Jackie took advantage of the early morning sunlight to photograph
a variety of colourful daffodils;
a striking range of hellebores;
a bee probing pulmonaria;
my dwarf azalea, still thriving after twenty years and several moves;
pale yellow primroses
and their brighter primula relatives;
mahonias,
companula,
wood anemones,
summer snowflakes;
and burgeoning tulips blending with light blue pansies.
When Jackie delivered my muddy red jacket to White’s cleaners last week she was diverted by the purchase of a weighty brass owl, now perched on a lurching post. Its relatives may be glimpsed throughout the beds.
We collected the dry cleaning this afternoon and went on to visit Mum, who, although not quite aware of the global nature of the pandemic, is certainly fully au fait with the precautions at Woodpeckers and the reason for them. Conversation included Spanish flu and the death of Mum’s aunt Holly.
We were required to wash our hands on arrival when our temperatures were taken and pronounced perfect.
As we approached Brockenhurst we spotted a contented pony enjoying the now familiar New Forest vichyssoise soup.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent cottage pie; crisp Yorkshire pudding, sweet potatoes, cauliflower carrots, and broccoli: and tender runner beans, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016.
I love all the photos! Of course you know I’m partial to the horses but I also loved those flowers. Thank you, Jackie and Derrick. I’m glad you were able to visit with your mom. It’s probably good she doesn’t know all about the craziness going on about it all! Sometimes ignorance is bliss!
Thank you very much from us both, Lisa.
Lovely flowers. A little sunshine creates a big difference.
The name of the soup is “cool”.
Many thanks, Rupali.
The flowers are stunning and so uplifting….just wonderful to see. Stay well.
You, too, Doodle. Thanks very much.
We really need such beautiful pictures right now. Thank you!
Thanks very much, Leslie
The second picture of the daffodil is lovely. Derrick, you’ve got some real competition now. Glad your mom is well and that you are still able to visit.
Thanks very much, Laurie. We are level indeed.
Such pretty flowers! You are putting me in the mood for spring. I like that owl – a great addition and a watchful eye 🙂
Thank you very much, Barbara
So glad you liked my owl! I was so pleased to find him in a charity shop.
A wise move 😉
We both liked this, Barbara. Loud laugh from Jackie.
I hope the jacket is now good as new!
Thanks a lot, Sheree 🙂
Some great flower photos – Jackie is getting better every day.
Strange how we are going through another pandemic – there is nothing new in history when you start looking at it. 🙂
Quite so, Quercus. Thank you very much.
Jackie did a wonderful job, and I love her new owl. I hope your mother is OK.
I laughed at “a contented pony enjoying the now familiar New Forest vichyssoise soup.”
Thanks very much, Merril. 🙂
Your blooms are so pretty and cheerful! Thank you for taking the time to take the photos and post them for us.
Much appreciated, Liz – by us both.
With all of the depressing posts on the virus this was truly a breath of fresh air. Thank you, Derrick. The photos are beautiful! I’m happy you were able to see your Mum.
Thanks very much, Jill
I am glad that you are able to visit your mum.
Jackie certainly spent a productive time with her camera in the morning. What a delightful show of colour.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
A lot of the senior housing facilities and nursing homes here are not allowing visitors. I read about one family standing outside to sing happy birthday to someone who was turning 100. I’m glad you and your mum are well. Thank you for the cheerful flowers!
What a shame, JoAnna. I expects we may come to the before it is all over. Thanks very much.
Oh my…perfect spring in your garden 🌸🌸 So so beautiful!
Many thanks, Ribana
I hope your mother was not too distressed by the current situation eliciting memories of her aunt’s demise.
She wasn’t, Dolly. It was history to her, because Holly died three years before she was born. Holly’s daughter, Ivy, was part of Mum’s, and our life. Thanks very much.
You are very welcome, Derrick. Be well and stay safe!
I was as taken with the collection of owls as by the flowers, but the variety of flowers really is astounding. It was fun to see the snowflakes in your garden, but I must say the anemones caught my eye, too. We have a native anemone that’s quite lovely; I need to share that, too.
Naturally I thought of you when naming the summer snowflakes, Linda. 🙂 Thanks again.
I am pleased your Mum is coping well with things and that you were able to see her. The flowers in your garden are beautiful!
Thank you very much, Clare.
Your gardens are lovely.
Than you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
What a delightful array of daffodils you have in your garden – as well as the other flowers.
Thanks very much, Anne
My favourite has to be the peachy daffodil.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Oooh, that’s mine too, very proud of them.
It is a good looker , a nice peachy blush!
The ponies having soup makes me smile. 🙂
Thank you, Jackie, for your beautiful photos of your beautiful flowers!
I like ALL of your owls! I like when they “photobomb” the flowers! 😉 😀 I love seeing the owls! And those pansy faces are so sweet!
<3 and (((HUGS))) to you, Derrick, and all of your family
Thank you very much from us both, Carolyn XX
Thank you sir for again brightening my day up.
Thank you, too, Gary.
Glad to hear you were able to visit your mum. Yesterday a woman here was seen in a nursing home celebrating her 100th birthday through the window, her family outside. Here the nursing homes are in lock-down.
Glad to see the pony enjoying the effects of the past storms.
And Jackie – your photos get better with each post!!
Thanks very much from us both, GP.
Glad to hear all is still well with your mother, and that you were able to see her. I loved Jackie’s garden photos, and her little brass garden owl, too. The forest drives and ponies are always a treat.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Spring is barely a thing here though this winter has been so mild that we have been sensing it’s onset for a couple of weeks now. But no flowers. No leaves yet. No blossom. It will come all of a frenzy rather like children spilling out of school into the playground on a sunny day. In the meantime, your pictures are balm to an impatient soul. And that pony vigorously swigging flood water is a perfect bonus!
Thank you very much, Osyth.
I just need to browse your photos to relax, Derrick.
🙂 I’m so pleased they have that effect, Lisa. Thanks you very much.
“New Forest vichyssoise” made me laugh – thank you for that! Here is to many more days of perfect temperatures – both human and otherwise. I do hope your storms have subsided – it certainly looks as if spring has finally arrived! Happy Spring, Derrick!
Thank you very much, Anna. I think the storms have passed.
Thank you very much for including us in this excellent idea, Lisa.
What a splendid Owl! 😀
Thanks very much, Widders
Hellebores! Don’t forget the hellebores. And I like the new owl.
Thanks a lot, John.
I liked the pink and white daffodil. I don’t see those in the States.
Thanks very much, Cindy
Beautiful photos, as always, Derrick! Glad you were able to visit your mom and that you’re all keeping well. 🙂
Thanks very much, Julie
Wow – the summer snowflakes are out. Is this normal (I think I put some in recently but if I did, the packet said they would be out in June)?
I’m glad you were able to see you mum.
Thanks very much, Helen. Ours are early
Okay – that explains it 😊
Those tulips peeking out from the pot caught me by surprise. Does Jackie have a real owl too?
All Jackie’s owls are virtual, but we do hear forest ones at night. Thank you very much, Uma.
I’m sure it’d be hard for you to pick garden favourites, you have so many gorgeous plants, but I really adore the white and pale pink daffodil. I must look for those at some point. Seniors care centre’s here allow only one designated visitor, who as you, must pass a few tests before entry. I think we’re a heartbeat away from lockdown unfortunately. But we’ve cobbled together some supplies that would hopefully last a couple of weeks or three. Good grief what a mess. xK
Mum’s care home is now in full lockdown, Kelly. Thank you very much
On a whim, I typed a search on Riskit into our digitised newspapers and immediately returned this article from1926. Not Holly – his second wife. . . https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186061378?searchTerm=“riskit”&searchLimits=
I hope your mum is keeping well. Obviously, living in an over-55s with nursing home attached, our lifestyle is very restricted at the moment