The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

I agree Kaimoana I get excited at Cherry’s match reports but have not interest in football…….it’s the way she tells it ?
Grammaretto after the Lionesses won the World Cup I was in tears. As I don’t like football and couldn’t tell you a thing about it, I was a bit surprised. I felt better after someone told me they were very emotional shortly after having Covid. Pleased to say I’m back to normal now ?
What a lovely time you had with your MIL. Lots of cake by the sound of it. Why do people not turn up when they’re supposed to. Hope your plumber comes soon. Is this to sort out your boiler?
Update on Mark. He is having a nap at the moment as my shoulder aches. Could be the crochet might be connected to my tinnitus problem. He now has two ears and whiskers so should be fine having a rest while I get on with his paws.

Grammaretto I hope the plumber turned up and your boiler is now on its way to efficiency.

I've never been stood up on a date but even worse, they've turn up.



Sorry about your shoulder Doodle - I do think that's connected to tinnitus, mine is affected the same way, especially if I spend the whole day at my computer - which I frequently do.

My right hand using the mouse is connected to my arm and right shoulder taking the strain which is connected to neck and head muscles...and so on.
My tinnitus is exactly like the cacophony of cicadas in summer and when summer actually comes, I can't really tell the difference!!

Here's a link, just imagine a million of them, all at the same time. They are not pretty creatures but have a fascinating life-cycle.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oxXLnwW_GQ

Hello Lobstars,

I can't sleep so have come to see if anyone is about and they are!
Kaimoana and Doodle that tinnitus sounds awful. The sore shoulder isn't much fun either.
Sending hugs.
The plumber didn't come but he texted to tell me he had said Tuesday. He was right.
Since having covid my brain is mush. I'm blaming covid

Hans is organising the next part of his trip. His gf is joining him for a road trip around Scotland. I haven't warned him that snow is expected next week.

My DGD are coming here today. They will probably want to play in the pottery or explore the attic. I want them to pick apples. There are zillions.

Some very sad news I’m Soop’s kitchen tonight. Quite a shock.
Kaimoana yes I’m sure my tinnitus is due to tension in my neck. You will have to be careful how you hold the lead with your new companion or will he/she walk calmly by your side.
I’m quite glad my tinnitus is just a very high pitched whine. Not sure I could cope with cicadas in my ears ?
Grammaretto I think I read somewhere your boiler didn’t come. Hope it gets sorted out soon. Will it do your heating as well as hot water?
Hope you had a good day with DGDs. Did you get your apples picked?

Your cicadas have a repetition in sound mine is just one continuous sound which I think is better.

I peeked at soops kitchen and there is indeed some sad news.

You were right Doodle no boiler yet but the possibility of one coming tomorrow. I hope it will run radiators and heat water. Whether I can afford to run it, is another thing.

The girls never stopped for 2 hours. They decorated the lovely pieces they had made last time and made more.
They picked apples and loved shaking the tree.
I cooked macaroni cheese for tea. Hans had never had it before but ad heard of it. Not something they have in Germany.

Been to church this morning to say a few prayers for all I know (on GN and otherwise) who are going through hard times at the moment. Sadly that’s quite a few.
Came home and had a walk with DH after lunch then prepared some photos to send to a friend, cleaned the bathroom and did a bit of sewing. What an exciting day. ?
I’ve been helping a friend move some stuff around and I ache all over. Not really done anything strenuous just so unfit. Never used to be like this before lockdown.
So Grammaretto has the new boiler arrived? I do hope so. Don’t like to think of you being cold. The girls must have a lovely time with you. Not everyone’s grandma has her own studio. ?
boadicea if you read this I’m thinking of you and hoping you and Mr BJ are ok.
Kaimoana we missed you yesterday. Hope you are ok. Have you been out walking?
Need to go and search our a new series on Netflix. I have just finished Borgen and despite having to read the subtitles I enjoyed it a lot.
I use Libby the library app to select and read books on my iPad. Started a new one today and after about 20 pages thought, this sounds familiar. Went back and checked and it doesn’t say I’ve read it before but I know I have so it must have been before they computerised the records. So easy these days just return the book online and choose another. No need for a library visit.
I still prefer a real book in my hands but must admit I find the app very useful.
Take care all the gang past and present. You might not be mentioned every day but we do think of you a lot.

Grammaretto still may not have her boiler but this Old Boiler is still here.

Artoa (homecare) came yesterday and took us up to Columbus Cafe where dgs treated me to hot chocolate and an orange & ginger scone and I treated Artoa to a Soy coffee.

All had a lovely 45 minutes sitting outside on the terrace in mild weather.

Artoa, hearing I'd made crumble last week for the family, told me she orders it whenever she goes to a restaurant (rarely) so I made her an apple, pear and cherry crumble to take home and heat up for her large family.

On the way out, she asked if I had a plastic spoon (I did) so I wonder how much of the crumble survived to Chez Artoa

As cooking and endless, dratted washing up are my main occupations these days, you're getting the full menu.
Made Butter Chicken with garlic roti and salad for tea. We finished the last of the (home made of course) Cream of Chicken and mixed vegetables soup for supper.

Today we plan to make another huge batch of flapjacks/muesli bars for dgs to take to school over the next weeks.

Doodle my tinnitus doesn't waver.
If you drive down any road in summer here, you will hear thousands and thousands of cicadas in the trees as you travel but though individual insect's sound may waver, this mass sound doesn't - mile after mile.

That's what my tinnitus is like - a consistent creeeeeeeeeeeech.
I've had it so long now I can tune it out, so it doesn't really bother me.

Dgs goes tomorrow, early as Mum has plans to do something special before he goes back to school.

I plan to get back to my book

Hello Gang,

What a sad time for you Doodle with your worries about your many friends.

I like the sound of your gentle daily routine.

The boiler has not arrived but the whole house has been overun with plumbers and Sparky was back. There is scaffolding up and new pipes and cables everywhere. I think I bope they are doing a good job. Saturday was mentioned at one stage as the day for the boiler to go in
Hans is leaving in the morning. He cooked tonight. I asked him if he wanted to try Haggis but he didn't.

You've been so busy in the kitchen Kaimoana making lovely things for your family. They are lucky to have you as mum and gran.
Sorry about the tinnitus.

I hope BJ and Mr BJ are ok.
Is Mamissimo around?

I had an eye test today and am on the waiting list for a cataract operation. It could be a year's wait but I am glad there is a reason why my sight has suddenly deteriorated.
I am still legal to drive but only just.
Have any of you had this? I can't remember.

Yep, I had a cataract op not long since but the other things wrong with my eyes meant it made no difference.

Oh Doodle it's a shame your good deed led to aches and pains.

All looks promising at your house Grammaretto here's to new boilers and efficient tradies.

Dgs staying an extra day

Grammaretto. Yes I’ve had both cataracts done. No problem and you will be amazed at how bright everything is afterwards! Gosh a years wait is a long time. Think I got mine done fairly quickly but must admit I can’t really remember! When they did the first one I was in a wheelchair with my leg in plaster having broken it walking our dog in the woods!
Hope your heating gets sorted soon. Don’t know about you but I hate the house being upside down and overrun with workmen. Fingers crossed you don’t have long to wait.
Kaimoana. So much cooking! I’m impressed. Afraid I’ve got very lazy as I’ve got older! Tut tut!
Doodle. I too looked at Soops after your message. Such dreadful news. So many people in distress now. Makes you realise how you must live and enjoy every minute.
Hope the BJs are ok and also my near neighbour Nfk and her poorly husband. Good to hear from Cherry again. Have a good a weekend as you possibly can everyone

Kaimoana old boiler indeed ?. What a lovely time you had in the cafe. More cooking. I like crumble too ….hint ?
Hope you had a lovely time with your DGS. You’ll miss him when he goes tomorrow (just read he’s staying an extra day. How lovely) Aches and pains are only because I’m so unfit. I need to exercise more.
Grammaretto I hope Sparky completes all his work this time and your boiler doesn’t end up being like your oven. I suggest you chain him to a radiator till your heating and hot water are both working well.
Have you got anyone else coming to replace Hans?
DH has had one cataract done and is waiting for the second. Hopefully that will be soon as none of his glasses are right at the moment.
Jan glad you are pleased with your cataract op. DH can’t wait to get his second one done.
Yes the news in Soop’s kitchen is so sad.
I’m thinking of the BJs and Nfk too.
Always lovely to have some Cherry news.
I may be a bit AWOL for a few days. DH and I are going to the south coast tomorrow until Monday. From the weather forecast it seems we may get a bit wet. If I’m in wi fi contact I will post but if you don’t hear from me you know why. I’ll still be thinking of you all. Jeeves is in charge ?

Have a lovely few days away Doodle.
Are you taking Mark8.5 with you?

The boiler is on the wall!! It's not working quite yet but the team have almost finished apart from Sparky.

I've lent my car to a friend for a week so I hope I don't need it. Hers failed it's MOT, she lives far from buses and has children on half term with her DH in another country.

Thanks for the thumbs up re cataract op Jan.
My DSis has even offered to come and stay to take me to the hospital! in a year's time
Sisters are special aren't they!

I hope we'll survive with Jeeves in charge.

Grammaretto Mark 8.5 is watching the house for us while we are away. ?. I decided he may be contributing to my aching shoulder, neck and tinnitus so he’s been abandoned at home but I will sort him out when we get back.
Had a beautiful walk on the beach this afternoon. After lots of rain it was still and calm. Everything a pale blue. So enjoyed it.
Oh so even though you have no heat you can look at your boiler and pretend ?. Hope it is up and running again soon. You can threaten Sparky with Jeeves and his rolling pin if you like.
Jeeves says you can have extra hot chocolate while I’m away.

I have heat! It's amazing! I keep walking around the house feeling radiators. It's like living in a palace.
How wonderful to be walking beside the sea Doodle

I'm glad you got away but do you trust Mark and Jeeves together? I hope the booze is still there when you get home.

Tomorrow there's to be apple pressing at the new community garden and fruit tree planting. I may go along.

Thanks for the hot chocolate Jeeves.

On an impulse now that I have heating, I advertised my wee flat to let and instantly I had a stream of enquiries.
I have 4 viewings tomorrow. I am a bit nervous.

It has been a lovely day here and I planted an apple tree at the soon- to- be community garden/ orchard.

Very quiet on here. Hoping no news is good news.

I'm hoping so too Grammaretto.

I'm still lurking with intent ?. I've been following the journey of Mark 8.5 and Doodle and The Dude going to the seaside without him, that'll show him typical cat who like to make things awkward , he'd better behave when they get back! I've been in anticipation of you getting your new boiler and been increasingly concerned but now Yay ?. I'm so pleased you can be warm and cosy even if impoverished as a result and have hot water. Probably new tenants too! Not surprised you've got lots of people interested, good places to rent aren't easy to come by anywhere I think. I'm eagerly waiting for Kaimoana to update us now on the rest of her dogs stay wand what else she's been up to.
So lovely to hear from you too Jan. I hope everything with you is okay.

I've been thinking about Nfk and her DH and hoping that they are managing to have some lovely days together ?

I've been thinking aboutPanache and hoping she may come and say hello.
Pretty much like I am doing now, ? everyone.

Oh ... before I go, a big thanks for reading my match report Grammaretto ?, I know you're not a football fan not that any of you are.

Take care all x

What the heck ?.
Why does my preview never work!
I'm So sorry Kaimoana, I most definitely did not mean "dogs stay wand! That was meant to say "dgs' stay and".
I know you've been approved for an assistance dog but they are so well trained I don't think you'll need a stay wand to make him/her stay by your side when you need.

A stay wand would be quite cool though wouldn't it!
Thanks for answering Cherry it's like the answer to the cry "anyone there?"
And you were
I'm heading off to bed soon I am exhausted.
I shall have to tidy a bit tomorrow.
But it's warm! I have turned it all down to the frost control but I know I can switch it at the press of a button.
Now to pay for it.

Well hello all from a beautiful but windy south coast.
Had a lovely walk on the beach this afternoon and watched the windsurfers having a wonderful time.
Heating Grammaretto in time for winter. Wonderful. Hope you get someone for your flat soon.
Hope Mark 8.5 and Jeeves are behaving although quite what a body less and legless cat and a butler can get up to I’m not sure. ?
Thank your for the photos. The community orchard looks pretty. What a nice thing to have.
Hello Cherry ? lovely to see you again. You write such good match reports that even those who know nothing about football can get caught up with the excitement of it. You can really capture the moment. ?
We are off to meet with DGD1 tomorrow for lunch. Be lovely to see her.
Kaimoana hope you had a lovely time with your DGS. And
Cherry’s dog stay wand comes in useful. Always knew Cherry had a touch of magic about her. ?
Thinking of all the gangstars. Have a peaceful weekend.

I'm longing to know how your home looks when you get back Doodle
I haven't started showing people around yet and I'm already exhausted.
Maybe I 'm not cut out to be a landlady.
I keep thinking of the film the Ladykillers with Alec Guinness

Just don't let your flat out to musicians Grammaretto ?
Surely Jeeves' would have kept Doodle's home tidy whilst they're away wouldn't he? If they come back in it's a mess sack him I say ?

I hope you've enjoyed your day with your dgd1 today Doodle and found somewhere nice to have Sunday lunch. Lots of choice there apparently.

Had a lovely time with DGD. We were lucky with the weather as we had to park a little way up a hill from the restaurant. Downhill on the way and uphill struggling to bring ourselves and a huge lunch back up with us. Lovely and sunny till we left the restaurant then quite windy and chilly on the walk back up the hill. We dropped dGD off and drove back to our hotel through a tremendous shower of rain and got soaked getting from the car park back indoors. Been a good break apart from that. Tomatoe looks as though it will be dry and warm so we may stay on till the afternoon before heading home.
Grammaretto I loved that film. Yes, no musicians for you.
I wonder if you could find a potter who wants to use a studio to live there,
Hope you’re feeling nice and cosy now,
Cherry yes lots of restaurants to choose from and we did have a nice time.
I’m sure Jeeves will be on his best behaviour if he knows what’s good for him. Neighbours would be on the alert for any raucous parties so no worry there. Just wonder what Mark and Jeeves might get up to if they rummage in my copious supplies of wool, art and craft stuff…….to quote an old Coronation Street character will I come home to a murial on my wall ?
Kaimoana hope you’re having a good weekend.
Take care all x

Well I’m glad the tomatoes will be warm and dry but I meant tomorrow ?

Another laugh from the Spellcheck on Doodle's device.
You sound to have had a lovely time. Is this the dgs Mark is destined to snuggle up with?

Warmth ! Grammaraetto how comforting it is. So glad you've finally got all the mod cons - the boiler was the last great expense, wasn't it?
Many people have property agents here (paid for by the tenant not landlady) who 'vet' all prospects and weed out the unsuitable or dodgy ones. Would you feel safer doing that?

Dgs had a 3 day extension as there was too much happening with parents to come over and collect him until late Sunday. After he left, I cleaned the kitchen and went to bed, I was exhausted.

Not helped by another fall on Friday but if you are going to measure your length in the street (how humiliating), then best to do it at the feet of a man whose mother, a nurse, has taught him how to safely pick up an old person from the floor.
The kind and soothing words were his own. What an angel.

I am bruised and battered and the knee which hadn't quite recovered from the previous tumble, is once more very painful.
I'll survive