Lunch At Woodpeckers

On yet another warm and sunny day

Nugget offered the Head Gardener his usual unhelpful assistance, before we joined Mum, Elizabeth, Danni, and Ella for lunch at Woodpeckers.

We all toasted Mum who was on very good form. Everyone enjoyed fish, chips, mushy peas, and tomatoes – except that Mum donated her mushy peas, her tomato, and most of her chips to me, and Elizabeth gave Jackie her tomato. Red and white wine, water, and orange juice was provided, and roses from the garden stood in a central vase. Of the choice of desserts mine was pineapple sponge and caramel ice cream. Teas and coffees completed the meal.

As Jackie and I escorted Mum back to her room I was greatly relieved that my wife had been a professional in the task of transfer from seat to wheelchair and vice-versa.

Regular longer term readers will have seen my 1989 photocopy of the pastel portrait of Dad I made for the anniversary of his death over the night of 25th/26th December 1988 and the story that goes with it. The original hangs on our mother’s bedroom wall.

After saying goodbye to Mum, Jackie and I continued further into the forest concentrating on

Rhinefield Road and the Ornamental Drive.

This sunlit scene blazed from the forest on the way to Emery Down.

Matthew and Poppy arrived this evening and will spend the night. We dined on spicy mushroom pizza and plentiful salad with which I drank more of the Saint-Chinian and Jackie drank M & S Belgian Wheat Beer.

75 comments

  1. I went back to reread the story of how your dad helped you out with his portrait. It’s a fabulous story and I don’t know why I didn’t say something on that original post….. Maybe I didn’t feel I knew you well enough back then. I’ve had lots of unusual meetings, sightings, and incidents that make no sense so am personally at ease with those events that cannot be explained in terms satisfactory to a materialist. It’s a great portrait and taken alongside the photos that exist of him – one with fag in mouth – I can see you really captured a man about to cause a smile in others. It’s a wonderful way to be remembered isn’t it. I always enjoy seeing the generations gathered about your mum’s dining table too. The family unity and the photos are a great legacy for little Ella.

    1. Many thanks, Pauline. I am so pleased we know each other that much better now. I remember at the beginning you said some people stop commenting and that’s OK. You never have X

  2. Good time with those we love… Really beautiful shots, Derrick. And I see that Nugget’s profile is getting larger by the day; are you SURE you don’t have a book coming along? 🙂

  3. It is good to see you all out for lunch together. I would have loved the menu! Your Mom looks great!

    I love your ghost experiences on the earlier post. There are things in this world that Science cannot explain. We lack the tools. Beautiful portrait of your father. You are very talented, Derrick.

    A beautiful forest scene to top off the day!

  4. I always smile when I see your sweet Mum, Derrick. I’m happy you all had a nice visit. The forest if amazing! Love the green. Nugget would make a great puzzle…he’s so photogenic. 🙂

  5. The expressions of the oldest and the youngest in that gathering are priceless. Those woods look like the Forbidden Forests, and I have miles to go before I sleep…

  6. So good to see your Mum doing so well! What a beautiful family time! 🙂 I know Ella brings life and smiles to everyone! 🙂

    Jackie is a wonderful loving helper no matter what needs to be done. 🙂

    Your forest photos just take my breath away…and remind me of living in northern California. 🙂

    Was Nugget upset that you ate at Woodpeckers?!?! HA! Maybe he would have preferred you to go Red Robin (name of a restaurant here). 😀

    Your pastel portrait of your Dad is beautiful! I imagine it brings your Mum lots of joy and comfort.
    (((HUGS)))

  7. It was wonderful to see the views of your mother and family all together – sharing a moment of joy. It was very touching, and the portrait of your father is beautiful. As always, Nugget and his “unhelpful advice” made me smile. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

  8. Great to see all the generations enjoying life together – beautiful photos. Emma is a little star. 🙂

    I think that green tree is an Ent, with an eye, nose and mouth!

    Very interesting stories related in your 2012 post – there certainly are things in our world we have yet to explain or fully understand.

    Cheers to you both and cheeps to Nugget! 🙂 ?

  9. Four generations at the table? That is fantastic! Mum is looking great and having the family there must have added color to her cheeks!
    The forest has quite a canopy, doesn’t it? The darkest adds a touch of mystery.

  10. Such an eloquent photograph of the mossy green tree, Derrick. It seems to complement the tales from your earlier post, speaking of the mysterious and the unknown. And a beautiful family gathering which I’m sure was enjoyed by all.

  11. Your portrait of your father is exquisite. It always brings a smile when I see the generations of your family together, and a touch of envy when I see the forests there. They truly are beautiful.

  12. You and Jackie could give master classes in creating nice days. I recognized your father instantly, and thought how I recognize most members of your family after following for–not sure how long. Lovely mossy tree in the woods, too.

  13. Beautiful family gathering Derrick, a pleasure to view your moments, glad you provided the link back to your Fathers painting, a great read and one I must say, I tend to believe.
    Cheers

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