I love meeting Chic Eleanor in the pub at early doors. The place is usually filled with blue collar chaps relaxing after work, so the sight of an attractive woman calling out “ Oh Darling lovely to see you!” Seems to turn everyone’s heads with a slight envy.
We drank Cruzcampo beer and put the world to rights and I was home in time to watch Interior Design Masters which is camp as Christmas.
It was lovely to see her
Today I’m painting, and I’m late starting. With no bulldog to wake me up, I sleep as long as the Welsh do and they love their lie ins .
The place looks like the wreck of the Hesperus
Can't wait for the 'before' and 'after' shots!
ReplyDeleteme too!
DeleteCeci
Is the pope catholic ?
DeleteAfter painting today, you should sleep well tonight. It will look fab when everything is put back together. Will wait for the show and tell. Gigi
ReplyDeleteGod the kitchen was grubby. Funny how you don’t “ see things”
DeleteOnce my dad told my mom their neighbor's hair looked like the wreck of the Hesperus. I had to look it up but now I use that phrase whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteIt’s one of my mothers phrases
DeleteWhat I'd like to know is, why, when you're just decorating one room, the whole house becomes a complete mess? Oh well, it'll be worth it. No pain, no gain, as they say! xx
ReplyDeleteBTW I'm casting aspersions on my decorating mess, not yours. Do you remember the song "When father papered the parlour"? A bit like that whenever I decorate! xx
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akX8ooGIzFM
Deletea poem by the US poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was in his collection Ballads and Other Poems (1841), which also included The Village Blacksmith. It tells the story of a father and his small daughter who die when their ship hits rocks during a storm. The phrase like the wreck of the Hesperus may be used to mean 'very untidy' or 'in a ruined state'.
DeleteI should really re-do my kitchen, but even the thought of it is exhausting.
ReplyDeleteI am exhausted and will be having an early night tonight
DeleteI do enjoy a nice pub in the very early evening. Everyone is there for a relaxing time and a catch up with friends, it's a totally different atmosphere to later in the night.
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine your casual saunter over to the lovely Chic Eleanor and the kisses on the cheeks as you arrive at the table. You paint a picture with words so well. xx
Eleanor enters every venue as though she’s arrived at a friends party
DeleteShe walked into the party, like she was walking into a yacht…….
DeleteKathy
Her joie de vivre sounds amazing, enough to lift any spirits.
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DeleteThe kitchen will look great when you are finished.
ReplyDeleteIt will feel somewhat reborn
DeleteThe Wreck of the Hesperus ? Goodness I have not heard that expression since I was in Primary School....Hmmm
ReplyDeleteI attended a Convent School.You were not taught by nuns...Were You? :)
No but my mother could have been a mother surperior
DeleteI'm looking forward to pics of the finished project! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteComeback on Friday xx
DeleteHow lovely to spend some time with Chic Eleanor - to the envy of others!
ReplyDeleteWishing you well as you continue painting. Is the color pleasing you?
I remember aasking my parents abought'The Wreck of the Hesperus' when I was a child.
Do you now need an alarm clock?
Hugs!
I have one,I’m just miss my furry one
DeleteYou inspired me to look up "The Wreck of the Hesperus." I've heard that phrase but I'm not sure I ever knew where it came from. Turns out it's a Longfellow poem, as you probably know. (Not one I've ever read.)
ReplyDeleteYes I know it’s origin , having researched it on an an earlier blog
DeleteAh, grandma's phrase!! Along with looking "like you'd been through a hedge backwards "!!
ReplyDelete“Your hair looks nice from the back “
DeleteMy Mom said I “looked like I was pulled through a knothole backwards” at times. Kathy
DeleteMy father used to go on fairly regular tirades about the state of our house. One or the other of his four children were often accused of having a room that looked like the "Wreck of the Hesperus". It made me smile to hear that phrase again.
ReplyDeletea poem by the US poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It was in his collection Ballads and Other Poems (1841), which also included The Village Blacksmith. It tells the story of a father and his small daughter who die when their ship hits rocks during a storm. The phrase like the wreck of the Hesperus may be used to mean 'very untidy' or 'in a ruined state'.
DeleteWarning - shocking revelation coming up.
DeleteEleanor sounds like a lovely human. She would surelymake someone - I am not saying who - a super partner for life. Maybe this has crossed your mind?
ReplyDeleteJohn is gay
DeleteReally?
DeleteYes, he's mentioned it many times.
DeleteHow very dare you
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DeleteHaha .... just that. :-)
DeleteThe Wreck of the Hesperus is an especially bad look. I won’t think about that and will look forward to the dawning of a new age in the cottage. I need a drink in a pub with Chic Eleanor... or you.
ReplyDeleteAnd we had Spanish beer
DeleteMy mom used to use that phrase regarding the house, on a regular basis. Often saying it looked like the wreck of Hesperus. It usually wasn't that bad, but she would also say that about someone she hadn't seen for a while. Fortunately, she didn't say it to the person. I think it's wonderful that you can make time for your friend because she always seems to make you feel a bit special, as I'm sure do many of your friends. Best of luck with the painting. Not my favorite thing to do but can do much in refreshing ones home. Ranee (MN) USA
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ReplyDeleteI'd be looking on with envy too! A beer with a Chic Eleanor (or anyone tbh!) would be a restful break from the bad day I'm having. Hey ho.
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen may resemble the wreck of the Hesperus today, but it's going to be stunning when you're finished!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed time with a friend and looking forward to the new look in your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteJackie
There should be more Chic Eleanor's around x
ReplyDeleteI also look forward to a photo of your refresh. You and CE always have a good time together. She's a good friend and great company.
ReplyDeleteWreck of the Hesperus II here in my 'cottage' John!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy faithful painter of many years is coming tomorrow to work his magic on the terrible wall mess made by the former sheet rock guy...........whom I never want to set eyes on again!
I wish we had an authentic British pub nearby - I like those words "early doors" which I gather is opening time?
Mary -
When some ' thing ' was messy, untidy or just too much to deal with, my nan would say it looked like " a Chinese pakapoo ticket " which I think was a hand written lottery paper.
ReplyDeleteI have always looked like the wreck of the Hesperus. Fortunately I have a daughter who is a chic Eleanor (yes, that is really my daughter's name) so I happily rarely get noticed. Stand back and enjoy the result of your labours, John. Did my kitchen three weeks ago. The upset and end result are worth the effort!
ReplyDeletewe should all be so fortunate to have a Chic Eleanor in our lives! I always envision her breathy *Darling* greeting whenever you mention her!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I'll send Michelle over to judge your handiwork. She's my neighbour.
ReplyDeleteSome people can just make us feel so good without even really trying, and it's a joy to spend time with them.
ReplyDelete