🦞Lockdown friends still together🦞

Kaimoana ah now I understand why they are flying separately. Your son’s so called friend really let him down badly. Must have been so upsetting for your son after putting his trust in his friend.
* A lovely message from your son. Bet that made you cry but with happiness maybe*
im sure Jeeves will be back on duty after that 🤣🤣🤣
Hope everyone is ok
Today we had a tree planted in the local park for DH and my friends husband. It’s been a beautiful day weather wise which was lucky as we went to watch the planting, After we went for lunch and had a long walk round the grounds then home.
Ive not been feeling great for a few days and now have a really sore throat. I’ve a full on weekend at church planned so hoping if I dose up and have an early night it will feel better tomorrow
Sleep well all

Oh, Jeeves, please don't sulk, you know how much we appreciate you.
Last year, when you were Santa, you looked magnificent and we showered you - with all kinds of gifts as we rummaged around in your Santa sack for the goodies we knew you kept there.

I know ixion loved her gift and I remember she showed her appreciation lavishly. How did you know pea green, puce and neon orange longjohns were just what she needed?

Although to tell the truth, when you told Grammaretto you had "a sizeable windfall" (I think that’s what you said) and was happy to buy her a new house, no one expect it to be Barbie’s Pink Palace. Just a wee bit thoughtles eh? Must try harder?

But not to worry and in fact you seemed to enjoy the haggis she almost choked you with at Hogmanay.

Sorry I tried to pull your beard, I assumed it was a falsie.
How did you grow it so quickly - and white too when you have such luxurious curly, short hairs?

Do come out of the boudoir (look it up in the dictionary I gave you in 2019), you know we love you and besides, I'm about ready for my morning decaf.
Spit spot!

Doodle DS is currently on a 9 hour layover but has enjoyed a shower, snacks and coffee in a posh lounge at Changi airport. (still can't write that word without a shudder

The reason they were unable to fly together was because DS used his ticket to go to Australia where his "good friend" had offered him the ideal job.
Then, after several days orientation, this man stabbed him in the back the day they were to sign the contract - and with no explanation. So DS came home.
I weep to think how that must have hurt my dear son and of course the whole family had been so joyful about it.
You may remember JG was going to fly them out for a holiday? No hint of the betrayal to come from someone DS had known, worked with and liked.

So when he got back, after they decided not to cancel the holiday they very much needed, he had to find a flight to get him to London so he could liaise with the family, who of course were then forced to fly without him .

He was lucky really to say it was going up to Christmas. He will be there by 3.20pm Friday 6th because he's gone back a day, they will land at 11.40am on 7th.

It's funny you should say that about Gubbins as I said to DS, I expect her to have a working knowledge of how to land the plane before they get to Dubai!

Jan16 Yes, how time flies eh? I watch the videos my DS send and wonder where it all went. She'll be at school next year.

Just before DS took off in Auckland, he sent me the sweetest message of love and appreciation. I was anxiously put in mind of things we say if we are not going to see someone again.

Then I went to the tracker where words such a Terminal and Departue Gate were writ large.

Fate poking its tongue out at me

Ongoing internet issues still.
Will contact (somehow) someone in the morning (DS first) to get resolution.
Apols and love xx

Evening lobStars.
I'm using my WP's tablet to send this message as I've got a problem messaging on here.
Kaimoana I tapped on your photo about Waitangi Day and now when I try to message the gang using my tablet up pops the photo of Stan Walker (and I didn't even view that one) and stops me from writing (not your fault Kaimoana). I thought the problem would resolve itself when the page turned but no 😤. I don't know when I'll post again, I will have to pick the brains of someone who is more tech savvy than I am.

Take care all of you.

Ixion yes I must improve my routine. Don’t like heroes but I do like a good jelly bean. I could leave one or two (maybe) in the container to make a rattle,
Yes I think a Christmas bash would be lovely. We could put up some trestle tables and some decorations and all bring some goodies. Jeeves is sulking and saying something about not being appreciated.
Jan glad to hear your daughter is making good progress, nice to have her close by.
NKF oh dear weather sounds bad. Hope you and Kira are safely tucked up indoors

Grammaretto I’m glad you met up with the Glasgow grans. I bet you had a wonderful jolly time
I can’t remember who your helper is at the moment. Is it the one from NZ? I thought she’d gone on to a flat in Edinburgh but I could be completely confused
Kaimoana sorry I can’t remember, is there a reason they’re not all flying together. Gubbins looks beautifully colourful and reminds me very much of her lovely Gramdma
Nice of you to give Mepa two presents 😊
I expect you feel a little vulnerable and sad without your family but I’m hoping your wonderful Māori friends are keeping a close eye on you

Kaimoana. Another book nearly finished. Well done.
Yes I can see Gubbins taking charge at the airport. I expect she’ll want to sit next to the pilot to make sure he’s going the right way.🤣
Hope your X-ray results are fine. Glad you were treated well.

Yes Maw pax.

Ixion Thanks for asking about my daughter. She has certainly had a very bad few months but is hopefully on the mend now. She used to live around 30 miles away but she and her partner moved recently to almost round the corner! Not that we have seen much of her as she has had a dreadful cold so has been banned!
Eldest daughter lives around 80 miles away but she and her husband come for the weekend every 6 weeks or so.
Nfk. Hope you are ok. I have just seen the weather forecast and it looks as if Norfolk is in for some very bad weather- torrential rain and gale force winds. It’s actually very wet here at the moment. Stay safe!

Kaimoana2 Goodness when did Gubbins grow so big? She certainly looks ready for her swim. Bless her

Yes, I'm still tracking them ixion. It's 5am in NZ, nearly midnight in Singapore and DS is just landing from Sydney and will have 9 hours between that and taking off for the last leg to Heathrow.

Meanwhile, Gubbins is still lounging by the pool in Dubai, no doubt with a mocktail, [wine[ until Saturday.
I wonder if someone will tell her about the Muezzin at 1am

I remeber being woken up in Kuala Lumpur, the first time I'd rested in a Muslim country.

No one had told me about it but after the first shock (Was I being called to a fire drill?), I lay enjoying it.
"It is better to pray than sleep".
Wonderful.

Now, at this very moment, a Thrush is singing the same refrain, right outside my window.

Internet restored, thus yesterday's news is today's chip paper, I'm afraid.

Yet another dire result from Our Team last night, sadly. Doodle, you'll have to devise a new routine - maybe bongos with empty Heroes tubs? We provide the tubs and you can eat the contents. Yes?

Jan, I hope your poorly daughter reaps the benefits now of being cared for at home. Do your girls both live close by?

Grammaretto, everything will be fine. Trust your instincts - can I come as well, please? Exciting times. How 'pro applicant' is your local Planning Committee? Ours is regularly overruled in its objections by the Planning Officer at HQ when discussing Big Builds, he who has no idea of the area on which he is ruling, the Local Plan or the views of seasoned residents who know what is best for the place in which they live.
(No, we're not all NIMBYs). Care Homes round here form the latest money spinner clutch of applications.
They are popping up with monotonous regularity, even tho' many new ones have vacant apartments.

Kaimoana, are you still tracking Gubbins (and her mum?). The flight tracking sites are fascinating, aren't they? They were a boon when the DGSs were younger as DS frequently flies to exotic and remote locations for his job 🤿 and the boys could see just how far Papa was travelling - and when he was expected to arrive back home! Good luck with your Doctor's appointment and with your planting. Warmth? Bring it on 🌞.

Good day, Doodle? I sincerely hope so🌺

I was much impressed with Ziplock's cake progress. Yum!
It made me wonder whether we might have a virtual Christmas 'bash'. You know the sort of thing -Open House on a given day, where people bring a foodie item to share, playing to their strengths 🧑‍🍳😉
I'm not much of a cook, but am happy to put the vac round...

We should pay hommage to the irreplaceable Jeeves - luckily he hasn't read Grandmafrench's vision of him - whose self esteem has taken a bit of a bashing recently. He can buttle for us, even tho I quite fancy Anthony Hopkins I think Anthony Hopkins would do a fine job as Mr. Stevens 🤔

Thanks Doodle

Gramaretto - one of my daughters took a gap year after A levels. The other effectively took hers after finishing her degree.
FWIW I think a year out after A level is often a Good Thing. Gives them time to try agency work, maybe travel a bit and reflect on whether university is the way forward. I’m a fan of apprenticeships and accept university isn’t for everyone but I strongly believe the opportunity should be there

Gubbins in Dubai, ready for the pool.
She's a good swimmer.

DS in Sydent with a 5 hour wait for his connection to Singapore and thence to London.

The others fly tomorrow.

For the first time in 51 years, I am all by myself in Aotearoa, sans aucune famille Feels odd.
DS flight takes about 4 hours to get to Sydney; it amuses me when US/UK friends think we are an island just off the Australian coast

While I was waiting in the doctor's, 2 more people I know came in and we were like the three witches, cackling away but much as I support natural remedies, I draw the line at eye of newt and toe of frog, so Zarah prescribed anti-biotics for my poorly toes.
She's also arranged for a specialist nurse to visit in the morning to give my foot a thorough medically sterile clean up, rather than the one I'm able to manage in the shower.
So I'm well looked after.

I'm glad you are feeling a little more sanguine about the house Grammaretto it's quite exciting really, isn't it?
When does the Music School man visit?
How did the Glasgow Grans meeting go?

It's the last day for Mepa to come here tomorrow. She's away until early next year.
This being the case and VW being what they are, I intend filling the garage from floor to ceiling with food and toilet rolls


It's her birthday on Christmas Day and she was telling me how sad it was, when she was a child, that she only ever got one present. So I'm giving her two.
I'm going to miss her very much.

Ah well, I better get me parrots and monkeys together and do some housework. What fun.

DS takes off in 12 minutes Grammaretto - I'll be following it, sporadically, to Sydney and as all such flight go over my house, I'll be waving and tearful
Then he changes for Singapore and his flight from there is during my night.

NotS, You're quite right, we wouldn't dream of following them on land but in the air it give a link we value..

Plane is taxiing......

When DD went on her journey to Guatemala all those years ago, we tracked her plane. The plane landed in NY and a while later our phone rang but it didn't connect. DD had no US coins but it put our minds at rest.
My reaction was to Springclean her room!

I hope all have now arrived safely Kaimoana

I went through to Glasgow today to meet up with the grans. It was good fun and full of laughter as ever.

My helper cooked supper tonight so I feel spoiled.

You asked if I felt happy about my house plans Doodle. Thanks. I think so and anyway it's literally not set in stone so the layout can change a little.
The plasterer has had to put back the new ceiling a week which is a nuisance.

Sorry to hear about your DD's health Jan Sending my best wishes.

What's Jeeves bringing round tonight?

Kaimoana2, for no real reason I'm afraid I "follow" my son's journey home whenever he visits. I do it exactly this way. If I wake in the night I "check on him" and feel a painfully delicious few moments of connection.

I would never think to follow him "on earth" but whilst he's in the air, I can.
X

Lousy Internet here.
Failure to post long screed 3 times now.
Will try later xx

Thank you Doodle - pax?

Maw I’m going to reply carefully to you and Iam because in the past we have always got on and secondly I don’t think any offence was meant from either side and lastly I don’t really want any more upset if we can avoid it
Firstly you didn’t derail our thread so no worries there . We have developed a close bond over many years now that has seen us all through troubles and worries
Iam we are an incluse thread and I think you only need to look back over the years. Every new poster has been made welcome. Some stay and continue to chat, others pop in now and again.
The posting of the picture was never intended to upset anyone. I don’t believe it was meant in a bad way but coming on the heels of the Greg Wallace incidents I can accept that there are objections. The picture has now been removed and GNHQ have been asked to remove the comments too although have yet to do so
Some time ago there were many such postings on the Argy without complaint from anyone but I appreciate times have changed.
This has always been a friendly supportive thread and I can see our regular posters are trying hard to get it back on track,
Please could we return to business as usual and let this incident pass now for all of us if possible

Naughtyneine I've sent you a personal message as well

Naughtyneine if you really want to do that, hit the Report button above any post - and take it from there.