The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

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Sorry this is so long:

Jan that boat looks too romantic to be a cockler will you go for a trip on her this summer?
muse a few weeks ago the little toe on my left foot was so agonising for 3 days, I couldn't sleep and tried absolutely everything to calm it. I wonder now if maybe that was Covid toe? If it was, other than that, I was asymptomatic (sounds like a make of washing machine doesn't it?)

The pictures posted by Grammaretto Jan and Mamissimo are magnificent and very much make me wish I lived near water. One looked so much like Culzean Beach in Ayrshire, a place I adored.

Talking about beaches, did anyone hear who bought Dover Beach from the Min of Def last year? The price started at £1.

It's been a very busy week so far. Te Rehia came to sing and tell pakiwaitara (stories) here you see Hatupatu escaping from the Bird Woman (actually my friend Brady )
I had to do a lot of re-organising the garage as you'll see it was raining and I wanted them to perform in the dry.

Today, Beverly arrived at 8am and after 2 hours cleaning, we went shopping and for library books. The moment we got back, a technician arrived to reprogram the garage door openers.

Then a writer friend phoned; she's submitting her book to Penguin and needed encouragement.

I snatched lunch in between almost constant phone calls, one about Joe Hawke, a well-respected and much loved man who fought to get Maori land back from the government. The call was about his tangi (funeral) to be held on Thursday.
Taxi will come for me at 6.30 am (I hope) and I’ll be sure to wrap up well as Orakei Marae is one of the coldest, being set high on the cliff above Okahu Bay.
It is estimated that upwards of 10,000 will attend from all over Aotearoa.

And I'll be one of them.

Grammaretto thank you I love my little wooden people.
Oh dear, yet another thing to occupy Sparky and keep him from finishing your kitchen.
Do you enjoy helping out at the storehouse? Are there lots of home made things for sale……could you display some of your pots…..or make some soup bowls.
You’re obviously a good salesperson selling out the soup. I haven’t had any soup for ages….I quite fancy some now.
Well done your DGS. Perhaps he’ll get a commission from the bus company for a fleet of busses. What a lovely thing to encourage people to do.
Yes we must have a party. Cakes and all sorts of goodies. Jeeves would be very disappointed if we didn’t. ?
Mamissimo so pleased you had a good time with Lottie.
You obviously liked the pieces enough to buy them.
How exciting. Glad you’ll be back for the party. The cheese sounds fine.
I wonder if muse will be around to do some baking for our party. Hint, hint muse

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Good evening ?

Splendid news Kaimoana ! I'm made up for you ?

Today was Lottie Globb day and I'm grinning from ear to ear. We spent a good hour with her in her studio and bought most of the contents and Mr M's wallet is having a lie down!

I mentioned you to her Grammaretto and she smiled and said she knew your work and she used to love making tea pots...I think this was a coded message for you!

I am trying again to add some pictures.....

We will be home for the Jubilee so I could bring some Minger cheese to the party.....I've developed a taste for the pungent beastie.

To Thurso tomorrow and then, weather permitting, to the Orknies......

But Doodle your wee viking is a sweetie with such a gentle face. He couldn't scare Sparky.
Anyway he now has an order for another A board from someone else with open studios! So much for being an electrician. I shall change his name to Chippy.

I did my volunteer training today at the storehouse. I am the new recruit The manager and another were off sick so they really needed help.
I kept telling customers how delicious the soup was and it was sold out by noon!
I had a mask on and had forgotten how your specs steam up so it was a trial.

It is great news about the double success for the Kaimoanas
I so hope it works out well for them. Can we order the book from somewhere?

My NZ DGS has won yet another design a bus competition. This time his design shows Tawhirimatea, god of the weather.

Are we really having a Jubilee party Doodle that's nice. I love cake.

Sparky finish the kitchen …….or else!

Wow Kaimoana that’s double brilliant news. You must be so pleased for your son and to have a book published too. That’s fantastic. (DH sends congratulations too)
When does your son start? Will they have to move?
Grammaretto I hope the open house was a success.
Ooh a nice new Italian neighbour. Kind of him to offer help..
Shame if your lodgers move on so soon. It must be nice having someone around that you feel comfortable with.
Tell Sparky that my Viking family are keeping an eye on him and if the thought of her and her rolling pin isn’t enough then her adopted son from Finland will give him a prod somewhere sensitive with his spiked pole.
Jeeves is busy making some cakes for our Jubilee lockdown party. He’s planning on dressing up too ?‍♀️

Wow!! Kaimoana
Amazing news all at once. Did you faint?
If so I hope you are OK.
Congratulations all around.

My children's book about Trevor the Duck has been accepted for publication.

DS got the job

Thinking of BJ too and hope nothing too serious has happened.
A nice sit on the balcony and dropping off to sleep sounds perfect Doodle

If your Viking warrior has the power to get Sparky moving, please send her to me on long loan!

I haven't done much since the open house closed. I went to put out the buckets and found they are almost empty. I don't have much rubbish these days.
A new young neighbour introduced himself and asked me to call if there was anything I need.
Isn't that nice. I can't remember his name, sadly. It sounded Italian. But I know where he lives.
My lodgers have been away again and they are very busy house-hunting. I realise they would be looking to buy a home but I, selfishly, wish they'd stay a bit longer. They are very easy to have sharing the house.

I was going to get my training for volunteering tomorrow at the community store but the manager has just told me she has covid and won't be there.
I'm looking forward to the next installment of Mamissimo's Highland Journey

What is Jeeves making in the kitchen tonight?

Mamissimo it may sound strange but the weather you had in Skye is the sort of thing I love. Stormy skies and misty bleakness, fantastic. Hope you are enjoying yourselves.
Grammaretto it’s so annoying when you lose a post isn’t it.
Yes I love my Viking warrior. She protects my kitchen from invaders. Perhaps I should send her to you to encourage Sparky to get on with the job.
Glad you’ve had a busy open day. Wish I was closer to come too (I’d be one of the nosey ones, I’m fascinated by tales of your house) at least Sparky has done something useful.
Kaimoana good news about your son’s interview.
I hope it works out for him. Yes I always wonder why people only offer more money when someone is leaving.
Will certainly hold BJ and her family in my prayers and hope whatever is causing concern will be ok.
Hope all the gang have had a good weekend. DH and I have been very lazy and not done much. Nice sit on the balcony this afternoon and I fell asleep.
Going to visit neighbour for a chat and crafting session tomorrow.

In case anyone is curious:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_Papers

Thank you for asking Grammaretto - his interview went very well apparently. The company are specialists in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and tracking the stashes of the super rich who avoid tax but still get all the benefits of everything tax provides.
This applies right across the board from criminals to baks, corporations like the BBC and of course, governments and those in power.
Have you heard of The Pandora Papers?

This firm are looking for someone "grown up" who knows IT and cyber security (including cryptography ; can discuss on any level with everyone from politicians, CEOs and of any culture right down to the boy learning at the help desk.
They need someone who can work on their own initiative and manage a team but will step in where and whenever needed (UK & Singapore included) at any level.

Not much eh?
Fortunately, DS's CV has all this and a great deal more....and after all it was they who contacted him as a result of his reputation in the industry.

We had a smile when talking about what the current employer will do if/when they hear he's leaving.

Almost certainly they'll panic and throw money at it so he'll stay on.

I said, 'If there's enough money for a significant increase, and they think you're worth it, ask them why they're not already paying you that.'

You might like to keep BJ in your ♥♥♥♥♥ thoughts at the moment.

Here is Sparky's A board inviting the crowds? down the vennel

Incredible landscape Mamissimo and well done you . An intrepid lobstar for sure.
You deserved your meal and cosy bed.

I wrote yesterday but it did it's disappearing trick.
Glad you like Beverley Kaimoana. How did DS get on?
That troll is the real thing Doodle. I'm not sure I would be able to live in the same house!
Jan I would love to go on that old wooden boat.
A wooden boat was built in our house. The builder a slightly bonkers Aussie had a party to have enough bodies to guide it oot the windae
I wonder where she is now.
The first day of open studios was busy all day. Some people came to look at the work, some to nosey at the house.
Sparky came good and made me an A board to direct people from the street
What will the day bring to Lobstars today . I hope your poor tootsies are 100% better muse

Today was Skye day........and the sky threw everything at us! We refused to be disheartened and did the Quairang loop. Utterly stunning and we will sleep well tonight as we've eaten a good dinner, including gin, Albariño and IPA

I'm going to try one photo......but it probably won't work!

Evening all.
Kaimoana last week I would have had to look up the meaning of gongoozling but I have been watching a series on BBC about travels on a narrow boat on the canals and the word cropped up there. Wow I’ve learnt something ?
This is my lovely Norwegian guardian. You wouldn’t want to mess with her believe me.
My DGD used to go to pre school with he pink satchel and pink everything including welly boots and underwear.
Good You’ve heard about Karen and she’s ok. Glad you get on with Beverly. Hope all goes well for your sons interview.
Muse at this rate your kitchen will be finished before Grammaretto’s (perhaps Grammaretto you should tell Sparky that to see if it inspires the sense of competition in him)
How did your holiday go did you have a good time?
I hope all your poorly little piggies are less painful now and the new anti-inflammatoires help.
Jan your posts are never boring and certainly this one isn’t. How interesting. What a good idea to restore such a lovely wooden boat. I hope you get a chance to go on her soon.
DH and I live near many places that used to house wooden boat builders in days gone by. Sadly none of them are working any more being replaced by fibreglass hulls etc. Our carpenter used to be a boat builder. His carpentry skills were amazing and he had a portfolio of photos of the beautiful boats he had worked on.
DH and I have had another quiet day. His back is feeling better so we may go out for a walk tomorrow.
I have been very lazy today and apart from finishing my book I have been trying to get on with my jigsaw.
Hope all are safe and well.

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Boring history lesson coming up! Feel free to scroll by!
Mr J and I went to our river this morning - the river Ouse. On the horizon we saw this. This wooden fishing boat was built in 1900 by a local builder. She fell into disrepair and with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund a group of dedicated builders spent a decade rebuilding her.
She is now seaworthy and is moored on our beautiful waterfront and spends the summers cruising the Great Ouse and the Wash taking passengers to see the seals and telling them about the towns maritime history of fishing and trade. We still haven’t been on her but hoping to do so this year

muse I think you should send your efficient workers to oust Sparky!

Karen, it seems, is 'taking a break' from work (3 weeks already) and there's no indication when or if she'll come back. Beverly is booked for next week.

I'm so relieved she's all right and not ill or anything.

I'm trying to remember if she told me about having so much time off but honestly, if she did I'm sure I'd have remembered, it's such a big thing to me.
Kei te pai, she certainly needed a good rest, that's for sure.

DS went for his formal interview yesterday; fingers crossed it's all as hopeful as it sounds.

Good Morning Lobstars from what was a sunny Cornwall. Clouds are now looming.

Love the chucks photos BJ. Do you let them in?
Beautiful, amazing photos Doodle. You are having some wondrous travels.

Our house build, internally, is starting to take shape. The kitchen is fitted but needs worktops, tiles and shelves. The workmen are in today - yes Saturday - to help us towards moving in. They are working on a built-in area and work units in the utility room.

I mentioned my feet in my last post. At the end of my covid bout, two of my toes started to be painful. Very much like chilblains. In managed to walk on holiday as my new boots were so comfortable but on my return the swelling and redness wouldn't go away and got worse. I did my googling doctor bit and read about covid toe, which I'd never heard off. My doctor hadn't either. He thought infection at first. No - and the antibiotics he prescribed really disagreed with me. I couldn't cope with the heartburn so he had another look and now I'm on anti-inflammatory tablets, They seem to be working. I never thought a poorly pinky could cause so much discomfort.

I hope you escape catching it Kaimoana and the elders recover speedily .
All the best with the open studio Grammaretto . An exotic Russian potter - I wonder what she will make.

The kettle is on here and I shall join MrMuse and the workmen for our second cuppa of the day.

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Wasn't bothered for myself Jan only for Gubbins and DS but he says they probably come into contact with other Cov+ people at work, school and DayCare - so not to worry.
I was masked, vaxxed and boosted so I’m probably clear but I looked up How to do a RAT on YouTube and may try that on Tuesday.
Not that anything will changed, I'm permanently confined to barracks

How brave of you Mamissimo to climb a mountain/hill alone, not something I could do (my front steps are bad enough ) You sound to be having a lovely time. Just what you needed

Hope Missedout is enjoying her gongoozling* and not putting her polex in peril again.

muse that looks like a red flag to me a decorator you can't pin down -and she hasn't even started! You don't want to end up like Grammaretto.

I was fascinated by your Norwegian wooden figures Doodle as my family used to stay in a friend’s Lakeland apartment where there was a set of carved musicians on the mantel. I loved them. There are Norwegian shops who’ll send figures to you I see.

Gubbins has a pink backpack for Kindy but you are absolutely right, she’s just the kind of lassie to carry a handbag on her arm - like HM Queen.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gongoozler

Mamissimo sounds as though you are really enjoying your trip. Hope the weather is being kind to you. Love to see your photos when you get connection.
Baodicea yes we were lucky with the weather this time. We have been there in rain and mist too.
Made me smile to think of Doreen and the girls attending French classes. I suppose your class are used to the girls popping in when they like.
Hope you have a nice family visit.
Kaimoana of course Gubbins wanted to try on her new clothes. ? She is I’m sure up with the latest fashion. Does she carry a handbag? My DGDs used to.
Walking round the garden seems like a favorite pastime even if it doesn’t bring out a smile. Obviously lunch was a big success.
Have you thought of a small plastic watering can for her to water the garden. Ours loved doing that.
Oh dear. Sorry about the news from your elders group. Hopefully you will be fine. Perhaps you can test next week when Beverly comes back (or does she come at weekends too?)
Grammaretto yes it made me think for a bit. I love Kaimoana’s humour.
We liked Oban too but we weren’t there long enough to do much other than visit the distillery and buy whisky.
Is it tomorrow that is your open day? I hope everything is ready and you have a good number of visitors.
Ooh an exotic Russian. I wonder what she makes.
Jan I agree I love Norway whatever the weather. I bet you are looking forward to your trip. We bought a little wooden Viking figure in Bergen one year (woman with cleaver and rolling pin) . Liked it so much that on our next visit we bought her partner (man with shield and axe) . We wanted more but the next visit was on a Sunday and the market wasn’t there. This time we couldn’t go because we weren’t allowed off for independent travel. Shame really. Our wooden couple do have an adopted son from Finland though. A little warrior in the making ?
Have you been to the amazing fish market in Bergen?
Yorkshire too. That will be nice.

Good evening ?

Tonight we have come to rest in Glenelg, ready to hop over to Skye tomorrow. Today I actually climbed a hill to get a better view of the Harry Potter scenery....Mr M stayed on the ground and drank coffee as his hill walking days are over. The clouds lifted while we were at Spean Bridge so we go a good view of Ben Nevis.

Oh Kaimoana I am keeping everything crossed that your jabs have protected you!

Better WiFi tonight so I hope the photos come through.....

Kaimoana hope you are ok and haven’t got the dreaded bug.
Bet Gubbins is such fun now as well as a handful! Such a lovely age
Doodle Great Norway photos. We are going to Norway in July. Have been twice before but hoping we don’t get the rain we have had in the past! But whatever the weather is Norway will still be beautiful. Unfortunately none of the ships we have been on have called at Flam and this one is no exception.
Grammaretto. An exotic Russian potter? How interesting. Good luck with Sparky. We are waiting to have a bedroom redecorated. A lady who has done work for us before has said she will do it but trying to pin her down is a nightmare. At the moment it could be in a couple of weeks - but then again!!
We are off to the Yorkshire Dales in 3 weeks. It’s “my happy place”! Just love it and can’t wait!

All too subtle for this bear of little brain. It has just dawned that there is no photo of the MM clan at the bridge over the Atlantic. DOH.
DH and I were holed up in Oban for several days waiting for a change in the weather so the ferry could brave the crossing to Colonsay. We caught several buses to explore the area and one went over that bridge and to the Isle of Seil where in the museum, artifacts relating to the slate industry share pride of place with mementos of Princess Diana's mother Frances Shand Kydd.
I certainly discovered Oban. I frequented the charity shops and was once asked if I knew of any by a tired young mum, an Islander who was also stuck but in her case without toys or anyway to entertain her DC. I was able to oblige.

I love the Norway photos Doodle.
How funny about the people who bought your house loving the curtains. None so strange as folk.

What a worry to have covid in the elders group. Kaimoana. I hope you are spared. And what is Gubbins playing at - Mary Mary quite contrary?

I must test again today as I shall be ferrying DMiL later.
The potential new potter came yesterday. She's rather exotic, Russian, but I am not sure she would fit in to our group just now. We may collaborate on something when the open studios are over with.

I have to believe sparky will finish the job and meanwhile I manage.