On a wet, mild, morning, I inserted the penultimate section into the garden album, and printed the final batch of photographs.
This afternoon Jackie drove us to Lymington quay and back. She left me to find Dials Antique Clocks, recommended yesterday by Highcliff Watchmakers, while she went in search of Peacocks and baby clothes.
We were both successful. Dials has a most picturesque location at the corner of Quay Street. The clock repairer was happy to tackle a traditional clock bought by Michael for Jessica and me about 35 years ago. He didn’t do battery operated digital clocks like Mum’s carriage clock that had become so corroded that, when Elizabeth cleaned it, the contacts fell off. When I explained that it was one I had bought my mother many years ago, and bore my name as part of her identification of presents to be returned to the donor when the time comes, he changed his mind, although warned me of the cost., which is really not a factor. I have, incidentally, told Mum that I don’t any longer give her a present I wouldn’t want back at a later date.
I left the clocks at the shop and wandered back to the still water.
The only real sign of life, where the boats were all moored, was of the sea birds.
A wagtail bravely advances towards a gull.
Speaking of gulls, surely this mongrel pigeon has at least dual heritage.
Swans were busy preening,
and a pair of sleepy mallards dozed to the rippling sway of their rowing boat.
For our dinner this evening Jackie produced her delicious lamb jalfrezi, chicken tikka, onion and mushroom rice, and an onion bhaji. I drank Old Crafty Hen and The Cook chose sparkling water.
This post made me smile Derrick – my off-spring were recently discussing the fact that when the time comes to empty out my art room, they are going to have ‘one hell of a garage sale’ 🙂
Thanks, Pauline. Maybe you should label everything too
As I’m getting older I am divesting myself of possessions and will soon set up a market stall and get rid of everything except some of my favourite books.
Good idea, John. Thanks
My mother’s will simply read: My dear children – no arguments.
Excellent. Thanks, Bruce
So glad you found someone to repair the clocks. 15 or so years ago, my father gave me a kitchen clock that had been in his parent’s home his whole life. It was probably a wedding present to my grandparents. It wasn’t working because someone had wound it too tight, and as I found out when I took it to a clock maker, it was ‘very dirty.’ It’s been in my home since I got it back, cleaned and repaired, apparently ready to work another hundred years! I love your brindle pigeon. Aren’t their feet a beautiful color?
Thank you, Lisa. I have never seen a pigeon with quite such colouring
We have them here; I think of them as harlequin (or piebald). BTW, I bought two of your friend Barrie’s books today–the one you recommended and one about building a garden on a dump site. They looked just what I needed!
Barrie will be pleased
So, you have those cheeky wagtails over there too? I can’t get over how brave they are, they’ll tackle birds much larger than themselves.
Thanks, Yvonne. They are often to be found in car parks
We had a pair of wagtails living in the roof of a barn where we parked the car. They had the annoying habit of perching on the doors and pecking at their reflections in the wing mirrors. In the end I had to wrap each mirror in a black bin liner to keep them off. Not a good look.
🙂
Wonderful photos, Derrick.
Thank you, Ann
Beautiful photos, Derrick. I especially love the photo of the boats.
Thanks, Jill
After a busy day of clean up from Thanksgiving’s feast (3 dishwasher loads and washing by hand as well) and the searching out of acceptable new Christmas tree lights–why on earth do they have an orange light in the bunch? with purple?–I was glad to rest and get a smile from your post. Restful, pleasing signs of life.(Yes, our family meal yesterday went exceptionally well, with love being the best part of the while; thank you for oyur interest.)
Thank you Cynthia. I’ve never understood orange and purple either.
Probably trying for purple and gold – my favourite combination from the 70s. My twisted mind also flew to the “boomerang” presents (the ones that come back to the sender) – so, I suppose you don’t gift your mum pretty nighties? ?
In view of your comment you might find this amusing: http://derrickjknight.com/2013/11/08/pink-petticoats/
Hahaha – I must have been having a psychic moment. You both look delightfully bohemian. As if dressed up for an impromptu performance in Isadora Duncan’s parlour, or something like that. Chris could play a woodland nymph?
Thanks fo reading, Gwen
Love the reflections, especially the blue sky in the puddle. But I don’t think that swan is preening — I believe she’s doing yoga. 🙂
Could be, Johnna. Thanks
The shine on that pigeon makes it seem as if it’s made of porcelain….and the preening swan? Well, I do wish I could do that!
Me too, Cynthia. Thanks
Love the photo of the old clock shop, here – a quaint area like that would be razed and replaced with a ‘chrome ‘N’ glass’ structure!
Where did Jackie learn to cook so well?
Thanks GP. Certain parts of UK have suffered in the same way. Jackie learned by doing 🙂
Even MORE power to her!!!
Thanks GP. The lady says Ohhhh!
It’s a blessing that there are still people around who will repair things like clocks.
Isn’t it? Thanks mostly
The quay looks like a lovely, tranquil place. My gran used to collect clocks, she used the same trusted clock repairer for 30 years! 🙂
Thanks, Becka. It is
What a pretty shop and position. I just ‘googled’ Dials, and they still seem to be functioning – likely with the same craftsman who would have repaired your clock all those years ago!