Today Jackie was mostly refurbishing and tidying pots and hanging basket plantings.
She has completed the Shady Path where all is now well, except for
windburn on this white lobelia;
and on this yellow tree peony whose healthy seed pods offer optimism for next year.
Beyond this small triangular bed before the wisteria arbour
Mrs Knight continued her work on the greenhouse area.
The life of the sweet peas on the kitchen corner could not be extended, but the tomato plant over which the force of the winds had flung them, has survived.
It remains be seen whether this hydrangea in the patio will recover from its blisters.
After lunch the Head Gardener applied herself to stripping out dead parts of the patio’s potted plants and tidying the rest.
Nugget assisted her in sweeping up – the disturbed insects, that is. For those readers new to the “Where’s Nugget?” feature or whose robins are different from ours, notably lacking the distinguishing red breast, there follows
a selection of portraits of our little gardener’s friend.
Now, can you see “Where’s Nugget?” (5), from when he joined us later on the patio for drinks.
Soon after I had begun to draft this post, Jackie came inside complaining that her little companion was not letting her get anything done.
This evening we dined on coriander and garlic coated chicken kebabs; Jackie’s spicy omelette-topped savoury rice; and moist ratatouille with our own runner beans. The Culinary Queen drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Garnacha Syrah.
I will now wait half an hour for the TV Channel 5 broadcast of the cricket highlights to finish so that I can watch my own recording advertisement-free.
Your last sentence sent me into peals of laughter. Merry Christmas, Derrick — to you, and to all who round your table go. Enjoy the rest of the celebrations.
Thanks very much, Linda. Your good wishes reciprocated
Cheers, Derrick! Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas.
Many thanks, Susan. And to you and yours
Have good one, Derrick. Merry Christmas.
Thanks very much, Frank. You, too
Yes. Different interactions and relationships. Breaking down barriers and simply enjoying our common humanity. Things move on, but the feelings remain.
Absolutely, Val. Many thanks
Nice memories of that lovely frenchman/road sweeper Absolutely understand the final sentence – it’s not 3.30 pm here and I feel ready for a good nights sleep – ten days of family carousing has quite exhausted me. Happy Christmas to you and Jackie and your splendid family – no matter what they drink <3
🙂 🙂 XX Thanks very much, Pauline
Yes can relate to that last sentence. Merry Christmas.
Thanks very much. You, too, Dad. Have a lovely day.
Merry Christmas Derrick
Thanks very much, Sylvie. You, too
?
Oh, how nice would it be if you could give your old friend a copy of the photo. I love your last paragraph reminds a bit of my post today, and how your comment makes way more sense now 🙂
https://reallifeofanmsw.com/2018/12/24/stop/
Thanks very much, maw. I often wish I could give people photographs when I don’t know where they live. Sorry that earlier comment was a bit too cryptic
Me to I have been cleaning photos off my iPad, phone and going through my photos albums, and thought sheesh I bet _ would love this image of them. ..
🙂
I like your friend. Reminds me of a bus driver friend I knew for a while.
Thanks very much, Sherry
I come to wish you a beautiful Christmas day.
You have all and everyone have a great time with family
Many thanks. You, too, Yoshimi
Happy Christmas to you and family, Derrick. Like shoreacres, I did laugh at your last sentence ?
Thanks very much, Helen. You, too
Thank you, Derrick
Merry Christmas, to you and Jackie! I laughed at your last line–that’s how I felt last night. It was a long day. 🙂
🙂 Many thanks, Merril
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/christ24-e1545734174610.jpg
“I’m past caring what the others drank.” And here is where I laughed so hard I nearly spit out my morning coffee on the cat sleeping in my lap! Merry Christmas, Derrick!
Many thanks, Cheryl 🙂 And to you
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU & YOUR FRIENDS AND WELL WISHERS.
Thanks sharing your wonderful thoughts.
REGARDS
HARBANS
Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas Derrick.
Merry Christmas to you and your, Derrick!
Merry Christmas, Derrick!??
Happy Christmas to you and yours Derrick!
Thanks very much, Donna. Your good wishes reciprocated
I hope that that there will be more from the sweepings of your archives to come.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. Still a few
Hope you had a great day Derrick!
We did, Gary. Many thanks
That broom must take some pushing. 🙂 Hope your hoovering was easier…
I was in grave danger of tripping over the wires and the body of the thing as I negotiated the stairs 🙂 Many thanks, Quercus
Never underestimate the difficulty of electric wires – I could write a book about my misadventures with wires and garden equipment.
🙂
He looks like a happy, efficient sweeper! 🙂
HA! your last line made me snort-laugh! 😀
Hope you all had a very happy Christmas! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…how is your Mum doing?
Many thanks, Carolyn. Mum is still in respite care home. Plan for her to return home with full time care. X
You’re welcome.
Thank you for letting me know about your Mum. I think of her and pray for her.
I miss my Mum.
🙂 Sorry about your Mum, Carolyn
Thank you, Derrick. She lived to be 97. She died a few years ago now. I was #8 of her 8 children. 🙂
She did well, then
I always thought there would have to be some use for a Frenchman, thank you for putting my mind at rest.
Happy New Year Derrick,
And to you and the War Office, Brian. Many thanks