The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

Is that why it’s called the cake tin Grammaretto, because you get baked in it? Hope you had a lovely day
We've not had such a great day today, met with the specialist anaesthetist today. Let’s just say he didn’t pull his punches and has left us with some serious thinking to do. Doing nothing brings its own risks but the risks for surgery /complications is far far higher than we thought it might be,

I did go to the footie. A goal less draw but DGS enjoyed it. The stadium is called the cake tin due to its shape and silver colour. However we had to move seats as we were being cooked.

I'm on a bus to Napier today.

Sorry Cherry that out patients were so dire.

Sorry too that you are still suffering from lack of sleep Doodle.

Kaimoana sounds like you had a good day after all. Do hope your friend Ray is ok. How upsetting for him to have a fall,
Nfk it’s not whether snakes are smooth and dry or slimy that’s my problem it’s the way they move. I don’t know why but I can’t bear to watch them.
Yes hoping the scooter thingy will allow us a bit more freedom to get out and about. I might have to ask him for a lift if I can’t keep up.
Grammaretto hope you’re having a great time.
Cherry I’m with you. Couldn’t face eating eels.
sorry sounds like your outpatient visit left a lot to be desired
Im not posting much tonight either. Didn’t have a very good night last night. Both awake till after 3. Today I’ve had upset stomach all day and not felt like doing anything so had a lazy day in the armchair.
Hoping for a better night tonight. Sleep well all

it's not just me then Grammaretto. If anyone has any solutions to disappearing posts can we have answers on a postcard please as it's so annoying 😕.

I too shall keep this fairly short and say...

I hope the scooter works out Doodle and you and Mr D can get out and about a bit

I should think a few hours attendance at the Waitangi Day celebrations in hot weather is quite enough for many people Kaimoana. I'm glad Ray is alright.

How unfortunate 😉 you couldn't stay for a dinner of eels 🤢 Nfk how anyone could eat them beats me.

So did you go to the football match with your DGS Grammaretto or did you manage to make polite excuses 🤔. Do we now have another footie fan in our midst 😅.

I stole Jeeves for a brief time ixion - he said he wouldn't stop long as he's full of cold 😒.

It's just as well my post disappeared ... as I'd gone on a rant about my local trust's Outpatient's department after the shambles on my visit yesterday 😉.

I agree with Nfk that eels are not as nice as snakes. They used to live in the stream in my garden and I had to save wood ash to help clean off the slime. yuk. But once roasted or better still, smoked were delicious.

I wonder if anyone in or near Cornwall remembers Elephant Fayre?

My post disappeared 😭
So I will just say hello and I'm thinking of you all.

Oh and Doodle I do like Nfk's suggestion of you sitting on DH's knee on the scooter.

😀

Just been reading your posts Kaimoana and Grammaretto. It's brought back memories of our trip to NZ so I'm now off to find the photo albums. We went to Rivendale. I've been doing a lot of album reading lately. It was a wonderful, wonderful trip. Such an incredibly beautiful country. I'm sorry the rigours of sightseeing have left you, Grammaretto, with low resistance to cold bugs. Hopefully short lived. So much to see and there's never enough time! I know several folk here with off-spring in New Zealand and Australia who save their pennies for the air fare to spend all their winters in the warm. It saves on the heating bills! And my cousin from Sydney comes back here for a couple of months each summer. The world is so much smaller than it was when we wuz young.

I hope Mr D is beginning to come out of his winter blues now there's a positive to look forward to. Even if it is an operation. The fact it's happening is such a good sign. The buggy too will help I'm sure, it will help him to be in charge of where he goes. Some of those hand warmers which can be slipped inside gloves might be an idea until the weather warms up. And you'll be getting fitter jogging to keep up with him! You may well decide you need a bigger one when you've got a better idea of how it'll be used. Where I used to work as a receptionist I regularly saw a couple of young disabled lads in their buggies zoom past with girlfriends sitting on their laps! Being disabled wasn't cramping their style!

I'm another eel hater. There aren't many on the Broads nowadays for which, although probably a concern, I am grateful. Snakes are smooth and dry. Snakes are beautiful. I like snakes. But slimy, eels? Horrible, squirmy nasty things. And - they have teeth. I remember, in the days of first love when I accompanied my DH on fresh water fishing trips, he caught so many eels. They tied themselves around the fishing line and dripped slime. The local very Norfolk game keeper had asked him to save him some as he'd married a Cockney girl who knew how to cook them. We drove to their house with eels in a bucket between my feet. A mile or so of horror. His lovely wife then insisted on showing me how to kill, skin and fry a couple of the said eels, while the rest were kept in a tank. Fortunately we couldn't stop for dinner!

Have a nice day!

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I wonder if you went to footie or the Waitangi celebrations on the waterfront Grammaretto?

We weren't quite as near to the sound stage as in former years and as I also had earplugs, it was quite pleasant. Photo taken from my seat.

When someone doesn't stick to their arrangements, it unsettles me. I was told I'd be picked up at 7.30am, instead, the van arrived at 7 and I hadn't even finished my coffee.
After picking up other kaumatua we arrived at 8:30 at the Marae and the park which is the venue for the Waitangi Day concert.
Ironically, I live about ¼ mile from the park and could have been picked up last but our driver isn’t the sharpest knife in the box.
On arrival, the kaumatua went one way (to the festival), I went the other, to a powhiri (welcome) for indigenous peoples from many different countries.
If this sounds odd, it’s only because I am part of the Marae and the others aren’t.

After the speeches and welcome - pic taken inside the meeting house - a delicious breakfast over which I chatted to delegates from Canada’s First Peoples, Australian aboriginal people and representative of ethnic tribes from China - delightful people all.

Then I was free to join the other kaumatua in the tent at the other side of the park.
By 2pm I’d had enough and it was very hot, so accepted the offer to be taken home.

My neighbour Ray had walked up to the park and fallen en route so I was a little anxious for him but St Johns checked him out and he was fine. He too came home early.

And that was my Waitangi Day.

Back to normality tomorrow

Gramaretto our scooter is a small folding one. Hopefully it will fit in the boot of the car. My concern is that it will be too small to be comfortable for DH but we will see. We have 14 days in which to return it.
so sorry to hear you’ve all gone down with colds. Hopefully not too bad and over quickly
I would certainly need an ice cream after a long walk like that. Mind you I love trees so might have made it anyway.
wouldn’t have wanted to se the eels though. I’m one of those people who can’t stand things like snakes and eels. I hate the way they move
Kaimoana how typically kind of you to think about that poor girl in the heat and take her some refreshments. I hope you managed to survive the day. Is it a one day thing?
ixion I won’t be putting the scooter in or out of the boot. I just don’t have the capability these days. It’s intended mainly so we can go for a stroll by the river just to get out of the house. Our sons could put it in the boot for us if we went anywhere together. If it’s successful, then in the long term I would get a hoist installed in the boot to lift it but that really expensive so holding fire on that till we know if it’s necessary.
Regarding the feet. One fine one not so mobility is very little walking with one foot on tiptoe.

I think, as I write this, that Kaimona must be awake and gearing up for the celebrations, it sounds a happy sort of day, I hope the kaumatua tent serves you well, despite its location! Hope fully lots of photos to share here!

I do hope the mobility scooter proves fit for purpose and that you do not rupture strain yourself getting it in and out of the boot. Maybe best getting Mr. D to dismount first to lessen the load?. 😉.
How are his heels, and, by extension, his mobility now? 🤔

I wonder if Mamissimo is back home? Did you manage to keep out of the firing line at mealtimes? Spud really is a dear - I hope his curls last!

Hoping all the Lobstars are doing well.
Jeeves does seem very tardy these days?
Or AIBU, as they say on here?

Sorry you will be too near to that loud sound Kaimoana. Can you cover your ears? Ask someone to take you well away?

My DGS wants me to accompany him to a football match tomorrow.
I'm honoured but would be happier somewhere else.
You only live once I guess. We swam this evening. It was only 23° here and windy.
I won't be emigrating but will downsize in the next year or so.

The eels were in pools. 😀
I enclose a photo

Any news of Lobsters?

I didn't know eels lived in trees
You are having such a wonderful time Grammaretto and if you're getting instructions to de-clutter, I'm wondering if you are leaning towards emigration. Such a huge step.

Doodle I'm afraid I shall be spending most of the day sitting metres away from the huge amplifiers at either side of the stage as the kaumatua tent is always in prime position.

Alas, there'd be no point in my going to the craft stalls; it's a long time since I was able to see crafts or even tins & packets in supermarkets, or indeed the food on my plate! but as I prepare all my own food, I can at least be sure I'll like the blur I'm eating.
So I'll be confined to the kaumatua tent tomorrow where we have everything we need.

Karen and I drove through the park today as I wanted to find out exactly where the kaumatua tent has been pitched but the nice security girl couldn't tell me.

She was standing in the very hot sun because she had to stop every car. I asked her if she had water and food and she shrugged and said 'No, but it's all right.'

Well, no, it wasn't. The security company should be looking after staff better than that, especially as it was 29 degrees.

So we came home and quickly assembled a bottle of iced water and snacks and took them back for her.

Goodness knows how long she'd been on duty - or would finish her shift. There was huge, shady tree nearby but as she had to stand in the road, couldn't take advantage of it.

Cherry how goes it with you dear girl?

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Close encounter with a native pigeon and part of a tall Rimu tree.

You are game, you pair , the Doodles!!
There's another word the next generation won't understand.
I am thinking about the mobility scooter.
DFiL had one which he drove up a retractable ramp at the back of his car. I think the car was an Espace or similar.
I hope yours works well.

DDiL was the first to get the cold and now we all have it. It's not too bad.

Another walking day yesterday. I was taken to a nature reserve and walked uphill miles to see an 8 hundred yr old Rimu tree and we spotted native birds and eels. It was very beautiful.
We were rewarded with ice-cream on the promenade.
We avoided the very busy and popular Zealandia nature conservation and reserve there are at least 2 cruise ships in the harbour and as Kaimoana says it's Waitangi weekend.
The boy has a day off school tomorrow so we will do something he likes.

I was given a serious talking to about decluttering my house when I get home. Do it in stages, 20 books at a time or was that 20 minutes a day 😀

My pottery group did a massive springclean of the studio yesterday and apparently it's looking great but it was icy cold. Am I looking forward to coming home? Maybe not.

Thanks Cherry. I think it’s just such a shock that in October all was well and then suddenly overnight everything went haywire and it’s hard to come to terms with.
We have ordered a mobility scooter which is coming Tuesday. A folding one for the boot of the car, not sure it will be comfortable enough so may have to go back but we’ll see
Some freedom would be good
Hope you’ve had a good weekend. Done anything nice?
Kaimoana yes a very apt description about the wringer. I’ve probably mentioned on here before, my grandmother lost the end of her thumb in one.
I hope the celebrations go well and don’t disturb you too much. Will you go and look at the crafts and sample the foods or will you be hibernating with your earplugs and hoping for it to be over?

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Thinking of you Doodle you've been through the wringer too and emerged thoroughly depleted in energy both physical and emotional. But you WILL both recover, it just takes time.

This young generation won't have any idea what the above idiom means - 'What's a wringer?' soon it'll be as lost as Regency cant, or at least seem like a bag of moonshine.
www.georgette-heyer.com/slang.html

Grammaretto I'm told long-distance travellers often get infections, either through the air-con on the plane, or because the physical stress of the pressurised journey makes them more susceptible to germs on landing. Hope it doesn't spoil your holiday

I am dreading preparing for the all-day onslaught of extremely loud music of Waitangi Day tomorrow. It's held in the park almost adjacent to my house.

I'm not complaining too much because I remember many years of anger and resentments on this day, often leading to physical fights. Then someone had the wonderful idea that it would help all concerned if we celebrated it instead.

Pic is Australia musician and environmentalist Peter Garrett, the headline act being welcomed with full, traditional Maori ceremony by Kaihaka at Auckland International Airport.
He has fought hard for aboriginal rights world-wide. His ‘Beds are Burning” song was very popular – though not with guilty governments
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejorQVy3m8E

Pic: the massive stage was erected over 3 days and a whole village of craft and food stalls will be assembled today or very early Tuesday morning.

I'm assembling my earplugs

Mr D feeling low is understandable I think Doodle, who amongst us wouldn't with all he's gone through and is still. He needs time to get stronger, it will come - it's a frustration in the interim having to rely on someone else (you). It's good that you were able to go for a drive today and I hope that it has helped.
It's good too that Mr D is happy with the outcome of the consultation. The fact that the consultant has booked him in to have a nominally invasive surgery is good news, s/he wouldn't if s/he didn't think it had a good chance of success I think. I hope you're both having an easier evening this evening and sleep well tonight 💐.

Whoa Grammaretto, what a lovely and very busy day you had yesterday. I like the sound of your trip to Rivendale, I bet it was beautiful. It must have been lovely watching your DGS swim and I bet you enjoyed the visit to the pottery. Did you buy anything?
Sorry to hear you've got a cold, I hope it's short lived perhaps you need some protein in the form of slow eggs (whatever they are).

Thanks all. Been a bit of a funny day. Dh feeling low due to knot being in control of himself and relying solely in me to get around. We did go out for a drive which helped a bit I think.
Consultant visit went well and DH happy with outcome. Surgery in 4 weeks but not particularly invasive in the hope it will be enough.
Grammaretto so pleased you’re enjoying visiting scenes from your youth. A lovely walk done memory lane.
Kaimoana the thought of cheddar cheese and strawberries 😱
Cherry m sorry you had a bad day yesterday. Hope today is better. Your local roads sounds like ours. Always some kind of road works or diversion. Please you made a purchase and had a nice lunch though

Sending love, energy and healing thoughts to our dear Doodles.
🌈🌤️
I've woken up with a cold this morning. So much for the summer sunshine.

Another busy day yesterday. DGS swimming class, brunch at a rather cool café where I had to ask what slow eggs were

A visit to a pottery and a walk in native woodlands now, since Lord of the Rings, known as Rivendell.

Oh no, I am so sorry Doodle. Rest and recover.

Sorry all just a quick visit to say we are ok but can’t write much tonight. DH not feeling great (he’s ok) so I am busy looking after him x

It sounds like seeing a different consultant was a positive experience Doodle. That's no follow up for 4 weeks I take it 🤔. That does give your DH a bit of breathing space to get stronger, which can only be a good thing.
I'm glad you're feeling a lot better. I had a bad day yesterday a last hurrah possibly but am so much better today.

What a wonderful coincidence to get on a one of the buses decorated by your DGS Grammaretto 😊.
Wellington sounds like a lovely place even if it is hilly. It's twinned with Harrogate I believe, which is appropriate I think as the town centre is on the top of the hill. I hope you've recovered after all that hill climbing.

How did your day greeting the Filipino nurses go Kaimoana?

Having not been since the start of the year we decided to go the village today 🤦 - there were roadworks seemingly everywhere! Apparently, there was a burst main pipe yesterday nobody told us. Ah well, too late to turn back so we had to make the most of it ... and it was pouring down too 🙄. To cheer myself up 😉 I bought a new top - half price in the sale, and we had a lovely lunch in an Italian fusion bistro it had to be one fusion or other, there's a lot of these food fusion places.

I hope the rest of the lobStars are okay.

As he helped me make sandwiches for my birthday Grammaretto I'm sure he does.

Unfortunately, when he said he would make a cheeseccake, I wasn't quick enough to stop him grating 500g of best, sharp,, mature Cheddar into the strawberries.

He's probably better with the Southern comforts though

I hope the new consultant has good ideas up his or her sleeve Doodle.
I also hope you are much better.

I must say my aches and pains hurt less in this warm weather. I can see why the rich have always gone south for the winter.

I explored my childhood haunts today. I found our house though it's unrecognisable. Likewise my school has been rebuilt. The weather was wet and windy so at least that hadn't changed.

Spud is adorable Mamissimo. I do like a good eater!

I do feel honoured to have met Veranoa, Kaimoana. Thanks for the references. She even came to tea with me while she was being shown around by my botanical friend. She's a wonderful storyteller. This was 10 years ago.

I hope Jeeves did his rounds last night. Does he come to the Southern hemisphere do you know?

Thanks Kaimoana