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Early this morning, Ross visited briefly to help Richard move the furniture back to the far end of the kitchen. Richard then set about building the bespoke cabinets and work surfaces. These had all been designed and cut to size in the craftman’s workshop. Clamps were applied to the sections; screws selected from the relevant boxes; the drill and spirit level employed;
and further refining cuts made with the chop saw, equipped with its own laser beam.
At lunchtime we left Richard to his work and visited Otter Nurseries café for lunch. My choice was ham, egg, and chips; Jackie’s was macaroni cheese, salad, and garlic bread.
We then took a trip through the forest. At Staplewood Lane
we experienced what must have been rerun of a 1950s cartoon. A paddle of ducks swam in a full ditch.
A scout, leading them across the road to Little Staplewood Farm, spotted a black and white cat advancing from a distance, and alerted its discombobulated followers
to turn back to the safety of the water, and cross the road when the coast was clear.
Sylvester, however, had sneaked into the farmyard and hidden under a Range Rover. He was not unnoticed by the guinea fowl, the geese, and other ducks who set up a vociferous alarm. One of the geese, in particular, was bent on saving Rome.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Y-XlLcRMU&w=560&h=315]
Towards the end of the day, before Richard carried out his customary spotless clean and tidying, he paused with a coffee and discussed with Jackie this week’s progress and plans for the next. She looks quite pleased.
This evening we dined on tasty fresh chicken and egg salad. I also enjoyed an excellent ham and cheese sandwich.
Staplewood Lane looks like it can make for a good horror story with all those empty tree branches. I imagine at night it can be so scary. Have a good weekend Derrick.
Many thanks, Andrew. Inspiration for a story?
Hey, good idea.
After running into that assortment of fowl on the farm, you can bet that cat won’t be visiting there again any time soon!!
Thanks very much, GP. 🙂
I Taut I Taw Another Great Blog Post
Many thanks, Ann
Tweety Pie has a lot to answer for. Great photos of the ducks – cute creatures, they seem smaller than the usual varieties, or are they just younger?
At no time did I see a puddy tat – those birds have better eyesight than me! It’s good if Jackie is feeling quite pleased with progress!
Just biggify them. Many thanks, Pauline
The ducks look cute, straight from the Looney Tunes 😀 Staplewood Lane seems to be a nice place for an outing… 🙂
Thanks very much, Maniparna
Good to see the kitchen taking shape and the fowl surviving the cat.
Many thanks, Peggy
Your kitchen renovations are coming along beautifully, even at this early stage they look good.
Many thanks, Ivor. This is real craftsmanship
Yes I can see, and following with great interest. I’m doing a complete bathroom renovation for a client now.
Thanks a lot, Ivor. I have thought of you when watching Richard
Lovely post dear 😊😊 Looks wonderful the renovations x x
Thank you very much, Capili
You are very welcome dear 😊😊 x x
I like the light and shadows on Staplewood Lane, Derrick. You know I always like your magical lane photos. 🙂
The ducks in the road made me think of “Make Way for Ducklings.”
I’m glad Jackie is pleased with the progress of the renovation.
Very many thanks, Merril
Progress looks great! Fun seeing the geese!
Thanks very much, Lynn
Such goings-on, as we would say in Maine.
I like your Maineisms, Laurie. Many thanks
Loved the whole cat/geese story. I had to zoom in on all so I didn’t miss a bit. That last, noisy goose was funny. So fun to watch your kitchen story. And no matter how enthusiastic you are, a ham and cheese sandwich doesn’t quite fit Jackie’s usual fare. lol Hope she’s enjoying the break from cooking.
Thanks very much, Jodie. She is, but when I suggested we go out for a celebratory meal when it is finished, she said the only celebration for her would be to cook a celebratory one. 🙂
Oh, excellent – she wants to get right down to it – I can see that. I bet it takes a while to get everything in the right place – so that first meal will be a trial run.
Chicken & egg salad, kind of mother and daughter then again if the egg came first………… daughter& mother salad. ❓ ❓ ❓
Aren’t those ducks delightful I just love ’em.
Jackie certainly looks pleased, one might almost say excited.
Why on earth did you photograph that breakfast? Looks positively ugh!
Thanks, Brian. Not everything in my day is good 🙂
Only one exciting day of many, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Diane
Such artistry coupled with practical knowledge makes the dream come true…love how that works! Was looking for more of that cat but they are fleet of foot! Good moments!
Thanks very much, Cynthia
I LOVE the shot of Staplewood Lane, Derrick. As for Jackie’s Mac and Cheese…it looks delicious!
Many thanks, Jill. I took that one especially for you 🙂
Aw…thanks, Derrick! 🙂
I always turn the hose on my neighbours’ cats if I have one in hand. They are always preying on birds and lizards. They know that they are not welcomed here.
Thanks very much, Mary
I’m afraid that I am no cat lover either, they do seem hell bent on destruction of birds and small mammals etc, but then don’t even need to eat them!
It’s their nature to hunt and maim.
That wooden chest of nails, and screws and other wonderful fastenings, I’m sure. is a thing of beauty. 😀
Isn’t it Just? Thanks very much Widders
I love seeing the progress of your kitchen. We had to buy a new dishwasher today. Our island needs repair and we need a new stovetop. I wish I could just redo the entire kitchen. Can’t wait to see the finished job.
Many thanks, Carol
The interlude presenting a taut sequence between the Puddy Tat and Da Ducks is hilarious! I couldn’t watch the video (not available here) but I kind of got the idea. Your space age kitchen is coming up nicely.
Many thanks, Uma. “Da Ducks” I Like. Sorry you couldn’t catch the recording.
Looks like things are shaping up nicely and good thing those Cafes are within easy driving distance for those meals.. Love the forest photos too.. And happy to see progress being made. It will be fantastic when completed.. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend both of you. 😀
Many thanks, Sue. You too
Love you anecdotes of the ducks and the picture of Staplewood Lane. It seems like a road less traveled.
You are right, Arlene. We have a few of those 🙂 Thanks very much
Sorry, “your” anecdotes I mean
Those ducks and guinea fowl look like Easter Lunch to me 😉
They may well be 🙂 Many thanks, Osyth
Having our kitchen redone is a dream of mine. We had our bathroom remodeled two years ago and we are so pleased. The kitchen is a different story as I’ve heard some nightmare tales. I’m not sure I could live with all that construction, although it seems as if yours is going smoothly.
Thanks very much, Janet. We had our bathroom done two years ago as well. We have been most fortunate in our choice of company for the kitchen
Yes, we got lucky too. They didn’t ask for a down payment or any money at all until the job was finished! Then they gave us 90 days to pay it off, interest free. We had them put on a new roof and siding too the year before with the same conditions. When/if we decide to do the kitchen we will definitely have them do it for us.
Excellent
Lots going on in your life! Never a dull moment, it seems.
We do our best, Leslie. Thanks very much
Those Ham Eggs and Chips look extremely fresh and appetising.
Thoroughly enjoyed that memorable rendition of great cartoon characters.
Many memories of childhood days.
Thanks very much, Ian. Me, too 🙂
Those renovations look amazing! I am hugely impressed with the choices the Chef and her husband chose! I saw on someone’s post it had been 50 years since your first marriage to Jackie! That is a little of combined history and beautiful memories made. 🎆✨
Very many thanks, Robin
The fun antics of the cat Sylvester and those uncoordinated ducks made me chuckle, Derrick! It was well told and humorous!
Thanks very much, Robin
Little was seriously a LOT of time. . . Oops!
Thanks a lot, Robin