Really special friends

Summer wouldn’t be summer without a visit from our dear friend and her chum

Plenty to take home after tea
Including the new(ish) book Cohencidence.

Our friend knew and liked my mother. They were both good judges of character.

It’s just like Casey’s Court here this morning!

The chimney sweep for the annual woodburner clean
Grandchildren giving breakfast bottles to the goatlings
Breakfast al fresco (and rain too)

My mum used to say “it’s so busy here it’s just like Casey’s Court” or had I misremembered this expression? I asked my brother this morning and he had no recollection of it. But … Dr Google confirmed that I have not yet lost my marbles.

Here are two explanations

Casey’s Court originally meant a gathering of unruly children as it derived from the Music Hall entertainment called ‘Casey’s Court’ created by Will Murray. Most of the cast were children with Mr Murray playing Mrs Casey. It was similar to a ‘gang show’.

A tea lady at one of my first workplaces used to say “It’s Casey’s Court in this place.” I used to think this came from a children’s comic but I now find that ‘Casey’s Court’ (a place with lots of frantic coming and going) was the name of an early 20th century music hall touring act that included lots of children.”

Apparently it normally means a riotous gathering.

In loving memory of my much missed mum I will continue to say “ it’s just like Casey’s Court here today” and it is !!!

A “going home” gift

A huge patty pan squash

They also got a marrow, French beans, runner beans, cucumbers and a jar of jam.

We received from them a welcome bottle of a whisky that we have never tasted before (but coincidentally about which we heard last week from another guest) and a bouquet of flowers. Exchange is no robbery! Cheers.

Monday morning medley

The mother of the white chick is sitting once again on a clutch of eggs
Searching for scraps of grass
The goose at the back of the picture has become lame
The scarecrows are on guard against hungry crows
On the horse chestnut tree a large (possibly edible – but I’m not going to try) fungus. A Dryad’s Saddle also called Pheasant’s Back. Latin name Cerioporus Squamosus)
And (straight after his breakfast) Nigel has caught another rabbit and brought it to the kitchen door!

Overwhelming

And there are more!
Plums in the preserving pan for more jam
Tomatoes ripening in the kitchen

The visitors tomorrow and Tuesday and Wednesday will have plenty of produce to take home. J still has to pick sweet peppers this evening