Nick Hayter visited this morning to assess the post-refurbishment decorating work he is to undertake. We enjoyed his usual pleasant conversation.
The unconsolable skies shed continuous profuse tears throughout the afternoon, which we began with a trip to the Lymington Post Office collection office to claim a parcel undelivered because of a shortage of £2 in postage. The good news was that there was no queue. The bad news was that the office was closed. I took an alternative option which was to stick the extra postage on the back of their card and post it back to them.
We then drove into the forest to make
a record picture of the lake at Pilley which is avidly collecting more liquid sustenance. I chose not to walk round to the other side for that view since I was already feeling a drip.
While waiting for a train at the Lymington level crossing I had plenty of time to focus on the windscreen.
Perhaps it is the intensity; perhaps the consistently fast pace; perhaps the comparative shortness; perhaps the bloodthirstiness of the historical context of Charles Dickens’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ that renders it apparently the most widely read of the master’s novels, in which there is no room for his customary dry wit, and little for his comic turns.
Later this afternoon I finished reading the work which becomes impossible to put down; and scanned the last four of Charles Keeping’s perfectly matched illustrations to my Folio Society 1985 edition.
‘ ‘Hope has quite departed from my breast’ ‘
‘He spoke with a helpless look straying all around’
‘Miss Pross seized her round the waist and held her tight’
‘She kisses his lips; he kisses hers’
This evening we dined on double egg and chips with sausages and baked beans, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Comté Tolosan Rouge.
Although Dickens may not have had a chance for wit and comic turns – the ending was a masterpiece I never forgot!
Indeed. I think he was wise not to make it funny. Thanks very much, GP
Agreed!
Lovely photos Derrick
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
‘Inconsolable skies’…lovely. Brought a tear to my eye.
I think every funeral I have been to, it was raining or snowing
Thank you so much, Rose
The day looked rather dark and dank, I hope it clears up tomorrow!
Thanks a lot, John. That is not predicted
Your wit in the paragraph about unconsolable skies made me laugh. I love the photos of the reflections and ripples on the lake–particularly the three small ones.
It’s a good story, but you also have those excellent illustrations.
Thank you so much, Merril
You’re welcome.
You’re evening meal is almost identical to what Norm has just prepared for breakfast and the aroma tells me “enough reading for now.” 🙂
🙂 Great minds, Chrissy. Thanks very much
Certainly an impressive rainfall and a clever solution to the postage due problem. No wonder there was no queue if there was nothing to queue for. 😉
Thanks very much, Pat
I hope your package was worth the extra postage!
We’ll see when they deliver it, AnneMarie. Thanks very much
You captured some beautiful photos on such an oorie day! 🙂
Love the lights and rain on the windscreen photo!
I always love seeing the raindrops ripple the water.
Kudos on the Keeping kiss! Lovely illustration!
(((HUGS)))
🌞 🌞 🌞
PS…“A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.” – Rachel Carson
Thanks very much, Carolyn X
Oh, your lovely supper…I was eleven when I became allergic to eggs cooked in this way (cakes are fine if a small slice) but I still member the taste of a fried egg and runny yolk! It was our Tuesday night tea for a number of years after rationing ended!
How sad, Sue. I feel for you. Thanks very much.
Your have the rain tumbling down, and you are deeply down into your “Tale Of Two Cities” … and coincidently I am listening to Kaleo’s song “Way Down We Go”
https://youtu.be/UzXuQbcp8Yc
Cheers, Ivor
It was snowing here in Ohio and it’s bitter cold. The dark season, time to read, write, and comment. 🙂
Indeed. Thank you for doing so, Bridget
I enjoy your photograph through the rain-covered windscreen as well as your description of the rain.
Thank you very much, Anne. It rained all day needs a bit of dressing up 🙂
A gloomy day and a gloomy passage. Well matched.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
I think we get your rain tomorrow. I must reread my Dickens books. He does know how to paint a picture in my mind.
He does. I started on Great Expectations last night. For, I think, the third time, Thanks very much, Gary
I’ve read Great Expectations twice. It’s a good one! I don’t think I could handle A Tale of Two Cities right now.
Thanks very much, Gabriele
Dickens remains so readable – unlike some other 19thC writers!
Agreed. Thanks a lot, Mike
Love the rain drop ripples show cased in your pictures.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Thank you.
The reflections and the ripples are gorgeous, Derrick. I’m not a fan of driving in the rain. I don’t know how it is there, but here, people won’t slow down.
Thanks a lot, Jill. Perhaps people are a little more sensible here.
I like your dry wit and comic turns, Derrick. I wonder which Dickens novel you would recommend with those qualities.
Nicholas Nickleby perhaps – but most have them. Thanks very much, JoAnna 🙂
Photos transport the weather to my handheld apparatus. The subject lake has started to assume a palpable persona. The photo through the windscreen is like a painting that weeps aloud the aspirations of the rain.
Thank you for these eloquent comments, Uma
Nice abstract picture of the windscreen.
Thanks very much, Laurie
Beautiful photos of the rain, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Aletta
Please Sir, what is “double egg”?
2 eggs 🙂 Thanks a lot, Yvonne
Oh, for crying out loud. I though it would some exotic English dish. Very disappointed over here, Down Under. 🙂
“Double egg and chips” is a standard cry from the counter to the kitchen in our greasy spoons. 🙂
I hadn’t realised that this was Dicken’s most read book. It would be interesting to know which one is the least frequently read. I used to read Dickens as I watched my young daughter doing her swimming and her skating, and eventually I got through all the novels. I have very little memory of ,many of them which I found long drawn out and too reminiscent of Balzac who was paid by the line.
If “Two Cities” was the most read book by Dickens with its “intensity”, “consistently fast pace” and “comparative shortness” could we add “Christmas Carol to that list of one?
I imagine so, John. Thanks very much
My next Dickens will be David Copperfield. I’ve never read Two Cities but I’ll get to it one day and be prepared for it to be intense, fast-paced and gripping. But not funny! As for the weather, we shared those skies with you, Derrick. Relentless rain. But it gave you some stunning photos 😊
Thank you so much, Sandra.
Heavy grey skies, but the rain makes such beautiful patterns in the water! 😊
Thank you so much, Lavinia
My favorite photo is the first forest scene. It reminds me of how much I used to love walking in a gentle summer rain. (I know looks can be deceiving!)
In the Summer, one can say, ‘to Hell with it, I’m just going out and get wet!’ Summer rains are so nice when they’re gentle.
Winter rain, on the other hand, is a whole ‘nother story.
Absolutely
‘Fer’ sure!😉
😀
Never mind – if it gave you a good memory, Liz. Thanks very much
Yes, several good memories. You’re welcome!
Yes,Derrick, I agree, the queue always seems favorable when the establishment is closed. I almost spilled my coffee when I guffawed at that realization. Today, it’s 13F, snow covered ground but clear blue skies for which I’m thankful. You have motivated me to read Dickens, again. Have a wonderful day!
Thanks very much, Steve. I’m pleased to have prompted a guffaw, and that you only almost spilled your coffee
Wow! That’s a lot of rain, Derrick. I hope it subsides soon.
Thanks very much, Eugi
Fantastic waterlogged photos, especially the one taken through the windscreen, Derrick. I have enjoyed this set of Mr Keeping’s inimitable illustrations and feel disappointed that it is the last.
Great Expectations are on the way. 🙂 Thank you very much, Dolly.
Made me feel better, thank you.
🙂
That wet windshield shot is amazing – and as always I enjoyed the Charles Keeping illustrations. Quite the genius, isn’t he? Stay dry, {{{Derrick}}} and give Jackie a hug from me, will you?
I was reading this as Jackie placed a glass of wine on my desk, so I followed your direction, Jan. 🙂 Thank you very much
Was not delivered because of a shortage of £2 in postage? Is £2 not 100 😓 Rainy day ☔️
Thanks very much, Ribana. The truth of the ‘package’ was even more ridiculous, as I will explain tonight.