Ramblings
Today I embark upon an Advent Calendar juxtaposing new and old Christmas decorations beginning with the communal green at Milford on Sea and some shop windows.
Elizabeth joined us for the afternoon, accompanied me on the photoshoot, and stayed by invitation for dinner.
Here is my gallery from the trip;
and here is Elizabeth’s.
Our dinner consisted of wholesome cottage pie; cauliflower, carrots, and Brussels sprouts with which I finished the pinotage and Elizabeth drank FreDamm beer
On a bright, sunny, and chilly morning Jackie drove me to Sears Barbers in Milford on Sea for my haircut.
The shop is opposite the green where all the regular Christmas decorations have been renewed.
The post box can be seen from the barbers.
Alongside the two decorated boxes stand the car park bollards.
While I wandered among the fresh craftwork I was entertained by a group of melodious carol singers.
The three kings, shepherds, angels, sheep, lambs, and Mary and Joseph with the crib were all newly painted.
Benches and waste bins all bore new decorations;
the wicker deer may have survived intact from last year.
Many of the shops sported festive windows.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s authentic Chicken Jalfrezi, with Butter Chicken for Flo and Ellie, and savoury rice, sprinkled with cropped coriander, and parathas, with which I drank Hacienda Uvanis Garnacha Old Vines 2020.
On a mizzly murky morning we drove to Lymington for a few final present purchases.
The window of the Oakhaven Children’s Charity Shop in the High Street and the front green of the Church of St Thomas and All Angels both bore Nativity scenes, while the latter contained a bed of remembrance poppies beside those surrounding the War Memorial.
After a Costa coffee in a dry shop we continued into the forest in search of damp equines., of which we found some.
A donkey family munched gorse. A rather large foal attempted to vary its diet by seeking sustenance from a darker hued dam. She was not interested.
The avenue into Ashenwood dripped silently, as did
St Leonard’s Road’s bare oaks,
along the muddy verges of which
our oft-seen friends, now with matted coats sought soggy sustenance.
This evening we dined on fried eggs, chips, and baked beans with which Jackie drank Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and I drank more of the Lirac.