The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Grammaretto here's the latest update on Zealandia, an eco-sanctuary. It's gorgeous, wish I could get there to see it.

tinyurl.com/4rj7x6du

It has a Facebook page too.
www.facebook.com/Zealandia

Oh Doodle you are a tonic.

I once read a murder-mystery where someone was stabbed with an icicle so by the time the sleuth arrived there was no 'offensive weapon' to be seen.

Good news about HB, Mamissimo.
I don't think Honey Beagle could resist a praline shard and a trail of dog slobber would give away any wrongdoer.

It's only a simple lunch on Monday Doodle not the actual birthdays but I've purchased a Chocolate Mud Cake and will decorate it with a candle or two.

Anna and I will sit and talk and catch up and swap presents.

Jan16, Yipee! lovely to see you posting; you sound to be getting on very well. Keep going, Lass.
I've always been impatient with my recovery progress too - it is so FRUSTRATING sometimes isn't it?

I get angry with myself so it's a good job I live alone

I shall probably be in bed when the NZ New Year strikes but will be celebrating the UK New Year with a friend via Messenger the following day. He was due to meet up with his daughter but she's not well.
I'm the understudy.

See you all next year !

Kaimoana I am still in Christmas model. Getting up late doing one chore a day. Walk, early dinner, playing computer games and going to bed. I will need to get going soon.
Wow birthday on Monday. Hurrah. Hope you have a lovely day. Are you doing anything nice with Anna?
Happy New Year to you too although we’ve still got a day and a bit to go yet.
Mamissimo so please Honey Beagle is feeling a bit better (or was it just a cunning plan to get you to clean the floors)
We are very much fans of the cold meat leftovers with pickle etc.
Hope you have a lovely day with your DD and family tomorrow.
Ooh praline shards. That sounds exotic. Either that or a clue in a murder mystery………It woz the cook wot dun it in the kitchen with a praline shard. 😱

Hello All - yes I am still alive! Like Nfk things are hard at the moment and I am so tired and exhausted it’s unbelievable. Good to hear from Nfk. Have been thinking about her and her DH lots recently and pleased to hear things are as reasonable as can be expected. Love to you both Nfk.
I came out of hospital on Dec 2nd. I’m pretty useless at the moment. My poor DH is pushing me around in a wheelchair as well as doing all the cooking and washing etc. He has turned into a sergeant major wheI do my exercises! Barking at me to do them properly. It’s for my benefit I know but sometimes it’s so hard. Everyone tells me I am improving but it’s so slow. I can take several steps on my own as long as I’m holding on to something and when the physio comes on Tuesday I am to try walking with a stick. Help!! I’m not a patient person and the physios are eternally telling me to slow down and take my time! Annoyingly the stroke appears to have affected my hearing and although I can hear people talking to me quite clearly my ears and head feels full of cotton wool! And if anyone else says to me “it could have been a lot worse” - which I know is true- I might end up in prison for assault!
Anyway I’ve rambled on enough. Thank you all for asking how I’m getting on. I hope you all had a great Christmas and most importantly you have a happy and healthy 2023. x

Good evening 🙂

Pleased to report that H Beagle is a bit brighter today and I haven't had to use the steam mop Maybe she's getting used to the new mushy food.

Mr M and I are thoroughly enjoying our second Christmas at home - the cold meat and jacket potato meal has been banned by the AC as being the worst meal of the year but I love it! I like all the random bits of leftover with a selection of pickles and salads.

Dd1 and her tribe are coming to stay tomorrow so we will have to conform and produce a New Years Eve dinner rather than turkey curry.

The cleaner popped her head round the door as she was leaving today to tell me that there were some cobwebs down the side of my wardrobe but she hadn't removed them because she couldn't be bothered to come down for the long handled duster thing........I think I will have to make her a cobweb map for next week as she usually doesn't see them 🕷️ it could be like a treasure map with her wages a sack of gold at the end 🙂

I may be missing tomorrow as I have to make praline shards and stuff for dessert......

Lovely to see you Missedout and Nfk and hear things are a little more cheerful.

I hope Madame H.Beagle is all right and just has a simple tummy upset.
I know the feeling and I haven't been eating rubbish.

It sounds as if everyone is in post-Christmas relaxing mode and keeping cosy at home.

Here of course it's exactly the opposite.
Xmas is behind us and everyone is gearing up for a wild New Year followed by an energetic Summer.
Makes me tired just reading about what’s coming up over the next 5-6 months.

Anna and I will celebrate our birthdays on Monday. Hers is actually on 16th but due to her work commitments, we are whooping it up early.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone

Mamissimo I hope Honey beagle is ok. Did she eat the turkey?
I like a Christmas dinner at home too. One where we can relax and enjoy. Trouble is we’ve been having a few of those recently 🤣. I think the scales are about to run away and move to a lighter family,
Grammaretto glad your are enjoying the company of your sister and BIL.
You’ve had lots of visitors . Sorry your DD isn’t feeling too good. It’s hard when you have young ones to look after.
Hope you get to see your son too.

Good morning 🙂

We are troubled by H Beagle, who has apparently lost her love for her food and will only eat wet rubbish with predictable results . We think it's her teeth but the vet can't see her until the 4th Jan.....my steam mop and sunny goodwill will be worn out by then!

Today I am cooking a small Christmas lunch for us - it seems that going away for the festivities has led to us feeling that we haven't done Christmas. So turkey crown it is, with pigs, bread sauce etc.........we are certifiable!

Mind you, H Beagle loves turkey so she might perk up 🙂

Very good indeed to hear from the Redoubt.
You all seem to have enjoyed Christmas with the family.
I'm having a good time too with sis and DBiL.
NZ cousin and hubby came to lunch and I force fed home movies of us as young parents. It's good to go down memory lane occasionally.
I had to summon sparky to fix the heating which stopped working in the sitting room.
I assumed I had pressed the wrong button but infact it was a failed battery in the room thermostat.
DD and clan came across from her in-laws and we exchanged presents.
DD isn't very well. She's on antibiotics. DSiL has to work this week and I know she finds life hard with the wee girls.

Your walk complete with fox sounds really nice Doodle. I wish it would stop raining and we could get some air too.
I think we will go to the dump today recycle centre and possibly see DS and his family because he is on holiday from work for a few days.

Sending my love to all the gang.

Missedout nice to hear from you again.
What a jolly Christmas you had with all your family. How nice to have them together for a prolonged period and have a good catch up. You must be worn out now.
Jeeves is on his way. Get the chocolates ready.
DH and I went for a walk today even though it was drizzling. Just needed some fresh air. A fox ran past the front door just as we came out of the building. Didn’t seem at all bothered to see us and trotted out in front of us.
Still eating the turkey although getting a bit fed up of it now.
Oops literally just remembered I’ve got a ham in the back of the fridge that needs yo be eaten soon..
Hope all the gang had a good day.

High gang, just a very short post from the Redoubt, to say that the last of my Christmas visitors have left this evening. DH and I have had a lovely time, with our Northern family staying for several days (including DGD2 and DGS1 ) - I even won a hilarious game of cards (Newmarket - if anyone knows it) on Christmas Day evening and all the immediate family eating together and catching up for many hours on Boxing Day, relaxed and enjoying the first family Christmas together for many years. I can't believe it all went so well and without the expected sibling tensions bubbling underneath.

I'm not sure that I will have the energy to start the clearing up tomorrow and the house feels so quiet.

My best wishes to NfKDumpling and her DH, I hope there is good news on the 9th.

Like Mamissimo we'll also be eating left-overs for some time!

Doodle is Jeeves any use as a launderer? I can offer him several boxes of assorted biscuits and chocolates as an inducement.

Mamissimo glad your Dd is doing ok. You are still going to be busy well into next week. I’m Looking forward to the rest and I haven’t had to do anything.
Cherry hope you had a good day.
Had a good time with DS2 and family but DGS was really not well with cold so went off to bed after dinner. Lovely to see them all though.

Good evening 🙂

I think we spent most of today on the M25 in second gear! It's very good to be home. We had a lovely time but Mr M was desperate to try out his new electric blanket and I can't wait to see what he does with his empty violin case .

The next week is to be spent repeating Christmas (🤢) with various friends and family, ending with a huge fondue party on New Year's Eve. I think we could do with a week on retreat to recover!

DD2 was well apart from tiredness.....so I ended up cooking after all. We could have done the 'normal' thing and had everyone here in one go and it would have been much easier but she was pleased to have us with her for a few days. She'll be eating the left overs till the birth 🙂

It's been lovely to hear from the missed ones but I'd love news of Jan. If you're reading please know that we're here and willing you on - and thinking of your hard journey.

Nfk it's wonderful to hear from you, no apologies for not posting nor reading through are required. Sorry that the chemo is giving Mr Nfk unpleasant side effects but I really hope it's also having the effect it's meant to have. It is good to hear that you are both a bit more settled in thought, keep threshing on together Nfk, keep threshing. Sending you a warm and gentle cwtch x

Dear Nfk so delighted to hear from you.
No need for apologies grovelling or otherwise it’s just nice to hear how you are getting on.
Sorry the chemo is making MrNfk feel so bad but sincerely hope it is having a positive impact. Hope all goes well on the 9th and wishing you both all the best for 2023. Take care x
Cherry I love charades. Not much good at it though.
I had a sore tum last night…….self inflicted over indulgence 🤢
Fortunately went to bed and slept it off.
Well I did have chat with Gemma who is a Labrador. She had a whole turkey (toy) in her mouth but she confessed to be looking for an opportunity to snatch a bit of the real stuff if she could. Her companion in crime, who is slightly smaller and more agile, took his chances when we were getting up from the table, leapt on a chair and stole from the plate ………a Brussel sprout 😱
Your day sounds lovely too. So pleased you enjoyed it.
Kaimoana sorry for the loss of your friend. It’s a lovely tradition to accompany her to her home.
Grammaretto a Boxing Day quiz with the family sounds fun.
Hope you are having a good time. Who did you have for pottery class, was it children?
Are your DSis and husband staying with you or just popping in for a visit? Hope you have a good time.
I have been thinking of Jan too. Hope things are improving
Have a good day all. Off to DS2 soon.

Dear NfkD and Gang,
It is lovely to see you. You don't need to read through, just good to know you are not doing badly.
It's a hard time, I haven't forgotten the 4 years with DH, but there were lots of fun times and plans to make between hospital visits.
Actually a really special time when the outside world and all its cares are miles away
Sending love and hugs and cwtches to you both.

Has anyone heard from Jan?.

Hello, don't faint! It's me! Belated HAPPY CHRISTMAS! Soo many grovelling apologies for not popping in before. I tend to come on line first thing in the morning before DH surfaces, but there's been so much catching up to do while he's not around to keep telling me to stop as it makes him feel bad. Most of the time he doesn't have the energy to do anything, but his brain still wants to and he's very frustrated.

We're not doing too badly at the moment and he's gained an extra week between chemos because of Christmas. We have an appointment with the consultant on the 9th and hoping to maybe get a glimmer of what effect the chemo is happening. The nurses have warned it may take longer though. The side effects from the chemo and transfusions aren't good but he's still troshin on. We're getting into more stable frame of minds now (should that be frames of mind/frames of minds...?)

I hear him stirring, I will read back to find out all your adventures now. I hope you're all well and all disasters have been overcome. 2023 must be a better year!

Yes Doodle I also hope you have another nice day with your other DS.
It warms the heart
I've been zooming with all mine for the Boxing Day quiz
I came last but who cares. I just enjoy seeing them all, albeit virtually.

DMiL joined in but it was very sport orientated sorry Cherry and Ixion so wasn't her strong suit nor mine

It was a cormorant on the river. I have it on good authority SiL.

A round trip to Taupo. Kaimoana that will be a very special journey. What a lovely thing to be able to do for your friend.

I have had rather a lot of red wine this evening so Jeeves I think hot choccie is the best antidote.
DSis and hubby arrive tomorrow after the pottery class. I have left myself plenty to do so I won't be bored.
Nighty night dear friends.

Jolly news from all quarters except Northland, NZ. Boys recover quickly and then look back on all injuries as adventures.

Yes Cherry I think it's Covid wot done for me appetite but it won't last. I can go off food with no excuse, then after a few days I'm right as rain.

I hope your MiL settles Grammaretto, she didn't want to move did she? Lots of visit to and from you will help, I'm sure.
I wish I could see that bird photo, could easily be a stray cormorant but also a Diver? see pic.

Doodle what a wonderful day you had. I do hope today's visit is as good. I suspect it will be, knowing how close you all are.

I'm waiting for a phone call about a 600km round trip to Taupo. One of our senior and much-loved ladies passed away on 24th and we (or someone) will be accompanying her to her home Marae, as is Maori custom. It'll be an overnight stay.

Kaimoana 😯, nooooo, not cryptic at all. As ixion said herself it was because Mr I had taken a hacksaw to the xmas tree in their living room wrecking havoc on their lovely woollen carpet 😬. I had envisaged a massacred carpet chopped to ribbons rather than pine needles everywhere .
Do you know why you weren't able to eat much yesterday? After effects of covid perhaps? I hope you've been able to eat more today.

A sore tum doesn't sound too good Grammaretto, you didn't overeat or poison yourself did you? I'm glad everyone else enjoyed the xmas fare you cooked and that you had a lovely afternoon.
I haven't played charades for years, a family member used to cheat by moving the goalposts so that she and nobody else would win I used to enjoy playing it until it was spoilt.
Your MiL's move seems to have come around quickly, I didn't realise she was moving today. Will it still be relatively easy to see her, as Doodle says you get on so we'll don't you.

I'm glad you had a lovely xmas day ixion. I had to laugh at you trying to help Mr I into his onesie will you help him get out of it is the question 😉

I'm also pleased that you had a lovely xmas day with your DS' and family Doodle. Are there any doggy tales you can reveal after your long chats with the dogs? I hope you have an equally lovely day with DS2 tomorrow 😊

Apart from not realising (for almost an hour) I hadn't turned turned the oven on to cook our dinner we had a lovely day, lovely videos of my great nephews enjoying their Xmas presents and overly long phone chats with family. Stayed up far too late 😴 and woke up this morning far too late 😅

Grammaretto sorry about your tum. Hope you are feeling better today. Will your MIl be far away? You seem to get in so well it will be a shame if you can’t meet up.
Glad your meal went well. Sounds like a lovely afternoon with the family. I love charades.
Lovely photo. Glad you had a walk. If you want something to cheer you up from the sad films, may I suggest Room on the Broom. Family film BBC1. Childrens’ animation but such a good one. The expression on the cats face is wonderful.
Yes Jeeves is back on duty. He’s fed and bedded down the reindeer. Poured a stiff drink for Santa. Recycled all the wrapping paper and is now back here ready to provide beverages for all.
Ooh ixion I love the thought of MrI in a reindeer onsie. I bet that had them all laughing.
Ooh I loved Alan Rickman too. So brooding and handsome.
Hope you enjoy the book and your choccies.

Hello all. Had a lovely day with DS1 and extended family yesterday. Lovely meal and lots of chat with everyone including two dogs.
Been for a walk in the sunshine today and getting ready to go to DS2 tomorrow.
ChristmasCherry how are you? We had brunch today too.
Now just had cold turkey and potatoes. I like that just as much as hot. Hope you are having a good time.
Mamissimo glad you are having a good time. An electric blanket and violin case is a strange combination of presents. Does MrM have a violin is the first question that comes to mind and secondly what happened to its original case if the answer is yes? Is the blanket to keep him warm while he’s out on the streets busking perhaps?
Ooh Kaimoana I’m with you what sort of shenanigans have been going on ont the Ixion household?
Hope you are feeling ok and eating a little better today.
Boadicea lovely to hear from you. So glad you had a nice Christmas Day. Oh your poor DGS. I hope he’s ok. Is he home now?

Hello again gang,
It's almost dark here and has been snowing off and on all day.
Wet snow
Having been grazing on chocolate raisins I decided to go for a walk and saw a bird on the river which I think is a cormorant. Never seen one of these there before.
My DMiL has moved!
They're sitting down to a late lunch in Edinburgh.

I watched Great Expectations on TV today and cried. Ixion . A good weep is probably good for us.
I have a family of 5 for a pottery session tomorrow. I had better prepare.

How's your DGS doing BJ?

Looks like a Christmas of mixed fortunes for the Gang.
ixion hope your carpet is none the worse for wear today.
Nah, Kaimona, it was Mr. I's mechanical chopper what did it.
The only leaking orifices here these days are my eyes - I'll weep at anything at the drop of a hat. Used only to be Lassie .

Good day yesterday. Shared present opening with smalls across the continents. For some reason, Mr. I was not terribly impressed when I said it was bedtime here and we had to go so that I could give him a hand getting into his reindeer onesie😉. No spirit of fun ...

Have eaten way too much but aim to work it all off on the terraces tonight. Wonder if Match Buddy will join me in star jumps🤔.

Prior to that, I am joining the band of strikers (not ⚽️ ones).
I plan to hole up in the sitting room with my box of Hotel Chocolat posh chocs (bit concerned at Himself buying the Slimster box? Yeah, right). My reading material of choice today will be Alan be still my beating heart Rickman's Dairies. Bless all good men.

Enjoy your day - lots of varied activities, I read.

Oh dear BoadiceaJ poor lad. He looks in pain. Let's hope he makes a speedy recovery.

I did the cooking here but only 5 of us. It went well but I am now suffering from a sore tum!!

DMiL is being moved tomorrow into her new home so that was sad news for me to.hear but let's hope it's a bright new chapter in her extraordinary life story.

DS, DDiL the DGC plus dog came in the afternoon and we played charades.

Not sure my gift ideas were so clever. They left them behind! never mind I wanted to read it myself
Maybe a violin case would have been more popular.
I received posh wine and a fancy tin of amaretti.
Has Jeeves recovered from his busy night? Doodle?
If so a nice herb tea will do me and then an early night.
Night night dear friends.