The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

So, Kaimoana arrived safely, and after 41/2 hours of chatting, laughing and --demolishing a nice bottle of Sauv Blanc--it's time for shuteye. A breakfast of delectable coffee and croissants in the morning at the Packhouse Market cafe, followed by Roman history, then all sorts of activities around the Far North.
I feel exhausted before the day has even started, or this one has ended.
Nighty night.

Before you go Kaimoana it's just been announced that Bradford is the new City of Culture! You may have to come back to check
Have a wonderful day with BJ.
I don't think there are too many street parties in Scotland but any excuse for a celebration.
What shall I bring to our party Doodle?
I could do drinks if Jeeves will let me in the kitchen.

Swiftly before I leave.
Jan I was locked out of GN and had to re-join, hence my doppleganger.
Give my love to Buckden and The Dales.
I may be back, DS has revived the idea of returning and it quite determined.

Very happy to read you had a lovely break Mamissimo Time to get out that leg of lamb and threated whoever can give you domestic help.

When you talked about a Jubilee party Doodle I thought you meant us here. I had no idea there was a real Jubilee until I just read Jan's post about what's happening in her village.

Thankyou everyone for the sweet words about Gubbins. It's only when I have a photo in which she can't be recognised, that I can share her with the Gang.
I have a comical video of her giving me and Daddy high-fives yesterday

I wonder if BJ and I will be able to join you for the party on Thursday?
I've sent a selection of pasties on, in temperature-controlled, refrigerated boxes and I'm sure BJ will have her French Fancies on display - and possibly some cakes as well.

My iron is packed and waiting collection. As long as the courier doesn’t think it’s really 15 bottles of wine as displayed on the outside of the box it should get there ok. ?
Went for a walk this afternoon. Started off in the sun, then rain, then sun. We had a heavy hail shower this morning. It was like bing hit by ping pong balls when I dashed out to bring the chair cushions in.
Well done Sparky. Good news about your hot water Grammaretto …..did you ask him if the plumber could fix your cooker while he was there ?
Does you cousin live in NZ? Will you see her if she comes over?
Boadicea good news about your DHs PSA levels. That is a relief. Glad you got back from your trip safely.
I would love hot soup and crispy bread….please ask the chef to send some over straight away.
Humptydumpty as the others have said, this thread was started at the beginning of Lockdown for those who were vulnerable in some way and not going out. Since then we have just continued chatting to each other. You are welcome to join in whenever you like.
Kaimoana what a lovely visit with Gubbins and her dad. Her hair is beautiful. What a lovely colour. I’m pleased your DS will pick you up. We don’t want you wandering around in the dark.
Really hope you all enjoy the trip and we want to hear all about it.
Mamissimo that was a long journey back. Glad you’re home safely. The trip sounded wonderful and thank you for the photos. I bet Honey beagle and Fergal were glad to see you back or have they been spoilt even more than usual while you’ve been away.
Wow are you having a house full after your trip. Lots to be done then. Hope you all enjoy it. Don’t forget to come to our Jubilee party here on Thursday. We will expect some tasty treats from you.
Jan lovely to hear from you. Yes Kaimoana2 is our very own Kaimoana. Had to have a quick name change as got locked out of her GN account.
So pleased you are off to Yorkshire. I know you love visiting there. I too hope the weather improves for you. Are you visiting know haunts or venturing somewhere new?
Grammaretto hope you are as pleased with your blinds as we are with ours.
Oh dear. The Lesser Spotted Sparky has vanished again.
You made me smile at the thought of your red, white and blue attire. Is everyone dressing up? You will look fantastic I’m sure.
Yes I feel very sad for those who’s holidays have been cancelled too, especially those with young children. Such a disappointment.

Hello Gang and the beautiful Gubbins.
I wrote an earlier missive which vanished.
Welcome home Mamissimo I hope you enjoyed your Highlands and Islands adventure.
Doodle I was choosing blinds today and thought of you. A blind man is coming to fit them. They won't be remote control but will keep out the bright sunlight in the morning.
No more sightings of Sparky
The U3A walk on Thursday will finish with a posh picnic for the Jubilee. I bought myself a new raincoat today in a sale so that's the white. Now for the red (socks) and the blue (jeans)
It's sad to hear that many people's holidays have been cancelled due to airlines unable to cope.
Enjoy your trip to the Dales Jan

Kaimoana2. What a gorgeous little girl Gubbins is. Bless her. So have to admit that having been a bit lax in posting recently I am confused about Kaimoana 2! Is Kaimoana 2 the same person as Kaimoana or am I losing the plot!! Sorry!
We are off to my beloved Yorkshire Dales on June 10. Can’t wait and just hoping the weather will improve. Just had a torrential downpour but at least it will save having to water the plants!
Has anyone got plans for the Jubilee? There’s quite a lot going on in the village and people are starting to put Union Jacks up. We might go and watch the lighting of the Beacon and the piper playing. Not sure why a piper is playing but who knows. Will be quite good to go but it’s too far and too dark to walk which means taking the car and not really anywhere to park.
DH has just come in somewhat damp as he was playing bowls during the downpour!! Obviously you can stop in the middle of a game!

What a beauty!

Gubbins' gorgeous auburn hair.

Good morning ?

We're home with very flat bottoms from 6 hrs in the car yesterday ?

DS and his partner looked very tired when they opened the door to us and had dusters in their hands - and the old place was sparkling! What a change from his youth when we used to return home from trips away in trepidation! I'm loving this grownupedness.......and his lovely partner!

H Beagle and Fergal Cat were very pleased to see us and there were no nasty bills in the post - but there were the shrivelled remains of three tomato plants that had been delivered the day after I left and which had remained unopened despite saying "plants - open immediately" on a big sticker. DS said he didn't realise it meant that he should open it because it was addressed to me.......doh! Can't win them all!

Today Mr M is collecting his new glasses. He hasn't worn glasses for years after successful eye surgery but time has caught up with him.....and me. He'll be seeing me clearly for the first time in yonks so I'd better pop a bag over my head do some beauty faff!

I've also got to start work on the Platinum pudding as everyone's coming for the weekend......the gardens are in need of a lot of attention......and there's the holiday laundry to be done.

I need a holiday!

Welcome humptydumpty

It's now about the friendships made during lockdown. We began by supporting one another and laughing together and we still do the same.

People have come and gone but most seem to like the non-aggressive way we look after each other here.

I confess I can get just a wee bit wrathful when someone has The Year From Tartarus and workmen take advantage.

Or someone is very ill but cannot get the care they deserve.

But as I'm in Aotearoa and not take perpetrators by the throat, it all blows over quite quickly.

Doodle keeps us all in check with her kind and caring words, and the threat of a visit from Jeeves our butler.

BJ I may not want anything on arrival, I'll have done nothing, except sit and eat for 5 hours!
Good news about your DH health situation told you so

DS came, with Gubbins of course and we had a lovely breakfast together.

He absolutely insists he'll drive into the city to collect me from the bus on Saturday. 'It's not safe for you to be there after dark, Mum.'
Nor easy for me to see anything either, so I'm very grateful.

Gubbins and I planted hyacinths for her to take home and watch them grow. We played 'This Little Piggy' and I made a bubble snake for her from an old bottle.

By the way fairfraise my grand-daughter has the most glorious auburn hair; odd when both her parents are very dark. although DS does have a few auburn hairs in his beard.

Must away and finish my packing.

See you tomorrow BJ.

Hello Humpty Dumpty!
Sorry to disappoint you. This thread began in Lockdown and became a lifeline for several of us. As the lockdown relaxed, so did we but our friendships became stronger.

I'm confused! just visited this thread expecting it to be about covid lockdown?!

Crossed posts, Grammaretto - So hot water, then! Another item off the list. I really hope you make it to NZ again, and soon. Lots of people to visit down this way!
Yes, so many people travelling again - I'm off to Adelaide again in July for Freddie's and DD's birthdays. Freddie will be two, and cutest thing ever. But travelling is so expensive these days!
My cousin in Devon wants me to visit to go through all the family papers that he has collected over the decades...would love to, but needs saving for! My friend who I went to Turkey and Jordan with 3 years ago, desperately wants to go again, but I'll need to send MrJ down t' mine for such an ambitious project. He doesn't want to travel again - his England no longer exists...

So the trip to Whangarei went well...and good news too. MrJ's PSA levels right down and things now looking as though surgery won't be necessary -thank goodness for that.
So that's one broken down item removed from the list. Now we just have to get Sparky on the job and the nice Ironman to do his thing.
Kaimoana - I hope the visit goes well today, and that Gubbins enjoys the rhythms of Brazil. How would you fancy a nice hot soup/crispy bread tomorrow when you get in, or would you prefer something more substantial? I shall instruct the chef.

That's great news about the iron Doodle. You are right about Raku it's a fast firing which can result in beautiful effects on the glazes.

A talented son BJ I'll bet you are all talented.

I have hot water once more. Hoorah! Sparky arrived at first light very early today with a plumber to fix it which meant I was a bit late for my volunteering shift and had no cuppa or breakfast. Still I am pleased. What else can possibly go wrong.

I am excited to hear about your trip to Northland Kaimoana and I am glad you were able to eat something at the party.

I can quite see why you are glad that your DS came back Fairfraise. That journey is too long. Whichever way you do it, it takes forever.
I love NZ and may try to go again in the future.
My cousin has just announced that she is also coming here this year. So many people are travelling.
I'll have a nice cup of sleepy time tea thanks Jeeves.

Boadicea is that your son in the school video? He is very handsome. Unfortunately, I can’t watch the second one as I’m not on Facebook. He must be very talented.
I hope all went well on your trip
Kaimoana, 6 cups of tea! I’d be hovering near the toilet all the time. You have just described perfectly how my mum used to iron my dads shirts. I managed to phone the iron company today and spoke to a really nice man. The company are sending a courier to collect my iron on Wednesday and then they will fix it and return it for a fixed amount. Hope it works out ok. Oh I laughed at your Alan story. ?. No wonder he was driving away. I wonder why he didn’t tell you his name.
Oh a lovely visit tomorrow and then the big day. I’m almost as excited as you.

Doodle we don't miss trips to NZ at all. They're very long! But I do have a certain affection for the country!

I managed a couple of goodies at the Pink Party Grammaretto but not the cakes.
There were stuffed eggs and asparagus rolls, so I didn't starve And I had 6 cups of tea

I'm saving myself for Northland where BJ has promised to take me to posh French cafes to sample yummies comme apprécié en France.

Hope your drive to Whangarei went well BJ
and your DH is tickety-boo.

I've forwarded the Samba vid to my DS as I think Gubbins will like the rhythms.

I remember my Mum ironing when I was a child, Doodle. First with the flat irons she heated on the range, then graduated to electricity but for both, she would wet and ring out a towel, then wrap a garment in it, squeeze and unwrap.
The dampened garments seemed to come out fine.
Later she used one of those fine spray misting bottles.

I hope you get your iron repaired.

I used to want one of those rollers, like a mange with cylindrical cushions rather than rubber rollers, though the effect is the same. Nice smooth clothes.
Nowadays I'm not safe with an iron so always look like a tatterdermalion!

Podiatry and blood tests this morning; I was told Alan would pick me up in the St. John Shuttle.
When he did, it was clear he wasn't the sharpest knife in the box.
When he came back later, despite my simple instructions, "the cafe next to the library", he went to the wrong place.
I saw the bright yellow vehicle and hirpled towards him, shouting his name.
It took him quite a while to respond, in fact he was pulling away from the kerb as I bellowed a final, desperate, 'ALAN!' at him.

He stopped and eventally got me home, where he said, 'Oh, by the way, my name is Peter, I'm standing in for Alan who's sick.'
I'd been calling him Alan all the way to the health centre but he hadn't correct me.

No wonder he took a while to register my frenzied cries

Looking forward to seeing DS and Lady Gubbins tomorrow.

And then it'll be.......Wednesday !!!!!!!!! Eeeek.

This is DS's other great love-his Samba band, which he founded years ago...after leaving Japan and his Taiko drums behind
www.facebook.com/samba.ao.vento/videos/446187936482087

Fairfraise I love red hair. I’m sure yours is a pretty colour.
Must be nice to have your son in the same country again although you might miss the trips to NZ. Any plans for a return visit?
Goodness Kaimoana I wouldn’t dare show DH the photo of all those cakes, he would be drooling. What a lovely event.
Grammaretto now Raku I’ve heard of before and looked it up ages ago when you mentioned it. Is it some sort of outdoor way of heating pots or have I gone completely off track (wouldn’t surprise me in the least)
Glad you enjoyed the concert and the service. Sorry about your electrics.
BJ I will watch your clip too.

Wow Kaimoana that’s a beautiful bouquet.
Glad you like avocados, I think you might be served some ?
Unfortunately my iron was very expensive. I bough it because my hand and wrist struggle with the weight of a normal iron. My steam one is very light. I’m hoping it can be fixed. ……or I stop ironing!
I’m glad you enjoyed your recent trips out. I hope you enjoy your visit to BJ too. I’m sure you will.
Boadicea well you are full of information. I will look at strawberries in a new light. Had some tonight in fact. At the moment they are lovely and juicy. I hope the planned visit goes well and you have a lovely time together.
Grammaretto I was reading your post and came to the point where you said Sparky found a dead…….and I was thinking Oh no what sort of creature has died in your house…..I was a bit relieved to find it was an element …although I suppose that’s more expensive to solve.
Those horses look lovely. Was it an event of some kind?
I have been working hard on my Jigsaw today. Funnily enough it’s one of lots of horses. With the aid of a magnifying glass have accomplished quite a lot. Am certainly not a natural and will have a break from jigsaws after this one. My neighbour can do a 1000 piece jigsaw in a couple of days. I’ve been weeks on this one and it’s only 500 pieces.
Have a good evening all.

Kaimoana - that's quite some feast! So glad you had a good time. I too have an Auntie Kath in Whangarei - I wonder if by any chance we could be related? In fact, I'm driving down there in an hour or so for yet another specialist visit for MrJ. It has rained all night and everything is slippery, so I'll be taking my time. This is a clip about Te Reo teaching - 10 years old now, but featuring my DS, doing what he loves hereoora.tki.org.nz/Videos/What-to-do-with-the-resources/Using-the-resources
Grammaretto - You must have the patience of a saint. All this time without a cooker and now no hot water...I hope the plumber gets there toot sweet and you can at last have a long, de-stressing soak,
Right, off I go...

That was quite a pink party Kaimoana Could you infact eat any of it?

I had a Raku party today and then went straight to a Jubilee service and concert which was really nice. although I smelled of wood smoke
Sparky was just leaving when I got home, unfortunately he couldn't fix the broken hot water so he has called a plumber. We'll get there in the end.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-788940-cakes.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-683611-pink-brekkie.jpg

It's a very good name fairfraise . Do you strawberries and cream too?

When I could drive, I used to whizz up to my Auntie Kath's in Whangarei on Sunday mornings (we went to church together) and Eutopia was my stop for breakfast. Love the Seagull.

Here's a picture from the Pink Ribbon Breakfast and before anyone says, 'Trust Kaimoana to photograph the food,'
I didn't take this pic.

But if I'd had a camera I would have

Kaimona, fairfraise is my attempt at strawberry blonde. I was red-haired but fading all over now. Eutopia we had pur first pit stop after being met at Auckland the first time we went. We did that bus journey down south and back a few times. AS back in UK now.