Jack Riskit and his wife Holly were my great uncle and aunt John Richard Evans and Holly (née King). Their story is told in my earlier post ‘Holly’.
This morning, my sister Jacqueline related a quite incredible supplement to the tale.
Jacqueline keeps fearsome guard dogs at her home in Boston in Lincolnshire. At the time of her encounter with a complete stranger, perhaps ten years ago, the canines numbered two
Cane Corsos. (Image from Dogster)
and pair of
German Shepherds. (Image from thedailyshep.com)
In the normal course of events these frightening creatures, barking their heads off, would fall over each other to be the first at the gate whenever a stranger approached her home and stables.
On the day in question – about the time I produced the photograph used as today’s header – my sister turned round the corner of her house to witness a gentleman with his unmolested hand over the gate stroking her silent guardians patiently awaiting their turn. Upon enquiry he told her that he had just moved into the area and was a circus performer working with horses. This prompted Jacqueline to mention our great uncle and aunt.
“You must come and meet my grandmother”, was his response. Jacqueline did so. Far from being a wolf, the octogenarian turned out to be a woman with a long memory who described precisely the act featured in my post of 19th October 2013. She had known the performers well. Now, there is a Boston in South Australia where the Riskits may have appeared, but this exchange took place in England’s Boston.
Ian had returned to the fold for dinner this evening. Jacqueline had gone back to Elizabeth’s. Jackie fed us on shoulder of lamb cooked with mint and garlic; crisp roast potatoes and parsnips; firm Brussels sprouts; and crunchy carrots. I finished the Fleurie while Becky and Ian drank a Virtuoso red wine.