This morning I posted my final photograph of the Filling Facebook with Nature project.
This is it. It featured in my Kingsbury’s Lane post of 14th January 2014.
Jackie continued with the clearance and soil replenishment of Margery’s Bed. I rendered a certain minimal assistance in carrying away weeds and clippings, and carting compost. Aaron and Robin continued with the fence project.
I then scanned the rest of the recently discovered black and white negatives from the end of 1983. First of all, I found I had more of the October Covent Garden trip, reminding me that Giles had brought Ben along too.
Ben perched on his father’s shoulders to watch Punch and Judy,
then they both enjoyed ice creams,
and eventually joined Sam
and Becky on the barriers.
Soon after this Jessica and I travelled up to Nottinghamshire with Sam and Louisa, and renewed our friendship with Maggie and Mike Kindred who lived in Southwell’s Dover Street. It was as a consequence of this trip that Mordred was conceived.
The reason for the visit was for me to run the Newark Half Marathon for the first time.
We took the opportunity to visit Bulcote Lodge, Jessica’s family home from the age of 8. Our two children had not been there before because their maternal grandparents had moved to Wiltshire some years earlier.
Sam was particularly intrigued by the sundial near the front door. Louisa wasn’t.
The duckpond had now dried up.
Bulcote’s Holy Trinity Church lies across the road from the house. Jessica contemplates the place of worship to which, more than twenty years later, Louisa was to return to marry Errol.
On this occasion the toddler was asleep in the car.
Back at Dover Street, we wandered around the small town,
and, from the garden, I photographed Jessica and Louisa having fun in the kitchen.
This evening, Jackie and I dined on veritable fusion food, consisting of the remains of yesterday’s chicken piri-piri meal combined with the contents of a doggie bag brought back from Royal China the night before, and the Culinary Queen’s savoury rice. This was followed by syrup sponge pudding and cream. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, and I drank Carles priorat 2011.
Beautiful memories.
Yes, GP. Thank you.
Wonderful memories!
Thank you, Lynn
I love your photos of old times
These photos must be a bit like going through a time portal. I especially like the photos of the children with the sun dial.
Many thanks, Merril. They are rather
Gosh, Derrick, as I scrolled through these photos, they kept getting better and better. I especially loved Louisa laughing at the window.
Many thanks, Jill
My thoughts are the same as Jill’s – that series of photos is delightful!
Thank you so much, Pauline
I loved that you decided you’d be Mordred! I never knew you had some darkness in you 🙂 That photo of you in a sweater vest with Louisa is fantastic.
Many thanks, Rose
As ever, your pictures are a pleasure to look at. I like it when they comprise a series, or a story, if only in my head.
Thanks very much, Lisa
What beautiful photographs and memories. Thanks for sharing. I really did not see you as Mordred 🙂
Many thanks, Geetha. Crossword setters, by tradition, generally chose an evil name 🙂
Welcome and I see!
I, too, enjoy your photographs, Derrick. Monochrome provides a refreshing change of pace, too.
Many thanks, Keith
If you ever go back to Southwell, try looking round the Chapter House in the Minster. It is full of Green Men and would fit in nicely with your lovely garden!
Thank you, John. Unlikely, now. But you never know.
Beautiful, beautiful!
Thank you, Laurie
What lovely photos, almost like a filmstrip. It is always a treasure to go back and revisit history through family photos. I treasure those of my children also…they are up and gone in a flash!
So true, L.T. Thank you.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Derrick, have you written books?
Only on Cryptic Crosswords; I also illustrated a book on London’s Victorian Cemeteries (“The Magnificent Seven” written by John Turner). Thank you for reading and for asking.
Cool! I see them on Amazon! I might have to pick them up! I figured as much anyway what with your writing and your photographs.
Many thanks, Weekly
Derrick – I just love the photos through the window – so sweet and touching. And a half marathon?? I am a runner, as well: another thing we have in common! (Although I have never done a half marathon.) I am guessing that your running days are behind you, lol. Mine may be soon behind me, as well, if my right knee has a vote.)
You are right about my running days being behind me. I did, however, run other distances, including 18 marathons. I did far too much for my joints – or maybe it was the cricket and rugby 🙂
18 marathons! No wonder you are so interesting. All of that stuff adds up.
🙂 Ta, Jodie