By late morning today, the recent storm that has left the population of America’s eastern states digging out heaped piles of snow, having warmed itself on the way across the Atlantic, petered out to heavy rain that lasted all day and is expected to continue for a few more.
The Head Gardener is a regular customer of Otter Nurseries. Like all garden centres, this one, especially in the winter months, must diversify to survive. Like all regular customers, Jackie receives a collection of bargain tokens. One of these was a ‘buy one, get one free’ offer for lunch in the cafe. Like all bargain tokens this had a limited life span – the end of this month to be precise. It had to be done.
Leaving the soggy, scantily clad, sylphs and cute, damp, cherubs beneath the falling rain and among the flickering plant labels; and passing through the main showroom with its staccato overhead pattering precipitation; we entered the warm cafe, its rooftop raindrops silenced by effective double glazing. It was clear from the other token-clutching silver-haired diners, that one had to belong to the third age to be there at this time.
My choice was steak and Stilton pie; Jackie’s was scampi, chips, and peas. Not at all bad.
Later, I finished reading a Christmas present from Tess, Mat, and Poppy. This was ‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’ by Natasha Pulley.
Who made the bomb? is the essential mystery forming the theme of Ms Pulley’s fantastical novel. The lives of English and Japanese protagonists are interwoven into the fabric of Victorian England and Japan in an intriguing tale which holds the interest throughout. The writer is an imaginative storyteller, the elements of whose plot are indicated on the front board. There is no great character building in this tale which would probably make quite a thrilling film, especially given that the key theme could easily be translated to today’s world.
The said cover, designed by David Mann demonstrates similar imaginative skill of the artist. A circular panel cut out from the board represents the glass of a fob watch, the chain of which stretches down Parliament Street in the frontispiece. Filigree Street does not exist in this part of London.
This evening we dined on Tesco’s Finest Mixed Meats pizza, and Jackie’s fin salads, including the tomatoes and basil in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, to which I am rather partial. We shared Fortnum & Mason’s Chablis 2014 – a Christmas present from Luci and Wolf.
Isn’t it lovely belonging to the third age and being able to perambulate these places and indulge ourselves at will – accompanied only by the odd shift worker now and again! 🙂
’tis too, Pauline. Thanks
It looks lovely…what is in that Stilton pie ? ☺
Thank you, Van.It is filled with steak and a touch of Stilton cheese. I’d never had it before, but it works
That was my question too, Derrick…what’s Stilton pie? Love those bargain tokens!
Thanks Jill. See my reply to Van
Yum!
Ooh, I rather like the sound of steak and Stilton pie. Just the ticket for a cold damp day. What a stunning book cover! The story sounds intriguing too. Your life comes across as very relaxed and laid back. I enjoy your posts so much. ?
Many thanks, Sylvia. Retirement helps
Well my hubby has been retired for almost 17 years and he never stops doing stuff.
I am so glad you had this lovely post where I learned about Stilton pie in the comment, Derrick. The book cover is indeed really ornate. I like to use pen and ink to make elaborate designs or did more in the past. . .I was hoping on my reader it was a watch shop repair person, like my shoe repair shop Mr. Martin! 🙂
Thank you, Robin. Sorry to disappoint, but I may do more on Martin the clock repair man.
Loved that 3rd paragraph. We have eaten almost the same things as you today. I had a stilton and broccoli quiche at lunch and tonight we had steak pie etc. Yellow ticket of course.
Thanks, Beck. So was the pizza. XX
It’s a grey day and the temperature is a cool 25ºC (compared to the 39ºC day that we had recently) so I think I will go for a steak pie for lunch as well. 🙂
Hope you enjoyed your pie, Mary T. Thank you
I did; it was a Beef and Guinness Pie 🙂
Excellent. I was surprised to see the Irish pub in Sydney
We have millions of Irish here and their numbers are growing 🙂
Yes
I’m glad you got Rainzilla rather than Snowzilla. Ugh. We had some melting today. Your day lunching at the nursery sounds wonderful. Steak and Stilton! yum! I had salmon croquettes, asparagus, rice, and a lovely glass of Chardonnay. If i hadn’t cooked it myself, I’d have thought Jackie was in my house!
Excellent, Lisa. Thanks
Oh Derrick I could have spent a whole day at Otters Nursery. Wonderful book cover, beautiful details.
Many thanks, Mary
Across the pond, we call that kind of lunch deal a “bogo”—buy one, get one free. Oh, how I love them 😉 What better way to spend a rainy afternoon?
Same here, Laurie, except ours is BOGOF which has, to us, a slightly more amusing ring. Thanks
Yes, it does 😉
What an odd story idea and excellent cover–may have to see this one up close. 🙂
Thank you, Cynthia G