Help calm me, house buying and selling stress. Part 4

Very interesting to read all your thoughts today, I love to get my information on here.
Meantime I have been enjoying? a link to the great Danish Knitting Bee, (sent by my US cousin during the night)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxpcuCPMLps
we are both keen knitters so she knew I would enjoy this, despite being unable to understand the language. Be warned it is cringe-making.

I don`t watch much news at all, maybe just the first bit of the update at 5. News is always negative and I am most definitely not a negative person

I am thinking ahead and can see a lot of blossom on my blueberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries and apples. I will naturally strip most apples off this year because the apples need to strengthen themselves first or they will weaken. I will freeze the blueberries but will bottle blackcurrants and gooseberries again this year. The bottled gooseberries from 2018 are in my sideboard in the garage and are 100% good. By looking ahead, I mean that I have started accumulating sugar and have managed after a long search, to get more kilner lids. I might count my kilner jars one day but I do have a lot, I gave away all my 1 and 2 litre jars and kept all my 500ml jars. I may also keep my jam jars and get some new lids. A spoonful of blackcurrant jam in my yoghurt, yum

I think what happened in the past Ellianne, was that some people refused to take social distancing seriously, until it became an instruction. They were given the benefit of the doubt but were putting the public at risk hence the `late` instruction. Anyway I am off that topic, just suffice to say that I am expecting a big second wave (winter through early spring) caused by close mixing and I am expecting the virus to weaken as it mutates and it will eventually join the ranks of sars and ebola

I am making bread now and will be having a wonder around my garden, am loving the stepping stones, they are perfect.

Morning all, thanks for the gerd explanation craftyone, I have not heard that term before.

Very interesting to read all of your views about the crisis. It doesn't feel real to me still, I am glad to have my house packing to focus on. I made great progress yesterday and put more things outside for people to help themselves to.

I'll be travelling to London to see my two best friends as soon as it's over, I haven't seen either of them for 4 years and it scares me that I may not be able to, in the meantime one of us could die. I should have made time before. I'm limiting my tv watching from now on, the sight of people sedated in ICU last night was so upsetting, the staff must be absolutely exhausted.

The PPE situation is hopefully being addressed by all the sewing groups that have emerged. I lack confidence in sewing, but donated all of my 100% cotton superking duvet sets to a new local scrub/wash bag sewing group yesterday. I was unable to wash it all as the machine here is minute, the co ordinator offered to do it. I'm going to sell my superking wool duvet, a king will do now I'm alone. I thought of all you knitters - someone is knitting little NHS figures wearing masks, children of the future will wonder at them.

Sun is out so off to the beach shortly, then back for more packing. I have been a hoarder in the past, I do find it difficult to declutter but have to be more ruthless. I'm going to dispose of all of my fabric stash, I'm going to keep a small square of each. I must think modern now for a new home.

Enjoy your day

I agree crafty It seemed un-British to lock yourselves away and altogether selfish. It wasn't until we were ordered by our children that DH and I really took it seriously.

We are where we are but it's good to know that there is still some manufacturing being done here so we aren't entirely dependent on imports.

Farm shop was successful. How to spend £106 in 10 minutes! Nothing had a barcode so a good 5 minutes of the sllocatedvtime was spent with the lady entering on the till. Very quaint, but managed to get meat, eggs, dairy, fruit and veg plus chocolate!

Ellianne glad you had a good time shopping. Hope everything goes well with your families move and they can sell their house as soon as possible.

For all the faults with this country I would never consider living anywhere else. Hindsight is a great thing and if crystal balls worked we would have had fair warning what was to come. From what I've seen over the years other countries are worse off that us. My brother has friends all over Europe as he's s biker. A friend who lives in Bruge sent him a video of rioting outside a mosque because it was closed. Wonder if the Belgium people where shown that or other countries.

As I said earlier this morning on another forums thread. My claps every Thursday aren't just for NHS who we couldn't do without but for all the others who are working to keep everything going. Refuse collectors,shop workers, farmers, delivery drivers ,water treatment, electricity and gas companies etc. Many many more we could not do without . My son if HGV driver for Iceland, my nephew works in a meat packing plant and one of my cousin's is a butcher. We all have members of our extended families who are still either working from home or going to work everyday.

So instead of bemoaning the short comings of this country of ours be thankful we live here.

my sister has become an organiser and is spending much time going around her area of 2000 people, on the wirral. She delegates to the people who want to help and are maybe shy. She has so far had hundreds of masks made locally and she has given cards out for people to put in their windows, if they need help such as shopping or transport to medical aid. She is always a hub, is my sister. My brother is on mercy missions to various hospitals on his motorbike, he always gets thumbs up, even from passing policemen. Both are doing this out of community spirit and also because they have a need to be out on their motorbikes, my sister and her husband work together

Here here whiff, exactly my thoughts

I took ibrufen again today, I just cannot help doing the digging/prising twisting motion with my right arm and then I carry heavy buckets of rocks, no wonder the r shoulder is complaining again. I am hopeful about it getting better, my left was incredibly bad a year ago after yet more heavy lifting, I could not lift it but slowly it got better

Plenty of knitting today and I watched Edith Cavell on prime, a slow black and white film, easy to knit while it was on

I'll add extra claps for them on Thursday Craftyone. Do you do any warm up exercises before your gardening just to loosen up your joints? That may help in the future.
Hope your shoulder feels better soon.

I went into the back garden this morning had a couple of hours before it started to rain managed to get a large patch of weeds out. Before that I made some yogurt and made a pot of soup for this week's lunches.

Had a lovely nap this afternoon. I quite like this gardening of a morning and having a hours nap.

A bit of fun but sadly this is not far from the truth.

This should clear up a few things for you.

In case you're still not sure what's going on with COVID 19 in Australia, here are the official Coronavirus guidelines:

1. Basically, you can't leave the house for any reason, but if you have to, then you can, but it depends on where you live, and what you do.

2. Some beaches are closed but others remain open, you can meet in groups of two to 10 depending on where you live, but fishing or hunting on your own is dangerous.

3. Masks are useless, but maybe you should wear one, it can save you, it is useless, but maybe it is mandatory as well, but you cannot find them for sale.

4. Stores are closed, except those that are open. Some that are open can let less in than others, in any case depends on how regulations are policed, or not policed.

5. Some stores can sell non essentials, other than stores who cannot.

6. You should not go to hospitals unless you really must go there. Same applies to doctors, you should only go there in case of emergency, provided you are not too sick, if you are too sick, please stay home, if you were already sick, your operations have been stopped, until some time later.

7. This virus is deadly but still not too scary, except that some die, but only if they were already sick, but now the old flu is no longer being reported, unless it is the new version, but we are not sure our tests know which, so until we know, or don’t know, any flu is coronavirus, unless its not.

7. Gloves won't help, but they can still help, if you can find them for sale, but please sanitize them on a regular basis.

8. Everyone needs to stay HOME, but it's important to GO OUT, unless you are going out with out a good reason, but when you get there and what you wanted is not available, you can go back out looking for it, and yes you can stop for a hair cut or to shop at Bunnings (like B&Q) as long as it is essential, unless you are going out for a non-essential reason.

8a All markets are closed unless they are markets that can remain open and or the police policing the regulations decide the market is an essential service where they will decide if non essential items can be sold or not sold

9. There is no shortage of toilet paper or groceries in the supermarket, unless they have run out, and if there is a lot of what you want, you are limited to only 2 of that item, so you have to shop again tomorrow.

10. The virus has no effect on children except those it affects and those affected may show no signs of the illness, but can give it to you, but can all go to school unless the school they go to is closed.

11. Animals are not affected, but there is still a cat that tested positive in Belgium in February when no one had been tested, plus a few tigers here and there……..but be careful if your diet includes bats who cannot transfer it to you unless you eat one that can.

12. You will have many symptoms when you are sick, but you can also get sick without symptoms, have symptoms without being sick, or be contagious without having symptoms, but even if you have the right symptoms, unless you have been overseas, please stay home and do not get tested.

13. Police will issue updates on the regulations, but the officers empowered to uphold the regulations may not understand what they mean, but those that do will be advised by another, just in case they are unsure.

14. The Virus came from either a Bat, in China or from the US, then transported to a Bat who was subject to animal welfare abuse, which means the world has shut down, because of animal abuse unless the bat flew from the US got tired and died so was eaten appropriately.

15. Anything you are told is not correct unless Facebook tells you it is, as long as a UN department tells Facebook it is correct, which may not be correct if the UN advisor is not quite sure.

16. If you are unemployed, you will get much more money, if you had a job you will get less, if you have a disability you get nothing more, same if you are a pensioner, but if you are an employer, you can have money to pay your staff even if you are still operating, unless you are self employed then you must apply for support after paying your accountant to show your sales are down, but so far we are not sure when any of this will happen.

I am not confused by any of this, unless I might be, but then who knows what is real, I need FB to tell me.....

I love that routine whiff, the morning is full and lunch is the demarkation time, lunch might be a bit later these days ie 1 instead of 12 but it is a definite line and I do easy quiet things after lunch.

A good sleep last night and I never got sleepy in the evening because I was busy working out how the knitting pattern. More knitting later and I need to get a bit of exercise. It looks as though today will be a nice day. I think it is sunday, have a nice day

SueH49 that's about as clear as mud. Unless I am reading it wrongly. Hope your husband continues to improve. Hope you and the rest of your family are safe.

What to go into the garden again but bunga needs a clean, just had breakfast . Got washing on the go and some oranges simmering for marmalade making tomorrow. Also need to make a stew for my next 6 dinners and apples to stew ready to go with my yogurt. At least I'm keeping busy. Exercises to be be do inside today. After lunch it's cross stitch and telly time.

Hope your aches and pains are easier today Craftyone.

What's everyone else up to today?

Really must read what I write carefully before posting want not what.

Sue, thank you for that great round-up of rules and regs etc surrounding this Pandemic in Oz. Think it sums up very well much of what we have here.
Firstly, herd immunity, can't stop the toffs Cheltenham Festival and our PM boasting as to how he is still 'shaking hands',
Then told that is all wrong, we must social distance - except for key workers (particular in London) who were still travelling on crowded underground trains.
Nobody quite sure about masks, first of all they were totally pointless, then - could be useful to stop the wearer passing on any colds or coughs but still no use as self protection, at the moment, no advice at all, although Mayor of London (area affected most by this virus), wants them worn by all.
News items designed now to terrify the population into obeying whatever old, new, maybe rules that are brought in. Evidently, nobody is dying of anything else in UK except Covid19. We hear something about European countries, although government refused to be part of bulk purchase of PPE equipment that was offered with them, hear about USA (just to be thankful that we do not live there), but the rest of the world has ceased to exist.
Most small business's still waiting to access monies promised to them - but rents for shops/pubs, etc is still being charged.
Supermarket shelves are pretty back to normal now (except for such things as flour - except bread flour, which is available, but yeast is not.
Mental health problems increasing, but DIY stores and Garden Centres not counted as Essential items. People have spare time now, but are not able to do all those home jobs that have been waiting for so long.
UK purchasing next three days supply of PPE from Turkey....flying in Eastern European people to work on farms.
No wonder we are all so very confused....

I am not confused

Morning everyone! I heard that latest horror story about over 70s made to stay in lock-down for another year. It cannot be true. I will ignore it. It was a Daily Mail report.
June seems ever too far away already.

Yesterday several people came to collect things I offered on FB. It was strange to have to go indoors while they came into the garden to pick up their loot.
Someone left me a pot of sunflower seedlings. But now someone wants to "borrow" some equipment while we are on lockdown. I felt mean but said no, sorry.

SueH I was very amused by that description of the Rules!
Horribly true.

DS phoned which cheered us up as he sounded upbeat.
He and DGD had just completed a 2.5 k run. And she is not the sporty one. Oh how I miss them.

DD has had a little good news too. Hope you all have a really good day.

Morning all, lovely and sunny here today.

Love the 'rules' SueH49, we have all coped very well with the crisis and changes to advice. I was shocked to see the crowded demonstrations in the US, one girl that was speaking seemed very short of breath. I think I will be avoiding people for a very long time after this.

I'm feeling a lot better about my five minute drive down to the village 'for exercise' and no longer dread the mornings. Rather than a 55 minute walk to the beach it's now a five minute drive and a 20 minute walk, I spend about 30 minutes actually on the beach throwing his stone. There were a few more people this morning, I was pleased to see my friend who makes sea glass/sea pottery jewellery, she will be happy to take my 'collection'. I'll keep a couple of pieces in my jewellery box, I like the jade green glass the most.

I felt I'd made progress at the house yesterday but then got stuck. I have a tiled copy of the railway system behind the toilet in the annexe, and managed to unscrew three sides - the last one won't budge. I googled it and an elastic band might give some purchase, or I might try a philips head. I thought ahead and have covered the toilet with an old duvet, last thing I want to do is smash it! Think I can lift it, it's just 16 tiles, I should manage.

I think I told you I was sad to put my Mum's old Singer sewing machine out - it had gone this morning. Hopefully someone will get some use from it, 90 years old and still going strong.

I am going to have to store some items in the brick built metal roofed garage. I've been waiting for it to rain to see how dry it is. Can I ask if anyone has stored DVD's in a garage? I'm putting them in a suitcase.

wrap your suitcase in a large poly bag. I found huge strong bags on ebay or maybe amazon. Have you any wd40? There is one for penetrating rusted screws and I vouch that it works, always good to have in. We had similar thoughts when we had to get rid of my mum`s very old singer treadle machine. My sister did the deed and I never asked, got to think past the emotions

Fab day today and I haven`t sat down inside all day to now. Every meal outside and much pottering, I put net cages up because I have seen my first cabbage white. I have taken a big chance and put a few bedding plants out. I could not do without a garden, it is so calming and `earthy`

Don't know where the day has gone. Just fetched my towels in off the line they smell lovely of sunshine . Made lamb stew for the next 6 dinners. Ended up with 2 tubs of apple puree for my yogurt. Oranges all prepared for tomorrow. Bunga all clean and shiny. Did inside exercises. First job after breakfast make marmalade. Then in the garden for a couple of hours.

I keep watching the videos the children sent me of my grandsons. It's lovely to see and hear them playing. Just wish I could hold them. But we need to stay safe.

Everyone is keeping busy which helps to pass the time. Seen at lot of red admiral butterflies today. Also saw a plane towing a banner couldn't see what it said. Hope it was something positive.

Look after yourselves.

I noticed my first butterfly of the year today Whiff It was a peacock and there is such a blue sky without a cloud. I got 2 loads dry on the line.

A lovely family came for the willow and I spoke to them at a distance. He trimmed all the branches I hadn't been able to reach.
It was nice to have children enjoying the garden and I hope, after this is over, we can meet them properly.

Leftovers for tea. I always cook more than we need. Force of habit. I kinda miss not having the young volunteers around. I miss their energy and good humour and their appetites but I am secretly enjoying having no pressure to cook or worry about what we'll have tonight.

Hey craftyone, thanks for the polybag tip - I've got the vaccum bags, I'll use two of those. And thanks for the wd 40 tip, it worked! Just in time, my hand feels very strained from pushing so hard. I managed to lift the whole thing carefully and put it down in stages, onto the toilet seat first, then the floor. The 16 tiles were glued in but I was worried the glue might have deteriorated. I am so glad I managed to do it without breaking it, it is one of my prize possessions. The annexe is now cleared, the only thing left is the ridiculously heavy Ilva dressing table which is part of the clearance. And the mirror, which I'll take the ladder up tomorrow to get. I had forgotten the big towel trolley in the shower room, I'm just going to forget about that, he can have it. Old duvets are so handy aren't they, I'll put it on the floor in case I need a soft landing for it. I was very sorry my 'witches bowl' (like a gold fish bowl, but rainbow glass) was broken during the move to the cottage. A very good friend gave it to me, but it broke so badly cannot be glued.

All this lovely growing and cooking! Don't tell anyone, I'm opening a tin tonight! Kitchen here isn't up and running yet, and the freezer here is very small, but big enough to freeze six portions of something. As I had an aga we never smelt food in the kitchen, only when I used the slow cooker - I'll be bringing that down soon to do some bulk cooking.

Off to walk the dog again then unpacking the car, slowly, it's mainly books today and I find them very heavy.

I too read about the probability that over 70s and the vulnerable will have to continue with lockdown even if it’s lifted for everyone else. I’m 68 but my husband is 76 soon so we will largely be confined to the house for some time to come.
By the time we are allowed out of lockdown will we really care?

my dear friend and ex neighbour died this morning, taken to hospital, aged 83 and his dear wife is aged 63. We were all very good friends, they were a rock to me after my husband died and he was a rock to them throughout. It is amazing how paths can crosss, we bought that house after they invited us in for a cup of tea. He was a legend, helpful and kind to everyone

I do not know how his wife will cope, they had 3 x as many things as me in their house. Now no-one in that close knit village can call and help and support and I cannot rush over with a meal. So this week she will be busy and then what? All alone to cope by herself, she is also vulnerable. A nightmare for her, the worst time to be widowed

Craftyone so sorry for your loss. I don't know what I would have done without family around after my husband. At the time she needs someone to hold her who can? She must be feeling so alone. It's just awful.

So sorry to learn of the death of your ex-nieghbour, Are there any children, with whom she could go to stay for the rest of the lockdown? My niece is staying with her daughter at present following the death of her husband a few weeks back.
I am concerned about my friend who only a a few years younger than me, so well into her 70's she has MS plus other conditions and confined to an electric wheelchair. Although she has carers come in twice daily to help her getting out of and into bed, it was her hubbie who was her main carer. She cannot even consider staying with any of her children as none of their homes are suitably adapted for her.
Niobe, Once the shops start to open properly, etc. I will be taking myself to them - as I have continued to do my weekly supermarket shop throughout this. I accept I may get this virus, have known that all along, will take my chance.

How terribly sad for your friend crafty I hope somebody helps her. You can help her via telephone, email and post.
Sending ((hugs))
It is what we most dread.