Val’s Comments (group member since Aug 28, 2019)

Val’s comments from the Beyond Zon group.

Lat night was shop-bought butter chicken (was stored in our freezer) and rice. We don't often have pre-prepared meals but we've bought this one a few times and it's good value, great tasting and lots of tender chicken in it. Tonight it's sausages. I think we're going to curry them.

Grizzlygrump wrote: "I've just been hearing that losing your sense of smell and taste can be indicators of having coronavirus - I've had no sense of smell for 30 years now and I've definitely got no taste.
Should I be worried?..."

We should all be worried! Donald Trump said people are going to die who have never died before. I've never died before and I don't think you have either GG. Help!!

Mr H made his fabulous quiche last night - bacon, cheese, spring onions. Served with baked potatoes and cherry tomatoes.

Good ol' spag bol (Mr H picked up 1kg of mince reduced to £3) bolstered with lots of carrots and using up chives and basil which are growing ballistic in the back garden. We'll have a couple of meals from it then freeze the rest.

Agree with you about TV advertising Duke - way behind the times. Interestingly, Aldi here are still putting out a printed catalogue (the other supermarkets have ceased doing so). Normally at this time they would be flogging tents and camping equipment for the school holidays and Easter getaways. But they have reacted quickly - it's all garden products, and home decorating, and even bikes and biking accessories (we're still allowed to cycle but not to go to the beach). My son is a keen mountain biker. He often recommends Aldi bikes to friends who are just starting out. When a friend asked him for a recommendation a few weeks back, he said wait till September, that's when Aldi sell them. He was interested when I told him they've obviously brought forward their advertising campaign in the current crisis.

I follow this site:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronav...

I've heard commentators say that Singapore was a model of quick reaction and strict measures. New Zealand also has been very quick and decisive.

We are getting very similar mixed messages here. Tanning salons, nail salons and massage parlours (i.e. non-medical) must close. However hairdressers can continue to trade as long as they maintain the safe distance recommendations and all appointments must be within a 30 min time frame. Right, I'll get the back done today and be back tomorrow for the front.

Sending good wishes to you all as we stay in self-isolation. We too are well stocked with music, TV, DVDs, books and jigsaws and have plenty of projects to be done around the house and garden. I've resurrected an ancient exercise bike gathering dust in the garage. It's now set up on the back verandah. Today I managed two sessions of 3.5km each. I'm hoping to build it up a little each day. And I found a set of weights! I had to laugh at last night's news showing queues (all well spaced out) trying to buy gym equipment now that all gyms are closed. Those interviewed said they were spending £500+. Hope they've got plenty of protein powder!

Mr H has made corned beef hash for tonight - we've always called it corn dog.

Grizzlygrump wrote: "(We were forever being told that if we didn't eat all of our dinner it would get served up for breakfast the next day, then dinner and so on until we'd eaten it!)..."

Did you ever see the film "Spring and Port Wine" (1970)? It's based on a Bill Naughton play, set in Bolton and a cast including James Mason, Diana Coupland, Susan George, Rodney Bewes, Hannah Gordon, Frank Windsor and Adrienne Posta. It's long been one of my favourites. There are two clips on Youtube but unfortunately neither of them feature the famous herring dinner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DvgE...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IrWL...

Fish fillets, baked potatoes, peas and cherry tomatoes.

Qashqai 68 wrote: "Sausages, mashed potatoes, carrots. 😋"

Snap! That's what we had last night. Tonight was Mr H's homemade pizza with lovely spicy Strasbourg, plenty of olives and a sufficiency of cheese. Served with a can of Pepsi Max.

I had a parcel delivery today which had to be signed for. The poor postie asked me rather sheepishly if I would mind if he signed for me (didn't want me to touch his screen). I didn't mind so he signed it and wrote underneath Covid-19. Sensible precaution for all concerned I thought. As long as the box isn't infected!

Grizzly - footy tips required please!

Hi all and I hope you are feeling well and reasonably well provisioned. The biggest supermarkets here (all except Aldi) are now opening between 7.00 and 8.00am only for people with a Government concession card - i.e. pensioners, people with disabilities, unemployed, etc. They have also halted rainchecks, returns of unwanted items (so all those people who stocked up can't change their minds and cash in) and all online orders. I think they will look favourably on anyone who is confirmed ill as well as child care centres, and remote dwellers, etc. They are also closing earlier to allow staff to restock shelves. Coles has advertised 5000 jobs for shelf stackers. And needless to say, in all the stockmarket volatility, it is supermarket shares that are going up. The list of restricted foods is now:
Toilet paper (one pack per person)
and two items per person of the following:
Pasta
Flour
Dry rice
Paper towels
Paper tissues
Hand sanitisers
Mince meat – includes Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken & Turkey
Eggs
Chilled pasta
Frozen vegetables
Frozen desserts
Sugar
UHT long-life milk
Canned tomatoes
Liquid soap
Chilled white milk – includes all sizes of Coles Brand and branded white dairy milk, plant-based non-dairy and goats milk sold chilled in our dairy fridges in supermarkets and at Coles Express

How long till ration books?

theDuke wrote: "Have begun building the deck......the first bit is alway slow and lots of faffing about, digging soil 'humps' out of the way of the new joists....then weirdly...i managed to get three corener square...but the forth one just would not comply! Took flipping ages to work why it wouldn't. I measured everything..."

I'm excited to see the photos! You never stop - and it all sounds really well planned and constructed. Which way will the summerhouse face - back towards the main house? over the drive? across the path and lawn?

Mr H makes the best hamburgers - all from scratch. Lucky he found some mince in the freezer as that's now on the restricted list - along with toilet paper (1 pack per customer), pasta, flour, dry rice, paper towels, paper tissues, & hand sanitisers (2 items per customer). Served on fresh rolls with pickles, bacon, fried onions, cheese and sliced tomato - can't be beat!

Who are you calling fallow???

Morning all - although it is almost mid-day here. Going to be a warm one - 29 degrees, but cloudy. I did quite a bit of gardening on Monday (isn't it amazing how hours of work look like you spent 5 minutes with the secateurs?) so today may be an indoor chores day. We have some vintage hooks (thanks eBay!) to put up on doors and are going to put castors on a big, heavy couch. In my old age I am a total convert to castors - so far we've put them on a bedroom chair, kitchen table and grandchildren's toy box. Love them!

P wrote: "Just to end the day on a high note, went shopping today and was at the pet section to pick up the doggies favourite chews. As I was looking a young chap had picked up the same chews but much larger..."

We all need a good news story so thanks for sharing. A well-brought up young man!

Hi all, hope you're all as well as can be and that spring is bringing good things your way. This post is a plug for my Aussie Rules tipping competition which is now up and running at

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

New tipsters are always welcome and you don't have to know anything at all about the game. Knowing nothing may even be an advantage. There are 9 games every week and all you have to do is pick 9 winners. AND you can earn money for a charity of your choice and it won't cost you a thing as I make all the donations. So if you think you'd like to dip your toe in the water (Duke and Grizzly have survived!), please feel free to add your name to the thread and I'll have you kitted out in team colours before you know it.