The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

And I fell in love with Richard Beymer.
When he (Tony) was shot at the end, I screamed in the cinema . Cried all night. Soppy 'aporth

Can you believe he's 84!?

Hello! I am sneaking in with my head lowered in shame! Oh dear. Afraid I have been lurking - tut tut.
It’s been a funny few weeks. Not funny ha ha or funny peculiar. Just that I seem to have lost my get up and go - if I ever had it! Anyway I’m hopefully back now with all you lovely people- if of course you will have me?
Doodle So please you enjoyed your trip to Norway. We should have been there over Easter but the cruise was cancelled. Long story but we have rebooked on a different ship in July.
Boadicea. Sorry to hear your husband is having an op. Hope it’s not serious and all goes well.
Mamissimo well done in having the family with you for several weeks. Loved your description of Daddy trying to cope with the school run.
To all those who have been poorly during my absence I truly hope you are on the mend. Does anyone hear from Panache.
Again apologies for not taking part with all you lovelies and will promise to do better in the future x

Welcome back Jan - I think Doodle has said that when we are sworn in as Gang Members
there's no getting away from us you are always welcome, how ever long you need to be away.
So no guilt feelings eh? It's good to see you back.

Those down-in-the-dumps feelings always used to affect me at the end of winter too, but a bit of sunshine, Spring flowers and birds nesting everywhere always perked me up.
Hope it's the same for you


and this is the nearest I can get to a bird

So it's back to whatever passes for normal in the Jones' homestead.

Sort of.

MrJ, filled to the gunwales with painkillers, has been dozing in the (changeable) weather conditions...fortunately now a little sunny. His shorts and surgical stockings are a sight to be seen, and he muttered in passing that he was glad that No. 4 Mess were not there to witness the sight. The Kaitaia Hospital, though small and very isolated, was a model of efficiency and caring. The staff, so lovely, caring and patient, were just marvellous.

I have lit the fire and wrapped The Patient in a soft rug to rest for a little before the evening news. Doreen and The Feathered Sheilas have been very well-behaved. They potter about the grounds all day, and know now not to stray. From time to time they do call me to find out whether I've got lost, and happily answer when I assure them that I'm here. At dusk they put themselves to bed without any fuss, having always returned to the nest boxes to lay...no stray eggs under trees or around for hedgehogs to find. Good girls.

My German friend and husband have just returned from the Cook Island after 10 days away....a lot more people planning overseas trips now, and hopefully for our tourist area, more people bringing their cash to spend. It's so sad to witness the closed businesses, boarded-up shops and the loss of so many dreams.

I can't believe that my "little" boy turns 43 tomorrow. Where does time go? And his little Tilly will be 6!

I suddenly feel very old...

Everything that Kaimoana said Jan applies. Sorry - no escape.
Hope you are feeling brighter.

BJ I watched some reunions at Auckland airport and cried.
Your own welcome home to DH sounds perfect and even the chooks behaved properly.
My DS3 turns 46 tomorrow. His eldest, 15, leaves school after her CSE exams which are coming up.She then begins 6th form college after the summer holidays so has a couple of years to plan her next step.

An old friend is in hospital. He's an comic artist so here is his version of flying ducks - hospital art.

Good Morning ?

Grammaretto I think I'm a little bit in love with your friend....my sense of hospital humour!

We're buckling down to producing Mr M's holiday file ready for the Scotland trip. He likes to have all emails printed off and put in plastic pockets in a ring binder....plus screen dumps of interesting art gallery websites, antique shops, castles, views and tea shops that he fancies. Bless him, he doesn't really believe that Scotland has WiFi in it's highly rated hotels!

Whilst the highlight for him will be staying at the Torridon, for me it will be the afternoon I'm spending with Lotte Globb at her Croft near Durness. I've collected her work for years, as did my mother and Mr M's wallet will be forced open I think I will need a special piece to commemorate the meeting.

I wondered aloud whether I should take her one of my pieces that I made in college in 1972 and Mr M choked up on his twix . Maybe not then!

Tomorrow we have to take back a garden chair that I bought because whilst it's very comfortable indeed I can't get out of it unaided and Mr M says he's not up for hauling my dead weight around. I have added this to the list of his misdemeanours ?

Oh lucky you Mamissimo. I know Lotte but have never been to her croft. I love the stories of her pieces being left in the landscape. Ofcourse you will take her a piece of yours.

Maybe MrM has a point - I drove home from the Isle of Skye last year and the only thing I could hear on the radio until reaching the A9 was in Gaelic.
I think I may have to postpone my Orkney trip as there is. too much going on here.
Accepting disappointments mean I am growing up. Isn't that so?
Off to plant an apple tree....

Well I don’t know what happened to yesterday’s post but it’s not here now.
Hello Muse. Does the tiredness relate to the Covid do you think? Hope you will steadily improve now.
I’m sure the build will be finished soon now and when you are finally in your lovely new home you will forget all about the difficulties you had in getting there.
Boadicea glad all went well. Aah what a lovely sentiment from your DH. Hope he is well on the mend now. I’m sure a lovely doze in the sunshine will be of benefit.
Glad to hear all the girls are behaving themselves and not going off piste with their egg laying.
Like you, I hate to see boarded up shops. There is a lot of that here too.
Your son is younger than ours. I know what you mean about feeling old.
Kaimoana I hope you get to visit. I can imagine you two having so much to chat about. ?
Grammaretto yes where is Sparky. Try telling him his deeds or lack of are being recorded on GN and we are all waiting for your kitchen to be finished so we can have a kitchen warming party.
Good you got to spend some time with your DGC and have some rhubarb crumble too. Did you save any for me? My mum used to make lovely rhubarb and custard from the rhubarb dad grew in the garden. ?
Crumbs I remember watching West Side Story years ago. Is there a new version then?
Jan how lovely to hear from you. No need to creep in or hang your head in shame. Always a pleasure to have your company. As the others have said, once a gangstar or lobstar always one.?
I doubt you’re the only one whose lost their get up and go during the last few years, I keep finding mine covered in dust in the corner and have to brush it off and start again.
So sorry your cruise was cancelled. Hope your new ones goes ahead ok. Yes we had a lovely time thank you.
We do hear from Panache now and again. Like you we all hope she’s ok.
Don’t worry about keeping up just drop in and post whenever you feel like it, you will always be welcome.
Well Grammaretto that’s another top for the washing machine as I’ve just spluttered coffee over it having realised what your friend has used for his flying geese art. ?
What a lovely sense of humour,
We saw three sets of non flying geese with their youngsters today. One lot of 12, one 7 and one 6. Such a lovely sight.
Be a shame if your miss your Orkney trip. Will you be able to reschedule later in the year?
Mamissimo oooh MrM sounds just like my DH. He always takes a folder of “stuff” with him on holiday.
He also brings a lot of things back from everywhere we’ve visited. I haven’t heard of Lotte Glob but will look her up immediately.
We had a garden chair like yours too. Comfy but totally unable to get out of it unaided. My DIL who is smaller than me got stuck in it for ages until someone (her DH) stopped laughing enough to get her out,
DH and I have been battling with our accounts this afternoon. Some of you may remember that I started learning some time ago. After a long break I am back to it. My brain is exhausted tonight but I feel I am getting somewhere.
Sleep well all x

Mamissimo. Like Doodle I’ve never heard of Lotte Glob either. Have just looked at her work and she’s so talented. Love some of her pieces. You will have a great afternoon with her. Your DH sounds like mine. Everything has to be in folders although I have to say since he’s got older he’s not quite so fussy. I shouldn’t grumble as on our last cruise he had all the Covid certificates etc sorted. If it had been left to me it would have been chaos!
Had a sad evening yesterday. One of my daughters cats had to be put to sleep. She was only 4 but suddenly developed Feline AIDS for which there is no cure. Bless her. Now they have to get the other 2 cats checked to make sure they are ok so back to the vet with them this morning.
Off to lunch later with a friend and then other friends round this afternoon. All happening!
We are off to Stratford on Avon on Monday. About 15 years ago we were on a cruise and met up with 3 other couples. Every year since we’ve had a Reunion somewhere. Obviously it was put on hold over lockdown so we haven’t seen 2 of the couples for 2 years! And the weather forecast looks good too! Think we will have a trip on the river Avon!

Jan yes Lottie Globs art is lovely isn’t it. Very unusual.
Mamissimo should have a great time.
I’m sorry to hear about your daughters cat. Always sad when we lose a pet but she was quite young. I do hope her other cats are ok.
What a grand idea to meet up with your cruise friends like that. Somewhere different but shared with friends. Stratford is lovely, Hope you enjoy it.
Just heard DGD2 has tested positive for Covid. She’s ok so far but locked away in her ivory tower (bedroom) feeling ok but bored.
I went to church this morning and stayed for coffee and biscuits them met with a friend for coffee and cake this afternoon…….the diet is obviously not going well ?
Hope everyone’s ok.

7 a,m, here on a perfect, pearly-skied morning. First cup of tea down, Fluffy Ones fed, chickens just arriving, and lining up at the window. The Invalid still tucked up, and still spaced out from anaesthesia. Today the dressing comes off and All Will Be Revealed.

I'm glad yesterday is over, fun though it was. Roman history 10-12, two extras for lunch, French 2-4. I always put a lot of thought and work into preparing sessions, with Youtube clips and handouts. For my French group, I made a series of problems/complaints for which everyone had to come up with some kind of appropriate response/solution ...par exemple - "Mon petit ami ne m'aime plus...que faire?" and "Merde! Ma voiture est en panne! " and "Je n'ai rien à me mettre!!" Some hilarious solutions to the problems of no-longer-loving boyfriends, broken-down cars, and having nothing to wear, among loads of others. Answers ranged from "Call the police!", "not my problem"., "leave town", to "what a pity", and "buy a bottle of whisky". We laughed for 2 solid hours.
Painting went well, and the tutor was very helpful, though not as helpful as Kaimoana, whose advice has been so appreciated.

Wow, Lotte's work is stunning! How lovely to be able to visit her studio, as I'm sure the photos don't do her work justice. What a wonderful artist to collect.

Jan so sorry to hear about your daughter's cat. Losing a pet is so sad, particularly if it's a child's dearly beloved. I hope you have a great time in Stratford stepping over American tourists, if there are any

Doodle - the diet sounds just right. Cake with a friend is one of nature's remedies for all ills. There's always another day.

Boadicea hope your DH is ok and recovering well.
I can just picture your girls lining up and looking through the window and thinking hmmm mums having her cup of tea what about us. ?
Your French classes must be hilarious. What with history, lunch and French you had a busy day.
Yes I expect Jan will encounter some American visitors in Stratford. Some may ask if she’s met Willy Shakespeare. Just like they always ask people from the UK if they’ve met the Queen. ?
Yes cake with my friend was nice. We have a laugh.

Went and took the car to a car wash today and in trying to interpret the hand signals from the chap there, I got the car stuck between the washer and the dryer. ?. Managed to get out again with no damage but don’t think I’ll go to that one again which will probably be a relief for them too ?

Hi Gang,

Was it a drive through carwash Doodle? I haven't been in one of those for years. I used to think they were such fun but not seen any lately. It's either DIY or someone power washing it for you.
I tried to clean the inside of the windscreen today in preparation for offering someone a lift. I wanted her and me to be able to see out. But I made it even worse and ended up with a sponge and some window cleaning spray with a lot of elbow grease to undo all the smearing.

My df made up for it by being excellent company and not complaining at all. She had been to Whitby on holiday and arrived in the midst of a Dracula/Goth festival.
There was a notice on the churchyard telling the public that Dracula was not buried there. Lots of people in Victorian costume and also dressed as the count or goths.

I managed to cast my vote and go on a beautiful hike the other side of the Forth, go to my Gaelic class which doesn't sound quite as much fun as French BJ but it was quite funny.
One sentence I was to translate:
sometimes I feel that you are not listening to me

Uireannan tha mi a’ faireachdainn nach eil
thu ag èisteachd rium

But really, would I ever be so polite?

I hope your DH 's procedure was successful and he recovers well.

Sparky was here yesterday and today and some progress has been made. I privately wish he would stick to the things he's best at ie: electrics and leave the other jobs to a joiner but it's impossible to get him to.

I'm just home from an AGM so am very tired.
Sleepytime tea for me Jeeves. A large mug.

Gubbins has joined the gym!

Now in addition to crackerjacking all over the house, she's tumbling and pulling herself up on gym-rings and generally practising for the Olympics.

If this doesn't make her sleep I don't know what will.

Well it was a combination between part automated and part hand wash. The two men doused the car with soap suds then gestured for me to move forwards a bit but didn’t realise how close the side of the car was to the bit where they had their water connection . It became a bit like the Golden Shot if you remember that?. Right a bit stop, left a bit stop. All done without words just hand gestures through a soapy window.
Then the dryer bit started up before they were expecting it so it all got very confusing. Next time I’ll go to the garden centre where I can leave the car to be hand washed while I go and have a coffee, ?
Glad you had a good tîme with your friend.
I’ve heard of the Whitby goth festival but never been. Did your friend enjoy it?
You are doing well with your Gaelic if you can translate that. At what point in that sentence do you start brandishing the frozen leg of lamb?
Kaimoana I bet Gubbins is a hard to keep track of these days. Such an inquisitive mind and strong character. I can easily see her in the olympics……and mastermind…..and the BAFTAs …..and Strictly Come Dancing. ?
Boadicea how is your DH today. Hope you are having a bit of a rest.

Been into town today to do some shopping and had a walk through one of the local parks. It was very warm and pleasant out. Had a chat with a few of our neighbours when we got back and it seems we are to have someone new moving in soon.
DS1 due to fly out to America tomorrow and had to have PCR test before flight. His DD tested positive on Tuesday so has been banished to her room. His wife tested positive today but fortunately his PCR is negative so hopefully he will get to go as he’s been looking forward to it.
Had mango and coconut chicken tonight with coconut rice. Very tasty. I bought some asparagus for DH as he had some on the cruise and liked it. I have never cooked asparagus before so looked it up on Google and it said steam for 5 to 10 minutes. Well I did it for 5 and when I looked in the steamer there were 4 little shrivelled brown things curled up in the bottom ?
Those went in the bin and I tried again this time for one and half minutes ……success.
Hope all the gang have had a good day.

I am giggling, I am sorry "Doodle at your attempt at steaming asparagus!

What a worry with nearly all the tests for covid being positive. I hope your DS gets to go to USA.

Your carwash experiences do sound rather frightening. A bucket and a sponge for me. and not very often

As a teenager I used to polish the chrome on my DM's car for 6d.

I was out tonight at a new Indian restaurant for our Christmas night out with the "girls" who play badminton.
It was such a laugh, honestly. Rather a lot of alcohol was imbibed.

Hot chocolate drunk and drinker rather drunk too. Night night everyone.

Grammaretto would you like me to send Jeeves to carry you up to bed ?

Just the kind of night you needed Grammaretto - it sounds hilarious.

As does Doodle Keystone Cops staff at the car wash!
I've laughed at it all.

You're right about Gubbins. In Yorkshire we used to say 'she's wick' - very quick.
And how she laughs when tired parents can't catch her! Little minx

Daddy certainly has her down for greatness

I think she may end up in jug

I've booked a taxi to take me to a Fundraising evening for someone with cancer. Fingers crossed.

Am I the target of the gods? If so, it's Māui or Loki.

I'm sitting here in me best frock (it was new in 1999, so still a few threads hanging together) with rings on me fingers and sandals on me toes.

The phone rings: 'Sorry, the fundraiser has been postponed, we'll let you know if/when it's rescheduled.'

I think I'll go eat worms.....

Good morning ?

Well yesterday was fun! Did the weekly online grocery shop, tidied up for the cleaner and generally got in her way , took H Beagle to the vets to have her rear end serviced (?) and then out for supper cooked by DS.

This is a family of pizza makers and last night, fuelled by margaritas, we moved on to making dessert pizza. I quite liked Nutella, banana and rum......not so sure about cinnamon and brown sugar. Somehow the dough needs to be slightly sweetened so these will be a work in progress.

DS is moving into our house to look after the animals while we go on holiday so I have to write him a manual on how to water the garden. There's never a good time for gardeners to go on holiday but I think we've picked the worst fortnight this time!

Will he help the running beans to twiddle on their poles like Mr M does? ?

Ooh dear Mamissimo how long will you be gone?
The beans will be OK but other things maybe not.

Did you not teach DS how to be a gardener?
I remember well when DD was putting together her portfolio for art college and she had the nerve to ask me why had I never taught her to make pots! She had shown very little interest. Anyway we did a crash course in pottery making and dressmaking and she got in and ended up doing theatre costume. Unfortunately, where she lives in the Highlands there's not a lot of demand for costumes so she now does photography. Despite everyone owning a camera, there is a huge demand for her skills. She also makes clothes for her DDs.

Sorry the fundraiser was postponed Kaimoana I hate getting all dressed up and nowhere to go.

Gubbins is a small powerhouse!
Have you warned DS that is only gets worse.
I heard someone has written a book about the teenage brain.
I wish that had been around when our 3 sons were teenagers.

I tripped over this morning whilst picking cowslips on my steep bank. in the woods. Luckily I landed softly in the wild garlic but as I lay there I thought how I had left my phone behind and all I had was a bunch of flowers and a pair of scissors.

Oh Kaimoana what a let down. All dressed up and nowhere to go. What a shame we’re not living closer together we could all go for a girls night out.
Glad my tales of the car wash amused you ?
Mamissimo I do hope you have a lovely holiday. May I ask where you are off to?
Do you think your DS will read the manual or just sit in a chair with a beer and turn the hose on? ?
Will the beans have all run away. Will the others be bored all day or will you DS read to them. Hope all is well on your return.
Hope you’ve got a nice soft cushion for Honey beagle to sit her nether regions on. Hmm dessert pizzas. That’s interesting. You could start a new chain.
Grammaretto do you need a hangover cure or is all well today?
Your DD sounds very artistic and craft minded. Has she ever made any pots?
Oops well no need of Jeeves to save you from the vampires tonight. I hope you are not hurt in any way.
I have a very small slim over the shoulder bag that holds my phone, keys, inhaler and tissue. I usually slip that over my neck when I go to sort out the rubbish or pop downstairs. Perhaps you need something like that to keep with you when you are out of the house.
Hope you are ok.
Been for a nice walk today and came back to sit in the balcony in the sunshine. DS1 on his way to America. Should arrive lat tonight.
Hope all have a good weekend,

It's Mothers Day here and an early morning phone call from DS surprised me as I had thought MD it was back in March!

It's years since I saw a cowslip, Grammaretto I must have been about 10 at the time. How lucky you are to have such an unspoiled and un-pesticided garden around you.

The land is full of happy birds
And flocks of sheep and grazing herds.

I hear the songs of larks that fly
Above me in the breezy sky.

I hear the little lambkins bleat;
My honey-scent is rich and sweet.

Beneath the sun I dance and play
In April and in merry May.

The grass is green as green can be;
The children shout at sight of me.

The Song of the Cowslip Fairy



Have a good break Mamissimo. Your DS doesn't need instructions, he just has to prepare a meal and walk away to throw water on the garden - and Honey Beagle will do the rest.

You're right about Gubbins Doodle but she's too much like her Papa for him to need a warning. His attitude to my admonitions to slow down and that he can't burn the candle at both ends, was always, 'Gimme more wax.'

Sequel to the taxi saga:
10pm phone call, 'Hello ma'am, did you order a taxi?' It was clear he was calling from his car.

Me: Yes but it was cancelled this afternoon as soon as I knew the event I was going to was called off.
Driver: So you don't need a taxi ? I wish they'd told me at the office.
Abject apologies from me, soothing words from him.

At least he actually turned up and on time at the club I was supposed to be attending.

Cold enough to nip the nose here (13 degrees) but brilliant sunshine and it will reach 20 ° so Alexa informs me.

The family have gone.
Dgs has a water polo match this evening but is exhausted from a non-sleeping sleep-over yesterday. He perked up after a good dinner and chased his sister around, making her giggle.
I hope he wins his game.

Another very busy week ahead, I wish I had some of Gubbins energy

Hope you had a good Mothers Day too BJ.