CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED.
On a warm and sunny morning a long-awaited visit took place. My blogging friend, the talented writer, Geoff Le Pard, who had spent much of his childhood a mile away from our home, came, with The Textiliste, The Lawyer, and The Beautician, to visit us and our garden. We could not have wished either for better weather or better company.
A relaxed and happy conversation over coffee, tea, and cake, followed the tour of the garden, after which an examination of the before and after albums ensued.
Here, The Textiliste surveys the Rose Garden.
Geoff, in the spirit of the bucket controversy, fished out a hidden one, pretending it had been left out to spoil a panorama.
He is, of course, capable of serious reflection.
The Lawyer and The Beautician strolled around with the rest of us;
here Geoff’s son contemplates the two ladies taking a break.
I did my best to keep the lens away from The Beautician, but the camera wouldn’t behave.
She did, however, get her own back when Geoff and I were posed on a bench. You get a sense of who a person is by what they write on their blog posts. We knew we would get on well.
Early this evening we took another trip to Tanner’s Lane salt marshes to take advantage of the clear light, lower in the sky than a couple of days ago. The tide was out.
A wind surfer was in a bit of trouble;
a couple walked hand in hand along the shingle;
a man wielding a metal detector passed Billy Tanner’s grounded boat;
and a yacht passed the Isle of Wight.
On our return home we enjoyed a plentiful salad meal with various cold meats and cheeses. Jackie drank her Hoegaarden and Bavaria mix, whilst I drank water.
My two favourite male British Bloggers over morning coffee – what a treat! Isn’t meeting up a wonderful thing 🙂
And you got a mention too Pauline, over the subject of owls!
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Many thanks, Pauline. I am honoured. And you know all about the wonders of meeting up.
Lovely pics Derrick…and the ocean shots just resonate with my soul so very much😍😎👍🏽👏🏼
Many thanks, Moon Maenad
How wonderful that you could get together! It looks like certainly do get along. 🙂
The shots of the salt marshes are wonderful. I particularly like the last shot–like an Impressionist painting.
Many thanks, Merril. It was a great day
One of the most wonderful parts of blogging is making friends with other bloggers. A fine way for kindred spirits to meet.
Indeed it is. Thanks, Laurie
Who would have thought that an exchange of words can be the making of a friendship? Only in blogdom (yes it’s a word) or internet dating, maybe.
Oh I can see land in that image of the Isle of Wight! 🙂
Amazing, isn’t it, Mary? I did the land shot for you. 🙂 Thank you
Thank you; I appreciate it 🙂
Don’t you two look cosy on that bench? Aawwww
🙂 Many thanks, ML
Yes I was so happy to see the head blogger in a shot!
Thank you both
What a lovely post!
Thanks very much, Osyth
What a lovely get-together and what cosying-up 😀
I am starting to really love those salt marshes btw.
Many thanks, Geetha. It was great to feel that close.
I can imagine!
The beautician definately takes her job seriously! How lovely to meet your blog friend in real life – looks like you all had a great time.
So was dinner a maybe meat maybe not meal? 😂
Many thanks, Mek. It was a great experience. My choice was pork pie 🙂
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Well spotted, Mek. I will correct the typo.
Not sure which bit you’re referring to now…
cloud for cold
Totally irrelevant to this post, but i thought I’d let you know- there are some interesting new comments on our discussion of the old testament over on the post ‘harvest time’ 😊
I’ll have a look
WOW! What a delightful post with 2 delightful gentlemen. I love that you met in the blogosphere and consummated the relationship in person at last. Beautiful. Sometimes the blogosphere blows my mind.
Quite right, Susanne. Thank you very much.
Don’t you love meeting up with bloggers ? It seems like we know each other so well from our writings. ☺ Wonderful pics, Derrick.
Thank you, Van. That is right, we really did know each other.
So nice that you could meet one of your blogging friends, Derrick. I’ve met only two of mine (so far) over the years, the last one being earlier this year. I really enjoyed myself just as you obviously did here.
That is so, Val. Thanks very much
Looks like a great day. 😉
It was, Quercus. Thanks
😉
Well finally I reach my computer and see your lovely post. We all had a perfectly splendid time. And seeing the garden was quite the most extraordinary experience. It’s one thing to see your glorious pictures, quite another to see it live and in full technicolor. I don’t think I have ever seen anywhere so packed with colour and content. Wondrous. Do thank Jackie from us all.
Many thanks, Geoff. A lovely time with you all. Jackie will read this. 🙂
Such a special day -Thank you all for sharing it with us.
Thank you, Jodie.
I’m curious to know (given the nature of authoring and the blogosphere) if Geoff le Pard is your real name, or if you’re riffing on the band Def Leppard?.
Other way round… They needed some class and I was available…
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What a wonderful post, Derrick. I’m so happy you and Geoff were able to meet in person. Great photos!
Many thanks, Jill
What a great get together. Love the camaraderie and candid shots!
Many thanks, Val. It was as if we’d known each other for ages
Love those instant deep connections Derrick!
Quite glad the camera wouldn’t behave. 🙂
Thank you very much, Oglach
LOL – Lovely shots of a beautiful young woman.
Thanks, Jodie 🙂
Nothing wrong with that!
Absolutely. Thanks Oglach
Wonderful meeting! Love the pictures!
It was, Lynn.Thank you
It’s fun to see these pictures and a glimpse into your world!
It’s not often we read of bloggers who actually do meet up with other bloggers, an enjoyable post on your happy occasion.
Many thanks, Ian. A great meeting
Nice stroll, Derrick 🙂
You have what to show them and they had what to see.
Wonderful post <3
Very many thanks, Monica
Ah, great fun. How lovely that Geoff and fam made it down to your lovely garden. I’ve yet to meet any blogging friends in the flesh, as it were, but here’s hoping!
Any time you are down this way, Jenny. Thanks
This is like getting two great posts in one!! Thanks, Derrick and Geoff.
Many thanks, GP. Nice thought
This was a treasured post for me to see, Derrick. Lovely company, like minds and friendly personalities gathered together in a beautiful garden!! Bloggers should pursue such moments more often.
I know that Jackie would have enjoyed the conversation full of compliments for food and gardens.
The sea and isle of Wight were serene, despite the abandoned boat and struggling para sail. Aw, relaxing scenery. 🙂
Very many thanks, Robin
Friendships can successfully grow in the internet environment! 🙂 Isn’t it wonderful to meet like that.
It certainly was. And such a nice family, too. Thank you, Inese
The picture when you guys are sitting on the bench, not knowing that someone took a picture k-that’s my favorite. I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Thanks for the smile
🙂 Thank you, Ladybug
It’s so nice to meet up and you all looked as though you were having a really nice time! We bloggers should meet up when we can. As you say, you can pretty much tell whether you’ll like a person by what they write about. So nice to have people touring the garden in person (though I’m mighty grateful to visit virtually).
Many thanks, Lisa. It was lovely
How wonderful! Your words, and your photos, reveal the joy in this happy occasion. So very happy for you all.
Thanks very much, LB
Wonderful, just wonderful!
“You get a sense of who a person is by what they write on their blog posts. We knew we would get on well.” Happy for you both and the rest of the pack. 🙂
Very many thanks, Timi
Oh this was just a Perfect meeting.. And the joy shouts out from your post 🙂 wonderful Derrick that you met and you shared with us.. 🙂
Many thanks, Sue
🙂 My Pleasure
I laughed at the bucket prank. That shows a good sense of humour on both your parts.
Thank you, JB
How fun to have coffee with a fellow blogger and find one living so nearby. Did you know each other previously? You certainly do have lovely photos.
We didn’t know each other before blogging. Geoff grew up a mile from where we now live in the New Forest, and I grew up in London where he now lives. I posted pictures of a walk up the lane from our house to Hordle Parish Church and back. Geoff commented that he and his wife were married in that church! He was back for a family wedding.
It really is a small world, isn’t it?
It is. Another blogging connection is a cousin I haven’t seen for a good 60 years, now living in Spain, who picked me up from a post I wrote about my uncle, her Dad.
What a wonderful friendship and day together. I never get tried of getting glimpse at the garden.
https://reallifeofanmsw.com
Many thanks, msw
Well, for crying out loud. You two look like you were made for each other! What a happy post.
When I first read the book I mentioned, I left this review:
Gulped down at one sitting
There was no time for chewing each tasty mouthful, this was a book l hurtled through. It is full of love and honesty. I wish I was Barbara and had such a tribute written for me.
I am enjoying it all over again. I am glad I asked you about Hordle. 🙂
Wasn’t it wonderful that you did, Yvonne!? Thank you so much.
I adore coincidences like this.
Yes, indeed. I expect you know that John (aka Paol Soren) visited too, and found himself in Hardy Country that he had remembered from boyhood reading.