The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

Or this?

Ooer! Mamissimo. At least my Helpers only come for 2 weeks. But on the other hand tell her you adore the Tuileries or Givency or even Versailles or is that cheeky?☺️

A treehouse for Spud would be nice.
Grandad built our wee girls a pirate lookout/fort .

The NZ finished stacking the wood today and they're off on a cycle ride to the beach. I decided to do haggis for tea with NZ wine but alas I was too early at the supermarket and told to wait until I could legally buy alcohol . Oh the shame
.
Then my valuer arrived unexpectedly . I had written Wednesday and I had to do the grand tour.
She was very nice, which isn't surprising I suppose, and she sat and drank coffee with me while managing to tell me how nice my house is but also how I could live somewhere without all the worry and expense.

Sorry to hear about Karen's son Kaimoana. I hope you get to your wine tour and it's very good news about the air purifier

I hope you are feeling better Doodle?
Everything ok at your ixion? How's our Cherry? And Nfk?

*Giverny

Grammaretto, sorry to hear you had a problem in your walk.
Those photos are lovely. Glad someone stayed with you and you got home ok. DH and I walked from the car park into town today. It’s not far. I wanted to do some shopping in Marks. I could hardly put one foot in front of the other my legs ache so much. I’ did make it (the lure of a winter jerkin and new jumper)but it was hard work. Think I’ll see if I can get into the GP next week. My BP is fine though.
Your NZ seem a hard working couple. Did they enjoy the pottery?
Too early to buy alcohol 😱. I’ve never come across that before. You could ask Jeeves what he’s got hidden in his pantry.
Just as well the valuer turned up early. Saved you bothering about tidying up before her visits (not that your house isn’t immaculate at all times )
Yes nausea is better but I’m not 100%. My muscles ache a lot and I tire easily. Hope you have recovered from your walk

Kaimoana, so sorry to hear of Karen’s son. Must be so worrying for her. I Hope she is safe and can get some help for him soon. I Hope your good night is because of your air purifier which may mean better nights to come.
I wonder what is going on in your group. Hope you can sort it out, sounds like someone it trying to make mischief

Mamissimo, that sounds a bit formal. I can just see your running beans standing to attention. The bored beans getting an exercise routine and you being run ragged by an ex Police Inspector. It may be the leg of lamb comes into use on someone other then MrM
Ooh a lovely visit from Spud. Bet you can’t wait.

ixion, how are you and Mr I getting on? That’s some tree house. Wouldn’t mind living there myself …….mind you I’d need a tree lift.
Love the fountain too. Is that Alnwick Castle?

I cannot bear this, folks.
Paragraph after paragraph I have penned and previewed, only to see it has disappeared yet again.

I wonder whether I could type as an email to myself, then cut and paste into the text box here.

Whatever. I am flouncing off

🤬😡🤬😡🤬

Oh ixion, what a pain. Yes that is one way of doing it. I sometimes write something in Notes and copy and paste it. Do you have notes? Such a pain because we are missing your pearls of Wisdom and your lovely humour as it vanishes into the ether.

ixion I often use Word but then I'm on a PC. I have a suspicion the GN prgrams post to go so they have more bandwidth for pesky, money-making ads.

Karen and son are now on an even keel again, thanks to Mental Health workers breaking the rules to help - I better not say how

No, Doodle not a good night but it's no big deal, I'm used to not sleeping.
There is an easy remedy of course, take sleeping tablets every night as a matter of course as all my US friends seem to do. I'd rather just listen to an audio book. Some of them are as soporific as Zonkout

Got the Teacher's Notes from my publisher (how show off is that ??Hee hee)

They are extensive and quite amazing, pointing out "how the author cleverly shows us how working together helps us and our friends." Really? News to me, I just write the stuff -

Trying today a different way. You can't keep a good scribe down.

Sorry to read about the wobbliness of Grammaretto and Doodle's leaden pins. Please do get yourselves checked over. My dear paternal grandmother often used to announce ^I came over all queer^🙄

Do you think, Grammaretto, that the Valuer could sense the opportunity for handling a sale of said property? Cynic that I am. She would probably assist by sending loads of bumpf on their books for a double whammy. Would you need suitable space for your pottery or might that involve hiring out premises nearby to be able to continue?

I think that the Rule Makers are seriously underestimating the strength of the Maori + Hon Mem grannies, Kaimona. Go for it! Go also for the wine tasting trip. It sounds too good to miss and, (truth to tell), I think Jeeves really needs to widen his range of trolley offerings. I have way too many of his bottles of Mateus Rosé now, and, ergo, far too many candles dripping their wax all over the raffia - I think we are a safety hazard. We used to think ourselves so chic and sophisticated in the 1970s. Please could he update his range?
I am excited by the progress your book is making. Will it be out by the time Grammaretto hits your shores, do you suppose?

Yes, Doodle, Alnwick it was🎖️

Mr.I is doing OK, thank you. Noticeably less breathless, except when loading the dishwasher, I have noticed. Curious, that. He has, however, adopted a new rôle, that of coach and critic of any sport we watch on the box. First it was the World Gymnastics (he who has to sit down to put his trousers on), last night he was giving advice to Gareth Southgate in the ⚽️. ^You're supposed to be kicking in the other direction^.
Ever helpful.

Don't ask how our team got on, svp. Wondered why I was getting funny looks on the Tube, en route with my cheerleading regalia and Damart vest.
Arrived, no Match Buddy, in fact no-one at all.
Got the date wrong, didn't I? It's next week.
Hey ho.

If you would like a smile, try this -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-67140523

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-67140523

YAY! ixion the warrior as befits the name.

Be cynical, it pays off.
Suggesting people get checked out (especially here) calls for it.

First, even an emergency appointment takes a week or more to obtain as Karen has just proved (but we all knew anyway)
The alternative is A&E who are so overloaded (because doctors now work only in profit based Practices) that they've gone public begging people NOT to attend A&E if they have a cut finger, headache, queasy tummy etc. (See the hilarious but troubling "You called an ambulance for what!?" by Tim Booth)

In my case, there is the extra hassle of having to find transport, which means the blessedly free St John Shuttle but they can only cope with appointments between 9am and 12:30 - they finish at 2pm but a late appointment can drag out if you have to wait at hospital for a backlog.

Try asking a hard-pressed Receptionist if you can be fit in, quickly, but only during these times.

Once she's calmed down from the hysteria:
"Possibly February 2024, you see we're closed over the summer holidays and don't open until Feb 4th."

All in all, unless you genuinely feel you might not make it to another sunrise, it's simply not worth even thinking about a doctor.
And it is getting worse.....

Today however, is a jolly one for me (I hope) as the library is putting on a Morning Tea for Elders in celebration of this being the UN's International Year of Older People. Something governments around the world have more or less ignored.

Now had it been The International Year of Politicians, there'd be funding for weekly street parties and wine on tap.

Cynical? us?

*Kaimoana, pleased to hear there is better news of Karen and her son. Even better that the MH people have been of help.
Shame you didn’t have a good night. Sleeping pills can help but they also make you sluggish during the day. I’m glad DH isn’t taking them anymore. *
Not many people can say they’ve received something from their publisher. How lovely 😊
Hope the afternoon tea was nice
ixion, I remember the days you could say that without it meaning anything else. DH uses discombobulated now. Whilst typing that, the word discomknockerated appeared on my screen automatically …..I’ve not come across that before……Hope it’s not rude. 🤔
Mateus Rose, ah yes remember it well. Such a pretty bottle. Don’t like rose though so I never had any for my candles. I currently have a bottle (empty) of Cointreau on my draining board waiting for me to decide how I can decorate it for Christmas.
Good to hear Mr I is feeling and breathing better
Opps wrong day for the match. Don’t worry about looking odd on the train. My son and DGS once went to London on the train dressed in blood and gore (fake I hasten to add) for a monsters weekend.

Grammaretto, hope you’ve had a good day. How long are your NZ with you?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202310/medium-731757-img-20231018-165710851-hdr.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202310/medium-214655-img-20231017-101045740.jpg

The gremlins stole my post last night. Grr.
Together we cooked a NZ meal including pavlova and NZ wine last night . My Helpers had performed more Trojan work. They travel north on Saturday I think.
It transpires they are modest members of the NZ triathlon team hence the marathon cycle rides and daily swims and boundless energy.

Ceilidh dancing tonight again. Gosh that comes round quickly.

I am shocked Kaimoana about your lack of medical care

I'm glad your fun filled post didn't vanish ixion! You are a tonic.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202310/medium-293615-whanau-ora.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202310/medium-273070-wellness.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202310/medium-500362-295726176-5605370779514151-7089577806860815299-n.jpg

Do not despair Grammaretto what the health service lacks, Waipareira picks up with their wrap-around services.
They have 3 gigantic vans out in different areas every day, serving coffee and kindness as they promote the free services.
The pictures are of kaimahi (workers) loading up with Wellness Packs and Hygiene Packs to distribute free to any family, of any culture in need.
I’m told they give away approximately 3,000 a month.
Winter Wellness Packs contain: a water bottle, tissues, Deep Heat; panadol, Vicks Vapour rub and throat pastilles, hand sanitiser, a roll of disposable cloths and gloves, wipes and a roll of black bags.
Hygiene Packs contain most of the things distributed during Covid as well as a range of cleaning equipment.
Then there are Family Food packs…..
and even air purifiers!!

Kaupapa Maori or the Maori philosophy is to be inclusive and caring. Strangely enough this was the philosophy in Yorkshire when I was little. You helped one another and there was a strong community which we seemed to lose in the 60's.

Hello!
Just a quickie this evening to say that I have heard from Cherry and she has asked me to get in touch with you all. She has been particularly unwell but is getting better and working towards getting her strength back to read of our doings and respond!

All love 🍒!!!

Thank you ixion and much love and sweet thoughts to our dear Cherry.

And duplicated to our Jan and Nfk

Grammaretto, I hate it when the Gremlins steal our posts.
Ooh I love pavlova. No wonder your helpers are fit. Shame they can’t stay longer, you’d get so much done
Pleased your dancing is back on now. Does it run round to next summer (if you see what I mean)
Your garden looks lovely. So many logs cut. I take it you have a wood burner?
Kaimoana, what a wonderful idea to distribute those packs to all who need them. I notice some of the workers are youngsters. Nice how they’re getting involved. If only all communities helped each other.
Ixion, thank you so much for letting us know about our dear Cherry.
Cherry, if you’re reading this I hope you are on the mend soon. We miss you and send love and cwtches. Jeeves is dashing to your side as we speak….sorry I did try and stop him 😮
Kaimoana, lovely flowers. Yes sending hugs to Jan and Nfk too
I must go to the Doc next week. Not been feeling great and now I think I know why. DH made me wear his Apple Watch for a while and apart from being a bit bossy “Stand up” and “walk” it also tells me my heart rate is very low. Think that might explain he my legs ache so much and I’m not able to do much without sitting down..
I will battle thé surgery Monday to see if I can get an appointment, by which time I should have some results to show them about how my heart is behaving. Bp is fine though
Take care all. xx

Maybe that's why I'm unenergetic too. What should heart rate be at may age? Mine wavers between 69 and 75.

Doodle that's not good that your heart is misbehaving. I hope you can get through reception and see a Doctor.

You're right I shall miss this couple. I do burn logs.

The dancing goes through to the spring. It was very hot tonight but good fun. We are lucky to have a live band.

I've been fretting about the storms hitting the North East. DGD was at a party in Dundee today. Luckily she was brought home safely but someone has been washed away in a raging river.

Thanks for letting us know about dear Cherry 🍒. Ixion I send her cwtches with some for our other Lobstars especially those who are poorly.

Kaimoana your community is really special.

Kaimoana, I think anything between 60 and 100 is ok. Mine has been 33 to 45 for long periods today.
Grammaretto I’m glad your DGD is home safely. I read about that poor woman on the news. The weather looks dreadful. Please keep safe.

Good and bad news from Caledonia (LOVE that song, used to know Dougie slightly)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP8A9rtg0iI

Please take care Grammaretto and your dgc.

We always want to keep our pretty chicken under our wing, don't we?

Doodle Waipareira is a huge organisation as you might guess, so on any day of the week some of the kaimahi/workers have a day off (it's staggered).

These are admin, nurses and other health workers, accountants, people who run the nutrition or parenting, budgeting or mental wellness courses et cetera - and this delivery run is what they do on that day, willingly.

Trevor is in all the bookshops on 1st November.
Here's the Amazon page. If it's not in your area, please request it. Thank you :-)

(end of shameless advertising)

Gosh, it's really happened hasn't it?
And you were with me from the beginnings, bless you all. You will never know how much your support has meant to me.

The book is so exciting Kaimoana.
Well done to you.

My DD and family have no power until tomorrow midday when a generator is coming from Oban to power the village They have a wood burner and candles but cook electric unfortunately.

The NZ are marooned here until the roads open again. We are ok. We are having a bit of a dinner party tonight and watching the rugby. I'm making another pav

My lodger can't come though. She is still crook from her whiplash injury. Poor soul.
How's everyone faring?

Grammaretto that Oban trip sound familiar, do you know someone in Tobermory? I once had a very good friend, Joan Ritchie from there. Richies are an old Mull family.

Publisher says Amazon UK may probably need to be asked to stock Trevor and apparently one can sell via them.
Two things occur to me: a local bookshop chain may be a better bet - do you still have W H Smith?
2. My eyesight is certainly not up to selling anything, in fact it's getting harder to see anything on screen now.

But I'm happy with the response from Niue itself where the radio station has just put in an order for 100 copies. 4,000 was the initial print run by Scholastic.
They haven't told me they intend doing any publicity apart from Book Fairs. Time will tell.

Off to make my usual poached egg on g/f toast.

Things are hotting up on the book front, aren't they, Kaimona? It is getting really exciting now. I do wish you the very best and look forward to being able to source a copy (or two!) in due course somehow!

I hope that Doodle and Grammaretto have been able to secure GP appointments. Not many of us left standing, by the looks of it☹️.

You must have some very excited NZ guests, Grammaretto - the rugby was quite 'watcheable', I believe, judging by Mr.I's helpful commentary interspersed with advice and coaching tips. I wonder if they will still be here for the Final in a week's time?

Is it next week that our Spud comes to stay? At least you won't need to child-proof your home as yet.

Not much more to witter on about tonight. The Ixion household is a bit flat, as our dear cat was put to sleep this afternoon. We continue to 'see' him everywhere: I'd even, at a pinch, put up with being woken up in the morning by his plaintiff cries for brekkie ...

Now to see if I can get this post transferred into the dreaded message box successfully.

Love to all, present and absent🌻