I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat

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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.

Ham, egg, and chips; macaroni cheese, salad, and garlic bread.

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.

Staplewood Lane

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.

 

70 comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

    1. 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. 🙂

      1. 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.

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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. 😀

  8. 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.

      1. 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.

  9. Those Ham Eggs and Chips look extremely fresh and appetising.
    Thoroughly enjoyed that memorable rendition of great cartoon characters.
    Many memories of childhood days.

  10. 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. 🎆✨

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