On another overcast morning, Jackie drove me to New Hall Hospital for a physiotherapy appointment with Vanessa. Despite my lack of exercise for the last month, the verdict was still encouraging. A little further work is to be done on the muscles surrounding the replacement knee, but I am apparently doing well.
On our return home, we drove through Hale where
somnolent ponies slumbered around the green, and
a pair of cheery thatchers applied their skills to crowning a cottage roof. They work for Chris Gaussen, and tell me that posing for photographs comes with the job.
My choice of Tesco’s delicious Indian delights for this evening’s dinner was chicken vindaloo; Jackie’s was butter chicken. Both came with pilau rice.
Nice to see thatchers at work. I wonder if they got their jobs via Reed Employment. Off to do a curry myself – vindaloo is much too hot for me, though!
Many thanks, Mike. Like your pun – did you rush off for your curry?
Now, that would have been the last straw. Presumably, that’s what the thatchers say when they finish a job.
🙂
So glad your knee is doing well! Love seeing those thatchers. How photogenic they are!
Aren’t they just! Thanks very much, Laurie
Happy Thatchers. Love them.
Indeed
Some very interesting images. I have never seen thatching on a cottage roof.
Many thanks, Rupali. There is much of it in this area
Derrick, our search roofs popular in your area? And do they insulate well? Leading a thatch roof looks like quite a chore. I still get a chuckle out of seeing the horses lying around wherever they want and not being fenced in. And I just realized I’ve violated Winston Churchill’s rule about ending a sentence with a preposition. I better stop while I’m ahead.
Thanks a lot, Steve. Thatched roofs are very popular and must be maintained. They can last for hundreds of years, needing renewal after about 30 – the new is placed on top of the old, keeping the history of the house. If they are completely replaced it must be with thatch
Fascinating. I like that. Keeping a bit of history. So, are they good insulators? Must be if peeps use them. Very romantic!
I think they are
Those horses are too darn cute! I like that one sprawled out in the middle of the field haha. Making himself at home! I’m so glad to hear your knee is doing better.
Thanks very much, M.B.
I was wondering if that sprawled one was a SHE – and pregnant. That belly looked a bit awkward.
Possibly
After this week…I’m feeling like I need to join those horses. Glad to hear your knee is doing well, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Jill. I trust you can relax over the weekend
I very much enjoyed the cheery thatchers – great to see a gal up there too!
I thought it was a gal at first. Actually a lad, with hair. Looking closely, I wondered whether they were father and son. Thanks very much, Pauline
Now see, I wondered that immediately after I posted my comment and went in for a closer look. Even biggifying I couldn’t be absolutely sure but swayed towards a young chap. I hope he doesn’t read this post and take offence. Blame it on me being old and doddery 🙂
Jackie says the answer lies in the body shape 🙂
Great photos. Hope the leg keeps improving
Many thanks, Dad
I am glad that the knee is going well.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
The horses along your ride looked tired.
They were very sleepy everywhere, Gary. Thanks a lot
This winter, I have seen reeds being cut for thatch in Norfolk on Dina’s blog and now this lovely photo of thatchers at work. It certainly is an art. I’m glad your knee improves, probably helped by all the curry!
Thanks very much, Lisa. We have reed beds near us. I’m sure curry reaches the parts other cannot 🙂
It is amazing how often you eat Indian food. It used to be my favorite but it’s much rarer that we eat it. By the way, have you had Burmese food? Not sure if Myanmaran is a word.
Thanks very much, Luanne. Indian is a firm favourite. I have not tried Burmese, although I would if I saw it
We used to have a Burmese restaurant near us. The owner was SOOOOOO nice. And the food was amazing. It is a cross between Indian and Thai food. IMO, the best of both!!!
Good morning Derrick!!! Nice post and good news!!!!
The Thatcher
I talked with him upon the bridge,
A thin man bent and old,
“I crowned the roofs with gold,” he said’
“I crowned the roofs with gold.”
The glen had held him all his life
And it would hold him ever,
This weather-worn philosopher
Who watched with me the river.
The water, darkening at the bridge,
Flowed at its sleepy will,
And half-way up the mountain side
The oats were golden still.
He turned and watched the whole long glen
And I went with him watching.
Our eyes could strip the slates away
And I could see him thatching.
He’d lie up there the summer’s day,
His wise hands working over
The homely bundled oaten straw
That made the golden cover.
His small fork tucked the handfuls in,
Like little oat sheaves sleeping.
He’d guard them sweetly, safely, with
The sallies he’d been steeping.
And winds might blow and rain might fall,
His roof was warm and tight,
A benediction in the day,
A blessing in the night.
“The slates,” he said, “are useful things
But doleful to the view,
The glen without the thatch is not
The glen my boyhood knew.
I’d like to see the sunlight slant
Again on golden gables,
For the slates are cold as tombstones
But the straw was warm as cradles.
They paid for something more than all
The hours of work I sold –
For glory’s light in grudging fields.
I crowned the roofs with gold.”
Peter Brugge
What a marvellous poem, Efi. Thank you very much indeed
Thank you Derrick so much, delighted you enjoyed it!!
A lovely poem to share on World Poetry Day!
So glad you are healing/recovering nicely knee-wise, Derrick! 🙂
Love the Smiley Thatchers! 🙂 They do beautiful work!
I hope those ponies are having sweet dreams! Nap time is not the time to horse around! 😉 😛
HUGS!!! 🙂
I won’t bridle at your pun, Carolyn. Thanks very much 🙂
HA! 😀
It is always interesting to see Thatchers at work but not many thatch roofs around Grimsby!
🙂 Thanks a lot, Andrew
Great to hear your knee and appetite are recovering well. 🙂
“… Two Thatcher’s Thatching and a Po-ny passed out in a pas-ture!!!”
Is it Christmas yet?? 😉
You make it look like it 🙂 Thanks a lot, Bob
I love to see thatchers at work though I’ve never seen such cheery ones as you discovered! I’m pleased all is well with your knee.
Thanks very much, Clare. I’m getting back to exercising
Terrific post!! Ponies and thatched roofs, character and grace!
Very many thanks, GP. That little village green offered the complete post
England may be small, but you pack a lot into it!
🙂
I’m pleased to hear you’re knee is doing well. Lovely somnolent ponies. 🙂
Those thatchers are very cheerful–and I agree, photogenic, too.
Thanks very much, Merril
I have never seen a roof like that
Thanks very much, Mrs W. They are everywhere in this area
That is neat
I had been told that horses died if the lay down but obviously that is untrue!
Yes 🙂 Thanks very much, Helen
Great job with the photo of the thatchers!! I would love to see them at work, since I’ve only seen the finished product. Maybe Tara and I will get a chance during our trip to Ireland coming up soon.
I hope so, Crystal. Thanks very much
Good news about your knee – I trust it will only progress faster now that spring is here and things are calming down. I LOVED that photo of the thatchers. What awesome guys they must be to pose like that.
They are indeed, Jodie. Thanks very much
<3
Happy thatchers and peaceful ponies … put a smile on my dial, that did. 😀
Jolly good. Many thanks, Widders
Glad to hear the new knee is doing well, Derrick 😊
Thanks very much, Julie
Thatching is a determined shift to Nature. Those cheerful chaps are a photographer’s delight!
They really made the post, Uma. Thanks very much
I’m glad to know you are healing well. That roof thatching looks fascinating! I didn’t know people still did that! Good for them!
Thanks very much, JoAnna. We have many master thatchers
Keep up the good work on the physio Derrick and hope you head for a complete recovery, great colourful pictures, he horses look in excellent shape and contented, stark contrast to our cattle here in Australia, definitely no drought over your way.
Cheers.
Thanks very much, Ian
The thatchers could use your picture for advertising 🙂
They really could. I gave them the link to the blog. Thanks very much, Inese
I’m pleased you’re making positive progress Derrick.
Thanks very much, Roland
Glad your physical turned out well. And the thatched roofs are charming. We just don’t have those here.
Tanks a lot, Leslie.
I love animals so much!
Thank you, gsnprog