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Stamps  from New Zealand; good birds in Suffolk; Ruddigore at Sadlers’ Wells; excitement on The Ribble Marshes; childish stamps from Australia; “a perfect specimen of human babyhood”, and a Camellia causes some anxiety.

On February 19th 1973, Gran receives some mail:

Second post brought me New Zealand stamps from Brother-in-law Norman – two strips of the newest issue with the margin numbers and printers’ name, with the names of the artists which, according to a newspaper cutting sent with them, had been attributed to the wrong artist in these particular values.  Norman thought they would be interesting and, perhaps, valuable.

Sika whistles; various ailments; much knitting; an old doll; birds on a wire; a 25th wedding anniversary; a rude beginning to the day; the Rector retires; a near disaster; kind residents, and new friends at Cranbury Park.

Gran’s restlessness and depression, which characterised her first day of October 1972, lift on the 2nd, after a day out in the New Forest with Norris.  There they search for Sika Deer hoping in particular, to hear the remarkable whistling calls of the males and they have to wait at Ladycross until seven o’clock before they are rewarded, Gran says, with “a sound which I would never have associated with a deer”.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 138)

Three birds new to Gran, and several flowers; a “nice piece” about Julian; Nastase – “the idol of the crowd”; a visit from Gilbert’s sister; the Fowlers retire; Gran is sixty-eight; the Brenans move house; the “ghost of a frustrated artist”; Barry collects things other than moths, and “my life is rushing away”

Gran and Norris spend twelve days in mid-Wales during June 1972, loving the countryside they explore, together, and sometimes in the company of others.  Their host, referred to as “Mac” is knowledgeable about the local breeding birds of prey and he takes them to see the nests of Sparrowhawk and Merlin, the latter, unusually, in a low Hawthorn tree, rather than on the ground, where he has set up hides for photography. [Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 137)

Happy in Church; Gran’s “Gilbertiana”; plans disrupted by “The Troubles”; pleasure and pride; Oxford or Cambridge?; a new position for Stuart; Gran yelps; Greaty is quite overcome, and a holiday with Brother again.

Book 140

Gran is always very much at home in her beloved Compton Church, and on March 12th 1972 she goes there again, for Matins, and is:

…particularly happy to do so as the new Bishop of Southampton, who now resides in Compton, preached the Sermon and pronounced the Blessing. He took as his theme for his Sermon the vital part to be played by parents during their children’s critical growing period between the ages of eight and eighteen.  This was inspired by two things – today is Mothering Sunday, and next Saturday several of our young parishioners are to be confirmed.

Gran’s collection of her so called “Gilbertiana”; press cuttings, articles, books, drawings and letters concerning Gilbert Whitley, found its way into my hands recently.  A difficult search in Australia for a more appropriate custodian of these items was ultimately fruitful, owing to Gran’s recording of the birth of one of Gilbert’s great-nephews, son of his niece, Pamela Clare Frewer.  Pam married Lazaros Archontides, a Greek musician.  Their son Bernhard, today better known as Panayotis Archontides, is an internationally acclaimed pianist, based in London. Gran writes of the little family on March 13th:

Post brought a First Day Cover from Gilbert in Australia – very welcome – and his letter contained the news that Pam and Lazaros, with baby Bernhard, are soon due in Sydney.  There will be much rejoicing.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 136)

A sad loss; enjoying “The Queen”; a new bird for Gran – and one for  Barry and Rick; Julian runs for England; power cuts encourage good neighbourliness; Geoff does well, and Robin – no longer a baby.

Christmas cards have been arriving at The Ridge, and on December 20th 1971 the contents of one, from her Sussex friend Pauline Muirhead, distresses Gran.  She explains:

A sad note today came in Pauline’s card – our dear friend, Andrew Young, died in his sleep on November 20th. He had suffered much pain and frustration since he broke his hip a year ago, so one could not wish for him to go on, but one does not like to think of the loss of such as he.  But I shall always think of him enjoying the picnics in the New Forest with us, and read again and again with pleasure the books that he wrote.  There is his last to be published in January and I shall hope to get it.  I am glad I was privileged to know him and to call him friend.

Barry, Jane Elizabeth, and the boys, Geoffrey and Robin spend Christmas at The Ridge, and the day starts well for Gran:

I rose at six o’clock and Barry took me to Early Service at Compton at 7.15.  The Church was beautifully decorated with yellow, bronze and white Chrysanthemums, with holly, ivy and pyracantha berries and yellow jasmine added in the small arrangements.  The Service was uplifting and a joy to me.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 135)

Brother on the mend; Gran still playing tennis; countryside outings resume; The Ridge gets a telephone; 100 miles a week for Julian; an extravagence not regretted; a Barn Owl is killed, and small family events.

Book 136

Feeling rather “down” owing to her anxiety over her brother Norris, Gran receives some welcome mail on August 5th 1971:

Post today brought a nice surprise which cheered my soul – a specimen of Grass of Parnassus from Jane, from, I should think, Windermere, where I know she is going to be for the holiday and a wedding…

She is correct; another letter from Jane some days later tells her that:

…the family is staying at a 300 year old farm which once belonged to Beatrix Potter and Jane says the very comfortable kitchen is just like Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s, but the beds are more up to date!

She paints the flower on the day it arrives while Brother, still tending to be depressed after his hospitalisation, rests.

[Read more…] about Forty Years in Chandler’s Ford – a Journal (Part 134)