On another gloomy morning I photographed the front garden trellis from our bedroom window, showing the pink climbing rose and touches of white solanum against a backcloth of red crab apples.
I had imagined this would be today’s post’s only illustration. Jackie, however, had other ideas. She developed the cold a day before I did and therefore had had one more day on which to become stir crazy and recover a little. She decided to take herself off to Otter Nurseries to replenish the birds’ fat balls, and it seemed churlish of me not to offer to accompany her. I kept my slippers on and did not leave the car.
On the way to the car I photographed this rather early iris.
Rainwater had settled across the lane at Flexford. As we rounded the bend we met a red car reflecting on whether or not to proceed.
The Thelwell ponies
grazed at the corner of Bull Hill while,
carefully avoiding the waterlogged section,
cattle nested in the woodland at Norleywood.
Ian returned from Emsworth this afternoon and later we all dined on Jackie’s wholesome vegetable soup and bread, on trays, while watching the excellent Green Book starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen. This is the true story of a black classical musician being driven around America in the 1960s by a white Italian from the Bronx. The men became life-long friends.
P.S. Our friend John Jones included this in a recent e-mail:
“Anyone who can draw well and be humorous at the same time is exceptionally talented. By chance the Friends of Southampton’s Museums, Archives and Galleries (which Margery helped to set up in 1976) will be having a talk on Norman Thelwell later this month. The speaker is Tim Craven, a former Curator of Southampton Art Gallery. No doubt we will hear a great deal about “small, fat, hairy ponies ridden at full-tilt by alarming young ladies”.”
Those ponies (ancestors) are so obviously the inspiration for Thelwell’s drawings. Marvelous to see them.
We have quite a few. Many gather at that particular corner. Thanks very much, Frank.
They’re marvelous. I enjoy seeing them.
I always enjoyed Thelwell and his ponies. My favourite though didn’t have ponies in at all but some very dissolute birds on a signpost. I hope that you are better next year.
We will be, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much.
I adored your photos of the Thelwell ponies….Thank you Derrick and happy New Year to you and yours…
Thank you very much, Ivor. And to you and your distant family.
Thanks for the introduction to the Thelwell ponies!
Thanks very much, Liz. They are really quite an institution over here.
I’m happy to hear you were feeling well enough to go out and take some beautiful photos. We enjoyed Green Book, too.
Happy New Year to you and Jackie!
Thanks very much, Merril. And to you and all your family.
Glad you and Jackie are both on the mend–no doubt you’ll ring in the new year feeling even better.
We were fast asleep 🙂 Thanks very much, Lisa.
Have a wonderful 2020
Same to you both, Mrs W. Thanks very much.
Thank you.
Those are beautiful ponies. Happy New Year, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Barbara. Your good wishes reciprocated.
Oh, delightful! They really are Thelwell ponies! Happy New Year Derrick and Jackie.
You, too, Pauline. Thank you very much.
We really enjoyed that movie. It was brilliant. Gorgeous photos of the ponies, Derrick. Happy New Year to you and Jackie.
Thank you very much, Sylvia; and to you both.
The artwork depicting ponies scrambling at breakneck speed augments my perception of those graceful equines. The red car is a metaphor of sorts of your present condition. Wish you both a supersonic recovery!
Thanks you very much, Uma. Perceptive as ever.
Is it raining there Derrick?
Not really, just very dingy, Arlene. Thank you very much.
✌
What a delightful array of pictures from your ‘gloomy’ day!
Thanks very much, Anne. Worth the effort, perhaps 🙂
Love the art drawings and photos – and the vegetable soup sounds good….
Thanks very much, Yvette. Just what the doctor (GP) ordered.
Oh those ponies. Loved the movie Green Book. Happy New Year to you and Jackie.
Thanks very much, Judie. You, too.
I would be tempted to try to pet those shaggy ponies, though they probably wouldn’t appreciate it. Happy New Year and good wishes to you and your wonderful family!
Thanks very much, JoAnna. People do pet the ponies, although it is not advised.
I am going to have to see that movie, The Green Book! Loved the ponies, as I knew I would.
That iris is a bit early, though so beautiful
Thanks very much, Lavinia. You will enjoy the film.
Happy New Year, Derrick and Jackie !
And to you, John. Thanks very much.
Those ponies are beautiful and precious!
So very glad you and Jackie are both getting better and feeling better!
I gave that movie The Green Book to a family member for Christmas! I love that movie/story!
Happy New Year HUGS!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. We agree about the film. X
So cute ponies! Thank you Derrick! And wish you a wonderful new year!
Thanks very much, Ribana
The cartoon is a great addition to the post ?. The red car’s reflection was definitely a good one!
Thanks very much, Helen
The ponies are so cute – Thank you, Jackie!
Derrick, get well soon!
Thanks very much GP – from us both.
Hope you’re feeling better. The photos are lovely, regardless. We haven’t seen Green Book yet. I’ve heard it’s good; although, my African American friends aren’t crazy about it.
I can believe that – it is, nevertheless an inspirational story. Thanks very much, Leslie.
What happened to the red car? Did it sink?
I have a day or two left of my man flu to cope with.
Went to a garden centre yesterday, they were selling spring bulbs at £1 a pack, some down from £20. We purchased hundreds of bulbs. Despite my desperate medical condition I planted them all straight away.
Such a good exercise, Andrew 🙂 I bought Jackie some for her Christmas stocking, with the intention of helping with the planting. Neither of us has been up to it. The red car moved to the side and watched us cross before trying it. 🙂 Thanks very much
Those ponies are so cute! I’ve never seen that movie but heard about it and need to put it on my list to watch. Keep getting better!
Thank you very much, Lisa.
Your pink roses still in bloom, 🙂 and yes everywhere has been so waterlogged I feel for the birds and animals who have had no shelter..
But we do have Spring to look forward to now Derrick..
Have a wonderful New Year my friend, may it bring you and Jackie much happiness, good health and joy…
Have a fabulous 2020 Derrick and thank you so much for all of your own kind comments over 2019..
Much love Sue 🙂
Thank you very much, Sue. Your good wishes reciprocated. X
🙂
With each year, changes will come. Wishes of positive changes for you and that life be good, and, each day will bring a smile to your face and all nice things.
Thank you very much, Kally. Your good wishes reciprocated.
Happy to hear you ventured into the dingy world to brighten ours; slippers and all! ? The Green Book was excellent.
Thanks very much, Rose
Just goes to show it’s always worth forcing yourself to get out and do something. 🙂
🙂 Many thanks, Quercus.
A gentleman always keeps his slippers on! 🙂 … glad you felt up to a bit of a pootle through the woods. 🙂
Thanks very much, Widders 🙂
Thanks for the Green Book recommendation and for the Forest images. Great to see all the local images and life in the Forest, particularly since I’ve moved. Hope you and Jacky get better soon.
Thank you very much, Sue.
Cute cartoon. Thank you for recommending the film; we have never heard of it and will undoubtedly enjoy watching.
You will. Thanks very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
Have yet to see that film…on my list!
Thanks very much, Cynthia