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Elizabeth brought Mum over for lunch and dinner on this her actual birthday. Jackie laid on an especially super spinach soup to accompany some of yesterday’s surplus sandwiches.
Afterwards Elizabeth drove us all to Holmsley Old Station Tea Rooms, so we could introduce our mother to remnants of the pre-Beeching era that she remembers so well.
The Hordle Lane housing development is coming on apace. The first row of buildings now has its roofs;
and other rows are rapidly rising.
From the old station car park, with a signal arm behind it,
and the Booking Office in front,
we passed the To The Trains sign to enter the tea rooms.
In ‘Holmsley Revisited’ I wrote of Dr Beeching’s decimation of our railways system. This newspaper framed in the foyer was a London Evening News & Star issue from 27th March 1963. This publishing amalgamation represents two of the publications featured in ‘Starnoozenstanna’.
Beneath this page are stacked two leather suitcases of the period.
The Tea Rooms meringue confections are sheer indulgence. We thought we might be able to share two between the four of us. They were placed on the table within Mum’s range. She carefully moved her water glass aside,
so she could examine the offerings more carefully. “I’ll have that one first. Then I’ll have that one”, she exclaimed. With the joke over, she made quite good progress with her half of one.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tasty cottage pie, carrots and runner beans. Elizabeth and I drank Parra Alta malbec 2016, while the others were happy with sparkling water.
Those desserts look so rich – I’d dive right in, just like your Mum.
Thank you very much, GP
Your mother raised some fine children. I hope she had a wonderful birthday.
Very many thanks, Oglach
I’d do what your mother did! Great to see her, Derrick.
Many thanks, Cynthia
A warm comfortable feel about your New Forest life, Derrick. Don’t stop reporting on your daily happenings and surroundings.
A very lovely comment, Roland. Thank you so much
Who needs cottage pie when you have that meringue dessert haha?!
Good point, Luanne. Thanks very much
Which goes to prove we are never too old for a bit of sheer indulgence <3
Absolutely, Pauline. Thanks very much
What a lovely mum and the picture is priceless!
Thanks very much, Lynn
This was just delightful!!!
Happy Birthday again to your mother. Those meringues look delicious!
Many thanks, Merril
She is adorable, Derrick! Thank you for sharing her special day with us.
Thank you very much, Jill
Happy Birthday to your Mum, the meringue looked fantastic!!
Many thanks, Karen
A gorgeous photo of Mum, with all of that scrumptious pavlova …
Thanks very much, Ivor
You mum is my kind of woman!
Thanks very much, Leslie
Oh good on mum! Still got her appetite AND her sense of humour. I’m curious though, there were left over sandwiches from the day before – but none of those cakes and slices that were weighing the table down??
Thanks a lot, Gwen. Danni and Andy took most of the cakes home. We saved a few for dessert yesterday, but couldn’t eat them after the meringues 🙂
The train down the memory lane must have set a train of thoughts for your mother. No wonder she feels invigorated to have a hearty meal! The station is a well preserved museum, frozen immaculately by your able fingers. The signal arm and the suitcase —my father’s prized possession— brought back memories of my own childhood to me.
I’m pleased to have engaged your memories, Uma. Many thanks
That is some serious meringue happening there! 😀
Many thanks, Widders
Oh my. Those meringues look mouth watering. I am glad your mum enjoyed at least a half.
Thanks very much, Geetha.
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
Lovely post!
Thank you very much, Rupali
Oh, those meringues! And what a lovely mother you have. Party on!
Many thanks, Laurie
something that lovely deserves to be served one for each…I’d never share, ha, just kidding….I’ll take both 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Kim
Happy birthday to your mom, who has quite the sense of humor.?
Many thanks, Steve. Will pass it on
Those meringues! I am sure your mother enjoyed her day.
She did, Clare. Thank you very much
The meringues do look good. I am glad your mother still has an appetite and a sense of humor. She looks wonderful! So much love and good times in your family!
Very many thanks, Lavinia
Your mom looks so tiny compared to those merengue! You can tell a lot about a man’s character by how he treats his mother. ?
Thanks a lot, Rose. Mum has certainly shrunk 🙂
You left out and Stratford Express;
At Becontree Station on the District Line in 1950/51 when coming home from work, I’d hear the newspaper seller, up near the ticket office, calling out ‘Starnoozenstannastratfordexpress’, every night, so obviously you have missed a most important part of his message.
Getting slack there Derrick
🙂 Thanks for that, Brian
So pleased your Mum enjoyed her day! The idea with your card yesterday was excellent!
Thanks very much, Rob
After seeing how well your mum looks at 95 I may review my latest low sugar diet. 🙂
🙂 Lots of laughs, Quercus. Than you
🙂