The Lockdown Gang - carry on chatting ⭐️

Good afternoon Gangstars from me and the Molls (who are all very busy sleeping).
I haven’t posted for a few days as we have been quite busy but it also meant I had a good long read to catch up with everyone’s news.
Cherry, lovely to see your post.
Grammaretto it may be worth thinking about a cat. I am biased of course. We live in a Victorian house, with a biggish cellar but are never troubled by mice.
In our first flat, after our two lovely cats died from old age, we had mice within about a month. It really gave me the creeps ... we were sitting watching television and a mouse ran up the fireplace. That was a big Victorian house with a big cellar and we thought the mice were in there.
Our Minnie is a champion mouser and says she’ll come to stay, if you provide chicken and tuna fish!
Mamissimo so sorry to learn that your DD2 is struggling but it’s good that she is receiving the right help and support. Bless her ?
Nfkdumpling your trip in the Camperbubble sounds lovely.
I love the Natural History Museum too.
Muse hope all went well from MrM at the doctor’s.
Hello Panache, so pleased to see your post.
I can only imagine how challenging it must be to find a sense of normality at the moment. You are coping admirably, even if it doesn’t feel like that. Sending you all good wishes and Missy sends special purrs.?
Doodle are you remembering your Montelucast!! ? Don’t forget to take it on your hols. Have a wonderful break.
Gosh BJ your French conversation session sounds wonderful. The students are unlikely to forget those characters and learning through fun must surely be the best way. Imagine the scandal when Jean-Claude and Mme Aubert are found behind the Ovaltine shelf... Ovaltine ... have they no shame, surely their assignations should be in the Vin Section.

Gangstars, I am not fully caught up and haven’t included everyone but I am going to close. We were at a funeral yesterday and are both pretty tired. So I will wish everyone a peaceful and pleasant weekend and Doodle Bon voyage.

Good afternoon Lobsters.

I have been AWOL for a time as we had Dexter again and now that he is more lively he takes up more of my time and energy.

I am sorry I have only glanced at the past posts but pleased to hear from Panache. I often think about her.
I believe I saw a post from Cherry the other day which was uplifting.

I just wanted you all to know I am thinking of you all.

? Kaimoana you guessed

Hello Gangstars,

We will miss you Doodle when you are cruising. Where will you go this time? A df has started going on cruises. She's just back from the Greek islands quickly checks on facebook She is going to be addicted soon.

You need a whole workshop of apparatus to make cider (I just googled it) so I guess this year we'll have to stick to apple juice although I don't think our Neolithic forebears had a handy Boots the chemist

I too was wondering about your sewing enterprise Nfk
How clever you are! I made useful peg bags once which attach to a clothes hanger and run along the line.
I still have no pulley but a df is coming to hold the ladder while I fix it later today.

I have my jags first. You are most welcome to take my spare appointment Nfk

Lunch out and tea out yesterday! I met a df at Tesco and she spontaneously invited me to join her family for tea as there were only 3 of them and they had enough for 4.
Their DD is at the Gaelic school so I was able to listen to her perfect pronunciation .
www.taobhnapairce.edin.sch.uk/
I'll be a beginner again when the new term starts again. It's on zoom.

BJ and Kaimoana I feel for you although you are coming into Summer which the viruses don't like.

Hello all.
Things had moved on a bit with regard to finding a nursing home for my DH, but unfortunately have now stalled. The place which Social Services had found for him have now declined to take him because they say he’s too big and they don’t have a suitable bed. He’s 6ft3” and weighs 18 stone. So we’re back to square one and he’s still languishing in the rehab hospital, taking up a bed which could be better used by someone else, and very fed up. I’m still pursuing other places but not that many have the facilities to meet his needs. It seems unreal that we were looking after him at home until about 6 weeks ago.

I have a brother in law in NZ and yesterday was his birthday, so at our request my nephew set up a Zoom meeting for my brother and I to talk to him. He lives in a nursing home and has dementia, so it wasn’t entirely successful. We weren’t sure he knew who we were, but he seemed to enjoy talking to us, so I’m glad we did it - it was good to actually see him. Isn’t technology wonderful?

I’ve actually got a social engagement today! It’s my great granddaughter’s 5th birthday and I’m invited over for afternoon tea. She’s having a party this morning for her friends, then it’s family for a tea party this afternoon. I’m looking forward to some birthday cake. I enjoy baking, but since I’ve been living alone I haven’t made any cakes at all.

Boadicea I can understand how angry you are about some selfish people bringing Covid to your area. All our NZ relatives now live in South Island and they’re leading pretty normal lives with very few restrictions as far as I can see. My nephew was wearing a mask when we Zoomed last night, but that was a rule imposed by the nursing home to protect their vulnerable patients. I have to wear one here when I visit DH and I so hate them - they make me feel really breathless.

I think the petrol situation in this area is gradually improving. My DIL managed to fill up her car without queueing and she felt very triumphant.

I lost internet connection for a while this morning and immediately went into panic mode. Thankfully, it came back after an hour or so, but it made me realise how dependent I have become on it. It really is a lifeline for me. I do internet shopping and banking and keep in touch with the family and a host of other things. I would be truly lost without it.

Does anyone else use Vinted? I discovered it recently and started selling some unwanted, but decent, clothes on there. It’s extremely easy to use and so far I’ve made over £100 by selling clothes which would never be worn again and were just taking up wardrobe space.

Take care everybody

Oh he'll, BJ I don't blame you for being a touch annoyed. Sometimes bringing back the stocks seems a really good idea.

My sewing efforts were reasonably successful. I've made a couple of pads to put over the backs of the sofa (one each) like anti-macassas (no idea how to spell that) with foam padding. We'd been to HSL to look for a good chair for DH and it was very informative. Apparently a supporting pad behind the head is useful - and comfortable. But what they charged for them seemed a trifle expensive. I can make one I thought. And have. I may unpick and improve my method though! A bit of material from the box of end bits in the loft and two rectangles of foam from the market for £2. Well worth it!

Enjoy your cruise Doodle. I hope you manage to get off the ship for a bit of sightseeing although from the height of the deck you can often see as much. Take binoculars!

I'm jolly glad you got in your happy lessons BJ and a supermarket shop, as well as a tank top up before Lockdown. Lucky eh?

A cruise Doodle are you sure the law hasn't just caught up you and you'll be banged up for a while? take your sewing machine, they always need mail bags.

Nfk I was telling BJ the other day that as the landlord here allows us to have birds, I asked if I could have chickens.
They said other tenants would complain about the smell and constant cackling.
I promised to shower more often but I couldn't help cackling at my age.

Had a lovely Skype session with the family today and it was noted that Christmas stock newly in the shops was already "out of stock".
Blimey!

Wow Boadicea how lucky to go to that exhibition. I have always been fascinated by Egypt and the pyramids. I have some wonderful books DH has bought for me over the years.
Your U3A classes sound fun. I bet you are a popular teacher. The idea of a French village and it’s inhabitants is a great idea.
Mind you, I now want to know what Jean-Claude and Mme Aubert were getting up to behind the Ovaltine ?
Must be nice not to have to rely on the supermarket for your meals. You must be relatively self sufficient.
Oh I’m so sorry you’ve been put into lockdown by the actions of a couple of selfish people. I would be angry too.
Is marijuana grown legally in NZ?
Grammaretto so your continuing with your Gaelic. Are you doing it online or going to classes?
We haven’t gone looking for petrol yet but did notice when out on our walks that the local garage hasn’t got any.
Well you should be safe this winter with your two jabs. We have been invited for flu but not heard about the covid booster yet.
Oh what a shame. I was looking forward to Jeeves popping round with a glass of cider from your apple trees.
Nfk my friend grows salad crops every year and always seems to have a bumper supply of different things each year. He often mentions popping down the garden to dig up his dinner.?
What is it you’re supposed to be sewing?
I have put my machine away for a few weeks as we are going away.
Don’t want to say too much as you never know who is reading and what they can pick up from GN.
I will be missing for a couple of weeks but may be able to keep in touch spasmodically when we’re in port. We are cruising but probably not getting off the ship.
Please take care of yourselves and keep an eye on Jeeves for me.
He has promised to spring clean the kitchen and make sure you’re all supplied with hot chocolate and whatever else you need.
I will be thinking of you all xx

Well, my instincts were right...we went into lockdown at midnight last night. Some stupid woman and her friend left Auckland last week on faked documents, and travelled around our part of the North, having now tested positive for Delta. The friend has gone to ground, and the woman is being unco-operative. We are so dependent on tourism, domestic and otherwise, and horticulture. The Herald alleges that they are sex workers, but with no actual proof; there is a brisk trade in marijuana between here and Auckland, however, as it grows phenomenally well up here. I really hope that they receive a prison sentence for their dishonesty, and the damage they have done to our local economy, right in the middle of the school holidays.

I'm actually angry. Perhaps you can tell?

I love the sound of your French class Boudicea. When we tried to learn French many, many moons ago DH bought a book called 'Merde' with colloquial French expressions. It would come in handy at your class methinks - although a bit out of date!

When Covid and the Big First Lockdown hit here my first instinct was to fill every container and plants veg seeds everywhere. I wanted to get a few hens too but DH used his right of veto. This year I just stuck to salad crops. My name is still down for a half allotment plot but it seems everyone else had the same instinct and the list is quite long!

Can I have your spare jab appointments Grammaretto? We had a text a couple of weeks back to say they will be contacting us, but nothing else.

I shouldn't be browsing GN. DH is out and I'm supposed to be sewing. My ancient machine hasn't had an outing for several years and I was amazed I could remember how to thread it. Hate machine sewing but I can't get out of it any longer.

BoadiceaJones your French classes sound hilarious! I wish I could come.
There was talk here of French classes over our tea and scones. I should join but I have signed up for Gaelic again. and don't have time.

Thanks for the reminder about planting garlic Muse

"Have you got the Garlic?" was asked as a way to remind Sassenachs how to pronounce Gaelic.

I haven't tried to find petrol yet. I may have to soon.

I have received two invitations for vaccination both covid booster and flu. I am confused. One this Saturday and one the following. Two separate envelopes both addressed to me.


I must away with these apples to the pressing I fear it's just juice not cider

Back later to catch up properly.

Wow, such a lot of activity! So sorry to hear of those of you, and DHs, and DCs, having health issues.

Grammaretto - I hope you are ok after the extraction - yes, it can be a real trauma to the body, so please take care of yourself. A walk, and tea and scones, sound like just the ticket.

Nfk - hoping that you are having some relief from the frozen shoulder-horrible thing. How lucky you are to be able to visit such stunning museums.

Doodle - and to be able to drop in at the British museum, and spend time in the Egyptian section - heaven! I remember going to the Tutankhamun exhibition when it visited back in '72, and being blown away both by the material on display, but also by the revolutionary exhibition techniques. So sensitively displayed, compared with the chaotic glass cases in the Cairo museum at the time.

Mamissimo - thinking of you and your DC, and hoping it all works out. Children are always your children, and the worry about them is for life, even when they are old and grey!

Kaimoana - I wonder if you had the torrential rain that we had up here? 73 mm of rain!! The gravel from the drive has disappeared who knows where, and there is an ugly gouge where the rain has been coursing down to the grill covering the drain. Hopefully, all our rainwater tanks are now full, so we have at least 5000 litres for summer. irrigation We had some aberrant pohutukawa blossoms out earlier, suggesting a long hot summer is on its way.

First U3A meetings yesterday after the lockdown. Everyone was so over being isolated, and our serious Roman discussions turned into a hilarious session of giggles and fun. My French conversation class for relative beginners is always a challenge to make fun and enjoyable, using an accessible level of language and the opportunity for drilling in a way that is not tediously obvious. I have invented a town, with a cast of characters of differing moral codes, nationalities and appearance, and we set up fortnightly gossip sessions about the doings of that cad, Jean-Claude, and the infamous Mme. Aubert, who meet secretly in the supermarket behind the Ovaltine shelf. In addition to the serious Scotsman who works for an IT company and speaks poor French, and the former actress who wears clothes that are far too young for her, and is no better than she should be. We had an absolutely hilarious hour of maniacal laughter over the scandals dreamed up by the class members, drilling the passé composé and time phrases. Such a delightful class, of 7 different nationalities, all thankfully with a wonderful sense of humour.

This morning, to town to post for my sister's 70th (in Auckland), and a holiday parcel for the grandchildren down near Palmerston, cut off from us by Plague City. Sadly, Delta is now within 120 km of us, so we have been slowly buying in sufficient animal food to ensure that our kitties, chickens and quail will not go hungry. No, we have not been hoarding! Rather, focussing on getting the vege garden up and running, to enable us to live virtually entirely on what we can grow/produce at ours. Our chickens are such good value, laying non-stop, and giving us some wonderful compost which I collect once a week from under their roost.

After the supermarket visit, we had , as a treat, a lovely lamb salad at the Turkish place in town, which does a really good bite. No need to cook today then, so after yesterday's classes and hosting and laughing, which were SO exhausting, I can put my feet up and read something fluffy. And just maybe, have a nice glass of chilled NZ sunshine. Sounds so good, I'm going to stop there. Please take care, and be kind to yourselves, everyone.
xx

Grammaretto don’t make light of it. As Kaimoana said, having teeth out is a serious business and I’m not surprised you weren’t feeling too good after.
A community apple press for cider….now there’s a village activity after my own heart. Do you make juice or cider from yours?
Hope you enjoyed your walk.
Mamissimo I am so pleased to hear your son is back at work and taking it slowly, good to hear it is coordinated between GP and employer. Taking on too much all at once can have a detrimental effect.
Good to hear your DD is having proper help. Such a sad circumstance for her and her husband. Children are lovely and I wouldn’t be without mine for a second but they don’t come without worries or problems of their own. It’s not all roses and there can be many stressful situations to work through.
Hope your DD feels better in herself soon.
Good job your getting your booster and flu, not heard about ours yet.
No petrol here still but hopefully tomorrow.
Board beans and garlic being planted ? no vampire giants coming down your beanstalks then.
Nfk wot!! You mean we come second to Sky ?
That’s a good way of a trip to London if you can find somewhere suitable to stay.
I often think one day is not enough to look at a museum. My favourite is the British Museum but mainly because I love visiting the Egyptian section. Some of DHs consultant appointments are in London hospitals and we always go by train. We try to fit in a museum trip before we come home.
There’s been mention in Soop’s kitchen recently of the Harry Potter studio tour. My DS1 and family have been too and really enjoyed it.
You are obviously Harry Potter fans. I once binge watched the whole Harry Potter series of films one Christmas. Really enjoyed it.
Glad you had a lovely visit with family. ?
Muse maybe something she comes back to later in,life.
Elephant garlic cloves, my goodness, what sort of vampires are you expecting on Halloween ?
Hope MrMuse gets on well with his dressing change.
Dear Panache how lovely to hear from you.
So glad you’ve had your booster. Getting your flu jab too should help you be protected. Lots of cases round where we live too. Hope your friends are still around to talk to and keep you company. Hope you are managing to eat a little and the food is a bit more palatable. Have you been out anywhere? x
Nfk sorry to hear your DH has tooth problems. My teeth haven’t been right since I had my last crown fitted a few months ago. I think I am biting differently and putting pressure on other teeth now. I think another trip to the dentist is called for.
Well done on getting your Sky back, we don’t have it anymore but I remember the hassle we used to have when it didn’t work properly.
Grammaretto glad you enjoyed your walk. Tea and scones at the end sounds good.
Hope you have a lovely lunch tomorrow.
Your crocuses look so dainty.
Take care all
Jeeves will be round later with hot chocolate now the evenings are drawing in.

Good news day indeed!
Lovely to see our dear Panache posting and doing so well.
.
Being a Luddite, I cringe and cower at any mention of technology going wrong NfkD I admire your perseverance.

I am so glad you enjoyed London too.
I haven't been there for years. DS1 lived there for 12 years but moved back to Scotland when their first baby was born.

I went on a long walk today with U3A. It was really nice though I didn't take any photos. We always end up in a cafe for scones and tea. It will be my turn to plan a walk soon which is a bit frightening.

I have booked a table to take DMiL & DBiL for lunch tomorrow.
Things are definitely feeling more like "Normal"

Glad to hear that DS is better Mamissimo and can return to work. Also glad that DD2 is getting help.

I hope you NZers are OK.

Here are the Autumn crocuses on the lawn

Oh, and we now have Sky TV again, although have lost all our recorded stuff - and neither of us can remember what they were! I feel quite chuffed I pressed all the right buttons!

Hello Panache, it must be so very difficult to find a new normality, but you sound as if you are getting there.

And a big HI to Cherry too!

A good news day indeed Mamissimo. An hours work plus the drive is a big first step. A hurdle well surmounted. Onwards and upwards. Wonderful too the your DD2 has been correctly assessed and will now get the proper help she needs.

I wonder if we should plant garlic too. DH has joined the toothache brigade and I understand a clove of garlic on a poorly tooth works wonders. He resorted to whisky last night. The dentist is seeing him this afternoon while I have a massage to sort out my frozen shoulder and I suspect he'll end up minus another tooth. (We're debating who's going to drive!) A dentist once told me that a tooth extraction often results in shock symptoms. It's a big thing so take it easy today Grammaretto.

I do hope the compression dressing works for Mr Muse. He's had that ulcer for too long.

It's good to see your post Panache. Thank you for those wishes.

You are so right in saying we have all to be extremely careful. Cornwall is starting to recover from having one of the highest counts of cases in the country and, as around you, some places are closed. Most of our gardens and restaurants still have time slots you have to book.

You may not be there yet but you are getting closer to "normality" ?. Take care.

Hello to my lovely friends and all newcomers.

Trying to get back to some form of "normality" is just not as easy as I had hoped and thought.

But taking cues from a quick reading of the above posts,I too have had my booster vaccine with just mild issues that faded fast.
My `flu jab is next Tuesday.
Our covid sitruation is far worse now than at any time during the pandemic...........a public house and farm shop just under half a mile away are closed.......due to covid.
So we have to be extremely carefull at this point in time.

Although surrounded by Refineries we too experienced shortages and panic buying,though,thankfully,short lived.

Our stores too have empty spaces every now and then.

Yet life continues!

Wishing you all the very best of health and blessings

Hello Mamissimo My raised beds were cleared out last week and I too am planting garlic. My order came two weeks ago. Three different types and three elephant garlic cloves. Hoping to get some shallots in next month. Never grown them before.

Petrol situation is much better around me in Cornwall too now.

Off to the doctors this afternoon. It's change dressing day for MrMuse. He's had the all clear to have a compression stocking to help heal his ulcer so that might happen today. Must ask about our flu vaccine. We should have had a text by now.

She is still interested in what others are producing but sadly she doesn't make anything Doodle. I still have quite a few of her pieces and one from her final year.

Morning All

I'm sitting here waiting four minutes for the Sky to reboot again so have now eventually caught up with all your gossip. What a dire time you're having in Auckland. The Covid rates in the UK look pretty dire but with over 90% vaccinated where I live it we're carrying on regardless! (Except most people are still wearing face masks in shops etc.)

We've just got back from nearly a week away. A few days just outside London in the Camperbubble. All went well and we travelled in to visit the Natural History Museum TWO days running! All was well and the trains weren't too crowded and we felt fairly safe - although the underground was a bit cosy on a couple of occasions. We also spent a wonderful day at the Harry Potter Studio Tour. We've been before - but with sprogs so couldn't look at the things we wanted to and spent a long time queuing for things we didn't want (like Butterbeer. Its revolting). Then on to DD1 outside Aylesbury. A lovely site and we'd intended to sit out admiring the view, but it poured with rain the whole time. Long pub lunches instead! Just had enough diesel to see us through as well! Apart from the rain it was a successful trip and lovely to spend time with the family. We all took Covid tests before and after and we're all still clear! Hate doing it, all the gagging and sneezing, but it is very reassuring.

Four minutes is more than up. Off to press the button!

Good morning ?

Good news day!

.....DS has done his first day at work in nearly 4 months....he managed the drive both ways and a solid hour of work....! He does that again tomorrow......his GP is working with his employer to make sure he can manage safely. Thank heavens for good employers!

We are back home having been with DD2. She has been fully assessed now and has PTSD having not recovered from the earlier failed attempt in the summer. We're relieved that the poor girl is getting lots of counselling and support from people --who know what they're talking about--who aren't too closely emotionally involved.

I got petrol with no queue....

We have our booster jabs next week....and our flu jabs

The ironing is done

And the courgette and running bean plants are coming out today so that I can plant the bored beans and garlic. Soon be spring!

Hello gang,

Thanks so much for your kind words. I think the anaesthetic was the worst thing. I was shaking but afterwards I was offered a seat to recover and I just needed to get out into the fresh air.
Wearing a face mask has its uses.

I had a pleasant rest of day and picked apples from my and DMiL's garden to go to the community apples press for juice or cider.

I am getting a lift to the start of the U3A walk today. It's a bit like a magical mystery tour.

Maybe a cat would be an idea Doodle. I had to release a poor mouse which had its leg stuck in the trap. It ran off so maybe will survive to come back indoors

Poor you Grammaretto. Having teeth out is awful and we're somehow expected to recover instantly as if it were a small thing.

Having a tooth and its root, yanked from the gum is not a minor inconvenience and the human body reacts accordingly.

Look after yourself and let Jeeves wrap you up in warm blankets and ply you with soothing drinks.
Love to you from me xxxx

Grammaretto I hope you are ok. Not a pleasant experience having teeth out. Are you in pain….I am sending Jeeves over with some paracetamol and a cosy blanket to snuggle up in.
The moths seem to have been feasting on your table runner. What a shame. More mice. Have you thought of getting a cat?
I hope you get some tenants soon too. Big old houses (I don’t mean that in any nasty way) have a tendency to eat money. We had a big old boat once that used to do the same.
Are you still having students in for pottery? Any projects on the go yourself.?