Queen Mary’s Rose Garden.
Queen Mary’s Rose Garden. Regent’s Park, London.
Queen Mary’s Rose Garden in Regents Park is a world-famous garden named after the wife of King George V. In 1932, when Queen Mary’s Gardens opened to the general public, the first superintendent planted a rose garden, which was completed in 1934. (more…)
Cuckoo.
Cuckoo.
A fine example.
“Cuckoo, cuck-ooh, cuck-oooh…” Was Bobby half asleep? Maybe he was a little “cuckoo” himself! The days of waiting for the first “cuc … koo”, to confirm that summer really was here, seemed a distant memory. Hearing that evocative, unmistakable call again would be wonderful. Especially from his cosy bed at Laurel Cottage. The village is close to farmland and the Surrey Hills and we heard them every year until recently. For these birds have suffered a catastrophic decline, as detailed later. (more…)
Rob and the 840 to Whitby.
Rob and the 840 to Whitby.
This Is Rob:
Rob.
This is the 840 to Whitby:
The bus.
Rob is nice.
Bobby can be nice, but needs to try harder. (more…)
Halcyon Days.
Halcyon Days.
Do you have a favourite word? Mine is serendipity. If I can remember how to spell it!
Bobby has a favourite word too. Halcyon. A word that always uplifts his spirits. The halcyon days of youth maybe. Or of summer. Or maybe autumn. In the countryside and in life. But for him the dazzling flash of iridescent blue along the river will lift his spirits to the heavens. For the halcyon is also the kingfisher.
Kingfisher.
Good Thinking
Good Thinking
It’s a strange thing, bereavement. You may think “you have got over it”. ”Moved on”. You would have thought that would be “good thinking“. Those around you may think how “well you are doing” and “making the best of life”. Then something quite insignificant happens and you realise that it’s not quite as simple as that. Such was Bobby’s experience a few days ago.
The glorious sun, shorts and even suntan lotion of Dunsborough Park (www.dunsboroughpark.com) had given way to rain, turning the heating back on and a new unwelcome friend. Gordon. Like “Enery Ernia” and piles, Gordon is a condition that seriously undermines the sufferer while amusing the general populace. And here is why…
Gout!
Once associated with the high living and self indulgence of rich ne’er-do-wells and the like in previous centuries. Gout is no fun at all. Particularly in Laurel Cottage. Once the world centre of red wine drinking and now alcohol free. Ha ha ha. Ouchhhh. (more…)
Frank’s Walk.
Frank’s Walk.
The fun and laughter of the Teddy Bears’ Picnic was wonderful. But a quiet and pensive mood has its devotees as well. A time to think about life and the world we live in. A time to appreciate the beauty of that world and those who have shared it with us. And enjoy Frank’s Walk.
Sonnet 18. William Shakespeare.
Diddley – on the Walk 2014.
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Welcome to the 2018 Teddy Bears’ Picnic. The sun will shine and we shall have fun.
7 May 12-4pm.
And we certainly did enjoy the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. On a glorious May Bank Holiday Monday, the cricket field at Abinger Hammer in Surrey became a sea of colour, picnics and teddy bears. The River Tillingbourne flows right through the middle. Just a few inches deep, it is the ultimate “catch a stickleback and put it back” stream. Amazingly, with so many human beings invading their habitat, there were lots of sticklebacks, and other tiny fish, in jam jars and buckets. (more…)
31 Fournier Street.
31 Fournier Street.
I wonder what is going on behind that front door?
On a cold grey day on April 4 2018, we stood outside No 31 Fournier Street. I could see Bobby was deep in thought. Almost mesmerised by how we had come to be standing outside this front door in Spitalfields, East London.
31 Fournier Street.
Not so long ago he knew virtually nothing about East London. Nothing, that is, except the media driven negative impression of a down trodden, criminal element, dodgy area to be avoided. Liverpool Street, trainspotting in the fifties, and Petticoat Lane with his mum and dad shopping were probably the limit of his knowledge. Oh, and a brief foray in the mid fifties to bus spotting… that took him to all the east end bus garages at just ten years old. On a bike from North Cheam. (more…)
Three go to Dunsborough Park Gardens.
Three go to Dunsborough Park Gardens.
We absolutely loved Dunsborough Park Gardens.
Bobby, me and Anne.
I loved the statues (see Information below).
Anne and Bobby loved the flowers.
We all loved the “Secret Gardens” which are hidden seemingly round every bend. Through each gap in a hedge.
And… we really loved the refreshments provided by the day’s charity. Shooting Star Chase Children’s Hospice Care.
Festival of Tulips Poster.
These opening times were for the National Garden Scheme. (NGS) special openings. There are other openings during the season that can be found on the Park website.
www.dunsboroughpark.com/events-functions
For those interested in the history of this beautiful garden, the following also came from the website:
DUNSBOROUGH PARK RIPLEY : GARDEN HISTORY AND INFORMATION
Welcome to Dunsborough Park Gardens.
Dunsborough Park, Ripley, Surrey dates back to the dissolution of the Monasteries when the lands of Newark Abbey were given to a local nobleman. The farmer taking over the land built a farmhouse around a single central brick chimney which has now grown to become Dunsborough House. The gardens were laid out in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Re-opened to the public in 1997 after being restored by garden statuary dealer , Dolf Sweerts de Landas Wyborgh and his wife, Caroline, this magnificent 100 acre estate comprises a series of historical gardens brought to life by vistas and garden architecture.
The Gardens
Whaddya reckon, Bobby?
Sit here and enjoy the view!
Just look at these blooms.
Ere, Bobby. What’s he doing?
Glorious Tulip Bed.
More Tulips Blooms.
Not Tulips!
Ah. More Tulips. Just look at that colour!
Ere – fancy a bath, Bobby?
Glorious orange tulips set off by an edging of muscari (grape hyancinths).
Think the orange ones are my favourites.
Sometimes I sit here and think, others times I just sit.
More multi-coloured tulip artwork.
Do you think he’s seen me?
More yellow and white tulips.
Pastel Colours.
Orange tulips again. Magnificent.
We have just so many wonderful pictures of Dunsborough Park Gardens. Sit back and enjoy the rest of the show!
Phew! How about a cup of tea before the secret gardens?
We went last Saturday, on a glorious sunny day when the refreshments were provided by Shooting Star Chase Children”s Hospice Charity.
Now Anne and Bobby have a legendary appetite for cakes. You should have seen the look on their faces when they saw a sea of home made cakes set out for the visitors to enjoy while supporting the charity. They were so popular, and the scene so reminiscent of a posh garden party, that we half expected Her Majesty to walk round the corner. It was so warm that they had to indulge in elevenses, onesies and threesies! In cake!
The Secret Gardens.
This is my interpretation of what came next, and not called “Secret Gardens” by the owners.
“Hello Linda Utting”. Bobby’s workfriend from days gone by.
Nice smell, Viburnum
And the glorious mixed tulips meadow:
Lighting a Candle for Diddley
You will see from “information’ above that Dunsborough Park is built on the lands of Newark Abbey. The ruined abbey can still be seen close by across the water meadows of the River Wey. So this week, we are lighting a virtual candle looking back over the centuries.
Newark Abbey ruins.
Lighting a candle for Diddley.
– – – – – – – – – –
Trevor and Henry.
Trevor and Henry.
Trevor.
Bobby: “Watcha mate. You’ve cheered up me old cock sparrow!”
Trevor: “Whatever gave you that idea, you idiot! I can hardly breathe with this contraption on.”
Bobby: “Look here. Your problem was saggy bits due to your filling. We could have paid to have you filled up, but Fliss reckons you are meant to be like that.”
Trevor: “May I ask who Fliss is and what business is it of hers?”
Bertie: “She is my mate and has bears and cats galore. I like it over at Fliss’s.”
Trevor: “Sounds a little crowded! (more…)