Jackie drove me to and from New Milton station today, for me to lunch with Norman at The Archduke. He and I both enjoyed the sweet potato soup starter and the chicken escalope with chips. Norman went on to pecan pie. We shared a bottle of Sicilian shiraz.
The quill-like image on the windscreen of a parked car at New Milton was formed from reflections of the Masonic Hall, and its fence, situated opposite. Nearby, I picked up a bag of 70 Sparaxis tricolour corms. We had to look them up, and learned that they are gaudy, and should be planted in the autumn for spring flowering. I doubt that that will save a trip to any of the garden centres that Jackie frequents.
On the taxi Approach Road to Waterloo Station, a multi-storey cycle rack bears witness to the number of people who must bring their bikes up on the train. Or perhaps they cycle into the capital for work.
Before meeting Norman, I climbed the South Bank steps and peered at the River Thames from beneath the railway arches, a wall alongside which was decorated by a line of figures in a naive art style. The artist may be disappointed to learn that iPhoto only asked me to name the brunette with the red mouth, clearly not recognising the others as people.
It was a dull day, enlivened by the music of busker Scott McMahon, who gave me his e-mail address so that I could send him a copy of this photograph. He has a vibrant voice and a pleasant personality.
Multicoloured hangings proclaiming LOVE, like the one behind Scott, were affixed all around, their hues reflected in strident barriers protecting work in progress. These screens blended well with the parasols of the as yet unpatronised Strada restaurant, and gave a certain jaundiced tinge to passers-by.
Other pedestrians were, as usual, reflected in the three-dimensional rectangular structure I take to be sculptural, that stands at the corner of Sutton Walk. The fact that even the material from which this is constructed is not graffiti-proof confirms that the woman in the red jacket is part of the reflection.
Fellow blogger, arlingwoman, on learning that I was reading Robert Frost’s poems, assured me that I would enjoy them. How right she was. With uncomplicated, descriptive, language, particularly in the longer, narrative, poems, Frost moves seamlessly through straightforward observation to basic truths. These anecdotes, sometimes in the form of a dialogue, are written in the racy, sometimes vernacular, style of the countryman that the poet undoubtedly was. He writes of the weather, farm work and its implements, flowers, trees, animals, birds, and insects in a detailed, spare, manner, with an ease that belies his skilful craftsmanship; and clearly relishes the shelter and security that a home provides from the elements. As he ages, he reflects more on the human condition and its lifespan.
I have read widely all my life. As I closed my book, finished on the train, I reflected on the fact that I had left meeting such a man until now. My edition is of The Folio Society’s selection enhanced by Jonathan Gibbs’s illustrations, small examples of which grace the boards of the book.
I was back home early enough to photograph our eucalyptus flowers.
Can any of my antipodean friends specify the variety?
Our fearless little starling chicks, their pink pelican-like throats expanding and contracting beneath their buff baby fluff, poke their heads out of their cave, shouting for their food. Their more wary parents, when we are about, fly off again, their children’s dinner in their beaks.
The babies are already looking remarkably intelligent, even quizzical; and jostling for position on their balcony.
Our evening meal consisted of cheese, onion, and mushroom omelette and baked beans.
Sicilian shiraz sounds good. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on your poetry readings 🙂
Thank you Sylvie. We chose that wine on a previous visit, because it was the cheapest. It is very good.
I like Shiraz, but here it is Australian.
🙂
A day of interesting, pleasant variety. So glad you enjoyed Frost.
Thank you Cynthia
Our mutual friend is very well read – an intelligent and knowledgeable woman. If she recommends it, I endeavour to read it!! I can’t help with the Eucalypt variety. Siddy has been having a great time chasing the local starlings – who are very verbose – around ‘his’ park. Luckily they are not breeding just yet!
Many thanks Pauline
So glad you liked Frost! And I bet you read him just when you could appreciate him. While I think it’s good for schools to introduce children to literature, I think what often results is putting them off it. the best selections would encourage them to continue exploring and reading…In any event, I think Apple was impressed by brunette with red mouth’s little black dress, rather than anything in particular about her face. I did like your adventure in the city and hope your lunch conversation was satisfying.
Many thanks Lisa. Lunch was very satisfying – especially as Norman paid 🙂
Someone (over 30 years ago) let me stay in their holiday house in the mountains of Vermont. I took along a couple of Robert Frost, and for my two-week stay – all alone – I ruminated on Frost’s poems. A great experience!
That should read a “copy” of Robert Frost – not a “couple”. Bloody WordPress.
Yeah – bloody WordPress
When I studied Horticulture (many centuries ago) I dreaded the ident. section for the Eucalypts – they are all so similar to each other and the most common flower colour is white across all of the varieties :-)!
I suspect yours is one of two possibilities: either E. gunnii, the Cider Gum from Tasmania, which is one of the more commonly available Eucalyptus in the UK/Europe. Or, if the main trunk has white and grey mottled bark, then it is likely to be E. pauciflora, and I’m fairly certain it is the latter…..
Thank you very much Matt. I knew you would come up with something. Here is a link to the bark: http://derrickjknight.com/2015/03/27/a-time-check/
E. pauciflora it is….and just as well, too: it is far better behaved than E. gunnii, which given half the chance will completely outgrow any garden space by reaching 120′ very quickly – your one shouldn’t get beyond 25′ tall.
Many thanks Matt. Head gardener says so too
I love Frost. I once took an independent study focusing on his poetry. So rich and giving and yet accessible. By the way, I also love that word shiraz. Was it good?
What terrific photo opportunities you had – and you made the best of it. I miss London. Love the birds but also those primary colours of red, yellow and blue against the more neutral tones. When I get home I must dig out the Frost and reacquaint with him again.
Thank you Mary
iPhoto recognizes only brunettes? Not fair. LOL 😀
I enjoyed the ‘reflective’ tour of London. I think street musicians add colour and vibrancy to our city centres – we see quite a few out around Newcastle when we go into town.
Ah! You had me at Sicilian Shiraz! I must try find some here. One of the unfortunate areas I find living out of the UK and in Africa is the difference in cultural development and celebration. We do have great wines and the African and mixed colonial cultures but I do miss street buskers, available art and a wider choice of wine!
Your pictures and stories bring the taste of these over the distance – so appreciated!
So pleased you had a great day! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Rob, for such a full comment. The Busker was very appreciative when I sent him his pic.
Like all pictures but the street art painting caught me a bit extra 🙂
Well, it would wouldn’t it? 🙂 Thank you Anna
Other peoples art always give me inspiration 🙂
the artist is Stik; he’s done a lot around London including several pieces for the Dulwich Street Art festival a couple of years ago near me. Excellent capture Derrick!
Thanks Tangental