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Leaving Elizabeth house and dog sitting, the rest of us spent the morning in Burley. It is amazing how much time can be occupied in scouring a few tourist shops in a village with a reputation built on mythical witches.
Even before reaching the fudge shop in the alley linking the car park with the high street, everything on offer had to be explored. Samples of their produce were handed out outside Burley Fudge, next door to which a vast number of different New Forest ice creams were on sale. Jackie disappeared into
Witchcraft
and returned with two witches who stood cackling on the alfresco table guarding our fudge and ice cream.
I had sat on a picnic bench seat while the first row of outlets had been explored. In order to transfer to the ice cream parlour I needed to be hauled to my feet by two strong young ladies.
While the rest of the enchantresses’ attractions were being carefully combed, Jackie and I sat on a bench near the war memorial.
A splendid chicken circling our seat craned its neck hoping to catch some of Jackie’s fudge, whilst its rooster crowed from a nearby fence. In his eagerness to photograph the cock, a foreign visitor, unfamiliar with cattle grids, put a foot through the bars, filling his shoe with muddy water and receiving an earful from his wife.
Across the road the Cycle Hire establishment was exceedingly busy. Traffic streamed down the street, making it extremely difficult for a couple with two small children carried with them on specially designed bikes to return their rented equipment.
Danni and Andy joined us later in the afternoon and joined in the general merriment. The eight of us dined on Jackie’s superb steak pie; crunchy carrots, cauliflower, cabbage; and creamy mashed potato. This was followed by apple, apricot and blackberry crumble with ice cream or cream. The girls had picked and washed the blackberries this afternoon. Red wine, Hoegaarden, coke, and water were variously consumed. I drank a Parra Alta Malbec 2016.
Well, if you have to be hauled, those are two of the most delightful granddaughters to do the hauling!!
🙂 Many thanks, Pauline
My grandchildren are always turning to me and saying, “can you hold this for me?” Which is why I wear a backpack when they’re with me!
🙂 Thanks very much, Sweaty
A busy but I’m sure greatly enjoyed day, Derrick. Well described and illustrated.
Thanks very much, Roland
Great photos, Derrick! Your expression is priceless!
Thanks very much, Jill. I was surprised that they really could lift me 🙂
Oh, that photo of you and your granddaughters is perfect; funny and sweet and full of love.
Your face is priceless; and so are theirs. They are clearly having a grand time.
I have visited your family tree enough to think I might know what is going on here – let me try. So, your daughter, Louisa, named one of her girls after her mom, Jessica. Is that right?
Right, Jodie. Astute as ever. Very many thanks X
: )
Delightful post, Derrick. I agree with Jodie about the photos of you and your granddaughters. I like the chicken trying to get your ice cream and fudge. I don’t blame the chicken! 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril
: )
What wonderful photos, Derrick! I got a laugh seeing the peering, peeping chicken! But, I especially love the photos of you with your beautiful granddaughters! The smiles are priceless! The memories being made with them are priceless, too!
Thank you for being a great and good grandpa! I wish all children had wonderful grandparents! Your grandchildren are blessed to have you and Jackie in their lives! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn 🙂 X
What a great day!!!! Loved your telling of it!
Thanks very much, Gael
I guess the granddaughters we’re the beneficiaries of Jackie’s merchandise of fudge and witches. You certainly seem to have had a great time out there. As for the foreign tourist, indiscretions have their rewards.
Thanks very much, Uma. The children received the witches. We all enjoyed the fudge – although I only had one piece – too sweet.
What cute photos of a happy family!
Thanks very much, Luanne
Wonderful, wonderful picture of you and the girls!
Very many thanks, Laurie
Hilarious and beautiful picture of you.
🙂 Pleased you thought so, Byung. Thanks very much
Sounds like a lovely day!
Thanks, John. It was. Exhausting though 🙂
What a wonderful, unusual attraction!! A town about witches – only in England, eh?
I guess so, GP. Thanks very much
What a fun day out with the kids! Thanks for capturing the moments. Good to see you on your feet Derrick!
Thanks very much, Val
Better to be helped than to be faced with the request – “Can you carry me granddad?”
Too true. To think I once did that 🙂 Many thanks, Andrew
Every old fellow need two young friends to help them get up from a low chair. Either that or all chairs should, by legislation, be at least six inches higher than they are.
Many thanks, Paol. I’ve thought that about chairs all my life 🙂
How kind of those two young ladies to haul old grandpa to his feet. 😀
Many thanks, Widders 🙂
Wow what an interesting village! That dinner must have been amazing!
Certainly – on both counts, Lynn. Thanks very much
I love that expression on your face as you’re getting hauled up. So glad you got to have this adventure. The girls are beautiful.
Very many thanks, JoAnna
Believe it or not, I have a collection of kitchen witches hanging in my kitchen (they protect the food and scare away evil spirits). I’d love to buy one of the witches in the store to add to my collection. Is there a name and address for the store? If you don’t have it, no worries!
Here is a link, Cathi : https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=bGOJW9m9HMuMgAbAhqlA&q=witchcraft%20shop&oq=Witchcraft&gs_l=psy-ab.1.7.0l10.4570.8496.0.17114.10.10.0.0.0.0.104.740.9j1.10.0….0…1.1.64.psy-ab..0.10.737…0i67k1j0i131k1j0i131i67k1.0.zqoEZhfbdkE&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=51256728,-852573,76004&tbm=lcl&rldimm=5305504336930272106&ved=2ahUKEwj26pmA2ZfdAhUqK8AKHQgdAOEQvS4wAXoECAYQKw&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10#rlfi=hd:;si:5305504336930272106;mv:!3m12!1m3!1d1385792.0712567158!2d-1.121712!3d52.092777!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i379!2i424!4f13.1;tbs:lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:10
That looks a bit unwieldy. If it doesn’t work, let me know
Oh wow! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to add a new witch to my collection!
A good thing that young ladies tend to be strong.
🙂 Very many thanks, LL/PS
Wonderful! Delightful granddaughters and amazing witches. Sounds like a perfect day.
It was lovely, Cheryl. Many thanks
Time for a trip to your tonsorial artist
So right, Brian. As you know, it has been done. Very many thanks
Precious moments and Jackie cooks so many wonderful dishes:) I wish you would write about her vegetarian dishes 🙂
Thanks very much, Lakshmi. Maybe, one day 🙂