The Lockdown Gang - carry on chatting ⭐️

Doodle I'd love to see your DH's photos. I like Greek mythology.
www.globeatnight.org/mythology/orion

When I was teaching ESOL, I adopted what seemed to be a unique attitude amongst teachers – I taught my students how to converse in English and didn’t bother with grammar.
After all, that’s how we all learn growing up isn’t it?
I doubt one in 100 Kiwis could tell you what an adverb, conjunction, adjective or verb was, let alone spot a gerund! (it's a flowered potty)

BJ Remember Boracic Powder? That was the other First Aid staple along with iodine. I have some in my cupboard at this very moment.

Glad to hear things turned out well for DD Mamissimo.
I would suspect it was the thought of the coming chemo and its effects which caused the death biscuit dream rather than the Roquefort.

Lots of reports here of super-hot temperatures and even Cadbury's melting on shelves Gives a whole new meaning to 'hot chocolate'.
The Met Service now has a new alert system for high-temperatures.
www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/127443486/chocolate-melts-on-the-shelves-as-taumarunui-swelters-in-summer-heat

Nortsat Hope you’re in sorts again and smiling snuggle up with the Molls and you'll soon be purring xxx

Grammaretto I wish I had a storyteller on site. Maybe when you are more used to one another, you can record some of his korero, what a fine thing that would be.

I've had a quiet day, just one visitor who brought spinach, cucumber and courgettes from her garden. Lovely.

It’s National Shortbread Day but she wouldn’t eat any.

The UV filter film for my kitchen arrived from Australia, so a friend will fit that for me soon.
I'm hoping it will allow me to work comfortably in my kitchen again.

Mamissimo that is such good news. What a relief for you all.
That is some dream you had. If you have similar dreams again, please arrange for me to be turned into a chocolate marshmallow cake. I like those ?
Hope you have a good and peaceful night’s sleep tonight.
Boadicea I wouldn’t imagine you were for a minute
That’s so kind of you to offer help. I’m actually plodding on quite well with the course my problem with the verbs is more remembering which word means what. I find Duolingo good fun and it’s laid out very well but it’s thoughtful of you to offer to help.
I am about to venture out into the cold. DH wants to go outside to see if he can take some pictures of Orion as it’s a clear night. I will go out with him performing my duties as his trusty assistant, holding the torch and giving encouragement like left a bit, right a bit (anyone remember the Golden Shot) ?

Good evening......and it is a very good evening! DD1 was given a clean bill of health. It was probably a small diverticula flare so she has to increase her fibre ratio.....and loose some weight. She will sleep better tonight!

And so will I! Last night I had one of those awful nightmare dreams that won't go away. In the light of day I can laugh about it but it was a terrifying night as my lovely DSiL 2 was killing us all off and turning the evidence into biscuits to feed to DD2. Their cat had become Oreo cookies, DD1 was a jammy dodger and I had to wake up before I became a garibaldi.......and I had eaten no cheese. Must have been worry.

The snowdrops are beginning to bloom and I have lots of bulbs pushing through. It's chemo day for me tomorrow but I'll return with gusto on Friday.

Doodle - if you'd like to PM me your email, I'm very happy to help out with odds and ends of French. Kaimoana will confirm that I am not an internet equivalent of the Texas chainsaw murderer!

Ouch Boadicea that sounds painful. I hope it heals soon. It’s not infected at all is it?
Now, thanks to Grammaretto I’ve got a picture of you in my mind riding a charriot with a pair of Marigold gloves on.
Grammaretto I like the sound of your ageing hippies and the story telling. I would think they would be good company while they are with you.
Is your MIL staying with you or just on her way home? Either way I expect the fish pie and Black bun will be very welcome. The only other time I have heard of tablet it on the GM thread because I know Marydoll makes it. That and Black bun are not known in these parts. I will have to look them up.
Ah glad to see you have got some treatment for that thumb Boadicea and that it’s feeling easier.
I am about to tackle my French tonight on Duolingo. I am doing the same exercises over and over a few times as I am struggling a bit with some of the verbs. I don’t understand why things have to be male or female and some just defy logic.
Still I’m enjoying making my old brain think a bit.
Had a PM from Panache today who managed to get through Christmas and New year with help from a couple of friends who kept her occupied. Panache sends her love and best wishes to all the gang.

Grammaretto - a rubber glove on the Iceni queen is certainly a thought. She could have easily defeated the Romans as they fell about laughing. Visit to pharmacy resulted in iodine-based ointment which has, in less than 24 hours, greatly reduced the pain and infection. We forget, in these days of antibiotics, how effective the old remedies were. I asked Granny, who, as a VAD nursed my grandfather on his return from Gallipoli in 1915, critically ill with gangrenous wounds, how they coped without antibiotics. She said, simply "Iodine."
You tenants sound interesting. I hope all goes well with them, and that you have some entertaining times.
Save some of that fish pie for me! My favourite. And do tell us more about Scottish food. Evidently it was a healthy diet back in the pre-fried-mars-bar days, as they were so efficient in child production. My U3A French group are meeting today, for a pique-nique, though it's going to be a scorcher.
Keep well, everyone. x

Ouch your poor thumb Boadicea How can you stand on the prow of your chariot like your namesake with a rubber glove!
Is this not the time to allow the sun to heal it while you waft around watching others work?

Kaimoana Gubbins at the seaside paddling. What a wonderful thought.
I had a video call from a NZ campsite last night. They all look so bronzed and Summery. They will be away from WiFi for a week at least in the Coromandel.

I am as happy as I can be about the couple Doodle He's a story teller and they are both aging hippies so my straight-laced DC wouldn't approve but it is temporary and as you say it will pay towards the renovations and be company.

That friend! I forgot to remind her she was the whistle blower - but I will!! She may have saved my life, on the other hand. The roofer is coming on Saturday when he's out of isolation. He has had covid.

Nfk your Nan!!! did she have any other sayings? No wonder you are doing the family tree. I hope we are related. I have a Norfolk branch but it doesn't appear on my DNA so some hanky panky going on methinks. However it has put me in contact with some great rellies in Australia and in NZ and one as close as Newcastle upon Tyne..

I am collecting MiL from the station later. I have made her a fish pie and she can have some tablet and black bun for her "New Year" I have begun to write a piece about Scottish Food for a "presentation" I am doing next week at U3A. It was going to be before Christmas, in real life, with others joining in but now it's all on zoom.

Nortsat and anyone else who has been out of sorts. Here are ((hugs & cwtches))

Kaimoana! Gubbins at the beach-how very exciting! What a very special experience to see and feel waves for the first time. Hopefully leading to a life-long love of the sea.
Mamissimo everything crossed for your DD. Keep strong, kia kaha.
NfkD I'm going to file your Nan's comment for future reference. How very appropriate! I'll certainly try the orange juice tip, so thank you for that.
Oh, Grammaretto! what bad luck about the leak! It's probably something very easy to resolve, though...just a nail, or the wave of a magic tool from a Man Who Knows will fix it.
Very annoying...I was trying to fix a picture, where the sealing tape around the back had given up...ran my thumb forcefully down the back of the frame, and a sharp tack went in under the top of the nail, and then out, all down the side. The nail is standing proud and is unbelievably painful for such a small injury. This was almost a week ago, and still no better, I 'm wearing a rubber glove and padding on my right hand so I can do stuff and not get it wet. Not nice when it is 35 deg outside in the shade. I'll stop moaning now. Have a nice day, everyone.

Ooh Boadicea what a story. Poor Seonade having her wedding day spoilt and then having to watch her sister get married in white. Her father was harsh I think.
Grammaretto I think I read on the GM thread that your problem with the cooker was discovered by a friend smelling gas and she has now just found you have another roof leak…….I would think twice about asking her round again if I were you ??
I do hope you get to rent your flat. Apart from the income the company would be nice. Hope you like them.
NFK I love your Nan’s saying. Sounds like a real character.?
We haven’t been out much recently either. Went out for a walk today and it was so cold ? much better indoors.
Kaimoana I bet Gubbins loved the sea although I do remember one year being on a beach where a little boy screamed every time his dad took him near the sea. He would happily play in the sand and use water from a bucket but anytime his dad took him near the water itself he screamed at the top of his voice. Personally I love a good paddle. ?
Mamissimo thinking of you and your DD and hope things are ok tomorrow and they find out what’s wrong.
Sleep well gangsters.

Nfk your previous mention of the family tree inspired me to ask my grand-daughter if she'd help with ours, which I can no longer see. Thanks for that. I have a lot of notes which need to be added.

Grammaretto have you considered contacting a scrap merchant? I'm told there's a lot of valuable cast iron in the old Rayburns.

BJ as you will now know - snap! I'm currently reading about Roman times and slavery. Things are not much better for some people even now. Anyone listen to The Archers?

Gubbins had her first trip to the beach this week, suitably togged up with swimming costume and frilly hat.

Wishing Mamissimo and anyone else who needs them, good and hopeful thoughts.

www.stuff.co.nz/national/300487377/the-antidote-five-happy-things-to-read-about-today-december-28?rm=a

Just don't continue scrolling after the 5.

(I am lurking, but we've had a few days of not doing a thing as DH is feeling limp, we've got three friends isolating so we're not going out much and I've become rather too absorbed in the family tree. I think I'm getting a bit addled!)

BJ a cook friend of mine advised cooking rhubarb with a bit of orange juice, preferably concentrated, and covered in the oven rather than stewing it. It keeps its shape better and seems to absorb much of the juice and doesn't' "draw your arse backside up to your elbows' as my Nan used to say.

Hello lovely gang,
What a story BJ thanks. That disturbing movie the Piano wasn't far from the truth was it. The lives of those early pioneers, especially the women, were very hard indeed.

I am going to sell or give away the old cooker. I may need to scrub it up a bit first.
I need to get back into the kitchen as I have the couple wanting to rent this wee cosy flat. They were the ones who chose another flat which has now fallen through. I can't remember much about them but
I need the rent to pay for all the work.
Did I tell you that I now have yet another roof leak?
At least the sun is shining. I hope the rest of the gang are bearing up.

Grammaretto - Doodle makes a lot of sense. Definitely a garden feature. Why not a small fountain and cascading ivy? Then a gnome on top of that? Well done on getting this far. The pile of rubbish sounds a little dismaying, though.
Mamissimo - I do hope everything goes well for your DD. Thinking of you - so horrible for all of you.
Nortsat - How are you feeling now? Keep warm and well.
Here's a thought - why don't all of you come on a school outing to the South Pacific in a year or so? Kaimoana and I will be your guides. My Ngapuhi cousins will, I'm sure, put down a hangi for you!

Here's another little family anecdote which will might be of entertainment value on a bleak winter evening.
I've told you of my gt gt grandparents, from the Isle of Arran and Ireland, respectively, who sailed for NZ from Glasgow in 1859, enduring some of the worst storms ever, in the experience of the captain. Their daughter, Seònaid was my Gt grandmother. At the age of 30, she was about to be married to her Tom, and just days before her wedding, she went riding, unchaperoned, with him. Black John McK, lay preacher and pillar of the community, outraged at the disgrace brought upon the family by the hoydenish behaviour of his "wee huir" of a daughter, refused to attend her wedding, and forbade her from wearing her white gown, all ready for the big day. In the photo, poor Seònaid is wearing an everyday dark dress, no sign of papa. Her sister a short while later, married Tom's brother, and the photo shows her simpering in a white dress, veil and lace, proud father at her side. My grandmother remembered her mother, riding side saddle in an elegant, tightfitting black habit, even up to WWI, the very picture of respectability. This is in the rough NZ bush, where farming folk's lives were basic and hard. How times have changed.

Grammaretto I’m sure your Rayburn could be turned into a garden feature. I’ve seen planted baths, wheelbarrows, buckets, old boats so why not a Rayburn. ?

Hello Lovely Lobstars,

The Rayburn is halfway out of the house! I am ridiculously excited. However halfway is only that. The one factotem previously known as the electrician is doing the entire job himself.
In its wake there is a mountain of dirt and ancient cupboards which I will have to replace as their sides are melted and broken.
If it ever reaches the garden I wonder how long it will remain there and what can I grow in it? Suggestions please on a postcard.

I am so sorry about DD1 Mamissimo and hope any ensuing treatment is gentle.

January blues is normal but painful
.

Nortsat and the Molls. Happy New Year to you too. Hope you feel better soon.

Grammaretto it must seem quiet for you without your visitors and all the Christmas festivities. I always find January a strange month, a bit like an anti climax.
It’s if funny how you can eat something and really enjoy it but the moment you finish you start to feel ill. Liquorice Allsorts and Wine gums are worst for me. I very seldom have any because once I start I can’t stop.
Hope the electrician comes and there is good news of a working oven soon.
Boadicea sugar content is difficult with many fruits isn’t it.
Strawberries are fine in their own but blackcurrants which I love need loads of sugar.
I have to work on the photos because we are trying to do a picture book for our granddaughters 16th so I need to have a good chronological sequence of pictures to choose from. We only have a few weeks so I must crack on.
Mamissimo I hope there is some good news for your DD soon. We always tend to think the worst about health issues, hopefully she will be fine. Your liquid diet is a good way to help the insides rest a little. It’s unfortunate being ill at a time when there are so many bank holidays. I bet Wednesday can’t come soon enough. Take care.

Just a note to wish all the Gang-stars a happy New Year.
I am a bit out of sorts but have enjoyed reading all your posts.
Best from me and the Molls x ?‍⬛?‍⬛?‍⬛

Good morning ?

We're like the good, the bad and the ugly here......

The good swimmers were apparently in the water for all of 30 seconds and then burned a lot of energy drying themselves off before heading to the pub for a full English because "they'd earned it". ?

The bad is poor DD1 who narurally has convinced herself that she has cancer and is knawing her knuckles. As motivational nurse in chief I've -- enforced-- suggested the digestive resting diet of clear liquids only and she's a little more comfortable but very grumpy. As her mother I can tell you she's not well and we anxiously await the consultation on Wednesday. Mr M has made me promise not to tell her all about endoscopies.......?

And the ugly?.....my thoughts on much that is going on in the world at the moment. Probably January blues so ignore me...Mr M does!

Grammaretto - it's a well-known fact that empty bottles (alcoholic contents ony) , have a tendency to reproduce at an alarming rate when left in a dark room after times of festivity. Surely you were aware of that! You definitely did not drink all that, and are a victim, yes, a victim of the Great Conspiracy of the Wine Bottles.
Doodle - your stickability is truly impressive. I would have given up on trying to make sense of the photos, and wandered off to find something that did not require so much brain power.
Mamissimo any news of your DD? I really hope you have a happy report for today. Any ill-effects for the Spartan Swimmers?
Today we had to go out to buy some barbeque cleaner, as our little barbie has taken a fair hit over the last few weeks. All good. Then we thought that we might treat ourselves to a coffee and a bun, and went to our usual place - but it was packed out with holiday makers, with people actually waiting for a seat! The usual scenario in this town over summer. But at least local businesses are having a boom time to make up for losses throughout the year.
Still hot, but a pleasant breeze.
MrJ has made me a welly-stand for my gumboots, and a lovely set of steps so I don't have to detour around the garden to get to my feathery girls. He's been singing happily in his lovely Welsh baritone in his workshop. Nice to hear.

What's putting me off the rhubarb is the amount of sugar required to make it palatable. Anyone have any ideas? I remember years ago reading that putting some shells in the pot while stewing rhubarb created a less acid/more alkaline environment, meaning that you need only half the quantity of sugar. Having failed chemistry at school, I have no idea whether this would work

I watched it thanks Doodle It was a good start.
Now that the family have gone, I was feeling a bit down so it was good to have something to distract . I ate a whole packet of salted caramel sweets and feel sick!
I have to put the bottles out for recycling under cover of darkness. Surely we didn't drink all that!
The electrician is coming tomorrow. I can't believe I still haven't a working kitchen.

I hope Mamissimo's DD is ok.
I hope Missedout's thumb has healed .
I also like rhubarb. I had some on my meusli today.

Grammaretto I’ve just read on another thread that the Pottery Throwdown is on TV again. I know you liked to watch it before so I thought I’d mention it in case you didn’t know.

Kaimoana I used to call it rudle bub. Not far from your own version. I liked it best stewed with custard.