Jackie managed to squeeze herself into a ball to sit on her kneeling stool underneath the red Japanese maple this morning in order to dig out clumps of allium triquentrums. Don’t be deceived by the visible sunlight. I was, and went to visit Mum without a jacket. It was cold.
My mother had quite some difficulty hearing us today from behind the screen. She finds my pitch more problematic than Jackie’s higher one. She was, however, in good spirits, and got my jokes, which my wife claims takes some doing.
After lunch we took a drive into the forest.
Jackie parked beside Royden Lane and decanted me so I could photograph
the surroundings, including the sawn stump of a tree that must have blocked the road when it keeled over; a stream flowing through the woodland; and a sun-dappled field horse beside a deep dry ditch spanned by another fallen tree.
The bluebell woods on either side of Church Lane are becoming dusted with their familiar haze.
The newly surfaced lanes of East End were no deterrent to donkeys trimming the hedges.
Two windsurfers could be seen against the backdrop of the Isle of Wight from the shingle beach at the end of Tanners Lane where
a young woman stood engrossed in her mobile phone while her charge attempted to scale a post.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome sausage and mushroom casserole; creamy mashed potato; crunchy carrots; and firm cauliflower, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Western Cape Malbec 2020.
It sounds like a good day that ended with a splendid dinner.
Thanks very much, Robbie
I love the wood photos, it looks so peaceful there with the little stream slowly flowing. The newly-paved lane looks like a tar and gravel surface which is also used here. Have a lovely weekend, Derrick. ☺️🇬🇧
Thank you very much, John. You, too
did you ever tell me where the donkey and horses come from?
The donkeys and the forest ponies are all owned by commoners (long time residents) with pasturage rights. They stay outside, roam free, and have right of way on the roads.
I hope that soon you will be able to visit your mum without the screen between you! Your drives through the forest always intrigue — I love the stump, and the stream, and the donkeys do a great job of keeping the hedges trimmed! Windsurfers and families on the beach are also always good photo subjects!
Thank you very much, Janet
I haven’t seen my Mum for six months but she is coming to stay for a few days next month.
I hope all goes well. Thank you very much, Andrew
That pony wants to know what you’re lookin’ at. And you certainly weren’t going to deter the donkeys from the afternoon meal!!
Mum is still looking good. Give her my best on your next visit.
Will do. Thanks very much, GP
A delightful variety of topics and scenes. I am so glad you could see your mother!
Thank you very much, Anne
Another moment of peace and joy shared with the world. I just enjoy reading your posts every time. Be well and give hugs to Jackie!
Will do, Sofia. Thank you very much
Everything that one could want in your daily life, a wide range of encounters -both family, other random humans, nature and of course the familiar roadside munching animals. Followed by the culinary queen’s evening delight….
Thank you very much, Catherine
You are right, the sunshine is deceiving, freak weather when hailstones fall simultaneously with the sunbeams.
I’m glad your mother was in good health.
Thanks a lot, Sue
It will be so lovely when the screen does not have to feature… though your mother does look in very good spirits.
Jackie’s determined campaign against those pesky Alliums reminds me of the quote:
‘A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink!’
– My battle with the dandelions in the lawn also continues 🙂
Two strong women, then. 🙂 Thanks very much, Emma
Sun-dappled indeed
Thanks a lot for appreciating that, Sheree
Pleasure as always Derrick
I’m so happy you entertained your Mum a bit today, Derrick. She looks great! Thanks for sharing the gorgeous photos.
And thank you very much, Jill
At last, the flesh that shall go unnamed is finally done with. I no longer need avert my eyes from the description of your evening repast.
By the way, what is your typical breakfast?
None. We have brunch of salad and a sandwich at midday. In days gone by it would have been a fry-up. Thanks very much, Yvonne. (the rest of the jalfrezi – did you notice I spared you the offending word at the second and third sittings? – is in the freezer. Thanks very much, Yvonne
You are very gracious to spare my delicate feelings!
🙂
Haha .. I enjoyed your photos of the Donkeys, on this lazy Saturday morning.. after a much needed 12 hour sleep.. the casual attitude of the donkeys seem to suit my mood … thank you Derrick ,..
And thank you, Ivor. 12 hours is a very good sleep.
Hopefully another good sleep tonight too…
That sounds like just my sort of meal.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
I love the bluebell wood! Your mum looks as though she is fully recovered from her throat ailment?
She has. Thank you for remembering, Liz
It’s cold here too and raining. Have a great evening.
Thanks a lot, Bridget
And a good time was had by all.
Thanks very much, Pat
I love the tree photos. So miss walking in the woods and forests.
I wish it could be possible again, Gary. Thanks very much.
Jackie has presented an unannounced ‘Where is Jackie?’ moment in the first picture. Your Mother appears constant like the Northern Star. The donkeys on the newly surfaced roads make for pretty pictures. The child is unaffected as yet by universal addiction to mobiles.
So observant, Uma. I nearly called that photograph a Where’s Jackie? 🙂 Lets hope that little boy continues adventuring in reality. Thanks very much.
I loved seeing your Mum’s smile, the patch of blue bells among the trees and the sparkling light along the woodland stream. Jackie certainly is tenacious.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Gardeners have to be flexible!
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie
Your mother looks like she’s having a good time. I’m surprised that she has more trouble understanding your low voice that Jackie’s higher voice. A low voice is easier for me to understand. But maybe I’m thinking of singing. A soprano can be hard to understand.
Thanks a lot, Nicki. Jackie, who spent her working life as a carer, found the lower tones were more difficult for many of her clients to hear.
Glad you got to see your beautiful Mum! 🙂 I hope life will soon be where you can give her a hug!
I imagine most men have had the experience of the women in their lives rolling their eyes at the jokes told! 😉 😀 😛
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks a lot, Carolyn. Sometimes they don’t even roll their eyes 🙂 X
I was much amused to see the lane full of donkeys.
How long will you need to speak to your mother through the wall do you think?
Next time we may be able to use the garden, or even her own room. Thanks very much, Helen
That would be good!
The first photograph is a stunner!!
Thanks very much, John
Your mother looks good, Derrick. Perhaps her hearing is selective. 😏.
I like the sun-dappled field where it looks like the pony just magically appeared. Those donkeys have such sweet faces. They must do a great job of hedge trimming.
I think highway maintenance in the New Forest must be on a very low budget. Perhaps Mum does have selective hearing 🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick. 😀
Good see your Mum and I love the little one the last shot.
Thanks very much, Rupali. I was pleased with that one, too
“Jackie parked beside Royden Lane and decanted me so I could photograph” What a delightful description! Loved the images of your Mum. Please share with her that a retired couple from the States are so glad that you can visit each other.
Will do, Maj and Sher. Thanks very much
Perhaps it’s a measure of how addicted to ‘devices’ we’ve become that only one other person even mentioned it. Personally, I wanted to hiss at that mother, “Put that [expletive deleted] thing away and pay attention to your child.”
I’m not sure a cover like this would be published today.
Thanks very much, Linda. You got my point. An insightful cover.
Lovely to see your mum smiling. It is hard when you can’t hear, for both sides, and the screen makes it harder. I loved the second to last picture of the child scaling the post.
Thanks very much, Susan
Your mother looks wonderful, Derrick, and very happy!
I loved your forest photos, especially the donkey hedge trimmers. They are hard at work. 🙂
Thank you so much, Lavinia
It is cold here too this morning, sunny and clear and right on freezing at sunrise.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
Love reading your daily ramble.
I’m pleased, Sherry. Thanks very much.
Being hard of hearing I find most men’s voices fall into a frequency range that’s hard for me to hear clearly.
Love the ‘Where’s the Head Gardener’ header. 😀
I find people’s obsession with their ‘devices’ rather sad when surrounded by such beauty as the seaside.
I agree with you on the devices. They are everywhere in the countryside and the beaches. Thanks very much, Widders
Your Mom looks very happy to see you, Derrick. We got a notification from my MIL’s care home that the residents will now be allowed out to visit with family. I suppose now that everyone is vaccinated, they think it’s safe. Well done to Jackie for turning herself into a pretzel in order to do battle with the pesky allium triquentrums. Gorgeous outdoor photos as always.
Thank you so much, Sylvia
Fabulous dynamic photos of windsurfers riding choppy waters, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Wonderful photos as always, Derrick! My mother-in-law found my husband’s voice difficult to hear in the last years of her life so I suggested he raise the pitch of his voice when he spoke to her on the phone. This worked well and Joyce was unaware that he had changed his voice just for her. We called it his ‘Alan Ball’ voice and was quite amusing to listen to.
🙂 Well done him. Thanks very much, Clare
🙂
The donkeys and the forest ponies are always a treat to see. Thank you for sharing your day with us, {{{Derrick}}}. I’m glad you were able to go and visit your mum. I bet she appreciates that!
Thanks very much, Jan
Looks like Jackie’s working hard. I’m sensing a developing pattern in these posts…
🙂 Thanks a lot, Quercus