The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Good evening 🙂

I am in trouble.....DS caught me coming downstairs on my b*m and has threatened to tell the physiotherapist that I am cheating. He plonked me on the settee and then lectured me on the importance of being obedient. All the time he was lecturing me Mr M was standing behind him pulling faces and .....I laughed. On reflection not a good idea.......so I tried to explain that I was laughing at Mr M but DS was not for turning. He made me walk to the top of the stairs and down again twice as penance. I will sleep well tonight!

On the plus side the legs are getting stronger and when I do my internet food shop I will order an additional leg of lamb......🤡

Evening all. Been a beautiful day here today, we went for a nice walk by the river and enjoyed the sunshine.
DH has been sorting through a few (thousand) photos and I have been……knitting sheep legs (not ones that would help you though Mamissimo
Grammaretto what were your family all doing in the cellar? Did they find any treasure ? How nice to have them all over for lunch. Glad the Americans proved useful today.
Jeeves will be on standby just in case.
I stopped watching the Crown after the first couple of series. Not sure why. It’s having lots of good and bad press.
Cherry I’m sorry our team aren’t performing well. They obviously need more encouragement.
Mamissimo your son is obviously doing his best to look after you both. It made me laugh him making you go up and down stairs twice. You and MrM are like naughty children…….is he getting his own back do you think? 🤣
Kaimoana what are you up to?
Jani hope you have been exercising over the weekend even if the physio isn’t around.

I had a fit of despondency about the dog over the weekend, having heard nothing since last time Fiona visited, so decided to chance writing rather than continuing to be glum.

Fiona has been away for several weeks it seems but will speak to the assessment team and get back to me. Still the sword of Damocles then

Grammaretto I am sure you are far too efficient to let any jackanapes furrinners burn or dispose of anything important so I'm confident you checked before papers were consigned to the flames.

Your walk sounds lovely Doodle and I hope you keep in touch with Nfk & DH as they need all our love and gentle cwtches.

I'm also sorry to hear Mamissimo and DH are subject to elder abuse after all they've been through. There are People you Can Call and a swift arrest will follow.


Cherry I would very much value a video of your legions of inebriated fans chanting from the terraces. Perhaps you could put it on YouTube?

When you said you were going with a private physio Mamissimo I hadn't realised it was your DS!
shades of Dickens
Just you keep Kaimoana's number handy.

Doodle I think when Mamissimo mentioned leg of lamb, she meant slightly bigger ones - but carry on knitting.

I was showing visiting family the cleared cellar steps - the good work the Americans have done- and wanted them to see the strange abundance of toilets and wash basins down there.
I took Sparky there too where he found a car battery he liked the look of.
I may have to have a cellar sale

I am sorry you are still in suspension re the VAD Kaimoana. I hope you hear soon.

I am having another couple of helpers arriving on Wednesday. Surely these won't be chuckers?

Someone is viewing the flat this morning so I'd better get a move on.

Thoughts are with all our poorly gang members.

Oooh Doodle could you knit a nice firm leg of lamb that I could stuff with lead shot? That would sort the torturers out! But I guess I couldn't eat it to destroy the evidence 😶

Mr M and I have been good today by our standards . We yomped to the veg beds and managed to plant the garlic, shallots and bored beans for next year. We felt the need of a sit down afterwards so we had a nice cup of coffee and a small ish brandy restorative. Just as I sat down the doorbell announced the arrival of the physiotherapist. We copped a lecture about drinking mid morning! The man has no soul.

H Beagle is proving to be a rubbish assistance dog in our hour of need Kaimoana. I dropped a ginger nut yesterday and asked her to pick it up for me. She certainly jumped to it with gusto. 😂

We are wearing little weights on our wrists today and are supposed to swing our arms as we move around.....we find it reminds us of the well built sturdy German ladies who undertake well-being walks with great purpose and who then demolish alp sized portions of sauerkraut.

Must go, DD1 is coming to wash my hair and dry it for me. She says if I don't start doing as I'm told she'll trim my fringe.......😂

Mamissimo in her gardening clothes after a trimmed fringe.
Tell H.Beagle they are nicer dunked first.

Kaimoana we are all hoping you get your dog soon. I do hope they let you have one. It’s not fair to keep you in suspense like this.
We had another nice walk today, not sunny but at dusk we were in the park looking at the trees and it was beautiful and autumnal. My favorite time of year,
Grammaretto I know have 5 legs of lamb, so one full sheep and one lop sided one at the moment. I will post a picture when they are ready for rounding up.
Now that would be novel. A cellar sale. Perhaps you could put some artwork and pottery down there for a different sort of venue. I wonder what all the toilets and washbasins were for.
Perhaps you could use them all for a feature in the garden and fill them with plants……that would be different.
Hope you get a suitable person for the flat soon and also that Wednesdays arrival are a bit more useful.
Mamissimo your work in the garden sounds good progress. The physio should have been pleased. I’m sure the brandy was medicinal.
So pleased to hear that Honey beagle is actively keeping the house tidy to help out 🤣.
I now have a new vision of you and MrM marching round the house with your weights swinging your arms in time. Hope you are both going in the same direction otherwise there might be more injuries.
Ooh not the dreaded short fringe. … I trust you were good but if not,…..I have a large brown paper bag. 😊

Hello Gangstars,
I am impressed too that you've been gardening Mamissimo you must be making progress.

How's Jan? and the NFKs?

The viewing yesterday was too good to be true.
A very nice person who knows this house as she came here years ago when we had the Saturday shop. So I hope no more viewings and she can move in!
The Americans leave today and I know I shouldn't say this but I will miss them.
She is enthusiastic and hard working and he means well.
Keep knitting those lambs Doodle
I'm glad you've been enjoying some lovely autumn walks.

Grammaretto oh I do hope that you have a nice new tenant.
Be good if she takes it. Fingers crossed.
I’m glad in a way you will miss the Americans. It means that despite burning everything and green shield stamps they have been helpful and company.
I hope your new person (coming tomorrow.? 🤔) will be good too.
I had a break from Mark and the sheep today and made some Christmas decorations. I will post a photo.
Kaimoana love the photo of Mamissimo with a short fringe. It’s what I look like when I have mine done too 🤣

My festive duo

I love your festive duo! Doodle

The deposit has been paid so I was able to cancel all the other viewings. There are still things to get done. A Legionella test for example.
My rear lights on my car aren't working. I don't drive after dark but df took it for the weekend and discovered!

I've had a setback with my energy loan but that's another story.
The new helpers arrive this afternoon so more excitement.
She's English and he's French so what are they to be called.

Good morning 🙂

I do not like physiotherapists! They are too goody two shoes and jolly......and relentless! I think they were probably good at sport and team games at school .

Mr M and I are making very good progress according to us but the devil in the track suit seems to think he can boss us around and change the habits of a lifetime turbo charge us! He's upped the weights today and now we sport them on our ankles as well so we look like very naughty on parole type of people. We have also been fitted with fitness trackers......

Our target today is 3000 steps, and five sets of stairs. I'm thinking that Fergal's neck looks a similar size to my wrist so I may put the fitness spy bracelet on him instead of his collar....bet my step count would impressive!

We are determined to get signed off for our trip to Iceland on the 30th.......🙂🙂

Franglais Grammaretto. Miles Kington wrote a whole series of books which I used to own. They were (still are, I suppose) hilarious.

Grammaretto I’m so please your new tenant has signed up. When will she be moving in?
Are the new people a couple or are they just coming at the same time? Hope you all get on well.
Sorry about the energy loan. Hope it all gets sorted out ok.
Mamissimo you do sound like a couple of prisoners. If the next move is to have you in shackles I will start to wonder what you’ve been up too. I see he doesn’t trust you either so you now are being monitored by trackers……sounds more and more like prisoners. At this rate with all the steps too you should be able to run to Iceland.
Kaimoana how have you been today?
Cherry and Ixion any news on our team?
I’ve been to church today then to pharmacy for jumbo medicine collection and coffee this afternoon with a friend.
Back to church tomorrow to help out with the playgroup which is usually manic but good fun. I’m just a big kid at heart anyway.

'Jumbo medication' Doodle do you have elephantiasis?

Maybe Doodle is making elephants?
Lucky playgroup to be playing with her at the playgroup possibly with medicated elephants
I have been listening to the aftermath of the budget aka autumn statement. Don't understand a thing
It is solid rain here. Why do they call it unsettled? Looks settled rain to me
Amber warnings out for floods

The Franglais are baking bread having made a lovely soup
Last night I ventured out with them to the pub where musicians were singing and playing. They loved it
The teachers at DGC school are going to strike .
Parents evening has been cancelled which means that although DGD is in P3, not once have her parents been inside her school!! All meetings have been on zoom

You lot 🤣🤣. No elephants being knitted. I could never manage the trunk.
I am really sleepy today. Got up early again for church and the playgroup. I love watching the children playing. All the little boys running round with toy dolls in pushchairs or prams. Its possible that unless they have a sister they don’t have one at home and it’s something different. Up again exceptionally early tomorrow as DH has to be at the hôpital by 7.30 for his cataract op. Do hope they do it.
I have been a little concerned that all was not well with Kaimonana as her posts have been a bit short recently(although full of wit and fun as usual)
Having contacted her she has given me permission to tell you that her arthritis has flared up quite badly in her back and hip so she is laying down quite a lot and not on the computer much. Hoping things improve soon so I’m sending healing vibes across the internet and one of Cherry’s special cwtches.
Grammaretto I’m hoping your house is on a hill and no flood will come near you. Weather here is not nearly so bad.
Thé Franglais sound good company and the soup and bread sounds delicious.
What year is P3? How old is you DGD? I hope the strike doesn’t affect her too much. Is it just one day?
Jan I’m wondering how you are progressing and if there’s a chance of you going home soon.
Nfk as always thinking of you both too.
Mamissimo so what was todays task. An assault on Mount Everest?

Good morning 🙂

The P.E. Teacher is coming soon so I'd better get the fitness thingy off Fergal . It looks like I've done 13000 steps mainly by swinging my arms . I don't think the physio is that gullible so there may be punishment ahead. My late mother often used to say ""be sure and your sins will find you out" and I rather think they will 😂

So today the tagged two will be staggering up the lane in the sunshine but we can't take the beagle because she pulls too much. It's odd walking out without her. I do hope Kaimoana that you get a dog soon!

DD2 is doing the IVF torture again and has become the devils child through the hormones. The embryo transfer is on Tuesday so all our prayers and good thoughts are with her and her lovely husband. We believe that this will be their last attempt because the stress is becoming too much to take. It's a hellish procedure. They will implant more than one this time to bolster the odds.

I wish you all a kindly comfortable day......

Hello everyone,
Such a lot going on in Lobstar land.
Sorry to hear Kaimoana is in pain. I hope her back eases soon.
Doodle I hope the Dude's operation goes well
i'm on the waiting list for the same so have a vested interest

And Mamissimo jnr is at that nerve-racking place again. Hoping for a happy outcome.

I put myself through the mill yesterday. First the brain gym (Gaelic class) followed by 2 hours of ceilidh dancing. I had arranged to take the Franglais but they couldn't come. They are going to a proper ceilidh tonight.
I sent them to IKEA to do my shopping for me I hate shopping while I took the pottery class.
I still have loads to do before the new lodger moves in (signing forms and getting checks) but just want to have a nap

P3 is age 7 Doodle. Teachers are striking for the day to include parents' evening.

I'm glad you are doing thousands of steps now Mamissimo with a little help from your Fergal.
I hope that Jan is making good progress and that the NFKs are ok.

Off for a nap now.

I hope the Dude's operation went ahead Doodle 🤞
Definitely no news on our team, there won't be another match until boxing day😞 because of some sort of international cup competition in Qatar ... I'll keep my opinions to myself on that one but I don't like it one jot.
Thanks for letting us know about Kaimoana, I was wondering...

I don't like the idea of you being in pain Kaimoana . I would give you one of my biggest but gentlest cwtches if I could, I send you many virtual ones instead xx I hope your flare up eases off very soon 🤞

You've been very busy latelyGrammaretto I'm not surprised that you wanted a nap this afternoon, it's bound to catch up with you. Hope you feel refreshed and all the better for it!

How are you managing Jan? We're all thinking about you and hoping that you've been receiving the physio you need 💐

Nfk, still thinking of you and your DH 💐

As for me .. I've had my own appointments this week. Dentist today don't ask 😶 and yesterday I had my third post-op mammogram. Now I have to wait approximately 8-10 weeks for the results, it's ridiculous gives me post to look forward to in the new year 🙄

Mamissimo glad Fergal has being doing your exercises well.
With such determination you deserve to get to Iceland.
I wonder how many of your neighbours think you are out on parole 🤣.
Your DD is very courageous. It must put you all through so much stress waiting and hoping. Praying for them both.
Hope the PE teacher doesn’t send you for circuit training.
Grammaretto DHs op went well and he’s now pretending to be a pirate with his eye patch. We are both tired as we were up really early, needless to say, despite being there at the crack of dawn he was last in the list. No complaints though he was just pleased to get it done.
The dancing sounds fun if somewhat energetic. No wonder you’re tired. The Franglais sound as though they could be a useful couple and good company. Did they buy what you wanted at IKEA? Hope it’s not all flat packed for self assembly 😱. Age 7 not too bad then as long as they don’t strike too often. I think it’s worse in the exam years. Not helpful to parents who are at work themselves though.
Early night for me too. Jeeves is on his way with special hot chocolate 🥃 . Sleep well all

Quick note to say I may be home the week after next. I’m struggling with what has happened. I can’t walk and left hand is useless. I will be going home with so much equipment it’s unbelievable and not sure we will manage. Sorry - I’m a right misery at the moment. Love to all

Oh Jan, I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. I wish I could put my arms around you and give you the warmest of cwtches right now. Please remember what I said before though, that after having a stroke it's far from unknown that when you've (almost) given up hope and heart and think that you won't recover you can and you do. I'm not saying that means perfectly but I do mean well! Please don't give up hope xx

Doodle I'm glad the pirate Dude had his op 😊. Hope you both sleep well tonight.

Truly sorry Jan that you are sad and anxious.
It must be such a frightening experience. Are you getting physio now? You are strong and will pull through.
Sending hugs xxx