Late yesterday afternoon, beginning with
“Where’s Nugget?” (78), Jackie produced a series of photographs.
She was fascinated by the hairy borage
and a spiky caterpillar masquerading as a cactus.
Clematis Star of India occupies the wisteria arbour
through which is framed her favourite view of the garden. Left of centre, the Chilean lantern tree was lit by the evening sun.
Late this afternoon today, following the relaxed lockdown rules Jackie drove me to Bisterne Close along which I walked for 40 minutes before she picked me up and we returned home.
Unbeknown to each of us The Assistant Photographer and I focussed on the same subjects
Here we have tree fungus -Jackie’s
and mine.
To the right of this young female jogger stands a tree marked
for foresters’ attention, as in my photographs.
This would be too late for fallen (mine)
or broken (Jackie’s) trees.
One runner was exercising himself and his dog;
other people took a more leisurely pace.
I enjoyed a pleasant conversation with the friendly woman who kept the required distance from the runner and his pooch shown above.
There was much blooming rhododendron Ponticum along the lane.
Casting its shadow, a dark brown pony left a group ahead of me.
These wallowed in what, when we were last here, was a waterlogged verge.
Our final coincidental subject was the last of these ponies who, by the time Jackie approached was reaching for drier fodder.
We passed another pony on our way back along Bennetts Lane.
Golfers are now free to play on the Burley Course.
More ponies frequent the moors of Holmsley Passage.
This evening, along with her exquisite savoury rice, Jackie produced a variety of prawns: tempura; salt and pepper; and hot and spicy; and small vegetable spring rolls. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the El Zumbido Garnacha Syrah.