Onward and Upward me hearties....
Why do restaurants and takeaways close so early now?
Which British song sums up the 1960s for you?
Times article claim that Waspi women are tone deaf and should read the room
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Thanks Kaimoana for the title.
Can’t believe we’re on another thread.
All are welcome to join us for a chat.
Onward and Upward me hearties....
And with any luck, the key turns in the lock for the last time now.
www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1332658-Locked-down-no-longer-but-still-firm-friends
Meanwhile, I'll hang about here, eating ice cream and sticky buns until the door clangs shut.
Very echoish in here..here...here...here
Hello stranger, you're in the wrong place - please follow this link if you want to talk to the Lockdown Gang aka Lobstars.
www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1332658-Locked-down-no-longer-but-still-firm-friends
I doubt anyone from the old thread will come back here but I'll post the link to the new one just in case.
www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1332658-Locked-down-no-longer-but-still-firm-friends
Because I didn't expect everyone to scoot ff to the new thread before this one had finished, I feel obliged to do it.
Well aren’t we doing well, we now have two threads running on GN 😊. I’ve just been in the other one and now I’ve popped back in here to catch up too.
Mamissimo, if I lay in the floor I wouldn’t be able to get back up again. I wonder if both Aoife and Fergal sneak into your room and onto the bed whenever they’re left alone in the house.
I used to love those paper dolls and do the same with my DGDs . Hope you all have fun together
Kaimoana, apart from the internet problems it sounds as though you had a lovely day. How nice for Ray to be able to join you on a trip. I bet you all enjoyed it.
ixion ooh crafty Mamissimo I hadn’t thought of that. Don’t forget I’m first in the queue for Adonis when Jan’s finished worn him out with him
So pleased you had a busy but lovely day, Kaimona and that Ray is coming under your wing.
Talking of wings, I wonder whether Grammaretto is bringing any of Trevor's clan back? Beware all, it's still quite nippy over here! Bon voyage to you all.
Thrilled to hear the Doodles got out for a constitutional and test drive. Bet you slept well after that! And that you were aiming for Church too. That must be a great support, both friends and Himself!
Hoping all are 'ticking over nicely'.
I have a strong suspicion that Mamissimo with her exercise dilemma is angling after the arrival of Jan's personal trainer...
There is a queue, you know...😉
How are you keeping, Cherry? We will need a new routine with the pompoms if we are to energise Our Team next weekend.
Mamissimo I believe your spirit benefited from looking out of the window far more.
When I had my hip replaced, I did my excercised but reluctantly and not as many or as often until two friend separately told me they had to go back for 'correcting surgery' as a result, the doctor said, of not exercising.
That kept me going, swearing a bit but still going. 
I guess the lesson is 1) abject fear and 2) On your own head (knee or hip) be it.
You pays yer money and you makes yer choice.
Lovely day today. Angela my new friend from The Netherlands visited and drove Ray's car with us in it to meet some of my Maori friends. Mutual apreciation society well established it seemed.
Then to look at the Marae and although couldn't go in I explained some the history and carvings. A lovely man came over and told us a bit more and taught Angela how to hongi. I told her the meaning and why we do it.
Back to my place for coffee, home-made shortbread and a chat about some of the good and not-so-good things of the day.
Ray went home, another friend arrived /went - then Angela and I had tea and sat talking in the evening sunshine until 8:30pm when she caught a bus back to the hostel.
I tried to get online and found I had no internet connection, so that entailed unplugging, re-setting, testing everything swearing for an hour until I found the fault and corrected it. In the old days, that would have taken 10 minuts tops.
But here I am catching up, answering emails, paying bills and nurdling on about our day and as it's after 10pm, it's shower and bed time.
A very full but rewarding day for us all.
<happy sigh>
Po marie (poe mahree-ay)
G'night.
Kaimoana I love the thought that we're all firm friends no one's called me firm for years ! This gang is good for my morale 🙂
Can any of you offer any ideas on how to make sure that I do the exercises that the physio has set me? I really need to do them but somehow something more fascinating always comes along at the very moment I've set aside for self improvement!
This morning I went upstairs and lay on the floor ready to start lifting, squeezing and pulling in and I was drawn to the view from the big window. I've never looked out of that window from the floor before and to be honest I could only see the sky and the rain but Aoife came to look too. Then Fergal came out from under the bed, so Aoife gave him a big sniff and chased him onto the bed. Without thinking I was up and herding them off my clean sheets.....and downstairs. I moved fast.....does that count as the exercises?
Tomorrow I have the DGDs for the pm and we're going to make paper dolls and clothes with the little tabs. I can't wait - they were my favourite when I was five or six. I had special sets that I kept in a shoe box - I had some regency ones I bought in Bath at the Fashion Museum, a set of Little Women, lots of normal ones and some I made myself. I just hope the little ones see the magic.
and so to bed....zzzzz
PLEASE SEE the LINK at the END of this post
Oh dear, poor friend and poor dog. I wonder if it was one of those very rare "pheromone attacks"? I've read that some perfumes and aftershaves cause normally placid dogs to bite. Very sad
What an interesting explanation of rainbow bruising, thanks Cherry, it makes perfect sense. 
Had a lovely suprise this evening - Angela whom I met at the weekend rang to ask if she could visit tomorrow. I was more than happy to agree.
Also, my dear neighbour Ray came across to see how I was, worried because I looked so ill at the kaumatua meeting.
Blimey, and I thought I looked as if I'd just come off the catwalk! 
He finally decided, after months of my bribing him with yummy food from our kaumatua group, to join us.
He loved it and said the turning point was my birthday party when so many people came to celebrate for the day and showed so much aroha (love) for him as well.
I feel so sorry for him as he can no longer drive his beautiful car. He's so frail now, less than 70 kg and I really don't want him to fall again so I screwed my courage to the sticking place and asked if he'd like my old walking frame.
It's very light and folds up at the touch of a button. I haven't used it for years, since I had my hip replaced.
He's coming over for Sunday lunch
We are only 10 messages away from the end of this thread so I've volunteered to start the new one as Doodle and *Cherry have enough on their plates at the moment.
In case this happens whilst I'm snoozing at the tail end of the world, this is the link.
www.gransnet.com/forums/coronavirus/1332658-Locked-down-no-longer-but-still-firm-friends
Wouldn't want you to be wandering in the wilderness.......
*My cousin and I suddenly noticed all the hearts around that it's Valentine's day so we hugged!
Here are hugs for all of you too.*
Happy birthday to your DS Kaimoana.
We had a good walk around the nature reserve that is Zealandia and spotted some native birds and several tuatara.
Her DH is on antibiotics after the dog bite. The dog is in a dog pound and he was asked what he wanted to happen. He said he hoped it wouldn't happen again but acknowledged that it's a beloved pet.
Sorry all just a flying visit tonight to say I’ve had my haircut. Yippee I can see again. 🤣
We’ve had our son over tonight and it’s now so late I must get some sleep as I want to go to church in the morning.
Kaimoana, Hope your son had a lovely birthday
Proper catch up tomorrow
I keep losing messages like no tomorrow 🙄, so I'll keep this brief
Happy birthday to your DS Kaimoana, I hope he's had a lovely day.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself with the elders group 😊. I was surprised when you said that you didn't feel like going as I know you usually enjoy it. Great turnout too sod the supposed maximum!
I might be wrong I often am but I'm fairly sure that it's the decomposing haemoglobin from the ruptured blood vessels that determines the colour of bruises. Low level decomposition - black, blue and purple, high level of decomposition - green, yellow and brown.
I hope it warmed up, as promised 😁
Kaimoana's right Grammaretto - you really are making the most of your time, not just in Wellington either but during this whole trip. I hope you found some interesting souvenirs yesterday; you know yourself the best ones you will be bringing back are the most wonderful of memories 😊.
I hope your cousin's OH is okay after that nasty dog bite.
That's great Doodle - you've been able to go for a walk/scoot by the river. I'm sure you're right, the scooter is bound to take a little getting used to ... but by Spring 🌼, and it will have warmed up a bit by then too 😊
You really are making the most of your time in Welly aren't you Grammaretto ? I'm full of admiration for your stamina.
Thanks for the Arnica tip.
Yes, Doodle bruises all over the place, very colourful indeed. I wonder why they go blue, black, yellow and green?
Doctor has arranged for X-rays of foot, hip and knee, all of which hurt like billy-o. Depending on outcomes, it's then physio and mirimiri (massage).
As usual, the elders group was wonderful, it's just me that needs a push sometimes. We were supposed to have a maximum of 14 but hey-ho 27 turned up - it was like old times.
Autumn came knocking at my bedroom door this morning with its ridiculous 13 degrees. A predicted high of 26 though.
It's my son's birthday today.
I visited the old government buildings today in Wellington, now used as the university law department. It claims to be the largest wooden building in the Southern hemisphere though it looks like stone. It houses the original petition and agreement for women to get the vote. 1893. The first country in the world ☺️☺
Arnica for bruising. It really works. I hope you are not badly damaged Kaimoana.
My cousin's OH was bitten by a dog yesterday. It was on a lead but gave him a nasty bite which made him jump into the road. According to the dog's owner it had never done it before and she was full of apologies.
This I another cousin who I shall meet tomorrow at Zealandia.
Today I went off on my own to shop for souvenirs.
I've had a new gel screen cover put on the shattered screen of this phone.
I am glad you got out for your Riverwalk Doodle. Looks like the scooter will be worth it if you can do that.
Sorry about our team Ixion. 😔
What an interesting family you come from!
I'm going for a lie down on a rug in the garden. See you later.
Kaimoana I was wondering how you were after your fall. Has your bruising come out anymore? Hope you’re ok
Ah Jan so glad you made it. I was going to send out the Jeeves with his barrel round his neck to track you down.
Enjoy your glass of wine
ixion yes we did get out today. First time by the river since last October. It was lovely and sunny but quite cold. Scooter works but is a little unstable on our uneven pavements. Needs a little time to get used to it I think.
Your family history is fascinating. What an interesting story about aunt.
Hey, I saw (well heard about him) first. I get first dibs on the Adonis personal trainer.
🙋♀️🙋♀️🙋♀️ Found you! Thanks Doodle. Now having a celebratory glass of wine. Thanks Jeeves!
We’re here Jan 🏁
Jans lost in the jungle and can’t find us. Just going to the top of the thread pile to wave a flag and see if I can see her.
Grammaretto I should employ you as my publicist! Thank you so much for making Trevor visible.
I don't know if I mentioned it but the publishers do none at all, leaving it all up to the author. Most unusual.
"Aye, there's the rub". Now that's a good sport to take up, gentle but envigorating - bowls. Millie Khan of NZ was one of the best a few yeas back, gold and silver medals all over the place.
Our elders group starts today after the long, summer holiday and I feel about as much like going as if I'd been asked to climb Aorangi
no doubt when I get there.......
Lots going on here currently! Kaimona, so sorry about your fall. Have you been checked over yet? I am beginning to realise how potentially hazardous situations can now be when one is hustled - or, even, hassled- when moving from A to B. Heads of stairs in public places ramp up my situational awareness as management trainers like to refer to it these days.
Loving your photos, Grammaretto. You are covering so much in your time away and will return with fantastic memories. Do you envisage a time when your DGS might make the trip solo to stay with you? Life will take a bit of getting used to on your return!
Did you get out today, Doodle, with your wheels? If so, I hope there is mileage in your adventures. Numb bum?
I am not surprised your recent commission takes in my forebears' stomping ground, Mamissimo. A lot of us and we didn't get out much ...
I am championing the cause of my 3x great aunt as a rôle model in adversity.
Always a rag dealer (or, latterly a wardrobe dealer😉) she was widowed early with just 6 of her 16 children still surviving. Gawd. By the turn of the 20th century, she was imprisoned for 3 months for handling stolen goods (material) in Holloway, and was on the Old Bailey's Register of Habitual Criminals. One daughter was sent to an asylum, one was an unmarried mother, granddaughter also being housed and fed (presumably) by said 3x great aunt. But all kept out of the workhouse.
I salute her tenacity
Spud remains scrumptious. Of him, my grandmother would be saying 'he'll break a few hearts when he grows up, you'll see'.
We had a bit of a letdown at our team's recent ⚽️ match. That's putting it mildly. No amount of cheerleading lifted our play or our spirits. We may hang up our pompoms, methinks.
Today, we have been sourcing a replacement screen for Mr.I's iPad. Of course, if he hadn't nodded orf, all would be well.
I wonder whether I might sacrifice Jeeves' nightly visits for a visitation from Jan's personal trainer? Or should I be getting myself into some sort of shape first?
Aye, there's the rub.
Gramaretto I’m sure your opinions are never a disaster. I’m sure I typed phone. 🤔
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