The Lockdown Gang - carry on chatting ⭐️

Nortsat and the Molls I'm sending Jeeves round with a selection of goodies.

That tapestry looks wonderful and what a brilliant idea; something we could copy here.

It's a strange thing that we never think we have anything interesting to say but (speaking for me own aged self) I find the ordinary details of others' lives, endlessly fascinating. When I did Oral History for the Council it was the same, they all said, 'Oh, but I've done nothing...' then proceded to tell me wonderful anecdotes.
So keep those chats about life coming - I love them.

Your power charges have doubled Nortsat? That's appalling (I was going to say 'shocking' ) If you move to another supplier, have you any guarantee they won't hike up the prices in winter?
Looks like woolly hats and thermal longjohns might be a better investment

The number of Delta cases dropped today with just 23 new ones being reported; an overall total of 750 so far.
If this continues, we could be at Level 3 by the 13th - the next assessment date..
Level 3 is still fairly strict (stay at and work from home, no schools etc but more shops can open) and up to 10 can go to funerals.

Grammaretto if you hear anything about your friend's rellie in intensiveare, please let us know.

Pleased to hear Panache is still surrounded by friends as she battles on.

I'm including a picture of Lake Rotomairewhenua (Land of the Peaceful Lake).

I would so love to swim here but it is tapu, so doing that would be sacrilege. Nice to look at though.

Hello everyone we have been laid low this past week with very heavy colds so done very little. I live in a very small town population around 2000 however we have a very active community centre with lots to do. It is a true border town we can easily walk to England actually missed this more than I thought when we were prevented from crossing the border during lockdown. Now we can cross I am nervous as the rules are different and masks not required so prefer to stay in Scotland for now.

Kaimoana. That lake (with the unpronounceable name) looks wonderful. We saw some beautiful ones when we were in NZ and always marvelled at the lovely blue of the water. You mentioned Dunedin in an earlier post which reminded me that we spent a short time there. We were touring without booking anything in advance and nearly came unstuck in Dunedin because unknown to us it was the university graduation day when we were there and the town was almost booked out. I remember driving miles to look at a bird sanctuary there only to find it was closed, but we did see a seal just lolling about in the water almost our feet, which was a lovely experience.

I’ve had quite a busy day today. Cooked a lot of plums off our tree to put in the freezer and did some baking - rock cakes (DH’s favourite).

I’ve been trying to declutter recently and have been selling some unwanted clothes via the Vinted website. Today I sold a fleece which I bought for DH many years ago and he’s never worn. Has anyone else used this site. It’s very easy - much less complicated than eBay. I also managed to get rid of a radio/cassette player which we’ve had for years and never use (advances in technology have made it surplus to requirements). I offered that on our local FB page and it was snapped up.

I’m always interested in other peoples lives too - what is everyday and boring to one person is often fascinating to another.

We’ve seen the back of Summer now, but suddenly a mini heatwave is forecast for next week. I’m not complaining about some sunshine, but I just hope it’s not too hot. DH doesn’t do well in hot weather.

Sorry to hear you haven’t been well Maria59. I always seemed to get a bad cold at the change of seasons, but not the last two years. I think it’s a result of the lockdown and having so little contact with the outside , so I have something to thank it for!

I hadn't realised how absent I've been until I just got here. I do get sidetracked so easily.

DH came in from the garden this morning chuckling - he doesn't do this often. He'd come around a corner in the garden and something in the corner of his eye made him jump. It was his shadow! It's been missing for a while now and he was so happy to have it back. I had to go outside too to see if mine had returned, and it had! So we went blackberrying and there's now half a dozen jars of jam sitting on the side cooling.

I don't think I could swim in water that still and clear Kaimoana - it'd give me vertigo! A stunningly beautiful place though. We stayed in Dunedin when we visited NZ. I remember a road going straight up a very, very steep hill in a straight line. No zigzagging the way roads usually do to lessen the slope. We were told it was because of the Scots influence not wanting to build a longer road than necessary. I also remember lots of tiny blue penguins bustling around town at night, minding their own business. I think it was there. We sat to watch them come ashore.

What I love about this thread is the number of coincidences that occur when one mentions something or somewhere that triggers a memory or shared experience with another.
Jan and Missedout I never knew there was such a place as Wells next the sea. What an unusual name. You can wave at Jan as you go past Missedout .
Missedout I hope the weather stays dry for you. Be lovely to meet up with old friends. Hope you have a good time.
Grammaretto sounds like you are having a great time with the American cousin. The tapestry sounds interesting I will have to look it up. You have a lot planned obviously.
You should ask the restoration chap next door to take a photo of your house and garden from his scaffolding just to see what it looks like……or perhaps nip up there yourself when he’s not around ?
Kaimoana I know you write a lot. Are you keeping a journal of your life to pass on. Mine would be quite tame and boring but you have led such an interesting life. What a boon Mepa is turning out to be. At last someone who is really kind and helpful .
Please leave a plate of goodies in the kitchen for us. They sound delicious.
Hello Ollie I’ve been wondering where you were. Glad to see you’ve joined us today. You do look very relaxed on your sofa. I hope all your needs are being catered for. ?
Nortsat so pleased you’ve heard from Panache.
My uncle used to do tapestry. He made a lovely fire guard years ago. Don’t see such things now in most houses (mind you nothing better than a real fire for toasting crumpets). I bet you have real fires don’t you Grammaretto?
Nortsat I will post a link after this post to my current cycling video Cornish Country side. It’s a slow ride. I turn the sound off on the video and play my own music through my headphones. The Pushbike song is the right tempo for me. Do you remember that ? ? I can’t pedal as fast as you yet.
Hope you enjoy your takeaway and film tonight and your meal out tomorrow.
Oh hello Missy and Minnie as if we could leave you out.
Kaimoana I certainly don’t have anything interesting to say I just prattle on. I do agree with you though I love just hearing the day to day things that others are doing. I love the gentleness of this thread and the support for each other.
What a beautiful picture. Such a tranquil looking lake and so clear you can see the bottom. Beautiful.
Maria nice to hear from you again. Sorry you’ve been so poorly. Must be nice to live in a small community. Do you have a community village hall with local events?
Missimac I’ve never sold anything on the internet. DH and I don’t do Facebook or Twitter or Instagram. Both my DILs use local sites to buy and sell things though. It can be a really good idea. I love having a good clear out of stuff. Funny how the empty spaces seem to fill up again quickly.
It’s been very miserable and gloomy here too. A bit of sunshine would be nice but I agree with your DH, not too hot.
Nfk there you are ?. I was about to send Jeeves out to look for you (note for Maria and Missimac, Jeeves is our virtual butler always around to make hot chocolate in the evening and other such tasks. Just in case you were wondering what we were on about ?)
Ah the sun has arrived back with you too. Glad you found your shadows. Perhaps we should open a shop what with all you prolific growers. Apples, plumbs, blackberries, running beans, bored beans .
You’ve obviously been to NZ too. I think DH and I have been missing out. It does look a spectacular place.
Did you really see little blue penguins or were they just cold?
Time for me to start dinner I think. Have a good weekend all.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGDIE0M_Src
Cornish countryside video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LZ9TGOGt04
Pushbike song.

Thank you Doodle, that’s fun. I will give it a spin ... (did you see what I did there?) ?‍♀️

Doodle The Pushbike song is hilarious... I think I was about 12 when it came out ... I remember it well.

H sshh oo ooo, H shh aaah ...

Yes it makes me laugh too but the tempo is just right for my speed of cycling. My son has a peloton bike. Too fast for me ?.

I have to stand up for the Scots' reputation here and point out that Baldwin Street (up which I once pushed my 3 year old in a pram) was part of a grid-system town plan made in London.
It was designed with no thought (or no knowledge) of the local terrain and of course Dunedin Council, Councillor Baldwin included, j had to go along with it.

Blue penguins come ashore to roost in towns - quite a popular sight. Bear in mind that when they first started this, there were no towns. We've encroached on their territory.

I loved the bike ride around the Cornish roads; hoping no one would crash into one of those beautiful Cornish hedged, which cunningly hide stone walls in their greenery, as many a motorist has discovered.

Glad to see you Maria59 and Nfk sorry about the colds, they can be miserable.

Off to do more baking but hope to put in another 2 cent's worth later.

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Back again after baking and decorating 4 dozen buns (I have to call them cupcakes here or everyone laughs ) and several batches of all-butter shortbread, plain and ginger.

A lovely boy from Waipareira delivered replacement ingredients so I suppose that's a hint I can continue.
I shall have to pace myself though. I started mixing at 8am, took a short break to teach at 1pm (my little Korean 'genius' remember?) and was straight back into it until after 5pm. I feel very tired but enjoyed every moment....except when the piping bag burst and I had blobs of butter cream all over the work bench.

Missedout Hope you had a lovely weekend. Did I ever tell you I have a collection of limited edition, die-cast vehicles which I started buying for myself my sons, some 35 years ago? I was thinking of leaving them to my grandson but my son is a bit reluctant .
He’s celebrating his first real Father’s Day, although he is an excellent step-dad and they have always made this day special for him.

Nfk is your husband related to Peter Pan? I’m glad you both found your shadows; get out the needle and thread and sew them firmly on.

Has anyone watched a documentary called ‘Calibrate’?

Pic: Baldwin Street, Dunedin.

Catch you all tomorrow.....

I've been reading and smiling as I go and listening to the pushbike song again. Isn't it so cheery. We miss our cheery Cherry

I've been trying to work out where you live Maria I may have to pm you with guesses.
Sorry you've been full of the cold.

Cornish countryside is amazing. DH and I explored by bus in 2019 for our golden wedding. The top of a bus is the best way to explore because you can see over the high hedges.
We saw Landsend (nothing much there) The Lost Gardens of Helligan, The Eden Project, Charlestown where they film Poldark, and Ofcourse the strange and mysterious museum at Porthcurno
pkporthcurno.com/
DH engineer ancestor laid the first cable under the Atlantic
And St Ives for the art and pottery pottery is art

I have to make a vegan pudding for lunch with DH's rellies today. Everything I think of suddenly contains eggs, cream or butter, or all three!

See you later

Kaimoana are the little penguins actually blue or is that just what they are called. I used to love watching Pingu with my DGC (sssh don’t tell anyone but I sometimes watched it when they weren’t there too )
There are lots of bike rides and walks round places on you tube. I don’t like the speeded up ones, I like to see where I’m going ? You are very good making all these buns/cakes for others. I hope they appreciate it.
Hope your son enjoyed his Father’s Day. I bet he did
That Baldwin Street looks very steep. Must have been a hard push with the pram.
Grammaretto the pushbike song seemed apt for my cycling.
That’s a good idea to explore by bus. So often you can’t see over the bushes. Were you doing day trips to different places?
We went to the Eden project shortly after it first opened. My asthma was bad at the time and I couldn’t stay in there for long.
Sainsbugs do a good vegan chocolate cake. I only know that because my cousin is vegan. Very difficult to find things to eat I think. Good luck with your pudding.
Hope all those with colds and feeling under the weather start to feel better soon. ?

That’s an interesting link. Looks like a good place for a day trip with children/grandchildren. A bit to far for us though

Grammaretto. Your details of your trip to Cornwall reminded me about a trip I did with my daughter a few years ago. We were staying in a friend’s holiday house in St Austell and we visited the Eden Project (wonderful, but rather too much walking for an old croc like me), and also Charlestown which I really loved and would like to revisit. We had a lovely lunch in a restaurant at the top of the village and sat in the sun, by the sea, watching the world go by for a couple of hours - it was lovely.

Kaimoana I didn’t see any blue penguins in NZ, but when we were in Kaikoura whale watching we had fish and chips in a restaurant and the fish was called blue cod and was absolutely delicious. I’ve never seen it or heard of it anywhere else.
You’ve certainly been busy baking - makes my small batch of rock cakes seem very meagre! I hope the recipients appreciate them.

We’re going to have a three day heatwave apparently - it’s certainly lovely here at the moment, but I don’t want it to get too hot. My brother and SIL are off to Malta tomorrow, so they will certainly find it hot there. I must say, although I would love to go to Malta again, with all the Covid restrictions surrounding travel I wouldn’t think of going at the moment.

Keep cool everybody.

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Hello Lob-stars,

How busy you have been Kaimoana. All that baking!!
I am secretly quite pleased to be able to use my lack of an oven to not be expected to bake.

The weekend with American cousin has so far been non-stop.
We both enjoyed the Tapestry and had to be thrown out at closing time. The panels form a chronological history of Scotland. mostly bloody battles

She has to do yet another covid test today and another before returning. MiL was in excellent form and our vegan pudding went down well. Rhubarb and raspberry crumble using vegan block instead of butter. I didn't notice!
I used the oven in the flat.

I saw blue penguins in NZ. We went on a day trip to Kapiti island, which is a rat-free nature reserve near Wellington. There was a strong fishy smell coming from under the veranda entrance to the visitor centre/cafe. We were told there was a blue penguin nest right there.

As we picnicked, weka, ground nesting birds, grabbed our food and also the baby's feeding spoon. It was great to see these creatures so unafraid.

How are the campers today?

It's hot!!!!. Missedout should be having wonderful weather for her sojourn in Wells-next-the-Sea. (We're 25 miles away too - but the opposite direction to Jan.) We may take the camperbubble for a spin after her habitation and service this week. It's been a while since she's been out.

Thats the road Kaomoana. Baldwin Street. The supposedly new camper really struggled to get up it! Over 25 years ago now and the photo made me come over all jittery at the memory of wondering if we'd make it!

Missimac see what we mean about just coming in here and chatting. Someone’s day out triggers someone else’s memories. Lovely thoughts of your daughter and a day in the sun. Well I’ve not heard of blue penguins nor blue cod. 2 things for me to look up tonight.
Grammaretto you are certainly on the go with the American cousin. The tapestry sounds amazing.
What is vegan block I wonder…..another thing to look up.
Nfk another who knows where Wells next the sea is. You could all meet up ?
Your campervan climbing up hills and almost not making it, reminds me of our walk this afternoon.
DH and I often walk by the river. It’s mostly flat here which suits us both. It was quite hot this afternoon and I really struggled. We had to sit down twice and rest, DH and I don’t stride out we saunter along quietly but even at our slow pace I was exhausted. By the time we got home I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I was beginning to wonder what had happened to me when I suddenly realised I hadn’t taken my asthma tablet last night. I’m supposed to take it before bed but I forgot. I’m hoping that is the cause of my fatigue and nothing else.
Been sewing a lot today…..well to be honest I’ve been unpicking more than I’ve been sewing. How can you have 4 pieces of trouser material and end up with two left legs ?
Hope all the gang are ok and the camping trip going well.

Evening all,

Have you really cut two left legs Doodle ?
At least you go for daily walks. So many people never do so even if you don't race around, you are having all that fresh air and exercise.

American cousin has left for a couple of days in Glasgow and DB has arrived. I have tired him out already with my endless prattle so he has retired to bed but he gave me a box of Danish chocolates which I can't stop eating.
I hadn't realised that Dunedin was so hilly. I thought that was reserved for Wellington where I grew up - that and the wind. I can remember being blown home from school, literally.

Good evening Lobsters.

I haven’t seen Blue penguins but I do love the creatures.
When I was teaching near Glasgow I went with every year group to Edinburgh zoo to see them. I went every day for a week. It put me off school trips for life.

Not much happening in the dragonfly nest at the moment. We did hear tonight’s though that our DGS has been 4 days out of nappies. We were all beginning to despair as he is 3 and a half.
Also our DiL is almost completely better.

Is Jeeves around with the hot cocoa - I need something to help me sleep in this heat.

Yes Doodle Blue penguins really are blue .Here they are coming ashore at Oamaru in the South Island.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX3VZoDPQ6E
And believe it or not, there are penguins which live in the desert: Humboldt's Penguins.

There's blue cod and red cod here but I can't afford Blue Cod at $50 = £25 a kilo.
Very popular Snapper is $38 = £19 and the cheapest, Hoki, used for fish and chips is $16 = £8. We can buy Basa from Vietnam cheaper than local fish but it’s horrible.

Ah, that's the real cause of your exhausted walk Doodle you have two left legs!

Nfk sorry I made you jittery

Grammaretto your American visitors obviously had such fun with you and must have loved the tapestry and Scottish history…and what race does not have blood and guts in its past?

No baking until next weekend I think. The kaimahi/workers we elders are baking for are testing for Covid-Delta all over the huge Auckland area, often going out to airports, ports, marinas and far communities and clocking up 30,00 tests a day, if not more.

They are also assembling, packing and delivering boxes of food and hygiene supplies (masks, sanitiser, gloves etc) to take to all vulnerable people. As well as buying supplies for bakers and then collecting the goodies.

Then there are the teams making the 100's of packed lunches to take to these front-line workers. This is where our baking will be placed.

The kaimahi are all young people, most below the age of 30, all dedicated and committed to beat this virus in whatever way possible (like the Student Volunteer Army who deliver groceries).
Normally they are researchers or office staff, technicians and mental health or other support workers but all have been willing to do whatever it takes.

When Jacinda Ardern talked about NZ working as "a team of 5 million" to beat Covid, many people scornfully called it 'twee' but this is how it works.
I’m just happy (and proud) to be a tiny part of that team, especially after all Waipareira has done for me.

dragonfly Lots of good news from your wee (or rather no-wee wee) nest - I'll pass on a message for Jeeves to bring a celebratory iced chocolate milkshake.

Constant rain and dullness forecast for the next 10 days here – Norfolk took our sunshine

I picked the first Freesias of Spring from my garden this morning.

World Championship Racing in Norfolk.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-6Wwd184uo

Good morning Gang-stars from me and the Molls (all three, asleep in the sunshine).
Kaimoana, how lovely to know that your delicious baking will be enjoyed by the kaimahi who are helping to overcome the Delta Virus. I very much admire Jacinda Arden and think her ‘team of 5 million’ is the right way to approach this. We must all commit to taking our part and your baking is certainly an important element in the effort.
Dragonfly great news that your DGS is out of nappies. They all take their own sweet time ...
Grammaretto the Danish chocolates look lovely, perhaps you could send Jeeves around with the box, for all of us to try some? This of course is to help you to stop eating them ... as a responsible GN friend, I volunteer to have at least two.
Doodle sort yourself out woman! Don’t go forgetting your asthma meds (is it Montelucast?). I know too well the all-consuming fatigue when an exacerbation of asthma is lurking on the horizon.
Nfk hope you have the chance of a run out in the campervan, in this lovely weather.
Missismac I agree with your concerns about travelling. We were going to Canada last year to visit my cousin and couldn’t go. We were planning to go to New York this year but having shielded for so long, I am still very concerned. I can’t imagine sitting on an aeroplane for hours, breathing that recycled air.

We finally found an energy supplier with a reasonable tariff and have switched.

We went out for dinner in Sunday, to a Michelin starred restaurant and had the tasting menu. Lots of tiny courses of delicious things, with interesting wine pairings.
We raised a glass of champagne to my cousin, who passed away earlier this year. We had a lovely evening and the only thing that could have improved it, would have been if my cousin was sitting at the table with us.

One of the wines served with the fish course, was from an English vineyard near Hastings. We were surprised to learn it was a vineyard which we had visited many years ago. We had had a tour of the vines and a wine tasting there about 15 years ago. It was lovely to have a glass of Davenport Horsmunden and we have now ordered a case on the internet.

Well, I had better get organised and plan something light for lunch on this sunny day. Have a good day Gang-stars and good wishes from me and the Molls, to all, esp anyone I have overlooked. ?

Kaimoana.The snail racing is 2 miles down the road from us. And no I’ve never been - somehow doesn’t appeal! It’s very popular though and lots of enthusiasts attend! Just another Norfolk idiosyncrasy!! Would love to try your baking - I used to bake loads but there always seems much more interesting things to do such as read a book or the thing I’m must famous for drinking coffee or going out for lunch with friends!! I’m soooo lazy!
Doodle I’m sort of asthmatic too. I say “sort of” as I don’t think I am anymore. But I’m still given 2 inhalers one of which I take twice a day but if I don’t use it I’m perfectly ok. I was very ill as a child when the only help for asthma was the most foul tasting medicine - I can honestly taste it now! Then I was given a huge inhaler that covered my nose and mouth and you had to press a rubber bulb at the end which released medication. Bet no one else remembers them!
My eldest daughter is a vegan. Started off being vegetarian at 16 which was fine but vegans are so difficult to cook for. Think Vegan block is just vegan butter!
It’s very hot in Norfolk today and apparently it will be tomorrow but it’s downhill after that so Mr J and I are planning to go out for lunch - here I go again! - to our favourite restaurant on the coast. It’s so lovely sitting outside looking over to the sea - can’t actually see it! - and gorgeous food! Think tomorrow will probably be the last day of this year to do that as in the winter it reverts to a very nice restaurant but somehow not the same when you can’t sit outside in the sun - forgot to mention the glass of wine!
Hope everyone has a good day and anyone feeling poorly or sad managed to enjoy the sunshine. Good to hear that Panache is coping and do miss Cherry ?