When you have been a townie all your life and you take up residence in an area that has none of the mains services that you have taken for granted, you tend to forget things. Like oil for the central heating. Because there is no gas. Then you tend to run out at a Bank Holiday weekend. And, being Easter, it is still chilly.
Fortunately we have a wood-burning stove. We have never before used it, but did have the chimney swept last autumn. And did have logs from the many pruning jobs we’ve carried out. All I had to do was get my head round operating it. Probably, if I had moved the church candle a bit further away from the heat it would not have melted. Hopefully we are not roasting the jackdaws that clatter the metal plate above the stove with nesting materials and, no doubt, a few jewels they have nicked. And no, I’m not going up there to find out.
Today was the first of a typical British Bank Holiday weekend, cold, wet, and windy. Just not the job for all those Egg Hunts. It was suitable for what Paul Clarke calls a ‘rainy day post’. Consequently I travelled back in my archives to a rather different day in March 2004 in Barbados, and scanned the next batch of the Bridgetown walk negatives.
Bougainvillea continued to spread its various shades of magenta and pink along the roadsides. In the first of these two pictures, the rambling plant seeks the protection of the thorns of the plant to which it clings.
Others ramble around buildings that have seen better days.
I passed a slender schoolgirl complete with backpack on her way to her classes. Her hair had received the typical close attention that the turn-out of all these young people displayed.
Although some of the roadside buildings remained rather unkempt,
others were smarter,
and even grander.
Those steps, and the increasing traffic informed me that I was nearing the Bajan capital. Was the young woman with her arms folded pondering boarding the taxi/bus?
Had she done so, she would probably know what offence the hapless driver went on to commit.
Other flowers in the hedgerows and gardens were frangipanis
and hibiscuses.
This evening we dined on a rack of pork ribs in barbecue sauce, prawn gyazas, and vegetable fried rice topped with omelette. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, and I drank more of the madiran.
I was in BBdos in 1988 and likewise my photos are filled with bougainvillea. And rum punch drinks.And steel drum musicians. Loving your stroll down memory lane.
I’m pleased, Susanne. Thanks
Next time you won’t forget the oil. Take it from one who knows. Or rather is married to one who now knows.. 🙂
Thanks, Jessica 🙂
I learnt to build my first fire in one of those wood stoves when I was a resident writer at Hedgebrook in 2008. It’s addictive.
Every part of the oleander is poisonous. Australians like to use them as street trees when they are not planting giant liquid ambers that root up the foot paths, drop seed pods that are treacherous to step on and grow a canopy that requires lopping as they tangle with the power lines.
Thanks, Mary. I didn’t know that about oleanders
Barbados is a very lovely place. I’ve heard from others too, that their children keep up very high standards.
Stay warm! Nothing cozier than a wood fire. That’s how we heat our home during the winter.
Thanks, Laurie
I see (I think) you can cook on your stove top. I think you should forget the oil altogether next winter, and get warmth and cooking done in your wonderful machine. It’s all we ever use from April to October and it’s marvellous!
We’ll have no alternative for a while, so we’ll be testing it. Thanks, Bruce
When I lived in Hawkes Bay many moons ago, I grew Bougainvillea and hibiscus in my garden – your photos bring a flood of memories of that lovely garden 🙂
That’s good, Pauline. Thanks
What a great stove, Derrick! I would love to have a real wood burning stove to stay warm.
I loved your photos, especially the contrast of the run down homes with the beautiful flowers. Happy Easter!
Thanks, Jill. You, too
Lovely bright pics on what is a dreary day at your end today. Thanks.
Thanks, Peggy
We have a wood fire here- I can’t wait for a chance to start using it again- it is so nice to focus on getting it going and making sure to keep it stoked , and then of course, just watching it go. I’ll be sure to have marshmallows on hand, to toast for it’s first use of the year 🙂 I love the story you have captured, with the bus driver getting pulled over.
Thanks, Mek
Beautiful photos from Barbados 🙂
Thank you, Sylvie
particularly love those stairs
Thanks, Gary. I had, of course, forgotten about these, so the stairs were a particularly welcome rediscovery.
Exotic and beautiful ! Sadly, we will never know the beauty of Hibiscus or Bougainvillea in Edmonton. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful destination.
Thanks, Boomdee
Hey, Derrick [or Jackie]….
https://pacificparatrooper.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/easter_06.gif
Hi, from us both, GP
Lovely photos! Memories from my childhood in neighbouring St Lucia 🙂 Thanks for sharing Derrick!
Derrick, I can remember as a child having bougainvillea growing on our back fence – I always enjoyed its bloom. Thanks for the wonderful pictures and have a happy day! 🙂
Thanks, Terry. You, too
Lovely stove, Derrick. I seem to remember that in England, Easter was usually cold and often wet. Did you visit Barbados on a cruise?
Thanks, Sylvia. The reason for the visit was to be there when my youngest son arrived, having rowed the Atlantic. Here is one of the posts in which it is featured: http://derrickjknight.com/2015/07/26/the-caribbean-sea/
I like looking at the school girl, Derrick. I enjoyed the Barbados examples of native flora.
Thanks, Robin
Very nice pictures!
Thanks, Lynn
Love seeing different places
This is great, Derrick! Thank-you. These houses remind me, strangely enough, of old houses along the California coast. And the care to the child’s hair – it’s beautifully reproduced all over the world. XO
Many thanks, Claire. Those schoolchildren were an example to the world. It is one of those pictures I’d love to think the subject would see and recognise
(-:
Lol @ Probably, if I had moved the church candle a bit further away from the heat it would not have melted 🙂
Your photos reminds me of Nigeria. Hibiscus, frangipanis, and bougainvillea are popular. The style of the houses are different though.
Thanks, Timi