🦞 The Lockdown Gang still chatting 🦞

Afternoon All

`I hope the little dog is holding on and showing signs of recovery Doodle. They are a worry. What do the vets say now? I do wish their life expectancies were longer. I nearly didnt' get a dog for fear of attachment. Persuaded myself that having an older dog, she wouldn't be 'mine' as much and I could retain a bit of distance. I failed.

It's a positive sign of seriousness Grammaretto that you prospective buyers are having such in depth surveys done. It sounds like they really like your place but need to know exactly what buying would entail to do whatever it is they have in mind - or live with what's there now without surprises!

My poor garden is just frizzled now. Norfolk is under a hose pipe ban and I'm even wondering if I can use the hose to fill Camperbubble's water tank. (And maybe spill a little around the dead looking climbing hydrangea on the way past!). The not very big pond is eight inches down now and I pulled a muscle trying to add an inch or so ferrying watering cans down to it. We're only supposed to fill cans from the tap. Any hose use is forbidden unless it's for veggies or newly planted trees (I wonder if the two I put in last autumn will count as newly planted?), and ponds with fish in. I think there may be one, I saw a tail swishing under a lily pad the day before the wildlife garden competition. Perhaps if I wait until dark .....

Do hope the dog is getting better now Doodle and that you've had a good day.

I have not seen the results of the survey ixion if they offer less as a result I don't think I'll accept it. The price takes the condition into account. After all I've had 3 valuations and a home report.
I can stay here or put it back on the market.

I decided to go into Edinburgh today. It was the last day of an exhibition I wanted to see.
We are so lucky to have art galleries, museums and botanic gardens all free.

The city is already busy though the Festival hasn't yet begun. Perhaps people are coming away from the heat.

The DGD were excellent company yesterday. They will come tomorrow too and bring the other GP and stay to tea.

Sorry, Doodle, my poor phraseology. I meant that it was the first one I have ever had, passing recently that 75 year milestone. 🎶Young at Heart🎶

Thinking still of Dear 🐕 and his dad.
What breed is he? The woofer, not your DGS

Are you happy with the results of the survey, Grammaretto? I don't think we would get away as lightly. Do you feel they might want a little negotiation now?
Hopefully not.
Will renting locally be feasible? It would give you breathing space.

I too would love to see your wildlife garden, NfkD.
I think we have seen photos years back too?

A knock at the door yesterday revealed two extremely polite young men, aged about 9 and 11, with a couple of large buckets, assorted cloths and 'products'.
Would we like our car cleaned?

All we provided was a garden hose and two cans of Diet Coke and they were at it for around half an hour. £10 shared for 30 minutes labour- and, on enquiry, the younger one had come two stops on the train! What profits could they hope for?
We were 'the first that day'. Hopefully, more to follow.
Such enterprise.

The car was certainly gleaming, all, that is, apart from a long unwashed strip along the centre of the roof which they were too short to reach!

Do we have more than one RSV jab Ixion? I had thought it was like the pneumonia jab a one off.
DGSs woofer is a little better. Fingers crossed.
I missed the opening ceremony too.. I gather it was good.
Grammaretto shame the frenchies have gone, You got on really well with them and they seemed to be very helpful,
You do not moan and groan., back pain is awful and curtails a lot of what you have pleasure in doing. Have a lovely time with your grandchildren

I didn't realise that the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was on. ixion
Good for Glasgow slimming it all down though and taking over.

How's the poor dog doing Doodle?

The Frenchies have left. They were great. My next helper is to be an older Australian woman, coming next week.

The surveyor (damp and woodworm) is coming this afternoon as are my DGD who are staying with the other DGP nearby. I love to have them here. They were at the beach yesterday.

I managed a very short walk down to the river before turning round and coming home. I am so fed up with this sciatica.

How is everyone else doing? I am the only Lobstars who moans and groans. You are all such stoics.

Thinking of DGS's woofer. Your poor boy must be beside himself with worry❤️

Have you been napping, Grammaretto? Good luck for a decent night's sleep.
I hope you are not in too much pain.

My first RSV jab today - another rite of passage to old(er) age.
I am pondering whether I might get convenient referred pain in my legs to avoid the weekly 🏋️‍♀️🤸🏼‍♀️🧘‍♀️ class tomorrow.
No pain at all, anywhere, as yet.

Watched, in parts, the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
My, such pride in Scotland by the Scots - and a bit of Gaelic in the speeches inserted for good measure. Much applause.

NFK I’m glad to hear you’re still enjoying trips in the camper bubble. Sounds lovely to be with friends at the coast.
Grammaretto DGSs dog is showing little signs of improving but is still in intensive care. They’ll need intensive care for their pockets when the bill comes.

I hope DGS dog pulls through Doodle 🙏🤞

I'd love to see your wildlife gardens NfkD
I seem to have a lot of wildlife in mine but I don't think it would win any prizes. 😅😆😂

You're right Doodle. There are classes nearby but the hospital pool was so warm and the sessions run by a physiotherapist.
I was reminiscing.......

My house purchasers are having 3 in-depth surveys done so it isn't a done deal until the missives are signed.

There's very little on the market in mid summer so I am just enjoying living here.
Rain expected on Sunday.

I wish I could sleep 💤

Evening All

I've been away in the Camperbubble for a few days with the gang at the coast. Luckily it was close by as I had to come back on Sunday for the judging for the best Wildlife Garden in town. I had to admit mine is really wildlife friendly through my laziness. I only went in for it as a friend asked me to, being placed isn't expected!

At least at the moment, with a hose pipe ban I don't have to think of cutting the brown area which was grass or lugging watering cans to precious plants. The weather has been overcast a lot of the time and the wind is from the north so I actually needed to wear a jacket on the boat this week. No rain but at least very little more sun scorching.

Anyway, I'm really pleased to have read Grammaretto, that you've accepted an offer! How exciting! Hopefully the right place will now pop into view now the time is right. It is hard to find the right balance of compromise and how alterations needed will affect the cost, and also be ruthless enough when it comes to putting in an offer. I fear it's one reason why I went down the house alteration route rather than face a move. The Pros of staying here outweighed the Cons. I did a list! We're very good at lists in my family!

I don't envy you NN having to do the To Retire or Not Retire list. I remember DH and I sitting outside a holiday let in Corsica with paper and pen and being surprised how much the new life we wanted would cost compared with the one we wanted to abandon. Everything went on that list, from the "investment" of buying a Campervan, to the savings made from not working - buying work clothes, car parking and that sort of thing. Even my husband's tendency to browse the music shops in his lunch break and buy cds went on that list! The cons were as long as we could make it!

DGS dog has had to have emergency surgery and is in a specialist hospital. Got everything crossed for her. She is so lovely. Hoping she pulls through.

Grammaretto Aqua aerobics is quite popular these days it might be worth checking if you can find somewhere more local.
Sorry your back causes you such problems. Sitting with an icepack can’t be much fun.
So nice you get in well with DH’s siblings.

I went to aqua aerobics some time ago when my back was giving me pain.
It was held in a very warm hydrotherapy pool at the hospital dealing with orthopedic and stroke recovering patients.

However the journey to get there; it was in Edinburgh; did no favours to my back at all.

There are or were Turkish baths and what was called an Aerotone bath, a forerunner of a jacuzzi. You climbed a ladder into a deep round bath, and were sprayed with strong jets of water. It was like being in a washing machine.
A towel and recovery bed were provided.

I don't actually know ixion but my friend says it helps hers.

I find if I'm very achey it helps generally.
And the physio exercises seem easier if your body is partly supported by the water.

You'll know, NS.
Is swimming any good for backs?

Oh Grammaretto you are awake again at 4am!

I do hope your chiropractor is right.

What a series of annoyances NotSpaghetti.
Now I imagine you fencing! the foil kind 🤺. 😅. Never tried it myself. My self preservation instinct is too strong.
I hope you can get your glasses unbent.

Lunch in the garden was very nice and my BiL and SiL stayed until after 5 when the chiropractor phoned to ask where I was. I had forgotten my appointment. Luckily he saw me anyway and insisted I am making progress. Hmm.

I do my physio exercises too and take the pills but sitting against an icepack gives the most immediate relief.

I love DH's siblings having known them since they were small children. They are much younger than their big brother.
They are seeing some cousins today so will tell them about the various family stuff I need to get rid of to anyone who wants it

I guess I had better try for more sleep.
Love to all the Lobstars ⭐ ⭐

I'm pretty sure he didn't do any of the wooden sort but may have been a go-between re illegal Vesta chop sueys pinched with his friend from the friend's parent's caravan...

My husband apparently had to do fencing - of the foil sort - at school.
...as well as Scottish country dancing and boxing!

I used to fence at school - actually, I was quite good. Skills evolved from having made that choice of sport over the alternative outdoor, all weather, hockey.
No brainer.

Then, a quiet word in my shell-like from my Dear Father led me to rephrase telling people what I did.

Grammaretto Hope you have a good visit with your SIl and BIL Do you get on with them well?
Our sit fit class was nice and cool today. Temperature fluctuates a lot depending on the heating which is temperamental.
Notspaghetti oh dear. A day of small irritations. I’ve just realised when you said fencing guy you were talking about wooden stuff in the garden. As you followed it in from yoga I thought you were talking about fencing as in sport with foils. I was just going to write I didn’t realise you did fencing when it dawned on me what your really meant 🤣🤣

My exercise class sounds very like your Sitfit. Ours is called Ageing Well. It was very hot today. So hot I thought the radiators were on.

I made a few pots and after salad in the garden I fell asleep.

Tomorrow DH's sister and brother are coming to see me. It will be the first time I have seen them since her DH's funeral. More salad in the garden. 🙂

Tonight my yoga teacher trod on my glasses, the fencing guy didn't really do what I wanted and I was too late getting out of the yoga class to have time for a swim...
Then I booked a class for when I'm away...

I thought I would have a lovely bath with a "lush" bath bomb (haven't had one of those since they were "Cosmetics to Go") and sadly it was underwhelming... pale tea colour, not a lot of fizz and not very fragrant... it felt too Epsoms-salty to wash my hair in it so that has had to be done in the shower!

My glasses are bent - but as they often are I can't really complain... just another trip to the opticians!
Lots of little annoyances.

I hope everyone is doing OK. It's actually not very warm here this evening. Brrrr.

Grammaretto i think you ought to run a small B and B for select guests. You seem to give your helpers such a good time. How nice of your tenants to do dinner for you all.
Sit fit tomorrow and coffee with friend, must go to bed now. Hope all are ok

It isn't good to rush about when it's very hot Doodle and Ixion . 🥵

Sorry to hear that you have such disquieting dreams Doodle.

I slept a lot better last night. Both the Frenchies and I were invited to dinner with my lodgers in the flat and were treated to the most delicious Nepalese meal and very good chat.

Afterwards I binge watched the little house on the prairie on Netflix.

Earlier I had driven us to my pottery friend's place where we set her kiln going while she herself is in NZ. In fact today she will be visiting my DS! I am a bit envious.

We visited the sheep and admired her vegetable garden. Her lodger/neighbour has been looking after everything while they are away.

I bought a couple of haggises haggi? on the way home - by popular request.
One is veggie, one meat.
I think I know what's for dinner tonight 😂

Grammaretto I hate being awake like that and not able to sleep. I actually slept well last night but towards morning had a disquieting dream. My family had worries and I was trying to sort it all out. None of it true but I found it really hard to shake it off this morning. It brought me down a bit.
I really wish I didn’t dream. I never have nice dreams always problems, worries or trying to get somewhere but with great difficulties.
Had a lovely morning at church which helped then went to the hospice for lunch and by coincidence met a couple of friends there.
So pleased your DFs gathering went well, that must have been a comfort to her also getting together to remember someone and share memories is lovely.
ixion I’ve put off lots of things because of the weather too. I convince myself it’s not good to do too much when it’s hot,🤣