Another day of violent rains and heavy winds has done for our self-assembly greenhouses. The new, stronger, ones have had their structure smashed. We have to rethink.
Today was far too sodden and blustery to do other than loose the ties that we thought might keep them in place, and lay the contraptions on the ground.
I did some ironing and some scanning of more colour slides from the Barbados trip of March 2004.
Here is a selection from a swimming trip in the waters of Port St Charles harbour:
Louisa just had to join the turtles, like pebbles washed by tidal waters, the colours of their carapaces brightly contrasting with their natural element which reflected the skies above.
In this last picture, Jessica’s toes curl at top left.
Traditional Sunday lunch in our youth was always roast beef or lamb, with all the trimmings. This would be followed the next day by Monday pie. The left over meat was minced with the aid of a Spong, and cottage or shepherd’s pie, depending on whether beef or lamb had been on the menu, would be produced. These weekly traditions are no longer adhered to, so we can have roast lamb any day of the week, as we did yesterday. Tonight, however, Jackie produced Monday pie for our dinner. Not being in possession of a mixer, she chopped up the meat by hand. If you think that is impressive, you should see her chop a garlic.
This delicious variation on the pie theme was served with lightly steamed carrot batons, and sautéed spinach and leeks. Apple and raisin cake and custard was to follow. The Cook drank sparkling water, and I drank Old Crafty Hen ale.
Jackie is amazing! I’m so sorry about the greenhouses. What a disappointment.
Thanks, Luanne. She is. Winds are 50 mph +
I hope those turtles are still alive and swimming. They live to a great age if they survive. No matter the weather, a day ending with Jackie’s pie has to be a good day.
Yep. Thanks, Mary
What could possibly be better than being part of nature with very gentle creatures. Wonderful pictures. Dinner sounds delicious!
Many thanks, Mary
You have just cleared up for me the difference between Cottage and Shepherd’s Pie – used interchangeably in my youth. I even used to have a ‘Spong’ 🙂 I’m sorry to note the new green houses have been wrecked by your unfriendly winds! I’m sure Jackie will find a solution.
Thank you Pauline.
Working on it Pauline, may have to fix batons to the wall and screw the b……s down!
🙂 I know you’ll come up with a solution!
Thanks, Pauline
Yes! We had a “Spong” but we didn’t know it had a name – it was just called “Get the mincer out, John, and stick it on the bench?” But we don’t have pies anymore because …….I don’t know why.
Thanks, John. Perhaps you should get out the mincer 🙂
Oh, sorry for your greenhouses. I am sure you will figure out how to make them more wind-resistant.
Love your photographs. Turtles live ages, and if you go there again you might get to swim with the same old pals.
Many thanks, Inese
I have a spong, with a funnel attachment to which you can append a strip of natural casing and….make your own sausage!…..pork sausage with fennel was my specialty, but I don’t do it anymore.
Thank you, Cynthia. Tempting sounding sausage
So many things we used to do but we don’t do anymore, Our younger selves were so industrious and we tend to forget, ’til we read something like this. Your sausages sound wonderful, I rely on the local farm shops for mine now.
Lovely. If there had been four I know what I would have named them 🙂
Thank you Alex. 🙂 I’ll bet you do
What lovely turtles. So glad you identified Jessica’s feet, as I thought they were a charming addition to the photo. Sorry to hear about your greenhouses. Another occasion for problem-solving and planning. I wish I lived next door to you and could wangle a dinner invitation now and then. Probably by inviting you first! I’m making black bean soup tonight on my return from Chicago.
Thank you Lisa. You would be welcome
😉
I love turtles! What fun it would be to swim with them. I’m sorry to hear about the greenhouses, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Jill
I am so excited to see these photos, Derrick. What a wonderful experience and the turtles and your family are co-existing nicely. As you said, “Swimming with turtles” on a trip to Barbados. Simply lovely.
Thank you, Robin
Sorry about the green houses. Sad weather, really. And everything happening around is too much depressing. Turtle and blue water lifted my mood up a bit 🙂 Sunday lunch of my childhood included lamb curry and steamed rice, and Jungle Book in TV….peaceful times…
I’ve never had shepherd pie, wanna try real soon though.
Thank you Mukherjee. You should find it in Manchester.
Fun turtles/family pictures! Must be gorgeous there. Sorry to hear about the greenhouses. Ironing? You’re hired of you ever need work…:)
Many thanks, Cynthia
A green house has to be made of glass and steel and set in concrete. I know that from experience. I have a spong, but I always called it something else…
You are so right, Bruce. We have been researching lean-to ones that can be firmly fixed to the wall. The main problem is that we have no room in the garden for a separate standing one!!
A small one – against the wall – set in concrete – no plastic – wooded frame is ok – you might have to make it yourself! Having been given an expensive one for my birthday several years ago, and having lost all my seedlings several times over, I have become a greenhouse cynic. Fort Knox or nothing… albeit small and against a wall!
Swimming with sea turtles–it doesn’t get better than that, does it? (Well, maybe swimming with dolphins, but why not both?) I’m so sorry to learn of your greenhouse disaster–that is just awful for you. Dinner sounded lovely. I like both Shepherd’s Pie and Cottage Pie (you know I’m an Anglophile), and make both periodically. I think you need to post some recipes now that you have mouths watering, Derrick. That dessert sounded lovely as well. 🙂
Thank you Mary. Recipes have been featured in earlier posts. Sometimes I highlight links to them. I’ll remember to do so again
Wonderful trip, Derrick 🙂 I think Louisa was happy to swim with turtles, right? Wonderful memories, indeed
Thank you, Monica. She was.
And you?
I stayed on deck and enjoyed the spectacle 🙂
Amazing how clear the waters are!!
Thanks, GP
A spong! I remember mum’s; I loved it when she took it apart to clean it. No idea why. The 87 storms brought down part of a chimney; the local builder who dad had a few run ins with (he lived in Hordle down Stopples Lane) was passing and when he saw dad staring up at the roof stopped. ‘Ah Mr Le Pard. I told you about your chimney I’ve worried about your chimney, Mr Le Pard. It’s filled my every waking hour lately.’
Nice to find such a caring builder 🙂
Unique!
Hello Derrick! How lovely to finally get to visit and see that lovely water. Makes me want to jump in! Especially to see those turtles.
Your supper sounds delicious!
Thanks, Laurie. Welcome back
What rotten weather!! And the Old Crafty Hen ale is a perfect compliment to the meal. It all just sounds like good country living to me.
The photos of Barbados must a balm for wintry local weather.
Thank you Crystal. They were a balm
I love you description of the carapaces looking like pebbles washed on the shore. It is a perfect.
Many thanks, Dancing Echoes
Gorgeous! They’re so big but light as a feather in the water. Thanks for sharing Derrick 😀
Many thanks, Boomdee.