The Lockdown Gang still chatting

Ixion it certainly does look a lovely piano. At least you had something of beauty to home as your inheritance. Mine are two vases. Well actually mum made it clear my brother was to have the larger one and I had the smaller one. When my brother died, I asked his son if he was going to keep it. He looked horrified at the suggestion and said no way do I want that. So now i have them both.
Do you ever sit and have a tinkle? 🤔. I think I’m with you about the candelabra though.
Well done our team. I thought I could hear you cheering.
Grammaretto oh dear that didn’t go well then. I suppose it’s nice for the family that more turned up than expected (better than the other way round) but no so good you had to wait outside and missed the tea. Sounds like one of those days you’d rather forget.
Well that was a shock! I looked at the photo and thought the man in the car looks like he’s playing the bagpipes. Then I tried fo figure out if the papier mâché object was the green thing tucked under his arm. Only when I enlarged it considerably did I see what it really was. 🤣🤣🤣. One (me) wonders what ( or who) the other one is.
Been a busy day here getting ready for our mini cruise next week. Not saying where we’re going but look out for me Grammaretto and give me a wave.
Sainsbugs delivered at 9 pm tonight which was a bit of a surprise as I’d forgotten they were coming. He was lucky I hadn’t already got my pyjamas on. 😱

The family hadn't reckoned on the numbers and had booked the small chapel at the crem. Half of us stood outside and tried to hear the ministry. Luckily it didn't rain.
I then made the mistake of getting a lift to the after tea, 30 miles away with a couple who are always late.
Now I know why. They are slow but they always have to check that they didn't leave their phone or their belongings behind . So by the time we arrived at the "tea" that's exactly what we were served. Not a sandwich or biscuit left and we sat at a table with 3 very deaf elderly gentleman who hadn't known it was to be a Quaker funeral. The deceased was an atheist in fact. Ofcourse I missed my bus home and had an hour to wait for the next one. The only place open was Wetherspoons where you are given a cup and told to fill it at a machine!!

Bring back proper Scottish hospitality!

Your piano looks very beautiful ixion
There is a piano in this house which DH rescued though neither of us play. It came with the provenance that it had belonged to a writer called SR Crockett who was once a minister in this town. It has candlesticks.

I've been looking after giving house room to a couple of Papier mache figures. One of them left yesterday. He is a piper called Jimmy

Now, Doodle, did I actually say that I played the piano?🤣.
Well, I used to until I left home, after which the damn thing followed me around - my mother making sure that I was placed firmly in the chain of inheritance. (Actually, and I haven't ever disclosed this before, I was pretty cheesed off that my Mum bought my brother a baby grand as 'compensation', so he didn't feel left out🤷‍♀️). In fairness, it is a beautiful object but I firmly declined the offer to have replace candlesticks fitted. Think Liberace ... My grandmother recalls her mother being obliged to cover the inlay on the underside of the lid during the War. It proudly reads Wagner, Berlin.

Talking of funeral memorabilia, I have two black edged gentleman's handkerchiefs- I hadn't realised that these were all part of the dress code.

Wondering how Spud's christening and subsequent jollities went? Was he good?

And Kaimona having a film crew in! Do kerp us posted!

I'm glad you had a good sing Grammaretto, good for the soul, I hope your funeral went OK. OH's aunt had a Quaker funeral, it was very different to anything I had experienced before. I found it quite disconcerting, tbh, as I was so far out of my comfort zone, but I can see why Quakers find this a comfort and a fitting way to say their goodbyes to one of their members. I am well versed in KJB services for The Departed, sadly being all too familiar, as the years pass by, with the words, prayers and oft-recurring hymns.

I feel I should end this missive on a positive note.
Thinks🤔 .

Our team won on Saturdaysurprisingly and for a fleeting 24 hours, we were Top of the League Table.
Per ardua and all that.
Waving also to Jan and 🍒.

ixion I love the idea of a memory box. So often we forget about things until a photo or memento brings it all back.
What interesting treasures you found.
I’m with you I think in destroying the love letters. I think they are personal between two people. I realise that some maybe more chatty about travels or such like but in the main I wouldn’t like mine to be read by anyone other than DH.
Ooh please let us know how you get on with your free cycle Dyson.
Kaimoana could you do with a pair of reading glasses. That’s what DH got for working on the computer.
So difficult when using a computer and keyboard if you can’t see what you’re doing. I had the same problem at work and had to have a special pair of glasses to wear for doing figure work. Not much good doing the accounts when you can’t tell a 3 from a 5 or a 6 from an 8.
Nice Ray popped in. Did I remember you saying his daughter and children live with him now……or did I just make that up?
Hope you will enjoy the Dean reading. On the Garden Congregation website are a number of stores read by the Dean and poetry too. I confess I listen to him reading Wind in the Willows if I can’t sleep at night.
Hope you don’t run out of things before Karen gets back. Has she gone far?
ixion I have a number of funeral In Memorial cards from years ago for various family members who died before I was born. They all seem to be white cards with black filigree type print on the front and when you open them it gives the details of those who died.
I didn’t know you played piano. 1897 how wonderful. My grandmother always played piano when I was young.
Grammaretto I have letter that I will leave for our sons about when DH was on his travels about the places he visited and all his postcards.
Glad you like the Deans tales. I love listening to his voice.
Your singing group sounds nice. I wish I was there to hear it.
Hope the funeral goes as well as these things can.
Is your cold getting any better?

My DB is busy transcribing the letters between our parents who are both long deceased.
She wouldn't let us read them embarrassing but honestly they are lovely. They called eachother silly nicknames but apart from that, unless DB has spared us details, there is nothing embarrassing about them.
Our DP married in 1939 just after the outbreak of war and were evacuated to different parts of England with their respective schools. There was real difficulty for meeting up in term time. He was in Worcestershire, she in Somerset. They were boarding schools.

I gave my German helper a pottery lesson today and have left her to practice on the wheel.

Last night I listened to the Dean reading wind in the willows. Thanks Doodle😊

We went Taizé singing at Crichton yesterday. A good group turned up including 3 Ukrainian women, and with 2 male voices we were able to sing in 4 parts. It sounded wonderful.

I have a Quaker funeral today in Edinburgh so I had best change and prepare myself.
No black plumed horses this time ixion

Oh you made me shudder when you said you'd shredded such precious historical family documents.

But, Kaimona, these are love letters that I shredded. I can assure you that I have boxes of, well, less intimate documents in my possession. Including the receipt for 'my' beautiful piano (1897) and various funeral bills, indicating that the family embraced the full monty - black, plumed horses, the works...

Grammaretto I would strongly suggest you buy a bottle of Floradix; available in supermarkets and chemists. I'm reading about Edgar Cayce, so was inspired

ixion My specs were free, provided by OneSight Charity. A group of opticians came from Australia. So I couldn't take them back BUT it does seem to be distance that's the problem. My desk isn't deep enough to have the monitor far enough back. So I have to sit well back in my chair with arms outstretched to the keyboard (which of course I can't see either) to make text on screen clear.
I think I may need to practice my very rusty non existent touch typing skills.

No, The Maori Party has little to no clout at all but only began in 2004; went through controversy and now hopes to emerge with new heart. However their aims (like all parties not in power) are unrealistic: tax cuts for 90% of NZ; forcing the rich to stop evading tax (some hopes). I think I see piggy wigs in the air.

Oh you made me shudder when you said you'd shredded such precious historical family documents. How often have historians wish some family member hadn't done that (Austen, Bronte and more). But of course you have a right to do what you wish. They are lost forever now and future generations may have loved to read about their ancestors.

Ray popped over for a chat today and may come to Kawhe Kaumatua tomorrow. He can bring his daughter and her children and enjoy lunch with us.

I had an interesting afternoon with a film crew and reporter crowding into my little house, interviewing me about my life and times for a promotional thing. It will be online before the end of the year so you'll be able to see it and laugh at me

Doodle I shall definitely ask the Dean to read Wind in the Willows to me. I cannot think of a better person/voice to do so - thank you so much for that link.

Karen is away now until October and made me promise to ring her if I needed anything. I cannot envisage any circumstance which would persuade me to interrupt her holiday. We stocked up on fresh veg, milk and tofu so I won't need provisions for a while.

The vegie shop owner gave me cup of Chai Masala which was absolutely delicious and new to me but the mix contains sugar.
I don't do sugar.
He's trying to get some sans sucre but at $9 a box it's a bit dear.
It gave Karen heartburn.

In case you are wondering, yes, it still rains every day but not all day. We had sunshine this afternoon

Actually Doodle, my dear Dad was the opposite. To all intents and purposes, you would say he was asleep in his chair, but as soon as comment was passed, he would open an eye and announce that he most certainly was not, thank you very much. I think it was a conscious ploy to avoid getting drawn into any family conversation😴.

So sorry to hear that your specs are not fit for purpose, Kaimona. Is it easy for you to get back there and have a moan discuss constructive ways to secure an improvement? Please don't suffer, headaches are no fun to add to the ever growing list of ailments we accumulate as the years go by.
The Maori Party sounds very interesting. Do they have any political clout?
I am investigating the Bug Book you kindly recommended, thank you.

Did you give your pottery lesson, Grammaretto? or were you able to defer? Is she a beginner? My grandma had a pretty ghastly wall mounted vase in lurid blue which my father had made in primary school, so the early 1930s. Apparently the house was more or less destroyed during the London Blitz, yet the blessed,er, chunky, wall hanging emerged unscathed.

I have had a contemplative afternoon sorting, again, what I am pleased to call my memory box , although this has expanded to a very large F &M wicker trunk. I dfided the time was right for me to apply the key to my mother's velvet and mahogany footstool, which we had never ever seen unlocked. As we were told once, it contained her letters from 'Daddy'. For a man who I never saw put pen to paper, apart from the Ximenes crossword, he was very expansive in their courting days. Rest assured, I had no intention of reading the contents and gained peace of mind by shredding the lot lest they fall into the hands of others less sensitive when I am gone.
There were extra bits, like theatre programmes starring Laurence Olivier, and a copy of her work contract, 1947, with the BBC - £4/17s/6d a week.

To round off my day, I expressed my interest in a nifty mini cylinder Dyson vacuum cleaner offered on Freecycle in the next village. 'Motor fine, doesn't vacuum, all attachments'.
I decided this was just the sort of retirement project Mr.I would relish (😂) and Master I. would thank me profusely for providing an improved tool to assist him in valeting my car.
We collect tomorrow- watch this space.

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsTeD5YcvGSpr-CBB7pCrXNMnlC2JmSMK

Not the Wind in the Willows poem Grammaretto but the Wind in the Willows stories as read by the Dean (as was) of Canterbury. If you want some gentle listening.

Kaimoana your glasses don’t sound suitable at all. I’ve had problems with some new pairs too and had to go back to the store. Perhaps they haven’t been made properly. In one of my pairs they put the lenses in the wrong way round.
I always find it funny when the ducks and geese stick their bottoms in the air just as I’m walking past. Wonder if they’re trying to tell me something.
Ooh your banquet sounds nice. Hope you enjoy it and the speeches aren’t too long.
Grammaretto oh yes, swans, ducks and geese all upend themselves when selecting a tasty morsel.
Possibly still the cold that’s making you tired. Has the German girl done any pottery before. I’ve always fancied having a go myself.
It’s been sunny here today but quite windy. Not been out as trying to tidy up a bit. Been sorting through lots of bits and pieces. Why have I got 5 almost used up lipsticks, three different blushers when I don’t actually wear any. For some reason I have 5 pairs of tweezers and 20 assorted nail files.
Thought I’d organise some things into different bags and print some labels for them. Why does the printer always stop working when you want to print something. 😡

I love the wind in the willows poem Kaimoana I thought it was only ducks who ducked. I didn't realise swans did it too. They look so comical.

How exciting to be going to the cottage and with Gubbins. You are a very luck lady.
Politics gets everywhere.
The latest sentence I was to translate on Gaelic Duolingo was blatantly anti English.

Sorry your glasses are useless.

I am very tired today. Not sure if it's still the cold or some other reason
German girl wants a pottery lesson I said I would teach her but I really just want to go back to bed.

It's raining heavily.

That old house has some tapestries already. I think the people who sold it were going to live in France so the heavy furniture and wall hangings wouldn't be necessary.

I wonder where Nortsat is. Perhaps if we all shout at once, she'll hear us.

Incredible photographs Grammaretto. Is that why stone built homes had tapestries and furs on the walls and great big Inglenook fireplaces?

High in the blue above
Swifts whirl and call
We are down a-dabbling
Up tails all!
Wind in the Willows

My new glasses are useless I know it takes time so I persevered all weekend - and got pains in my eyes. I'll keep going but I've enough to battle with without headaches as well. Maybe it's something to do with distance? I'll experiment.
Very flash frames though, bright red

The farm cottage is booked for 6th October for 2 days. Gubbins will come too Counting the days.

I'm to be part of the Powhiri (official welcome) at Orakei Marae on Saturday, for The Maori Party.

I'm by no means political but they will, as usual, put on a splendid seafood banquet and that's worth sitting through boring pontifications speeches.

Grammaretto DH rates cygnets by their size as baby, toddler, teenager . I expect yours were teenagers. Your friends house sounds fascinating if somewhat cold. Is that last picture from inside. Amazing looking place. Do they have any idea of the history? You walk looks nice.
Kaimoana I like that idea for a name.
You do have a number of good ideas for making things that produce rude noises. 🤣.
Yes I wonder about Norstat and our other gangsters too. Anyone out there? How are you doing?
Went for nice meal with older son and family tonight. Nice meal but very full now. DH is asleep in the armchair but every time I say it’s time for bed, he says, I’m not asleep…..no just snoring while awake I suppose. 😊
Take care all.

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Hello Lobstars.
Is that us on the wall bars Ixion?
My favourite activity in the gym hall was to climb to the top of a rope and hide there for the entire lesson.
I hated the gym teacher. She was a cruel tyrant. She didn't like me either.

The visit to the df in her 400 yr old house went well . She had prepared a fabulous meal for us. The house is on 3 floors with very thick stone walls and spiral stairs. It must have a fascinating history. Her DH wasn't as in love with it as she was. He says it's always cold despite wood burners in every room.
We walked through the village and into the surrounding estate to watch the swans
I thought of your swans and ducks Doodle
The 4 cygnets who were almost fully grown "ducked" for food whereas their proud parents just stretched their elegant necks .
The pictures were taken on our walk.

ixion I've just finished an excellent book called Wicked Bugs. Your 5 year old may like the Young Readers Edition.
www.amystewart.com/books/wicked-bugs
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"Lobstars Un-locked" is my suggestion (with the lobster icon)
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Rude Noise Instrument
You need a longish cardboard tube from inside wrapping paper (or a fabric store may give you one). A disposable plastic or rubber glove. A small length of hose/tubing and some tape.

Cut about 15cm from a hose/tubing. Cut the top from the thumb of the glove and insert the tube. Tape it securely. It should be airtight.
Tape the wrist of the glove securely round the end of the cardboard tube.

Now you should have rubber glove taped by its wrist around a cardboard tube, with the thumb of the glove taped around a piece of hose.

Rest the tube against your shoulder. Hold the rubber glove fingers so the palm (just below the taped wrist part) is stretched tight-ish over the end of the cardboard tube. Blow into the hose to make a noise.
You may like to put some tape round the mouth end of the hose. You can make different noises according to the tension of the glove and the strength of the blow.
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We haven't heard from Norstat for a long time, anyone know how she is?

Grammaretto well done your DGS. No wonder you’re a proud gran.
Glad you’ve been checked over and your chest is clear.
Did you enjoy the play? How do they do subtitles on stage …..does a little man with a cardboard sign run across the stage between scenes? 🤔. What a lovely place to visit your friend. 400 years old and once a prison …….a file in a cake for a gift I would think. What was it like, I’m intrigued?
Ixion no not a room but painting by numbers. At the rate I’m going if it was a room I was painting it would take many years.
I can picture you as Games Captain. Did you have a whistle and sash? Good practice for your Pom Pom days.
Ooh I don’t like slugs. Why do boys like that sort of stuff.
DH is off to bed soon. He’s been asleep most of the day so he might as well nod off in bed as the chair. 🤣
Out for dinner again tomorrow but with other son this time. Will I ever lose weight 😱

PS
I know I'm a bit pathetic, but could we possibly, please, have a thread title with a 🦞 in it next time? So much easier to find you after a long day. Think you had one in a previous life here?

Thank you💐

Hello Lobstars!
Great to hear all your news and drool at our Pin Up boy and the beautiful NZ writers' retreat. Do go, Kaimona, and tell us all about it. I don't think I'd write much, just sit and gaze ...

I see the Under 5s have already been bagged - great idea to have Kaimona in charge there. She could read her Duck story and hope that amidst the guests, there might just be literary publishers. On the other hand, I was a tad disappointed to be pipped at the post. I was about to offer my services in the physical activities sector, drawing on my early life as school Games Captain🫢. LOL.

I think you have chosen a lovely colour for your bathroom, Grammaretto. So pleased you have struck lucky with your helpers and that it is not so stressy in communicating this time. I see that Doodle has been painting with her friend. I wonder which room, doubtless inspired by a fellow Lobstar's decorating?

I was intrigued by the description of the Fart Trumpet. Sounds very like a DIY home enema kit or so I would imagine.
Right up a boy's (dare I stereotype?🫢) street! Talking of which, I have been in the garden, after copious rain, taking photos of rather gross-looking slugs for the 5 year old GS. He is, sadly, into such wildlife, the grimmer the better. Have long given up hope of making gold crowns and frothy pink tutus - although he and 7 year old brother do appear on FaceTime sporting painted nails, including toes, of which they are inordinately proud.

Hoping this weekend is a good one for all, thinking of Jan and Nfk.

Must away to give the pompoms a good shake -difficult match for out team tomorrow, but it is at the seaside, so a little paddle and a cone of candy floss won't come amiss.

Hello Lobstars,
Lovely Spud photos Mamissimo keep 'em coming.
He looks drunk in that one
I am so glad that the cow's milk allergy has been found.
I hope the party goes splendidly.

My poet/artist/writer DGS has been awarded a prize for NZ national poetry day. It's in the under 18 category and he's only 11. He was doing a public reading yesterday. #proudgran

The doctor phoned me early and suggested I pop in to the surgery to have my chest listened to. I did and it was clear but the head cold is still hanging around.
I went to yoga and to a Spanish play at the Edinburgh festival. The French and the German helpers came too. Surtitles in English but they had to read and translate at the same time. We agreed the acting was superb.
Today, after work at the store this morning, I am being taken to visit a df who moved into the remote border country a year ago and I haven't managed to visit her before. What does one take for a housewarming gift? Her house is 400 years old and was once a prison.

Very unlike that delightful writer's retreat Kaimoana. You should go!!

Poor wrist Doodle putting up with all that physio. Now you are making beds!
We should be like the Danes. They have single duvets only.
How is Jan I wonder?

I must away and get ready for work have another cuppa

Had a nice visit with friend today and we did some painting.
Church yesterday for the first time in a few weeks and I had missed it. Lovely group so nice to chat to.
Changed bed sheets in my own for first time since I broke my wrist, ooh it was exhausting but I did it.
Kaimoana that looks a lovely place to be. Pretty house/chalet. Why don’t you go?
So hot here tonight I have my fan on. Supposed to be cooler today but haven’t found it so. Hope everyone is ok

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My hand is enthusiastically up for the under-5's Mamissimo and I know the adolescent boys would absolutely LOVE 'the fart trumpet', all you need is a cardboard tube, a rubber glove, a small length of (garden) hose and some tape. I'm sure you have those lying around the house!
Can't wait to be your au pair for the day.

Yes Doodle Bev lives about 20 km away at Piha Beach. I'm wondering whether to go stay at the retreat for a few days. They are running a Writers Weekend soon and I need inspiration

No,no Mamissimo don’t stop. It’s lovely to see baby pictures.
So pleased they’ve found an answer to his problems. Hope he grows stronger every day.
Crèche for 17 under 5’s ……ooh I’ve suddenly remembered an urgent appointment…..somewhere.
Oh that made me laugh Mamissimo I really thought it was a good idea till your tale continued. 🤣🤣🤣

Good morning 🙂

I promise I'll stop soon because I'm becoming a bore but look at this blissful face! It's the face of a boy whose Drs have worked out that he's allergic to cows milk and his Mum's diet has been tweaked with great success!

You are all so very kind to have offered to pass round the nibbles at our party! Which one of you would like to run the crèche for 17 under 5's`? The weather forecast says we can expect some light rain so you'll only be trapped indoors with them for a couple of hours 🙂

We also have 3 morose adolesent boys to entertain ....and there's no TV to hook a games consul up to.....but there is a bar!

And now I want to tell you a story......
The other night I stumbled upon a whizz of a cheap entertainment for small people on `instagram. It involved an empty bottle, washing up liquid, food colouring and a sheet of kitchen roll and a rubber band.......so far so good.

It is the work of moments to assemble and all the child has to do is blow gently through the mouth of the bottle to send a stream of rainbow frothy bubbles through the painted kitchen roll. Simples!

Except.....DGD 2 sucked instead of blew.....threw up her lunch in a rainbow frothy kind of way DD2 dropped the bottle, the contents spilt all over her feet....splashed all over her garden furniture and patio.....

DGD1 thought it was hilarious.....so she got in 👿 - as did I because I was the eejit who suggested it 🥺

Anyone have a good tip for getting food dye out of toes, cushions, paving, hair, grass.....🤣

How nice Doodle to have a meal out with your DS and the family.

My Helpers both went out. The German with her friends who came out here and the Frenchman went ceilidh dancing in Edinburgh.
I watched TV.and ate Danish chocolate.

I may cancel my phone appointment with the doctor and have Vick inhalations as prescribed by Kaimoana

My lodger has the same virus now and is off work. It isn't an ordinary cold.

Bev sounds like a real tonic Kaimoana you can send her over here.

I expect a visit from a sculptor df today. I have fired a head she made but sadly the back brains? has broken off so we will consider how, if at all, it can be made good. I also have a teapot to finish.
The blue bathroom is coming along nicely.

Been for nice meal out with son and family tonight. Now very full and very tired. Just had a brandy to end off the evening. Not my usual drink but pleasant as long as it doesn’t give me heart burn later. 🤔
Kaimoana sounds like your Bev is quite a character. Does she live far from you?
Not good your expected BLV people didn’t turn up without explanation. Glad you are continuing with your book. Sounds like Bev would buy it 😊