This morning I watched most of the second day’s play of the current cricket Test Match between England and Indian Channel 4. During the afternoon and early evening it was the turn of ITV’s coverage of the Six Nations rugby internationals between Italy and France; and between England and Scotland.
I am so grateful to my blogging friend Tootlepedal for tactfully pointing out an error in yesterday’s original title by letting me know that he could not find any primroses that it seemed the decent thing to do would be to nip out into the garden between sporting binges and
find some to redress the lack. They are a bit manky, but at least they are survivors.
After the rugby I scanned three more of Charles Keeping’s illustrations to ‘Little Dorrit’
‘Gowan seized the dog with both hands by the collar’.
The different natures of the two sisters were clearly pictured by the artist in ‘Fanny was so very much amused by the misgivings, that she took up her favourite fan’.
‘The Dowager Mrs Gowan drove up, in the Hampton Court equipage’.
This evening we dined on succulent baked bacon; piquant cauliflower cheese; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots, and tender cabbage, with which Jackie drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank more of the Macon.
Those primroses are beautiful. I love the colors.
And the illustrations are as expressive as the others. I like the women’s faces.
Thank you very much, Merril
It’s a better days for England cricket fans than it is for rugby fans. I won’t say more and spoil it for anyone who hasn’t seen the scores. Number Two Son tells me that he’s getting more into ice hockey and baseball – two sports where England have never yet embarrassed themselves or established new depths of disaster. 🙂
🙂 I thought you would have fun with this. Thanks a lot.
I had more fun writing about it than I did in the short piece that I watched.
Beautiful primroses!
Excellent primrose work today. Thank you. England need a plan B it would seem.
I’ll say. But Scotland played really well. It was good to see Richie Gray back in the jersey.
I agree.
The primroses are quite nice! I have one blooming up front that comes back year after year, its gift to me for rescuing it from where it had been set beside a dumpster at work 8 yeas ago, desiccated and discarded.
Gosh. That is an achievement. Thanks very much, Lavinia
Interesting drawings of the two sisters – as you say, their different characters so evidently illustrated – and reinforced by their different dress style.
The primroses, although winter scarred, are, indeed beautiful. One of their faces looks almost pansy-like.
I think it will be several more weeks before our yellow primroses brighten the banks.
Thanks very much, Emma. You are right to include the dress style. One has inner beauty.
That is one snarling dog!!
Yes. The sad thing is that that very mild dog was responding to the presence of the book’s most evil character – its senses prompting protecting of its master.. Thanks very much, Liz
I had a dog like that once, who was very protecive. She became a snarling ball of teeth and fur when strangers approached.
I was sure I had seen a primrose in yesterday’s blog, but alas, I guess not! I did see one in a garden center today and had to talk myself out of buying it. Your garden is so lovely. Cricket I know nothing about except that the players get very famous and are sometimes elected to public office. And what I’ve read in novels, where much tea is taken over the course of a very long game.
That about sums up the game. 🙂 It is especially worshipped in India. Thanks very much, Lisa.
I love the color of the primroses!
Thank you very much, Jill
Most interesting sketches, especially the details of the huge scary dog.
Thanks very much, Maj
oh derrick (and jackie) how does one thank thee for promises, Dickens and succulent bacon all in one post?
i guess this way
“many thanks”
🙂 And from us both to you, Yvette
and derrick – i am
going to use one of your Little Dorrit Keepings’ images in a post on my blog
–
hope that is cool
but the timing was perfect because trent and i are sharing about the book tomorrow
I’m pleased, Yvette. Thanks very much
great – will
add it in now – wanted to wait and hear back
There are many reasons I enjoy reading your blog: you take me to your part of the world, you share gorgeous photography, you let Jackie shine every now and then, you introduce me to places I would never be able to see without you, and you live in such a wonderful place and describe it so well with flowers, horses, birds, etc. But another reason I just realized is this: “They are a bit manky…” Your vocabulary enchants me. What the heck is manky? I love it!!
Thank you so very much for all this, Jan. Manky is dirty and unpleasant, and by extension smelly, nasty etc. Anne’s comment below states that the word is used in South Africa. X
The first illustration is truly magnificent. Mrs Gowan’s “exclusive equipage of many proprietors” is suitably depicted, and the difference between two sisters is clear not only in their facial expressions, but also in the flowing lines of Fanny’s skirt.
P.S. Primroses are lovely.
Including the skirts in your observation is insightful as always. Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Colorful primroses 🌸
Super delicious dinner 🥘☺️
Thanks very much, Ribana
I saw green in the brown in one of my flowers.
It occurs to me that I’ve never seen either a Rugby or Cricket game, and know nothing about either one. I’m a little better with primroses — you’re are beautiful, even though a bit worn. It’s hard for a flower to remain prim when constantly assaulted by the weather.
Thanks very much, Linda
Thanks for keeping me in the company of Mr Keeping.
🙂 And thanks to you, Uma
Delightful reading – manky is a word put to good use here too.
Thanks very much, Anne
🏴
They completely outplayed us 🙂 X And Jackie is cackling
Petite primroses promote prettiness, pleasantness, peace.
🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Love that dog. He’s captured him perfectly, all that anger and ferocity.
Thanks a lot, John. In defense of his master from a deceptively evil character.
Great illustrations.
Thank you very much, Rupali
The illustrations really are brilliant.
Thanks very much, Sue
Your primroses look about the same as mine outside Derrick, probably all the rain we have been getting! 🙂
Yes. Thanks very much, Agnes
I wondered about the primroses, too. Thank you for the pretty survivors and for teaching me yet another fun, new word: manky.
🙂 And thank you, JoAnna