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On another hot day with a glorious cloudless blue sky, Jackie and I spent the morning shopping for birthday presents for Shelly and for Poppy.
First stop was Otter Nurseries where we bought a couple of skimmias for Jackie’s sister,
and two interesting new bronzed rudbeckias for ourselves. There are plenty of buds on these latter plants for the Head Gardener to bring to perfection in a very short time.
We felt rather sad at the emptiness of such a large, splendidly stocked, outlet on such a day. This was a clear indication that the seasons are changing.
Sammy Miller’s Motorcycle Museum in Bashley Common Road was the next venue. This, we thought, was a suitable establishment at which to find girlie items for Shelly and for our granddaughter.
You may well be surprised at this, if you don’t know that the outbuildings of the museum contain a number of shops attractive to tourists. Whilst I wandered around outside, Jackie bought a pastel blue quartz necklace for her sister, and another item suitable for a one-year old.
There were many motorcycles parked in their dedicated area. This one is alongside one of the antique petrol pumps that line the walls.
Snacks and drinks were being enjoyed in the shopping precinct which was generously supplied with garden ornaments including this milk cart;
a farm cart;
and various items of farm machinery;
more of which was distributed among the animals on the borders of the site.
A paddle of ducks welcomes cool shade and a running stream
There are basking goats, two of which really stink like their cheese.
Chickens seem oblivious to this.
A vociferous rooster crows continuously.
Leaving his lady-love in the shade of his shed,
a plumage plumped turkey
made his sedate and purposeful way along the front of the pen.
Coming to a halt at a wire window he silently confronted the occupant.
‘Fight. Fight. Fight’, cried the rooster, summoning the chicken audience
as the confrontation continued.
A farmhand explained the situation. Earlier this morning, there had, indeed, been a cock-fight over the hen. That is why the unfortunate challenger was penned up. These creatures are capable of inflicting serious damage in their duels.
This evening we dined at The Raj in Old Milton. My main course was Chingri Bullet with giant prawns that must surely have been indulged with Jackie’s plant food. Jackie’s was chicken sag. We shared special fried rice, a paratha, and an onion bahji; and both drank Kingfisher.