The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

It does seem a coincidence Kaimoara 🤣. No mention of it over the weekend then suddenly it was all systems go.
Thanks Nfk. I think cough was more related to very, ver cold corridors and very warm wards. Also so many people in the wards coughing and sneezing. Hospitals are not a healthy place to be. Sleep well all. Xx

Great news Doodle. Nothing better than being back in your own bed. Take things slowly don’t go rushing around thinking you must get the washing/dusting/ hoovering done. You have plenty of time - just relax. Hope your cough is soon better - lots of strange bugs around and fingers crossed DH is now on the road to full recovery

So happy to hear that you are home Doodle 😊

Definitely rest and drink plenty of water or tea

The others have gone swimming. I'm tired out. We went to the museum and cycled in a buggy along the waterfront today. I feel my age

It's warm here and hardly windy at all.

By Jingoes, your family are working you hard Grammaretto, did you not whisper "jet lag" as you collapsed into bed ? Or are you one of those fortunate people who don't suffer that way?

I woke this morning with a happy feeling, knowing the dear Doodles were home and safe and can recover.

It's all systems go for my big party on Tuesday, we're even having a gazebo on the lawn because it seem ALL the kaumatua want to come for the free food and my house is small.

Food expenses are being take care of thanks to a $50 voucher I won from MaoriTV as a rewards for my making 'a great suggestion' for programmming.

Waipareira also gave each kaumatua a $50 supermarket voucher as well, so I'm using mine to make sure the table will be groaning with salads and cooked chicken (do tables and salads groan?)

I have a very dim recollecto of Brer Rabbit making a sound like a lettuce to fool Brer Fox.

Tomorrow is spent with sweet Anna; Sunday with my lovely family - so quite the celebratory week for me this year.

My DS and family have just booked their tickets for the UK. Booking this early gives them a discount on fares which, by November will be much higher.
Having Christmas in cold weather will be a change but there's nothing like the buzz of that season with all the shops and streets lit up and carol singers and faux Santas everywhere.

She says, conveniently forgetting the pushy crowds and slush and sleet and dangerous icy paths

I hope you've both been having a suitably relaxed day today in the warmth and cosiness of home Doodle and that you're looking after that cough of yours. You've been following Jan's advice and not doing too much, I hope.

Sounds like you're having quite an active start to your time with your NZ family Grammaretto 😁. I can understand why you might be feeling your age but I bet you're loving every minute of it 😊.

Aww Russell and Cheryl sound like they're devoted to one another ixion 😁. I have to ask though, how do you know their names 😉.

I remember you telling us about Anna Hang Kaimoana, it will be lovely for you both to see each other on Saturday. It will be lovely to see your family on Sunday too. Oh, by the way, may I ask what the learner Cherrilee brought with her on her visit was like?

You're quite right I think Jan - there's lots of strange bugs going around. On Tuesday when I went out with my walking group I was disappointed with the lunch I ordered in a pub we went to as it was pretty tasteless. I made a mental note not to eat there again. Yesterday, feeling a little tired and lazy , we ordered a Chinese takeaway which had no flavour at all. Today I woke up with a blocked nose and a cough 🤦. Curiously, in contrast to recent nights, I'd slept well 😁.

Gosh, does that mean Covid Cherry?

The extra supporter didn't come - her Dad was taken to hospital (he's fine now) and she had to dash off to support her mother. I'll meet her eventually I'msure - and report back

I'm still up and wide awake at 2am despite being in the opposite hemisphere. There's a storm brewing and probably an earthquake. I was woken up by one a few nights ago.

Your birthday preparations sound well in hand Kaimoana. 🎂

We had a swim yesterday at Scorching bay. It's next to Worser bay and Better Bay. Worser is named after a Mr Worser - a colonial settler.
I suspect Better is made up by my family.

Your family Kaimoana will have got a good price by booking so early. I did. Now I'm planning to visit my cousin in Hawkes Bay next week. He's just been diagnosed with heart failure but says he feels fine. I may get the bus or fly.

I hope the Doodle family are enjoying not being in hospital. Fingers crossed for his recovery.

I hope you aren't sickening for something Cherry.

I shall now have another go at sleeping.It can't be that hard

I love your plan for your birthday party Kaimoana and we'll done winning that voucher. It sounds like you're going to have a houseful on Tuesday, or should I say garden full 😊.
I don't know whether things like picked salad leaves groan but apparently growing plants make plenty of noise when they're under stress. I wouldn't say tables groan as such but of course wood can be creaky, does that count 😉.
Shame you didn't get to meet the extra supporter this time, I'm glad her father is okay.

Oh Grammaretto, you've been afflicted with the insomnia bug now then. I'm convinced it happens to a lot of people when there's a change in atmospherics - the storm brewing etc, perhaps 🤔.
Better Bay is better than Worser Bay then? If Scorcher Bay is between the two does that mean one of the others is more temperate and if so what does it make the third 😉. A swim in the cool sea sounds just the ticket at Scorcher Bay 😁.
Sorry to hear about your cousin, it will be good if you can visit him.

I'm still sniffling and coughing a bit. I don't think it's covid Kaimoana but I haven't taken a test as I haven't got any to use and the nearest stockist didn't have any in stock 🤷. I've been out anyway so I hope I haven't passed anything on to anyone, I went and had my hair cut. I couldn't believe the amount of hair the hairdresser had to sweep up afterwards 😲. He wasn't my usual stylist so I wasn't sure what to expect, he did a great job though 😁

I hope the Doodles are nicely settled at home and Mr D is getting a bit stronger each day.

Jan every time DH stays in hospital I end up with a chest infection and cough. The place is rife with all sorts of bugs.
Gramaretto what a lovely time you’re having.
Earthquake!! No , you’re supposed to be on holiday. Storm brewing….you’re supposed to be having sunshine ☀️.
Your swim sounds so nice. I really hope you’re having a great trip.
You didn’t by chance pack Jeeves in your suitcase? I can’t find him anywhere
Kaimoana your party plans sound splendid. I do hope you have a wonderful day. A gazebo sounds a perfect idea. 😊
Cherry I can’t stop coughing. Are you feeling better now?
I’m glad you are pleased with your haircut. I am desperate to have mine done. Every time I bend forward I can’t see because my hair falls down in front of my eyes and gets in my mouth.
Sorry all. Not written much tonight I’m feeling quite rough.
Trust Jeeves to disappear when I want a hot toddy.
Sleep well all

Oh Doodle sorry, I'm afraid Jeeves was helping me make cakes until midnight last night and I had to tap his wrist once or twice as he reached for a choclate and cherry bun. He should be back with you soon.

Dear bald Cherry I'm glaad it looked good in the end.

No surprise you were still awake Grammaretto your clock may have said 2am, your body knew it was 1pm and wanted lunch It's a long haul from Wtg to Hawkes Bay on a bus - treat yourself and fly.
I was diagnosed with heart failure a few years ago but it hasn't failed yet and I'm still here and working well. Mind you, I suspect that term covers a multitude of cardiac issues.

Anna just phoned to say she will be an hour later than anticipated so I decided to drop you lot a line.

According to the forecast, it'll rain on Tuesday (as it is today) but they said the last 10 days would be rainy and they weren't.

Made two large trifles this morning: two different layers of jelly with #1 peaches then banana and #2 strawberries and banana. The custard has cooled so I'll spread that and add the fresh cream and choc flake just before serving.

Tomorrows feast will be low carb, only the 5 bean salad will be carby.

And there's a story to that.
On my shopping list I wrote "5 Bean Mix" which is what it says on the tin. They are good with Feta and Olives and maybe a few mini gherkins.

Mepa was my eyes that day as I couldn't use my voucher if I shopped online (such a hassle that stupid rule )
When we got to the checkout, the assistant asked what I was making with all these different beans.
Mepa had added 5 cans of kidney, cannellinni, pinto, butter and baked beans to the trolley.
How to be right and wrong at the same time.

She's so lovely and works far too hard and never seems to be completely well these days.
She gave me a hideous neon pink sheet for my birthday and I knew it was going to run in the wash. It did but it was alone in the machine so it didn't matter.

Nearly time for Anna's bus.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I love that you have such good helpers Kaimoana even if their taste in bed linen is dire.😀

DGS and I spent the morning at the library. He devours books that boy.
We got soaked on the walk home.

Afternoon was spent at the Dowse art gallery. An excellent space showing some amazing work. Giant knitted skeletons of animals for example. I wish my camera worked.

I've booked bus up and plane back for my trip to Napier. It's the town which was destroyed by a massive earthquake in c1929 and rebuilt in art deco architecture.

I was asked if I wanted to visit the botanical gardens but that will have to wait

I hope Jeeves came back Doodle. I haven't kidnapped him

Good morning troops - don't panic! Jeeves is out walking Aoife. They left after supper last night were last seen restocking the drinks trolley at the village pub. Mr M was there and he's not up yet so I think they had a session....

For those of you with horrid coughs, have you ever tried Jakemans black cough sweets? They've saved me from utter exhaustion many times. They're old fashioned a cheap too.

Mr M and went out to dine with DS and his partner on Wednesday to celebrate both Mr M and DS passing their exams. DS is a bright boy and has gained a further ticket to riches and Mr M has passed his Drone Pilot license. The waiter misunderstood and thought dear old white haired Mr M had passed his pilot's license for real aircraft 🙂

* Living deep in the countryside and spending much time tramping over it I am happy to report that early spring is burgeoning here in Hampshire. This week I've seen snowdrops, daffodils and the woodbine buds have burst in the hedges. It's no longer dark when I get up and our thoughts have turned to holidays....we're nuts! It's lovely here!*

Have I missed all your actual birthday Kaimoana - hope not. It is actually today isn't it? If not and I'm early I'll have to say happy birthday twice 😁 - Happy Birthday 🎂💐🎁 not exactly sure what's in that gift box but the thought is there
I hope you and Anna had a good catch up, and she wasn't sodden when she arrived. I've got my fingers firmly 🤞that it doesn't rain on Tuesday for you.
Oh Mepa 🤣. I agree though, she was sort of right. The neon coloured sheet may have been hideous run in the wash but the fact that she bought you a gift shows her heart is in the right place.
I hope you have a wonderful time with your family tomorrow.

Oh Doodle, you are under the weather aren't you 😞. All that lack of sleep, stress, travelling to and fro the hospital, sitting in a horrible hospital chair and the cold has caught up with you - made you vulnerable to illness. Sorry to hear that you're still suffering. Sending you a big warm cwtch x
I wish I could say I've recovered but I too am still sniffling and coughing - whatever it is it keeps giving 🤧.
I hope Jeeves has found you after all his galavanting.

The Dowse art gallery sounds interesting Grammaretto. I'm intrigued by the giant knitted skeletons as it seems an unusual medium for the subject, I'd love to see them. Such a shame your camera isn't working as you obviously enjoyed your trip.
I think it's great that your dgs is such an book lover, too many young people are fixated on their phones.
I'm glad you've got your trip to Napier sorted 😊

I thought I had found hope when I read about Jakeman's Mamisimo - alas, it's two main ingredients are sugars (as most cough sweet are). The burgeoning Spring in your part of the world sounds delightful.

Cherry it depends what you mean by my 'actual' birthday. I was born on 30th January in UK. But when it's the 30th in NZ it's only 29th in UK.
So I celebrate my 'kiwi birthday' on 30th here and then the day after, still the 30th in UK, my 'English birthday'.

That doesn't mean I get two cakes . Unfortunately almost all the goodies I shall be serving this week (and always in fact), are off my strict menu.

Like the throat sweets Mamissimo recommended, sugar-loaded cakes, pastries, ice cream and anything containing wheat, alcohol and much more are for my guests only.

Refined sugars, as well as being unhealthy, have me in pain in minutes, likewise booze. Wheat has several detrimental effects, going straight to my joints. Ouch. I'm a sad case but there's nothing like pain for strengthening will power.

Today's party with family, will be roast chicken and salads, cheeses, pickles etc., and for them, chocolate and black cherry birthday cake.

Mr Kipling is putting in an appearance, bringing along his French Fancies. Makes my teeth ache just ot look at them, hee hee.

I had the loveliest day with Anna yesterday: she brought Seafood & Rice noodles from a local take-away she calls "Noddle Canteen" and a rectangle of Dutch cheesecake from a specialist Dutch baker.

I pity the poor Netherlanders as it had a tasteless bready base, a bland bready filling and only the blueberries on top were edible.

As I'd actually made a fresh strawberry cheesecake, she compared but her comments were lost as she ate 3 pieces.
The birds took full advantage of the Dutch offering.

Anna eats very little western food, so had no idea the first dessert was nothing like a real cheesecake.

She gave me a beautiful blue-patterned scarf and two of those spec-saver chains, very pretty with pearls, like those worn by Hinge & Bracket. I loved that duo .

I gave her a floral diffuser, so popular at the moment.

And talking of gifts, Mepa told me
a friend had given her the sheet, which was probably why there was only one in the opened packet which had clearly been a set.

To be given a gift by a Pasifika friend who has initially received it as a gift to them, is kindness indeed. And I appreciated it.

It was stiff as a board so I washed it and added fabric softener but when I brought it in from the line, it felt the same.

Anna raved over it, so following Tuvalu tradition, I gave it to her. Perfeck!

No Cherry she didn't get wet on her way here but it was certainly raining as she left - and she hadn't brought a coat.

It's belting down today so I'm hoping Tuesday will be fine.

I do hope this weekend has been calm and peaceful for our dear Doodles a great deal of that is needed now.

Love to all

I wish my brain would over-ride my fingers when I use apostophes incorrectly. Sheesh!

Kaimoana you’ll have enough beans to make 5 bean mix for years. Your trifles made me think of my mum. She always used to make a huge trifle on Sundays for the family tea. Part of it used to have no sponge in it as my brother and I didn’t like the sponge. Trouble is mum could never remember which bit didn’t have the sponge in 🤣
I’ve got heart failure too. Think there must be a lot of us around.
Grammaretto I’m glad you are getting to spend so much time with your DGS. I used to spend hours in the library when younger too. Hope you get your trip to Napier sorted. It sounds a fascinating place.
Mamissimo I hope Aoife isn’t leading Jeeves astray. He’s such and innocent. Congratulations to your son and DH on their respective exams. Lovely spring flowers. I haven’t been out for a walk for ages. Be so nice to get some fresh air.
Now Cherry you’ve got me all confused, I thought Kaimoana’s birthday is the 29th but now I’m not sure.
Thank you for the lovely cwtch but please don’t get too close. I’m afraid I might have one of my violent coughing spasms and you’d end up blown to NZ with Gramaretto
i really have a chesty cough. Got my Manuka honey though which is helping.
Every time anyone mentions the Dowse art gallery I keep thinking of water diviners not knitters.
Kaimoana I am now more confused as to when to wish you happy birthday so I’ll start in the 29th and en in the 30th so hopefully got it covered. 😊
Hope your family day too day goes well and they all enjoy that lovely food even if you can’t.
Sorry all I feel I’m rambling tonight. I’m very tired and my eyes aren’t focusing properly. DH is asleep in the chair and when he wakes up he’ll complain his neck hurts so I’m going to get a pillow and settle him down for the night.
Sleep well all. Xx

"I'm gopng to get a pillow and settle him down for the night" - I hope that's not as ominous as it sounds

Talking about knitted things. These sites are worth a look. Our Norfolk Lobstars will know Mrs Seaman, she's very famous (and clever).

www.architecturaldigest.com/story/buckingham-palace-yarn-knitter-eight-foot-replica

www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-62915660

Wonderful day with family - if it never gets better than this I'm more than happy.

Happy birthday to Kaimoana. Have a wonderful time. DS shares your birthday. He was born in a snowstorm and loves to have it in the sunshine now.
I enjoyed a catch up with old Edinburgh friends today. They've been here for 8 years.

The woolly artist is Australian Michele Beevors. I may have a photo of one of her thought provoking skeletons.

I wish I could share this warm healing sunshine with you Doodle and Cherry. Keep cosy and get better soon.

Sort of good news my phone is in Doha. It has been found. I will probably have to wait until the return journey to collect it but it's a relief.


.

Yes indeed, Grammaretto 1947 was a record breaking snow in the UK and the Minster of Energy, Emanuel Shinwell received death threats when it went on so long.
Pit coal stocks were frozen solid, so power station juddered to a halt, power cuts were long and frequent, leading to further distress.

Happy Birthday Kaimoana! - and Happy Day of Rest to everyone 🙂

It's going to be nice weather today so we're going to take Aoife for a big run up on the hill. It's quiet up there and I can put her on a really long line and let her run. Normally I have to walk her on an extending lead because if she catches a scent she's off beagling after it and completely looses the recall response. We try to get her a good run every couple of days because our evenings are hell if we don't and I love to see her in full flight with her ears flapping

We recently bought one of those water flosser gadgets because I suffer with my teeth and it's been a steep bathroom cleaning learning curve. You have to remember to put it in your mouth and close your mouth before switching it on. I always like to see what's going on so I keep opening my mouth to have a look.....and the walls, ceiling and floor then need mopping. Teeth cleaning has become like spring cleaning - but it really makes a difference to the gnashers.

I've only shared that piece of dribble because DGD1 has her first wobbly tooth and was telling me confidently that it's normal for the tooth fairy to leave extra payments at Granny's house! I told her that in my experience the tooth fairy in this neighbourhood is useless because she never leaves me anything when the dentist has to take one out. She looked at me long and hard and said "maybe she only comes if you pull your teeth out yourself......" 😳

I think I'll pass on that!

Happy Birthday, Kaimona. You have, indeed, had a day to remember!🎂

Happy Birthday Kaimona hoop you’re having a great day! Or maybe it’s all over! I’m no good at working out time differences!

Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes everyone.
In fact my actual birthday is on Tuesday 30th, but what's in a date when you're having such fun?

Pic: bouquet from my grandson

Kaimoana 🤣🤣. DH is fine. The pillow caused him no harm.
I’m so so pleased you had a lovely day with your family, makes it all worthwhile.
Ok I’m gojng to start with the Happy Birthdays now and continue to till you tell me it’s come and gone. 🎂🥳🎂🥳😊
Gramaretto happy birthday to your DS. Oh yes please do waft some sunshine our way. Can’t believe that’s knitting.

Amazing how talented some people are.
So pleased you’re having a good time.
Mamissimo I hope you and Aoife had your long hill walk. I hope that long lead didn’t end up being wrapped round your legs like my sons dogs do when they both go in opposite directions.
I have never heard of a water flosser. I will have to look that up. Love the tale of the tooth fairy. I sense and entrepreneurial style coming through from your DGd.
Hope everyone had a good weekend. I’m still coughing but I think it’s on the mend now,

Kaimoana love the bouquet. Extra special from such a lovely young man.