The Lockdown Gang - Carry on Regardless.

Mammissimo that was fantastic. I have never seen castanets played like that before. That bit where you clacked under your legs and the high kicks were truly amazing. And the flamenco. Such swirling of ruffles and skirts. Tricky moment when one of your stays flew out and knocked the conductors glasses off but other than that a wonderful performance ?

Oh what a rendition of... what was it you were playing Doodle ? Oh talking of flowers I gave a bunch to Panache earlier but have brought each of you a bunch. Missedout ?
Mamissimo ?
Grammaretto ?
and
Doodle ?

I've put the other bunches in the hall stand over there ?

I've got Nortsat a special bunch of ? of various colours and like you Grammaretto stuffed this ? into my bag.
As I am meant to be making the announcements tonight I think it's about time to announce the next act. Please step up onto the stage Mamissimo. Ladies please give Mamissimo a warm welcome onto the stage. Take it away Mamissimo ?

missedout I hope our birthday girl hasn’t had too much champers and is lying under the table somewhere. My feet are killing me in these shoes, I’ll just slip them off for a minute and join you in a glass.....oh you’ve drunk it all. I’ll get anuver
You jus sit there an I’ll call Jeeves. More bubbly Jeeves pleash ??

Wow - so much glamour, such curves on display, fantastic music, good food (I'm a bit nervous of the rubber bean chutney though). I thought I'd have 'just the one (glass of bubbly)' tonight but perhaps I will substitute the 'glass' for a 'bottle'.

You made your performance sound like a doddle, Doodle, heh, heh hic! Boddle's empty, Norstat, happy, happy birshday. I love you all ♥️

Oh thank you, thank you all. No, no, please no more applause. Oh and flowers too. How kind you are.
Er mamissimo why have the orchestra got their fingers in their ears ?
Yes Cherry I think the birthday girl was going for a meal. I think we should just carry on enjoying the nibbles and champers till she gets here.

Bravo Doodle you're on the way to the Albert Hall I think! The orchestra couldn't believe what they were hearing! Bravo!

It's quite possible that our birthday girl has sneaked into the restaurant room... she did say she was also going out to eat. Doodle I think the quartet are expecting you to do a warm up. "Welcome to Cadogan Hall, first warm up exercise please Mrs Doodle Give this lovely warm encouragement please...

This salmon is delicious. I hope Norstat comes soon or I might eat the lot ?

Grammaretto you look stunning. ?
I think the birthday girl must be enjoying a little tipple somewhere. Jeeves is coming round with canapés and champagne. Isn’t he magnificent.

Missedout what a gorgeous dress, you look beautiful ?
Oops Mamissimo maybe Jeeves did go too far... it hasn't spoiled your look though you look like a movie star and that chutney looks good too ?

Hello, hello, hello. Where's the birthday girl?
I hope she likes the gift stuffed in at the last minute
Is it concert first, then dinner and speeches?
I am not used to such glamourous occasions.
OMG Jeeves looks amazing.
I am so excited.

Oh Mamissimo you look amazing. Your dress is very stylish and MrM so dashing.
Chutney and rubber beans. Fantastic.
Come and have a drink while we wait for the party girl.
Missedout there you are. Another stunning frock. .
I think they’re opening the champagne. I heard a loud bang........ oops sorry Mamissimo I didn’t realise that was your stays going pop

Ooh the anticipation Doodle, this place!!

Thanks Doodle ?. I wasn't sure whether I'd suit this colour until I tried it on. Jeeves looks very dashing indeed and you look amazing ?

Hola! We are in the car park and Mr M is loosening my stays....Jeeves was a little over enthusiastic and my flamenco was in danger of being a danse macabre. I have a boot full of chutney and rubber beans.....and a special gift for * Nortsat* Because it's not every year that you celebrate your birthday In such style.

Doodle, I am really in awe of your quilt. What a lovely idea. It is as beautiful as the thought behind it.

Tonight, I won't lurk outside the party like the last BBQ. I have some good wine and a sparkling face mask (it changes colour to suit your mood) as a present for the birthday lady.

So looking forward to tonight - I've told DH not to wait up. (DH is finally getting to watch the DVD that I have never been interested in!)

Whooohoo - I'm on my way.

Ooh I’m so excited. cherry you look really lovely. That dress is perfect for you. Beautiful colours.
What do you think of Jeeves? He looks quite dashing I think. ?

No won't mention a bald patch at all Doodle

Quartet warming up...

DH and I have arrived early. He doesn’t like to be late so always allows plenty of time. We will just have a glass of and sit in the corner till everyone else arrives.
You should consider yourself honoured Nortsat . DH hates “dressing up” but for your birthday he has on his best tux and bow tie. He also asked me to cut his hair earlier so he’s neat and tidy ( please don’t mention the bald patch on the right hand side where I cut too much off, he hasn’t noticed it yet

I'm on my way! Mind you I couldn't get the belt done up on the AM dress so I've left it off. (no not the dress) It's been chilly here so I may be too hot in London.
I've been practising walking in those heels but I kept going over sideways. I think there are enough injuries already in the gang. So it's the flats for me.
I am quite nervous about doing the toasts, but I shall be brave not much else I can do
I am looking forward to meeting you all at last. The Barbeque was so dark I don't think I'd recognise any of you in your glad rags.

I love the quilt Doodle and you are the anchor, the keystone, without you this gang could never have been.
???

See you all soon. (hugs to Panache xxx)

Good to know that your friend is safe BradfordLass. I hope that, whatever the cause was, your friend continues to be safe from her on in.
Cosy little village you've amassed in your property portfolio. You need a nice petite auctioneer if you are going to divest yourself of your empire ?

Yuk Missedout. I'm glad you had your gloves on or else it could be worse ?. I'm pleased you haven't broken any bones but it does sound nasty and very sore. £60 is quite a bit in taxi fares but it's a small price to pay to go to A&E and have your hand examined and treated. It's nearly always the way when injuries happen to hands it's the ones dominant hand gets injured. Dr's orders to keep it dry and regular dressings will help you heal quickly, so no washing up for a good while ?. You obviously have a wonderful DS to drop everything to help ? My brother was just like that. He flew from Germany, where he was working, to Wales on one occasion to help me out

That is a worry Grammaretto. It must be a horrible shock for the friends and family who have lost loved ones to this virus on a cancer ward. The hospital will have been working flat out to disinfect the ward from top to bottom to make sure everyone else on the ward and those with forthcoming appointments are not put at risk. Your concern for Mr G on Thursday is completely understandable. If you still have that concern and unease on Wednesday could you ring the ward and make enquires re. an update of circumstances on the ward? I'm sure they would understand if you did. Personally I think because such stringent rules are in place when they discover an outbreak that the measures then taken will mean that Mr G will be safe on Thursday.

Your party dress sounds gorgeous dragonfly, it has virtually all my favourite colours in it ?
Your DGD must be an absolute pleasure, I love open chatty little uns ?.

Back laters...

Doodle that's smashing! will you hang it? Do label the back so that when it's sold at Bonhams in the next century they will have the back story ?

Jeeves has left....I'm now fully upholstered and ramrod straight. Not sure I can sit down because Jeeves certainly put his back into those corsets. Mr M was almost impressed. He wonders if there is going to be a zoom wall so that absolutely all of us can participate?

Which got me thinking....maybe on VC night when we celebrate the defeat of Covid we should have a zoom meeting and raise a glass to each other in person...virtually! It would be a great unveiling.

I seem to have mislaid my castanets and I'm not sure DS's football rattle will cut the mustard. I'm off up to the attic....see you later...

Sorry you are up to joining us later Panache. We all understand and we all wish it was not the case that you and Mr P are both struggling so much adversity of health. I had these ? to give you this evening so I give them to you now, along with a gentle cwtch.

Back shortly I hope..

Ear Plugs at the ready ....

? Happy Birthday to You ???
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday dear Nortsat ???
Happy Birthday to You ?

You can take the ear plugs out now ?

Love the sound of your animated birthday cards ? I hope you are happy with your birthday present and you enjoy your feast out later ?

Gosh I'm on announcement duties, are you sure? I hope all the gangsters understand my Welsh accent this time ? ?. Mind you people have been known to make remarks that I don't sound Welsh bit I'm sure you've all noticed that I do ?

I thought I'd unveil my little surprise at the Grand Cadogan Hall Concert but sadly it's not going to happen ?. I sent my WP up into the loft to look for my flute but he couldn't find it. Then I realised that when we had our loft cleared out a few years ago it must have gone amongst the clear out! Oh well, I would have probably needed 6 years months of practice to be able to play a squeak tune anyway (obviouslyI haven't played for years) . Oh well.

You are all going to look so glamorous. My new dress isn't half as fancy and you will think it an odd colour I'm sure. It's a dirty dusky pink knee length dress ?. Quite a simple piece but it is embroidered all over.

Doodle Wow your quilt art is wonderful and has brought a tear to my eye. Silly old me!

Mamissimo although my Tigger tail is important for my balanced wellbeing I too would prefer to have wings. That way I could be lie Johnathan Livingstone Seagull and just fly for the hell sheer enjoyment of it ?

Drat! I'm being 'summoned' so I'd better see what that's whatever for...

Dragonfly ... how lovely, there will be a VIP chair reserved for you.
Missedout, of course there will be dancing.
Panache, I hope you and your dear one have a gentle, restful evening. Jeeves is enroute to you now, with light refreshments and drinks of your choice. You will be missed.
Doodle your embroidery is beautiful and what a lovely concept ... it’s very moving.

See you at 7.30 gangsters ... cheers ?