Modelling Daphne’s Dress

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My 75th birthday was very pleasurable. Matthew, Tess, and Poppy woke up here in the morning, and Shelley and Ron,  Becky and Ian visited in the afternoon. We all sat in the garden after lunch.

Poppy 1Poppy 2

The first present I opened was from Poppy, who had chosen it. A certain amount of self-interest was rapidly confirmed.

Mat and Tess 1

Our granddaughter provided her parents with their own party hats.

Poppy 3Poppy 4Tess and Poppy 3

Matthew obligingly assembled a colourful bird house that Louisa and Errol had sent me. Poppy saw it as a handbag and commandeered it for a tour of the garden she undertook with Tess;

Poppy and poppy

she was intrigued to be introduced to one of her floral namesakes,

Tess and Poppy 1

and to many other blooms,

Tess and Poppy 2

with some of which she picked and adorned herself.

Kitchen Bed

This was one view of the Kitchen Bed,

Garden view across Margery's Bed

and another seen across Margery’s Bed, each containing

Day lilies 1Day lilies 2

a number of day lilies, some of which Jackie dug up for Tess along with several other plants.

Garden view from Heligan Path bench

This scene is beyond the Heligan Path bench.

New Zealand flax

Being a Kiwi, Tess was able to describe exactly how to propagate New Zealand flax, and to explain the haka.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiKFYTFJ_kw&w=560&h=315]

Pigeons on roof 1Pigeons on roof 2Pigeons on roof 3Pigeons on roof 4Pigeons on roof 5

The reason for this was that I understand that this war dance also represents other events such as courtship, and I had no idea whether the capers of the pigeons on our roof represented war or love.

Poppy 5Poppy 6Poppy 7

Becky brought over a beautifully hand stitched and embroidered dress that her niece Poppy had left behind at her home. Poppy couldn’t wait to strip off and model it. This treasured possession had been made by Tess’s friend, Daphne Harris.

This evening, except for Shelly and Ron who had left earlier, we are all going to dine at Lal Quilla. Regular readers will understand that that means I will enjoy a hot curry and drink Kingfisher, and at the end of the meal will be past caring what anyone else consumed. Should anything out of the ordinary occur, I will report on that tomorrow.

92 comments

  1. I must say I prefer watching the clumsy pigeons at play any time rather than the haka – which has always been a total mystery to me – but I think that applies to everything about rugby. Though there was such a furore here, caused by the French breaking ‘protocol’ and moving forward in their own version of male domination, that even I remember who won that year. Glad to hear you had such a lovely birthday Derrick, such delightful guests and oh my, that parasol….. We really require a picture of you sporting it too 🙂

  2. Happy Birthday, dear Derrick!
    I wish you all the best but most of all I wish you to be healthy. Because if we are healthy we can do everything we want. Even to be the best photographer ever for the little beautiful princess 🙂
    Mo-hugs and kisses <3

  3. Another birthday in the Northern Hemisphere and it sounds like a happy one! I know Poppy will cherish those photographs taken by her grandfather whose eyes seeks and sees the enchantment in her. The garden looks enchanting too.

    The only thing I like about rugby is the haka; no wonder they win so often. I used to have NZ flex in my last garden; the leaves are good for basket weaving.

  4. Poppy is a little charmer, set to break a few hearts no doubt! 😀
    A belated, Many Happy Returns of the Day, Derrick.
    Going for the ‘ton’ I presume with that diet of yours! 😉

  5. I just watched the video and though I’d seen better performance of the haka, I loved seeing those French girls holding hands and hugging each other; scared out of their wits. 🙂

  6. Oh my! Poppy would be all the birthday present I’d need, Derrick. She is precious and so photogenic. Happy Birthday to you, my friend. Here’s to many, many more!

  7. Many Many Blissful Returns of the Day, Derrick! I was blown over by Poppy’s surrogate gift. Poppy’s floral namesake seems to have piqued her curiosity, As for the pigeons, I am sure they have imbibed the festive mood and are celebrating the best way known to them.

    That appeal in the Rugby World Cup final video makes me want to see the whole game.

  8. Happy Birthday, Derrick. That Poppy is just a blessing, so pretty, and seems to always have a smile on her face.

  9. It looks like a totally delightful birthday–topped off, I hope, by a marvelously spicy hot curry and Kingfisher.
    Such wonderful photos. The pigeons love-or-war shots are amazing, but that photo of Poppy with hands clasped and flowers in her hair is a beautiful. You should print it for her parents. 🙂
    I hope your birthday was a wonderful as it looks pictured here, Derrick!

    1. Very many thanks, Merril. Parents and Grannie get the prints 🙂 Birthday was wonderful. I slipped up in thinking I could write about what would happen in the restaurant – as will be revealed in today’s post.

  10. 75!!!! You don’t look a day over 60! Happy birthday from me too, and what better way to spend it than with the delicious Poppy! ????????

  11. Dear Derrick Firstly.. Many Happy Returns to you Derrick, a wonderful Birthday you had, such lovely weather too.. A wonderful milestone to cross.. My hubby had his 70th a couple of weeks ago.. And I had all the family around too..
    Your garden is looking spectacular.. And that is where I have been spending most of my time.. In the garden or allotment.. Too nice to sit indoors.. ( Unless I am watching Tennis this week lol )
    Thank you so much for sharing with us and Poppy is just adorable.. what a little Cutie she is.. xxx
    Enjoy your weekend.. Sending Love
    Sue 🙂

  12. Happy Birthday, Derrick! So wonderful surrounded by loved ones, beautiful garden…
    Poppy looks so cute with the lovely dress. 🙂

  13. Happiest of Birthdays, Derrick, and it is good to see that the family all looks well. It does appear that Poppy is capable of stealing the show, even on YOUR birthday, but she can’t possibly help it.
    Ginene

  14. Yay, my wish came true and by reading backwards into the past I found the lovely and delightful Poppy. ? She’s adorable and her hand embroidered dress is beautiful! Hope your whole week has been a grand and festive time! ?

      1. You deserve the happiness as I see you and Jackie being excellent leaders and warm, caring participants in your family activities!
        Hugs to both of you! ?

  15. Happy 75th birthday Derrick, wishing you all the best in the coming year! 🙂 I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… Poppy is so adorable! <3

  16. It sounds like you had a wonderful birthday, Derrick, surrounded by family, friends, good food and drink.

    I had never heard of the haka before. The pigeon dance was also interesting. 🙂

  17. Happy Birthday. I can see that it was. What a beautiful child. Speaking of self-interest presents, my three-year-old grandson gave his mother a Lego helicopter set for her birthday. I so enjoy your garden photos.

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