Watched by, among others, roses
Summertime,
and Winchester Cathedral,
this morning I completed the composting of the rose garden, whilst Jackie planted bulbs such as various fritillaries.
This afternoon we began our Christmas shopping in New Milton’s Lidl and Marks and Spencer in Hedge End. Between these emporia we visited Mum, who has been struggling with back pain lately. She seems rather better.
We then went on to Wickham where we hoped to shop in Chesapeake Mill, an antiques centre, which had closed before we arrived. This was no real hardship because it meant we were able to dine at the Veranda. My choice of meal was Lamb Lal Maas, and special fried rice. Jackie chose chicken korma and mushroom rice. We shared a superb paratha and onion bhaji; and both drank Kingfisher.
Both the town and the restaurant were festooned in Christmas lights.
P.S. My good friend, Barrie Haynes, has provided the following important information:
UP THE CREEK!
This one is for you Derrick Knight, but I would like my US FB friends also to see this, as it is an interesting piece of history that people pass by everyday without knowing of it. There are a number of explanations to the expression, ‘Up the Creek’ but the accepted one in Hampshire is that many fine vessels ended their lives and were broken up in Fareham Creek, which is just off Portsmouth Harbour. The USS Chesapeake (1799) was a three masted heavy frigate that was captured by the Royal Navy. She eventually ended up at Fareham and in 1820 a miller from the ancient town of Wickham (around eight miles inland) bought her remains and used her timbers to build the Chesapeake Mill, which still stands to this day!
Sounds like a very nice day, Derrick. It’s nice to have the roses still, along with the Christmas lights, isn’t it?
Thank you, Lisa. Pretty amazing
Summertime looks delicious; how fortunate you are to have roses in December. Dinner sounds delicious too. 🙂
Thank you, Mary. I’m hoping we have roses for Christmas
That would be amazing. I was in London one year just before Christmas and it felt like the Arctic (not that I’ve been there)
That is more normal
Beautiful roses, Derrick. Wonderful to see roses in December. 🙂
Thanks Amy. It is
There is a lot of atmosphere in the streetscape.
Thank you, John
Derrick, I’m always a bit surprised that you British people have roses in December. Ours are long gone. Those ones you shared are lovely.
Thank you, Cynthia. This is not that usual
Rose plants bearing green leaves and flowers in December. The world has gone upside down!!
Yep. Thanks, Pauline
A full day, Derrick. And a lot of shopping. Santa is coming 🙂
Thank you, Monica
Your posts make me happy, Derrick!
Thank you Ann. Happy for me, too
“Watced by…roses”: I can’t beat that experience today! Ah.
Thanks, Cynthia
Uh, er… watched….
Ya’ll are pretty understated with your Christmas decorations in England… I treated myself to some take-out at a local restaurant today, and it looked like Santa (and all his elves) had thrown up in there. 🙂
Thank you, Johnna. Some of the private houses look like that. I’ll try to catch some.
Our Christmas decs are, as you say, understated in comparison, but on the continent they are even more so, and some of my Belgian and French and German friends used to think us gaudy and that we made much more of Christmas than they did. Indeed they saw Christmas day as much more of a religious holiday. In Belgium they had St. Nicholas giving gifts on his feast day (6th of December), but no big ‘do’ on Christmas day. They will probably catch up!
Roses in winter, and beautiful roses at that! Certainly a sign of the love you both pour into your garden – it’s magical! 🙂
Many thanks, Rob
Love the roses into December Derrick, but more is the way you two spends your days – love and friendship, where can one go wrong?! Best to you and Jackie for a lovely weekend.
Thank you, Mary. You too
Lovely roses, Derrick. Those lights are so festive. Beautiful! 🙂
Thank you, Sylvia
My pleasure, Derrick. Thanks so much for following my blog. 🙂
Glad to hear Mum’s back pain is somewhat better, and glad that your plans turned out well despite the antique store being closed. The benefit was not only the dining, but also the lights!
Yes, Crystal. Thank you
The ship is simply beautiful.
Thank you, Micheline. Thanks to Barrie, who is a fount of information
Images can be so powerful. Thank Barrie on my behalf.
Will do
I love both Ty he roses and the christmas lights! 🙂 Thank you and hope you and your company are having a lovely Christmas. 🙂 ♡
Many thanks, Robin