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Sinead's avatar

Christopher Biggins, so happy with his pineapple! 💗

Also, I have pigeon related news. We have two wood pigeons that regularly visit our garden; we refer to them as Gary and David. It’s been so dry here in Kent and we’ve not long put in some new fruit trees. So, I put the hose out under the trees for a thorough soaking. There’s a little hole in the hose, so halfway along the path I could see the tiny jet of water spraying on the path. After making a tea, I looked out the window, only to see Gary/Dave sat on the path in the direct firing line of the spurting water. He was LOVING it. I watched him for ages. Even lifting one wing at a time for a good drenching under-wing. It made my day! Happy bank holiday weekend all 💗

AlexTSmith's avatar

There isn’t a single moment of this that I don’t ADORE! I have a spherical pigeon called Bev who is visiting my garden. Hens are livid about it but I’m thrilled by her! x

Sinead's avatar

I love Bev! 💗 in my mind she struts past the chickens! Business to attend! 😂

Sue Riley's avatar

Literally crying tears of mirth over your Joy Parade this week Alex. Today we had an outing to the Shaftesbury Festival featuring the Gold Hill Cheese Race - competitors have to run up a ridiculously steep cobbled hill (from Hovis advert fame for those ancient enough to remember) carrying a 23kg cheese. Many heats over the course of the day with competitors of all ages. Completely mad and utterly British.

AlexTSmith's avatar

Oh this sounds JUST my cup of tea!

Seventies Soul💜🍄 🌊's avatar

The late 30s actually nearly 41 …. And about you and the purse … hilarious 😆!!!

AJ Pearce's avatar

Please do make a circus tent folly from the fabric - or one that goes on the top of a van so people at camp sites will wonder and marvel! I'd like one of those Edwardian deckchairs in the same stripes that has a sort of hat thing attached so that you don't get freckles. I have a modern one which is awful but effective and if you flip it up at an outdoor event at the first sign of rain everyone glares with envy (I should add that they all still have a perfectly fine view so it definitely is envy and not a seething British silence that wishes you were dead). Thank you for another lovely newsletter!

AlexTSmith's avatar

YES! A deckchair with a built in sunshade would be TERRIFIC!

Jessica Turner's avatar

Glorious as always. Su Pollard, what a treat. Reminded me that I loved You Rang M’Lord - just looked up the dates and I’d have been in the latter half of primary school when it was on. Unusual taste for a nine year old!

AlexTSmith's avatar

PERFECT taste in my opinion!

Maria Constant's avatar

Why am i worrying that Fozzy bear can't breathe in that case? I'd demand airholes for it. Once again your photos are a delight and i'm envious how you captured the bluebells so well. When i take a photo of them they seem sparse and lacklustre as opposed to the glorious carpet in real life. Is this self preservation do you think? It's so lovely to start my Sundays with your whimsy. It helps lighten my day. 😊

Garden Witch's avatar

Love everything as per, except the little house which looks like the setting for a claustrophobic psycho drama where everybody suspects everyone else.

Meg's avatar

Oh dear, all that came to mind for me was Finn Family Moomintroll 😅

Garden Witch's avatar

My mind is obviously in a dark place....

Sadhbh Devlin's avatar

Thanks, as always, for the weekly dose of joy! YES to the tearing into the baguette on the way home! It's the best bit! (side note : In my family the rounded end of the baguette was always known as 'the duck's bum' and my siblings and I would fight tooth and nail about who got to devour it on the way home from the supermarket.)

Nicole Suzanne's avatar

I’m still giggling over the baguette incident. Happy bank holiday/looming deadline foreboding vibes Alex!

Cathy Ballou Mealey's avatar

In addition to the joy, beholding and exclaiming I've now learned the word "secateurs" and set a bucket list goal of riding a radish carousel. TYVM

Jan Jenkins's avatar

Always reading the Joy Parade. Makes me smile.

Larissa Hennessy's avatar

Because you are person of very good esteem( as you buy KerryGold butter) I simply have to subscribe

Anne Perez's avatar

Thanks Alex! Your weekly shot of vaccine against blue mood arrives at the right moment. Your letter is my best medication ever! 😆

Amber's avatar

Gave me a much needed giggle and grin.

Thank you Alex! May your baguettes always be fresh and well buttered.

P.S I loveeeee Fargo!!

Kathryn Ann Gander's avatar

Thank you Alex. Delightful as always. I had to read the bit about the slow Ford Fiesta aloud to my husband over the breakfast table.

Yesterday evening I made a huge pear and chocolate cake and we are are going over to my sister’s later today to chomp our way through it. I might save you a piece if there is any left 😃

Philippa Moore's avatar

All so delightful as always ❤️