Advent Day 15

Fortunately my leg has healed enough for me to take the lead on this

display of Christmas lights on Stopples Lane. I also grasped the

opportunity of conversing with owner Nick and his lad, Charlie. Nick explained that he likes to move things around each year, and picks up new items wherever he finds them. The reindeer beside Santa on the sledge came from a skip; the sledge had been in his garage for years. Note that the Santa on the wall in the first picture bears a countdown to Christmas Day.

The windows in a small row of neighbouring shops were similarly

decorated. Here are those to Silver Thread & Golden Needles and Everything Pets.

Jackie photographed Hatherley’s Hairdressers window; close-ups of that of Silver Threads & Golden Needles;

and me in action.

For some years now it has been a tradition for us to dine on Mr Chan’s Hordle Chinese Take Away fare on Christmas Eve, regardless of the numbers present. Mr Chan has retired, so having been able to say goodbye,

Jackie also photographed the darkened window and the closed sign.

Kings House is a perfectly adequate alternative, but we will miss Mr Chan.

This evening we enjoyed the third and final outing of Jackie’s wholesome liver casserole meal with new potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, accompanied, in my case, by more of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Advent Day 14

Every Christmas Jackie and her sisters lay a wreath on their mother’s patch in the Walkford Woodland Burial Ground. They paid their tribute as usual today. Afterwards, also with Ron and Bill, we enjoyed Shelley’s excellent meal of beef casserole topped with fried potatoes; broccoli stems, carrots, and beans, followed by apricot crumble, and accompanied by red and white wine. Quizzes and convivial conversation then kept us amused until it was time to go home.

It therefore seemed appropriate to feature past Christmases in my family. The first two of these images are of Vivien and me in her parents’ home in Sidcup in 1963; then come my Grandma Hunter and Sam, my brother Joseph, and my parents, all in Mum and Dad’s Morden home in 1982.

Needless to say I had no further need for nourishment this evening.

Advent Day 13

“Nestled deep within the expansive wilderness of the New Forest in Hampshire lies the picturesque village of Brockenhurst. With a history that spans countless centuries, this charming village is inseparable from the very fabric of the New Forest, the royal hunting ground established by William the Conqueror in 1079.

“Traces of human presence in Brockenhurst stretch back to the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago. Burial mounds, or tumuli, scattered across the landscape bear silent witness to these early residents.

“Originating from the ancient words of Old English, the name of the village is thought to be a combination of “broc,” meaning badger, and “hurst,” meaning wooded hill.

“In the historical record of 1086, the Domesday Book, the name “Broceste” is first associated with Brockenhurst. This village’s medieval origins are showcased through the presence of St. Nicholas Church, the sole New Forest church mentioned in the famous historic tome.” ( https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24357327.brief-history-brockenhurst-hampshires-new-forest/ )

“Visit Brockenhurst for a wonderful experience of a proper New Forest village, where you will find ponies, donkeys and cows roaming down the high street and poking their heads into local shops and cafes! 

“Brockenhurst has an interesting military past and in WWI was the location of hospitals for injured Indian and New Zealand soldiers. During WWII, what is now Balmer Lawn Hotel was often used as a Divisional HQ and was the location of many meetings between Generals Montgomery and Eisenhower as they planned the D-Day Landings. In 1944, ancient oak trees in the village hid military as they gathered to do battle in Normandy.

“Within the graveyard [of St Nicholas Church mentioned above], you will find the grave of Brusher Mills, the legendary New Forest snake-catcher. Find out more about this famous local resident in the public house named after him, The Snakecatcher at Brockenhurst.” (https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/explore/towns-and-villages/brockenhurst/ )

Still car-bound I offered a small gallery of photographs of the Christmas lights.

Jackie produced the rest.

This evening The Culinary Queen served second helpings of yesterday’s liver casserole meal with the addition of cauliflower. I drank Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022.






Advent Day 12

We didn’t quite manage a white Christmas in 2012, but

we were treated to a settling blizzard in early January 2013, rendering all the images virtual monochromes. The entwined hearts were created by car tracks; the blizzard-bound field horses showing the faint traces of the red rug worn by the larger one; and tinges of stone forming the gravestones in All Saints Church, Minstead. Enlargements and identifications may be found by clicking on any gallery picture.

After drafting this, I read more of ‘Gentian Hill’.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome lamb’s liver casserole; boiled new potatoes; moist spinach; firm carrots; and tender runner beans, followed by Tesco’s finest lemon drizzle cake, with which I finished the Shiraz.

Advent Day 11

“Lyndhurst is the largest village in the New Forest and became the natural ‘capital’ of the area when William the Conqueror established his hunting grounds here.

“For centuries, Lyndhurst was the haunt of royalty, nobility and commoner alike. Kings and Queens regularly visited Lyndhurst’s own manor house. Now known as Queens House, the former manor is still home to Verderers’ Hall, the meeting place of the ancient Verderers’ Court whose history stretches back to at least the 13th century.

“Find out more about Lyndhurst

“A must for any visitor is the New Forest Heritage Centre which is home to the New Forest Museum, Gift Shop, Reference Library and Visitor Information Centre. The museum gives a unique insight into the Forest’s history and heritage.

“Lyndhurst’s famous connections

“Captain Arthur Phillip RN, First Governor of New South Wales and founder of Sydney, lived in Lyndhurst in 1763. He sailed from the Solent in 1787 to set up an agricultural colony for convicts at Botany Bay in New South Wales. It was here that he discovered Sydney harbour and founded the colony of New South Wales, later to become Australia. During his time at the colony he planted the first grape vines in Australia from plants taken from Cape Town, which began the Australian wine industry.

“Alice Liddell (later Hargreaves), the inspiration for Alice in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, lived in Lyndhurst and is buried in the graveyard of the church of St. Michael and All Angels. With an impressive 49 metre spire, this magnificent Gothic church is worth a visit.” ( https://www.visit-hampshire.co.uk/explore/towns/lyndhurst )

Having somehow managed to strain my left thigh yesterday, it soon became very clear that I would be unable to ascend the High Street in this village this evening to photograph the lights.

Here are the few I managed before Jackie stepped up to the plate;

and here are hers. Father Christmas in the last image was projected onto one of the upper windows of The Mailman’s Arms.

This evening there was one portion each of lemon chicken on savoury rice and sausages in red wine with vegetables; I chose the first and Jackie also enjoyed the second. I drank more of the Shiraz.

Advent Day 10

This morning we visited the Antique Restoration workshop of Andrew Sharp, where, having been very impressed with Andrew’s skills and his establishment, I left a late Victorian chair for refurbishment.

Here are two more of Selfridge’s window displays from December 1963. The snowwoman’s garb is timeless; the models in the second, of the period, possibly dressed by Mary Quant.

“Dame Barbara Mary Quant CH DBE FCSD RDI (11 February 1930 – 13 April 2023) was a British fashion designer and icon.[2][3] She became an instrumental figure in the 1960s London-based Mod and youth fashion movements, and played a prominent role in London’s Swinging Sixties culture.[2][4][5] She was one of the designers who took credit for the miniskirt and hotpants.[6][7] Ernestine Carter[8] wrote: “It is given to a fortunate few to be born at the right time, in the right place, with the right talents. In recent fashion there are three: Chanel, Dior, and MaryQuant”.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Quant),

and perhaps worn by Twiggy, “Dame Lesley Lawson (née Hornby; born 19 September 1949), widely known by the nickname Twiggy, is an English model, actress, and singer. She was a British cultural icon and a prominent teenage model during the swinging ’60s in London.

Twiggy was initially known for her thin build and the androgynous appearance considered to result from her big eyes, long eyelashes, and short hair.[1][2] She was named “The Face of 1966” by the Daily Express[3] and voted British Woman of the Year.[4] By 1967, she had modelled in France, Japan, and the US, and had appeared on the covers of Vogue and The Tatler. Her fame had spread worldwide.[4]

After modelling, Twiggy had a successful career as a screen, stage, and television actress. Her role in The Boy Friend (1971) earned her two Golden Globe Awards. In 1983, she made her Broadway debut in the musical My One and Only, for which she received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She later hosted her own series, Twiggy’s People, in which she interviewed celebrities, and appeared as a judge on the reality show America’s Next Top Model. Her 1998 autobiography Twiggy in Black and White entered the best-seller lists.[3] Since 2005, she has modelled for Marks and Spencer, appearing in television advertisements and print media. She has been credited for the company’s successful revival at that time.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiggy

This evening we dined on Ferndene Farm shop’s flavoursome pork and chives sausages in red wine; creamy mashed potatoes; tender cabbage; firm carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts, with which I drank Paarl Shiraz 2023.

Advent Day 9

Beaulieu is a charming village nestled in the heart of the New Forest, allowing visitors to step back in time to explore the streets filled with character, where free-roaming ponies and donkeys wander. Beaulieu is a must-visit destination for those seeking a peaceful escape. Visitors can explore the scenic landscapes across Millpond, at Beaulieu River and in the surrounding forest, discover the village’s heritage, and enjoy attractions and outdoor activities, all while soaking in the timeless charm of this quintessential New Forest gem. Whether it’s enjoying a riverside picnic, exploring the charming High Street or visiting the incredible motor museum, the village of Beaulieu provides a great day out.

The history of Beaulieu

Situated at the head of the tidal Beaulieu River, the village dates back to the 13th century.

The village of Beaulieu initially grew up around the abbey which was founded in 1204 by Cistercian monks on land given to them by King John, who had a royal hunting lodge at Beaulieu. It was given the name of ‘Bellus Locus Regis’, or the beautiful place of the King. King John had quarrelled with the Cistercian Order early in his reign and decided to establish an Abbey to atone for his past oppressions. This generosity made him the subject of prayers in every Cistercian monastery.

For centuries, Beaulieu flourished as the monks traded goods and tended medicinal gardens (which can still be seen to this day at the Abbey).  

The turning point of the Abbey came following Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s. The Abbey and surrounding estate were sold to the 1st Earl of Southampton, Thomas Wriothesley, in 1538 for the sum of £1,340. As religious buildings were being destroyed or defaced across the country, Beaulieu was also to be victim to this and the Abbey church, cloister and chapter house were destroyed. The refectory, domus and two of the gatehouses remained under the proviso that they were not to be used for religious purposes. The refectory is now known as Beaulieu Parish Church.

The Earl of Southampton was one of the present Lord Montagu’s ancestors and the estate has remained with the family ever since. Wriothesley converted the former Great Gatehouse into a modest manor house. The estate developed over subsequent generations and included the development of Buckler’s Hard in the 1720s. (https://www.thenewforest.co.uk/explore/towns-and-villages/beaulieu/?bounds=false&view=grid&sort=qualityScore)

Jackie and I visited the village lights after dark this afternoon.

This is my gallery;

and this, Jackie’s. As usual, each image bears a title in its gallery which may be accessed by a click on any one.

This evening we dined on hot and spicy, salt and pepper, and tempura prawn preparations on Jackie’s savoury rice, with which I drank more of the Cabernet Sauvignon.

Advent Day 8

Especially when young, many of us dream of a white Christmas.

The last memorable ones for us in London were in the early 1980s, when

Matthew and Becky built a festive snowman in the Gracedale Road garden;

and, in 1986 Matthew pushed Sam and Louisa scrunching over the icy snow wrapped in warm clothes and a blanket,

and later for a sledge ride over Tooting Common’s frozen lake. Click on any image to access the enlarged gallery.

This afternoon I read more of ‘Gentian Hill’.

For dinner this evening we finished Jackie’s delicious chicken curry and savoury rice, with which I drank Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022.

Advent Day 7

Lymington is now an elegant largely Georgian town, but its history, as described in https://derrickjknight.com/2019/12/07/the-charter-market/ is much earlier.

As reported yesterday, that is when Jackie and I carried out the photoshoot for this day because Storm Darragh was expected, and did in fact beset the town while I drafted this post.

Jackie parked in the carpark at the bottom of the hill that is Lymington High Street, and began by photographing me (about one third up on the left side of the pavement) setting off to the top; while she, being the more able to manage it, set off down the cobbled Quay Street, the

subject of my first picture, before I had begun my upward climb.

In fact my actual first had been taken through the car windscreen as we searched for a spot to leave the Hyundai.

Otherwise I focussed largely on shop windows.

Jackie made her way down, through the bollards, to the quayside at the far end of Quay Street, also concentrating on windows, such as those of

Dials Antique Clocks, where we bought our own some years ago https://derrickjknight.com/2016/02/05/phases-of-the-moon/ ;

the Old Customs House winery, dating from c1680;

Blu Bambu furniture and The King’s Head pub.

Rounding the corner of the hostelry

she closed with two views of Captain’s Row.

This afternoon I read more of ‘Gentian Hill’.

For dinner this evening we enjoyed Jackie’s chicken curry and savoury rice with which she drank Diet Coke and I finished the Albali.

Advent Day 6

I believe these two displays from December 1966 adorned the windows of Selfridges in Oxford Street.

Selfridges is a Grade II listed retail premises on Oxford Street in London. It was designed by Daniel Burnham for Harry Gordon Selfridge, and opened in 1909.[1] Still the headquarters of Selfridge & Co. department stores, with 540,000 square feet (50,000 m2) of selling space,[2] the store is the second largest retail premises in the UK[1] (after Harrods).[2] It was named the world’s best department store in 2010,[3] and again in 2012.[4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfridges,_Oxford_Street

These Christmas lights are from Oxford Street and Regent Street in November 2013.

Given the anticipated 80 m.p.h. winds of tomorrow’s Storm Darragh we carried out the photoshoot for Advent Day 7 late this afternoon so that we could maintain our sequence and I can post our trip to Lymington as planned on Day 7.

This evening we dined on cod and parsley and cheese centred haddock fish cakes; mashed potato; carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, spinach, and runner beans, with which Jackie drank Diet Coke and I drank more of the Albali.