For most of a dull yet warm day I watched the Channel 4 broadcast of the soporific third Test Match between India and England.
Later, I scanned the next three of Charles Keeping’s illustrations to ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’.
‘Grinder’s lot’ are stilt walkers, who were popular entertainers during Dickens’s time. There are a number of modern agencies on the internet, such as https://hire-a-dancer.com/acts/victorian-stilt-walkers/ who provide costumed performers to recreate the experience.
The page was barely broad enough for the ‘Vagabond groups assembled to see the stroller woman dance’
In ‘The dwarf remained upon his back in perfect safety, taunting the dog with hideous faces’, Keeping has ensured that the taut chain restraining the frantic animal keeps it on a different page from its tormentor.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome cottage pie; bright Brussels sprouts, broccoli and carrots, with tasty gravy. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz. New Forest rhubarb and ginger, and salted caramel ice creams were our desserts.