The Lockdown Gang - 🦞 Lobstars Unlocked 🦞

ixion it's so annoying when posts disappear. I wonder if there is an automated censor somewhere picking up on forbidden words.

paranoia setting in?

I fell out of bed last night. I don't think it's indicative of much more than a sloping floor and a vivid dream but if it happens again I may consider a medical checkup or a bed rail.

My lodger is nursing a whiplash injury after being crashed into by a driver on his phone while her car was stationary.
I have offered her my car while hers is off the road but she can't drive yet either.

I haven't done my Gaelic homework yet Doodle. I am too easily distracted.
The NZs are living in the north but she's from the far south. A place called Gore.

Looking forward to reading more of your doings and find out what Jeeves has been up to.

A yogi tea called stomach ease is my current nighttime tipple.

Grammaretto, I hope you’re ok. DH has fallen out of bed a few times over the years. On one occasion getting wedged between the side of the bed and adjoining wardrobe. Had awful job getting him out. Mostly it’s due to dreams and not realising how close to the edge of the bed he is. Hope you’re not bruised
whiplash isn’t nice. I Hope you’re lodger is being treated for it but if her neck is painful then a rolled up towel can help
We've been to hospital again this afternoon for another transfusion for DH. I sat in the cafeteria with a hot chocolate but the noise was deafening. I must admit to going into the Prayer and Reflection room for a while for some peace and quiet and just to sit and look at the beautiful stained glass window of Madonna and Child
We then decided, on the spur of the moment to go and have an early dinner somewhere. Back home now and very full but we had a nice meal. Had a text from DS 1 who wants to pop over and see us at the weekend. Haven’t seen him for a while so that will be nice.
Tomorrow promises rain all day so I think housework will be the order of the day.
I Hope you enjoy your stomach ease (does Jeeves stock it). I’ve just finished off the evening with coffee and a brandy.
Hope all the lobstars where ever they are are doing ok and getting by

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Grammaretto a little cluster of drama around you at the moment. Here's hoping for smoother times and a settled tummy.
Gore or Maruawai, is known for its Country Music Festival, which probably explains why your visitor now lives in the north

The Gore Trout is pictured.

When we were going to Koro's birthday, our driver had to brake suddenly and a lady on the back seat of our van and with no seat in front of her to prevent this, hurtled forward full length into the aisle.

We are always reminded to wear seat belts, not least because a Stop & Spy by police can result in a big fine for the van owner, in this case, Waipareira.

The naughty lady knows this only too well and it was fortunate she fell onto soft coats and bags and suffered no injury at all. I was more worried about the effects of shock but when we got to the party, it was clear even that had not affected her usual, prodigious appetite!

I like the Quiet Room at Waitakere Hospital Doodle but it’s a very long walk from the main areas but it opens onto this enclosed garden.

Hope you slept well ixion - have you hear how our Cherry is?

Love to Jan, Nfk & all our gang

OK. That's it for me tonight. I have been typing widely, inclusively, with odd spurts of humour and empathy, for at least 15 minutes until the bloody (sorry) Mumsnet advert appears. Cue jumping screen, impeded jerky typing and -suddenly- the whole page refreshes itself and wipes out my epistle.
I am so hacked off, you have no idea. I will say goodnight and try again in the morning.

At least let Jeeves pitch up, please!
I'll have anything and everything on the trolley, please.
😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

Is that gremlin similar to the Aldi one that kept popping up ixion?
Gransnet got rid of it eventually but it drove me crazy.

Oh Doodle, a day at the hospital! But at least you had a nice meal out.

I didn't hurt myself at all falling out of bed. Most of my bedding came with me to soften the landing. I may try a wedge under the bed to level it.

The NZs painted the bathroom in the flat today which made my lodger happy. She is having physio tomorrow.

Ceilidh dancing began again so I took the NZ girl. I think she enjoyed it, I did

We had a whisky as our night cap
Thanks Jeeves

Kaimoana, that’s one big fish. How would you ever get it in the steamer ?
Glad the van lady wasn’t hurt. Even her pride didn’t seem dented.
That garden looks lovely. Shame it’s not more centrally located.
Oh Ixion that’s such a pain. I wish they’d get rid of these adds.
Hope Jeeves could soothe your troubled brow and pour you a nice double everything and tonic cup of tea.
Grammaretto, we don’t really mind hospital days. Our local one is not too far away and we have had great service from them in terms of looking after DH. We even signed up for their fundraising lottery yesterday.
If you try a wedge under the bed, don’t fall out the other side instead. Glad you weren’t hurt.
Oh yes you’ve always enjoyed your dancing. Hope you both had fun
Ive had a very industrious day. Done washing and ironing. Changed bedding and checked bed for bed bugs…..not because we’ve had any sign of them but so much about them in the press at the moment I just wanted to make sure.
Been through spare bedroom wardrobe and sorted out 5 coats to take to charity shop. Hopefully someone will make use of them this winter. Then did 3 months of catching up on the accounts.
Out to lunch with DS1 tomorrow which will be nice as we haven’t seen him for a while.

I give up! The pop up gremlins have cancelled me twice! Will try again tomorrow

Trying again tonight, as the Mumsnet trailer has disappeared, leaving me back to what I am used to.
I began to wonder why I posted so late in the evening anyway and decided it was so that I could give you a blow by blow account of my action-packed and interesting day, but that ship, I fear, has long sailed.
Mr I continues to pace disconcertingly around the house as his beloved Volvo has gone for a makeover, all of one side having been taken out by a Window Cleaning company's white van in the hospital carpark. Mr.I returned to his bay just in time time to see said van misjudge his reverse parking.
Sadly, my teensy scratch was caused in the same carpark when Yours Truly proved unable to negotiate adequately the hospital wheelchair, which was found to have even less manoeuvrability than a supermarket trolley.

I am pleased that your helpers are good 'uns, Grammaretto. I was wondering whether they all hire cars for their stay, or are some at the mercy of public transport? If so, they'd be hard pushed here to get around, for sure. Did you get your homework done?

Such a disappointment, Kaimona, that your holiday cottage proved so unsuitable, but at least you got quality time with your girl! Sometimes, just sitting must be so precious. That's what I miss with our GC. Sure, I share mealtimes, bath times, bed-and story times with them via FT, but it's not the same as snuggling up on the settee for a natter. Sometimes, I think I am there as babysitter, especially when no-one else is awake and a little voice pops up on my iPad Hey, Nana.
There was the famous time when I was linked up to drool over FTimed by DS when no.1 GS was a baby. I'm just popping to get his changing stuff, Mum. Give me a shout if he gets too near the edge of the bed ...

I hope Nfk is getting her strength back for the end of the month- how's the bonding with 🐕 going? Exciting times.

Hoping Mr.D and Spud, two Honorary Gang gents, are well and behaving.

Special thoughts for Jan and 🍒.

--Sadly for some?-- I haven't been cut off tonight so will put my order in for Jeeves, if I may. If he has restocked, that is🤔

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I don't think I've ever encountered bed bugs - I have enough problems with spiders (bite is still itchy) Preying Mantis and crickets in the bedroom. Maybe they eat bed bugs?

Do you remember Boracic Powder? It's still available and a sovereign remedy at keeping B-Bugs and Cucaracha at bay.

Doodle, NZ has a passion for erecting big things appropriate to their area. I'll post a couple for you to smile at.
There's a small town called Bulls and the standing joke is "You can get milk from Bulls"

However, they've taken the puns further and you will see the Read-a-bull library, the Const-a-bull police station, the Befriend-a-bull social club and the real estate agent List-a-bull.

The creepiest one, in all senses is just down the road from me and "commemorates" (if that's the right word) the migration of the giant Huntsman Spider from Australia. Now known as The Avondale Spider. Eeek!

I prefer the fruits.

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And a couple more of many.....

Tirau had specialised in corrugated iron icons

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Ah the fruity signs Kaimoana
I remember the Big Apple when I was last there

The Helpers borrow the bikes. There is also a bus into Edinburgh or out to the countryside every half hour including one which carries bikes

I went foraging at the beach today. We picked sea buckthorn and carrageenan and cooked an apple crumble in a Dutch oven. It was sunny and cold so will probably freeze tonight

Aren't bed bugs associated with dirty bodies as well as dirty beds? I think you are safe Doodle
There's a description in Angela's Ashes which left me scratching.

My news is that I'm having the house valued next week.

No, bed bugs are not associated with dirty anything; in fact they are a pest in the cleanest of homes, hotels and even hospitals.

Gosh, you do find some interesting edibles. Carrageenan is used widely in the food industry and used to be part of babies nappies even in Roman times and probably before.

I am not at my best and still foolishly disappointed about last weekend's totally spoiled break.

My poor DS went home irritated and exhausted when the weekend was supposed to be a rest for him.

I know, it's foolish and I should remember that if the expectation doesn't live up to the reality, then it's the expectation that's at fault.
But I really did think I'd researched it very well and he could take things easy.

Hello Mamissimo. Thanks for trying. Hope you make it next time.
Ixion, what a shame about your car. I Hope they are paying for the repairs. Oh yes those wheelchairs are very cumbersome and heavy aren’t they?
Shame you don’t get to see your DGC often. Can’t remember if you’ve said, do they live far away.?
I love thé fact that they phone you and the story of you watching out for baby rolling off the bed made me laugh. Babysitting from afar. 😊
DH is doing well thanks for asking.
Hope Jeeves made it to you in time. I could hear lots of clinking bottles …..Hope that doesn’t mean he’s drunk it all himself. 🤔
Kaimoana, I hope not to encounter bed bugs either but there’s so much press about them these days. As soon as I read something like that I start itching 🤣
the list of Bulls made me laugh. I see what you mean about those er……big erections (I was trying to think what to call them)
Im sure the weekend was better than you think and it must have been good to spend time with Gubbins
Im sure your research was excellent but it’s difficult to judge all aspects of a place without actually being there. Don’t let the thoughts of what wasn’t good spoil the pleasure of being with your son and DGD.
Grammaretto, I didn’t realise you lived so close to Edinburgh. A bus every half hour must be useful. I imagine there’s quite a lot to see and do there
That picture of the beach looks wonderful. Such a blue sky.
Is having the house valued the first step in thinking of moving or for other reasons? Are you still considering the new build in the garden?
Hope all the lockdown gang whatever they are doing are ok. We still think of you all x

I'm disappointed on your behalf Kaimoana. I try not to build up my hopes so as not to be sad when they don't work out.

NZ won the rugby last night which was pleasing for the Kiwis who were watching on a big screen at the local pub they were the only Kiwis and there was one Irishman. Everyone else was listening to a DJ and loud pop music. Glad I didn't go.
I shall give them a go in the pottery today.

It's icy cold here. I keep being told to have the house valued to see what I could afford if I was ever to downsize.

That's so funny ixion you babysitting on your iPad!
BTW it didn't go unnoticed that you did wordle in 2 goes! Clever clogs.

Your foraging With A Purpose sounds really calming, Grammaretto, judging by your descriptions and the beautiful photos you post. I used to hold a deeply cynical view, based purely on SisIL's zeal for all things hedgerow. In fairness, she lived her married life in a former Soviet state, where Western foodstuffs and medicines were practically non-existent and you boiled up all sorts of stuff for all sorts of ailments. And if you didn't drink it, you slapped it on the affected areas à la poultice or bound your limbs with sheets of it. Sadly, she thought all these things were marvellous, a great improvement on modern-day meds. Maybe she had a point.

I remain non-plussed by your bite, Kaimona. See, my phobia of them means I can't even say the word.
In Queensland, where DS and co are, they fight a constant battle with snakes. Oh Papa, there's a snake in my toy box. DS watched and learnt from his neighbour snake handler and is now regarded with respect as his second in line. To the extent that yesterday he helped a maiden in distress (and the children) whose guinea pig had just been eaten by a python. Only a baby python, and slow enough to handle as it clearly had bitten off more than it could chew. Boom boom.

I am going to post this now as I am getting twitchy about losing wot I rote

Question: do I carry on now or leave it til tonight, when I am dropping, as 'twere?

My welcome patch of sun at my back encourages me to stay put at the kitchen table and keep going, to acknowledge your doings.
I'm going to ask you a question, Kaimona, which interests me. You seem to be held in high esteem by your Maori friends and welcomed into their way of life in all areas. Do the indigenous peoples of NZ have a decent representation in Government? Do they 'integrate' with the rest of the country or keep to their own communities? I only ask as I have been following the recent voting in OZ and listening to the comments of those who would deny First Nations the right to their own Voice. Do such conflicts exist in NZ?

House valuation, Grammaretto? Ooh. How exciting. We can move vicariously😉. No shortage of ideas around, I bet. Would your potting come with you on site?
Thank you for my Mention in Dispatches 🎖️. I do note, however, how early in the morning you get your results posted😲. Then reemerge bright eyed and bushy tailed far too soon!

I must away to get our outfits ready for this afternoon's match. Primarily, to find a vest to wear under as it's a bit nippy for all this cavorting.

I'll give Jeeves a gentle nudge, Doodle, to make a start on collecting the empties from last night. He may need a couple of trips - what WHERE you up to last night?

Coooee! Only me 🙂

I've moved the leg of lamb to the top of the freezer as a not so subtle prompt to Mr M that he's standing into danger. We have sprung a leak in the orangerie and have spent the week interviewing strange roofing contractors as it needs sorting PDQ because it's dripping through the down lighters ☠️

.......and all the daft s*d can do is to sing 'there's a hole in my bucket' under his breath, continuously. He'll be wearing that bucket very soon!

All the companies who have come out have rubbed their hands with glee and sucked their breath in said it's a new roof time - but the prices have varied between £4k and £28k - I went to get the lamb to offer him a bit but by the time I got back Mr M had wisely escorted him to the property perimeter.*

We have chosen not to have a lead replacement and bancruptcy because a triple torched felt is guaranteed for 30 years so apparently, according to Mr M, it will see us out! As I'm rather younger than him, queue the lamb again 😁

Do any of you have a guilty vacuous telly habit? I've become hooked on Married at First Sight at the moment - honestly revoltingly addictive!

On Monday I am meeting a French lady who wishes to come and help me with my garden because she misses her old garden in France so much. She says she is lonely, wants paying in tea and biscuits and the pleasure of working with the beans would be sufficient - so it looks like we're about a whole new rich seam of lunacy here!

now to press send..... 🤞

Grammaretto, I’m like you, I try not to build up my hopes. Is it being pessimistic do you think. I’m always a cup half empty person. Wish I was the other way round.
It’s a good idea to have an idea of what your house is worth so you can decide what plans you want to make. Do you want to move or do you feel happier where you are ?
Until we moved here, I always had itchy feet after a while and wanted something new. Now I am happy to stay here.
I wonder what your NZ will make in their pottery class?
ixion, your Wordle score is very good. I used to do it but don’t anymore. I have got into killer sudoku’s and some other games which I spend far too much time on.
I am trying to envision you with your vest plus skimpy top, long thermal leggings and skimpy skirt plus your Pom Poms all cavorting around the pitch. Hope it works and our team wins
Sssh, don’t got spreading it around. Jeeves got me involved in emptying all the dregs of the bottles. Seemed a shame to let it go to waste. It’s amazing the cocktails he came up with although I might have got confused with the concoctions he makes to clean the toilets🤔😬
Mamissimo, you did make me laugh 🤣🤣. Poor Mr M. I can see him, the bucket and the leg or lamb coming into close contact soon.
Hope your leak gets fixed soon. Have you had to turn your electricity off?
Wow, that’s a very expensive repair. Hope you get something more reasonable
Perhaps you should let the French lady help and offer to pay her in beans……..French rather than running or bored of course.

Oh Mamissimo what a pain. I rememeber when we replaced Mum's house roof in 1992 it cost over $1,000. [shock[

No vacuous TV habits here. Just having one is vacuity enough but I realise I'm very much a minority.

Your jardinière sounds an interesting, if sad soul.

Doodle & Grammaretto how wise you are not to have expectations, I do so wish I was able to do the same. Causes me a lot of angst sometimes.

ixion I have PMd you. Loved your comical post

Doodle you woz well and truly led astray by that jackanapes Jeeves - let's hope it stops at the drink.

A few weeks ago, we old biddies kaumatua were asked if any of us had breathing problems. I put my hand up and today took delivery of what appears to be a top-of-the range Samsung air purifier. As I am currently wheezing like a winded dray horse, I shall test it tonight to see if I get any relief.

The National government have been elected I'm told. Given their druthers they'd bring back the Workhouse, birch and tax gruel. Never really advanced in thinking since mediaeval days but the other lot were not much better.

I vote only because the suffragists fought so hard for my right to do so and it'd be a betrayal if I didn't (IMO).

Have felt poorly all day but as Karen has yet more problems with her son and couldn't come to do housework or shopping, I have spent all day quietly knitting and taking the occasional Panadol.

See you lot tomorrow.

Kaimoana, the only thing about not having high expectations is that it still doesn’t stop you being upset when things go wrong. It’s also a negative way to look at life. I wish I was more positive.
Ooh you’ve got a new toy. I wonder if it will help you breathing. Be good if it did
Sorry Karen couldn’t come. I Hope thé problems with her son aren’t bad
Sorry to hear you felt poorly too. Hope thé pana d’OL helps
I was awake till 4 am today feeling nauseous for some reason. I sat in the lounge as I couldn’t lay down. Felt better later but obviously my head wasn’t right as I took the “iron” out of the cupboard and put it on the ironing board. Only when I went to put some water in it did I realise it was the toaster and not the iron sitting there 😱. Good job I realised in time
Hope the paradox is working and you sleep well.

Well obviously auto correct has never heard of Panadol !
Panna d’Ol . Do you think that’s an exotic perfume or something nice to have for dessert? As for a paradox, well that’s just being contradictory
Grammaretto, have you been out for one of your U3A walks today.? I think I read that this morning on GM. Did the man come to fix your shower.? The way the weathers going you could go outside and have one

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Oh no Doodle! I hope the toaster wasn't plugged in
I also hope the nausea has gone.

My walk began well but about 2 miles from the end I came over all weird and had to sit down wimp out . One walker sat with me while the rest continued and another drove back for us

Sparky did come about 8pm and by 10pm he had fixed the shower.
The Kiwis had done a huge amount of work in the garden. Dug the veg bed, and chopped a mountain of wood
I taught them how to throw pots and they cooked dinner. I don't know why I'm awake now. Maybe I had too much Panna d'ol?

I'm getting a bit worried about both of you Doodle & Grammaretto. Could you both have a virus which fuddles the mind and makes you dizzy? Virus are such weird things and spread so quickly.

I'm afraid Karen's boy is as serious as it gets. He has come off medication and is violent and hallucinating. I understand what she's going through because this is a re-run of what I went through, for years, with my DH. Fortunately her boy isn’t a gun collector as my DH was.

My air purifier is grand and I slept well last night. Usually I'm awake for at least part of the night, nearly always at 2:45 for some reason and fall asleep about 5:30 for an hour.

Cherrilee has also made me an elixir which works as an expectorant.

The kaumatua are going into battle. For reasons none of us (not even the young people who run our group) understand our meetings are being sabotaged by new and stupid rules each week .
When it was suggested that two of us meet with whoever is imposing these, to ask why -it was flatly denied.

Now, this is NOT the way things are done in the Maori world and if you are wise, you do not alienate or try to boss a group of formidable Maori grannies (or a Yorkshire one) so we are not prepared to give in and will go as high as it takes to stop it.

Meanwhile, we are planning a trip to Waiheke Island next month and may go on a wine-tasting tour.
www.waiheke.co.nz

......and heaven help anyone who tries to stop that!

Good morning 😀

Yesterday was a fun one! The French gardening lady who wants to help came and sniffed around inspected the estate. Mr M made her one of his best fancy coffees from the ridiculous barista machine and remembered not to make a pattern in the milk froth with his finger.

She thinks that it will meet her needs for horticultural excitement and then told me what needs to be done - that bit didn't go so well! Mr M thinks he may go out when she is here and says I can't go with him because I've brought it on myself. So now I have a bossy, bored, bi-Lingual gardening helper who used to be a Police inspector in French France. Lummy! I didn't see that coming. 🙂

* Spud is coming to stay next week! Yippee*

Crumbs, Mamissimo. Will you need deep pockets or will she pull up a few weeds and power wash the terrace work under supervision?
Mind you, there is endless potential. How Spud would like his very own tree house, or you could go for the low-maintenance option ...

Or is she, maybe, a little au dessus de sa gare? 😉