Tag: decorated tree

Dreaming Of Christmas Dinner

Today Jackie filled the house with the aroma of her delicious jalfrezi sauce for the curry option of her Boxing Day culinary delights.

Taking a break after lunch on this mild, cloudy day occasionally graced with a peek of sunshine, she drove me into the forest.

Father Christmas once again toasts his toes on the Lymington River Christmas float, while gulls fly over moored boats.

Stopping at Shotts Lane to photograph skies and trees, we watched a raptor tracking potential prey, perhaps dreaming of its Christmas dinner.

Through holes in hedges along Lisle Court Lane we glimpsed the masts of Lymington Harbour.

The tree on the Portmore village green now sports its Christmas baubles;

someone must have dropped a jigsaw puzzle piece outside the telephone box converted to a book exchange. Although it did not belong to the puzzle inside the booth, I picked it up and placed it on top of the similar attraction, where at least it would have a chance to dry out.

A horse peered over a gate on Jordans Lane while another forever followed a pointer across a weather vane.

The crochet artist shy of publicity has now given us a Christmas mice theme atop the Pilley Hill letter collection box.

This evening we dined on Jackie’s tangy pasta arrabbiata and fresh green beans, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Cahors Malbec 2019.

Continued Preparation

A fortnight ago, noticing that our fuel oil was rather low, I ordered a refill and was promised one before today. Overnight the tank was emptied and we had no heating this morning.

Opening with a plea of age and infirmity I rang the supplier early this morning. I then slipped into my trademark firm, quietly seething, tones which I am told can be quite scary. Further promises were made. I said I didn’t want promises. I wanted our fuel oil. Today.

It may, of course, be pure coincidence, but two hours later a tanker drew up outside and unloaded our oil. In fairness, I must acknowledge that all our previous service from WP Group has been exemplary. The next problem was resetting the boiler which had naturally stopped firing. With much trepidation The Maintenance Department set about this task. Soon she was able to cry: “I done it”.

Jackie continued decorating the house while I printed two more cropped copies of

her recent photograph of Nugget which we made into a couple of cards that didn’t need posting.

One was for Mum which we took to her today with a present. She had just been prescribed further antibiotics for a persistent chest infection.

It was past twilight when we left to visit Elizabeth to alert her to Mum’s condition. She was not at home so we took a diversion to Portmore to see if the residents had decorated the tree on the village green. They had, but as no electricity had been employed

we will need to return in daylight.

A murder of crows occupied high branches of other trees, but by the time I was poised with camera all but one straggler had flown off.

Later I phoned Elizabeth who was aware of Mum’s condition.

Back at home Jackie made her own photographs of her decorations.

This evening we dined on cream fish pie, green Brussels sprouts, orange carrots, and white cauliflower with which I finished the red Fleurie and Jacki drank more of the golden Sauvignon Blanc.