It was just about warm enough on a not very bright morning for us to visit Mum in the
beautifully designed, planted, and well maintained, garden at Woodpeckers this morning.
While waiting for my mother to be wheeled out I enjoyed a conversation with the gardener who works on this plot with the help of a group of volunteers.
Our visit lasted an hour with much more to talk about than is possible inside and through a screen. There was no difficulty with hearing each other and we could listen to and discuss chirping smaller birds and chattering jackdaws while watching a pair of robins darting backwards and forwards with beaks full of wriggling things.
This was Mum responding to the story about my fall in the flower bed. She was delighted to know that her photograph would be going round the world..
Afterwards we drove to Helen and Bill’s at Fordingbridge, briefly to deliver Jackie’s sister’s sunglasses and sunflowers she had left at our house a couple of days ago.
At Hale, while its mother picked daisies, a foal stirred itself to roll over and attempt to rise at the sight of my camera, then, deciding it couldn’t be bothered and flopped back into its ditch-bed.
The spreading limbs of an ancient oak framed the cropped landscapes of the green.
Along with a couple of other groups we picnicked overlooking the moorland below Abbotswell.
Beside the well-stocked woodland verge of a North Gorley lane
sprawled the gnarled arms of a broadly smiling Green Man.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome savoury rice as a base for succulent roast chicken thighs, and prawns, both hot a spicy and salt and pepper preparations, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz..
Is the Green Man not the Green Knight appearing in disguise? The photograph of the spreading limbs of the oak is beautiful.
Thank you so much, Anne 🙂
Your mum is infamous Derrick and she was looking so much better than your last visit
Yes. It is good to be away from that screen, Sheree. Thanks very much
Gorgeous photos today (as always). Tell your Mum Hi from Canada. 🇨🇦. She looked happy to be outside for your visit.
Thanks very much Annemarie. I will. Another attempt to follow has failed
I don’t know why. I tried to comment on someone’s website blog and could not but found I could comment when I went back to their blog on the WordPress Reader.
Woodpeckers looks like a lovely facility, and it seems your mum is thriving there! How nice that you could have a truly in-person visit with her. I love the green man — and the other oak tree limbs as well! Would love to sit on the one limb and have a long chat sometime!
That limb is very inviting, Janet. Thank you very much.
Great post, Derrick, and nice photo of your Mum.
This brought back wonderful memories for me , as I also remember visiting my Mum in a beautiful garden. ⚘
Thank you very much, Sally X
I’m pleased you were able to socialise with your mother in the garden. It does look very pleasant surroundings.
I was so impressed. From Mum’s room we only see the vegetable garden. Thanks very much, Helen.
I hope she was able to appreciate the full extent of the gardens during lockdown.
At the beginning she could walk with a frame – later she was wheeled out on good days.
So at least your mum gets some fresh air.
Yes
Your Mum looks quite chipper. Are you sure she is not your girlfriend (wink wink)? Hi from the United States.
Thanks a lot, Pat 🙂
Sounds like such a nice visit with your Mum! I hope you tell her that all of us around the world are always interested in her well-being!
Of course the Green Man was smiling! He knows you sent the pony and her foal out to the world too!!
Thank you so much, GP. 🙂 I did tell Mum that. She was suitably pleased and surprised.
Your mother looks very well – as does her beautiful garden. Lovely that volunteers help to maintain it.
It must seem amazing that the episode of you tumbling amongst the weeds has gone around the world –
but let’s hope that there is not a follow up of that particular episode!
Thanks very much, Emma. With Aaron coming back I will rein myself in a lot.
So much beautiful countryside there, Derrick! The grounds where your mother is are beautifully maintained, very nice. I wonder how old the Oaktree is? 😊🇬🇧❤️
I’d say a couple of hundred years or so, at least, John. Thanks very much
I am very glad to see your mother looking well and in good spirits, enjoying your visit in the garden, Derrick. The Greed Man also seems to be in a benevolent mood.
Thank you very much, Dolly. We stopped so I could photograph the tree – it was only when walking back in the opposite direction that I saw the broad smile
Nature does create astonishing images, doesn’t it. You are very welcome, Derrick.
Indeed.
The Green Man has certainly been busy–what a lovely day. Your mother looks great, and how wonderful you got to spend time with her. And does she know she has so many admirers all over the world (as does her son and his wife)?😀
That little foal is so sweet.
Thank you so much, Merril. I really appreciate these comments. Mum does know now 🙂
You’re very welcome–and I’m glad she does. 😀
YAY for your first (in a l-o-n-g time) garden visit with your Mum! She looks wonderful! 🙂
I wish she could know how often I think of her, pray for her, wish her well…how she makes me smile. What a beautiful garden she has to enjoy! What great volunteers who keep it looking so beautiful! 🙂
Love seeing the cute little woodpecker busy at work on his tree! 🙂 What a great carving!
OH! The little foal is a joy to see! What a cutie! “while it’s mother picked daisies…” I love this! 😀
The Green Man is so handsome! You find the most interesting trees to photograph! Trees that if they could talk would tell amazing tales!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
I’m so glad you got to see your mother! 🙂 🙂 How wonderful that must have been. And that foal is just the cutest
Thank you so much, M.B.
What a delight. So glad to feel like visiting the posts of others again, and yours was the first today. Pleased your mother is seemingly doing well–and such accommodations! Lovely place.
Thank you so much for returning after your terrible time, Cynthia. I’m pleased you could.
I am very appreciative of that, and of your offerings in the wide world.
I am glad that your mother was amused by your flower bed mishap. It doesn’t do for a son to get too much sympathy.
You got it, Tootlepedal 🙂 Thanks a lot
I’ve said it before but that care home truly is amazing and how wonderful to finally see your mother in the flesh so to speak. She, too, is amazing.
Thank you so much, Gwen. It is rated “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (in top 3% in England)
Seriously, speaking as a woman whose mother spent the last THIRTY-TWO years of her life in care, whatever it costs – provided it does not leave you so destitute you cannot eat for a week – then please continue to support your mother to live in this home-like and caring situation for the years that remain. You may think I don’t know the comparisons in England, but when I was there in 2005 when my “kind of adopted” mother (well, she tried to adopt me, but I was already 21, so the lawyers said “no can do”) needed to move into care, and I was there with her and the family, I saw some “nice” places, but nothing to compare to this. It is something out of a movie script.
Thanks again, Gwen. Agreed
Hello to your lovely mum from Australia. She looks like she enjoys a good chuckel. <3
She does indeed, Yvonne. Cheers X
I can see that I was not wide awake when I left my comment. ‘chuckles’ at self.
🙂
Gosh, the grounds are so gorgeous. I’m so happy you were able to see your sweet mum, Derrick. She looks great!
Thank you so much, Jill
I love the beautiful and well maintained garden at Woodpeckers. So great to see your Mum out in the open air. It’s good to see that families are finding ways to get out in open spaces far away from the crowd.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
A great reminder for the brights in th not so lights 💖
Thanks very much, Val
How wonderful that you could have a visit with your mum outside in the fresh air! She looks like she’s doing very well. (I’m sure that seeing her son had much to do with it.)
Thanks very much, Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Derrick.
My apologies for being a little behind with reading posts this week.
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the visit with your mum. She looks so happy sitting in those gardens that are so very well tended.
No apologies needed from such a loyal friend, Sue. Thank you very much.
Thank you so much, Derrick.
🙂 Our older folks are a delight.
Love the foal photos.
Old trees are a great subject to photograph.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Mom is getting mischievous 🙂
Indeed. Thanks very much, Sylvie
It’s nice to see your mum and the green man both smiling. 🙂
Thanks very much, JoAnna
The Green Man was fun, but I really liked the woodpecker roaming over that tree. Best of all was seeing your Mum outside and enjoying a chance for a different kind of visit — wonderful!
Thank you so much, Linda
The Woodpeckers is a gorgeous place. I envy the gardener who is pursuing an undoubtedly coveted vocation. Your Mom is a cute model for her age! I am sure she can give the very best in the game a run for heir money in her group.
I don’t blame the lazing pony for deciding to forgo a modelling opportunity in favour of a languorous sprawl. The olden oak must be a treat for kids visiting the forest —its limbs are so inviting.
Thanks very much, Uma. I’m sure the children would love those branches.
The garden at Woodpeckers is certainly, as you said, well designed, planted, and maintained. It’s a lovely spot for you and your mom to chat in. I’m glad she liked the idea of her picture going around the world.
Thank you very much, Nicki
agree with everyone – a great day out with a special “out in the garden” visit with your Mother…
Thanks very much, Catherine
Hello, Derrick’s Mum!! I’m looking at your photograph this morning in Nottingham. All the trees are green here and it’s a beautiful day!
I’ll pass this on, John. Thank you for the thought 🙂
I’ve had an extra busy day Derrick, and I am way behind on my blog site today … however your photos of the foal resting in the cosy ditch made me smile tonight !! ..
I’m pleased, Ivor. Thank you very much
Give ‘mum’ my best. What a great smile. Beautiful gardens at her facility. Old oaks are beautiful. I pass one almost daily that must be 5 feet across and older than our young country. Green man looks like a hiding crocodile. Take care, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Steve. Will do
Unmasked at last – the original Green Man.
🙂 Thank a lot, Roland
Tell your mother that I’m reading about her in Maine. Wonderful for you to be able to visit with her close-up and personal. Adorable picture of the foal. And then, the Green Man. This post contains multitudes.
I will. Thank you very much, Laurie
Your mother lives in a beautiful facility! I am glad you and Jackie were able to visit outside and spend some time with her.
The foal is adorable! They are sweet little ones! I enjoy seeing these photos of the general area, moorland and hills. That oak has a lot of personality.
Thank you so much, Lavinia.
Your mum looks great.
x 💖 x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
😊
I enjoyed everything about this post, Derrick. I was envious of that old tree, being able to put a branch down like that, against the Earth, to provide some additional support. I’ve been working hard in the back yard for three days and my back is so sore. I wish I had an arm I could brace against the ground with. The garden at Woodpeckers is so lovely, and it’s wonderful that volunteers work on it. The foal has the right idea to just stay in that comfy ditch and roll around. My cat Racecar would have the same idea. And please tell your mother that she is looking good! I am so glad to hear that you had a nice long visit in person.
Many thanks for these comments, Crystal. I will pass on your message to Mum
Another nice outing, Derrick. Your mum looks great!
Thanks very much, Barbara
I’m glad you’ve manage to see each other without the screen 😉 Your Mum looks really good! Of course she’ll be pleased to know that her photograph will travel all around the world 😉
That foal is really enjoying it 😉
I’m wondering what stories could tell the Green Man 🌳😉
Thank you very much for your close reading on your weekend, Ribana 🙂
Lovely facility and the healthy residence. I envy you still have mum to see once in a while.
Thank you very much, Byung
Those gardeners do a fabulous job.
They do, indeed. Cheers, Lindsey