One of the benefits of a thoroughly wet day, apart from watering the garden, is that it gives an opportunity to finish reading a book such as
Apart from the evident foxing, this virtually unblemished dust jacket has protected and preserved
the gold embossed design on the cover of J.M. Dent’s first edition of the work for 66 years, 40 of which have stood on my shelves in various abodes. Even the desiccated spider which slid from between two pages as I opened them left no mark on the almost pristine leaves.
Mr Gibbings has treated us to another delightful ramble into his mind and his talents. He takes us along the river of Paris from its source to its mouth, diverting from his poetic prose descriptions into the realms of history, pre-history, geography, nature, geology, myth, and legend. We are treated to anecdotes picked up on the way; to the Bayeux tapestry; to relations between England and France, and even Quebec; to the Lascaux caves; to the art of Sisley and Monet. And much more. All this with effortless humour. The many wood engravings number more than 50.
As usual I have reproduced complete sample pages
in order that the elegance of both engravings and writing can be displayed.
When, after drafting this, I settled down to start on my next book, Jackie decided to offer an image of me “doing [my] research”.
On Sam’s stag day in December 2007, we toured the wine tasting establishments at Margaret River. I had enjoyed the samples so much that I enquired about the cost of shipping a case to England. It was prohibitive. I had no such problem with the superb bottle of Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 brought all the way from Perth by Mick and Gay on their recent visit. This was a superb accompaniment to Jackie’s chicken thighs marinaded in sweet chilli sauce; vegetable rice, and broccoli served for our dinner this evening. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden.
I can’t imagine what your collection is worth, Derrick. Have you ever had some come estimate?
No. Although at one time I kept an individual record. I paid £4.50 for this book in 1979. Thanks a lot, GP
I’m sure it’s worth a heck of a lot more now!!
Maybe 🙂
I’ve often wondered about this, as well.
That’s very valuable, great picture of you as well.
Thanks very much, Laleh
❤️
Your rendition of your rainy day makes suddenly me want one.
I’ll bet, Sylvie. Many thanks
Very cold in Nelson at the moment🙂
Is that a description of the paintings in the Lascaux caves that you have enlarged for us Derrick – it is wonderfully observational! It makes me want to read what he has to say about the more modern French painters you mention. Jackie’s photo of you in your reading corner is another delight to see – surely the dust jacket photo for your collected diaries 🙂 I wonder though should you be mentioning Jackie’s chicken thighs?
Quite right Pauline! My thighs are not for blogging!
Glad you got the chicken thighs joke, Pauline. Couldn’t be further from the truth – in a positive way. Yes – it was the Lascaux caves, which he, of course would have seen in the original – today visitors are given a facsimile. He has good descriptions of the more modern ones, too. I’ll soon feature what I was reading in the photo. Thanks very much
It looks like a day well-spent, and you look comfortable doing your research!
It was nice of Jackie to drink something else and leave more wine for you. 😉
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
🙂
YAY for a rainy day! And getting time to read! You look well and happy and cozy in your research-spot. 😉 🙂 I love when you share the books you have and/or read. And the illustrations are always a joy to pour over.
“Jackie’s chicken thighs”…I snort-laughed! 😛 I’m sure her thighs are not chickeny-looking! I’m sure they are quite beautiful!!! 😉 😀 Although, my Dad did have chicken legs! 😮
HUGS!!! 🙂
I’m pleased you got the thigh joke – you are right in your supposition. 🙂 Many thanks, Carolyn 🙂
Wonderful !
Thanks very much, Dennis
That looks like a perfect book for a wet day as you say.
Indeed, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
Beautiful, high quality illustrations, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
Looks like a productive day. You’re looking quite studious, Derrick. Great photo!
Many thanks, Jill
Such a lovely book!
It is one of a series, Becky. All lovely. Many thanks
That is as beautiful and lyrical an opening as can be possibly imagined. I am already headed to Amazon to pluck a paperback of the book, if available, or else I’ll try my luck on the Kindle.
You would definitely like him. Thanks a lot, Uma
Incidentally, that is a classy portrait that captures the vibrancy and magnanimity of the person complete in his environmental trappings. Kudos to Jackie!
Very many thanks, Uma
I, too, love the photo. Are those Birkenstocks I spy??? Good choice.
Well, I didn’t know that is what they are called. But that looks as if that is what they are. Thanks very much, Judy
I have a lot of experience with Birkenstocks, Derrick!
You seem lost, in such goodness.
The book is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, of which, more when I’ve finished it. Thanks very much, Cindy
the drawings (in ink) of this book are absolutely fantastic.
I still enjoy virtually (what a pity it is virtual) menus of the queen of the kitchen: D
When to your reading corner; I imagine so in winter near the radiator, a good book between the hands
Beautiful weekend
Very many thanks, Yoshimi
One of the very few days when our weather seems to have something in common, but alas i do not have something of comparable quality to spend my time with, certainly not in the figurative sense at least. 🙂
That fireplace of yours looks worthy of a photo story in itself and you look eminently suited beside it.
It is a sad truth that one of the few disadvantages to living here on the West Coast of Aus is the exorbitant cost of sending (or receiving) anything to anywhere else by post. (Something the Chinese seem to have completely overcome somehow??) it is a pity that Customs prohibit the entry of more than 2 bottles of the Margaret River produce to your country at one time… but at least they allow it!
Here’s to ‘research’ – Cheers! 🙂 🍷
There you go, Bob https://derrickjknight.com/2017/03/08/the-fireplace/
Many thanks
Much appreciated Derrick! 🙂
I hope your weather has improved today. It is bucketing it down here this morning,
Still gale force winds, but no rain. Thanks a lot, John
That research looks like very hard work Derrick! You look quite the quintessential Englishman sitting there. ☺
What a lovely book and the engravings are wonderful.
Thank you very much, Lesley 🙂
After three sunny days in Yorkshire I expected to come home and have to water the garden. Fortunately nature intervened!
🙂 Thanks very much, Andrew
Andrew, how did you manage to have three sunny days? That’s so unfair, maybe I should move to the East Coast! The day before yesterday we had torrential rain for most of the day and yesterday it began again after lunch, today it has rained non stop since around eight o’clock.
Wednesday we were in York and the sun shone now and again and by the time we got to Whitby it was glorious, on Thursday we had lovely weather in Robin Hood’s Bay and for a NYMR train ride to Pickering and on Friday we had good weather all the way south until we arrived in Lincolnshire. How wonderfully unpredictable is the English weather!
I have watched rain falling heavily across the fields and my house didn’t receive a drop.
Love all three places mentioned, and was just talking to Brian (Lord Beari) earlier about both York and Whitby. Brian said he had the fish n chips ever and best beer ever in York. I said my best fish n chips came from Whitby. Was the NYMR the steam train? Lovely journey that one.
Yes, the steam train, an excellent day out!
May you get dry weather soon, Sue
I actually don’t mind the rain if I have nowhere to go. Nothing better than curling up on the sofa, feeling warm and dry, a good book in hand and listening to the sound of the rain hitting the window panes!
Yes. The sound, too. Thanks very much, Sue
I like nothing more than finding a fellow book lover and also That pic of you sitting in the chair by the window reading is my dream of a perfect moment. Thank you so much! c
Thank you very much, Cecilia
Loved the share of your beautifully preserved book Derrick, and while you were researching these beautiful engravings I finished of the front of my sweater 😀 But Hubby was saved from watering the allotment..
Chatsworth calls tomorrow.. rain or no rain..
Enjoy your weekend Derrick..
And LOVED the photo of you sitting researching! 🙂
Many thanks Sue. I hope you enjoy Chatsworth
We will.. 🙂 Thank you Derrick
What a treasure, Derrick. The engravings are so perfect.
Thanks very much, Cheryl
What a wonderful book, Derrick! I have made a note of it and it has gone on my ‘to be read’ list. I also think the photo Jackie took of you in your cosy corner is a winner.
Thank you very much, Clare. You would definitely like the book. It is one of a series.
Thank you, Derrick.
What? No photo of the spider? 😀
I missed a trick there. Thanks very much, Widders
Such a cozy nook
to read a book,
in that ample
leather chair.
It might rain all day,
but with book in hand,
You really don’t
need to care
Cheers x Boomdee
X 🙂 Thanks a lot, Boomdee
The Culinary Queen! What a great title.
🙂 Thanks very much, Leslie
This book looks and sounds delightful. One to treasure 🙂
Thanks very much, Sandra