While watering the garden this morning Jackie photographed
a bee on a thistle;
and the goldfinch chicks in their nest – as soon as she did so all three flew off.
Later I watered and dead-headed a little on the Back Drive, before we set off for Ivy’s birthday barbecue at Newbury.
Our great-niece Ivy is now one year old. Her mother, Jane, looks rather happier about it.
Helen and Bill were unable to attend, so Shelly and Jackie thought their sister would like to see that they needed their fans.
After our great-nephew Rory had tried out all the buttons on my camera and been foiled by joint darts from Jackie and John in his attempt to speckle my white trousers with chocolate
the least I could do was photograph him while he was planning his next foray.
The event was so well attended that it wasn’t conducive to me staggering about with a camera trying neither to tread on little children nor to elbow others. There was much convivial conversation, eating of tasty sausages, burgers, fried onions, and salads, and drinking of wine, beers and soft beverages, followed by cakes and sparkling wine.
On the A3057 while returning home we joined a short convoy following a long container lorry spreading golden showers every time its load of hay scraped overhead branches as it contributed to the inevitable shaving of tree tunnels.
There was probably relief all round when the articulated juggernaut turned off in the direction of Mottisfont.
Needless to say we needed no more sustenance than cold water this evening.
Interesting to see how your hay was bundled. Most here now is bundled in large rolls that are carried about in flatbeds somewhat smaller than this one.
Thanks very much, Linda. Most of ours are like yours. Perhaps these were destined to be used as seats for Mottisfont’s open air performances
That reminded me of the hay bales I bought for seating at my son’s casual outdoor wedding. (In Queensland, home of that Golden Shower acacia.)
I’ve not seen hay bailed that way before but it works! Happy birthday, little girl!
Thank you very much, John
What a lovely Sunday <3
Thanks very much, Donna X
Big trucks on small roads are difficulties waiting to happen. Golden hay showers were not what I was expecting when I first read the term.?
Me neither!
Nor me! 😉 😮 HA! 🙂
What minds you ladies have
Same here! 🙂 However, we do have an acacia in Queensland which has cascades of golden blossoms, and we call it a Golden Shower tree. So, I had two choices to consider. Neither of them were what Derrick had in mind, it seems.
Ladies shouldn’t have such minds
Blame it on Dinald Trump.
🙂
As if I would mean that, Pat 🙂
The goldfinch chicks are adorable 🙂 Driving behind or past such articulated trucks on our freeways always makes me nervous.
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
What a lovely family Sunday!
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Fun gallery of birds & bees, family portraits and agri-transportation. Those large wire-tied bales are indeed quite large. Wondering if they are baled straw vs hay? The color points to straw…
You would know, Maj. We suspect they may be destined for use as seating for Mottisfont’s open air performances
That truck is too big for English roads in my opinion. It belongs in Australia as a road train.
Thanks a lot, John. I couldn’t imagine it on our lanes
That first photo of Jackie’s is rather magnificent and so lovely to see that the baby birds are ready to flee the nest.
Thanks very much from us both, Sheree
A good car wash might be in order too. 🙂
🙂 Nice one, Chrissy. Thanks very much
Beautiful photos, Jackie and Derrick! So wonderful to see the baby birds! And the busy buzzy bee!
Happy Birthday to Ivy! Sounds like a great 1st birthday party! 🙂
Rory does look like he’s quietly planning his next move! 😉 They are always thinking! 😀
Hey, it’s hay! HA! 😛
(((HUGS))) 🙂 ❤️
Thanks very much, Carolyn 🙂 X
That was indeed an enormous lorry.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
Sounds like a fun, busy party. Must say, that truck with its load looks pretty scary.
We hadn’t realised just how long it was until it turned off. Thanks very much, Laurie
The goldfinch chicks grew up quickly! It sounds like a wonderful time with family, Derrick and Jackie. The children are adorable!
The big hay and straw trucks are something we see here, too. They leave a lot of pieces of straw behind, and it accumulates along the roadsides.
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia
What a lovely day!
Thank you very much, Cindy
I always love to see your family and the beautiful smiles!
Thank you very much, Jill
What a lovely party! The chicks sure grew up fast. That’s a lot of hay!
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Family barbecue days are always the best of fun Derrick …
Thanks very much, Ivor
Adorable baby!
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
I love seeing very young fingers! Your descriptions of situations are always a joy to read and I like the pictures of the golden showers.
Thank you very much, Anne
Another lovely day spent with beautiful people!
Thank you very much, Ribana
That’s right, Derrick, blame the ladies for the particular way you framed the phrase….
Sussed, as usual, Pat. Thanks very much
😉 Hope today is cooler than yesterday.
It sounds and looks like such a delightful family gathering, even with needing the fans.
I laughed at the comments about “golden showers.” My first thought when I read the title was “Derrick can’t possibly mean that!” I thought then perhaps it was pollen from the bee Jackie photographed. One doesn’t expect to be showered with hay particles. ?
Thanks very much, Merril. I have a cleaner mind 🙂
Oh, but you love the double entendre! ?
🙂
That truck has quite the load! When we travel to the mountains, it seems we always get behind the loggers, which is unsettling.
Yes, Eugi – bit of straw is one thing, a loose log another. Thanks very much
Most welcome, Derrick.
I understand not wanting to have your camera out. I had a similar experience with kids at a family get together.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
It was Ivy’s day day and she is precious but Rory just stole my heart. ?
Yes, indeed, AnneMarie. Thanks very much
These are terrible days. Yet, we still have “labours of the month.”
That first part of the post has an album of interesting portraits. The source of the golden shower is an overwhelming presence, caught astutely by your camera.
Thank you very much, Uma
What a sweet child! Happy birthday.!
Thanks very much, Leslie