The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

It's taken me so long to post that Grammaretto you've beaten me too it and I have an answer to my question.? It's G+T time here too.

I'm thinking about Panache and Cherry too.?

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Good Evening lovely Lobstars?

The wild wind from the west as calmed and left us with a little bit of tidying to do but nothing that can't wait. Cornwall is calmish again today and the sun was out. Mya and myself did a full walk around the wood and up the track past the field and those geese. On her lead at that point. The lady with the animals put off our joint training session due to the weather. The geese had retreated to their home. She will ring me when they are next out.

Oh Kaimoana I have often thought about such trousers for myself. Not sure, if I have mentioned it in passing, but I am a tall lady. Since the age of 15 I have been 6'1" and even over recent years, I have only lost 0.5". Fortunately, I am fairly good with a pattern and sewing machine, so used to make my own trousers, long skirts and even coats. Long skirts I lived in, as I was into flower power and and all that in the early 1970s. Mini dresses too. Which became very minute on me.

Thank you for Morph. My two grew up with him and my DD continues to love claymation. Me too?

Did you manage the pottery with DGC Grammaretto? My favourite day of the week tomorrow with Throw Down. Especially this week as it's abstract. I found a box of fused glass under the stairs last week. I'd had a clear out, to clean the wall behind and repaint. They were the last pieces I ever made when I rented a studio and shortly afterwards decided to sell everything. My intention was to find suitable stands to display them. I made these out of pure indulgence and not to sell. May give one or two to family or friends that take a liking to them but will definitely to keep a couple three for myself. Had an enjoyable afternoon making the stands but apologise for the photographs. I used to have light box (cardboard box covered inside with white paper) for photographs, which showed the colours and shadows off really well.

Wow BoadiceaJones. What encouraging thoughts you pass on about your member of the family. I say it is never to late to find your niche. I left school at 16 but at the age of 32 decided to find that niche. 6 years later, I had a B.Ed.Hons (2.1) and 12 years later I was a Deputy Head.
That is excellent news and a relief about your DS1.
We get collared doves down. They are very brave and come to feed under the bird feeders with Mya asleep, only a few yards away. She opens an eye but never chases them. See - she does know what to do but it's probably because we're sat outside as well watching her. I might try to get them to come closer to get food from the table.

So glad you've persuaded your DH to use the iWatch Nfk. I hope our DHes get their hospital appointments soon. I was shocked yesterday, listening to MrMuse talking to his sis's partner on the phone, He has it on speaker so I can chip in when possible. Any way, he had a hip replacement cancelled last year and still (six months later) has not heard when he can go in. This is a private hospital ! ?

I do hope the seas are being kind to Jan16 . I watched the news last night with the ferries and planes trying to get to safe sound ground.

I too love Mamissimo's whirlwind meet and wed with her DH Doodle. It took MrMuse and myself 46 years. Mind you we did have a 44 gap between myself and him meeting in 1969 and again in 2015, when this time we got married ?.

Hope you get more good night's sleep Doodle.

Dinner time and it's curry tonight.

Wow you too Grammaretto a whirlwind romance.
It took DH and I a bit longer but he did suggest we got married within 7 days of our first date. We were very young so it took us a while to actually name the day.
Perhaps you should ask Colleen if she would make a hot chocolate for you and for the electrician. Perhaps that’s a way of introducing them.
So sorry for your friends and their smashed conservatory at least they weren’t hurt.
I hope the sea is treating Jan kindly.
That’s a nice thing to do with the fireplace tiles. If they are old ones (which I suspect they are) it will a lovely picture to have.
I’m sure your tiles for behind the cooker will be treasured.
Doesn’t everyone want a volcano and saucer in their homes. ?
Hope you and your MIl have a lovely lunch together.
Enjoy your G&T.

Now I too have an image of a propped MrM I hope he didn't get too cold.
5 weeks is a fast romance. I thought we were quick. Met in January, married in April.

I think the electrician is coming again tonight but my matchmaking is all awry. Colleen has retired to her bedroom to do a skype call eat

I am so glad you got a decent night's sleep Doodle what a difference that will make.

I wonder how Jan's cruise is progressing. Do cruises progress?
How is Panache , after the storm?
My DS' friends had a scary time. Roof tiles fell and smashed through their conservatory just beside the kitchen and inches away from landing on one of them. DS was an emergency host last night.

I hope NfkD and muses DH es are ok. What a worry!!

A nice thing:- in my clear-out I found some tiles all broken which had once graced a fireplace in one of my many rooms. My pottery pal has taken them away and is going to rearrange them into a picture tile panel to display in the room.
The DGC came for pottery yesterday and great fun was had by all. They have made tiles for behind the new cooker and a volcano and a saucer both vital additions to any body's home
DMiL is coming to lunch with me tomorrow. That'll be fun.

I'm having a G&T. I think I need it. Tomorrow it'll be back to caffeine- free tea

Wow Mamissimo did you really meet and marry Mr M within 5 weeks? That’s a fast romance.
Your made me laugh with the image of MrM being popped in the bin by Hermès. so many tales of Hermès deliveries (or non deliveries)
Well DH had his first non walking night of sleep for ages last night. Wonderful rest for us both. Mind you I was so doped up on antihistamines I doubt I would have woken if a marching band came through out bedroom. ?
Have a good day all.

Good morning ?

Mr M was unceremoniously popped in the recycling bin for safe keeping by the Hermes delivery man, who kindly sent me a photo of the safe place where he'd delivered Doodles parcel. At least he stopped the bin blowing around yesterday. He seems in reasonable condition so I'll probably ask DS to give him a hand to climb out when he pops in after work tonight. I know he'll behave because it's lamb for dinner tomorrow......

All this talk of the Canaries is bringing back memories- Mr M sailed back from Tenerife in 1976 on my friend's yacht in a Tall Ships Race.. Said friend brought Mr M to the pub where I was two sheets to the wind . We met and married five weeks later. No regrets.......

Perhaps I'll play nicely and let him back in.....?

Grammaretto I have been feeding MrM for 24 hours and he is begging to go home. He promises to behave so I popped him in the post back to Mamissimo this afternoon.
Good thing Colleen is helping with the clearing out. Sorry she missed out on her job.
I’m sure your electrician has taken a fancy to you. Working late at night.
Hope you had a lovely time with your DGC. Did they make nice pots?
Boadicea you must be pleased your DS has such an able partner. Hope he is fit and well for his op and Hope all goes well. Not surprised you are concerned.
Yes it’s such a shame about the Dean. He and his partner will miss the garden they have lovingly looked after for 21 years but I wonder what they will do with all the hens, doves, turkeys, Guinea fowl, ducks, lizards pigs and other assorted animals who have a safe loving home with them. Ooh and collard doves the Dean has those too. I wonder if I should suggest he ships them all to you to add to your collection.
Glad your French lesson went well. Someone bringing you homemade fig jam….is that like coals to Newcastle. ?
Kaimoana I agree animals and birds do grieve. Our last dog used to wander round day and night looking for her little sister after she passed. It was so sad for all of us.
Nfk so sorry your DH has been having chest pains. I know the NHS is in dire straits but I’m amazed he doesn’t have an appointment sooner. Hope he’s keeping ok.
It’s been very blowy here today. I have been out 7 times to tie down my little trees on our balcony and the pots are still moving in the wind. DH and I had to go out to post a parcel at the post office. We found it so difficult to walk against the wind. We were exhausted when we got back.
Jan glad you have arrived safely at Southampton. Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to hearing about it when you get back.
My eyes are very red and swollen tonight. This tree pollen allergy is getting to me. I now have some eye drops and nose spray and hay fever tablets so will dose myself up soon and head off to bed.
Have a good weekend all .

So we have survived storm Eunice and arrived at the hotel in Southampton. Much easier journey than we thought. Yes it was obviously very windy and could feel the wind while driving but no other problems. Bit of a shock when we got out of the car to find how windy it was and b….y cold. But now snug and warm. Embarking tomorrow at noon but ship not leaving here until 2am. That will wake everyone up! Imagine the seas will be quite choppy for a bit - keep taking the pills! Will meet up with our friends tomorrow and see if we can find the other couple who we met 2 years ago. Can’t remember what they looked like!
Oh dear Nfk” hope DH gets on ok and also *MrMuse gets his appointment soon too. What is it with our men? Fingers crossed for Mr D and Mr J and anyone else I have missed!
Wish me luck going through the Bay of Biscay!

Good afternoon All

I haven't looked at GN for a week! And the reason? DH, who's been having chest pains, was talked into getting an iWatch by a close friend. The doctor thinks he has angina but the consultant's appointment (referral a month ago), isn't until the end of March - and then it's only a phone call appointment. So, he now has an iWatch, and the cheapest, easiest iPhone to go with it. He's only ever had the one analogue phone and its being a bit of a "journey"! But, it certainly is proving very useful and reassuring. And, being a cellular one, he doesn't even need to take his phone out with him! Its a wonderful thing. I've told him I'll have it if he doesn't want it - so now he does!

I do hope MrMuse gets his appointment soon, as you say, neither of you want it to become an emergency when it'll be more complicated to sort out and take longer to recover.

That crow with Mr Packham is wonderful Kaimoana. We do underestimate animals. DH has made a new bird table which is hopefully pigeon proof. They're still trying to work it out. Walking around it and trying to gain access from all directions. So far they've failed, but give them time!

I hate it when they take calves from their mums so early. I've seen reports of some, generally organic, farmers who leave them together and just accept a lower milk yield as this is offset by better, healthier cattle going for beef and far less use of antibiotics, etc. The cows are healthier too as they don't have the stress of separation. Factory farming has a lot to answer for.

The door knocker keeps rattling rather loudly and the wind is getting up and gusting more. I hope all will be well for Jan's Jaunt on the high seas.

Absolutely - I suspect that in years to come, when science has made advances in understanding what we have always assumed to be correct, we will have cause to be appalled at the way humans throughout history have treated animals. What we have from our Fluffy Ones is love, pure and simple. not conditional upon food or comfort. Our previous little Mumma Cat, mother of Pudding, was suffering from severe depression at the loss of her kitten, and the delight when we took them both home was so very touching. Picking up the newborn calves and separating them from their mothers, the real grief of the cows was truly awful.
And who could doubt that kea (mountain parrots) are among the cleverest creatures of all. Real problem solvers, nothing deters them from getting at food-opening jars, tins and packets, undoing tent fixtures, removing boot laces just for fun.

No one who saw Auckland University's Clever Crow, would ever say 'bird brain' in a derogatory way again.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gui3IswQ0DI

Human always underestimate animals and birds but as science does more research and experimentation, we are, like the presenter here, amazed. But why?

I watched pair of Pukeo mourning their dead chick for four days and nights. It had been, knocked down outside my house. It was heartbreaking and no one could have mistaken if for anything but grief.

I've seen both sheep and cows deeply distressed at the loss of their babies. Why do we assume they don't have emotions?

Oh, and I meant to tell you about my collared doves. I mentioned that one of them had started to eat out of my hand, sitting on the fence post of the hen run. Then a few days later, she balanced on my hand to eat. Now, they wait for me to come around the back of the garage with the chicken's dinner, sitting on the gravel drive, looking all hungry and pathetic. They've worked out how to be first in with the food. They've got the whole scenario sussed...who says birds are not smart?

Well, what a bunch of busy bees we all are! Everyone seems to be taking their day at breakneck speed. Thank you all for expressing good wishes to DS1 – he’s negative! Just a really bad cold. I hope he has his nebuliser set up and ready to roll. Thank goodness he’ll be able to go to Auckland on Sunday for his corneal transplant…such a worry about his sight. He has a lovely partner who will be driving him up and down, and then taking a week off to look after him post-op – a lovely, caring, practical, down-to-earth farm girl who milks cows, launches her boat, catches fish and guts them, takes her team of dogs up into the bush and walks for miles and miles. He’s in good hands.

Kaimoana - I LOVE your solution to Doodle’s Trouser Troubles. Very ermm…70s. No, you’re on the fig jam list …I would have posted this morning after the dentist, but I had a big box of fruit, eggs and jam to go to the family down south, and it was all I could manage in one hit. I’ll get it in the post on Monday, though I’m afraid the veges are sadly diminished by the storm. I have lots of fresh figs and chillies, though, and herbs of all sorts. Do you need lemons? Not long now till the Lumpy Limes will be ready to go, too. Great you had a lovely time with the Kuia, and are still enjoying your haangi food.

Grammaretto - hmm…Colleen sounds an interesting character. You will really have to try to get the romance going. Your poor sparky, no home to go to, working all these long hours, he obviously needs a good woman. You are so lucky to have someone to –help—force you to do a clean-out. How lovely to have the DGC for pottery! Hope your DGS is having a wonderful time on camp – the weather here is absolutely perfect, so they’ll be in heaven enjoying the freedom. When my DC were younger, they went on camp every year, of course, and invariably every year, someone ended up in hospital with something broken/cut/damaged. All part of the learning experience, until someone started getting all nanny-state about it, in the UK at least. When we used to run our Roman Legion at the prep schools where we were teaching in the UK (so, so amazing!), we wanted to have a campfire in the woods, to cook damper like a legionary (!), we were told we had to have a fire warden, complete with fireblanket/extinguisher, qualified first-aider, and something else present. The barbarian hordes were forbidden to climb trees to ambush the Roman Legion. All the joy, gone, because the two of us, of mature years and considerable experience, were regarded as incapable of ensuring the little boys’ safety. Sad.

Muse - I do hope all is well with MrM. MrJ is also waiting on a hernia operation, which of course he could not have on Monday, owing to a virus (not covid). I just KNOW I shouldn’t have read a biography of Lord Rutherford last week - he was so occupied with being a genius and splitting atoms and all that he forgot about his hernia, and didn’t get it seen to in time. I hope Mya has learned her lesson – it’s a tough one, isn’t it…that chasing/herding instinct is so strong. If it’s any help to your DD and DGD…there’s a member of the family who was ermm…invited to leave school at 15, with no quals, owing to behavioural issues. All he wanted to do was join the army. Which he did, only to be discharged 12 months later, following an injury. At a loose end, he saw an ad for a nightschool class in geology, became hooked, did his school quals by correspondence, studied geology at uni, invited to do his Masters in the USA, wrote a fab thesis…the rest is history. There’s always hope! Well done on spotting the error in measurements! I hope you hear from your DS soon… xx.

Doodle - I am so sorry to hear about the Dean. What a shame, when you have a man of his obvious charisma and spirituality, so essential in a time of trial, but age counts against him. His daily contact obviously meant a lot to so many people.

So, I’ve had an MOT in eyes, teeth, and next will be hearing. New glasses will be ready next week, I hope, teeth fine, except the work done, sadly, by an NHS dentist. Now I find my hearing is going. Ageing is a right pain, isn’t it? At least I’ve escaped the familial hearing issues that go back at least 200 years. Gt Aunt Lily was not allowed to marry her cousin Willy because of it. My DGM, DM, sis, bro were all deaf prematurely, and 3-4th cousins I’ve met on Ancestry are wearing aids in their 20s. Now, all I want is some advice to get rid of the large red pimple on the end of my nose!! Argghh!! I had my French group here yesterday, and they were all like “Oh, you’ve caught the sun, out gardening!” Well, no… How come I get acne in my 70s? Anyone else? We read together a very interesting article about the greatest lies in history – all about Marie-Antoinette and her “let them eat cake” comment. She didn’t say it. Instead, she opened homes for unwed mothers, soup kitchens, adopted orphans. Poor woman, a victim of her upbringing and circumstances. Omicron is rife in our little town now, and we conducted our class outdoors in the shade, no hugging, socially distanced, but still with lots of fun and laughter. One of the lovely ladies brought me a jar of her home-made fig jam …

Hello Gang,
I hope you are coping ok with MrMamissimo and the Dude, my dear Doodle. You won't have much time for anything else

Colleen came up trumps today and helped forced me to part with carloads of stuff.
It was cathartic.

Unfortunately she had bad news about a job application so we had a drink and watched call the midwife. She cooked a great curry and has now retired to her room just as the electrician arrived for his usual kitchen work! I'll never matchmake at this rate.
I offered to write her a great reference if she needs one.
I'm so glad you got back to the elders group Kaimoana
I have the little DGC for pottery tomorrow. Should be fun. They are staying with the other GP for half term who live close by

Have a good weekend everyone.

Tony Hart. Know it would come back to me eventually. Such a lovely and talented man.

Oh muse rather you than me. I had a grass snake in my garden once (yes I know they’re not really snakes) . I couldn’t set foot in the garden for ages. I have a phobia about snakes of any kind I can’t bear to even look at a photo of one. It’s not because I think they’re slimy I just don’t like the way they move.
Hope you are well protected against the storm.
How lovely your DGD is doing well at college. Hope she continues to do so.
Hope your DS and your other DGD are ok.
Kaimoana the elders are obviously trying to keep everyone safe. Good thinking. Glad you enjoyed your lunch in good company.
Yes I will miss the Dean’s daily services. He is a quite unique person I think able to talk without notes in a calm but interesting voice and a joy to listen to.
Er …thanks for your suggestions but I don’t actually see DH (a conservative dresser) being too pleased if his trousers looked like that. Maybe back in the 60s or 70s.
Oh I loved Morph. They always made me smile, and the photo gallery too. I’m trying to remember the name of the fabulous artist that hosted the programme but it’s lost to me at the moment.
Mamissimo ? oh! Well I suppose I can put MrM in the outside cupboard till he stops coughing. There’s a blow up bed in there and the electric and gas meters he can watch for something to do and a couple of old jigsaws. I’ll leave him a flask of hot chocolate and a bit (bottle) of brandy. That should see him ok. I’ll post him back to you asap.
Hope Fergal enjoyed his cuddle ?
Sleep well all.

Good morning ?

Doodle - as promised I've popped Mr M onto the train with a small suitcase of trousers to be shortened and a jar of beetroot chutney for you. It was so kind of you to offer to nurse him while he has this all consuming cough ? I held him down and did a LFT which was negative so it's just one of those trivial old school hacking jobs. He's a tad grumpy but I'm sure a cream cake and some painting by numbers will sort him out!

Can I have him back fully restored ASAP please as he has chores outstanding and there may be a leg of lamb in the freezer? You are a sport! ?

Last night I slept in the spare room....which was great until the huge snow moon started shining in through the blind. This woke Fergal who started boinging around and demanding food. For a speedy solution I gently opened the door to the room containing the cough and encouraged Fergal to cuddle up to Mr M.

I was nice before Covid. I think I need resocialisation training ?

Perhaps it's been at the Seafood Cocktails?

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I'm so glad your dgs is able to go to camp Grammaretto, he'll love it.

I had a call about my elders group last weekend; attendance was dependent upon each member being double vaccsed and boosted, plus wearing a mask.
Fortunately I qualified on all counts.

How different from the BlindLow Vision meeting where not one person was masked and in a small, enclosed room too

We kaumatua had a lovely meeting, lots of smiles and, "So good to see you's".

This followed by a delicious hangi lunch - I could only eat a third of it and brought the rest home.

Oh Doodle you're going to miss the Dean aren't you? I do hate these rules which seem to make little sense and could easily be changed.

All is not lost! Here are a couple of ideas for you DH's trousers.

BJ thinking about you and yours; a worrying time for you my friend.

And muse, what a mixed bulletin you gave us. I do hope naughty Mya learns well, you wouldn't want her to be shot.

Morph was 45 on Tuesday. Here he is with Chas.

Good evening gang,

I just popped in to read a few of your goings on.

Colleen didn't come to the yarn group and actually I am a bit worried about her. I think she may have an eating disorder. She is very thin and never seems to eat much and she has her breakfast before I get up and tonight she cooked me a delicious meal for when I got home but she didn't eat it herself.
We did get through some decluttering at least we made a start
It is blowing a hoolie out there. No electrician today. He'll be back tomorrow.
Lovely news muse about your DGD.

How very sad that the Dean is moving out Doodle - the end of an era.

Earlyish night for me. Night night gang.

Good evening Lobstars ?

I've battened down the hatches and told Mya it will be the shortest of walks soon. It's a reet hooley out there tonight. There's quite a few posts since my last one so here goes:

I keep telling myself the same thing about spring Grammaretto. We have so much mud here again.

Kaimoana I have some tee tree so will try that first on my toes.

Doodle A few foxes, grass snakes ( that lay their eggs in the compost bin) and a wide variety of smaller wildlife. Oh! and birds of course. MrMuse and myself sat outside one sunny summers day listing all the birds he had ever seen in the 45 years of living in the middle of the woods. 24 My favourites are the buzzards and the long tail tits. Good description Grammaretto. It is a life style block. I looked up the definition and apparently if you need a sit on mower to cut the grass then it's a life style block. I use a big Hyundai powerstart mower. I need the exercise so no sit-on one yet. We do have one but it's on MrMuse's to do welding list. Skimmed through the posts to see how dude got on at the doctors Doodle. A big step forward, thank goodness. I also spotted the sewing shorting story. Keep going and Dude will think he has a new pair of summer shorts!

Is the case ready for all the packing tomorrow Jan. Have a brilliant time.

I do feel Mamissimo, that some folks need a reminder that covid (despite all the vaccine they have received) can still be a hard one to over come. Hope your DD2 copes with the return to work.

Sad new about the trees BoadiceaJones but do you have something delicious planned for those pears. Our bowl is full of pears and kiwi at the moment. Catching up on latest news and read about your DS2. Fingers crossed for a -ive result.

Mya is under house arrest at the moment. She decided to chase deer yesterday, got fed up, and wandered off for an hour. A neighbour spotted her in her field, rounding up her ponies, geese and goats. I am taking her back to the scene of the crime when the weather is better to show her how to watch and not touch. She went for one of the geese. No blood but a scared goose. Kind neighbour loves Mya and was as shocked as I was.

I was about to pay for the kitchen and utility units today and spotted an error in some of their calculations. I would need to saw about 150mm off the fridge freezer width to make it fit and have a gap around it. Email is waiting for them in the morning.

MrMuse is waiting for a call or letter about his hernia operation. He says there are people with worse problems than his and they need a surgeon's hands more critcially than he does. True, but I don't want MrMuse to be one of those urgent cases.

Lovely news from my DD. After DGD1's troubled two years at school, she left at 16 not wanting to do A levels and started a B.Tech course at the local college. Her confidence and self esteem has grown and she is now wants to apply to University. She has had merits and distinctions in her studies and although she won't have A levels, the Universities take B.Tech students. A few open day visits have been arranged.

No news from my DS. The gaps between calls are getting longer and longer again.

I will now wake Mya up from her slumbers and grab my torch for that walk.

Stay safe all of you.

Jan like my mother before me, I am not known for being very practical. Hope your cruise is enjoyable. Now have you started that packing yet.?
Kaimoana I see I’m not the only one who has problems with fencing. Mine is now firmly attached and in the process of being stitched in place,
I was very sad today to learn that the Dean at Canterbury has to leave his placement in May when he’s 75. He’s been there 21 years and done lots to the house and planted a beautiful garden while he’s been there. He seemed very sad to be going but apparently that’s the rules. I imagine the thousands of followers he has for his online garden congregation will be very upset. Rain, hail, sleet and snow he has done a daily service without a break since the beginning of lockdown. I think he deserves a medal.

Boadicea sorry to hear your son is not too well. Good thing he can be at home and rest. Hopefully, the results will continue to be negative.
Grammaretto are you sure that electician hasn’t got designs on you, they don’t usually work so late?
I hope Colleen proves to be useful in helping you. I wonder what your yarn group will make of her.
Actually, I did cut the hem off the trousers but it wasn’t too bad as they were too long anyway…..if they are too short I will just wait for DH to shrink a bit more with ageing. ?
So pleased your DGS can go on his trip it would have been such a shame if he missed out.
Hope you enjoyed your wine.

Hello Gang,

The electrician is here working away, the Helper has long since retired to bed. I am wishing I could get to mine.
Colleen is nice, a little odd but aren't we all! She made a good job of cleaning the staircase today and I made a few pots. She likes to knit so I have invited her to the yarn group tomorrow. Unfortunately her techie skills don't seem any better than mine.

Thanks for taking us on your walk home from school Kaimoana Aren't google maps fantastic although the car has never been to my house which is tucked away

You make us laugh Doodle shortening the wrong trousers. I hope you just turned them up and didn't cut off inches!
I am so glad that the Dude had a better night.

My NZ DGS is free to go on his school camp. They sent a photo of a very happy boy, complete with facemask, setting off. BJ gld that the heat and humidity has gone.
I hope you enjoy the cruise Jan

I noticed that the days are getting longer. Spring is really almost here.

I've had my bedtime tea and a piece of cake. Nothing for it but to have a glass of wine.
Surely he will have to finish soon.

It is morning! He sparky has left.

BJ fingers crossed for DS2.

DS2 (the serious asthmatic) has been sent home from work (hospital) feeling shocking. Had a test. No result yet. ...And breathe...

Doodle You had me in fits of laughter with your applique and trousers. Many years ago I had an identical experience with a fence on a wall-hanging until I decided to actually make one from little twigs. Then I sewed in on by hand.
It was a lot more effective than my cack-handed machine efforts - and got better marks

I regret to say the mushroom was anything but magic when I got a proper taste rather than an "Eat Me!" nibble.
I didn't get smaller so had to throw it away.
I certainly would have been better to roll it in paper and set fire to it BJ