The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

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Hi Lobstars near and far,
And new ones too . I didn't know that about the Frasers BJ you are a Mind of information as my lovely DiL would say

So Kaimoana is travelling up soon. How exciting. Can't wait to hear all about it and yes the skip in your step is audible from here!
Unfortunately Sparky found a dead, defunct, corroded immersion element in my water tank. He's going to try to get a replacement soon. Luckily I have an electric shower which works
Hope all the gang are in fine fettle.
I took photos of the horses passing my house yesterday but they refused to pose

"Fraser" denotes one of the strawberry growing experts who emigrated with Mary, QoS, so that she would not have to suffer the privations of going without her fave fruit.
"Mary, Mary, quite contrary..." the wee French lass whose fancy continental ways outraged her hardship-loving subjects. Poor girl, I feel so sorry for her being dumped, virtually friendless, among people such as John Knox, who was always going on about the monstrous regiment of women. Yes, he who harped on about forgoing the sins of the flesh, only to marry a child himself.
Kaimoana... Naval stories sound great fun. Don't worry about the stop at Kaiwaka...it's all very easy. Remember I used to do that trip every Friday evening and back to Auckland every Sunday. Just have some woollies and earplugs and nod off...very somnolent.

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Please stay with us fairfraise, you are very welcome and it would be nice to hear some of your memories of Aotearoa.

Now I'm pondering this name fairfraise. In French I know its strawberry but I was at school with a Scottish lass called Joan Farfrae and her family were always referred to as 'the fairfraise' (phonetically), perhaps our new member will explain?

Indeed I do like ? avocado Doodle in fact I had half for breakfast.

Your silly iron, maybe you can use it as a watering can/spritzer for your balcony pots? I don't think people have small appliances mended these days, do they? Just buy another

Do not worry BJ your DH and I will be like the picture.
I shall clasp him to my bosom in philanthropic harmony as with a long lost brother (or does that worry you even more? )

Doodle is right, I shall love listening to naval tales. Some of the most memorable evening of my life were spent listening to my father-in-law talk about his life in India (where my husband was born).
I just wish I'd been able to record his tales; such stories should not be lost.

And of course my dear Uncle Roy was in the Royal and then Merchant navies as a Sparks but when my Dad, his brother, died, Mum didn't keep in touch and I was too young.
He was a lovely, multi-talented man.
Here he is doing his magic act, an all round entertainer in his spare time.

It's surprising Grammaretto how the recent socialising has perked me up.

I say, and it is absolutely true, that I am just fine alone, even welcome solitariness but it is also good to get out and about a bit.

I'm just hoping I survive the journey to Northland and don't go bonce over bum in some pot-holed carpark where we stop for tea and tinkles.


Ego non paveas

Grammaretto no real danger. It was a very small cyclist complete with crash helmet and serious expression. I’m pretty sure he thought he had right of way on the footpath ?
Ooh no a cold bath ?. Hope whatever the problem is it’s fixed soon.
Boadicea wow, Kaimoana will have a swell time with you. Hope she likes avocado ? ?. I bet Kaimoana will get on well with MrBJ and enjoy his yarns.
I hope all the girls are behaving and little Dottie keeps safe.
Fairfraise how nice to hear from you. Welcome.
I must be one of the few people on this thread who have never been to NZ. Are you in the UK? Do you still have any family in NZ?

Hello all, I hope you don't mind me popping in but I often read this, and just wanted to say,I have fond memories of the Eutopia cafe, when my son lived in Northland and we visited a few times. I like reading the news from NZ!

Just in from the Farmers' market with 2 bags full of goodies for the visiting Kaimoana. And the BJs of course. Eleven avocados! (Buy 10, get one free). Cheese from the cows of the lovely French cheesemaker, sweet peppers, lots of salad goodies. (Whisper) ...croissants from the gorgeous Samuel, pâtissier extraordinaire.
Kaimoana - I'm afraid we can't offer you entertainment of the quality you have just experienced, though once MrJ gets into his naval yarns, he's somewhat fun, though a bit outrageous at times...no bad language, and absolutely nothing he wouldn't want his Mum to hear.... I just don't want you two- Lancaster and York, refighting the long-ago wars, please.
Mamissimo - those cheeses are truly spectacular! Sounds as though you have had a wonderful time. MrJ bought me a beautiful Celtic ring in Pitlochry, many years ago, and I have a long-lost cousin there I never met. Beautiful place.
Doodle - lovely to hear from you. I hope you enjoy your parties. Bad luck about the iron! Hoping that you managed to have it fixed. Best of luck with the jigsaw. Yes, the chickens are becoming very entitled. Even Dottie, little Dottie the lion -hearted, is becoming a little nervous around Maureen, who's turning out to be the Mean Girl extraordinaire. She saw off the big ginger tom the other day, but Maureen is apparently much more intimidating.
Right, unpacking the produce now
Enjoy the day/evening, all

I like the sound of your lazy day Doodle apart from your near miss with the young cyclist.
Kaimoana you have been having some really good times, at last.
Open studios was fine. Quite a few sales and lovely people coming down to chat
I had to call Sparky when I found I had no hot water. I actually ran a bath, went to climb in and it was freezing. brr.
He has diagnosed the problem and needs a part - I may need a plumber.

Grammaretto glad you enjoyed your parties.
I think the ice breaker introduction game sounds like a really good idea. What did you think of everyone’s different playlists.
Hope the open studio goes well. Have you had any orders or sales?
Any sign of Sparky today. I wonder if he’ll be there on our Jubilee party day. Jeeves would give him a firm talking to.
Kaimoana what a fun idea to come and bring a performance to your home. What a shame it wasn’t better attended.
Glad you enjoyed your breakfast. Now that’s my sort of quiz. Answers first. I might even win that ? a sizeable collection too. The DJ sounds a nice chap he obviously took to you. And a win with the taxis too. A good day.
We’ve had another lazy day. I attempted the ironing with my steam generator iron that has decided 2 years into its life to turn itself into a shower head ?. Clothes were wetter than when they came out of the washing machine.
Did another 5 pieces of my jigsaw. At this rate it might be finished sometime next year. I am hopeless.
Nice walk this afternoon and had a lovely chat with a very proud grandma showing off her new 1 month old grandson, a man and his dog and a nearly got run over by a little tot on his bike. Back home and a sit on the balcony before dinner.
Have a good weekend all.

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Grammaretto, Gramaretto, I've yet to taste this amaretto.

Maybe you'll be given someone else's intro details at the party and you have to guess who it is?

I was looking for simple pseudonyms for your lovely Czech guests, how about Káča and Aska (Katya & Az-kah)?

I'm glad you and MrM have had such a lovely break Mamissimo I think we were all a wee bit worried about you. Life has handed you the hot end of the spoon just lately.

I liked the photo of your shopping basket with all the cheeses. I'm assuming you just hooked it up behind your car?

We have a wonderful cheese shop in Kaiwaka and once I get in there, it's hard to persuade me to take up my bed and walk. One can, and I have, spent a fortune in it's hallowed and wood-smokey depths.

Next door is Eutopia Organic Cafe, so maybe the bus taking me to BJ house on Wednesday will stop there?
More likely it'll barrel on past with me weeping and looking back like Lot's wife

Doodle the outdoor festivals were devised for kaumatua (elders) by a Maori theatre who wanted to bring cheer to those of us confined to our homes. So not nationwide, although it could be if other performing arts groups decided to do it.

Several neighbours came to the first one but I was the only one at the latest performance. Having been at theatre school myself in my teens, I love such things.

This morning I went to a Pink Ribbon Breakfast and had great fun. There was a Quiz - but someone must have been at the complimentary champagne as we were given the answer sheet before the questions were asked

We raised over $1,000/£520 for Breast Cancer Research, not bad for a little suburban get-together.

The DJ played 2 of my favourite songs and we had a little cuddle (don't worry, he was younger than my son)
And - the taxi turned up there and back.

Hello Lobstars,

There do seem to be plenty of Jubilee parties going on. I believe even the Queen is having one.

The lunch party yesterday was very nice and the evening one great fun. The introduction game went well as we learned something new about everyone there. Someone had flown a plane, another had always thought there were 2 moons. A full one and a half one.
Today begins my second weekend of open studios.
I will be on my own most of the day. I realise I would hate to run a shop or gallery.
I would rather help Jeeves paint those chairs!

I hope you aren't overwhelmed by laundry BJ. Those chooks must be endlessly entertaining but not a lot of help.

.

Grammaretto have a good time at the parties and tell us how you get on. ?

Mamissimo your whole trip sounds lovely. You must be enjoying it so much, what a good idea.
That’s my sort of vending machine.
Oh Boadicea your post wasn’t there last time I looked.
You must have popped in while I was typing.
You sound as though you have been working flat out. I do hope you take some time out for yourself. Visitors are fun but all the follow up laundry isn’t.
You made me laugh with the antics of Jill. She sounds a bossy little madam. I hope you don’t tackle those windows. It seems to me you’ve done enough and deserve a bit of a rest.
Enjoy the papers in your PJs.
Grammaretto yes I thought the same about the Jubilee pudding too. I love amaretto.
I wonder if we should have our party on the Thursday rather than Sunday. There are lots of celebrations going on and we could relax after and watch what’s happening on the TV .
Jeeves is in his workshop painting all the chairs red, white and blue. He’s also got some food for the Corgis. I think he is hoping the Queen might pop in and visit ?

You mean you have money left for the House of Bruar Mamissimo! That's really impressive.
You must be frugal Scots after all.
Please keep some of that cheese for the Jubilee feast. keep it away from honey beagle

Ooh Doodle it contains amaretto and so do I
Num num.

BJ I read your post as an inhalation of visitors. reminder to go to specsavers.
How did it all go?

Two 60th birthday parties today for me. A vegan lunch and the one with the playlist tonight. Open studios again this w/end. and maybe a sighting of Sparky??

Good morning ?

We are gently heading south now in more ways than one and stopped to buy speciality cheese yesterday. The dairy has a barn attached to the cheese shop for out of hours purchases. They had refrigerated vending machines for milk, charcuterie, tray bakes...and cheese ? we loved it!

Pitlochry tonight and tomorrow a visit to The House of Bruar as recommended by the Scots Gnetters.

This is the one Grammaretto

Grammaretto I thought I would make the one that won the baking competition. The lemon trifle one. If it’s good enough for the Queen then we could enjoy it too.
Sorry your programme isn’t on. We don’t watch football either. Well that was a flying visit from Sparky.
Ah yes I understand about the car share. It makes sense to go together rather than using more cars.
When is your next walk and do you know where you are going?

Wow, girls, so much has happened since last I posted-what a very busy bunch we all are!
Just touching base to say hi and hoping everyone is well. It's a beautiful day here, though a chilly dawn. The last of the enormous laundry pile from the inundation of visitors will hopefully be dry by this afternoon.
After French yesterday and a massive house clean, I'm going to tackle the outside of the windows today. Until then, I'm resolutely staying in my PJs to read the papers online and potter leisurely for a couple of hours. All the furry-and-feathered ones are fed, though Jill will need to be sat down for a little talk about manners. This morning, when MrJ opened the back door, she unceremoniously bustled past him, pushing him out of the way in her haste to get to the cats' breakfast. Such a sense of entitlement...she's been taking lessons from visitors, I think.

What's your jubilee pudding Doodle? I am hungry greedy already.
Can I wait until June 5th!!

I was looking forward to watching who do you think you are but guess what, in Scotland we get football instead. I realise it isn't the biggest disappointment but it is slightly depressing. sorry Cherry and other footie fans Also I was about to tell you that Sparky was here - he was - but he met a problem and went away again.
He will be back, I am sure.

Covid rules meant we couldn't share cars so if we wanted to walk from somewhere, some distance away, we had to have a car each or not go. At last we can officially car share. Several of us had been doing it anyway but it's nice to be legal.

The Czech girls will both be helping.

Kaimoana the chap singing Nessun Dorma must have been an absolute joy at the end of the ceremony in such a location.
I’m glad you were able to attend and meet up with friends. It sounds like a good send off.
Oh yes plenty of pasties please. Cheese anything welcome.
I will bring the Jubilee pudding as I think we need to try it.?
Grammaretto how about Sunday 5th we can have some beautiful but quiet (for the animals) fireworks too.
Pancakes and drop scones will be perfect thank you.
Is your hip giving you a problem?
I’m so pleased you are having someone back you know.
Will her friend be staying with you and helping too?
Oh yes they will have to have good names.
Was the rule you had to share a car or you couldn’t share a car?
I think you’re right about Sparky although I think it might be cantfinishajob phobia.
Take care all x

That sounds like a wonderful event, the tangi, Kaimoana
I am glad you got to attend and to have a rowdy time with the others. I am sure Joe would be happy.

When is our Jubilee party Doodle?
I can't offer anything oven cooked but could rustle up some pancakes/drop scones.

I have an appointment for a hip X-ray. It's next week!! so much for the long delays. I think the next stage will be a long wait for orthopaedics.

One of my old Helpers is coming back in June, with a friend, so that's nice. Someone I already know. She's from the Czech Republic. She was full of fun and very hard working. What will her name be!

Plenty happening with Lobstars before then. Great news about Mrmuse's op but a pity about the isolating rules.

Our U3A walking group is losing its rules for car sharing at last but keeping the rule of booking in, for politeness sake rather than covid rules.

I don't think Sparky has ergophobia - just grammarettophobia ?

We had glorious weather for Joe's tangi. They held it over 3 days and we were the last visitors.
One astonished thing: it’s customary when men end their speech to sing a song (‘the garnish’) usually an old chant. One speaker ended his speech with a beautiful, note perfect Nessun Dorma. It got a standing ovation and long minutes of hearty cheering.
He used to entertain on cruise ships.

There’s always a giggle when we old ladies get together, even at a funeral.
Raumata (86) said, 'What do you think about this Monkeyballs mutation? If it's spread by sex, I'm probably safe.' There was even more laughter when someone told her it was actually Monkeypox - she looked shocked.

Doodle unless our Cornish contingent wants to step in, I'll bring the pasties for our Jubilee party; I was taught by an expert when I lived in St. Colum I vote that Mammissimo bring the wine and maybe MrM can donate some of those whiskies?

Grammaretto I shall refrain from thinking of Sparky as a causeyweb now, though he still shows signs of ergophobia.
I’ve been at the lexicography books again!

Kaimoana what fun to have people performing in your garage (well I suppose it depends on what they’re doing as to whether its fun or not ?) . Do other people come to watch? I have never heard of this sort of thing happening here. Is it common in NZ?
You’ve had a busy day what with one thing and another. Beverly sounds as though she’s fitting in well.
Yes please do wrap up well. It’s easy to get chilled but I would imagine it’s a wonderful place for a final farewell.
Grammaretto your party sounds fun. They obviously want people to feel welcome and included. The introductions game sounds a good way to break the ice where people perhaps don’t all know each other. I hope you go. I’d love to hear all about it.
Jeeves has been very busy. He has trestle tables for the street party. Jubilee table cloths and napkins and crown shaped party hats. I doubt he’s thought of a playlist though. ?
Hello Muse I do so hope you’re able to move in soon. You must be getting quite excited now.
Good news about Mr Muse’s op. Hope all goes well.
Yes DH had to isolate before his cataract op too. Shame your Dd won’t be able to come. Hope you can rearrange it soon.
Are you coming to our Lockdown Jubilee party? You’ll be busy as there’s one in the Argy too. Lots of pasties needed. ?
Church this morning and stayed for coffee and natter after.
I’ve been letting down some trousers this afternoon. The ones I’d previously shortened ☹️ And doing some other bits of sewing. Went for a walk before dinner but it was a bit windy.

Mamissimo I forgot to mention what lovely photos you’d posted. I love the one in the sea shore. Hope you are having a good trip.

Excellent news about your DS Kaimoana. It sounds an especially unique job opportunity. Well done to him. The toe would well be like mine, which is now much better. I could hardly bare shoes on for over a week.

I think that is a 'yes' Grammaretto. The introductions game would unnerve me but I'd be very willing to say what's needed for the other two.

Thank you for the photos Mamissimo. I'd be very tempted too.

I am hoping we will be in our house before the 5 year anniversary of starting it Doodle. No call from the plumber yet and we are now searching for a tiler. I will have attempted tiling as it only involved straightforward cutting but I hated doing the grouting. MrMuse would attempt it but he has finally had a call today about his hernia op. It's in two weeks time !

My DD and DGD are with us for a few days soon and it overlaps with MrMuse going in for his operation. We shall chat tonight about what to do. She was so looking forward to the break but MrMuse has to isolate for two days before the operation.

After a glorious day yesterday we have more rain today. The plants will love the variety. I do not !

Take care Lobstars.

Hello Lobstars,

It sounds so exciting Down Under. Between the theatre troupe performing in your garage Kaimoana, and letters from publishers.This is the high life indeed.
Sad about Joe Hawke but an opportunity to celebrate his life.

I was delighted to see the Lotte Glob pieces Mamissimo. I hope you are enjoying Orkney. Will you be there for the festival? My df is going this weekend as her DD is performing and she will miss my open studios.
I have been invited to a birthday party on Friday. I said I may go but was amused to be asked in advance for a play list, my favourite tipple and 3 things about me for an introductions game. Does this mean I will have to go?

How's our Jubilee party going Doodle? Should we add a playlist etc?