Today’s weather reverted to the cool and dull variety.
This afternoon, after reading more of the book, I scanned the next five of Charles Keeping’s illustrations to Charles Dickens’s ‘Nicholas Nickleby’.
‘Nothing was visible but a pair of legs, which were dangling above the grate’
‘And still the riot went on …’
‘ ‘The devil’s in this woman,’ muttered Arthur’
‘It was not exactly a hairdresser’s; people of a coarse and vulgar turn of mind have called it a barber’s’
‘Thieves! thieves!’ shrieked the usurer, starting up’
This afternoon, Elizabeth visited with Birthday Presents for Jackie and her gardening kit. While I listened to the Test Match between England and New Zealand, the ladies worked in the garden.
Elizabeth weeded the brick section of the Oval Path, while Jackie cleaned the decking and tidied some planters.
Elizabeth stayed for dinner which consisted on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata with tender runner beans. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden while my sister and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2019.
How wonderful to have help with the weeding!
What a happy day – and Elizabeth is clearly the perfect guest!
I’m sure the owl, overlooking the path work, was very pleased…
as I hope you were with the result of the Test Match. At least you have the results of the Cleaning and Weeding to pick up your spirits if not!
Test match drawn – we were lucky to have lost a day through rain. Thanks very much, Emma.
How were you able to luck out and watch sports while the ladies did all of the cooking and Jackie had to make her own birthday dinner celebration?
Actually, Jackie’s birthday was on 1st, when our daughter and son-in-law joined us for a meal at our favourite Indian restaurant. 🙂 So thoughtful, Pat 🙂 Thank you
I mean all of the weeding. The keyboard is feisty today.
I love the underlying structure of the garden path.
Thank you very much, dunelight
Your beautiful garden comes with the thankless and time-consuming task of weeding. How wonderful of Elizabeth to pitch in! I couldn’t do any gardening without my faithful knee pad.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene 🙂
And a good time was had by all! Who won the test match?
A deadly boring draw – I didn’t stick it out to the end 🙂 Thanks very much, Cynthia
Having played cricket and watched many a match, I can say when they’re boring, it’s time to bring out the tea trolley – cucumber and watercress, anyone?
🙂
Jackie and Elizabeth look like they had a good time weeding together. They look like sisters. ?
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
The Beautiful Gals of the Garden! What day-brightening smiles on their faces! 🙂 🙂 Good work, Jackie and Elizabeth!!! 🙂
I’m always on the look out for owls…and I spotted some! 🙂
More great illustrations! Eek and Ha on the barber one! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…”Overgrownus Botanicus” = Weeds 😀 😉
Thanks very much, Carolyn – from us all 🙂
Love the beautiful smiles as the girls work on your beautiful garden. That header picture of Elizabeth had me smiling before I read a word.
🙂 Thank you very much, Jodie
xo
The “frenzied fight” drawing gave me a smile this morning Derrick, and I am giggling at the two friendly drunks overseeing the noisy behaviour of the crowd …
I’m pleased, Ivor. Cheers
Jackie and Elizabeth look so happy! Great shots, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Jill.
I am glad that you had the good sense not to get in the way of the gardeners. The cricket seems as though it might have been a bit dull today.
It sure was, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
Gardening help is the best present ever.
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie.
Interesting looming shadow in the illustration. The ladies certainly did have a good time. I know from experience that weeding can be therapeutic. It has been too wet here today to do much in the yard, but we did need the rain.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. It is good that you have the rain.
Seems like the ladies had lots of fun in the garden ??
They did. Thanks very much, Ribana
I was amused no ends by the understanding that people of a coarse and vulgar turn of mind have called hairdresser’s a barber’s. The Head Gardener and her newfound lieutenant have applied themselves absolutely to grooming of the garden. Great photos, as usual.
Thank you so much, Uma. I, too, was amused by that paragraph – especially as my hairdresser is a barber.
I got a kick out the barbaring line as well.
This post made me smile as this morning, my husband watched the cricket, and I was, well, blogging. I would very happily be engaged with weed pulling or blogging than watching the cricket. Us NZers are doing well at Lords.
Thank you very much, Suzanne. Definitely NZ’s game
That smile shows the happiness being near to the nature
Thank you very much, Arati
Both ladies look delighted with their tasks. Happy Birthday, Jackie. I had a birthday comida for a friend who turned 90 years old today. I was too busy to take many photos, but I should post a few.
Thanks very much from us both, Judy
Sounds like a wonderful day.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
I think Elizabeth earned her supper. How kind of her to muck in and give Jackie a helping hand.
She does enjoy it – so do we. Thanks very much, Sue
Nothing better than a brick path to weed!
Thanks a lot, John
The ladies worked while you watched the cricket?
Yep 🙂
Good job ladies.
I’ll pass it on, Rupali. Thanks very much
I had no idea weeding could be that much fun!
🙂 Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Lovely happy photos, coincidentally i received a notification that the Charles Dickens museum is free for a couple of weeks you can make an appointment, im not sure I can fit it in but its a lovely little venue if in London.
Thank you very much, Charlotte. I appreciate the information, but, unless my knees miraculously improve I won’t manage London again 🙂
Two very happy gardeners! I love the illustrations, too, Derrick. Dinner sounded wonderful, and I am glad you all had time together. <3
Thank you so much, Lavinia X
Among these dramatic illustrations, I was especially impressed by the riot sandwiching the text and the ominous dark shadow splitting the page in two in the last photo.
Good choices, Dolly. Thanks very much
My pleasure, Derrick.
How nice the oval path looks after it’s been weeded and cleaned!
It does. Thanks very much, Janet.