It is not that unusual for readers seeking contacts or history to stumble across this blog and, through comments, to ask me for information. Yesterday there were two. One man sought a contact with Trinity (Battersea) now Trinity (Oxley) Cricket Club. I, and two others responded. A second person, a woman, wondered whether Jackie’s sister, Helen, was someone she had trained with in the 1960s. I put them in touch with each other. Such is the power of WordPress.
Today, definitely presaging Spring, was even sunnier, and warmer, than yesterday.
Here are some of the garden flowers I did not pick yesterday:
We have pretty pansies,
a vast variety of head-hanging hellebores,
several flourishing viburnums,
precocious primulas, some a little nibbled,
different camellias,
and cerise cyclamens among others.
At midday we drove to Efford Recycling Centre to dump some of our rubbish, and
as usual departed with purchases from the Sales Area, namely a charger, some toddler toys and rolls of mats for the garden shed.
We then came back to Otter Nurseries where we enjoyed mushroom soup and rolls with the discount vouchers. After this we went driveabout.
The light was so clear over the Solent that we had the sharpest view of the flanks of the Isle of Wight, The Needles, and the lighthouse, a mile and a quarter away.
Walkers were silhouetted on Hordle West Cliff Top.
Driving along Angel Lane we gatecrashed a pheasant hen party.
Back at home, shortly before sunset, sand-clouds gathered over Christchurch Road. This time buildings, shrubs, and trees provided the silhouettes.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s chicken tikka biriani; vegetable pakoras and samosas; salad; and delicious cauliflower bhaji that would have graced any Indian kitchen. The cook drank Hoegaarden and the satisfied customer drank Kingfisher.
We had clear blue skies here too. Love the hellebores!
Thanks, Sue
Another wonderful day in the life of the Knights!!
Thanks, GP
Stunning photos, Del. Sounds like a brilliant Indian meal, you lucky devil!
Looks like Ian used my computer to comment. I do not call my father ‘Del’ or ‘lucky’. We all know it is Mum who is lucky. 😁
Great guffaws, Beck. Thank
You are sussed Ian. Thanks, anyway
This was such a funny exchange. It reminded me of when my son sneaks into my computer 🙂
The flowers are wonderful. You have more already than I have had all summer…
Most unusual for the time of year. Thanks, Bruce
This is not the English February I remember! Bruce is right……….. and I love the charger you picked up!
Thanks, Pauline. Nor me
Oh, is THAT a charger? I was looking for something vaguely electrical. My education continues.
Thanks, Yvonne. 🙂
Thank you for the beautiful spring and pheasant photos Derrick 🙂
Thanks, Sylvie
You pansies are looking a lot more healthy than mine. What’s your secret, Derrick?
Gorgeous photos, Derrick. Always so professional and magazine quality. Indeed, silhouettes are my favorite kind of photos.
I like your way of connecting people! 🙂
Many thanks, Robin
The people, on the cliff walking, in shadow were my favorite 2 photos. 🙂 The items you purchased made perfect sense to get gently used. The flowers as always were perfect botanical specimens, Derrick!
Thanks again, Robin
It occurred to me that for some time we have only been seeing the beautiful fruits of your labour – and no more of the actual labouring. Does that mean that the garden makeover is finished?
Many thanks, Gwen. Especially for noticing. The makeover is largely finished, but maintenance will never end. We’ll soon be out there again – when spring comes in earnest.
The one and only time my husband and I owned a house, it was on a corner block and I wanted gardens everywhere – inside our boundary and out. I dreamed of the day I would sit under an arbour and read my book. Never happened – our weekends were always busy with weeding and maintenance! In fact, we eventually decided that we didn’t own the house – the house owned us! So we sold up and moved into an apartment, more than twenty years ago now. Hubbie boasted to everyone that he had a ceremonial burning of the lawn mower. Very unusual for Aussies to give up their large plots of land, although in reality people forget that our cultural dream of home ownership only emerged after WWII. . . . One of the things I most miss about living in the UK and Continent is distinct seasons. I worked in the Lake District several times, and those wild daffodils of spring are forever fixed in my memory. Now I understand why Wordsworth got so worked up over them.
Many thanks, Gwen. It’s easier when you are retired. I have had a number of Lake District holidays
Beautiful flowers, but since winter seems to be over in this part of the world, too, I’m already missing it… Remember the Donald Trump snowman? 🙂
I hope to forget DT himself. Thanks Johnna
I’m in full agreement regarding that crude man, as well! Lol. May the hellebores find more sunshine to help keep their chins up.
Thanks, Rose
Yes, the power of WordPress and the Internet. Does spring usually come so early in your part of the world? Lovely flowers!
Not at all, Laurie. This is the mildest winter I can ever remember. Thank you.
Oh, my!
So jealous of your hellebores; they won’t grow for me. I have stopped using the word ‘unusual’ about the weather since we never get the ‘usual’ weather anymore. It’s 29ºC but the deciduous trees in my garden are showing signs of fall; yellowing and dropping leaves. I like the colours of the sea showing its depths so clearly.
Thank you, Mary. I like your noticing the sea
Your flowers are fabulous. It seems you have not really had winter. It’s really nice how you can connect people–you must be tagging your posts really well.
Many thanks, Lisa
Such lovely flowers!!!
Thanks, Luanne
Looks like another great day, surrounded by scenic delights, lovely flowers and Indian food. What could be better?
Nothing much, thanks, Quercus
Could do with some of those hen pheasants over here.. We seem to have mostly males!
Thanks, Jessica. Last year we were regularly visited by a male we called Eric. He picked up other bird’s droppings from the feeders which have not been necessary this year.
Looks like you have a real botanical garden there, Derrick 🙂 I love it!
You made again another beautiful pictures. Those silhouettes looks amazing in the sunset’s light.
After that you met your dinner? Those pheasant hen? :))
🙂 Thanks, Monica. As you know, we settled for chicken that someone else had killed
🙂 I know…I know
The colours of the hellebores are intriguing to me. Somehow that plant manages colour combinations I don’t often see anywhere else. Sometimes they are so well camoflagued I don’t even notice them at first, then what a delight of discovery when I see a burst of flowers right in front of me! It’s nice how blogging helps us all connect. I have had the opportunity to put Cherokees together, through my blog. It feels good to be able to help.
Thank you Crystal. It is good, isn’t it?
What a lovely day! Beautiful photos 🙂
Beautiful photos, some time ago after reading in your post about samosas, I asked my brother to get some. I had been to their place. There they get very good ones:))
Thank you, Lakshmi
Love the photos as always. I also love how active you all are! I enjoy getting out and about.
Thanks, Leslie
I adore that purple pansy. Flowers are your subject, that is for sure. 🙂
Many thanks, Cynthia G
Yet another delightful post. I love these flowers, they are simply gorgeous and you are such a wonderful photographer. These are truly gorgeous shots. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Your pheasants look a bit like our wild turkeys, only less shy.
Thanks, pagedogs. The pheasants are usually much more shy
Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us, Derrick. 🙂
And thank you for reading and commenting, Amy