The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

The Paraoa Parai sounds delicious Kaimoana, (my spell checker tried to change it to paranoia!). Does it use wheat flour? I'd love to try it, it sounds really, really bad for you!

And I'd love to see the plans for the eco house in the garden Grammetto. I think you should be highly tempted. Think of smugly listening to new occupants in your house recounting the latest 'challenge' the house is throwing at them!

It looks like today may be reasonable so it's a gardening day. My jungle is becoming rather a challenge. I'm ironing first though, while the weather heats up a little bit!

First day over of open studios. It took a while to get busy but then it did.

I had one customer who bought lots of my things which was very nice.
I'm quite tired now though so not sure if my energy will stretch to a concert tonight

I wonder if the architect will do some plans Nfk or whether he was just saying it would be possible. Part of me loves the idea but the other half thinks if I sold up I would want to live as far away as possible
Did you get some gardening done Nfk?

Is it sundown yet? Can I gave a G&T please Jeeves.

ixion well done our team. See I knew it was still football season. Hope you didn’t get your PomPoms wet. Oh yes certainly need your liberty bodices in the winter because, as my dear mum would always tell me, I’d catch a chill in the kidneys if I didn’t wear one. 🤣
Kaimoana I do have a nic long brush for my shower walls but these tiles are on the floor. It always amazes me how much dust can get into the cracks between the tiles
Your method of fried bread is exactly how my dad made it. He cooked his own fried breakfast every day and would happily make some for anyone else who happened to be around at the time. It was a specialty of his
you must feel very honoured to be a member of such a group. Just shows how much you have been accepted as one of theirs
Did you go swimming or was the weather too bad?
Nfk, hope the weather obliged and you had a good day in the garden. Do you winterise your camper bubble or do you have plans for trips in the winter months?
Grammaretto how lovely to have some sales. Did you sell teapots or other things? Hope the show went well. Is it just today or is it continuing?
Would be fun to see what the architect came up with. Do you have to get planning permission in Scotland like here or can you build in your own garden?
Poor DH has succumbed to my cold. He is sitting snuffling and sneezing and feeling sorry for himself. He is due to have his Covid jab Monday. Jeeves is getting him a whisky, for medicinal purposes only, you understand, then he’ll be up to you with the gin and tonic

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Nfk in the days when I made Paranioa bread, my recipe began with 500gr white flour, yeast etc. That stood to rise and before the 2nd proving, I cut off 1/3rd to make into fry bread. The rest became a loaf as normal.
The Paranoia (how can I think of it as anything else now ) was cut into 2 inch squares or triangles and once it had risen, deep fried.

Three things brought this to a halt: I absolutely hate the smell of deep frying; I was no longer able to eat it without tummy pain and of course I'm certainly not safe around hot oil these days.

Gram How lovely that you sold so much

Doodle I don't understand. Why can't you use a stiff, long-handled brush on the tiles rather than kneel? A good spray and wait should loosen any accumulated debris, then have at it with the brush.

Yes, we went swimming. I dragged myself unwillingly but after a brisk 60 minute swim felt I could leap from the pool as if I were a dolphin

Yes, the weather was and still is bad and if it doesn't improve will put the kybosh on our picnic at the beach on Tuesday.

Jan Where are you? Likewise Mamissimo?
We miss you both
So many are missing from the old days.

Pictures of Cornwallis Beach (in Maori Karangahape) where we plan to go. The long wooden wharf once served a ferry service.

I think I would get heartburn if I ate paranoia. Or is that the paranoia talking
I gatecrashed the vaccination centre this morning and had my jags a week early.
I can't get there next week. Now ofcourse I feel a bit wobbly so hope the other potters can mind the shop. they are all 20 years younger than me
It's open for this and next weekends. That's enough . I didn't sell any teapots but mostly bowls and mugs.

Beautiful beach and place to visit for your Tuesday trip Kaimoana.
Well done on your hour's swim.

Sorry the dude has a cold Doodle give him plenty of medicine and unless you enjoy the workout, there must be an easier way to clean those tiles.
Send the DGC in?
I nearly tied dusters around the legs of my DC when they were crawling, but they were too quick for me.

Nice that our team won ixion and I hope Cherry is having a good day

I miss our missing gang members too.

N

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*Good Morning 🙂
We've been away to Ireland and returned exhausted from the slow drive through Wales at 20 mph by getting the late boat home and then driving home through the night. Lesson learned that we maybe need to take longer to travel so that we arrive in good shape!

We had a great time digging in archives for my French 4xgt grannie in Portarlington, then north to Rathmullen, then along the Causeway coast to Ballintoy, down to Donaghadee, and then to my favourite hotel near Gorey.

The Marlfield is a drop dead gorgeous Georgian country house and has the required level of luxury to soothe and pamper both the soul and body. We arrived in a flurry of pouring rain and too much luggage, looking like tramps....to find we'd been upgraded to the Master Suite.

Mr M and I were like kids with blue smarties......we had a salon with a dining table that extends to seat 24, a piano....and a harp! The bed was 8ft wide, the dressing room was elegant - and I swam in the bath. The peacocks came to our private terrace.... we giggled almost all the time we were there.

Mr `M is to be seen in the photos reading the paper.....

Spud is now 11lbs 7 and doing well - as is his Mum. We're going to do the 120 mile treck to the Kent coast to see them next week.. DD1 has started her new job and likes it.....so far....DGD 2 has started school...and likes it so far.... and all others are well and content 🙂

This week I have to tackle the veg garden while the sun shines...those bored beans need to get sown and the beds prepared for the garlic and shallots.....where did this year go?*

Apologies for the unwelcome silence, folk!
Mr.I poorly and admitted to hospital as a medical emergency last night, a huge relief actually, as I think Doodle might understand.

Still exhausted mentally and physically (me😉) so not a lot of bandwidth for other issues at the mo. Hopefully I will get round to catching up soon.
Bear with me!

Goodness me Ixion. Huge worries for you. I hope Mr I is in the best place and that can rest

No wonder you are tired

Spud is beautiful Mamissimo.

An equinox gale blowing here.

Oh, Ixion, this Old Age lark is not for the older person, its such a challenge. On the other hand it usually takes an older person with the life experience and lateral fast thinking to cope with it and stay sane!

I hope Mr I came through the emergency ok and is getting the treatment he needs and you can recover while he's safely being looked after.

Kaimoana yes I see now what you mean about the brush. I suppose I could do that. I don’t have one because I don’t have anywhere to use it but certainly it might help in the bathroom. I shall have to see what I can find.
Well, what does not looking properly and optical illusion make of your photo. Well in my case it makes a pyramid!
It was only when I read about you mentioning the long wooden wharf did I realise that what I thought went up in the air to a point was in fact something long and flat and close to the ground. I did wonder when you’d been to Egypt I must admit 🤣
Glad you enjoyed your swim and felt invigorated.
Yes I wonder about Missedout and Nortsat too.
Grammaretto I wonder why in Scotland you call them jags and down south jabs. I first heard the term when Marydoll mentioned it and wondered what she was talking about. Perhaps some luxury form of transport
Hope you feel ok now. DH is having his tomorrow.
Hope you get more sales. Has it been busy?
Mamissimo wow what a wonderful hotel. Looks amazing. *Not surprised you had a good time. 8ft wide bed…..did you ever find each other?
That boy is a smasher. Love his hair. He’s coming on well. So pleased to hear his mum is too
Ixion oh dear I’m so sorry MrI is in hospital. Hope he gets the best care and is on the way to recovery. How worrying for you.
Nfk I know what you mean about old age. As my mum used to say, it doesn’t come without its trials
Take care all

Yes, Doddle, I did get quite a bit of the garden sorted yesterday and now have a heap of future compost waiting for me to empty compost bin No 1. No 2 bin is more than full so needs to be put to bed. The trouble is I'm out of sync and need to clear a bit more of the jungle in order to have space to put the compost in bin No 1! That wet weather in July has sent everything into overdrive!

I don't have to winterise Camperbubble in the same way as we had to the boat, as she's modern and plugged into the house electrics. I should empty the water tanks but that's all. There's a really low central heating system which keeps everything snug. Apparently I should take her out about once a month to keep all the electrical computerised magic working which isn't much hardship! As long as it doesn't go wrong!

I've gone broody Mamissimo! And Mr M looks completely at home in your country house. I'm quite envious, I assume Jeeves had ironed the newspaper to his satisfaction.

I may try making paranoia bread this week. I have a large unopened packet of Rennies in the cupboard and there's bad weather forecast so I shan't be going out.

Nfk I’m in a similar position not with garden compost but with the results of a tidy up at home. Bags for recycling, bags for the charity shop, bags for the dump, bags for the bin
That’s good about the camper bubble. Is it the sort of size you could take to the shops for a run?
i think Paranoia bread sounds great. Let us know how you get on.

Hello dear friends,

I don't know how you manage the compost Nfk . This is when my Helpers are so useful. Brawn if not necessarily brain
The next one's are due in October so I shall save heavy jobs for them.

Your camperbubble sounds perfect. I'm full of admiration envy

How is Mr I today ixion?
I hope he's on the mend.

That hotel does indeed look grand Mamissimo
I have a book somewhere of grand hotels of the world. I wonder if yours features.
I hardly ever stay in hotels although I once spent several nights at Raffles in Singapore.
My Jag (probably because it's jaggy?) left me feeling wretched last night with 2 sore arms but I seem to have recovered. I just did a shift at the store to help them out.
I have been trying to book train trips online . I'm going to a conference in Leeds. I can get there fine but coming back on a Sunday seems a marathon and goes via Penrith to get to Edinburgh.

Does Jeeves do travel bookings?

Well done on your recycling Doodle
I have to be in the right mood for that.

I keep rambling on,

See you all later

Good evening 🙂
Today I washed all the 9 tog duvets so that we're ready for autumn. Mr M laughed when I bought large load appliances but they save a fortune as long as I wash dry during the night or when the sun is shining.We like single duvets on our bed so that we don't fight!

We had roast pork yesterday and I finished off the crackling in the air fryer while the joint rested - it was wonderful and crunched rather than acting as a tooth breaker well worth doing if you haven't tried it.

I've been following the thread on peat free compost elsewhere on here and it fills me with gloom. No one seems to get good results with it. I don't know what the answer is so I guess I'll have to get used to scrawny veg and plants. Making your own potting mix involves so much sifting - too much for me!

My spring bulbs for pots arrived today so it's time to get cracking!

In the days when I gardened, I used biological liquid and seaweed. If you have a beach near you, gather it and let it wash in rains. Magic stuff. Renewable, unlike peat.

How is Mr.ixion doing?

Worth staying over in Leeds for a night Grammaretto? You could then see the amazing royalarmouries.org

Ducklings are waiting at my door. Should I read the Trevor story to give them ambition?

I think they prefer food.

Jan How are you?

Yet another swim on offer today - must hunt out the spare towel and see if my cozzie is dry yet

Been watering the baskets today and myself in the process. I think they’re on their last legs now. Quite straggly
Grammaretto, not long to wait till October. Where are the next helpers coming from?
glad you’re arm is feeling better. I will pass that news onto DH whose arm is sore now. Mind you he only had the covid jab.
I read on the GM thread that you have big ears and a fluffy tail………….at least that’s what I think you mean about being a bit wabbit? 🐇 🤣

Mamissimo, , we are trying to post with asterisks at the beginning and end of each paragraph to make our text bold because our dear friend Kaimoana is struggling to read it. (You were on holiday when I mentioned it). Only if you remember though
Right I’m on my way with my duvets. Just let me know when they’re done and ready for collection. My son has an air-fryer too. He really likes his. Do you use yours much?
Have you got a variety for your bulbs? Perhaps I should put some on our balcony or do you grow yours in the greenhouse
Kaimoana how many ducklings do you have? Is there a stream nearby? We have 5 swans at the moment. Nice to see them back here again they’ve been missing for a couple of years.
i Hope you get your swim. Who is it with this time?
ixion hope there is better news or Mr I. Thinking of you both

OK, so where did that ruddy post disappear to?😡.

I just nipped in to thank you for your kind thoughts and support, which have been much appreciated. I feel myself falling into a vague routine so hope to return to read and inwardly digest all your news very soon.

Mr.I seems to be a little better today. I was going to use the word comfortable but that's pushing it a bit. There seems to be a general reluctance these days to assist the patient to get comfy and they never hunt in pairs to offer help.
He is finding it difficult to sustain conversation as it tires him out. One plus for him is that he doesn't have to contribute anything to my witterings and can nod off with impunity. It has taken him decades to reach this state of Nirvana, bless him.

Glad to hear MrIxion is a little better.

Yes, I got another 90 minute swim today, with Kawhe Kaumatua. Nice lunch and hot chocolate as a warmer upper afterwards. The planned beach picnic was deferred due to the rain.

Currently 5 ducklings Doodle, about 3 weeks old but I saw a cat eying them and of course Pukeko predate them too.

There is an area of planted wetland at the end of my lawn and ducks prefer to nest there rather than in the stream adjacent to my house. This floods in heavy rain, which we've had for a few days.

Perhaps if we ever get some sunshine I'll take photos so you can see.

Sallies Lunch on Thursday; Police Remembrance Day Friday (the pin is a sacred Huia feather) and on Sunday it is World Elders Day; Tuvalu Language Week and my DGS arrives for a 4 day stay.

He and I will join Kawhe Kaumatua next Tuesday for a Family Festival at which we will enjoy a seafood lunch (mussels, smoked salmon, unsmoked salmon and crayfish) and a great deal of jollity. Lots to look forwards to......and Spring is on its way.

I hope Mr I continues to improve.
When I used to visit DH the times he was an inpatient. I'd take him a newspaper and a book and just sit beside his bed for the hour I was allowed (it was mid pandemic) I don't think there was much conversation. A comfort for him and for me

Your life is very nice at present Kaimoana. I'm glad to see.

I am a bit cross. The window cleaner was due this morning and he has not come
It is the only day I could go out this week and I'm stuck in. Grumpy me. I have been chatting to a helper who is coming in November from China (but in England). Before that there are 2 couples. The first from New Zealand (from Switzerland), the next from Argentina. But I've not heard recently from the first 4 so they may not materialise.

My kiln is playing up too so another reason to moan. I borrowed an angle grinder from our local library of things and have been grinding dripped glaze off kiln shelves. I may have to buy this tool which I am told are for sale in Lidl.

I start the autumn term Gaelic tonight at a far away school. I am hoping to get a bus there. It's a different teacher and I am apprehensive.

Now to put asterisks in the correct places
See you all later
when I won't be so grumpy, promise

ixion, I hope your DH is continuing to improve. Keeping conversation going for hours in hospital is often difficult. Companionable silence and the odd chat whilst reading a book is how we manage
Kaimoana another lovely long swim. I bet it’s done you the world of good. That group is certainly a good thing. Hot chocolate too. 😋
Our ducks nest on the lawn near our stream too. They like it there away from cars and traffic it’s a quiet little backwater
Youve got a busy time coming up and joy of joys a visit from your grandson. Wonderful 😊
Grammaretto, quiet companionship is something special. Can be done when you know each other well. With strangers there’s more of a need to keep the conversation going
A helper from China. That will be different. Have you had a Chinese helper before. I always imagine people from China as being very artistic but of course they are just as different as the rest of us.
You will be busy with all those helpers. I Hope they all turn up.
I Hope thé kiln playing up won’t spoil things for your show. You have another this coming weekend too don’t you?
You’re brave to start a new class but I’m sure it will be fun. Nice to see who else turns up. Hope it goes well
I see from another thread that you were a David McCallum fan too. I didn’t realise he was 90. In my mind he’s still that young blonde Man from Uncle
Dh had his dressing changed again today and his leg is much improved. nurse is happy. Now tomorrow we have to go and see his haematologist to discuss what changes if any there will be to his treatment. First face to face for months

I am glad that DH's leg is much improved Doodle. What a relief.

Ah yes Ilya! Wasn't he gorgeous. I watched with my mum who preferred Napoleon Solo.

The Chinese girl is from giant panda country. There are a pair of pandas at Edinburgh zoo on loan from China who have refused to breed. Who can blame them!
I thought she might be from porcelain country. We have hosted someone from China before --and people from Hong Kong,Taiwan and Singapore--
The Argentinians will be the first.

The new Gaelic class was fine. The teacher is from Wisconsin!

The window cleaner's van broke down but he could have told me he wasn't coming. I won't let these setbacks get me down. He has rearranged but later on.

Storm Alma is on her way but it's quiet so far.
Cough medicine for me Jeeves. I have a horrid tickly cough.

Night night Lobstars

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I hope by the time you read this Grammaretto you are feeling a little more settled.
Honey and lemon for your cough; my Mum used to tell us not to swallow the honey but to just let it melt down our throats. Not as easy as it sounds

Mind you, in those days we didn't have whisky with it as the adults did.
Try to stay out of Alma's way.

You were brave to bus across the city at night, makes me shudder just to think of it.

Happy news about your DH Doodle don't let them give him anything else which might set him back.

Ilya Kuryakin I liked Ivanhoe (Roger Moore) but I was only 11 and occasionally watched on a neighbour's black and white TV, a screen the size of a paperback book!

I can't remember having crushes (too busy reading) but I did gasp a bit in the cinema when Omar Sharif in 'Lawrence of Arabia' came camel-riding out of the mirage.

And Peter O'Toole...those eyes were mesmerising.

I wasn't a particularly romantic teenager. When my peers were swooning over Elvis, Cliff and others, I was unmoved by any of it and loathed rock n' roll.

I did like Adam Faith a bit but as I disliked music (apart from Gershwin) the pop craze passed me by. I must have seemed a very weird sort of kid. (nowt's changed)


Yes, the swim was wonderful Doodle and actually I had 2 hot chocolates as Johny ordered one for each of us but at the end, there were 3 unclaimed.

My spider bite is driving me nuts - it itches so much and the only thing which seems to assuage it is to dab it with the 75% alcohol hand sanitiser. Stings like mad but rather that than itchy.

Although it rained all day (aren't you sick of hearing that? Me too) I got my laundry almost dry as it was windy too and the clothes on my covered veranda dried enough to bring them in to air overnight.
What riveting news I bring you

Wishing for a good and comfortable outcome for MrIxion.

1st October is World Elders Day.

Poor you with an itchy spider bite Kaimoana. I'm glad the intriguing treatment is working.
I am packing to visit DD early tomorrow.

I shall go by bus as my cataracts mean I cannot drive at present. I love to take things for the DGC and from the garden but how to pack it all into a small rucksack?
How do others manage?

The Argentinians have called off. I don't mind as infact about that time I am hosting a sculpture workshop and will need the space and the loo for participants.

The community lunch today was strange but good. There was so much I asked for a doggy bag and have my supper too!
Dairy free Strawberry crumble for pudding. --cream would have been nice--
Any Lobstar news?

Hello Lobstars

Yes, some news Grammaretto. I had a CT scan this morning. I couldn't believe how quick the whole thing was. From arriving at the hospital, finding a parking space, waiting for the scan, having the scan and exiting the hospital it took just over half an hour. Amazing 👍
I haven't been out very much for a few weeks but I went on my walkie talkie yesterday,. That was a feat 💪 considering that three weeks ago I did something to my back when I was getting out of the shower and was struggled to walk properly for a couple of weeks.
There's advantages to not getting out much in Wales these days since the 20mph speed limit came in on 17th September 🤣. A few days after the speed limit change came in we decided to go to a retail park just off Swansea city centre. Usually it's a journey that takes 20 -25 minutes. We were stuck in traffic on the main trunk road into Swansea for nearly an hour 😱. Was everyone really travelling that slowly because of the change 🤔. All eventually became clear ... there'd been an accident almost right at the other end of the road and the police had blocked the road and were diverting traffic. So far the change hasn't had any impact on us --as we haven't really been anywhere--

*I hope your DH's hospital appointment went well today Doodle*🤞
I hope Mr I is improving day by day 🤞
I hope your spider bite stops driving you nuts Kaimoana 🤞
*I hope you have a wonderful time at your DD's Grammaretto*🤞
*I hope Nfk and Jan are okay*🤞

I hope I have been bold 😁

Not as bold as I hoped 🤦