The Lockdown GangSTARS still going

Grammaretto my sheep have gone to join the rest of the flock and I am back with Mark who now has about half a body to go with his head. At this rate I might make Christmas.😊
Kaimoana your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone your name 🤣. What a lovely surprise. Fancy them all turning up like that. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
Hope you enjoyed your time with the Old Codgers and that lunch was good.
Mamissimo I do hope you pass your fitness test. From what you’ve told us of your drill Sargent physio I expect you will be required to do a complete obstacle course wearing full gear and weighted with bricks in your rucksack. If you get through you deserve to get on your holiday.
Who will be looking after your speedy cat and Honey beagle?
Wishing your DD the best of luck with her procedure and hoping things work out well this time. I’m sure you will be a good support however things work out.
Been to church this morning. Not many of us there, they must have all gone Christmas shopping. Walk this afternoon dodging showers and then tomorrow haircut day! Hurrah, I will be able to see where I’m going again.
Sleep well all.

How wonderful your party sounds. Kaimoana. Such fun and laughter 🤪
I still haven't finished my knitting but I have had an offer of help.
I had hoped to have it made for DDs birthday next month but I fear not.

I am also hoping your DD has a good outcome Mamissimo That would be so wonderful.

I met up with my old school friend today. She's just the same except she now suffers from Parkinson's disease which is sad.
She bought a teapot too which was sweet of her.

Well Doodle you are left with Mark for company now the sheep have gone.
You may need to make a friend for him.

If you ever make another sheep Doodle, send one down here, we only have a few billion but none of them are as quiet or as cute as yours

How's MrDoodle? Is he bouncing with health again? I do hope so.

Another good time at the Old Codgers with excellent company and 3 members of the brass band playing carols while we ate Christmas food.

The wild and windy weather with its attendant low temperatures brrrr is dying down a little but by no means reliable enough to hang out laundry - unless you want it to end up in Samoa.

I'm beginning to think my 'bad back' is set in for the duration, so I must be a little more circumspect. Trouble is, if I'm not at my computer, there's not much else I can do which doesn't involve sitting.

Suggestions on a postcard please...

Grammaretto whatever friend Mark has it won’t be another cat I can assure you. Mark has yellow white and black stripes. The white and yellow are fine but the black is so hard for me to see the stitches. I keep having to unpick rows because I end up with one too many or too few stitches. One more round of stripes to do and his body will be done. Phew.
Have you still got the Franglais with you, are they cooking up something nice to eat?
Went to have my haircut today which was good but came out in such a thunderstorm that by the time I got to the car my hood had blown off and I was drenched. Came home, had an early meal and DH poured us a brandy to warm us up. Purely medicinal to ward off colds. 🤣
Have you got much more of the sweater too do? Nice meet up with your school friend. Such a shame about the Parkinson’s.
Kaimoana I’m afraid my woolly jumpers would not survive the heat in NZ . I think their stuffing would melt. 😊
DH is doing well thank you. Very pleased with his cataract op. Keeps telling me all the things he can see now.
Your Christmas lunch sounds lovely. I bet you enjoyed the band. I do like Christmas carols.
Have you seen a doctor with your back? Are there some gentle exercises you could do that might loosen it up a bit.
Does it hurt when you stand up and walk around or is it only sitting? Hope you feel better soon.

Glad to hear MrDoodle is fairing well now and how lovely to hear he can see so much more after the op. Magic.

Did Grammaretto say she was going to England? Is that why she's quiet?

No point in seeing my doctor, Doodle this is a long-term (50 years) problem about which she can do nothing.

It's degenerative arthritis made worse by 2 motor accidents in 1998 and 2000 but I'm fine really - as long as I limit myself to computer time which, as you know, I don't usually do. So, all my own fault really

Yet another week gone by and nothing from the dog lady

Three days in Auckland and I come back to these...
Doreen has been taking sneaky tastings.

On the train which is filling up at each station. A reminder of how empty Scotland is by comparison. i may have to give up one of my seats
I am looking forward to red carpet treatment on arrival Doodle 😍
What a homecoming BJ those rasps look fab, no wonder Doreen had a bite
I'm glad you enjoyed the codgers lunch, Kaimoana

Does Mark's friend need to be black Doodle?
I wouldn't be able to knit that either.

The Franglais managed to remove an ancient rusty drain cover yesterday. It wasn't top of my priority list but they did it anyway. They have cooked meals and put up pictures. They have been brilliant. They'll be wasted as Christmas elves their next job!

Grammaretto, I know that it'll be two years this weekend since your DH died, it will be good for you to be with your England branch of your family. I hope you enjoy sharing wonderful memories together and support one another; support you. Believe me when I say this, I will be thinking of you and I send you the warmest heartfelt cwtch that I can 💐 xx

Been out most of today and now I’m back home but really feeling cold so I’m off to bed to warm up. Feeling really tired so will catch up tomorrow. Hope everyone is ok. Sleep well

Good morning 🙂

We have been given the green light for my birthday trip to Iceland as long as we promise to behave! How hard can that be? 🙂 We are progressing well but can't drive yet so this short trip with a city centre hotel and paid for excursions is luckily permissible. Hopefully we can both drive again in another 2 weeks.

Also luckily we still have Mr M's hormone moment to drive around in because sourcing a new car to replace the one that the idiot wrecked is proving somewhat difficult. We've been quoted up to a year for a like for like! The insurance people have been fab but we've fallen into the soup of supply and demand. Luckily we're good at walking now.......

Thinking of Jan and hoping hard that you've been able to get released back home to your own stuff and surroundings. Doodle I think you're overdoing it!

Sorry I made a flying visit last night. After our meal out (which was lovely) we walked home and I got so cold I couldn’t warm up and I was so tired I just went to bed.
I’m fine today.
Kaimoana I do hope this flare up improves and you can get around easier. What are you like if you just stand up? My son uses a desk at work where he stands up a lot of the time when using the computer. Is this something you could do?
Hope the dog lady is in touch soon.
Boadicea glad you’re home safely and hope all went well at the hospital. Ooh the fruit looks delicious…..might not have been Doreen, it might have been me….raspberries are my favourite 🤣
Grammaretto I hope you’ve arrived safely. I’m sorry it rained so much yesterday the red carpet might have been a bit soggy. I’ve just heard some fireworks going off so assume those must be to welcome you here. Hope you are well settled in.
Lovely post from Cherry I too hope you have the company of your family this weekend and you get comfort from being together.
Mamissimo so pleased you’ve been given permission by the drill Sargent to go on holiday. I know how much you are looking forward to it. Yes new cars are in short supply. Good job you have another on standby. When are you going?
Jan and Nfk know you’re probably not feeling like posting and that’s perfectly understandable but even if you aren’t mentioned every day, please know we are thinking of you both and hoping things are as good as they can be for you. x

Hello lovely people,
Doodle as always thinking of others. How kind you are. Thanks for the soggy red carpet.

Thanks Cherry for your thoughtfulness.
I really appreciate it and you all.
Unfortunately I have arrived with a cold which didn't improve after watching football from the sidelines. DGD was player of the match today. She plays again tomorrow but luckily I won't fit in the car. It's an away game.
Other DGD is getting really grown up. She was out with her college friends, getting her ears pierced and looking for books and clothes in second hand shops. She's also looking for a p/t job.
She has crocheted herself a jacket. I asked her who taught her. She watched u tube videos.

I'm very glad you have the green light to go to Iceland. Mamissimo I have heard great things about that country and good that you won't need a car.
How are you Jan?
I hope you are making good progress on your recovery journey.
The NFKs too. How are you?
DS stood in for Jeeves tonight and brought me tea. He offered something stronger then remembered he had none
Night night 😘

Dr. Kaimoana recommends that anyone feeling they need a boost - and so many Gangstars do at the moment - take Floradix.
It's a pleasant tasting multi-vitamin liquid and freely available.
floradix.co.uk/where-to-buy

Even those with excellent diets can find that when bugs strike, that's not enough. This not an adverts, just based on my own experience.

I know it well Kaimoana good idea.

Good morning 🙂

A not very scientific culinary experiment today at Mamissimo Mansion......I'm cooking Ox cheek in my Instapot on the slow cooker setting. I've had to buy a special slow cooking lid to ensure that I don't get a sloppy mess good results.

I converted the instructions for a normal slow cooker recipe ✅
I got Mr M to check my calculations ✅
I did the phaphy sauté bit to ensure colour ✅
I pressed all the right buttons .......
I pressed them again......
I panicked
Mr M asked whether I'd consulted the instruction book ✅
I nearly thwacked him with a knitted leg of lamb
I actually had read the instructions ✅
I went on Facebook to a support group ✅
A nice lady from Los Angeles told me that it was simple....you have to press the function button twice to change the temperature just for the slow cooker function and that they'd omitted that from the instruction manual 🤬

It's 11.30......I'm drinking the wine that the Ox cheek is cooking in.

I'll let you know how it goes.......

Can't sleep.

I am laughing at the cheeky Ox story.

It's very similar to the (mal)functions on my new cooker. Some buttons respond immediately, others have to be pressed and held for 5 seconds before they wake up and decide to work.
I've known men like that.

I've known men like that🙂
😳

Grammaretto so sorry you’ve got a cold. Hope it won’t spoil your visit. Thinking of you today and hoping being with your family helps.
I find it lovely but slightly sad when our DgC grow up. Lovely to see them making their own way but I miss the childhood games and play. It’s amazing the skills you can learn on you tube. I’ve watched lots of videos to help me with my crochet.
Oh dear Jeeves will have to make sure your sons cellar is well stocked for your next visit. He will sneak you in something stronger purely for medicinal purposes. 🤣
Never heard of it Kaimoana but will look it up.
Mamissimo what fun you are having with your Instapot.
Made me laugh too. Hope it turns out tasty but if you drink enough wine you won’t care. 😊
Oh Kaimoana you do make me laugh 🤣🤣🤣
ixion don’t pretend to be shocked. We know you too well🤣🤣
I’m almost asleep as I type. We spent last night in A&E. DH got into breathing difficulties around 11pm and had a high temperature. I phoned 111 who said they would send an ambulance and much to my surprise it arrived within 30 minutes. Two lovely Irish lads were so kind and speedily got DH kitted up with oxygen and before you could wave a magic and we were blue lighted all the way to hospital and straight into a bed in A&E. Chest X-ray made them decide on chest infection / pneumonia and pretty soon DH was on IV antibiotics and oxygen. He recovered quite quickly and at 8am this morning they allowed him home with more tablets to take.
He seems much better now but we are both exhausted.
Thinking of you all. Take care and sleep well. I’m off to bed before I fall asleep in my chair.

What an awful shock for you both Doodle I'm glad you DDH is now home and feeling better. Ambulance crews are marvellous aren't they?

I hope your cheeks turned out well Mamissimo - you'd have lovely gravy at any rate .

Doodle what a shock for you both! I order bed rest for the pair of you! I'll send a food parcel!

.......but not the Ox cheeks! It was utterly delicious after nine hours cooking! Lovely gravy, mash, peas and carrots. Nom! We had some left over gravy which I'll cook the next one in.

Do please take care of yourselves!

Some sunshine at last as the train arrives at the Border. Berwick is bathed in sun.
This is when I'm glad to be on the train.

That night in hospital must have alarmed you both Doodle. I am glad the Dude was released to your tender care. I hope you both managed some rest.

Lots going on at home to greet me. I even had a call from Sparky last night . He wants the flat to pass its tests - but knows it won't.

The tenant moved in yesterday with help from the potters and possibly the Franglais although he was reported as doing something purposeful outside.

I'll chat again once I get home.

I hope you and your DH had a good night's sleep last night after his, and your, experience at A&E Doodle and he's breathing easier now. On the news earlier today there was a report about the fact that viral infections are rising as we head into this winter, as was predicted after the covid lockdowns. I hope the speedy response of the ambulance service, the treatment he has and the medication he was sent home with means he'll make a speedy recovery. I hope too that you remain well.

You seem to have had a lovely weekend with your family Grammaretto 😊. I hope your welcome home doesn't prove to be too hectic is good too.

How are you Kaimoana? I hope your flair up is easing off I really do 💐.

Still thinking of you Jan and you and your DH Nfk xx

Me? Well ... I think I'm still recovering from the four hour walk with a group of friends last week 😱. Well ... it would have been a four hour walk if we hadn't stopped half way for an hour and stopped again at the end for another hour and half 🤣. I am aching a bit at the moment but it's got nothing to do with serious exertions unless you count lifting four pints of milk 🤷Has anyone else trapped a nerve lifting a carton of milk? I hope not 🤞 it's probably just me because it's a typical me thing. Who'd have thunk it but now I'm typing with one finger 🙄🤣

Kaimoana the ambulance duo were both Irish with that wonderful sense of humour they were soon making us both laugh. They were so efficient and professional. Got DH booked into a bed before we arrived at A&E. So dealt with quickly.
How are you doing, is the pain flare up any easier?
Mamissimo your ox cheeks were obviously delicious. . Must have been the alcoholic gravy that was the finishing touch.
When are you off to Iceland?
Grammaretto leaving us so soon 🥲. Hope you enjoyed your stay down south. Yes we were very tired but ok now. Just glad to be back home as I’m sure you will be when you get there.
Hope Sparky can get everything fixed properly and your new tenant well settled. I wonder what the Franglaise were up to 🤔
Nice photo. Get home safely.
Dear Cherry thanks for thinking of us. We are ok now and DH’s breathing a lot better. We were going on a day trip Friday but I’ve cancelled that. Just keeping him warm and dry indoors. The Gp I spoke to today said once you’ve had sepsis you are more inclined to suffer again so just as well I keep an eye on him with my trusty LED thermometer. It’s shaped like a gun with a trigger so if DH looks like he’s getting a bit hot I can shoot him and find out if he’s got a fever.
Wow that’s some walk you did last week no wonder you ache. Sounds like it was fun though. If you’re going to do weight lifting 🏋🏻‍♂️ then I suggest proper round weights. Trying to balance 4 pint weights with your finger is not the way to keep fit 😊. Seriously though, I hope your finger recovers soon and isn’t painful. Take care please.

You have good people around you Grammaretto must be a relief.

Yes my lovely friend Cherry, I've been perky enough to do 2 loads of washing (out, dried, in again, yet to be folded and put away) and make some banana bread and wrap a whole table full of Xmas gifts and clean the kitchen including the oven and sit here far too long trying to get things sorted with delivery people, then Skyped with an old friend in the UK.

In between I made fish and mixed salad for lunch and did yet another little bit of sorting in the garage.

Oh, and by the way, if anyone is wondering, the Tablet which 3 experts (and myself) thought was duff, is still working perfectly.

Thanks Phil

Good morning 🙂

The very nice man physiotherapist has helped me to sort out some support with travel tomorrow as we can't raise our arms enough to get baggage into lockers.....--hadn't thought of that-- . We took our suitcases for a walk yesterday to make sure we could do that bit but the lifting bit defeated us. We're packing downstairs so that removes the lugging bit and the cab driver will heave them into the boot.

We are very excited people as we've been cooped up for nearly 2 months. I'm hoping we don't have any milk related injuries so that we're hot to trot tomorrow.

We're back in a few days with hopefully aurora photos but it's forecast cloudy Please look after yourselves properly!