Not Locked Down but may need to be locked up

Me too, Doodle I was hoping for photos.

I understand completly about reading although I am restricted to audio books. I can't concentrate at all when I'm upset but This Sceptred Isle is the one I put on at bedtime, to stop me thinking. It doesn't really but I am enjoying what I can take in

I am hoping for good news this week which will take some of that anxiety away.

Meanwhile November is party, party, party, so I'll throw myself into all that.

Olive and Mabel, my favourite YouTubr heroines.
Will bring a smile to Kira's face.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=26FIEX6muAo

Kaimoana what is a skink. Somehow I don’t think I would like them. I hate snakes. Really can’t stand seeing them. It’s the way they move that gets me.
Oh I was looking forward to hearing about the spooky outfits
To be honest Kaimoana, despite all the wonderful suggestions you made, I haven’t been able to read more than a couple of pages of any book since DH died. I find it almost impossible to just sit and read, not the paper nor books magazines or anything. I cannot just sit. In the evening I watch a few Tv programmes while I have my dinner and maybe play a few games but during the day, if I sit I cry so I make myself get up and do things. Would dearly love to be settled here in the home we loved so much but at the moment I can’t.
Naughtynein my goodness what sort of creature attacked you, sounds painful
Naughtyneine of course you must stay. We love having you here you are most welcome.
*Grammaretto is your kiwi girl back yet.? Have you got any further with plans for your new home?
Ive been out with very elderly neighbour from our last home. Lovely to have a long chat with her. We haven’t met up for a few years but it was a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Ixion and Cherry I hope you’re behaving yourselves, what have you done with Jeeves I haven’t seen him lately?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202411/medium-703391-aoraki.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202411/medium-370979-fijordland.jpg

I suspect you're talking about sandflies Naughty and by no mean confined to sandy areas, families of the wretched little things live beneath my deck.

Hine nui to po is responsible for them.

When Tu-te-raki-whanoa, a landscaping god, finished designing Fijordland, the people were so overcome by its beauty that they just wanted to stand and look at it - as you do

So Hine-nui-te-po, goddess of the night created sandflies to get the workers back to the land.



Tea tree or Manuka oil is good as a preventative and soothes the after effects better than commercial sprays, (for any insect bite).

Good Morning to you all. Lots of wildlife stories with snakes and fish and ants too. Kaimoana what are those little black things that have a really sharp nip called...I was standing in a queue to buy a doughnut in Franz Josef when something stabbed my leg. ( I thought it might have been some sort of warning to step away from the doughnut counter) but no as I discovered fairly soon when I itched and burned in equal measure. I made an even greater mistake later and sat on the grass by a lake to eat my lunch and too late realised that my inner thighs were providing a seven course meal for some of Franz Josefs mates. I was spending New Years Eve at Fox Glacier and the pain from the bites only added to my sadness. It was a very difficult couple of days.
Nfk...a steam trip sounds lovely...until Sunday the weather was Autumn showing all her glory and mild too unlike now when grim November is definitely here. I struggle in the dark grey days. I know what you mean about sizing up too. Apparently it's a sign of age if you make involuntary noises when you stand up so I try not to ( vanity?)... I'm not sure the gurning face is much better though. 😂
Cherry...I hope you are ok and there have been no more seizures. Sending a cwtch your way.
Kaimoana....it's such a lovely feeling getting your feet done isn't it...
Ixion.. I'm sorry to hear of your friend's loss...a shock for you all. I hope the happy memories bring you some comfort.
Grammaretto...you too...friends are so special...and good ones hard to find.
I love your dish....it reminded me of the ones the potters at Aylesford priory used to make...they may still do. The chalices etc were all made there and I used to enjoy watching them work.
Doodle..lots of emotions over the weekend I'm sure....I hope very much that you were able to smile at times ( through your tears) at memories of your beloved man. No one can take those from you. X
I feel I should apologise as I really have gatecrashed your little group....It was only as I read your posts that I realised ... It was your humour and warmth that attracted me....very much a contrast to some other posts and posters!!. I'd like to stay...if that's ok?

I would guess that the screen door against which the snake is lying ixion, gets the sun. Mine too and I get skinks doing the same thing and have to be careful I don't hurt them when I open it..

Although I like snakes, would have loved one as a pet, NZ doesn't have them. The nearest wild ones are 2,300 km away in Australia.

None of our kaumatua were wearing anything spooky today, not even the lady who suggested it

I'm listening to an absoluely rivetting history series, brought out by the BBC in 1995.
This Sceptred Isle which my library recently acquired on Libby.
Written by Christopher Lee and beautifully read by Anna Massey and Paul Eddington, it goes from pre 55AD to 1901 when Victoria died, covering all eras.
It's a book I could listen to over and over again.

I even learned that the word 'anathema' means 'cursed permanently', as opposed to excommunicated which can be reversed.' How frightening that must have been.

BTW Doodle did you find the pretty explosion of flowers after you return a book in Libby? You have to wait a few moments until the floral icon appears.

Ixion the service was lovely. It was nice to be able to introduce our family to some of my church friends and for them to see the place I spend a lot of time visiting.
Sorry to hear about your DF husband. A shock for you all . I hope she has family and friends nearby to help her
Cherry I hope today has been better and no seizures. I slept till 9 this morning. I was so tired after yesterday.
Dh was my memory man who knew everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries, how old they were or how long married. I’m lost now and like you buying things without numbers on for the younger family members.
Nfk glad you had a nice trip on the river even if a bit emotional. How nice your DGS came to stay with you for a bit.
Yes I had my jab this afternoon. Ok so far. Hoping I don’t get the same side effects as with the flu one.
Grammaretto so sorry to hear about your friend.. such a shock for you . Her poor husband.
How lovely your Cornish man came back for the exhibition.
Perhaps you should make it a condition of all sales that the purchaser makes you something nice in their cookwear
Kaimoana sorry you're not sleeping well. that will make you tired during the day too. Hope the foot clinic went well and your feet feel pampered and tended.
Sorry all short post tonight my i pad is on strike and only types one letter at a time very slowly.
Take care all. Sleep well

X-ed posts here. Apols.

All go down at the water hole tonight!

Much activity in the pond arena, I see. The big ongoing attraction in ours is the quest to count black babies. We have covered the pond with chicken wire on a frame and thus we are heron-free for the first time. Half a dozen clearly robust, bog-standard, goldfish have produced many offspring, much to our astonishment.

Sadness here too as the husband of my DF of 70 years (we met as 3 year old fairies at the local School of Dancing) died yesterday after a very short and unheralded illness. Such a shock.

I always thought, Kaimoana, that antipodean wildlife would be in a class of its own. A plaintiff cry once from DS2 as a toddler rang out 'Papa, there's a snake in my toy box'. And here is a view of his laundry doorway. No, not a draught excluder ...

Off to do the washing up. The à deux novelty has long worn off but we await the engineer sometime tomorrow. No time given, but doubtless it will be one of those 'up and dressed' by 8.00, just in case and then arrival of same around 17.00 😡

Nfk Yes, inside the kettle. Uncle Google tells me its a common problem. NZ ants are no bigger than the oness I used to see in UK and yes, the do nip in defence.

I love dead fish, especially battered and with chips.
You only need one of yours to die and you can nip out and buy 5 loaves and feed the whole of Norfolk

Beat my own record today, managed almost 2 hours sleep before waking at 1.44am. Modern digital time pieces are very precice.

Off for a foot festival today: first to the Lab where they will take "a sample" and then to the podiatrist to have me talons clipped - four months is too long to wait.

I wonder how those Chinese men managed who grew their nails so long they curled in spirals. I think the object was to show they were so rich they never needed to lift a finger. Isn't vanity stupid? and revolting

The one with the letters Nfk was only being given to those of a certain age, of whom I was one! I am not sure what it prevents but I had it anyway. You are probably too young.🤣😂

I am a bit jealous whenever I hear of plants growing so big they have to be cut back. The deer have left no flowers at all in the part of the garden they can reach. They reach up and nibble the roses from beside the front door!
I try to like the deer but I'm gradually falling out of love.

Your steam ship trip sounds amazing.

It's been a sad day thinking about df and her DH. Such a strong woman so full of life and now gone.

Ants in the kettle! That is off-putting Kaimoana 😲😯😧 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜 🐜

Reading mention of your ants Kaimoana, I re-read and realised you'd said the ants were INSIDE your kettle? INSIDE? What is there for an ant inside a kettle. I have visions of you pouring out a stream of ants into your coffee cup. How big are NZ ants? Do they nip?

Good evening Everyone

That looks a very healthy supper Grammaretto. Very nice.

I pleased to here the service went well Doodles, even if it was tiring, it's a lovely sort of tiring and a closeness which is comforting. I do hope your jab goes well. I had just the Covid one a week ago and my arm is still tender, but I feel ok now apart from that. I'm doing them one at a time, so will book the flu one at the chemist tomorrow. No one has mentioned the other one, whatever letters it is, so I assume I must be so healthy I don't need it!!

My DS removed the huge lily from my pond a couple of weeks ago Not Spag, just that. So well done your fit family for restructuring your pond. It'll be lovely to watch it flourish and come to life in the spring. Does the pond weed die back completely in winter? I've not seen the bottom of the pond in years and it looks very barren yet it was clogged with weed earlier in the year. I'm concerned there's nowhere for the larvae to hide. I'm wondering about dropping some flower pots in to give cover. The big lily is now dried off enough now to put in the compost collection bin. The last time we put bits on the compost heap it grew! The so-called miniature one is back in but there's an awful lot of water showing now. DGS went out with a torch now the mud is all settled and the water is clear, and there's lots of Things living in there. And - six little fishes. I felt sure there were none left. The heron just hasn't done his job! I wanted a fish free pond. They will keep dying and I hate dead things, especially fish.

It's been a grey day here after a busy weekend with DGS coming to stay. I thought he was just going to be here on Friday, but stayed over. Then I got the chance of a trip on a steam launch on the river. We went along parts which I haven't travelled without DH with me. The sun shone and it was lovely, if a bit emotional.

The wooden seats on the launch were NOT comfortable or big enough for my posterior and I've been sat here most of the day sorting out the large pile of paperwork which was threatening to overbalance. Done now - but I'm not at all sure if I'll be able to walk. Stiffness from yesterday and sitting too much today I think I've frozen into one position. But my bladder is insisting I try!

Such an emotionally charged day for all of us by the sounds of it.

A very good friend died this afternoon. She had "recovered" from cancer but suddenly took a set back and has been in hospital for just 2 weeks.
Her DH is being very brave.
It's almost 4 years since my DH died.

I've just invited the entire family for Christmas. It looks like it will be the last one in this house.

The pots were very nice. Here is the casserole which I gave to the Cornishman who came, with his gf to our exhibition and who cooked a dish in it for supper. I feel so well looked after. The Kiwi girl is coming back tomorrow.

I hope you can all relax tonight.

Night night my dears.

I'm positively exhausted just thinking about the gardening jobs your DD and DGS have been doing, NotSpaghetti. Like others have said, she's certainly determined, not afraid of getting stuck in either. What a lovely, helpful pair they are.

ixion, I've got my all three of my great-nephews birthdays coming up and I always struggle to remember exactly how old each one is - so I avoid buying anything with an age number on. 🤭 They're all growning up so fast it's hard to keep up that my excuse anyway. 😁

How strange for all those ants to appear in your kitchen, Kaimoana. Someone or something disturbed their nest maybe. 🤔
I ask myself the same thing about Our team - why do they keep playing much better sides. 🤦‍♀️ 🤣

I hope today hasn't been too difficult, for you all, Doodle. 💐

It won't be very long before I take myself off for an early night, I think. I hardly slept last night and had a seizure after dinner 🙄, pretty tired now. Night night everyone. 😴

Sorry Doodle, crossed posts.
I was in draft mode when you posted.

Hope the Service went well, Doodle and that being with your boys and friends created a warm atmosphere of kindred spirits. Were some of your bereavement group there as well? I hope you are not too unsettled for the rest of the evening.
Ants, Kaimoana? 😳. Is this a known, er, occurrence? My mother used regularly to experience hoards of flying ants at the back step at the appropriate time of the year. There was always a slight tension between her and DH (much as she adored he-who-could-do-no-wrong) as he refused to put down ant powder or (shock horror)boiling water to get rid of them.

Look forward to hearing about your latest firing, Grammaretto. Do you work additionally towards Christmas pieces as well?

New set of shoulder exercises from physio. Mr. I walked in on my rudimentary efforts.
Isometric snow angel, I hissed from the carpet.
Looks more like fallen angel to me, he replied..

Kaimoana and Cherry thank you. The service was lovely and I had both our sons and our grandson with me. We all lit candles and it was quite emotional but very special. Glad we all went.
Had a nice meal out with DS1 and his wife first. Big Sunday roast. Phew!
Kaimoana, the ants weren’t in the kettle were they 😱. Ant tea doesn’t sound very appetising.
Notspaghetti your DD and grandson seem to be doing a sterling job. I remember years of gardening, couldn’t do it now,
Grammaretto were the results of the firing good? Do you have to clean the kiln out after or is it just ash…..or nothing?
i am shattered tonight. What with church this morning then lunch then church again it’s been an emotional and tiring but lovely day. Lots of chat over lunch about DH. I love talking about him. Rsv or whatever it is jab tomorrow. Hope it doesn’t cause as many problems as the flu one.
Hope all is well with Nfk, Jan, Mamissimo, Jan and Ixion.

pantz ???
Did Doodle lose hers after all, along with the sparkly top?

Tea in Windsor Doodle ? I jolly well hope King Charles put on a nice spread for you. Did he wear his crown in your honour?

As I write this, the Memorial service is only a few hours away and you've probably got butterflies in your tummy.

We are all with you and the boys, in spirit, so keep thinking of them and your precious DH and just go with the flow, no one else matters - you'll get through it.

I can't see me keeping to this carbs lark, I feel like a zombie which is why I cut the darned things out in the first place. Doubt if I'll be awake after 8pm if I last that long
DIYD-DIYD

A nice clean pool then NotS, the wildlife won't know what's hit 'em. Do you have fish, frogs and attendant heron ?

Why do you have to sit up with your kiln Grammaretto? Isn't it like an oven - just set it and it reaches the required temps all by itself?

What a pity Our Team lost again Cherry - at least they're consistent but why do they keep playing much better sides? Very demoralising to trail back to the dressing room, knowing their fans are so disappointed.
Poor lads.

When I turned on my kettle this morning, dozens of ants sped out - even worse, quite a few didn't make it

There was no food about and I always clean all the the work surfaces and stove top as I go.
Maybe they were thirsty; it's a few days since we had any rain.

Yes, my most amazing and determined daughter has achieved a huge amount with her son.
They have cut back loads of overgrown shrubbery and got out the horrendous bramble, emptied the pond into huge bucket things, rescued the wildlife (not a huge lot this time of year of course), divided the waterlilies, put all the stuff that won't fit in our compost bins in the "garden bin" ready for the bin removal and put the rest in ginormous garden sacks which she says she'll take back tomorrow for her compost!

Whilst I really couldn't be bothered today I know I'll be grateful when it's done!

Sorry Doodle, I think I've lost a day. I will be thinking of you tomorrow too. 💐

^..fell asleep on the bus going home^. 🤔 Just how long was your long walk, Doodle? 😂
I have been thinking of you today and I hope that the Memorial Service wasn't too difficult today, but, instead, a rather an experience that provided comfort to you, and your DS' of course. 🌹

Grammaretto, you did a fair bit even if some of it was quite sedentary whilst waiting for your kiln to come up to temperature. What are you making this time round? We haven't seen much of your work recently, any chance of seeing what you have made when it's finished🤞. I hope you slept well after your hot chocolate staying up so late.

Result, Kaimoana,😊, I'm pleased that you slept well last night, (you've had too many bad nights recently).
I don't have the same reaction to carbs ... but I think it's possible that my WP does 🤔 - thinking about it, he nearly always falls asleep after dinner when we have potatoes. Getting him to cut them out to check isn't going to go down well be easy 😬 🤦.
I can hardly believe Gubbins is 4 this year. Where does the time go? It's made me realise, too, how long the Gang has been going. 😊

Sorry NaughtyNeine, I missed the bit about you requiring a revision hip replacement. I am sorry to hear it, I hope you're not on the waiting list too long. 🤞

All that rehearsing, working out with tins of beans instead of pringles and what do you know ... yep, we got a drubbing. 🤦 Our talent and dedication are wasted on this shower of a team . 🤣

Grammaretto, no but I did have my thermal vest on.
I was going to say you were going to bed early then I realised you had just posted in the early hours of this morning.
How was the kiln. Have you opened it today. Were there any of your pieces in it?
Kaimoana glad you had a better sleep. I am intrigued as to how everyone will dress for your meeting Tuesday. I wonder what spooky garments will be worn
*How did little Gubbins get to be 4? Wow. I can remember when she was born and it doesn’t seem that long ago.
*Notspaghetti your daughter sounds a very determined woman. I would let her get on with it if I were you. Sounds like she has a plan. Did your grandson help?
Ixion sorry about the game. It wasn’t my fault. My frilly knickers got caught up on the Ref’s zipper. My sparkly top flew off while I was trying to untangle myself,
Where does you DGs live Ixion. I’m sure you’ve said before but I’ve forgotten
Cherry and Jan hope things are going ok
Have a good weekend all

Daughters can be h*ll when they get the bit between their teeth, can't they, NS?😂. Hopefully, enthusiasm will not have waned overnight!

Gubbins is nearly 4? Ah. So that's how long I've been here, as she was expected as I joined.
I bought a no.6 candle to go with GS2's birthday parcel in January. Got home and, on reflection, decided, after all, that he was to be 7.
Lots has happened, happy and sad, to our happy band since then.
And thank you for bearing with me.

No mentions necessary of Our Team's performance this afternoon.
We woz pantz.
Actually, I wonder whether Doodle's contribution proved somewhat of a distraction?
*Not for the first time, might I say.*

Sorry I forgot the *
So not bold!

*Just a quick hello from me as have had daughter and grandson over today and am pretty weary now.
She is determined to sort out my leaky pond 😬 ... it involves draining it and cutting back all the nearby growth and sorting mud from creatures and taking out all the plants etc and tomorrow she is determined to come back 🤕 and do more and cut a new slope and then reline and so on... 😕...

I know now is a good time... but!!!