For most of a dull yet warm day I watched the Channel 4 broadcast of the soporific third Test Match between India and England.
Later, I scanned the next three of Charles Keeping’s illustrations to ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’.
‘Grinder’s lot’ are stilt walkers, who were popular entertainers during Dickens’s time. There are a number of modern agencies on the internet, such as https://hire-a-dancer.com/acts/victorian-stilt-walkers/ who provide costumed performers to recreate the experience.
The page was barely broad enough for the ‘Vagabond groups assembled to see the stroller woman dance’
In ‘The dwarf remained upon his back in perfect safety, taunting the dog with hideous faces’, Keeping has ensured that the taut chain restraining the frantic animal keeps it on a different page from its tormentor.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome cottage pie; bright Brussels sprouts, broccoli and carrots, with tasty gravy. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz. New Forest rhubarb and ginger, and salted caramel ice creams were our desserts.
Looks like India are on for their 2nd test victory
Yep. Tanks a lot, Sheree
😎
The dinner looks delicious. 🤗
Thank you very much, Sally
I suspect if you were Indian you’d consider the day rather thrilling…
🙂 Thanks for that, Geoff
Your meal looks delicious.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
I love the two page illustration of the dog and his tormentor. That is quite brilliant.
I just looked up “cottage pie” and realize I have just found something to do with leftover mashed potatoes. Love it!
🙂 Thanks very much, Jodie. In both our childhoods this was made from minced up Sunday joint lefties on a Monday.
Yummy! Does Jackie have a special recipe for her cottage pie. It looks like it must have a secret ingredient.
Nothing secret, Sylvia. Strong grated cheddar cheese and tomatoes on top. Sometimes she adds powdered cumin, but hadn’t done so with this one. Thanks for the visit.
and bay leaves
Thank you. I haven’t made this for ages, but your photo has whetted my appetite. 😀
🙂
The second illustration is packed with action; one can almost hear the music. Your dinner looks quite appetizing – my compliments to the chef.
Thanks very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Gosh, your dinner sounds amazing – especially the New Forest Rhubarb with ginger and salted caramel ice creams… who needs restaurants to re-open when Jackie can produce such a feast on a Wet Wednesday evening?!
Our rhubarb is still some weeks away from pulling… I shall have to use the time to find some Salted Caramel Ice Cream! 🙂
Thanks very much, Emma. “who needs restaurants to reopen?” Jackie 🙂
I’m sure!!
Figures that Quilp would taunt dogs.
Indeed. Thanks a lot, Laurie
An intriguing insight to that era Derrick, “‘Grinder’s lot’ are stilt walkers, who were popular entertainers during Dickens’s time.”
Thanks very much, Ivor
Jackie’s dish looks oh so delicious!
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
What a colorful dish! Looks yummy. Compliments to the chef…you’re a lucky man, Derrick.
I am. Thanks very much, Jill
Not been a great advert for Test Cricket.
Somewhat one-sided, too. Thanks a lot, Gary
that looks delicious, Derrick! yumm 🙂
Thanks very much, Lola
Those illustrations ☺️
The dinner sounds and looks delicious 😋
Thank you very much, Ribana
That Jackie’s recipe looks so yum🙂
Thanks very much, Arlene
The cricket result serves you right when you taunt us with that final photo! (So envious.) <3
Thank you so much, Yvonne X
Poor doggie, mean dwarf, fantastic illustrations and a wholesome meal in your cozy home.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Those are excellent illustrations by Charles Keeping! I like the stilt walkers. I could never do anything like that. I’d be on the ground in a minute. 🙂
Me too, Lavinia. Thanks very much
What a pretty and colorful plate. I am so tired of my own cooking. Jackie’s looks tastier.
🙂 Thanks very much, Judy
The match must have been ‘soporific’ to the core. Your deep boredom is evident in description of the fixture as a match between India and India. I’m not watching!
Charles Keeping’s illustrations have immense transporting powers to the time and place of the story, brought to our screen assiduously by you.
Oops. Thanks very much, Uma, for exposing the error my subconscious caused- it was of course all India. Now amended 🙂
I hate one-sided matches.
Me, too.
Wonderful book, tasty dinner! Not so sure about that match!
Thanks very much, Cynthia 🙂
One of my favourite meals.
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Stilt walkers have always fascinated me! That’s great illustration! And I love the dancing lady…her outfit, her expression, her movement, the joy she is bringing to others. 🙂
Your meal looks colourful and yummy! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn
The dancing woman is quite captivating, and your dinner plate is very colorful! Rhubarb and salted caramel ice cream sounds delicious.
Thanks very much, Merril.
Food looks delicious.
Thanks very much, Bridget
Someone had a vivid imagination when they drew these illustrations! That dinner looks delicious!
Charles Keeping was one of our greatest illustrators in my view. Thanks very much, Dwight
I agree!
That evening meal looks delightful. Bright sunshine in the east and the garden responding well. Otherwise a day to forget. I watched the cricket and winced and suffered a second day of negative reaction to the covid jab.
That is bad luck about the jab – perhaps it was the cricket 🙂 Thanks very much
The cricket was a disgrace. A test match pitch should last at least 4 days.
Agreed – and as a former fast bowler I was appalled at the dangerous foot holes our men had to negotiate. Apart from the likelihood of injury it must have bothered them and affected their rhythm.
Wonderful illustrations from the Master! Sorry about the disappointing cricket.
Thanks very much, Clare. At least the end was quickly merciful 🙂
The Keeping illustrations you chose to feature are particuarly striking. The strolling woman reminds me of Carmen from the opera. Your supper looks really, really good.
Thank you very much, Liz. Carmen – a good thought. These really were the next in the book.
You’re welcome, Derrick. Those illustrations just jumped off the page.
Delighful!