Cleaning And Weeding

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.

65 comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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?

    1. 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

  3. 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.

      1. 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?

  4. 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 😀 😉

  5. 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 …

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. Two very happy gardeners! I love the illustrations, too, Derrick. Dinner sounded wonderful, and I am glad you all had time together. <3

  13. 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.

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