Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Our town's climate challenge group has bought a proper apple press with steriliser and pasteuriser and all the necessary. It's great. People bring quantities of fruit and the machine does most of the rest.
We bring empty bottles and take home delicious juice.

The machine gets loaned out to other groups too. I think apple day is next month. Our apples aren't ready yet.

Oh my goodness Kaimoana! I hadn't understood that your DS was being treated to family holidays as part if the job!!

I have woken feeling rather fluey so may have to cancel my engagements today.

The Kiwi girl has already had an offer for an old chair. It's not a fast way of decluttering but if the stuff goes out the door I shall be very grateful.

I can send Jeeves over to you Doodle, for retraining. 🤣😅

Yes, we stewed lots last year.
It takes time though!
My mother-in-law has done some already - but this is the first of three trees!

Thank you NotS that's kind. I'll leave it up to individuals then.

I find it a bit hard to chomp and digest raw apples these days, so I generaly stew them lightly. I wonder if you MiL has the same difficulty?

It's excellent to have a few zip-lock bags in the freezer as they come in handy for all sorts of recipes and yummy with custard, yoghurt or cream.

Kaimoana2 - I think most of us are happy to continue in bold if it's useful. Please don't worry

Doodle, sorry today (Thursday) was not so good... at least we are into "tomorrow" -just about- (Friday) and so today will undoubtedly be better. 🙏

We spent a few hours with my mother-in-law today and amongst other things we picked loads of apples for her
- then she decided we had to bring them home ...
I'd already collected a few kilos of damaged ones and windfalls (as I can't bear to watch them rot)... and now I have maybe 10kg to deal with one way or another!

Tomorrow will be a kitchen day that's for sure

I think I need to borrow Jeevrs!

Overheard in a supermarket:
First lady: 'I've been given tickets for a play called 'Othello', do you know it?

Second lady: I thinks it's that one where an African American fella strangles Des O'Connor.'

Goodness Grammaretto all go and all change at your place too.
Was your trip to the dentist successful?

'NSW' = New South Wales. Apologies I should have written it in full.
DS is currently staying about an hour's drive south of Sydney, on his employer's farm. However, he's there to be briefed on the company he’ll be running, not to become a Cow Cocky
They are also flying his family out for a short holiday at their expense. I don’t know if they’ll make it by Father’s Day but it would be a lovely gift for them all if they could.

Sorry to hear it wasn’t a good day Doodle, one of those ‘one steps back’ days I suppose. Let’s hope the ‘two steps forward’ are imminent

I’ve been experimenting a bit here and I’m going to rid you of the burden of making your posts BOLD. I am so very grateful you were all kind enough to help me this way. I’m going to cut and paste and tweak the text. I miss a lot of your comments as the time I can spend at the screen is so limited now.
My grateful thanks

Kaimoana such good news about your son. I am so pleased for you. Nice to hear that you received good treatment at the new surgery. Sounds hopeful for the future.
Grammaretto anyone who likes a glass of wine will be good company I’m sure. Did I read on GM that your helper is sorting out things for you to sell/have valued?
Glad Jeeves is with you, that will keep him out of mischief……………. won’t it ?🤔
Good for you. Hope you get your planning permission. At least you’ll know if it’s viable or not
Had one of those days today. Hoping for a better one tomorrow

Does this mean he, DS, has left the UK again Kaimoana? I can't keep up.
How wonderful about Trevor 😃

I am thrilled on your behalf about your new medical care. About time too.

I seem to have a cold but otherwise OK. My Helper is another Kiwi. She's great. She's practical and sensible, can cook and likes a glass of wine.

She has been helping with room clearance. It's never-ending. We are promised sunshine so I hope we'll she'll get some gardening done too.

We have purloined Jeeves, Doodle as you were wondering.

Your walking group sounds quite like ours Cherry. We look forward to our coffee and scones!

I've had plenty of thoughts and plans about the house and possible new building so am going for planning permission.

Well, you never know what life will bring do you?
My son, having received a firm job offer too good to refuse,
is now in NSW, currently having lunch at a country pub with his new employer.

The carpet is still unrolling of course but so far the patterns looks good.

I had my first appointment with nurse and new doctor today and I'm happy to inform Nfk it wasn't too good to be true
They picked up on all the health issues the previous clinic ignored or neglected over the past year or so.

Their kindness made me feel welcomed and comfortable and less hopeless that I just have to put up with pain.
It also cost $10 for the hour, whereas the other place charges $21.50 for 15 minutes if you're lucky

ixion thanks for the Niue link, very sad, especially as Pasifika peoples usually like their own to be brought home to family.
The headline is inaccurate, they're not Maori and Niue is well over 2,000km from NZ - but an understandable mistake.
SO glad you got the eye problem fixed.

It's good to hear you are having some good days Doodle and
your church is a comfort. You're right, not all churches are.

Cherry When DS played AF for New Zealand, a US team came over, openly smirking that our backwoods team would be shown a thing or two by experts.
We beat them hollow.

It's tradition in American Football that at the end of the game, both teams line up and shake hand all down the line.
Most of the US men refused to lift a hand and stood gazing steadfastly ahead, contemptuous and sullen.
They were booed off the field.

Many Americans in the stadium came to apologise for this shameful display of poor sportsmanship.

'No worries. She'll be right Mate' laughed the Kiwis.

Cherry sorry your cafe was closed. I went for a long walk today too so no jumping up and down for me either
Sorry I can’t sing I’ve got a mouth full of Pringles 🤣

Cherry I’m looking for a new (to me) car too. Something smaller that’s easier to park but also one I can get in and out of ok.
Havent seen Jeeves for a while I think *Grammaretto’s had him on bucket watch
Kaimoana apart from the fact the hold music is often awful and annoying sometimes it can be quite upsetting thr choice of music if the words get to you. I’ve had to hang up more than once on a call as I couldn’t cope with the music any more.
Wonderful news about Trevor
So Pleased Trevor is travelling further afield
Ixion lovely tale about your in laws
There is a church choir and a singing group from the hospice but they are all nice people and I would want to inflict my singing on them 🤣🤣
Yes I’m on my way over. If Cherry needs foghorn support I’ll lubricate my tonsils with some 🍷 and belt out a few rousing choruses
What an interesting link. Thank you for sharing
Notspaghetti and Grammaretto hope you’ve had a good day

That's fantastic new Kaimoana. Trevor is spreading his wings and travelling far and wide 😊. Exciting times indeed.

ixion, I don't know whether to 😆 or 😱 at your remarks about your remarks in relation to your in-laws choice of retirement abode but it did raise a titter 😉. The restored shippon does sound lovely though, I do like a rambling rose.
What happened to those Niue Islanders is a tragic affair all round. The words sacrificial and lambs springs to mind - except for what good 😟. It is good to see that, at least these days, their contribution is being recognised.
I hope the adjustments your DS has made to your screen has worked to resolve your pesky migraines 🤞.

That's not a bad thought of ixion's Doodle. Does the church have choir or is there a community choir you could join? There's one near me and it's very popular; they have a motto for people joining - it's not about the voice it's about the unifying joy.
Oh, and Doodle, I have no idea what ixion means about my singing chanting and shouting more like on the terraces 😉 🤣. Pringles at the ready tonight? Just one anthem to learn 😁.

I've been out with my walking group today and my legs are aching. We had an unintended extended walk 😬 as we headed towards a bridge toward one of our favourite cafes - only the bridge was closed for repair so we had to walk the long way round🤦‍♀️. No matter what happens at tonight's match I won't be doing any jumping up and down not sure I can do that anyway 😅.

How lovely ixion that they are still (at last?) honoured though - with the flag and beading etc. It's actually really moving. And like others... so young

Oh, FGS.

NIUE

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202408/medium-784412-img-1537.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202408/medium-583926-img-1539.jpeg

The Nuie links, as threatened..

havering.blog/2021/04/03/four-maori-soldiers-buried-in-st-andrews-cemetery-hornchurch/

Thank you to everyone for your solicitous comments over my whizzy headaches. DS has fiddled with (sorry, adjusted) the screen resolution and brightness after I had refused to sit in sunglasses to aid the situation. I have also got an anti glare thingy for the screen which is a great help. I had found Mr.I's suggestion that I spend less time on it less than helpful ...

My in-laws moved, in retirement, to a god-forsaken remote but beautiful part of the country and bought an abandoned goat farm🤷‍♀️. Don't ask, before my time. Its only main redeeming feature was a large, brick built tumble down shippon which, when sympathetically restored and the roof replaced, did look lovely. An Albertine rose then clambered all over it and it made a lovely sheltered sitting area. DH had a vintage car for restoration which he kept there. Thus our visits meant that he would disappear throughout tinkering, leaving me to exert my charm over my future in-laws.

I am so pleased you are finding solace in your church congregation, Doodle. Is there a singing group you might join, perhaps? Or you could join us on the terraces, a different kind of singing. Cherry would be an excellent rôle model😉. No stopping her, y'know. Can you make it tonight? Pringles at the ready.

Kaimoana, what exciting news. This is surely a surprise? I hadn't realised promotion work would continue behind the scenes.
I have another -tenuous- link to offer.
I have just learned that, buried in the graveyard of the church in which my parents were married (Essex), are 4 Nuie Islanders. They had signed up in the Great War out of loyalty, travelled to and trained in Egypt, and fought in France. Sadly, with no resistance to the raft of infections and illnesses that beset Europe and wars, they succumbed to pneumonia and were sent here to convalesce. 100 came over, of whom 82% died.Apparently, they spoke no English and didn't even wear shoes previously. They were also subjected to excruciating racism, hence the doubling up in 2 graves, but their life and contribution has now been recognised, locally at least.

I will send links and photos under separate cover! 💤

I hope Cherry and WP have a good opportunity to buy new wheels before the winter sets in. Wishing you well (literally!) in that.

Must away to wash up.That's another saga, from which I shall spare you.

Exciting Kaimoana2 - well done!

Breaking News Trevor the Pekin Duck.

From my publisher.
I’m pleased to let you know that following from meetings I had at Bologna and our International catalogue featuring your cheeky and unstoppable Trevor the Daring Duck, we have an offer from a Chinese publisher Hebei for Trevor!

Couldn't have come at a better time.

I usually anticipate at least a smile when I log on here each morning but today Doodle you made me laugh out loud. 'Only drink on match days but....'
I'm so glad you have such lovely friends around you.
Oh how I agree with you and Cherry about the dreadful racket they call 'hold music'.

I do hope you get your car before winter sets in Cherry, you don’t want to be stuck in hail, wind and rain – and you can bet your booty it’s then when the car will spit the dummy.

I’m assuming Gubbins and my DiL are fine, she doesn’t communicate with me unless she wants something (miaow)

I second Doodle, NotSpaghetti, no need to apologise, what you've told us about your shed plans is interesting. I think the thought and the sourcing of materials is interesting, it sounds like it will be lovely, and in keeping, when you've finished.

I remember you saying your DS used to play American football Kaimoana but I didn't realise he'd played for New Zealand, wow. No mean feat to be selected, I take my hat off to him.
That looks like a veritable feast, your elder's group I take it. I'm glad that what started as day when everyone was struggling turned into one of laughter and happiness 😊.

Another Kiwi helper Grammaretto, the last Kiwi was hard working if I recall.
I hope all went well at the dentist.

I too hate if that isn't too strong word all that muzak that's played when you're put on hold Doodle. The same irritating ditty over and over again as you hold on for what seems like an eternity. I hope you managed to sort out what you needed to.

Sorry Nfk, I know it's not what you meant, it's the way my mind works, but from your description I have visions of your shed onlyy being held together by its contents. Kaimoana is right, you'll tackle it when you're ready.

Worn out tonight as we've been all around the houses and back again to various places to buy bits and pieces we don't regularly buy but needed to give our decrepit car a run as it's started to require jump starting again 🙄. We didn't have much joy looking for a new to us car earlier in the year and have made do since we really ought to look again before winter sets in.
If you're around Jeeves, I'll have a hot chocolate please.

Cherry I find a lot of support and company at our church. I do realise I’m lucky they’re not all like the one I go to. Lovely people.
Well of course I only drink on match days too…………good job there’s a match going on somewhere most days 🤣🤣
Spent another day doing sadmin. Wish some of these places that leave you on hold would give you the option of not listening to the dreadful music.
Notspaghetti I love how much effort you’ve put in to getting your shed built. I almost want to live in it myself. Can we have a photo when it’s finished.
Kaimoana yes I see what you mean. He’s a sizeable chap but a big softie where a little girls concened 😊
Notspaghetti no need for apologies we want to know about your shed

"Shed envy" love it

Yes ixion headaches that bad shouldn't be ignored. You nust feel dreadful.

I am a great believer in "you'll know when the right time comes along" so whether its moving fishing gear or moving house, if there's no immediate rush to do it, take your time.
It'll feel right one day - even if that day is far distant.

Kiwi helpers must surely be used to wet and stormy, Grammaretto we get so much of that here

My elder's group was the usual balm to the soul today. Sadly, every speaker seemed to be struggling: some with sudden and unexpected bereavement, others with illness but just being together, reminiscing and singing, eventually brought us to laughter and by lunchtime we were in better spirits.
They are such lovely people.

Hope everyone here finds some sunshine in their lives today.

As someone who has now inherited three sheds (plus two wood sheds), I do have brick shed envy. One of 'my' sheds has ivy inside lifting the roof and a considerable amount of rot. It's only still there as it's full of Stuff. I'm working up the energy to sort it all out. DH's fishing gear is in there and getting rid of it will be hard. Plus there's a hedgehog living under it.

I'm pleased the music school is growing on you Grammaretto. It could be rather nice. Your old home being filled with music. Will it be for residential courses? Good luck at the dentist.

I love the photo of your DS Kaimoana. He really is a couple of sizes (+) bigger than your average bloke. An asset to any team.

I do hope your headache and eyes are better today ixion. If not, perhaps an optician / GP appointment to get it checked out.

I suppose, if all else fails you could move in Grammaretto!

I may be getting shed envy NotSpag!!
😅😂
The new helper is another Kiwi who is keen to help outdoors but alas it's still wet and stormy so it will be clearing and cleaning jobs to begin with.

I have the dentist this morning. It will be a fitting for a new denture thingy.

Sorry to read of your headaches and eye problems ixion and hope that you get some improvement.

I also watch Grand Designs or used to. I think that's one of the reasons we discovered HelpX. Some projects seemed to have teams of young strong helpers on site.

Ofcourse I'm still undecided 😕 but the music school idea is gathering pace and he is coming back today. He couldn't yesterday.

I have an online alert for houses for sale but I must change the filters as they all seem to be near Glasgow. 😅

Great photo of your DS the footballer Kaimoana. 😃 😊