The Lockdown Gang still chatting

How are things today Doodle?

I would LOVE to live in your caravan Grammaretto.
I can still fit comfortably into bunk beds and I don't have a dog so that should work out fine. I would need the horse though, I'm a traveller, the tidy kind, by nature.

Thanks for your kind advice Cherry, I've fired off a letter of enquiry to UK International Pensions.
Rules have changed and everything I can find online says I have no entitlements at all - but it's very confusing.

We used to have a very strong reciprocal agreement with Australia as well, because many Kiwis retire there to join family who moved years before. That's all gone too, as many elders have found to their cost, literally.

I won’t be going anywhere until I know for sure I will not be a financial burden on my son. I can't see anything happening for me before 2024.

History is repeating itself my Mum joined us from UK when she was my age.

Hi. Gramarretto yes I’m improving slowly but it would have been much easier and less painful if I hadn’t broken my wrist! You just couldn’t make it up could you?! The dr sort of manipulated my bones back into line - very strange sensation and not to be recommended but there was a question mark over whether I would need surgery. However went back to hospital for an X-ray on Tues and although the bone isn’t completely straight they obviously thought they wouldn’t spend money operating on someone so old! Suited me fine. Hopefully plaster should be off in about 3 weeks - fingers crossed! Doodle so sorry your DH is having such a rough time. Bless him. Hope the drs manage to make him much more comfortable very soon.
Sorry for short post but as usual I am shattered by 9 pm so off to bed and love to all

Kaimoana Gubbins is getting a little older now so she may remember more as time goes on. I’m glad she was more relaxed the longer she was with you.
Gracious that’s a quick decision. I can’t think what to say, do you have any idea when he’s thinking of going?
I would imagine if you moved back here for good you would be entitled to NHS care. What a lot to consider . It must be an anxious time for you.
Grammaretto so sorry about your friend. Even when it’s a release there is always the loss. Her son must have had a tough time looking after his mum. I expect he might be quite run down for a while and lost without her.
I’m glad you all enjoyed the botanic gardens. Did you have cake in the cafe? Those sort of places usually do some nice cakes.
Cherry no I don’t think they’ll have to stop them for the first procedure as it’s done from outside the skin and not really surgery. We hope to find out a bit more next week when we go for review. So far all we know has come from a phone call and we didn’t really get the chance to ask many questions.
Hope your neighbour gave you a quiet night. We were up and about again although DH didn’t wake me for his second walkabout. Lovely man let me sleep.
My eyes are so sore with the tree pollen. They feel really irritated. I look great. Tired eyes with bags under them and red eyes from the pollen. What a picture 🤣
Hope you and your pillow stay safely tucked up in bed tonight.
Sleep well all.

Sorry Kaimoana only just seen your second post.
I can’t think when you wouldn’t be entitled to help if you came back here to live. Do you know what part of the UK your son is looking at or does it depend totally on the job?
Jan you were already struggling with enough before the wrist fracture. Hope you are not in a lot of pain and the fracture heals well. Are you managing to get about without the use of your hand. Thank you for thinking of DH. We are counting down the days to the cardioversion but don’t have a date yet,

Poor Lobstars. Mostly having a rough time of it. That's awful about your poor wrist Jan.
Where's Mamissimo's magic dust compost?

That's a shame about the changing immigration rules. Kaimoana

I think there is a "granny visa" for 6 months but you can't settle.
Your DS may not want to live here for long. Fingers crossed 🤞.

Tonight was the last dancing class until October. It is really good fun.

Another round of birthdays here. What do you give a 13yr old girl? I can't believe she's going to be a teenager.
I've asked her mum for ideas.

When I was 13 I was horse mad and all my pocket money, odd-job money went on riding. Happy memories.

I'm off to bed.
Night night
Wishing you a good night's sleep Doodle

Grammaretto that will be a long break till October. You’ll miss the dancing. Are there any other activities planned for the spring and summer months? I could send Jeeves up to teach tap dancing. He looks just like Fred Astaire.
Difficult to buy for teenagers these days. They have such different ideas from when we were young. Is she into clothes a lot? Does she like paining or craft things? A bracelet perhaps.
DH has been asleep since 8.30. Poor man is exhausted. I’m keeping out of his way for a bit in case I disturb him. Won’t be up too late though. I quite tired myself. Hot chocolate all round?

Thanks for the chocolate Jeeves. It was most welcome.
I am glad the dude is getting some sleep.
Tap dancing? There's an idea. I will just watch Top Hat instead

We are all tired. I blame the changing clocks, the full moon and insomnia.
And doing too much.

Sleep tight everyone.

It's good to hear your wrist is healing Jan though not so wonderful the torture you had to go through

My eye surgeon gives me Polytears Doodle and my Mum used to have a Witch Hazel solution with a blue plastic eye bath in our first aid cabinet. Old memories

Not such a quick decision by DS really, he's been talking about it for years (long before Covid) and I've always known DiL loved her UK tour and has dreams to one day live there.

DS is looking at London as that's where the high salaries are but the plan is to establish himself first then find a permanent base (not London) so the family can follow and have a home waiting.

Due to the vagaries of the law, dgs will not be able to go directly to UK for 2 years although my Dil is allowed to take him to Australia.

Funny you should mention tap dancing; I've just seen a video of Gubbins trying to tap dance. Perhaps in a former life she was Ginger Rogers?

Grammaretto have you been at the cafe today?
Had a lovely sunny afternoon here. So much better now it’s daylight longer.
You blame the full moon for tiredness. Funny enough I always said I couldn’t sleep around the time of full moon. Perhaps I was waiting to grow hairy paws and go out on the prowl 😱
Kaimoanna does that mean your DIL and the children will have to stay in NZ for another couple of years. That will be hard for all of you being apart from your son. Must have been a difficult decision for him to reach.
I’m sure Gubbins could turn her hand to most things including tap dancing 😊. Not me though, two left feet.

I hope you've had another lovely day Doodle.You need all the nice days going.

I helped in the café indeed and made a sunken lemon cake.
DS and DD arrived with most of their offspring and there was much moving of stuff to be taken back down south
DS has left. I told him if he sold the 15 very heavy boxes of 78s to a collector he could pay for a holiday for us all.
Or if not that much maybe a meal or a drink.😊

The attic must have been groaning under the weight.

DGD who's very sensible thinks I should downsize so I told her I probably will but not just yet.

I'm feeling a bit down now every one has gone. Downton abbey at the cinema tonight may cheer me.

Just come back from a lovely family meal. It was so nice. Our favorite waitress in our favorite restaurant. Really lovely evening. I fell mellow and cosy and happy. DH was determined to go ahead with it despite not feeling 100 % but he enjoyed himself too and was well looked after by our sons and grandchildren.
Grammaretto was the sunken lemon cake a lemon cake that sunk or was it designed to be a sunken lemon cake? Either way I, sure it was appreciated. It’s funny isn’t it after the hustle and bustle of having family with you it’s always a down time when they’ve gone. I don’t know which Downton film you went to see but I’ve enjoyed all of them hope you did too.

I didn’t fall (fell) although I might have done as I had two glasses of wine as our son was driving 😱

Look at it this way Grammaretto Each sunken cake provides a lovely cakey border and a delicious soft centre to have with custard or ice cream. Dual benefit

What a wonderful time you had with family Doodle and so sweet that everyone looked after you and your DH. Even a favourite waitress too; the perfect evening.

I'm hoping Mamissimo is having a great time as well. I'm looking forward to hearing about their gang warfare exciting holiday.

And you Cherry, Jan, Nfk et al how's it going with y'all?

Good evening 🙂

Been a strange few days.....H Beagle took a turn for the worse and seemed to loose control of her feet. We decided that the time has probably come so went to see vet. She spent a long time examining her and suggested we try a month on steroids her not us as it might give her enough of a boost to enjoy herself with all her people next week.

She's now a junkie with the munchies- eating everything, chasing Fergal and even came upstairs. It's still sad as we know it's only temporary but somehow we feel more prepared.

I've spent the rest of my time doing supermarket orders for the holiday - a steady fleet of Sainsbugs cans, orders for us....and obsessively tracking down a missing 4th gt grandmother from Ireland. I reckon Mr M will be having another graveyard tour in Laois in the Autumn 😁

The DGDs have got chicken pox.......it's ok as their DM has a new wine box.... the least we could do to help 🤣 there's nothing like the whine of an off colour itchy four year old......

So nothing interesting going on really......

I served the cake . We have an interval halfway through the film so there are queues for tea and cake. nobody notices
It was the newest Downton "a new era"
An amusing romp.

Sorry to hear that you are losing honey beagle Mamissimo but the steroids will at least be a reprieve.
I hope your poxy DGC are fit enough to join your holiday.

My df has had her DNA tested and is now convinced she and her father are not related. I have been asked to help her to find out who she really is!
Both her parents are deceased and she has no siblings so not easy.
I'm still feeling a bit down . I think it's the anticlimax now the family have left and have their own occasions.

So glad that you have been enjoying some lovely days Doodle

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Grammaretto can you nip up to see your beautiful grand-daughters during the Easter holidays? That should help cheer you.

What did Clint Eastwood say before firing a ceramic bowl ?
"Go ahead, bake my clay."

blog.buyee.com/beautiful-art-japanese-pottery/

My favourite is Hasami yaki.

Some pictures for you and lots of love as well xxxxx

You are a sweet and lovely Lobstar Kaimoana
I am very much cheered thankyou. Partly by the gorgeous weather and partly by visiting a newborn lamb
One of my potters keeps 2 sheep and one lamb, born last night, was hyperthermic as the temp dropped to zero so she was brought inside and is being hand fed.
I watched her climbing to her feet and stumbling around their sitting room.

Oh how wonderful Grammarettto a springtime lamb. Have they bottle-fed a lamb before?
I only ask because lambkins tend to 'pattern' to humans and then think they should be inside all the time even when they are big hoggets .

I am glad you got a boost like that.

Yes the mothers were hand reared lambs 2 years ago.
The lamb's brother is out with mum and 2 girl cousins born tonight.
Lamb is doing well. Teenage DD is an attentive nurse.

Mamissimo it’s good Honey beagle has got a new lease of life even if only for a short time. Must be nice to see her dashing round having a bit of fun with Fergal (even if he doesn’t enjoy it)
Oh dear. Have they all got chicken pox at the same time? I can remember my DGD had it on her 5th birthday. She was so miserable. Your DD will need her medicinal support.
Grammaretto I’ve seen that film. I enjoyed it but not as much as the Tv series. No one gave me cake while I was watching it though 🤔 Sorry you’re feeling a bit down. I get like that if I’d been with family for a while. I miss all the interaction.
Did your Df have a reason to believe she wasn’t related to her father? Apart from the DNA test I mean. How are you going to try and track down who her father could be?
How sweet to be able to see the little lamb taking her first steps.
Will she be kept inside now till the weather warms up? I wonder if her mum wonders where she’s gone.
Kaimoana 🤣 that’s awful .
A beautiful flower. What is it? Pretty colour..
I really like the middle photo. Love the little face nestling in the hands.

A frustrating morning, especially as I am trying to get on with the book and mornings are my best times before the eyes blur and give up.

St John shuttle dropped me at 10.30 for a meeting and was to come back at 1pm (we planned to have lunch afterwards).

When I got inside it was to see it had all been cancelled but no one had told us, plus the restaurant was full of workmen, 'Sorry no kitchen until June!' .

Reception kindly phoned the 0800 number to get the driver back (his next pickup was local) but she held on for 15 minutes (timed) until explaining they couldn't tie up the line indefinitely and hung up. Of course, didn't blame her.

Took a taxi home and rang St John direct to alert the driver not to waste his time going back at 1pm but the whole thing had unsettled me and I couldn't write.

Had home-made fish pie instead and tried again. No doubt I've written a lot of drivel but it can be corrected.

Not tomorrow though as DS is coming to tell me about his new job.

The special tea which was supposed to replace my doomed theatre visit isn't going to happen either but I made an orange cheesecake today - therapy for my wasted morning - so that, shortbread and tiny, crustless tuna and water chestnut sandwiches will suffice.

Hospital Thursday morning and Mepa on Friday so no book work then either but Easter is coming and I shall lock myself in, take the phone off the hook and WORK.


I dare not read about Honey Beagle but glad the steroids helped. Is she lifting weight and growing muscles?

Kaimoana what a disappointment and fancy them not letting you know. Also the cost of a taxi as well.
At least you had the comfort of your fish pie.
Oh has your son already got a new job. That’s quick. Be nice to see him. Sorry you won’t get your Special tea but what you’ve planned sounds really nice.
Hope you get on ok at the hospital tomorrow. We have an appointment too.
Don’t know what to do with DH he’s having such a problem with aching limbs and irritation. It’s night after night and there seems no respite. He’s gone to bed and I think I must join him as I’m afraid he might try and get up on his own if I’m not there and his balance is really bad tonight.
Grammaretto have you been out and about anywhere today? Got any new helpers coming soon ?

What disappointments Kaimoana but well done for always having something in the pipeline to dispel the irritation!
Orange cheesecake yummy 🤩.
And poor dude Doodle let's hope some good comes of the hospital appointments. Fingers 🤞

I had a disappointment too. I phoned the eye hospital to see if there was a chance of getting my cataract surgery any sooner but instead was told though I have already waited 24 weeks I have another 46 weeks until I can be assessed!
The surgery would be 2 years after that
I fear I shall have to go private which is against my principles and beyond my means but I don't think I have much choice. My eyesight is deteriorating and what with the very long queue for a new hip, I need to be able to drive.

Some nice things as well. I was at the folk club tonight and read my DGS latest poem.

I want to sell 2 of my pottery wheels but
When the buyer came we found them far too heavy for us to lift and too wide for the door. I can't think how we ever got them in
Anyway the man is coming back next week with reinforcements.
No more Helpers until next month.

I'll have the bedtime tea now thanks Jeeves and say goodnight.

Gosh, how ever did they get the wheel in Grammaretto? I suppose it was assembled once in situ? Maybe disassembling is going to be necessary.
I can't believe how long you have to wait for cataract; that's unbelievable.

My fingers are so crossed, Doodle I think they may stick together with the fervent hope that someone can help your poor darling.

Here's a picture of my grand-daughter, Hannah, graduating with her Quantity Surveyors Diploma and a Certificate in Maori language.

Yes, Doodle my DS begins a new job after Easter working for the City Council. Intelligence and Policy Co-ordinator - whatever that means but the salary is eye-watering.

He's also just returned from Australia with another job offer which could entail flying to various countries to set up branches of his friend's company. DS and JG started a company many years ago, so they have the measure of one another. DS is thinking it all over.

JG is also director of a hedge fund company, lives in an 11 bedroom house and drives a Porsche, so obviously he's doing something right (in the world's eyes). He is a genuinely nice person though.

DS and I had the most wonderful day today. Without Gubbins we could talk and talk and get all these future plans aired and put the world to rights. Marvellous.

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Here's a better pic of Hannah and family at the Graduation. Just look at those eyes - just like her birth father's.