The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

Sorry Grammaretto - No, not this weekend but next for Dgs.
Matariki is now a public holiday so it'll be a long weekend for everyone.

Mamissimo Please send emergency parcels of Turnip or Swede. I like both but the former is rare locally, the latter far too expensive. Swede, buttered and black peppered is one of my favourite meals.

Yes indeed, like many indigenous people, Maori were 'woke' whilst everyone else was wilfully Rip van Winkle.

All the eco-friendly things we now feel so smug about adopting, were kaupapa (normal practice) Maori for generations. As was the 'modern' wholisitic attitude to health and educational care - and much more.

I am finally and graciously accepted into Gubbins' family by the gift of a name.
I was invited to Skype and Mamma said to her, 'Who's that?'
'Ammah' smiled Gubbins. I couldn't be more pleased.
She's talking well now and proudly points out her features and items she's using or sees in books.

How evocative your description of those wonderfully quiet early mornings milking, BJ. Cows smell so lovely, unless surreptitiously fed meat by avaricious owners, poor things.
I am rather hoping Karen is well enough to be here today. I mis that sense of ease and companionship I have not yet achieved with her stand-in.
Eye Hospital tomorrow and another poke in the eye with a sharp needle. For which, needless to say I am grateful.

There's a Tui singing on a branch nearby and the sun is shining.

flobbing with no guilt BoadiceaJ . I'm up for that.
I have milked a cow too a few times. She was a lovely shorthorn house cow so quite used to being handmilked. Her humans were away at a funeral and I volunteered, after one lesson, to do the honours twice a day. I didn't have much time for anything else and I had to bring her, another cow and a playful calf in from the field and feed them and then return them. It was around New year so the days were very short and cold but I enjoyed it.
Today was busy and eventful. I went to the pottery festival at Scone palace-pronounced skoon but kept meeting people I knew so spent most of the time chatting. Tonight I went to the cinema to watch the film Belfast .It was rather good.

Ginger and lemon tea for me please Jeeves. I have milk now but I think the chocolate has run out.

Doodle - the Navy Lark was on radio, on Sunday afternoons here. Interchangeable with Round the Horn, The Goon Show, Just a Minute, My Word, and other gems of 1950s-60s British radio genius. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6.15, it was Biggles. I was allowed the portable radio to go to sleep with Paul Temple on Monday evenings.
Thank you so much for the offer of Gladwrapped sunshine, but in reality, "freezing" means hovering around 15 deg. Not that cold really, but whatever would we do without our favourite hobby - moaning about the weather.
My mother milked our house cow, Beauty, every morning, and I loved to help her. It's very therapeutic to lean your head against the warm flank of a cow and breathe in her lovely smell, with the rhythmic "shush-shush" of the milk in the pail. Did you know that Cricket was invented by milkmaids, who used their milking stools as the wicket, and a willow branch as a bat? The old milking stool was a "cricket", I guess they had some time to fill in as they waited for the cowman to bring in the cows.
And yes, the Polynesians were incredibly adaptable and inventive- the greatest navigators of history, leaving the Vikings in their shadow.
Have a wonderfully restful evening, and enjoy the fact that we can, in our autumn years, flob about without feeling guilty, and if we want to fall asleep at any time of day or night, we have earned it! xx

Despite a late night last night I was up early this morning so got time to do some sewing. It all went wrong due to me being too confident that I knew what I was doing without thinking it through. Oh well at least I know where to start next time.
Grammaretto there is always something more interesting to do than housework. Puzzles, reading, browsing, anything other than cleaning. ?
Perhaps we ought to buy a cow so we don’t need to worry about running out of milk. Anyone had experience of milking?
Boadicea I do find it funny when you are talking about it being freezing that we are sitting in the sun here. I will wrap a few rays up in cling film and post them to you ?
What a clever people the Maori are but then many “in the olden days” (as my DGC call them) came up with ingenious ideas.
I hope Samuel isn’t cross that MrBJ has eaten his croissants. ?. The fig jam sounds lovely.
Kaimoana wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could join the class by zoom. I’m sure you and they would have a great time.
I never watched the Navy lark (actually thinking about it was it radio?)
Been a lazy day here. We are both very sleepy. DH fallen asleep twice while I was getting dinner. I wonder what happened to all the energy we had when we were younger.
Hope all have a pleasant evening.

Kaimoana - didn't I show you the gorgeous Emma Bridgewater teapot, commissioned for us by one of our Roman Legion mothers? Emblazoned with "Chiefy and Mrs J, Legio XXXI". It is one of our most cherished possessions, holding, as it does, such amazing memories. He was always "Chiefy" to his "lads", little lads as well as the CCF. Still "Chiefy" when they email him after all these years...

I was sure he called himself Petty Officer, or is it that CPO would be showing off in front of a guest?

Even worse, and you realise my life is at stake (or steak) admitting this - I can't say the words without thinking of The Navy Lark.
'Left hand down a bit it is sir.'

Masses of sunshine here too, unfortunately laced with copious rain, just enough intermittently to soak all the newly-dried laundry. Hee hee.

As I am a life-time and founder member of VU3A, I'm hoping some Zooming can be done.

(Shhh....*Kaimoana*...don't let CHIEFY J hear you call him PO!) His Mum is so proud of his being the youngest CPO in the RN at the time of his promotion . But yes, zooming would be great! Not sure about U3A rules though...
How are you doing? It's become very hot here....I'm in shorts and t-shirt now...

I have an idea - why not Zoom your classes BJ. As you have a resident IT expert in the PO it shouldn't be a problem. Looking forward to it!

I don't believe it! It's cold and raining, thundering and freezing. Snow in the South Island sending its chill as far north as us.
Yet the Met office informs me on my computer that it's 15 deg and cloudy.

Maybe I'm feeling it, as I went out early to the Farmers' market this morning and got caught in the downpour. Sitting by the fire with a coffee, surrounded by dripping cats and mournful chickens peering gloomily in through the windows.

My goodness, even the market vegetables are now ludicrously expensive! I'm glad I have silver beet and spinach coming on well in the garden. I put some kumara (sweet potato) sprouting ends in the garden in late summer, and they have taken off so much that the garden is drowned in vines with huge leaves. There were nightshade plants coming up among them, so I tried to pull them out, dislodging a sweet potato plant in the process. Out came a long root with at least 20 immature finger-sized kumara on it. I wonder if they will mature in the garden over winter? They don't like cold weather, though it is very rarely cold here. The early Maori overcame the problem by building miles of heaped-up stone rows, then covering them with soil and planting taro and kumara on them- the stones acted like a greenhouse, holding the sun's heat. Mind you, that was during the Little Ice Age, and temperatures were lower than the present. Such ingenuity.

MrJ is tucking into Samuel's croissants, with butter and my own fig jam. Yummy.

Good evening Lobstars,
How lovely your long evening with friends sounds Doodle
I also hope your troubles are resolved happily.

I can't offer much other than clapshot for turnips Mamissimo and at least you won't starve. Most of my helpers (French or German usually) seem to think turnips are animal feed.
But those little white ones are quite delicious, in moderation.
All my chard was bolting so I have frozen what I could and consigned the rest to the compost. Likewise the leeks

I hope you are enjoying your weekend Kaimoana . Is DGS staying with you?

I have had a lazy day. My lodgers are away so I have the house to myself for a couple of days.
Why is it I never want to do housework?

The hot chocolate was the best Jeeves but I see there is no milk!

Hello all. Sorry for the flying visit yesterday. Our visitors stayed till gone midnight but it didn’t matter as we had such a good time chatting.
Kaimoana I have heard of geese being security before but not hens. However, I do think your right about Jill she’s certainly keeping her beady eye on you ?
Mamissimo ooh turnip surprise. That brings Baldrik from Blackadder to mind. He always liked a good turnip.
As for your new variety of banana turnips, would they be main or pudding I wonder ?
You are right about let’s. We once owned a caravan which had bookings throughout the summer we bought it. It was a lot of hassle for not much return. I think if you own something like that you can only make money if you are near enough to keep an eye on it yourself and do all the work.
Grammaretto might be more sensible for your Dd to rent a cottage when she wants a break or buy one that’s close by. However, I do know that urge to have a bolt hole and we certainly enjoyed our caravan for several years after we stopped renting it out,
Your wild flowers sound lovely. May we have a photo when they come out?
Oh the lesser spotted Sparky has been round again….with wood…I wonder what he’s got in mind ?
Boadicea glad you and your tenant have worked things out between you. I’m sure in the long run that will be much easier than using the agent.
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Things are ongoing but I live in/with Hope.
Your hens need a book being written about them. Such characters. ?
Your U3A meeting sounds as though there was good but friendly debate.
What a shame Kaimoana and Grammaretto couldn’t have joined in. It sounds as though they would have enjoyed it too.
Have a good weekend all.

Grammaretto - your DF's theory is exactly a major point in my argument. Richard has kind, wise eyes. A rare attribute in Tudor paintings. He looks anxious and stressed, however, a man burdened with responsibility. He had sworn fealty to his brother and had taken an oath to protect his nephews-he was notably pious - I'd certainly place bets that the man in this portrait is utterly honourable. Henry Tudor, on the other hand, looks exactly as he was - a man manipulated by his mother's ambition, devious, a man of hidden corners. He knows he has an extremely tenuous claim to the throne and will ensure that he, and his family, eliminate all rivals. No wonder his son turned out to be such a ruthless, self-aggrandising bully.

I've just purchased Josephine Tey's admirable book, 'The Daughter of Time' to go into my DGS Legacy Box.

It's a convincing argument that Richard was deliberately slighted, not least by The Bard who had to watch his step in that dangerous Elizabethan era.

Sorry had visitors all evening and they’ve only just left. I’m off to bed. Back with you all tomorrow ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202206/medium-917453-richard-third.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202206/medium-609778-henry-seventh.jpg

Who was the leader of the Pedants' Revolt? - Which Tyler
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My DF was a historian and always a defender of Richard 111.
He said you just need compare portraits of him and of Henry V11. I am not sure he said that but something along those lines

Sparky was here very briefly and has just left again. He left some wood. It's past midnight and he's off on holiday now.

Kaimoana - what a pity you were not in attendance - what fun we could have had!!
And yes, it's so easy for things to go badly wrong...and it's all such a hassle, you are right.

Oh, and I meant to say...yesterday was U3A History, the topic "Who Dunnit- Richard III, Margaret Beaufort, Buckingham, or a virus?" The tutor is convinced that it was Richard what dunnit, but as a long-term member of the Richard III Society, I'm equally sure it wasn't. He presented all the evidence for Richard's guilt, (mock trial style), but I leapt to my feet, and insisted that the defence be allowed to speak. Supported by another lady, who had read History 50 years ago. A good time was had by all, members winding both of us up, hoping for a good verbal dust-up - but of course, it's all in good fun. That was followed up by an introduction to the Peasants' Revolt, which he had forgotten to cover earlier. Great stuff.

Who was the leader of the Pedants' Revolt? - Which Tyler...

We've owned three properties: our marital home, my mother's home and DS's - bought when he was 19.
All, due to tragic circumstances, lost to us. Fate clearly does not intend us to be property magnates .

I've always regretted that, my DS would be so much better off today had we been able to keep them.

But Mamissimo is quite right - everything that could possibly go wrong (and a great deal you never even dreamed of) does. These were times I look back on with horror - and we did everything correctly and by the book. Others didn't.

Your stories makes me glad I'm now a pauper living (though paying huge rent) to the avaricious Salvation Army. In my twilight years, I do not want the hassle.

Jill is it BJ? She was also in disguise then

Thank you for your ideas on rentals, folks - all very interesting. Let your DD know, Doodle, that much as a remote cottage sounds romantic and wonderful, there are all sorts of hidden traps for the unwary! Such as finding tradies for things that invariably go wrong - some just won't go out beyond the Black Stump, and if they do, they charge a fortune in travel time. Water supply, septic system, security, insurance, heating, even such things as infestations of mice and other nasties when the place is left vacant for any length of time. Having someone do the management without ripping you off is another issue. You need to go there every weekend to ensure that things are ticking over - a real bind on occasions. We had the glass removed from the storage shed window and a lot of things stolen. Being on the lake, water rats are a real problem. The neighbour, though he denied it, cut down a lot of my wonderful native trees and tree ferns that made the place so magical, and spoiled it for me. The police could do nothing, as he had covered his tracks very well in my absence. So many things that can go wrong. But if you are close enough to maintain it and don't mind it taking over your life, it's brilliant.

And yes, you're right about the agents taking more care if there's more in it for them, Mamissimo. As is happens, we’ve decided to do the management ourselves. The lovely tenant is happy to keep us informed about issues and do DIY himself in return for a lower rent. He runs a whitewater rafting company and wants to stay in perpetuity as the cottage is very close to the river famous for its falls and rapids, and where the world champs were held a year or two ago. Perfect for him. So good outcome all round. I do hope your family issues are resolving, Doodle and that you are feeling better – sending hugs and thoughts.

Grammaretto - isn't it so exciting about the Gloucester? What a find for historians and archaeologists! They did so well to keep it secret for all those years. Your meadow of wildflowers sounds idyllic-and yes, such beautiful names. I do hope all is well with you and your renovations and Sparky. I often think of you and your raw and recent loss and send love and positive thoughts. It must be so beautiful in your part of the world at this time of the year.

Kaimoana - That’s actually Jill in the photo – you know, the big, bossy redhead, named for my DM. She’s the leader of the Mean Girl pack. Doreen is one of her acolytes, who generally does the scouting for Big Jill, and keeps her informed. There’s been a real shortage of laying pellets for chickens since lockdown, but MrJ did his very early Saturday morning foray to the supermarket today and managed to get TWO sacks! My Girls shall eat! Mind you, they do eat cat food, cheese (they’re particularly fond of grated Mozzarella), parrot mix, worms and slaters…Word has got around that there is a 24-hour diner open at ours, and we have flocks of doves and sparrows, and now mynahs finishing off the chickens’ repast. You must be so excited about DGS coming for Matariki! What have you got planned?

Nfk - I hope the patient is making good progress and that all is well at yours. Is the sun still shining and the summer as beautiful as it can only be in England? And especially gorgeous Norfolk.

The amphora shape with the pointy bottom is actually very efficient and space saving on board a ship. They can stack well, each resting on the “shoulders” of the ones around them. Considering they were single-use items and not recyclable for the same purpose, then just the one trip was all that mattered. The broken pots in Monte Testaccio were all oil-carrying containers, meaning that they could not be re-used in construction, so the enormous hill represents only a tiny fraction of the terracotta that actually arrived in Rome. The organisation/bureaucracy/paperwork required just to keep track of the cargoes, let alone the shipping, labour costs, losses at sea…such an incredible civilisation. End of lecture…sorry, but Rome is such a passion for me…

Right, after the rain, the sun is out, the weeds are flourishing, the oranges need picking…time to stop sitting around drinking coffee, and get on with the day. Keep well, everyone. Kia kaha.x

Thanks Mamissimo that is sensible advice.
DD is a romantic though and part of her just wants to own a remote cottage where she can occasionally escape even though the advice is all against that.

I met an old df yesterday whose wife died just before DH and he has just sold the rural family home and bought somewhere next to the station. He was a headmaster and likes to do everything properly. He is 10 years my senior and says it was time.

I planted some wildflowers in my meadow yesterday. They have just lovely names: wood anemone, sea campion, rock foil, cowslip.
Forget-me-not is known in Sweden as Lemmikki which translates as sweetheart or darling.

Lovely to see you NfkD and glad to hear DH's leg is improving albeit slowly.
Such excitement today when it was announced that the shipwreck, the Gloucester, carrying the future King James V11, had been found off the Norfolk coast! I thought immediately of you.

Good morning ?

Just dropping in to add my hap'worth to the renting woes - in our experience you get better service from agents the more properties you have as you're more valuable to them. When I had a single house they were utterly useless but their advice and service when I needed to terminate a tenancy were invaluable. Through circumstances beyond our control (?)we inherited more property and the agent became far more engaged and proactive as it was their while to keep our portfolio.

Grammaretto Holiday let's are the most expensive to run and the most hassle- long tenancies are easier to manage and a modern new build flat the most cost effective. Your DD needs to think through all the implications of the cost of utilities if she's thinking of a holiday let at the moment?

Oops, that sounds very bossy but we found the costs of short lets greatly diminished the returns if we didn't do everything ourselves and that was every weekend gone!

Been a quiet week here as we've been getting the garden under control as it's peak bean season but the turnips have gone bananas.......can I tempt anyone to a turnip surprise? ?

I do believe Doreen is actually a security guard Doodle.
.
Here she is observing me before, I assume, rushing off to report the stranger to the Mean Girls.

Evening all. Went out for lunch with a friend today. We had a nice long natter and for most of the time we were the only ones there. Planning a winter sewing project together.
Kaimoana I can just see you looking like that, especially the bunny slippers ? So pleased you’ll have another visit from your DGS soon. Better start planning what you are going to cook together. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
NFK is there such an hour as four in the morning? ?
Glad your DH is improving. That leg wound is proving to be a bit of a problem. Hope it heals well. Nice you are having people to visit for a chat especially if you’re not going out much.
Baodicea thank you for your kind thoughts. I can just picture you everywhere you go with a pair of beady looking eyes following you. ? Psst Doreen she’s going in the kitchen …do you think she’s getting out supper?
Sorry about your friend. Yes your right we have to count our blessings.
Grammaretto we once stayed in a wooden chalet in a country park in the UK. The lounge had a book in it where visitors wrote their comments. All the comments were about how wonderful and homely the place was. All I remember was that the place was incredibly small and there wasn’t a single table of any kind in the kitchen or elsewhere so food had to be consumed on our laps. I did like the swing seat they had in the garden though. Shame it rained most of the time ?
Thank you for the hug it’s very welcome.

I have zilch IT skills BJ believe me.
Friends used to own a gite in France but gave up renting it out when they had complaints about every little thing. and wanted money back Why someone expects a beautiful house in rural France to be like a tourist hotel is anyone's guess. One objection was that there was no lock on the bathroom door.

Sorry to hear you have family troubles Doodle ((hugs)) I hope all is quickly resolved.
I have puzzled about the shape of the amphora. Another container which I have copied is a South American water bottle. It was designed to keep insects out and fills from the base.