Our daughter Becky is convinced that I bear a resemblance to Worzel Gummidge. As I scanned yesterday’s photograph of four year old Louisa I wondered what the wit would have to say about it. This was her Facebook observation: ‘How clever of you to include a portrait of yourself in the photo of Louisa!’
Managing a slightly brisker pace than my slow trudging of late, I walked up Hordle Lane and back, to the paddock, where a weak sun dappled horse and oak alike.
Honeysuckle blended beautifully with lichen in the hedgerows,
where pink dog roses bloomed,
and hoverflies on cow parsley masqueraded as the bees filling their thighs with the tinge of buttercups.
Through a gap in a hedge, on the far side of the barley field, a lorry, its rear resembling the buttercup, the honeysuckle, the lichen, and the bee’s thighs; its sides reflecting the blue of the sky, sped along Christchurch Road. White petals in the hedgerow carried the colour of the cotton clouds.
This afternoon, using the brick pile as a saw horse, I filled a wheelbarrow with logs cut from the last heavy branches of the sycamore tree. Then, with a break provided by a welcome visit from Shelly, I continued in the role of under-gardener. This involved the usual collecting up of the head gardener’s pruning and weeding; digging out some invasive geranium palmatums for her to transplant onto the northern verge of the back drive; and excavating two homes in the rose garden, one for Rosa Gallica, and another for Deep Secret. 
Rosa had shared her nursery pot with some yellow pansies. It seemed a bit churlish to make them part company, so we didn’t.
This evening Jackie’s superb egg fried rice and green beans accompanied Mr. Lidl’s plentiful spicy pork rib rack on our dinner plates. Victoria sponge was to follow. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, and I quaffed Torre de Ferro Dao 2013.
A slightly brisker pace eh! Well done!. My morning walks are being conducted at a very brisk pace lately – it is so darn cold!
Thanks Pauline. Only slightly – lets not get carried away 🙂
Beautiful Derrick. …
Thank you Chitra
I’m looking forward to trying this “retirement” lark. 😉
Gardener’s life seems like a goo life 🙂
Thanks Sylvie
or a good life….
🙂
I never imagined a lorry could be treated so poetically! A heavy frost here this morning. And no cheerful flowers and bees – except yours of course via the net.
Thanks Bruce
I’m looking forward to some pork ribs when I get home. Not had any since I’ve been here.
It’s a beautiful life, Derrick!
Beautiful narration of a day outside Those roses remind me of my dad’s rose garden. He had a small garden full of different varieties. He used to spend so much time there looking after them. Summer and roses. Thank you for sharing this with us. Adrián
You photograph bees and flowers like no one else. Glad to hear you’re getting back on stride:)
Thank you Cynthia
It sounds like you had a wonderful day, Derrick! 🙂 I wish I could garden here. I’ve tried it, but the dirt needs more conditioning than I have the money to put into it, and it is way too hot AND we are in a drought! That’s strikes against me. But I love seeing people like you who get to enjoy it! Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks
Great post and very poetic regarding the lorry – nicely done!
I am so pleased the rose garden is starting – looking good already! 🙂 Thanks for sharing Derrick!
Thank you Rob
Lovely prose and photos from your walk. Dog roses and honeysuckle are hedgerow delights just now.
Thank you, as always, Peggy
🙂
You are a great photographer. Wonderful post.
Many thanks Sarang
Your meals always sound lovely (that breakfast one exempt). Both drinks too 🙂
Thanks, Alex