Feeling a bit Wordsworth.

Posted on 01/12/2019 By

Feeling a bit Wordsworth.

Buttermere... One of Wordsworth's favourite lakes

Buttermere… One of his favourite lakes

Bertie: “You OK, Bobby?”

Bobby: “Not really, Bertie. I feel quite discombobulated. Certainly a little pensive. Maybe a bit vacant at times.”

Tim: “I hope you’re not feeling at all maudlin, Bobby. I felt you were quite chipper when we met up just a few weeks ago. You really seemed to enjoy yourself at that show.”

Bertie: “Do you think you are feeling a bit Wordsworth, brought on by all those hospital visits?”

Jeremy Irons:

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Bobby: “No. If anything, I quite look forward to them. Cardiac rehab is not just about the physical side, but also the mental. The emotional. Such a traumatic event as I had is bound to make you wonder about the future.”

Bertie: “Are you thinking that people don’t understand?”

Bobby: “People, friends and family, have their own lives to lead. If you look well, they naturally assume you are.”

Bertie: “Basically, Bobby, you are feeling a bit sorry for yourself. You know you have been lucky, but that doesn’t count for ever. I reckon we should go out!”

Bobby: “I would, but there is too much to do here. Cleaning the bathroom, for one!”

Bertie: “Who uses the bath other than you?”

Bobby: “No one, at the moment.”

Bobby's bathroom.

The sink in Bobby's bathroom, under the Bluebird window.

The wonderful bluebird window. Designed by Bobby.

The wonderful bluebird window. Designed by Bobby.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT (Al-Anon slogan).

Bobby: “The garden is buried under leaves. Needs tidying up.”

Bertie: “Don’t you think it looks lovely under all those leaves?”

Bobby: “Yes.”

The back garden of Laurel Cottage under leaves.

The back garden of Laurel Cottage under leaves.

The back garden of Laurel Cottage under leaves.

The back garden of Laurel Cottage under leaves.

The back garden of Laurel Cottage under leaves.

The back garden of Laurel Cottage under leaves.

Bertie “People are far too tidy with their gardens. Just watch all those birds on your new feeders. They love our garden just as it is.”

LIVE FOR THE DAY ( Al-Anon slogan).

Bobby: “I need to plant all the spring bulbs in the containers. Plant up the window boxes.”

Bertie: “Well tomorrow is forecast dry but cloudy. Just be determined and do it.”

KEEP IT SIMPLE (Al-Anon slogan)

Bertie: “Do you think you are tired and a little GADish?”

Bobby: “Maybe.”

LET IT BEGIN WITH ME (Al-Anon slogan).

Bertie: “When Wordsworth felt in vacant or pensive mood he realised he loved his own company. Loved being in the beautiful natural world in solitude. And dreamt of beautiful things. For him ten thousand daffodils dancing by a lakeside. Maybe you should dream of something you love and do it!”

Bobby: “I love feeding the birds in our garden. Diddley loved watching them through the kitchen window. I spend a fortune on bird food, but only occasionally watch them for any amount of time.”

Bertie: “Right then, Bobby. Get the chairs out and we are going to watch the birds from the bedroom window. For exactly an hour. (Bird food and feeders from W Haith. Food bought in bulk.)

“EASY DOES IT” (Al-Anon slogan)

Feed the Birds – Mary Poppins:

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Goldfinches eating from a bird feeder.

Goldfinches.

 

Great Spotted Woodpecker eating from a bird feeder.

Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Goldfinches eating from a bird feeder. Redpoll bottom right.

Goldfinches. Redpoll bottom right.

Coal Tits eating at the feeder.

Coal Tits.

Great Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker eating at the feeder.

Great Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Nuthatch eating at the feeder.

Nuthatch. Diddley’s favourite.

A collection of birds on the three feeders in Bobby's garden viewed through the kitchen window. The feeders are very close to the window.

See how close they are to the kitchen window. These pictures of birds are poor quality, but high in content. When I have more time and application, much better ones can be achieved.

Bertie: “Good job I am here. I may be a bear, but I do think a lot – as many famous bears do. It’s only a matter of time until I become famous too.”

Bobby: “And we love the Surrey Hills. Let’s go to Diddley’s bench on Abinger Roughs.”

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT (Al-Anon slogan)

Abinger Roughs

For when you are feeling a bit “Wordsworth”.

Bertie by the Abinger Roughs information board.

Information about Abinger Roughs: Abinger Roughs lie above the village of Abinger Hammer. The Roughs take their name from an area of soil where medieval fields met rough pasture. It's a beatiful area of mixed wood, grassland and veteran trees. Thomas Farrer and his family of Abinger Hall turned the Roughs into a 'wilderness garden' accessible to the public in 1890.

Map of Abinger Roughs.

Bertie sat on Diddley's Bench. Both are covered in autumn leaves!

Autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Autumn leaves, and shining Silver Birch tree trunks in Abinger Roughs.

Bertie against an autumn backdrop in Abinger Roughs.

Bertie sat on Diddley's Bench, Abinger Roughs.

Autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Bertie peering around a shining Silver Birch tree trunk with a backdrop of autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

All pictures taken within a hundred yards of Diddley”s bench

Lighting a Candle for Diddley at Abinger Roughs.

A candle lit for Diddley amongst the autumn leaves in Abinger Roughs.

Bertie: “Feeling better now Bobby?”

Bobby: “Yes Bertie. Thank you.”

Bertie: “Good.”

JUST FOR TODAY (Al-Anon slogan)

For those whose lives are affected by the drinking of others.

Al-Anon Logo.
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  1. Sven Schulz says:

    Thank you so much that we are allowed to be part of your thoughts. I think everyone will find himself by reading and thinking about your words.
    Just enjoy this lovely special time of the year and only do the things you really want to do.

    Sven

    • Bertie says:

      Thank you Sven. Surprising who you might meet on a steam train. Especially with a bear

  2. katherine says:

    love the pensive nature of this week, soft gentle and contemplative. Beautiful photos of autumn, and candle magical.
    thanks Bob, for sharing your passion, as always

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