When I was ill earlier in the year, our friends Margery and Paul gave me a copy of ‘Winespeak’, Ronald Searle’s illustrated ‘Wicked World of Winetasting’. The author, a highly original artist, claims that ‘All the phrases in this little book have been plucked from unacknowledged but absolutely authentic sources’. Souvenir Press’s 1983 edition presents Searle’s ( until I insisted, WordPress changed this to Seattle) grotesque caricatures alongside his chosen phrases.
Here is one example: This is an excellent coffee table book. I dipped into it again last night. This morning Jackie drove me to our G.P.’s surgery in Milford on Sea, where the practice nurse removed my stitches. As, razor sharp unpicker poised, she approached my hand, she said, ‘I think I’ll get my glasses’. ‘Please do’, I laughingly replied. She explained that she didn’t really need them, but found that the off-the-counter pair beautifully magnified the knotted spiky strands of stiff line sticking out of my hand as if it were a pin-cushion. The wavy course of the blue material looked like a design for my Mum’s cross-stitching. This filled me with confidence, and she carried out a perfect operation, slipping the tiny knife under the tight knots, slicing through the thread, and drawing out any hidden residue with her gentle fingers. As my palm is rather scenic, and thinking that a description of the procedure presents the picture, I will spare my readers a photograph. Today’s gale force winds were running at about 40 m.p.h. when we made this trip. On the way back we stopped and parked by the cliff top.
In order to photograph the violent seas below, I braced myself, attempting to remain upright against the gusts tearing across The Solent. The thrift clung to the ground far more securely than I did. I wasn’t about to stand too close to the edge. Actually, I couldn’t really see what I was doing. By mid afternoon the gusts reached more than 50 m.p.h.,
setting the Japanese maples aflame, foliage flickering in the sunlight.
Some flowers, such as aquilegias partnering bluebells in enforced fandango, survived the gales.
Sheltered mimulus and libertia simply basked in warmth.
The clematis Natcha, gyrating wildly, nevertheless kept its head.
Not so those tulips that, yesterday, had stood proud atop their chimney pot.
When we left at 9.30 this morning, they had begun to shed petals,
by lunchtime revealing their stamens,
becoming even more exposed as the afternoon progressed.
By 6.30 p.m., when we left with Elizabeth, Danni, and Andy to dine at Spice of India, this is what was left of them:
On the left of this picture stands a crinodendron hookerianum, otherwise known as the Chilean lantern tree. It will soon be in bloom. (Last year I erroneously termed this the Chinese lantern tree.)
The food and service at the restaurant, owned by Andy’s friend Sid, was excellent. My starter was succulent prawn puri, and my main course Naga chicken with special rice. I drank Cobra. I didn’t really take in what the others had.
A black day for tulips. If they weren’t so lovely yesterday, they would not cause regret today!
Black tulips at last
Yes! My thoughts exactly! Now for the blue rose!
Dunno about you, but I like to keep ours happy
Oh great story and that Clematis…so lovely. But, I particularly like the waves being pushed ashore!
Thank you Switters. For the waves I just aimed and hoped
Wow, what wind! I loved your shot of the sea.
Thank you Lisa
The effort for the photograph on the cliff top was totally worth it !
Thank you Sylvie. I just aimed and hoped
Our sun is out too! The flowers are lovely at any stage.
Thank you Mary
Lovely flowers. What is “Cobra”?
Thank you Luanne. It is Indian beer
Glad to hear that the stiches are finally out. That wind has certainly done a number on the tulips, but the Japanese maple look great in the gale!
Thank you Matt
Excellent sequence. Your narrative style is relaxed & delicate as always – a stroll through a beautiful & intriguing English landscape. Bet the hand could be used to create a abstract goth image ( if ever you decide to go for a more our there style). 🙂
Poor tulips.
What is Cobra? I like the name!
Thank you Kate. It is Indian beer
I shall have to mention that beer to Mr. Loveton to find out if he’s familiar with it. Is it an IPA?
A lager, I think
Having misread the title as “Turnips”I was expecting a slightly different post. Nice flowers! 🙂
Thanks very much, Quercus. I’m pleased you rooted this out
Always good to, read some vintage Knight.
Thank you so much, Quercus
🙂