The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

Grammaretto the tender is much more stable than a surf boat I imagine. No climbing down ladders for us we’d both fall off. The tender which holds about 75 people ties up along side and we just walk along a short walkway straight into it. Helped of course by the wonderful crew who make sure were all safe
I love thé colour of your new hat. I am particularly envious of you very snazzy wool holder
Kaimoana so glad you had your swim. I know how much you love it. Is this with someone who can take you regularly?
NFK I am so pleased to hear you are getting out and about and enjoying things. Are you comfortable driving the camper bubble? Is it difficult to control? What a lovely time with your DD and having your DGS with you on some of the trips too. Not surprised you’re a bit tired after all that
Mamissimo we love Ullapool. Such a pretty place
Oh dear that must have been worrying little Spud getting Covid is not what you want. Hope he and all the family are well on the mend now. Hope you and Mr M are ok for your trip.

That sounds very civilised Doodle. I'm glad you and the dude don't have to clamber down ladders.

I and df put a new taupaulin on the gypsy caravan today as we are expecting the weather to change soon. She then tried to talk me out of going to a conference I'm booked for. I don't know what to do. I don't like making decisions but she's probably right and I should spend that weekend doing something nice

.*I'm going away tomorrow for the weekend. It's an annual family weekend with the Quakers*

DD has bought a 2nd hand electric bike which she loves and what with her wild swimming she is living the dream. her dream anyway and is happy

How alarming to have everyone, including spud and his DP, going down with covid, Mamissimo. Get well soon

Send Jeeves round with the drinks trolly. I am in need

Yes, Doodle, Camperbubble is lovely to drive. I'm all high up and people can see me coming and get out of the way. The only drawback is her weight. I keep forgetting how slow she is coming out onto roundabouts, which annoys Men in Mercedes nipping round too fast! She manual and really makes you feel like you're in charge, unlike my little Yaris which tells me what to do all the time and keeps beeping alarms at me! He even gives me a driving skill score! The old Camperbubble was a lot longer so I had to remember to swing out on corners. Fine for two. This one is shorter and just right for one. And - she fits on a normal sized parking slot. Just! Love it!

Ullapool sounds wonderful. I have no idea what it's like but had always imagined it to be all fishing boats and docklands. I shall have to Google where it is!!

I hope all is well Mamissimo. Memories of such a lovely event shouldn't be threatened by infection. Especially that infection. It's just not right. Hopefully it's only grazed the edges of the gathering.

I pleased your DD has mastered the electric bike. My friends have them and love them too. I had a go and was scared rigid as it ran away with me. I had the same experience with a friends moped sixty *odd years ago. I suppose they're much the same beast.

I think I'll need to get up early tomorrow and water the garden. So much is bone dry although the grass was wet this morning and is growing like fury.

Oh, the asterisks work! Why did I think they only applied to names?

I can sometimes mostly be so thick.

Thank you all for being Bold It help a lot.

When my family had Covid, it was Gubbins who recovered first and quickly whilst her parents suffered Well done Spud

The swim was probably a one-off, Doodle - facilitated by my support worker from Waipareira - Cherrilee, a lovely girl with a very caring family.
Her husband got into the water, ostensibly to help me, although I'd explained I only needed assistance to avoid the trippong hazards: hose pipes, Jandals aka flip-flops and bags strewn about the poolside.
He said to his wife, 'Whaea got into the water and streaked away. I hadn't even done half a lap and she'd done two!'
Cherrilee is going to apply for a pair of Aqua shoes and a toaster for me - to be used separately - unless I can find a use for a toaster while I'm swimming!

Nfk so pleased you got a new Camperbubble. Like Grammaretto's DD you are living the dream (my dream too). Carpe diem or id nunc dum potes, et cetera

I got my author's advance copy of the Daring Duck this morning; made me feel quite emotional and unaccustomedly proud. It look wonderful.

Whoo Hoo! or should that be Quack Quack! Kaimoana.
Living the dream☺️👍❤️

The camperbubble sounds great too Nfk
It gives you freedom

I nearly bought a little Fiat campervan once but restrained myself because it was called ^something Freedom!^
There's a lot in a name as Daring Duck knows

I have a little Yaris but it doesn't have bells and whistles. Mines a very basic model. I don't drive it anymore but like being driven.
I'm getting a lift in an electric car tonight for the camping weekend. I think it's a pod rather than a tent. At least I hope so

Perhaps we should change our name from lobstars to Trekkies going boldly or boldly going forward 🤣🤣
Well yesterday was lovely weather, today I have no idea where we are, the whole ship is enclosed in thick fog/mist and we can’t see out of the windows
Grammaretto DH and I have decided we’re of an age now we do things that suit us rather than what’s expected of us. I’d take your friends advice and what you would like to do
I Hope you have a good time at the Quakers weekend and the weather is nice. I’ve never been in an electric car. They sound so quiet. I Hope you get your pod rather than tent too. Have a great time
NFK we have recently bought a cushion for our car so that we’re higher up. Makes such a difference to vision all round. I’m pleased you are happy driving the camper bubble. Means you can get around places and stay where it suits you
Your new camper bubble sounds a perfect size. I believe you are quite near the sea. Is your bubble equipped with all you need to stay for the day and relax at the coast?
Thanks for using the asterisks. Our Kaimoana has been such an integral part of our gang for so long I’d hate for her to miss out on our chat if we can help in any way 😊
Kaimoana so pleased you got your swim. Just hope you can manage it more often with some kind helpers. You are obviously very at home in the water. Cherrilee and he husband sound nice people. No please don’t use the toaster in the water 🤣. You should be proud. So pleased Trevor is now in print despite the efforts of the interfering publisher (it is Trevor isn’t it? My mind often makes things up)
Have a good day all. Hoping the Mammissimo gang are all on the mend. Cherry always thinking of you too. Hope you’re ok. Take care all

we do things that suit us rather than what’s expected of us Well done the Doodles.

Gubbins in the fruit shop. 'May I have a lollipop?' (the tooth-rotting sugary kind).

Daddy: 'No, Sweetheart, sorry.' (she'd already chose an apple.)

Gubbins: (hands on hips. 'That's outrageous!'

I think she's 25 not 2 and a half.

Later: 'Can we go to the playground?'
Daddy: 'Yes, in 5 minutes.'

Gubbins to me: 'We only go to the little playground, not the big one, sorry Grandma.'

Can you see me on the swings and roundabout?

Kaimoana oh that made me laugh. I can see you in Gubbins? In her looks and her humour and chat. She’s obviously warmed to you now as she’s getting a little older
Had a lovely PM from Cherry yesterday. She sends her love to all the gang but isn’t able to write much at the moment. As she says, having trouble with her worbles. Hopefully, things will improve for her soon and we can have the pleasure of her company again
Heatwave in the UK but raining here. Another fantastic send off from Scotland last night Grammaretto. A band (bagpipes and kilts) on the quayside played for us for over an hour till we sailed away. Such a lovely treat

Gubbins does make me laugh too, Kaimona. Proper old fashioned my dear Gran used to say. I am full of admiration for a child who knows to say 'May I?' rather than 'Can I? It's so exciting to hear that Trevor (yes? --if not, blame Doodle above--) is taking off. Please keep us posted. Your support worker sounds a huge asset - let's hope she opens up a whole range of longed-for activities for you.

Did you go on your weekend away, Grammaretto? I hope pods are the order of the day and that you return rested. During our impecunious days when the children were little, we used to hire a neighbours' touring caravan, based on a rural site on Anglesey. Small, but beautifully proportioned, they were truly happy times. So much time to respond to the surroundings, zero housekeeping and the simplest of meals. Like the olden days.
A friend has a boxy second hand Citröen Berlingo. She uses it as the family and business car, but has it equipped so that she can use it as a camper van, at least for sleeping, cooking and washing, while using the campsites' facilities. She loves the freedom it brings her. She reckons the dog is a good deterrent, if necessary, hut I am not so sure. It's a soppy ha'porth.

I hope the cruising continues to reward, Doodle, and that the mists have been lifting for you. How's the poorly 🦵?
I will close now, wishing everyone well. It'll take me as long again to correct and amend the , ^^, --, * to ensure legibility.

* On the assumption that anyone reads it *

*How are you, famille Mammisimo?
Are you 'cleared for take off' for your holiday?🤞*

🤦‍♀️
How are you, famille Mammisimo?
Are you 'cleared for take off' for your holiday?🤞

ixion I read it for sure

This UK cruise sounds lovely Doodle and thanks for the update on Cherry. 'The worbles' sounds a cute way of stating what must be an awful situation for the dear girl.

It's Maori Language Week from 11th, so no doubt a lot of jollity to support it coming up. Each Pasifika culture has its own week of support and encouragement to continue using their own, rather than being swamped by the English language.

"Proper old fashioned" and "a soppy ha'porth" are phrases from my childhood too.

It irritates me, though only mildly, when I listen to an audio book about the North and they've chosen a southerner to read it. When, 'ha-penny' is written (and should be said, haypni) they say either, 'half-penny' or 'hah-penny'.

And as for the Yorkshire 't' "she walked into te barn..." Grrr.

When I wrote my own book, not for publication, I moved the t to the previous word (in desperation probably) 'are we goin' to't fair?' but I doubt it works any better.

If yer not brung up wi it.....

Actually, my mother was a stickler for pronunciation and wouldn't allow us to miss the middle tt in butter and woe betide us if she didn't hear a clear T in water. So I never 'spoke scruffy'... very different from dialect, which was allowed.

Linguistics is fascinating, to me anyway.
(or 'anyroad' i Yorkshr )

And don't even mention the American travesty, "mischievious"
or 'demure' when it's demur and 'depreciation' when it is 'deprecation'. Or 'pronounciation'
"Lazy speech" as Mum used to say.

I'll get me anorak.....

ixion the cruise is good thanks. Packing done now and ready for home. Just been sitting outside on the balcony. Beautiful sunset and so warm. How’s the 🦵 you ask. Well until last night ok. It had a dressing on and was weeping a bit but then it started to get painful. Trip to the onboard doctor today thinks it’s infected so treated with iodine and now DH on antibiotics. Leg is still swollen and painful but the wound itself looks like it’s healing well, at least the slug like lump has gone. There’s always something. We too loved caravan holidays. We used to take our little dogs with us and they really enjoyed a change of scene
Kaimoana I’m a southerner and we say haypni too. I expect it’s only the posh southerners who say half penny. I think little Gubbins is destined for the stage. Can certainly picture her hands on hips wowing an audience
Going back to the haypni reminds me of my dear dad who used to love playing shove haypni. He was good at it and I loved to play with him. I liked shaking the powder on the board
Off to sleep now as we’re up early
Mamissimo hope you make it on your trip

I wrote a long post yesterday which didn't appear. I think it was a preview only and I forgot to touch POST.

I have been reading your doings and comings and goings, thinking of all the Lobs or Trekkies or whatever is in a name
There were at least 2 name and gender changed young people at the all age Quaker weekend.

It was really all age from a wee baby to some even older than me!!

People were friendly and kind. I tried and failed to avoid commenting on their child rearing or lack of.

This was mainly around the campfire where I just had to look away as tiny children were allowed to dangle marshmallows on twigs inches from the flames whilst wearing flimsy summer dresses.

I had flashbacks of when my DN set herself alight by accident and spent months in hospital, had plastic surgery and is still scarred. Although I work with fire in my pottery, I am quite safety conscious so found it hard to watch this toddler.

The sayings of Gubbins are just wonderful. I hope you are recording them

You will be land lubbers again Doodle. When is your next cruise?

Great to hear that Cherry is ok.

Grammaretto I’ve done that too. So annoying. All that effort and the post is lost
We are home now and DH has retired to bed. He’s exhausted and his leg is quite painful. Must try and get him in to see the nurse before the weekend. I’ve got my first load of washing done but still got half a suitcase to unpack. We had another problem on the way home. Again an 8 seater taxi with high step. I managed to hoist myself up but DH ended up wedged between the two rows of seats. Fortunately the driver was able to lift him up. I must ask for a normal car next time. Doesn’t do DH or his dignity any good
ooh I would be with you. The thought of youngsters near flames frightens me. So easy for those flimsy garments to catch light. My son got burnt by a neighbours fire when the wind blew a piece of plastic across the flames and onto his hand. He had a deep burn on his thumb and it’s still scarred to this day. It was an accident though not really carelessness
I mustn’t get onto the gender name change issue on this thread as many people have strong opinions about it but I just hope they receive adequate counselling first. I worry that some children do it because they have troubles in their lives and feel changing gender will somehow make all things right
Kaimoana hope you’ve had a good day. Are you still knitting slippers?
Sleep well all Im sorry I’ve got Jeeves fanning a big palm over me to cool me down. He might be late with th drinks trolley tonight 🤣

It sounds a lovely weekend Grammaretto, tho' I agree about the marshmallows. We have a child ancestor who sadly lost her life when her nighty went up in flames - or so the story goes. I did splash the cash on the death certificate of another family member - little Elizabeth, aged 6, who, the story goes, dashed into the road and was knocked down by a Hansom cab. Sadly no, far more mundane to recount, it was the dreaded TB to which she succumbed.

It has been extremely humid here over the past few days, the heat seemingly coming over one in waves whilst sitting in the evenings. Well, I don't think it's me these days😳 .
Looking forward to a slowing down of all things horticultural, longing now, naughtily, to be able to chop everything down and make way for winter. Must be the evenings closing.

Wot ho Everyone

Did you get your camping pod Grammaretto? The ones I've seen are so civilised. Except they don't have loos. I'm afraid a night time loo is essential now! I know what you mean about letting children run feral. It seems to be the fashion. With all the government warnings you'd think parents would be more careful. I had a hard time keeping quiet a few years ago watching two/three year olds rolling down a slope and then running to their mums to grab handfuls of crisps. Great fun - except the slope was covered in goose poo. DH told me not to interfere!!!

I do hope Mr D's wound heals up quickly Doodle and it hasn't taken the edge of your cruise. I've only done river cruises but quite fancy a round Britain one. I believe there's one which calls at Scilly Isles? I've always wanted to go there and we were booked last year, but of course had to cancel.

In my part of the world ha'porth used for silly ha'porth or ha'porth worth of chips but haypni is the coin. I've never used half penny, it must just be really posh people. We were taught at school we could use Norfik to talk to each other, but also had to learn proper English. The words which makes me cringe are ashume and conshume. It may well be right but I was taught assume and consume. I'm waiting to hear ashumpshun or conshumpshun.

What a hot weekend it's been in my part of the world. Perfect for a long weekend on a clifftop near Cromer in a Camperbubble!!! Friends came too but we were all housed independently. Perfect. Managed another swim on Saturday evening. I do love swimming in the glooming. Rock pools waiting to be cleared by the tide were a problem getting in and out but once in the bottom was sandy, the sea calm and it was wonderful. Then back to the campsite for wine and a takeaway. I am blessed.

Sending love to you Cherry. May your worbles soon sort themselves out.

And while we are on the subject: "booey" for buoy - but amazingly, 'boy-ant' for its verb.

Hello friends,
*Your weekend couldn't have been better*Nfk it sounds perfect.
At my weekend break it wasn't a pod but a cabin with 2 rooms and a showeroom. There were bunks and a bed. I had a bed but I didn't sleep well.
I have left my favourite house coat behind which is a pest. Not sure when I can retrieve it. I've lent my car to a df this week and she may drive me back there. It rather makes a mockery of us all trying to be green and sharing cars etc. But maybe we can make a day of it

How is your garden ixion? I cut my meadow last week with help and that's it until April.
The tomatoes are turning red at last but half of them have a rotten patch.
Kale and tatties are the only truly reliable crops

How is the dude , Doodle?

ixion that’s interesting your research. Being knocked down by a handsome cab. I expect that happened quite often. Yes quite warm here too. We were so tired last night we just slept and the heat didn’t bother us. Why is going on holiday so tiring?
Nfk I’m with you, I must have all my mod cons and a bathroom close at hand is certainly a necessary requirement. I’m long past the days of going behind the bushes
yes we really enjoyed going round the UK. The weather was good which helped but the scenery was nice and we were never far from a coastline. I would certainly do it again
Dhs leg is causing him pain but I changed the dressing today and we were both pleased with how good it looked so I’m hoping the antibiotics kick in soon and start calming down the inflammation. We have an appointment with the nurse Friday to check all is well
Your weekend sounds lovely. I’m pleased you feel comfortable using the camper bubble. It sounds ideal and a swim too. What was the water like? Glad you had a good time
Grammaretto I’m glad you had a bathroom in your cabin. The bunk beds would be a problem for me. No way I could get up a ladder. Glad you had a proper bed. Hope you get your housecoat back. Would they post it to you if your Df doesn’t drive you there?
Dh is ok thank you apart from the pain in his leg. It only hursts if he moves but every movement makes him wince. It is getting better though, thank you. What are you going to do with all those tomatoes? Soup for the winter?

*Sorry Kaimoana, I just realised I forgot my **s!

A bit stormy here last night, everything is covered in pine needles and my pine tree next to the house is looking quite bare! It's not a healthy tree and I have to phone the tree surgeon to check it over (it's got a TPO on it, so is more important than lives or property in the eyes of the Council Tree Preservation people). I had to go to appeal to get permission to take six foot off a branch which was threatening the gutters. I foresee another fight ahead.

Apparently DH's state pension was overpaid. So they want it back. And the solicitors want more. It seems I missed one item - which I still can't find a record of. So far I think only the Blue Badge people and his bus pass have been sorted without a hitch. I feel sure we were more efficient when at work!*

That's like a kick in the teeth Nfk! Having to repay DH pension.

Same sort of thing happened when DH died. I was given a lump sum of £2000 - which I probably spent, only to be told they had given it to me by mistake and wanted it back.
I told them it was spent and there weren't enough savings so they set up a direct debit thing and I had to pay it back in installments. That felt like being kicked when I was down. It was their mistake.

I've just been at the community lunch. 3 women at my table and one was poised to be her Dd's birthing partner. She was mighty calm considering her DD was already in labour. It's to be at home and they don't know the sex. Like old times.

Look what I found in my meadow today!

Please don't feel obliged to BOLD, though it does make it easier to see, it's a challenge to read anything now so I often have to skip.

How mean of The Authorities to claw back and punish you both for their mistakes. It happens here too.

Is it a frog or a toad Grammaretto ? I'm very fond of both Do you have a pond for frog spawn?

Sallies OAP lunch today and I don't feel like going. Haven't felt well for a few days and have a lot of difficulty breathing in the early hours. Once I'm up and about that gets better.

I'm looking forward to a quiet, isolated weeked Hope you all have a good one my dear Lobstars.