Steady rain fell most of the day, so I scanned some more colour slides for posterity. The more observant readers will note that I have converted three to black and white images.
19th December 1979 was Matthew’s eleventh birthday. Being the generous soul he is, he allowed Becky to blow out his cake candles. I had to be quick to take this shot because these flickering flames were my only source of light.
Just before Christmas Jessica, Michael and I took a trip to Jessica’s parents in Wiltshire.
This standing stone must have been photographed at Avebury,
above which Jessica and Piper romped on the hillside.
Mat and Becky always enjoyed a trip to Trafalgar Square. In December 1979 you were still welcome to feed the birds with crusts of bread,
which, like the rooks foraging in the turf beneath our New Forest ponies, tried their luck around the sculptured hoofs of King George IV’s horse.
Lord Nelson’s memorial square is a very short walk from what was our flat in Horse and Dolphin Yard, in the doorway of which beam Jessica and Michael.
This Mews Yard lay off Macclesfield Street, between Gerard Street and Shaftesbury Avenue leading to
Piccadilly Circus, photographed in January 1980.
Jackie has abandoned me this evening for a trip to Surrey and a meal with her good friend, Pauline, which they have both been looking forward to. I therefore dined alone on fried eggs, bacon, potatoes, and carrots, with toast. I have never tried the orange vegetables with a fry-up before. They add a certain pleasant piquancy.
Some lovely slides there, and some nice clothes too.
Thanks, John. Glad you liked them
I’ll bet your carrots were delicious Derrick! Very nice photographs,I did notice the B&W!
Thanks, Mary. Of course you did 🙂
Lovely slides!
Thanks, Sofia
Hmmm….carrots with eggs. Interesting. Would you do it again ? ☺
Yes, I would, Van 🙂
In that case, next time I had better leave you something from the freezer!
Carrots will do nicely
Interesting dinner! Sounds pretty good though. The pix of Picadilly Circus are spectacular. I wish I could take photos with lights like that without having to do any special work ;).
Thanks, Luanne. That was, of course, a film camera. The lights were strong enough
Film camera? What is that? Hah. So soon we forget what those were like. At least I have almost forgotten.
Thanks, Luanne. You won’t remember either of my first two cameras, but they appear on here: https://derrickjknight.com/2013/11/22/a-collection-for-posterity/
Aw…I love that Matthew allowed Becky to blow out the candles. What a kind heart he has. I love the photo of them in the doorway, Derrick…so sweet!
Thanks, Jill. Becky says she still remembers Matthew and the candles
Indeed, Matthew must have been a joy to raise. I can not imagine my brother allowing me to blow out his birthday candles. I love photographs taken by firelight. The picture is magical, we are witnessing a private moment captured forever in time. Fantastic.
Ginene
Thank you, Ginene. He was/is
Matthew was always a big-hearted lad.
No Kingfisher?
I was in Trafalgar Square in February 1980 being hissed at by anti-seal protesters. Hub and I were wearing distinctly Canadian Cowichan style sweaters (West coast Canada) while crazed Brits chanted and hollered at Canada House and then turned on us. Thank goodness for the National Gallery which provided refuge.
I haven’t found alcohol a suitable accompaniment to a fry-up 🙂 I’m afraid many UK protesters don’t care much about the issue at hand – they are just out for the fracas. Our apologies for them. Thanks, Susanne
I’m sure it was enjoyable to go through the old slides–lots of memories.
Thanks, Merril. Living history
This recalls my own visit to Trafalgar Square…and Piccadilly Circus, in the 1970’s. I’m sure it has changed, like everything else.
Love the photo of Jessica and Piper on the hillside, with that bony tree….
Thanks, Cynthia. That picture is one of my favourites, and worked much better in B/W. Who knows? , we could have passed by each other in the street
Lovely nostalgic tour
Thank you, Geetha
Welcome Derrick
The portrait of Becky blowing out the candles has the feel of a Georges de la Tour. She has a very photogenic face, a sort of unbidden mournfulness about it. (Can;t recall if it was her in a pic a few weeks back, where I remarked on a family resemblance i could read into it: you couldn’t see it).
On a less edifying note, George iV’s (no relation!) horse, with its tail ribboned [invisibly in the silhouette], looks like it’s just about to poop, probably NOT the intention of the royal sculptor who made it (nor the Royal who commissioned it)…
Thanks, Paul. Yes it was Becky you thought looked like Liz. Perhaps the pigeons are hopeful of poop pickings.
Future generations are going to benefit not only from you scanning all the old photos, but the commentary you provide in your blog.
Many thanks, Yvonne. Do you know what happens to all this stuff when we depart?
I don’t, but I was just wondering the same thing the other day. Time to do an online search, I think. If I find out anything, I’ll let you know.
Thanks
Well, here’s one bit of information, albeit American: http://www.wxyz.com/news/new-michigan-law-lets-you-designate-a-person-to-control-your-digital-assets-after-death
There’s a link to Facebook material, also.
Thanks a lot. If that applies to UK Becky will get the job
that picture of Jessica and Piper atop the hill is very nice and the motion in George’s horse makes it look flesh and blood for a moment captured in silhouette. And the rest are lovely as well. Your meal sounds good. Glad you cooked yourself up something satisfying.
Many thanks for the full response, Lisa
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag…. Lovely walk down memory lane. 🙂
Thanks, Anna
Lovely pics…love the ones of Piccadilly Circus!! And u made my mouth water with your menu of eggs and ‘taters…love what we, “over the pond,” consider breakfast foods anytime, day or night😋😋😋
Thanks Maenad. ‘All day breakfast’ is what we call it
Give me an omelette, eggs sunny side up, or eggs Benedict…OR all of the aforementioned…and a pile of hash browns and I’m good😋😋😋😋😋😋
Thanks Maenad. And carrots?
Now carrots with eggs and potatoes is a foreign epicurean adventure unknown to most yanks…to my culinary affections, carrots r best served raw and shredded in a salad but never with eggs😳🙀🙀🙀🙀YIKES!!!😉
Jackie would agree with you 🙂
The beautiful black and white photo and the first part of the sentence “the rain fell for most of the day” were perfect 🙂
Thank you, Sylvie. One of my favourites, too
You know Derrick, a stroll through memories is beautiful. But you know almost every detail and this is amazing – “Matthew allowed Becky to blow out his cake candles”.
As always a very beautiful post.
Thanks very much, Monica
xoxo
It is always a pleasure to read your posts and see your photos:) Thanks.
Thank you, Lakshmi
Such precious pictures derrick! I love the black and white!
Thanks very much, Lynn
Love these memories!
My favorite shot is Jessica and Piper on the hillside. Love the silhouettes of them and the tree.
One of my favourites, too, Cindy. Thanks
I like the sweet taste carrots bring to different dishes. I am going to have to try them in my potatoes, eggs and bacon, Derrick. My son makes a fried dish called “root vegetables.” 🙂
I liked your different children’s photographs. Matt and Becky are adorable as youngsters, attractive when older. Beautiful Piccadilly Circus photograph.
Many thanks for that comprehensive comment, Robin
Very interesting pictures and the dinner looks amazing 🙂
Blowing the candle pic looks so beautiful 🙂
Thanks, Mithai
You are welcome 🙂
What beautiful, beautiful shots … That stone in particular.
Thank you for sharing them with us. 🙂
Thank you, Ashley