🦞 Locked down no longer but still firm friends 🦞

My plumbago is looking good at the moment too.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202404/medium-223790-pool.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202404/medium-137468-e-toru-nga-matua.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202404/medium-421445-at-palm-springs.jpg

All love and positive thought to you dear Doodle.

Gosh, T E Lawrence is a bit of a hero, so living in his natal house must be cool.

How vibrant and cheery those tulips are - thankyou

I only recently learned they don't like to be in a vase with other blooms, daffs especially. (how did they find out, did the tulips sulk?)

A florist friend would turn some of the tulip petals inside out - from convex to concave and made them look very exotic.

Yes, we all got to the hot pools because our kaimahi hired two 12 seater vans - hooray!
But not to the complex I was expecting. I wanted to have a good, long swim in the 33m pool we went to last time.
This one, Palm Springs, is small, not much bigger than a normal, household pool - and was crowded with people.

I still managed a moment or two not enough when people got out and it's eased my back.

What wasn't so good is that despite a ramp beside the entrance steps, nothing else in the complex is access-abled.
Deep steps everywhere but it didn't stop us having a lovely day in the warm sunshine.

And Matua Ray (centre) looked happier than I've ever seen him. His back was painful too but he sat in one of the spa pools (too hot for me) for a while so I hope that helped.

I hope you are too Doodle
Hugs and prayers.
xoxoxoxoxo

Prayers and hugs, Doodle.

Thinking of you as your journey progresses.

Look forward to welcoming you back when you're up 'n' running .
🌻

Love the doggy pictures. Early start for me tomorrow up at 5 am 😱. All set to go. DS1 coming to look after DH will swap with DS2 in the evening. Hoping I am back with them soon and back here with you too . xx

I'm quite impressed by your surgeon too Doodle, you'll be in good hands 😊. Thinking of you for tomorrow 💕.

Oh Keira 😂. Did she that black mud in those lovely ears Nfk🤔. Shame the bluebells weren't out. Ours are coming along nicely but very few are completely out, yet.

It'll be a shame if your trip to the hot pools doesn't go ahead Kaimoana, I know how you've been looking forward to it 😕. It would probably help your back too. Have you got a wheat bag? Both myself and my WP find they help.

The guy didn't come to take the piece of furniture away. When I rang to ask where he was he said he forgot 🤔. He told me to ring in the morning and he'll tell me what time to expect him tomorrow I don't hold out much hope . So frustrating.

If Jeeves is around I'll have a cup of tea 😁.

How interesting to be born in the house where T E Lawrence wrote Seven Pillars of Wisdom Grammaretto. It has a blue plaque I believe.
Not sure I'd want to live in that house with all the bats, it sounds too much like they're taking over the place 😱.
Thanks for the photo of the tulips, Spring is definitely springing 😁.

Aoife is indeed very snuggly and much neater than my shaggy mop of gingerness. And GN still doesn't like my snuggly spaniel. So I offer this instead!

Thankyou Mamissimo
Aoife will fill the gap nicely

No snuggly spaniel Grammaretto but perhaps a snuggly beagle could plug the gap? Aoife just doesn't feel like doing much this morning. She's sulking after having the whole family around last week and seems to find us boring.

Have managed to bring back a stinking cold and cough from Wales so I feel sympathy with Aoife - I don't feel like doing anything either

It's prime greenhouse season here and I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday sowing tomatoes, aubergines, chillies, lettuce, cabbage and basil. Too early for the running beans but I'll plough on and get the parsnips, carrots and beetroot in later this week.

Thoughts and prayers to the Doodles and a kind day to everyone

Yes indeed Kaimoana but when I mentioned that to DS he quickly reminded me that I wouldn't get in as NZ only want people of working age. Unlike my father and brother, I wasn't born there. I was infact born in Westminster in the house where T E Lawrence wrote Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Another fact you might like to know 🤣🤣 is that you don't find spiders' webs in damp places. The roofer told me that as he fought his way through the attic looking for a way out wet places. He found plenty of webs and a wasp nest old
He also told me that a nearby modern house has over 2000 bats in its roofspace. they stopped counting after 2000

I had better prepare for the filming and empty buckets.

Please can someone post a photo of a snuggly spaniel to cheer us up.

Here are the tulips as they were yesterday.

When I was teaching, my students were dismayed to learn school rules included 'Don't use Wikipedia'.
It is such a fund of (mis) information but indeed, not to be relied upon.

Students were much cheered to learn they could go to the references at the bottom of the pages as (probably) reliable sources.
So as long as you choose an authorative site you should get the real deal from Uncle Google.
Always best to double check though.

Our trip to the hot pools is in question due to transport difficulties - no community vans available.

The kaimahi are trying to marshall those with cars, promising petrol vouchers.
I'm tentatively hopeful but in my present mood, feel very tempted to just say 'oh, forget it, I'll stay at home.'

My long-ago, twice-injured back is suddenly playing up though, despite codeine, so perhaps a swim and a soak is what I need.

Hello Purplepixie, and welcome

Doodle & DH on my mind.

Grammaretto do you think your house is trying to tip the scales towards Aotearoa?

I tried to add a photo of a snuggled spaniel to cheer all those who need a snuggled spaniel hug (if a slightly damp one). But GN doesn't want you to see it.

Welcome Purple Pixie.

I took Kira for a walk at our local NT park today to see if the bluebells are out. I should have waited a few days, they need a bit longer yet - and the ground needs a bit longer to dry up as well. Kira, it seems, is a proper spaniel. Black mud holds a particular attraction. She's all snuggled under a towel just now still drying off from the bath

I somehow missed your post about the ceiling collops Grammaretto. I hate water leaks. Water's tendency to find it's way through allegedly waterproof layers is most annoying. Hopefully your roofer has it sussed. Soon. That on top of being chisty. I hope the x-ray shows no problems and it's just this long wet winter. My DMiL always swore by the change in the season curing a malingering cough. She lived in a cold damp house too!

Fingers crossed for you on Wednesday Doodle. I hope all goes well and you're back home in double time. If they offer, please let your boys look after you as well for a while.

(I Googled osteo chondroma!)

Nana ixion, you'd get a lot of money at auction for that gem from your dgc 😆.

You do seem to get a lot of coughs and colds Grammaretto. You're not getting mould creeping in amongst all that water are you 🤔. Do you know when you are likely to have the chest x-ray?
Drat! Your problem roof has still got a problem 😕. Your apparent 🤔 problem seems a bit like ours (only worse). A tile came off our roof a number of years ago, the area was freshly waterproofed and a new tile was put in place. The roof was fine for a few years but then a damp patch appeared ... it's still unresolved.. Did the roofer finish all he intended to do?
I'm glad your Quaker meeting went off without a single hitch 😉.*

Drat NotSpaghetti, it's not fair is it 😤.

Hello and welcome Purplepixie, jump right in 😁.

Oh, I've managed to get rid of that old lump of wood piece of furniture. Someone is coming to collect and dispose of it tomorrow 🤞.

You are most welcome Purple Pixie. We are just a little group who chat about our day and what we’re up to. We try and type all our text in bold as one of our little group has difficulty seeing and the bold print helps..
I’ve seen your name before, have you been on GN long?
Grammaretto I hope you get that chest checked out properly. You r had this cough/cold for quite a while now. Hope the roofer gets your roof fixed soon.
ixion I don’t know which is worse, a bottomless bunny or a headless one 🤣
Cherry I had a good chat with the surgeon this morning which helped a lot. I’m impressed he rang me personally and took time to explain what they plan on doing
Take care all xx

You are right about Dr google Cherry. There's always someone worse off than yourself

DS had an osteo chondroma. Don't google 😂

Sadly, water is plopping again.

Oh good Doodle, not too long to wait and worry.
I've always found that Dr Google is a scaremonger, so don't worry about him.
Mr D is in good hands, you're in good hands.
We will be thinking of you x

Brilliant about the roofer Grammaretto 😊

Back later 🤞.

So Wednesday is the day!
Thanks for the update Doodle.
I'm sure everyone knows what they're doing in your absence and know how to call for assistance if necessary but not you

My update is there is a man on my roof!!! We think he has found the problem. A loose or absent slate on the farside of a chimney and an area which needs cementing/waterproofing .
Sorry to be so excited about a roof.
Skip that bit.

And I saw a doctor this morning who is sending me for a chest X-ray.
I think it's all due to living in a cold old damp house but maybe old age.

I'm impressed that you have some bunny left ixion.

Hello purple pixie and welcome to the lobstars 😉

Oh no! Just lost a massive post!

Hi all can I join you?

Doodle,
I have asked Jeeves to put my Easter bunny (upper part) on his trolley for you when you are better.
Greater love hath no Lobstar than this.
*Bet you've eaten yours already*

Always thinking of you. Time for your Me first moment 💐

Will be thinking about you Doodle. Hope you get your op very soon and that it is successful which I’m sure it will be. Your family will be looking after DH so there is no need to worry but of course you will! But they will take good care of him as you know.
Lots of love and keep in touch when you can xx

Quick update. Im hopefully booked for surgery Wednesday just waiting for confirmation. Been so busy organising everything bossing everyone about. The original plan was that I was admitted straight away to await a slot for the operation but the kindly surgeon took pity on my home situation and is trying to get my op booked asap.
I’m trying not to think about it although reading Dr Google hasn’t helped 😱. I wont be doing that again.
Sending love to all of you and be in touch soon x

Priceless nana ixion. But what was it?and did it!!

The Q meeting went reasonably well apart from me rushing out to cough somewhere else and the fire refusing to light properly with people taking turns to poke it, noisily. It did finally produce a flame. Oh and someone's mobile phone ringing. Apart from that, and some ministry, all was quiet. 😂

I had brought some souvenirs back from NZ and when I saw our dear 98yr old friend wrapped in a quilt with her coat on, I gave her the possom & merino gloves I had bought. She was very appreciative.

My expected helper has postponed until Thursday and the filmmaker is messaging me so I had better go.

I have been thinking about Doodle a great deal.

ixion