The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

Dear all, if possible could you make your posts bold so Kaimoana can read them. All you have to do is put an asterisk and the beginning and end of each PARAGRAPH. This isn’t Kaimoana’s idea or request but as I know how hard it is for her to see what we write I am hoping it would help her to keep being part of our gang. Be nice if you could help out if you can

Good afternoon 🙂

Some lovely art shops in Ullapool Doodle - I bought a new bag for life in Tesco there last year because I hadn't seen the picture on it before 🙄

A trifle concerned here in Mamissimo Mansion as we seem to have hosted a Covid spreader event - DD2, her DH and Spud all have it, as does DD1 who was supposed to start work at a new school today. Spud is already on the road to recovery but his parents are on their knees! Mr M and I are keeping everything crossed that we have escaped as we do want to go on holiday at the week end.

My SiL used to live in Cromer NfK and we used to take our children there every year - we saw Don Estell (?) the short one from It ain't half hot, singing there in Woolworths.....yes really......and Eddie the Eagle leading the carnival procession.

Mr M says I have to get a wriggle on....or words to that effect so the rabbit ends here....

Yippee Kaimoana!! You got your swim.
And Nfk you have been brave enjoying the amazing Summer and having happy times with the family and your friends.
Great to know

I didn't go on a long walk today after all. My hip said no. Instead I sat and enjoyed the shady garden. It is still so rare to have this Indian summer you want to bottle it.
Here's my winter hat being knitted. Only another 10inches to go.

Well, that promise went out of the window when a friend called and, somehow all chats seem to last exactly 58 minutes, thinking about her, I completely forgot to come back on line!

My memory is showing how really bad it is now there's just me I'm understanding why DH wanted me to hang on to whatever money eventually lands in my account (I hate Barclays), in case I need it for long term care. He's thinking dementia here!

It's been good to catch up on the news. The christening sounds perfect, absolutely perfect. It's wonderful when things come together so well.

I think Doodle you have to at least be in a posh speed boat. I've always imagined mini cruises to be in mini cruise boats. And thank you for confirming that jet-skis involve walking bandy afterwards. They look so very painful uncomfortable, I just don't understand why anyone, especially blokes, want to use them.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time last weekend. I drove Camperbubble to stay in DD1's drive on Friday and went with her and two DGDs to Burleigh for the cross country on Saturday. Had a fantastic time - and my phone said I walked nearly five miles! Home on Sunday collecting DGS on the way for two nights sleepover. Monday we went to Cromer for a lovely swim in the sea followed by fish and chips on the pier. And Tuesday, it was a visit to the Museum of the Broads and a trip on the river in a steam launch. (This was hard for me as it's opposite where we took the boat to be pumped out and fuel topped up last autumn. DH's last boat trip.). DGS made it great though and I enjoyed it really. So - yesterday I was a bit crackered!

I'm now off to take forms back to the solicitors and pay my bill (so far). Then I'm going to flop in a darkened room if the day continues to heat up!

I went swimming today, yay!

A tender boat is the same thing as a surf boat. How do you get into it Doodle? I imagine you climbing down a long ladder....... but can't!

I don't know what a jet ski is

My next helper is due in October. I'm enjoying not having a houseful although it's nice in its way

Ixion that made me laugh. DH did once go on jet skis when our children were younger, it is an experience he has never forgotten suffice to say he walked with his legs far apart for a few days
Grammaretto we were slightly outside the harbour and had tenders to take us in and out. The most lovely place on a day like today. It was a wonderful stay.
Can’t remember if you’ve mentioned it but have you got anyone new coming to help?

Quote Grammaretto Wed 06-Sep-23 07:00:45
Are you in a speed boat Doodle! I think you muse, you seem to circumnavigate the coast of this country at breakneck speed*.

Actually, I was wondering whether Doodle and OH might have taken to jet skis?😉

Look forward to seeing you Nfk!

Ullapool is picturesque isn't it *Doodle but I can't think how a cruise ship would fit in the harbour. Or do you climb onto surf boats like the early pioneers in NZ did?

Nfk sorry that’s so annoying isn’t it. You sound very industrious. Have a good day and look forward to hearing from you again

Ooooh, I’m angry! I just typed a long (probably too long) post, tried to get rid of an annoying ad and the whole lot has vanished!

So I will just apologise for my recent absence and promise to call by later when I’ve cut the grass, hung out the washing, shopped and called on a friend. I promise!

Kaimoana you always have such funny tales. The foam earplugs was wonderful 🤣
Mamissimo the christening sounds a lovely family event. So glad you got to spend time with the lovely Spud. Wow he’s growing well which is really good news. Safe journey home
ixion sorry your beautiful garden addition has the local bird life turning up its nose, Perhaps they think it’s been put out as Sunday best and don’t want to spoil it by using it, I’m sure they’ll get used to it in time. Made me laugh at the thought of the big birds sitting round it…..what is it…..is it a bird,…is it a plane…🤣

Grammaretto yes we do seem to be passing quickly. Cruising at night I think takes us a long way. We are in Ullapool today and it’s beautiful. Like a Norwegian fjord in some ways so picturesque. Really enjoying ourselves. Hopefully the sun will stay with us and we can enjoy lunch outside
I am writing this all in bold as our dear friend Kiamoana is struggling to read our posts. I’m hoping this might help her read a bit better. Sending love to all

Open not own though it is own as well.

Are you in a speed boat Doodle! I think you must be you seem to circumnavigate the coast of this country at breakneck speed. I waved madly and shouted!! I don't think you heard. 😥

I hope you have been enjoying the various social events Kaimoana
My next helpers will be NZers so plenty of chat I hope. not Google translate It won't be until October though as I have 3 weekends away before then and 2 weekends of own studios.

Another warm day forecast but not too hot thankfully. 23°c max. Perfect.

Grammaretto probably passing you tonight. We’ve been treated to some Scottish dancing on the quayside tonight. Wonderful bunch of youngsters. Such a delight. Be going up the top tomorrow and round to Ullapool.
Sorry all been busy all day then no internet till the last 10 mins. Bit tired so just a quick hello and I’ll be back tomorrow to catch up.

The birds are just not appreciative ixion perhaps they are bird brained after all.
I visited a special garden in the wilds of the Border countryside. There was a particularly lovely terracotta pot there which I should like to copy .
It was so warm it felt like a foreign country.

I am glad the christening went so well Mamissimo. and that Spud is fast growing into a rugby player.

Let me know Doodle when your ship approaches.

Here is one of the exhibits in the garden.

Good to catch up on everyone's news. Nothing much to report here, apart from disappointment about my spivvy new birdbath😡.
I had been closely eyeballing a beautiful terracotta bowl in Wai***se all summer, two little birdies sitting on the rim looking cute. I felt I couldn't justify the price, but spotted this week that it had been relegated to End of Season 🤷‍♀️ stock and was half price. Having managed to get it home without dislodging (or worse) said birds, I have been sat watching to see how appreciated it would be...
Looks lovely on my patio terrasse, but our feathered friends, small, medium and large, are not impressed thus far. The doves studiously march past down the step, resolutely looking neither to right nor left and yesterday, the bigger birds sat around it in a circle, well, just looking, as if it were some alien UFO recently landed.
I am resisting getting out the much beloved £1.50 casserole dish I bought at the charity shop and which has provided hours of entertainment to birds, squirrels, hedgehogs, the cat as the local feeding centre and lido.

Good evening 🙂

Well the Christening of DgD 2 was a wonderful event. Our village rector is an ex teacher and performed the baptism privately for us so that the whole family could be involved. As she is four he talked to her as an equal and she followed his lead throughout. He even baptised her constant companion Bean....and all the family dogs were present.

There was no sermon - he simply sat down on chancel steps with her and they had a chat about life and family. We asked her what she thought after the service and she replied that it gave her lots to think about....🙂

The clearing up's done, DS safely delivered to the airport in time for his holiday and all Mr `M and I have to do this week is to get ready for our own trip home on Sunday. So it'stime to pull up the spent bean vines, pickle the beetroot, make the tomato purée......and do a mountain of laundry.

Young Spud was weighed today.....he's 10lb 12! He's put on nearly 4lb in a month! is he going to be a rugby player like the rest of the men in the family? I had lots of cuddles this weekend and didn't really want him to go home.

I feel truly blessed.

Ha haa Doodle there are so many pitfalls to innocent searches, aren't there?

My funny (ha ha or peculiar, you decide) story is in the same area.

As you know, I'm going deaf and mis-hear all sorts of things.
A friend visited:

"Glad to see you're making a healthy choice for skim milk."

My puzzled thoughts: I know you can get milk from all sorts of strange things, oats and almonds but I didn't know you could get it from foreskins. I was thinking cows rather than human of course.

And the other ffunny: one of our Kuia (older lady) now, sadly suffering the onset of dementia, went back to her doctor as the suppositories for haemorrhoids wasn't working. She took the pack with her. The doctor pointed out it was a multi-pack of disposable waxed-foam earplugs.

Real life is often funnier than fiction isn't it?

I'm waiting for my ride to Kawhe Kaumatua where I am sure I shall hear other funny stories.

Well that was …….interesting. I decided to look up where in Scotland Grammaretto lived so I could wave as we go past. Only trouble was I couldn’t remember exactly the name of the place or how to spell it so I put into Google what I thought sounded right. anyone want to know the average size of a man’s * in Scotland? 😱. Not quite with you yet Grammaretto but we’re coming.
My spelling wasn’t that bad!!
We have had a fabulous day. The weather has been amazing. Had lunch outside and enjoyed calm seas and gorgeous sunshine. So nice to see it.
How is everyone, Hope you’re all ok and keeping Jeeves busy.

Thank you Doodle that was very thoughtful of you.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

On board thanks Grammaretto unpacked and relaxing.
Been quite nice for sail away. Sunny and not too windy.
I bet thé soup goes down well. Crusty bread too?
Jeeves is back in dry land. He’s not a very good sailor, after helping me unpack he’s on his way back to you.
Have a good time at the cinema.

Hope you got off alright Doodle.
I tried 4 taxi companies before I found one for Frenchman at 5am tomorrow.
Then when I told him it was booked he said someone had offered him a lift.
Young people eh!
It's been a really hot for us day.

I have a Quaker meeting on the first Sunday of every month. I made soup for lunch and served 12.
Then Taizé singing again at Crichton church. Some visitors commented on the singing - nice things
Tonight the cinema starts again.
I may not sit through it all as it's Frenchman's last night.
Is Jeeves on the cruise with you? I haven't seen him around here

Thanks Ixion . Incase Kaimoana can’t read the small print at the bottom it says “ that’s French for don’t forget to bring back presents” 🤣🤣
We are almost ready for the off. Car booked to come at 11 so we are pacing ourselves nicely. So as not to rush DH then the driver phoned and said could he come at 10 instead. Sorry no. We were told 11 so that’s when we are expecting you. Seemed ok about it.
Hope all are well and ok. Be in touch soon I hope x💕