how many towels?


.

Kaimoana where did you come from, you weren’t there when I started writing ?. Sneaking up behind me.
I like cucumber. Find it is very refreshing. I always remember when my DS2 used to come home from college and make himself an all in stir fry of anything in the fridge. He’s the only person I know who used to regularly eat hot cucumber.
Those flowers are lovely. Thank you for the photo. Not much in the way of colour here at the moment. I am waiting on my first snowdrop.

Muse I was so in to reading your post I completely missed the photo. It does indeed look lovely and all those windows and doors will let the light in. Bet you can’t wait to move in.
Grammaretto did you really want a horse, or was that just a typing error? If not, do you ride then?
What a shame your friend is moving. I’m sure you’ll miss him.
Perhaps you could come ‘down south’ for a visit
Brain gym is a good description. It’s how I feel about my online French class.
I have just discovered why The Fall has been going on for such a long time. I thought it was just one series but I now discover I have watched both series one and two and am about to embark on the first episode of series three.
Hopefully, we are going out to lunch with friends tomorrow. We plan to walk there so we can both have a drink as it’s not too far away but I hope it’s warmer than today. We had to extend our normal walk to pick up DHs prescriptions. By the time we got back I was freezing.
Hot chocolate all round Jeeves I think. Sleep well all.

Doodle not so naughty as you think.

In fact, I'm knee deep in cucumber at the moment as a friend twice brought some she'd grown and they were a gigantic, 17 inches, as were the mighty courgettes.
I usually buy Lebanese cucumbers, small and less watery than the normal ones and just like the icon.
I didn't really think the icon was a cucumber but it could have been a microphone, though I'd never have guessed it was a waving hand.

muse your heating method sounds wonderful (your whole house does).
I doubt it was available in Wales 50 years ago when my in laws were building, though they did have double glazing.

Grammaretto you have just reminded me of a 1977 children's TV series, "Horse in the House" - I can remember the theme music to this day.

Very cool, 19 degrees here but still sunny-ish.

Hope our missing Gangstars are all well.
So many seem to be hibernating.
*BJ is in Palmerston North with family.

Cherry are you still reading? How are you?

Stay cosy

Oh muse your house is so so lovely. I am not jealous at all.
Perhaps I should think about building a house having a house built something I have often dreamed of. but having my own horse was another dream house, horse whatever.
I was saddened to hear that my oldest friend here has decided to move down south to be near to his twin brother and the family . He thinks he can be a help as his S-in Law has died and also he prefers the weather in the south of England. who wouldn't

Gaelic class again was really hard. Brain gym.
The delivery came. The courier can only photograph the parcel with an open door behind.

I shall try to find the Fall to watch Doodle

Grammaretto we have had a number of deliveries when no one rings the bell. So annoying when you’re in, to have missed it.
I went into a small but well stocked haberdashery shop yesterday to buy some bias binding for turning up DHs trousers (he’s shrunk). While there I noticed a wonderful display rack with dozens of tiny balls of wool in lovely colours. I was tempted to ask what they were for but the owner was so grumpy I didn’t feel like it.
My goodness I’d forgotten about your stair carpet, that was ages ago you showed us the colours.

Re The Fall. I’m enjoying it but it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It contains some murders but all based round some central characters so I can keep up with the plot. I have also enjoyed the Harlen Coben books that have been made into series on Netflix. I watched the Very British Scandal (love Claire Foy) but not the Chair. I will look for it
Muse I bet you are getting really excited about your build now and can’t wait until you move in. What will happen to the place you are living in now?
Designing your own living areas must be so exciting. My DS2 has a large open plan living, dining, kitchen area but theirs is L shaped and lends itself perfectly to having the dining room but in the short side and the kitchen lounge in the long side.
What colour units are you having in the kitchen?
Kaimoana . Trust you.
All in one rooms are quite the thing these days. We have a lounge diner but separate kitchen.
The hand icon is just a hand with quote marks either side, not a cucumber…..what were you thinking? ?
Sunny outside but I bet it’s cold. We will be walking to the pharmacy to collect DHs prescriptions today and taking two huge bags with us to carry them all back in. He then spends hours sorting through all the packages, putting them in date order. Very methodical. Have a good day all

?Thank you Kaimoana. ?Is a waving hand.

It think Easter was a tad adventurous. We have quite a wait for the plumber and worktops. The heat recovery system, we had fitted, should keep the whole house warm and it's very cheap to run. We just have to keep the log burner going. The wood is free?. Also it's south facing and even the winter sun (as today) is warming it.

Oooh muse how exciting The house looks lovely all lit up like that.

What's that little icon hand holding - a cucumber?

My in laws had an all in one room designed but in a Welsh winter it proved very expensive to heat, so they had beautiful folding doors made so they could divide kitchen from dining area and that from the living room if required.
In summer, it all opened up with French windows to a large patio and the garden.

Is your move-in date still Easter?

Grammaretto I've had that courier trick pulled on me too, isn't it annoying?

Since we got contactless delivery (no signature), it hasn't happened.

Joke for Doodle.

A lady was relaxing in a sudsy bath when she heard a wild knocking on her front door. She leaped out and called, 'Who is it?'
'Blind collection'.
Assuming the collector wouldn't be able to see her, she didn't bother with a towel; just picked up her purse and opened the door.
A burly man stood there, gawping, then said,
'I've come to collect the blinds your husband says you want cleaning.'

?Good Evening Gang. I broke my promise of returning soon☹️. Nearly two weeks have passed! I know I'll be forgiven.?

I did giggle at Gubbins Kaimoana and Doodles comment. I do hope she gets through the night comfortably.

Sorry to read your GN friend has been upset by what is happening on other threads Doodle. It is shocking how many threads get deleted due to a few posters.

Ancestry.com and photographs appear to be bringing much joy and interest to a few of you. MrMuse's family have delved deep into their history. It needs someone else to kicked start the investigations again. MrMuse thinks his cousin might take up the challenge.

I have had brief visits to GN, mainly to check on soop's progress with a date for her operation but tonight is Lockdown night.

2022 has got off to a flying start with the new build. We've been busy texting and email contractors to book them in for final visits. Two friends have arm up the back been volunteered to help with various tasks. I'm on my third idea for the open plan room (kitchen, dining and living area) we have. Having lived in one (24m2) for 7 years, to now have 32m2 is quite exciting, but who would have thought having a rectangle to work with would be such a challenge.

There will be inside glimpses soon, I hope, but I took this outside photo a while back. MrMuse was working late in the build.

Hi there,

Where is everyone?
I'm cross.
I just "missed" a delivery but no I didn't because I was here all the time. They took a photo of my front door so they must have come here so I am extra cross.
I ordered a squirrel proof bird feeder and some beautiful wool from North Uist to give to my sister

Nope the cooker isn't fully installed yet but I did get a surprise call from the carpet fitter, thanking me for my patience. I ordered a stair carpet when? sometime in the Summer and paid a deposit, had a fitting. I had more or less changed my mind but had a call today! They are coming on Friday.

Wonders will never cease.
I really hope your blinds arrive more speedily Doodle
Should I watch the Fall?
I watched A very British Scandal and the Chair

Gaelic homework and then an early night.
What are you all up to?
.

Grammaretto is your oven connected fully yet?
I hope the people wanting your flat don’t let you down.
Went to the hospital for DHs blood test today and while we were in town went to the local blind store (if you know what I mean) . I want to change all our Venetian blinds for roller blinds as I am lazy find the slats too fiddly to clean.
For the bedroom windows I would like double rollers where one blind is a light one so we can see out but others can’t see in and a nighttime one that thicker. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any examples but were able to show what the casing would be like so they are coming to measure up next week.
We’ve already had dinner as DH had to fast for his blood test. It was so cold out we just came back and wanted to stay in and relax.
I am watching The Fall on Netflix. I keep thinking it’s the last episode but it keeps going on. I prefer series to films
Hope everyone has a good day.

I hope so too Doodle but que sera sera. I haven't advertised the flat so people who get in contact are always friends of friends at the moment.
If these people change their minds again so be it.
The electrician was round again tonight. This time counting all the smoke detectors required. There are a lot.

Sleepy-time tea for me Jeeves please. Sweet dreams everyone.
I keep thinking of that gorgeous little Gubbins rolling on the floor without a care in the world!

Grammaretto I hope the cancellation doesn’t mean they are dropping out. That would be a disappointment.
Yes we are happy with our downsizing. We didn’t move to be near our sons because they live locally anyway. We aren’t far from where we have lived for the last 50 years so well used to the area and surroundings.
We did a lot of research and looking before buying our current home and have never regretted it. However, we were both up for it. Downsizing was what we both wanted and we weren’t particularly attached to our last home (DH couldn’t wait to move) which made it easier.
Hope you enjoyed getting to know your new cousin. Nice for both of you to have something in common.

Hello Gang,

Thanks for telling us about the situation in Tonga Kaimoana I shall give money to one of the aid appeals. Oxfam usually have a way to donate. An awful situation for the islanders.

I spent the morning doing housework in preparation for the flat dwellers' inspection. Then they called off!
However it was nice to have a cleaner flat especially as my newly rediscovered cousin came to lunch.

She is also widowed and did the sensible thing and downsized a few years ago when in her words she still had the choice
I am not entirely convinced though. I know people who made the wrong decision and regretted it. Downsized too soon or moved to be near their DC only to find that their DC themselves were having to move .
DH never wanted to downsize. Whenever I showed him a suitable small house, he would manage to find a castle or an island on sale for peanuts. Far more exciting!
You were sensible Doodle and so was Panache and didn't regret moving when you did.

Any news from other Gangstars?

Boadicea I have been reading about Tonga. I hope the aid reaches there soon. I understand clean water is an issue.
Sad news about the lady who died trying to rescue her dogs.
Must be such a frightening experience for them all.
Kaimoana I read about it with shock but as you say, it’s a long way away from here and must affect all of you much more. . Last I heard they were trying to clear the runway of ash so planes could land. I just hope the aid reaches them soon.
There have been calls for help from some smaller islands too.

Is it any cooler there today or is your son wafting a huge palm leaf over a certain young lady.

Understandably, this is a big issue here, as a volcano-tsunami in Denmark might be to UK.

Tonga is not quite out of communication though.
An RNZAF Orion flew out with some emergency supplies almost immediately.

Australia also sent a co-ordinated relief crew with supplies and equipment.

Tonga’s two main concerns are access to fresh water and damage to crops, both affected by ash.

Oxfam has provided a water filter system which can deal with 10,000 litres an hour turning sea water into fresh.

Tearfund is dealing with the damage to crops.
The Red Cross is also there.
All the charities are appealing for money and asking people not to send goods.

All major banks have also sent up funding systems so donor have the security of knowing their money will go to the right source.

Unicef has brought in food from Fiji and Brisbane as well as hundreds of hygiene packs, tents, tarpaulin and even recreational and educational packs for children.
U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says some limited communication is now established between the main island of Tongatapu and worried family in NZ & Australia.
The volcanic island, Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai is uninhabited.

To date there have been no serious casualties, no deaths.

On 16th, Jacinda spoke live and there's some interesting footage if anyone is interested.

www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/459644/watch-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-addresses-situation-in-tonga-following-volcanic-eruption-tsunami

Better get back on-topic
Doodle she does look as if she's been at the grog, doesn't she?

Grammaretto Those photos are gorgeous and how tempting that lake looks.

BJ I have photographic proof that Daddy will waft his girl with a fan to keep her cool. Such devotion

Grammaretto - what magnificent scenery! And how wonderful to have such a place so close by. You are so fortunate to have those letters pertaining to your house's history. It's very special to know something of the people who lived and loved and maybe even died in the place. Houses definitely retain memories, somehow, don't they.

Kaimoana - love "The Pose"! Babies sure are uninhibited when it comes to being comfortable. Poor little girl-it must be grim, being small and hot and irritated by the heat. Your reviews gave me the knead for water after laughing so hard.

"Mamissimo* - what an interesting occupation. Family histories are just so fascinating. Yes, to the Ulster folk's doughty disposition. An old lady of the extended family whom I knew very well came out to NZ on the last sailing ship bringing immigrants - the "Lady Jocelyn", in what was called "the Ulster Plantation", in the 1880s. Amazing that sailing ships were still doing the immigrant runs so very recently. It's so strange how time telescopes as one ages - what seemed like so very long ago as a child - 100 years - suddenly is quite modern. When I was a young teenager, I chatted to an elderly lady who remembered the massive eruption of Mt Tarawera, near Rotorua, in 1886. She was 5 years old, and stood on a hill looking over the mountain, some 30 miles away. The night became as day, she said, sky seemed on fire, and massive lightning strikes through the billowing ash clouds. The ash still lies thick on the landscape, under the luxuriant grass which results from volcanism. It's easily identifiable, being purple-ish, in the scores of eruption layers which I became well acquainted with when I was volunteering as a field archaeologist in my youth when my knees permitted

Still no news from Tonga, though there seems to be considerable damage. Just awful. Such an isolated place, and water becomes a really serious issue. When Mt Ruapehu erupted in 1996, my neighbours very kindly rushed out and disonnected the roof rain water supply of my little holiday home by Lake Rotoiti - ash getting in the water tank is very polluting with sulphuric acid. When I arrived to survey the damage, I had to shovel piles of ash off the verandah, and climb on the roof with rubber gloves and trowels to clean out the thick ash mud from the guttering. It doesn't bear thinking of, those poor people, homeless, frightened, isolated, out of communication with the outside world.

On that cheerful note, I'll go and collect the eggs and have another coffee, just because.

Wow Grammaretto what a beautiful place and so close to you too. I am quite envious. You do live in a lovely place.
Kaimoana are you sure Gubbins hasn’t been hitting the bottle ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-811692-portmore-loch.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-838010-portmore-farm.jpg

Are you offering to be my agents? Kaimoana and BoadiceaJones?
I wouldn't mind getting a sum like that for the crumbling pile.
Another great walk today. A place I had never been before though it is only 15 minutes away shameful

Gubbins has the right idea!

Oh Kaimoana - what about "Naan exposes her buns to the horror of her elderly neighbours in her 850,00 pound semi.-detached home."

Good idea Doodle

"The House of Nine Breadboards" by
Grammaretto. A serial in 9 paratas.

'Crumbs, it's good' - the Guardian

'A Slice of life' - Times Literary Supplement

'...had me rolling about....' Daily Express

'Crumpet and Bloomers; Naan exposes her buns' - Daily Mail


Pic: Gubbins way of keeping cool

Grammaretto I find your house and contents fascinating. What fun to have all those letters about the goings on in the past and what wonderful reading they must make.
Have you thought about writing a script and tuning your house into a version of something like Downton Abbey?
Seems you are finding everything except the deeds.
Mamissimo that’s a lovely photo of Fergal. He looks cosy although I hope he doesn’t burn his bottom ?
You are doing really well with the quilt, down to the laying out now which Is always fun.
Enjoy all your research everyone.
DH is making the coffee and I have to go and sort out his piece of brownie to go with it.
Have a good evening all

Kaimoana I would hope your journals would be treasured.
My mum kept a sort of journal of her last years of life after my father died. More really a note of what happened every day and how she felt. I still have her notepads and read them.
Nfk 5am ?. That’s not morning it’s the middle of the night.
Having a memory problem, I haven’t really ever got into ancestry but I can see the appeal to others. So many of you in GN are into researching. 5x gt grandparents wedding. You’ve gone back a fair way then.
Yes you’re right about the cloud. It probably knows more about me than I do. I try not to think about it.
Having my memory problem means I rely on photos more than most to help me remember.
It’s been fun looking through our iPhone photos. I have yet to delve into our photo archives.

Good morning ?

Grammaretto time spent on Ancestry is good for your brain and your soul ? It peels back the veils of time and gives us both knowledge and understanding. I am working for a client from Northern Ireland who was born in a home for unmarried mothers, and as I work to build his birth history I have learned so much.

I'm from Eire and when I began this project my knowledge of the families of Ulster was small but not anymore! I'm almost ready for mastermind.....on the colonisation of the globe by a small group of doughty souls of immense determination and fortitude. The project has usefully occupied my brain throughout covid and it stops me from sweating the stuff I can't change driving my family nuts. I'm dangerous when I'm bored......

The quilt I'm making for DS from his old tee shirts is coming along well and I've now made all the main blocks. Today I will lay them out in the floor and finalise their positioning. Should be in one piece by the end of the week.....unless I get distracted by Ancestry ?

Picture is Fergal living his best life.....

Hello, Good Morning everyone,

NfkD I can also spend waste hours on Ancestry.com and know it would save money if I cancelled my subscription,
Differing ways of keeping a personal tree have been suggested but there is always concentration and dedication involved and life for me is much too chaotic at present. maybe next year
I have 3 drawers of a large chest stuffed with unsorted photos. Some of them are sorted to the extent of a batch of prints labelled "Summer 1987" The final drawers are stuffed with embroidery thread and wrapping paper.

I found a collection of letters from the ancient past, sent by a descendant of the family, to DH when he was writing the history of this house. They were written between 1800 and 1820 and have been transcribed so not the originals but fascinating none the less. Mainly between husband and wife from her, she was living here with the children, (11 in all in 19 years) there were servants, (she mentions a maid or two doing dastardly things like secretly marrying) to her hubby who is in London drumming up clients to buy his paper. (Him being the paper mill owner)

It is pre-railways and they talk of the letters having to catch the packet (steamer?) letters take 4 days to arrive which isn't bad at all.
Unfortunately there is not much in the letters about the house apart from when she says she can't manage the stairs and what she is giving her mother in law for Christmas dinner. (roast beef and plum pud) She speaks of her "work" which turns out to be darning his Aberdeen stockings.

However the dates cast doubt on our estimate of the age of the house. It must be older than I had thought. Unless there was another house. .....
No title deeds yet though.

I am sorry you are sad about the friend Doodle but also glad that you were able to enjoy a cosy evening with the Dude and a nice bottle.

I am rambling on. Better stop and go for a walk or something anything to avoid housework