Early this morning I watched a recording of the Women’s World Cup rugby match between England and South Africa.
Later, I took a stroll round the garden with my new phone to test me and its camera. I didn’t do well, but
here is the best of a bad lot.
The plan this afternoon was for Louisa, Jessica, and Imogen to arrive to meet their new cousin and her father and to catch up with Flo, to arrive at about 3 p.m. In the event they were held up by heavy traffic and an accident on the road ahead, meaning that their journey from Nottingham took 6 hours. Danni and Elizabeth joined us all in the evening when we dined on Red Chilli’s excellent takeaway fare, while joyfully reminiscing and swapping stories about all their babyhoods.
Danni and Louisa often spent time together when our two families stayed with each other. This is a crop of a picture of them both sitting on my lap about 35 years ago. The full image has not been recovered from the WordPress collection.
Louisa and her daughters slept at Elizabeth’s house for the two days they would be spending with us.
25 years ago Louisa had travelled with me by train from Newark to London to visit the newborn Flo.
Ellie was very communicative with everyone – all of whom enjoyed passing the parcel.
Louisa walked around the room when it was her turn.
Three generations of mothers had much in common on the subject of babies’ birthweights, feeding and sleeping habits and such.
It’s wonderful that the ladies all share stories! Your new phone takes nice photos, Derrick, but not like a Nikon or Canon. Phones still have a way to go to catch up.
Thank you so much, John
You are welcome, Derrick. ☺️
I do think, though, Derrick, that your first photograph is very atmospheric and very good!
Thank you very much, John
Even if you weren’t happy with your photos, there was some lovely light in your garden, and I’m a bit envious of the fuchsias.
Thank you so much, Jane
Lovely pictures. Was the problem the phone or the operator? I remember mothers talking about potty training. I prefer mother’s conversations once the kids are school age or older.
The operator, of course, Pat. Thanks very much.
My phone rarely takes a good photo but I get a real surprise at times.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
I got a big kick out of this comment: “Ellie was very communicative with everyone – all of whom enjoyed passing the parcel.” “Passing the parcel” is perfect!
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
He’s used that phrase before. Maybe it’s an established English phrase. I love it!
I did not know that!
I think I am right. Maybe he will see this and comment. I have definitely heard it before.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pass_the_parcel
I just read the article. Now I get it!
Oh, now I get it too! LOL
🙂
It is reference to a popular game in which the music stops periodically as the parcel is passed around: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pass_the_parcel
The garden photos still convey the warmth and beauty of all the work you and Jackie have done.
That is a beautiful photo of you with the girls, Derrick. Time passes so quickly. Little Ellie sounds like she is busy investigating her world.
An excellent observation of Ellie, Lavinia. Thank you very much
What a sweet reunion! Too bad about the traffic and the accident. At least with cell phones, they could call and let you know they were going to be late.
Thanks very much, Laurie. That was a bonus
It sounds like such a warm and lovely time spent together. I also liked the passing the parcel comment. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril. It was.
That’s wonderful. 😊
You are certainly blessed with a very good supply of relatives.
I thought that the phone showed good promise.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
I think the photos are great! I see an owl! 🙂
I think “passing the parcel” (HA!) is always great fun…as is baby stuff talk! I will never tire of it! 🙂
(((HUGS)))
❤️👶❤️ 👶❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
You will get used to the camera, it’s actually fun playing around with all the different features. Don’t get discouraged.
Thank you very much for the encouragement, Bridget
I haven’t enjoyed ‘pass the parcel stuff’ since my trip to Philadelphia 3 years ago Derrick … and it’s a wet and windy day here in Ballarat …
Cheers, Ivor
Your best of a bad lot captured your enchanted garden. 🪄 💐
Thank you very much, Rose
The garden does look enchanting! I love the first group of flowers. When mothers get together, a wealth of wisdom is available.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I think you photos are fine. Your garden is still looking fine as well. Ours is under about a foot of fresh snow.
Thank you very much, AnneMarie
The photos looked OK to me, though I’m not a great one for new technology. I still haven’t linked my phone to the internet despite this seeming to be an essential for most people. That is a startlingly different look you have in the old photo, I don’t think I’ve seen the white glasses before.
I had forgotten the white glasses, Quercus. Thanks very much
🙂
All’s well that ends well. What a lengthy extension to their trip! It must feel good to have so many family members gathered under one roof … something I miss.
Yes. We seldom all get together, but there are enough of us to keep the memories going. Thanks very much, Anne
You have juxtaposed old vs new and unsurprisingly the old remains at the top. Mobile cameras give me a spooky feeling with all that artificial intelligence that’s hard to hide. Photos are oversaturated with unpredictable distortion in the perspective at times. Having said that, yesterday I fished out my DSLR and realised I have to relearn lighting and exposure.
I have long since given up all my early learning about film cameras, and just stay on automatic. Thanks very much, Uma
Lovely photos, Derrick. Loved the parcel passing comment!
Thank you very much, Jill, my long-appreciated reader.
I’m so glad that Louisa and the girls finally arrived safe and sound, what a terrible journey for them.
I have to disagree with the first John and hopefully I don’t offend. Today’s phone cameras take excellent images and are so very convenient. They might lack the zoom that the extended lens offers our conventional cameras, but they are perfect for on the spot.
As with everything, practise makes perfect. Don’t give up.
So true, Sue. I know I have to learn, because I have seen others’ excellent results. However, I did take a good batch last evening with my Canon, and when the subjects have vetted them, I hope to add them today. Thanks very much.
I look forward to seeing the new family images. Derrick, you are a seasoned and brilliant photographer. When it comes to using the lens, I’m the one who is the novice. I’m getting there, though I have to admit I have more rejects than good ones!
I n really liked the 2 photos following the one of the pretty fuschias. The light and shadow was interesting.
I like your photos Derrick! Great that 3 generations of mothers are there to see Ellie! take a lot of photos of them!
Thanks very much, Aletts
I think your photos turned out beautifully. I love the family photo and “pass the parcel” is just too cute.
Thank you very much, Eugi
Lovely family!
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
I haven’t followed you very long and was delighted to see that you, like me, live in a diverse family. I loved the pictures. Smiling here across the ocean.
Thank you very much, Elizabeth
<3
I thought that capture of the fuchsias was stunning, Derick. So sorry that Louisa and her daughters’ trip was so difficult. Thank you for sharing these precious photos. Ellie has a huge family to love her and I think she likes it. Louisa’s girls are gorgeous and look quite smitten with Ellie. And Louisa looks just like how I feel when I am holding a babe.
Thank you very much, Jodie
<3
Great pictures.
Thanks very much, Eunice
You are welcome.
Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures, Derrick. It is amazing how girls and women are attracted by babies. They are little magnets.
Thank you so much, Robbie
As one of five girls, I love being around large families. They bring such richness to our lives. Great pics too!
Thanks very much, Kelly
Wonderful pictures, Babies love kicking in the air.
Thank you very much, Eunice
You are welcome.
Sublime! Nothing softens our hearts more than a baby in the arms! You have a beautiful family!
Thank you so much, Doug