THE FINAL SINGLE PICTURE CAN BE ENLARGED WITH A CLICK OR TWO. CLICKING ON ANY OF THE OTHERS ACCESSES ITS RELEVANT GALLERY, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF WHICH CAN BE VIEWED FULL SIZE BY SCROLLING DOWN AND CHECKING BOX AT BOTTOM RIGHT
Jackie tells me that Becky spent months searching for a silver napkin clip, and, just in time for my birthday, found one by James Dixon & Sons Ltd from 1962/3. Presented to me by our daughter and Ian in the restaurant yesterday evening, this is intended to protect my shirts from spillage when I am watching Bargain Hunt on TV at lunchtime.
After said lunch today, I slept through most of the antiques programme and the news. Later Jackie drove us through the forest.
The fly-ravaged ponies and their foals sought shade from the heat wherever they could. This group of two mares and their foals at the corner of Burley Lawn sheltered in silence. The adults could not open their infested eyes, and their infants clung to the mothers’ flanks, seeking the breeze and screen created by the parental twitching tails.
At Chapel Haye, where a young girl brought out water, another group spilled across the road.
Ponies and foals drank from the dregs of the dried bed of Latchmere Stream at Furze Hill, and foraged on the sun-dappled banks.
The animal death count on this seven mile stretch of Roger Penny Way exceeded 120 last year. What, we wondered, were the chances of this little chap not making the list. Donkeys are apparently impervious to the heat, so he was quite comfortable on the tarmac.
This evening we dined on succulent roast chicken; herby sage & onion stuffing: Yorkshire pudding; mashed potato; Chantenay carrots; chestnut mushrooms; and runner beans. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Newboy.
Happy Birthday! Love the silver napkin clip 🙂
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
I never heard of a napkin clip–certainly a unique gift!
The eyes of those ponies–it made me sad to see them. That little donkey is adorable. I hope he/she survives.
Smith, you took the words right from me😊Happy birthday Derrick 🎉
Thank you, maw
Many thanks, Merril. I hadn’t heard of one either. The ponies certainly looked exhausted by the flies 🙂
I’d be looking to put some traffic cones around the little fellow on the road – and probably get hit by a car speeding by while doing so 🙂 Love the napkin clip – what a good idea!!
Very many thanks, Pauline
And when you no longer want it you can sell it on ‘Cash in the Attic’!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Andrew
Kudos to Becky on scoring the perfect gift! That donkey is so cute…his head looks large for his little body. I guess it’s like driving an obstacle course. 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. It certainly is an obstacle course – at least that road is a wide one – but it does enable people to go faster – the 40 mph permitted would kill
Happiest of happy birthdays to you. The napkin clip is a brilliant present and you have inadvertently prompted me to thinking about a story I should recant which might actually mean some activity on my own blog at long last (threat or promise? You make your own mind up!). The little donk is adorable but my heavens that is not at all a sensible place to lie. I do hope he survives.
Very many thanks, Osyth. I’ll be sure to let you know about your story 🙂
That clip is gorgeous!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Leslie
What a sensible and elegant gift. Happy Birthday, Derrick J. Knight.
My heart breaks for the thirsty creatures. May rain soon come and relieve them and gardens, too.
Thank you very much, Susanne
Happy birthday, Derrick! I was wondering what that silver thing was and turns out it looks pretty handy.
Thanks very much, Lisa
Thoughtful gift. Happy Birthday Knight
Many thanks, Flower
Oh, I hope the little donkey on the tarmac is not going to one of those stats. I adored all of your photos today, thank you Derrick.
Very many thanks, Ivor
Happy birthday again and wow what a cool gift! You look very well in that picture! That poor little donkey I hope it moves!
Many thanks, Lynn. I certainly hope it wasn’t there after dark
Yes me too
Maybe some motorist will stop and shake their fist at him and move him off the road. Unless there’s some silly by-law concerning things like that.
Thanks a lot, Paol. No such by-law 🙂
The little one is cuteness personified. I hope he does well and grows up whipping away a zillion flies in his lifetime.
Your silver napkin pin is a classic. Is it the gift that bestows a princely look upon you?
Many thanks, Uma. It must be the gift 🙂
What a wonderful, beautiful birthday gift from Becky!
Oh, Derrick, you look healthy and happy and handsome! Continued best wishes for your recovery!
Those poor ponies and their moms, and the donkeys! The heat is cruel! I hope they can find some relief…shade, water, no flies! Now I am worried about them! 🙁
HUGS to you and Jackie!!! 🙂
PS…Have you seen Russell Crow lately?
PPS…your delicious meal reminds me…I need to go by some more mushrooms!
Thank you very much Carolyn. Uncomfortable as the ponies are, they are very tough survivors. Russell took off while Jackie was away. She is most relieved really. X
Oh, he is off to live his life! That’s good! 🙂
Happy Birthday Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rupali
That’s a nice napkin clip. What a thoughtful gift. I just love your last photo. At rest on the road…haha!
Many thanks, Arlene
Happy Birthday, the silve napkin clip is very special! Lovely pony pony photos. 🙂
Thanks very much, Amy
Great present idea, looks like an antique too!
I felt so bad seeing the poor ponies and flies, is there nothing that can be done? And that small donkey – no one cares enough to stop and get him to move?
At that particular spot, GP, there are many animals on the road. Drivers must just be careful. I, too felt very bad about the flies. The field horses do have masks, but not the wanderers. Many thanks
Beautiful clip and thoughtful gift. It’s tragic the animal death toll, just tragic.
Thanks very much, Lisa. Some drivers have no idea
Happy Birthday Derrick. Certainly a hot one!
Many thanks, Sandra
Hey – many happy returns, Derrick! The cheque’s in the post… Glad to see the photos out and about…sorry I’ve not visited for a little while; I just can’t keep up!
Many thanks, Mike. Don’t worry about keeping up – just make sure the cheque is properly addressed 🙂
Happy Birthday, Derrick! I have never heard of a napkin clip–until now. I think my husband will be getting one for our anniversary, if I can find one:) Hoping the little donkey skedaddles out of the way. It would be a shame for him to be hit, such a beautiful creature.
Very many thanks, Cheryl. There are lots of clips on line
I am so worried for the donkey. What a beautiful animal. Love that napkin clip!
Thanks very much, Luanne. Hopefully the donkey won’t meet a mad driver
great gift and sad ponies…flies are horrid and I hope the little donkey made it through the day without incident <3
Many thanks, Kim
The animals seem to be really suffering… I hope the little chap survives the traffic.
Me, too, Helen. I trust he will. Thanks very much.
And happy birthday
Thank you, Helen
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Love the silver napkin clip ~ a special treasure.
x
Thank you very much, Melanie
Looks like a beautiful time you had with the ponies.
Always. Many thanks, Cathi
Oh!!! That face!
Yes. Thanks very much, Candy
I must see about getting one of those fabulous clips. I tend to tuck mine into my collar … and ignore those folk who place them delicately on their laps. I mean, what earthly good are they going to do there? 😀
What was funny was that I did just that in the restaurant before Becky gave me the present. That pleased her greatly. She said “Ooh look. He’s tucked it in like common people”. Thanks very much, Widders
That’s a lovely item from a time of more elegance. Also very practical if you have a tendency to decorate the front of your shirt whilst eating. 🙂
Very practical indeed 🙂 Thanks a lot, Quercus
A thin friend of mine tells me thin people put napkins on their lap because that’s where the food falls. Those of us with fuller figures catch it all on our shirts. Apart from those of us with beards.
🙂 Or those slouching before Bargain Hunt on the sofa. Incidentally that programme is now so dumbed down I only use it as a soporific.
Julia is trying to stop me watching antiques programmes because I shout at the contestants and in summer I can be heard through the open windows.
Jackie and I had a good larf at this 🙂
🙂