The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

Geronimo🥳

Kaimoana, (bowing down as befitting being in the presence of a published author) how exciting it has been watching Trevor grow from an idea into a duck who’s had to fight a few battles with the publishers to get himself into print properly. Well done you.
I will keep a look out for Trevor. After all he’s one of us. 😊
Does he have an ISBN number? Good news on the sales so far. Hope many more will order. Poached egg on toast…..you certainly know how to celebrate 🤣
I didn’t realise the organisation was so big. I thought perhaps a local thing. What an amazing bunch of people.
Grammaretto, I’ve been watching on the news the terrible storms and flooding. Hope your DD and family are safe even though without power.
Sounds like you will have a good evening though. Stay indoors and batten down the hatches.
ixion, I have one of those surgeries where you have to phone on the day to get an appointment. I’m going to try Monday because that’s when my favorite Dr is on and I don’t know the others so well.
Oh Ixion I’m so sorry about your cat. That is sad. All our pets are so precious and we miss them so much don’t we. Was he your only pet?

I am sorry to hear about your cat ixion. We do miss our pets
Our last pet was a cat who I still miss. She had style! I don't miss the tie of a pet, or the vet's bills.

I'm very excited today as I have an appointment for cataract surgery. In 2 weeks!
👏👏👏👍

Suddenly I'm on the urgent list
* after two years *
It's one eye but the other should follow.
I almost put the phone down thinking it was a spam call. Hardly anyone calls on the landline.

DD has power again too so we are currently cheerful

Good morning 🙂

Great news about the cataract operation Grammaretto! my text predictor now pops your name in whenever I type Gram. I had both eyes done a few years ago and haven't looked back...

I wonder if World Books could get a copy of Trevor? I get Australian books from them sometimes...I'll see if I can!

* Doodle I'm glad you're planning to try to see a doctor - those are not symptoms to be ignored! If you need a bossy boots skilled positive outcomes negotiator I have some slots free!*

Ixion I'm so sorry for your loss - H Beagle has no doubt provided a welcome and caught up on the news from home

* Spud has been in hospital again this week with his cows milk allergy. It seems he needs an even more esoteric milk substitute ....and a daily laxative. He's coming to stay on Friday so I will be able to check him over carefully!*

* My biggest news is that out of the blue the area's hottest most accomplished jobbing gardener rang me to say that he has a slot available and would I like to have him.....Mr M has had a shave, changed his shirt and polished his wellies 😂. The French lady understood that I was concerned about insurance if she needed to climb trees to prune them and there iz no 'ard feelingz......*

The sun is shining so I must off to tidy the garden for the new hot gardener....

Wow Grammaretto that’s great news. 2 weeks, fancy that
Thank goodness you didn’t put the phone down in that call.
DH has had both his eyes done and although he was a bit concerned about the process after reading about it he said it was totally painless and nothing to worry about
I Hope you get your second one done soon after too.
Mamissimo I get the same with your name 🤣
Thanks for your offer of help but after all these years of getting help for DH I know the systems well. Hopefully an appointment on Monday
Nice to think of Ixion’s cat and Honey Beagle chatting about the gang.
Sorry poor little Spud hasn’t been well again. I’m sure he’ll be on his best behaviour for his Grandma (Grandad having pre warned him about the leg of lamb 🐑)
Bit of a relief your French lady isn’t coming. I think your new gardener sounds much more like it.
Er , how hot is this gardener……and what day of the week did you say he’d be there?
Kaimona I do hope we can get your book. I saw that the ISBN number is actually at the bottom of the screenshot you took so after 1st November I’ll be on the hunt
Had my Covid jab to day and got drenched walking there and back. No after effects so far 🤞🏽

Endorsed congratulations for your cataract slot, Grammaretto. Nothing to worry about, assuredly - we are a Four Lens household here. My improved vision was much appreciated by Mr.I, in that I could then read the footie scores in the top left hand corner of the screen during Match of the Day for him.
He can now read his own....
Thank you for your kind word about 🐈. He was, I think, our 13th over the decades. After no.12 shuffled off the proverbial, I put my foot down and said 'No more' as the emotional baggage that goes with caring for a pet was now just too great. No.13 pitched up in the garden 12+ years ago and, well, just never went home again. DS adopted him, we were studiously ignored forthwith (by 🐈 not 👨🏼‍🦱). Still painful at the end, but I was deeply touched by Mamissimo's reassurance that HB would be waiting for him🥲.

Doodle, how did your leaden legs hold up for the trip to the Jab Centre? I hope you are unaffected tonight and in the days to follow. Is DH lined up for one? I am hoping that Mr.I takes note of my good advice and waits til he is signed off at his hospital follow up so any ill effects from the jab don't get confused with his current clinical status quo. IYSWIM. Not long to wait snd I don't take him anywhere exciting yet.

A proper gardener, Mamissimo? Super news. I look at our current shower of Garden Services, the Mow and Blow brigade, and wonder what would happen if I were to hand them my secateurs and ask them to prune my Albertine. I hope you form a happy team.

Thinking of everyone, just off to dig out a vest for tomorrow. Right day, right time, right place. Hopefully.

Footnote
13 cats in 45 years. Hasten to add that they were all long lived (to double figures+), sometimes we ended up with a positive cluster , not just singletons😂
Honest😉

Ixion, I’m just wondering how long it will be before number 14 finds you 😊.
DH has already had his Covid a couple of weeks ago so we are all set now.
Are thé Mow and Blow brigade working in your garden or is that the new name for a cut and blow dry 🤣?

ixion Geronimo Goyaałé - an interesting and brave activist.

My goodness Doodle please don't bow, you might get a crick in your back and you'll notice I need to see the podiatrist!
Trev's ISBN 978-1-77543-807-6

ixion what a heartbreak to lose your cat after so long. As I may have mentioned the same happened in my dgs family recently. MissPuss wasn't very old but developed something the vet couldn't cure.

Oh, poor wee Spud - my DS1 (prem in 1970) had a similar problem. No one but 'cranky health food shops' (aka those much wiser than most) had alternatives in those days. So many choices today, thank goodness. Love to his worried parents.

Ooh, do please ask any book supplier and thank you - the more requests they get they more it will be worth their while to buy in.

I'd love to think that dear little Spud would read it with Mummy one day.

Amazon Aus has it on order and Trev is currently at the Frankfurt Book Fair, so high hopes of W H Smith if they get enough requests.

Excellent eye news Grammaretto it will all go like a dream.

Our hot gardeners arrived yesterday and made their usual, devilishly intrusive noises with various cacophonous machines - and mowed over all my pretty daisies. They grow defiantly back in days but I wish they didn't have to be decapitated every 2 weeks.

Kaimoana, it sounds like Trevor is being very daring going to the Frankfurt book fair on his own. I Hope he has pride of place. Oh poor little daisies. I like to see them in lawns. Used to love making daisy chains with my mum and checking with the buttercups to see if she liked butter. 🤣
Been really exhausted today. My heart rate has been around 30 most of the day and I’ve found it hard to do anything. Up early to try and get an appointment with the GP.

This is NOT good, Doodle. We need you at full strength to keep everyone in check.
We will be checking up on you tomorrow for a progress report💐
Take care
Xx

Oh dear Doodle. I agree you must look after yourself. I hope the doctor is able to help.
Sending hugs.

Trevor is flying! You've given him wings Kaimoana.

Tha NZs are still here but hope the buses will run again tomorrow.
They cycled 40 miles today
I went on a Gaelic woodland walk and learned the names of several trees. This is the darrach or oak. Or maybe it's a yew.

Tonight we were at the cinema. A Swedish film chosen by a 90yr old.
The 100yr old man who climbed out of a window and disappeared.

Hello Lobstars, warm greetings from Cherry Cove 🤗

Thank you for your lovely Get Well wishes, much appreciated cwtches and flowers. You really are the best 💞 💐

I'm worried though about You Doodle and You Grammaretto. I hope you got a GP appointment this morning Doodle, that low heart rate Doesn't Sound Good At All. No wonder you've been doing strange things (with the ironing if I it read correctly) and have been feeling faint and exhausted 🤞🤞 you saw the doctor. And you Grammaretto? Have you spoken to the Dr about falling out of bed! You know I fall out of bed and you know why I fall out of bed. I'm not saying that's why you fell out of bed but it's worried me! Please take care. I'm sending You Both my warmest cwtches xx

Kaimoana, such Wonderful News 🥳 Well done You 😊 I've had a look on Amazon NZ and see that Trevor has made it all the way there. The cover looks fabulous, I know the contents will be. A big congratulatory cwtch is wending it's way to you

I've rested and recovered from my stint in hospital. It's great to be back home in my own bed. The woman in the next bed on the ward was friendly but ... kept asking the nurses if it was a brown day or a grey day outside 🤔. She said if it was a brown day she was going home. Has anyone ever heard of a brown day? From talking to her she seemed to have all her marbles, I didn't like to ask what she meant 😆

A message from Doodle says her GP may send her to hospital. If she doesn't leap onto our screens with her usual loving comments this evening, it's because she's getting the care she needs.

Dear Cherry, how lovely to hear from you and that you are out of hospital. One out and one in. I’ve been admitted to cardiology for monitoring for a couple of days so depending on wi fi may not be in touch. I am fine
to all the gang please take care. Hope you are all ok. Much love xxx

HaHa Kaimona, I popped in just behind you. Thanks for passing on my message. Sending love to all xx

Dear Doodle. Sending you hugs and cwtches xxx

I hope there's a simple remedy
I hope the dude will be ok without you. Are your boys rallying round?

Cherry so you've been in hospital but with some slightly odd company
I have never heard of days being described as grey or brown. Socks, yes. Days, no

I may mention my falling out of bed to anyone who's interested. Shall I tell them about the dream when I was attacked by a lion?

The Kiwis got away today. They hired a car in the end since no buses or trains could get them to their next place.

I must write them a review now to include how they taught me the rules of rugby, fixed the bikes, painted a room, dug the garden, chopped up 3 trees for firewood, cooked delicious meals and loads more in less than 2 weeks.

Where's Jeeves? Is he attending to Doodle? I hope so

Jolly pleased you're being suitably looked after, Doodle. As it should be. Do you think Mr.D will be OK? We can sort a rota to go round and do for him, if you think it would help? I hope you didn't have to rely on him to pack your bag. Mr.I once undertook to unpack my shopping. I came across my facial moisturising wipes in the chiller section of the fridge. I assumed it was mozzarella.

One in, one out as they say. Welcome home 🍒. Maybe our team will win with you back in the stands. Can't help with the days thing, sorry.

We must keep a tracker on Trevor, Kaimona. Hopefully coming to a bookstore near us soon.

I wonder if Jeeves has arrived chez Doodle? I have visions of him and Mr. D having a good old chinwag over a glass or two of single malt.

Talking of which, is it your vineyard visit this week, Kaimona?

One out, one in, indeed. I'm just glad you're being looked after Doodle. If anywhere can get to the root of matters and sort you out cardiology will. You're DH will be okay, won't he? I'm sure your boys will rally round, for both of you. Sending love & gentle cwtches xx

Good morning 🙂

Doodle - it's Matron here! Do as you're told, take your medicine and if you're good you won't have to eat hospital food for long will leave in one piece!

With my extensive knowledge of hospitals my top tip is to fill up on breakfast because their chefs don't muck about with it! Skip lunch and get your visitors to bring tasty charcuterie and cheese bits and fruit...and chocolate...and take the jacket potato option for supper - with the hot pudding with custard. That way you avoid the misery of hospital stewed sprouts 🙂

We are awash in blokes fixing the kitchen roof - well one is working, one is having a fag, one's sitting in his van, one's on the phone....and we're two packets of biscuits and forty cups of tea down. Mr M's wallet is displaying cardio symptoms too Doodle - but of the tachycardia rather than the Brachycardia.

The winter manure has been delivered ready for the new hot gardener to fling around with abandon. I shall enjoy watching!

* Trevor hits Amazon on 1st November Kaimoana! I am determined to get a copy in time for Christmas with Spud*

I'm off to join the back of the queue at the post office....I may be gone some time!

Hoping Doodle is making progress, at least you have a few days for tests and results before the weekend when, as we know, everything closes down until Monday. Wishing you the very, very best😍. As you deserve.

How is your leaky roof, Mamissimo? Is Dear Henry coping? Have you been graciously accepted by your New Man? I have been wondering how your genealogy commission is coming along? What sort of time frame do you work to?

You will miss your helpers, Grammaretto. Should we be looking out for them in future international triathlons? As long as they don't oust the Brownlee brothers🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿😆. Not long for your 👀 op. Will you need to make any short or mid term adjustments? I hope the practicalities don't get in the way. My mother's feisty school friend, at 92 and in a residential home ("It is NOT a care home"), was told that she needed to have someone stay over night on coming home. No problem. She gaily tipped her favourite taxi driver a tenner to meet her on the ward and announce that he was her nephew. Job done.
Have you secured a GP appointment?

How are you, 🍒? I hope you are making progress and getting strong enough to get your pompoms out for our team. We jolly well need it😟.

I have been delving into Freemasonry today. There was me thinking it was just secret meetings and dodgy handshakes. I came across, inter al. I must admit, some items left by my mother of said society's regalia. They belonged to my Great Aunt's husband by marriage. I knew him reasonably well as a child (he always called me girlie), my great aunt and, after her early death, his second wife. Sadly, only my mother would acknowledge her, which was a great shame as she was an excellent partner and looked after him really well. I learnt from the census returns that he had been a purveyor of fancy goods.. Hmm, my grandmother retorted dourly. 'He had his own personal fancy goods on the side'😳. I contacted the Museum of Freemasonry in London, in the hope that they might take the items off my hands, but the extremely helpful Registrar informs me that they belong to the Grand Lodge of Scotland🤷‍♀️ and to contact them.

Strange. I was under the impression that he didn't get much further than High Wycombe (home) and Southend on Sea ('lodgings'😉).
Perhaps he purveyed fancy goods north of the border? Who knows?

Hello all. Just a quick post to say thank you for all your kind messages and er yes Matron Mamissimo I promise I’ll be on my best behaviour (not wishing to come in close contact with the leg of lamb)
Ah you must have the same team of workers that we have on our gutters at the moment but our are more talented. They can also sing along with their radio at the same time 😡
Being taken good care of and everyone very nice. DH is doing ok but very tired getting through the list of chores I give him each day
The kiwis did a good job Grammaretto. Who is coming next?
Did I ead on GM you are expecting your English family? That will be nice.
ixion your stories of your mothers friend and the Freemasons made me laugh
Kaimoana hoping Trevor flies this way soon
Cherry thank you, yes DH will be fine. I made him go home early last night quick dinner and then off to bed as the previous day had been so busy
Take care all.

It's good to know that you're being taken good care of Doodle, I hope your DH followed your instructions and was suitably rested this morning. I hope Jeeves hasn't been mithering the, ahem, hospital caterers they're usually bad enough as it is but has brought you some niceties so you can avoid the fayre on offer to enjoy

The NZ couple will be a tough act to follow Grammaretto. Have you got your next helpers lined up?
It was being attacked by lions in your sleep that made you fall out of bed then 🤔 I still think your GP would be interested in the fact that you did fall out of bed --perhaps not so much in the lions^.
I was on a Neurology ward Grammaretto, that probably explains the slightly odd company. Same one I was on a couple of years ago. Saw a couple of the same nurses so I felt at home 😆 Hopefully I'll be back on track now, I don't intend to have any changes to my medication ever again. More trouble than it's worth

ixion, how interesting about your Great Aunt's husband. Are you sure he didn't acquire that Freemason regalia whilst purveying his fancy goods rather than really being a Freemason? Interesting that they were from a Scottish Lodge, perhaps he had Scottish links?
Our team can't do any worse than they did on Sunday can they, so I hope your pom poms are suitably fluffed for tomorrow evening 😁

Hello 🍒. Good to see you, it's very quiet here, isn't it?
It's making me feel a bit well, edgy.

Perhaps we could half inch Jeeves while no-one is around?

Love and thoughts to everyone.

I'm here Lobstars!
At your service. Except my nursing skills are rusty but I could give Jeeves a hand

Was it lions plural attacking me in my sleep? I may have exaggerated. I think it was only one

My next Helper comes from that place in China where the pandas come from. We'll have to go to the zoo and see them before they return to China. I may ofcourse see a lion while I'm there.

A new masonic lodge was built in our town but it was hardly used. Freemasonry is out of fashion here. The building has become an Indian restaurant with added windows

Bring on the hot chocolate. What is the food like in the ward Doodle?
Love to you all.