The Writing On The Wall

Yesterday, I finished reading ‘Lymington and Pennington, Then & Now’ by Brian J. Down. This is a local history book given to me by Mother Santa for Christmas. Full of fascinating research and information about local residents and institutions, I can forgive the fact that, in common with most such works, it is not great literature.

Lymington history001

It is the front cover that provided, for me, the most intrigue.

My post The Disembarkation from February 24th, 2016, contains this photograph of

New Look. Research tells me that the worn out writing on the wall covers the original advertisement for Rand & Son, the previous owners of the shop, which would have read

‘RAND.
(& S)ON
(GEN)ERAL
(DRA)PERY
(WARE)HOUSE
(?)NERY
(?)S’.              (taken from http://www.ipswich-lettering.co.uk/lymington.html)

The word underneath WAREHOUSE, in the cover photograph, which must have been taken in the first years of the 20th century, could perhaps have been MILLINERY.

Mum, Elizabeth and Jacqueline visited today for lunch and dinner. During the conversations, the older of my sisters described a couple of conditions on the left hand of our cousin, Jane, in America. This reminded me of my Dupuytren’s Contracture, so we sent a link across the pond.

Early this evening we dined on Jackie’s perfectly cooked roast lamb, roast potatoes, parsnips and sweet potatoes; cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and carrots. Jacqueline, Elizabeth, and I drank Roc de Lussac Sainte-Emilion 2014, and Jackie and Ian a Charles Renoir Chablis 2014, both brought by Elizabeth. We finished up with Jacqueline’s Christmas cake. A little later we drank a toast with the Fortnum & Mason champagne from Luci’s Christmas hamper. My mother and sisters returned home at 9 p.m.

59 comments

      1. Oh, me neither, Derrick. I’m up at 6:00 am down at 10:00 pm unless there is something quite special going on. Listening to the farmers shoot their guns at midnight does not qualify as special. LOL – I sound like an old grumpy person. Let’s have a great 2018!!

  1. I think old signs like these need preserving and professional re-touching. Great shot Derrick. Now I have another on my list of things to shoot with a camera.

  2. I am, of course interested in the pictures and the writing on the wall but I am more drawn to the fact that you have dupytrons contracture. My husband has this too. And his brother in law. The standard of care in Liverpool was deplorable and Keith now has literal claw hands whereas my husband was offered radiation treatment in the USA which supposedly will halt the development of the condition and nullify the effects on his hands. You had surgery and I wonder how successful it was. Sorry to be nosy – as a side note, did you know that the condition on effects those with Viking ancestry.

    1. Not nosy, at all Osyth. I did know about the Vikings. Both my maternal grandparents were Northerners. The Dupuytren’s has gone, but one of the joints on the little finger is now rigid. If the contracture isn’t treated the fingers descend to the palm. I don’t have that possibility now.

      1. I was proud of myself. Backed up with another day of entertaining. Just finished cleaning up. That’s it. Introverted Gwen is in the driver’s seat now. Back to the solitary writerly world.

  3. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas and family get togethers Derrick, and its good to sit and just read,
    Sending you a toast, ? I am afraid I have no Champagne on ice . But I do raise my cup of tea ☕ to you and Jackie, Wishing you a Very Happy, Healthy, and Harmonious Year for 2018 and beyond my friend.
    Thank you for your wonderful visits and comments Derrick..
    Now I am closing down in a short while to prepare our own New Years Day Evening meal.
    Have a wonderful Evening..
    Blessings
    Sue 🙂

  4. I am always interested in sign- writing and old photographs of our towns and villages. With very best wishes to you, Jackie and your family for a wonderful new year.

  5. The photos from back then are interesting to look at. My aunt has given me many such photos of the town where she and my mother were born.

    All the best to you and Jackie in the new year, Derrick!

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