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Isan Thai, here photographed by Barrie Haynes, has been in business for just a few weeks. Here is its brochure description:
It deserves to continue.
This is where we spent a most convivial evening and excellent meal yesterday evening, at 129 Parkstone Road, Poole. We joined Barrie and Vicki; their relatives Alan and Rosemary; and friends John and Lynn. We were pleased to meet the group with whom we had relaxed conversation. The staff’s greeting was warm and the service friendly.
My choice was tempura king prawns followed by Tom Saap with spare ribs, and egg fried rice. I drank Singha beer.
Barrie presented me with a copy of his recently published novel which I had read in draft. I will, in due course, write a review of it.
We have been asked how we keep the garden flowers in such good condition. There are several reasons for this. The first is the thorough soil replenishment carried out by The Head Gardener; secondly, plentiful feeding, thirdly her watchful battling with disease and insects, then constant watering, and finally
deadheading. This occupied us both today. As can be seen, our new garden chairs double as clothes driers.
Deadheading is the removal of spent flowers before they come to seed. If they are left alone the plants will stop producing the wherewithal for regeneration. The idea is to prevent this and thus lengthen the flowering season. Jackie, to whom I am indebted for this information, also tells me that those flora that do not need this maintenance are termed ‘self cleaners’.
The petunias in the basket needed just a little work. The dead petals are at the bottom right of the cluster. I often spot such blemishes on the photographic images, then have to deal with them and retake the shot. I was lucky with this one in that I could use it as an example.
Begonias,
and roses such as Mamma Mia need daily attention.
The Japanese anemones have only recently begun to bloom, but their turn will come.
We found a spot for the aluminium dump bench bought a day to two ago. When its peeling black paint has been removed and the seat repainted it will be as good as new.
It replaced the other rather rickety one on the grass. This has been relegated to the Dead End Path. The bricks underneath this earlier dump purchase will function as supporting pillars. Aaron’s fencing can be seen in the background.
This evening we dined on Mr Pink’s fish and chips, pickled onions, and gherkins. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and Bavaria mixed. I didn’t, considering that I consumed enough Singha last night to cover me for this meal as well.
You and the Head Gardener are so diligent. No wonder why your garden is so beautiful.
The new restaurant sounds great. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril. The restaurant is so, but it’s more than an hour’s drive away, so we are not likely to visit much
You do have a spectacular garden. Love the color of the petunias. You always display such beauty on your posts.
Many thanks, Lonely. As you often do 🙂
Mainers are known for their extreme frugality and for what was once called “dump picking.” (Now it’s called Transfer Station picking. Doesn’t have the same ring, somehow.) I hereby dub you two “Honorary Mainers.” You might never come to Maine, but know that you have kindred spirits here.
Bravo, Laurie. I am a Mainer at heart as well.
I feel really honoured!!!!
Jodie, you are hereby declared an honorary Mainer, too.
I am honored. 🙂
Many thanks, Laurie. We are honoured
Deadheading, I have done plenty of that in my day! Nice post Derrick, have a happy weekend my friend! 🙂
Thanks very much, Terry
Well worth the effort Derrick!
Thank you, Val
So lovely. I don’t have the stamina to do all of that in this heat but hopefully this fall my garden will be back to normal 🙂
Thank you Geetha. It is humidity that gets to us
Welcome. Here there are both, a deadly combination 😀
Yes. I couldn’t stand it
……….and of course the daily perambulations of the official photographer must add to the happiness of the garden in general?
Most definately!
Lovely comment, Pauline. An image of the flowers all preening themselves for the lens is conjured up. Thanks
Self cleaners are more my style. I am a low maintenance gardener (lazy). I admire the dedication you both have! My geraniums always look weedy and unattractive. Now I know why! Love pics and story, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Katherine
Those Mamma Mia roses are so darn beautiful. You need to know that most weeks, I think of you, the head Honcho and those roses when I’m at Line dancing. Why? Because most weeks, we do a dance called “Mamma Mia”.
How lovely, Yvonne
Your garden would be a great place to hold weddings. 🙂
Thanks, Johnna. What a good idea. Maybe we’ll get married 🙂
You heard it here !!!
It was not my intention to advocate for marriage, but just to suggest a way to make extra money, maybe to hire an additional gardener to help you two love birds. 🙂
🙂
I’m glad to see that no one has accused you and Jackie of simply having ‘green thumbs’; as if hard work and intimate knowledge of every plant you grow have nothing to do with it.
We have a lot of Thai restaurants in Sydney. Their names are often comical. The Thaitanic has since sunk and Ta Ta Thai (ta ta is Oz Slang for goodbye) is also gone. If Thai Riffic was terrific you would wonder why it folded but Thais I Am would be the one for you, Derrick (did you spot the hidden word?)
Love those restaurant names. I am always saying that the key to gardening is know your site and soil and then know your plant, easy! Takes time tho’ I have made all the mistakes in my time.
So true. I’m still making mistakes 🙂
Jackie spotted s i Am, Mary. Neat. Thank you for the compliment
Well done, Jackie 🙂
Such a good reminder that nothing comes for nothing … The magic is generally hard work and a refusal to make do with second best. Chapeau to you both 🌾🌺🌻🌹🌷🌼🌸🍃
Many thanks, Osyth
Lovely, big smile on Jackie’s face as she’s attending to the flowers. I gather your garden is so beautiful, not only because of the work you put into it, but also due to the love you have for your blossoms.
Many thanks, Rose
Your flowers certainly reward the care and dedication lavished on them. I wish we had a Thai place nearby. I do love our local Indian, but the more the merrier! I imagine we were not far from your part of the world at the weekend for an all-too-brief trip. It was lovely to see the horses, deer and long horned cattle. I got teased for being excited just to see cows, but in my defence they were very photogenic ones.
They certainly were photogenic. If you are ever this way again, do get in touch.
I like your clothes drier 🙂 , the flowers of course, and the book cover.
Thank you, Timi. Barrie’s small granddaughter designed the cover.
I love Thai food and beer. I do not like deadheading, but it has to be done. Enjoyed the post.
🙂 Many thanks, Oglach
Many thanks, Leslie