With the rain hammering down and leaking through the Velux window onto the kitchen table; and with a boiler that isn’t working I consoled myself with drafting this post. Just to recap, Jackie had taken me around the trail yesterday afternoon so that I would have something to work on during these expected conditions today.
As usual we bought a map and list of entrants to the competition at Tyrells Ford Country Inn whose exhibit, “One Giant Leap”, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, as did
“One Small Step” at Garden Cottage.
“Clowning Around” seems an apt title to front the old schoolmistress’s house on which we had put an offer before we bought our current home. No sooner had we done so than the owner removed it from the market. We understood that this was not the first time.
It would have been our “Retirement Home”. This one at Kingston even has its own
bench for those who may wish to sit and contemplate it: and
a comely receptionist ready to welcome prospective residents.
Down a track nearby is found The Hungry Caterpillar eating a melon to make his “Vegan Protest”.
Our paths have often crossed those of Catherine and Michelle who make visiting these scarecrows an annual trip. This time we first met them outside “Kingston Retirement Home”, and again when we approached
“Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory” where
Catherine was photographing Michelle among the straw men at the table. By the time I had disembarked they had finished. Naturally I asked them to repeat the exercise.
Almost opposite “Clowning Around” we find “Woodland Fairies” and their neighbours
“The Flower Fairies”.
“SpongeBob StrawPants” pays homage to an American animated cartoon of a slightly similar name. He stands opposite the entrance to Dragon Lane where we find
“Aliens Love Underpants”, referencing Claire Freedman’s colouring and activity book with stickers.
In the grounds of St Paul’s church we find “St Paul Shipwrecked in Malta”. https://malta.intercontinental.com/2016/02/09/the-shipwreck/ tells us that
‘According to the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ Paul was being taken to Rome to be tried as a political rebel, however, the ship carrying him and some 274 others were caught in a violent storm only to be wrecked two weeks later on the Maltese coast, all aboard swam safely to land. Even though the actual site of the wreck is a mystery by tradition the event took place in and around St. Paul’s Bay and St. Paul’s Island, today a statue sits in commemoration of the event.’
“Hoopy Loopy” is a game designed for children and parents.
While I was reading the rules for “Jeepers Creepers”, I noticed a small boy emerging from a car and asked him if he had parental supervision. Even though I smiled nicely the joke fell flat because he didn’t speak English. He returned to the vehicle and returned with his father. This was good because his Dad spoke excellent English. The boy climbed over the five barred gate to which the legend was fixed, and
photographed
the scary character on the cross.
“There was an old woman who lived in a shoe” certainly had
many children, and she did know what to do. She let them amuse themselves while
she sat indoors with her dog.
On Charles’s Lane stand “Scarecrow FC take on Bisterne Best” and “The Blue Abyss”.
“Lest We Forget” remembers two world wars.
The hat fell off the scarecrow as we arrived, and continued to wobble after I replaced it.
The 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings was commemorated by D-Day Dan and by the thorough
D-Day 75 at Rose Cottage, Bagnum. This was the work of the engaging Terrie (?sp) with whom I had a pleasant conversation, and her mother who had knitted all the poppies. They were so pleased that the strings of planes and the parachutes in the bushes survived last weekend’s gales.
Terrie’s mother had found a suitable object for a the cigarette drooping from the wounded soldier’s lips.
Note the rifleman
and the details on the beams.
At Lower Bisterne Farm Lay-by we find “Woody and Forky” and
“Resting scarecrow (on a tea break)”.
“Penguin Prom” has been adjudged champion.
I understand that penguin fathers take care of
the children.
On the opposite side of Christchurch Road we witness a “Puuurrfect Rescue” from a first floor window,
while Elliot takes ET for a bike ride.
“Stargazing” takes place on the green at Hampshire Hatches.
Finally, beware of “The Wonky Workforce”
whose supervisor takes a break
while mayhem ensues. Fatal accidents abound, while those who have tipped out the gravel
remain fixed, horrified, in their cab.
I was grateful that this marathon was interrupted by Jackie serving up chicken kebabs in herbs and garlic on a bed of her delicious savoury rice with which I imbibed El Zumbido Garnacha Syrah 2017, completing the post with the aid of a second glass.
Later I watched the brief recorded cricket highlights.