This morning I scanned
the next six pages of Charles Keeping’s version of ‘The Highwayman’ by Alfred Noyes.
By mid-afternoon Jackie finished the first stage of her planting of the new raised bed – by replacing the bulbs and primroses which had to be dug up to make space for it.
Afterwards she drove me to the Ear Clinic at Milford on Sea where a build up of wax was successfully removed. We travelled back
along the coast. The temperature was much colder than of late, the bright sunshine sparkled on the sea; gulls zoomed low; sailboarders skimmed against the backcloth of the Bournemouth skyline; dog walkers silhouetted; and a little boy scooted.
We travelled on to Barton on Sea. A cyclist rested on a bench while I walked down to water level and wished I could have a rest on the way back up. The bench half way down the steep slope was already occupied.
Before going home we diverted to Ferndene Farm Shop for various items.
Elizabeth came to dinner this evening, when we enjoyed second helpings of Jackie’ s casserole from yesterday with fresh vegetables. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden while my sister and I finished the Douro. We spent the rest of the evening sorting out English politics.
Beautiful photos, Derrick! I’ve had earwax removed, it’s a warm and wet mess getting it out. A casserole and veggies sound delicious!
Thank you very much, John. It is no longer done with a syringe over here now.
I love the low-flying gull! It sounds as if Elizabeth is feeling better?
Yes. She is still congested, but a lot better. We plan to take her on a drive today. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’m very glad to hear it.
Cute photos
Great post ā¤ļø
Thank you very much, Obong
You are most welcome Derrickš„°
Definitely a steep slope for you to walk back up Derrick ā¦ Keepingās drawings in this book appear to be even more articulate ā¦
Thank you very much, Ivor. The drawings get more explicit
Jackie loves the new flowerbed
Yep. Thanks a lot, Bridget
Keeping’s illustrations get better and better! I love the way he draws horses.
A pleasantly sunny but cool day by the sea followed by a good dinner. I am glad Elizabeth is feeling better. Good luck sorting out English politics. Over here, our own are unfathomable.
The interesting thing about ours is that they have become far more transparent in recent decades. Thanks very much Lavinia.
Love the shoreline at Barton on Sea š
It is very attractive, Rosaliene. Thank you very much
An all round great day, even if there was a chill in air. I wish there was a bit of a chill here, cicadas out and noisy…blustery but humid breeze.
Humidity would get me, Catherine. Thanks very much.
A wonderful outing along the coast on a blustery chilly day! That sounds like our early springtime activity too!
Thank you very much, Janet
A full day and a nourishing ending sounds just right š
Thanks very much, Val X
These illustrations by Keeping’s have more of a romantic mood. Jackie does a great job showing off the raised bed with her lovely smile. That’s a very steep incline to and from the beach. I think I might have stopped to sit on one of the steps.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. In truth I only just made it
Jackie looks thrilled. Your beach pictures are beautiful.
Thank you very much, Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Fabulous photos sir.
Thanks very much, Gary
Gorgeous photos, Derrick! I love the raised bed. Thatās a great photo of Jackie.
Thank you so much, Jill
No more bending with the raised bed. Our 3 vegetable raised beds are ideal except we can’t sit on ours. They’re mad from galvanized sheeting.
No more excuses. You should be able to hear Jackie when she asks you to do something. ha ha.
Those views are amazing.
š Thanks a lot – from us both, Chrissy
Those sailboarders must be hearty souls. Glad to hear Elizabeth is out and about. š
Thanks very much, AnneMarie. We were surprised to see them out in the open.
Cheerful sights of people enjoying the sunshine. I am glad to know that Elizabeth felt well enough to join you both for a meal … and there is a satisfying feeling about sorting out politics. Mind you, you would have to plumb to great depths to fathom the situation here!
I’m sure yours is far more difficult. Thanks very much, Anne
That raised bed looks great. And sturdy! Beautiful pictures of the sea.
Thank you very much, Laurie
It may have been a cold day, but it looks like lots of people were out walking.
Yes. It was difficult to keep social distance on the way down the slope, Nicki. Thanks very much
You are a very nice fellow, and you know why. š
š Thanks a lot, Yvonne
Many of todayās photos can be modes for a photography classroom. I am saving this link to return again.
Keepingās illustrations of the ballad is a notch above the ones I saw in Dickensās novels. Perhaps he has used an advanced technique or material in these?
I think it is the larger format and the sepia wash, Uma. Thanks very much for the compliments
Such gorgeous photos! And I bet you can hear better now, eh?! š Always a good thing.
Love the Dog walkers in silhouette photo, the Sparkling sea photo…and Jackie’s beautiful smile always makes me smile! š So glad Elizabeth could be with you for dinner! š
(((HUGS))) to all 3 of you! š
Thanks very much from us all, Carolyn. What’s that you said? X š
HA! š When my hubby says such a thing to me I fall for it every time! š® š
š
PS…oh, I meant to say that I love those 3 illustrations where Mr. Keeping drew the road and the trees, etc. š Beautiful! š
Thanks again
Keepings’ three-illustration series of the road are simply lovely. I could live with them on my wall. So many of his portrayals of people are technically interesting, but not so appealing to me, even though they often suited Dickens’s characters quite well.
Thank you very much for this careful analysis, Linda
It’s such a bright, cold day, that if it had been Skegness, everybody would have been saying that it was “so bracing”.
Quite so, John. Thanks very much
Always an advantage when the hearing is fixed and youāre no longer having to say āpardon, what did you say?ā every few minutes.
A lovely outing on the coast today. I hadnāt realised that you were so close to Bournemouth, though youād think Christchurch Road should have been a big enough clue!
Thanks very much, Sue. We steer clear of Bournemouth š
I can understand that.
Keep up the good work on the political front. There’s a lot to sort out! š
Thanks a lot, Sandra š
Lovely photo of Jackies, who looks pleased with her accomplishment. The coastline photos are wonderful with beautiful colors. It doesn’t seem as cold and wintry. I’m glad Elizabeth is feeling better.
Thanks very much, Merril
*Jackie–only one. I saw the typo just as I pressed post. š
Good luck, Jackie, with the new raised bed (though I doubt you need it! ), you’re such a great gardener.
Glad to see Elizabeth is so much better.
Thank you so much from us both, GP
Lovely photo of Jackie, sheāll have that raised bed looking beautiful in no time
Thanks very much, Sheree
Derrick, the raised beds look great. Love the sea pictures. Looks like a nice day. The ear thing, twice a year for me. I tried flossing them, myself, but couldnāt get the string all the way throughā¦..
Thanks a lot, Steve š
So shall Boris stay or Boris go? Loved the pictures.
I don’t think it will make much difference either way. Thanks a lot, Pat
At times I wish we did have the British parliamentary system where we could call for a vote of No Confidence so that the person in charge might resign. That would probably have happened with both our last and our current president since we are so tribalized.
Indeed
And from what I hear, English politics could do with a good sorting out … as can ours here too, to a slightly lesser degree, so far.
Thanks a lot, Widders. Who and why would anyone do it?
I love that photo of Jackie on the raised flower bed. She radiates! You captured her inner beauty with that one, Derrick. Such a beautiful person inside and out!! You are blessed, you know <3
I do know, Jan. Thanks very much X
Those illustrations are impressive! It may be cold but seems like a beautiful day!
Thank you very much, Ribana. It wasn’t really too cold, although wet and windy
Oooh, I like the one that is just sea and dusky orange sky. Also Jackie – what a smile!
Thank you so much, Crystal. That sea/sky picture needed no editing.