CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE. REPEAT IF REQUIRED.
Today was still humid, but cooler and overcast. We spent the morning dead-heading, weeding, cutting back shrubs and other plants, generally tidying up, and adding to the compost heap and orange bags for the dump.
This afternoon two trips to the dump were required to dispose of the contents of two orange bags and a collection of bits of IKEA wardrobes. This laminate-clad chipboard has served many a useful purpose in the three years we have occupied our Downton home. Much of it was now surplus to requirements and was broken into manageable pieces for recycling. Once more the trusty Modus was enlisted into transport service.
Afterwards we visited Everton Garden Centre to buy a birthday present, then on the WG Hibbs at New Milton to order stone, sand, and cement for Aaron to lay a base for the greenhouse.
We then drove on to Norley Wood where we hoped to find water lilies. There were none, but Jackie spotted
one straw horse on top of a thatched roof,
and two metal ones on a weather vane decorating ridge tiles.
We back-tracked to The East End Arms for a cool drink of Amstel. The inn had a very warm and friendly atmosphere and unusually pleasant toilets for a hostelry.
Whilst waiting five minutes for opening time I watched bees swarming over blackberry blossom.
It is 25 years since the popular band Dire Straits finished performing together. The locals in this bar were keen to inform us that their pub was owned by John Illsley, that group’s bass player and vocalist. John is still performing with his own band.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYO6ihi7QuA&w=560&h=315]
This evening we dined on roast lamb, roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, cauliflower, carrots, and green beans. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Doom Bar.
Sounds like a good day again. Rehydration breaks are vital for good health. š
š Thanks a lot, Quercus. It was a knackering day
Pace yourself and keep hydrated. Barley and hops probably count towards your five a day so beer is better than water for this. š
š
It must be nearing dinner time here in Canada – the broken up bits of IKEA furniture look like chocolate coated graham crackers in the thumbnail version of the image!
Glad I’m not the only person who thought of chocolate when I saw those!!
š
š Many thanks, Maggie
Thanks for the Illsley video. His vocals sound a lot like Mark Knopfler’s, so much so that they fooled my wife.
Many thanks, Oglach. I’m not surprised.
A good day had by all. And loved that horse on the thatched roof Derrick.. An idyllic setting, and loved the addition of the music.. Love and Blessings my friend, Enjoy a perfect Friday and lovely weekend. š
Very many thanks, Sue. You, too X
<3 š
I’ve never seen a straw horse on a ridgetop. Loved it–although it looked a bit like a fox. That bee shot on the blackberry is very nice Derrick. You caught the saddle bags of pollen beautifully.
So pleased you noticed the saddlebags, Brenda. Many thanks.
ah Dire STRAITS.. what a loss. i will let my guitar do some weeping…
Many thanks, Geoff. You must know the pub.
I do. I have a rather blurry memory of being based there when running a scout operation. Not exactly what we were meant t o do..
š
Twenty-five years since Dire Straits stopped touring? Oh, dear. Time surely does fly. How cool that you were at a pub that Illsley owned. Those who know say the Wembley concert was the best of the Brothers In Arms tour in 1985, but I got to see them in Houston during that same tour, and it was brilliant. Their live “Alchemy” version of “Sultans of Swing” still just knocks me out. Thanks for stirring all those memories!
Thanks very much, Linda. Especially for that wonderful link which is still playing as I write. We will return to The East End Arms.
I turned slightly green at the mention of a green house then realised that I have little use of one! š
Thanks very much, Mary. But you do have wonderful figs š
Okay, now you’re making me feel old, Derrick. I saw Dire Straits in college…seems like yesterday. They were amazing live! Your bumble bee shot is fantastic!
Many thanks, Jill.
I enjoyed that video you included – I didn’t know he was still performing and the Dire Straits sound lives on in him too! And the loo must have been impressive to get a mention š Love the horse on the ridge – that must have been quite an accomplishment for the craftsman – first the creation then the balancing! Aren’t people clever!! <3 And my goodness Derrick – that bee shot is simply wonderful!
Very many thanks, Pauline. Bee shots are always a question of click, hope, and crop š
That sounds like all my shots Derrick š
š
I love the close up of the bee. Recycling broken flatpack furniture is a hobby of mine too š That stuff outlives its use by date very quickly.
Thanks very much, Suzanne. The pieces re recycled indoors are still in use.
re-recycled! Great word.
Love the horse images Derrick. It’s brings continuity and connection to the peeps there … and here too š
Thanks very much, Val.
P.s. We went to a Mark Knopfler concert outside Philly a few years ago. So darn good!!!!
Many thanks, Val
I loved Dire Straits. Glad to know the players play on. Sultans of Swing and Romeo and Juliet bring back memories! As for that horse on that beautiful roof! Wow. I like that bee as well.
Thanks very much, Lisa. From an even earlier time, my friend Tom McGuinness, formerly of Manfred Mann, still performs with Paul Jones as The Blues Band. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh1CAp5gAx8&w=560&h=315%5D Tom is on the far right in the shadows
Chuckled at your referral to the pleasant toilets! Makes a difference to see when eating somewhere! And thank goodness for busy bees…
Many thanks, Cynthia. I love to raise a chuckle. I got one from the assembled company in the pub when I gave the barmaid the same observation.
Is is so good to hear a track played where you can actually understand the words.
And a modern one, too, Paol. Thank you.
Thatching appears to be a luxurious enterprise in England.
Particularly in the South West, Uma. Thanks very much for your continued support.
I’m glad you found the toilets pleasant,nothing worse than unpleasant toilets I feel. š
What I can’t understand is how the hell do weeds get a chance to grow in your garden, The domestic help is forever out there working!, When not cooking !
You seem to have a thing for Doom Bar, tempting fate perhaps?
Most pub loos are pretty stinky. Probably was tempting fate trying that after Amstel. Thanks a lot, Brian.
I love the straw horse on the roof and the bumblebee photo is wonderful. It sounds like a great day–I’m glad the toilets were pleasant. š
Many thanks, Merril š
Wonderful photos Derrick.
Thank you, Arlene
I really can’t add to anything that has already been written, but in brief: Dire Straits was one of my favorite bands, and that straw horse, wow! I, too, thought it was a fox when I first looked at the picture. But fox or horse, it is pretty darned cool.
Thanks, Laurie. Maybe it is a fox, but no matter
Right! Special, whatever it is. Given the area, a horse would make more sense.
The bee image is what drew me to this post. Really great shot! I think they carry their pollen in their legs, right? Glad I stumbled upon your blog, thanks.
Thanks very much, Raw. I’ve never produced a back view before, but it does show the ‘saddlebags’ – a phrase for which I have Brenda’s comment to thank.
Loved the weathervanes and the imagery. What a pleasant place you have to roam. Our hellebores were beautiful this year. Hydrangeas, all 58, are full of blossoms and some have started to bloom.
Many thanks, Steve. 58 hydrangeas – Wow!
I loved the horse decorations on roofs; great eye, Jackie! š š“
My brother Randy and I have danced to several Dire Straits songs. Nice song link! John Illsley has a warm, gravelly voice. The beat and haunting guitar rifts were lovely.
I am always pleased when I find out somewhere I go, or even frequent, has a famous connection. Our past Family Music Center here in Delaware was often a place to see Eric Clapton who liked the owner and fair prices. My guy friend, who can play a wide variety of stringed instruments used to shoot the breeze. This location called Barley Hopsters now serves fresh brews, ales and beverages with sidewalk cafe setting outdoors and a large bar and leather chairs indoors. š
The past owner sadly said online music products “outsourced his business.”
Thanks very much, Robin. It’s a small world really.