🦞 The Lockdown Gang still chatting 🦞

I'd say, NN, take care when you laugh, but I bet you don't have much to laugh about at this moment in time.
An all-inclusive sounds the way to go 👙🌞🍸🏝️.

I never quite get the configuration right on handbags. Too deep and roomy and I lose everything to the depths, too many sections and I can never remember where I've secreted everything.
I love the look and security of messenger bags with the big flap - always good for travel and crowds. But I tie myself in knots when wearing it crossbody and trying to peer inside for the old dear's travel pass train ticket.

What a lovely way to get involved with the younger generation and expand their knowledge of family history, Grammaretto. Did he say anything about 'the olden days'?😉

DD had to interview my DM for a history project, specifically memories of war time evacuation to Somerset.
Lovely to have the cassette😳, with both their voices committed to posterity.

Just a shame we have nothing to play it on.

Sounds like a nice day *Grammaretto. How lovely to be asked to help your DGS with his project.
I’ve been out to a garden centre today. No plants or seeds for me, I bought two handbags 🤣. Really naughty but I tend to use bags till they are really quite dishevelled and I did need a new one but then this other one looked at me and it matched my new shoes so I had to get that too,
NN I do hope you’re ok. You took a nasty tumble. Lease be careful and take things easy. Could you not eat out or buy some food I. While you recover. Do you have a microwave?
Nice your friend is coming to stay. I wonder what your next adventure will be

I'm rather regretting giving up alcohol....the rib/s is/are broken/chipped...the lung hasn't collapsed so that's a plus. There are a lot of plus points to Maeve as oppose to Henrietta...by one of them is not the beep beep beep cooker. I'm convinced there is a problem with the pressure but DH says its all been checked and it's fine...it beep beep beep isn't. I did nearly lose it this evening while trying to cook Pembrokeshire new potatoes, Welsh lamb and peas. It took forever and I was reminded very much that I had hoped holidays would be of the all-inclusive type not the stand for bloody ages in a kitchen smaller than the cottage with a broken rib and try and produce something edible. DF is coming down shortly and staying at the cottage and will be there when we get back she is bringing her passport and I feel an escape on the horizon. Hope you are all ok...

It's rather quiet on the home front.
😟

A nice day out at Potfest yesterday, it was too chilly to be bare footed hippies
catching up with old friends and a summer fair today at a residential care home for adults with special needs which was friendly with attractive stalls. I resisted the books and the plants but couldn't resist buying a hand woven cushion and some freshly baked bread.

I'm helping DGS with a school project. He's asked me about my childhood in NZ which is where he is - so I am getting quite nostalgic - going through the old photos.

I hope you have been enjoying your family filled weekend Kaimoana and you yours Doodle

How's your camping NN?

Kaimoana Im so happy things have improved with your DIl and she sent you which lovely flowers and message. Have a wonderful day with the family. So nice of your homecare lady to think about your anniversary and bring such lovely treats.
Oh Notspaghetti not for me. I don’t like confectioners custard or cream really. Give me ice cream any day.
Grammaretto any news on the house front?
Had a lovely visit from DS2 today and we went to the hospice for a long chat. So nice to spend time together.

I call that tasty pastry a vanilla slice. Sometimes I've seen them without cream I think - with just the confectioner's custard.

Either way, I do love the vanilla stickiness

Also happy to help out with other vanilla custard treats - donuts, rhubarb and custard, crumbles (any will do)... yum yum!
Maybe Jeeves can sort out a tea party for us??

Kaimoana, how lovely to be able to celebrate your anniversary. And to have a jolly outing to your family
Lovely to hear from you

The tulips are very full aren't they! What lovely thoughtful children

Ooops wrong flowers

Because it seems as if all I do is moan, here once more is the other side of my life.

On Monday, various people at my Kaumatua group messaged to say if there was anything I needed, I only had to ask and (a thing I greatly value) they will be praying for me. How lovely eh?

Then on Wednesday, knock at the door brought a lovely bouquet ( with a loving, touching message) and what looked like roses but DiL who sent them says should be tulips.

I suppose you can get double tulip and In such a glorious shade of orange.

Today, it being my wedding anniversary (56 years had he lived) my homecare lady bought a lovely lunch (chicken and avocado rolla and what we call a Napoleon here) and we had lunch together here.

In my youth it was called a Vanilla. Flaky pastry with fresh cream and jam and iced on top. A lovely way to celecrate.
On Sunday my DS2 is coming to take me to their home for the day.

I love seeing the grand children, they are such darlings and very affectionate.

Truly blessed I am

I think my student homes were smaller than that, NN!

Thanks Ixion i knew i could rely on you to come up with a helpful gadget. 🤣
Oh Kaimoana i do Hope all goes well. My friend and neighbour had her heart valves replaced many years ago. Hope you get seen soon and it helps you. In my prayers as always.
NN I’m so sorry that sounds so painful. Please be careful though if you have any difficulty breathing and don’t hesitate to go to A end E if you feel worse. Not surprised your Dh is upset but as you say accidents happen. Hope you can somehow enjoy the rest of your stay.

Always makes me laugh when you say your going to “potfest” grammaretto I have visions of you in a kaftan drifting around in a cloud of smoke saying hey man 🤣
I’m ok thanks. Got huge bandage on which I wasn’t expecting and have some restrictions on carrying things for 3 months but apart from that I’m ok. Numbness has worn off and my fingers work fine. Didn’t get home till 10,30pm so quite tired today as well

Ooh lovely *Grammaretto are you exhibiting?*
I have friends at Compton Verney.
👏

Potfest – Home of the UK's largest ceramics and pottery festivals share.google/JC3Liy6FX3bQWSiV8

What a setup NN! Does one of you drive the car and the other the van?

It certainly looks peaceful 😍 but what a shame about your sore ribs. I hope they aren't broken.

I hope your surgery went well Doodle. You don't have to answer. Hugs anyway.

I have no more house news. I'm going to Potfest tomorrow and just hope the weather improves or it will be soggy rolls and damp bottoms.

Fort Knox a la Pembrokeshire....DH loves all this, I'm trying not to giggle as we are the only ones in the field.

Sending lots of healing thoughts to you Doodle. I hope it was all straightforward and you are coping one handed.

Kaimoana...fingers crossed that the procedure is all done and dusted before the move is mentioned again. I hope they have taken on board your request for a 2 bedroom place, is it going to be nearer your son and Gubbins, I do hope so.

Grammaretto I am sorry for you that the cottage has gone but in my heart I feel all things happen for a reason and something special will be waiting for you. We looked at so many places when we relocated to Somerset and they were being sold almost as soon as they came on the market, I was certain I wanted 4 bedrooms ( Goodness knows why when there was only 2 of us), and here we are in a 2 bedroom 150 year old cottage spread over 4 floors and I couldn't be happier.
Our mantra then ( and now when life is tricky) are the words of Padre Pio, Hope,Pray and Don't Worry.
We are currently away in Maevemouse in West Wales and it's pouring Welsh rain ( horizontal). We left on Tuesday and did a Britstop which is a free stay at a pub for the price of a drink or meal. We stayed in the middle of nowhere at a pub West of Bristol. It had a huge field that was perfect for the 2 dogs.
It was sunny when we arrived here yesterday and the dogs knew exactly where we were and set off for the field while we put up the awning. It was windy and just as I was going to hold up the opposite end so a guy rope flew up and I didn't see it and I went flying.
I landed really heavily on my left side (left airbag took the main impact I thought). It feels like it's probably a rib...sore to breath in, cough, sneeze etc and trying to sit up or lie down in bed was a challenge. DH is upset as it was him who asked me to go to the other end of the awning but these things happen.
There is no point in going to A and E as if it a broken rib they can't do anything for it anyway. As Ned Kelly said just as he was about to hung 'Such is Life'
I have brought 7 books with me so rain and pain means they will all get read
Love to you all

That's at least good that you saw a doctor and that you'll be getting treated Kaimoana
I have heard of others having a similar op and they have had far more energy and less breathlessness afterwards.

Best to get it out of the way before the move.

No news on the move Doodle

There is health news though. I saw my doctor about various worrying symptoms and it seems I need a TAVI, an operation to replace a malfunctioning valve in my heart.
I'm sure several of the Lobstaars will have had one as I'm told its a quite common procedure.
This is being fast tracked so I may not be posting for a while.
I won't forget you all though

Much love xxx

Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People) review – one man’s quest to keep Gaelic psalm singing alive | Film | The Guardian share.google/Qcf0TePxWX4QH7v7j

A useful gadget Ixion. 😉
I found when I broke my left wrist, despite being right handed it was painful to write. We must use our whole body to write.

I have offered for the cottage I saw yesterday. It's so nice but unfortunately it will go to a cash buyer and I'm not that yet.

Tonight was a film about Gaelic psalm singing. It was very special. Afterwards we were given a song sheet and the entire audience sang cnoc mairi. (Maryhill in English).
Good night Lobstars x

Hope it all went well, Doodle and that your pain is suitably well controlled for a decent night's sleep. 😴

Don't worry about getting in touch.
I've sourced one of these to save your wrist.
↖️

I can pop one in the post if you're up for it. 😉

All the best Doodle I hope it goes well for you. Xx

All the best Doodle
Hope it's all very straightforward.
🙏

Thank you dear Kaimoana . I’m not really worried it’s a simple op and home the same day.
Lovely to hear from you. Any news on your move?

Oh sorry, I think it should have been Doodle I commiserated
My wonky old eyes again !