Richard from Kitchen Makers visited this morning to check measurements and discuss the work he will be doing for us in other rooms after mid-October. As always we spent quite a lot of time putting the world to rights.
Later, I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/09/24/a-knights-tale-39-down-the-drain-to-the-dome/
This afternoon we visited Elizabeth to discuss more of the arrangements for our mother’s funeral. We added to the information and opinions to be given to the vicar to help him with his address. Jackie summed up the changes Mum experienced from a childhood of taking a lighted candle upstairs to bed when there was no light on the stairs to six weeks ago conversing with her great granddaughter on a smart phone in our garden.
Later, the ladies walked around Elizabeth’s garden planning its development.
Naturally I hovered with a camera.
Afterwards Elizabeth produced a meal of well-filled and tasty chicken and leek pie with short crust pastry; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots; and tender runner beans from her own garden.
Our journey home was hindered by a chaotic traffic hold-up on the A337, forcing an emergency ambulance to cross a roundabout on the wrong side of the road, which was being caused by an extensive queue for petrol by drivers fearful of an impending shortage – despite being advised that this was not necessary.
Love that Jackie and Elizabeth are conspiring on a new garden. so fun! And the thought of your mum going from candle light to a smart phone really tells the tale, doesn’t it?
It does, indeed, Jodie. Thanks very much
<3
I hope the new garden goes well! The people waiting for petrol reminded me of the big gas crisis here in the mid-1970s. We have no shortage here, I hope the UK won’t have one.
We are told we won’t have – but that is a sure way to start a panic. Thanks very much, John
Uh- oh. If Jackie’s onto garden planning, Elizabeth will have her work cut out. I picture you documenting the progress on a weekly basis. I’m reading a biography set in the late 1700s-1800s, your comment about going to bed with a candle makes me think how many they must have had burning on late night dinners and balls. I bet your mum was happy to switch over to gaslight or electricity.
I’m sure she was, Gwen. Unfortunately she couldn’t really see Ella on the small screen, but she gave it a go. Thanks very much – we’ll see how the garden grows
Advising the public that there is no need for panic buying is always the way to start a rush.
Absolutely. Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Panic buying petrol and toilet paper – two of the top 10 world-wide phenomenon of panics in human-beings. I still can’t work it out especially when whole towns and cities go into covid lock-downs. Here in Australia, we have one of the largest toilet paper companies in the world with warehouses packed to the rafters…and petrol. Where are they going to need it? In saying that, we have had plenty of petrol panics over the past 10 years with rumors of shortages but it’s still with us.
It doesn’t augur well for attempts to reduce the use of cars, Chrissy. Thanks very much.
I would love to have Jackie over to sort my garden out! Regular updates of the progress in Elizabeth’s garden will be fun to see – as well as the make-overs Richard is going to sort out for your interior. Speaking of running out of petrol: we once had to queue for petrol in Maun (Botswana) for ten days – this was in the early 1970s!
Good grief, Anne. Thank you very much.
I instantly knew who was pictured in the header photo. Beautiful family features, Derrick. I echo the previous comments about the Jackie inspiration for Elizabeth’s garden. The candle light to smartphone use is most descriptive.
Thanks very much, Maj
Your interesting article today had me recalling this glorious quote ..
““A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.” ~ May Sarton
A good one, Ivor. Thanks very much
I love the photo of Jackie with the glass. Jackie and Elizabeth are going to have fun with that garden!
I hope the situation doesn’t become too bad with people panicking.
Thanks very much, Merril. We have half a tank full
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I’m glad you were hovering with your camera, Derrick. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos. I particularly enjoyed the close ups of Jackie and Elizabeth.
Thank you so much, too, Jill
Treasures in castaways and connecting around the past. Let new inspiration come to life ❣️
Thank you very much, Val X
I see some lovely garden ornaments waiting to be arranged and look forward to being inspired!
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
Hope your Mum’s funeral and your garden are everything you hope for.
Thank you very much, Pat.
Jackie can sort my garden out. It would look amazing.
I wish she could, Gary. Thanks very much
With Jackie at the helm of affairs, emergence of a spectacular garden can’t be too distant a prospect. As for people panicking for petrol, it is a hilarious reminder of the hunter-gatherer genes that we carry in us till date, and which from time to time asserts itself with a surprising force.
A nice bit of alliteration there, Uma. Thanks very much
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Jackie and Elizabeth will do a fine job of creating new garden space, and I look forward to seeing the metamorphosis in photos as the work progresses. 🙂
I am sorry about the jam on A337. That sort of thing happens here from time to time.
Thanks very much, Lavinia. It looks like toilet rolls all over agin.
That garden is certainly in need of inspiration from the Head Gardener
Indeed. Since Elizabeth bought the house a couple of years ago she has been concentrating on Mum’s needs. Thanks very much, Sheree
Quite understandable that she therefore had no time for the garden. I’m sure it’ll look as lovely as yours in due course.
Jackie has already sketched out a plan. Thanks a lot, Sheree
Excellent
Petrol shortages? Whatever happened to “Keep calm and carry on”?
Quite so. Thanks a lot, John
Good to see Beautiful Jackie and Beautiful Elizabeth planning some fun! Love your smiles, Gals!!! 🙂 You two will do a great job with the garden!
Such beautiful, interesting and fun artifacts and garden ornaments…all ready to be given prominent places! 🙂 The little one facing the green wall…turn her around facing out so she can supervise! 😉
(((HUGS))) for all of you <3, too.
Many thanks from us all, Carolyn X
Great initiative❤️?
Thank you very much, Olivia
Ah-hah, sort of a Knight Garden 2.0, eh?
Could be – although before we came here we did spend weekends doing Elizabeth’s previous garden – when my knees were OK 🙂 Thanks a lot, GP
Mind boggling to think of all the changes your mother saw! And fun to see Jackie and Elizabeth working together on a new garden.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Jackie and Elizabeth working on a garden together will be fun to see. I can only imagine how beautiful it will be. What a contrast in time with thoughts of your mum carrying a lighted candle upstairs due to no light compared to talking on a smartphone with her great-granddaughter.
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I cannot believe Jackie has the time or energy to branch off into other gardens. I just watered our carrots for the first time in a month. ? It is amazing the things our parents and grandparents witnessed in their time – the changes and the difficult times of war, and drought, and vile epidemics with little help through them. And yet they lived, loved, and laughed. They were so strong and resilient.
Thank you so much, AnneMarie
I am sorry to hear about your mother. It sounds like all of you have come together well to plan her funeral. I love that picture of Elizabeth and really like the idea of her and Jackie talking garden planning. It’s always fun to plan a garden, and of course, it’s never finished.
Thank you very much, Lisa
It will be interesting to see the ‘before and after’ of your sister’s garden Derrick, as well as the stages of development.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The press have much to answer for. They made a song and dance about the shortage of tanker drivers and the possibility of a petrol shortage, they are responsible for causing the panic.
My son went for petrol yesterday, he does this fortnightly, but he wasn’t allowed a full tank. He said it was fine and he’d try again next weekend. Fortunately, just recently he’s been car sharing, taking turns with a colleague who is staying temporarily (three months) with her parents who live nearby.
It would help if more people arranged to car share, or temporarily to work from again. I’m surprised it hasn’t been officially suggested as temporary fix.
I love the idea of Jackie helping Elizabeth with her garden design – Jackie could have a new career here… even an online one if she wasn’t so busy already. ?
Joe is a freelance cab driver. He has enough diesel for two days. You raised a chuckle from Jackie. Thanks a lot, Sue
Those statues are so beautiful ? Planning a garden must be so inspiring ??
We hope it will be productive, Ribana. Thank you very much
Your petrol shortage is making the news over here.
Thanks a lot, Lindsey
Elizabeth certainly chose the right person to help plan her garden. I look forward to progress reports!
Thank you so much, Liz