Wednesday 29 May 2019

Darrell Does Portobello Road

Darrell says, whenever he visits, that he finds Portobello Road is almost impossibly romantic, as the setting of both Paddington films and of course Notting Hill. He holds a hope of bumping into someone famous one day, Sir Lord Hugh Grant would be such a thrill, especially in such surroundings or perhaps even a real life film shoot but so far he has only seen a photo shoot for a magazine. 
Sadly, no one famous (or at least anyone he recognised) was roaming Portobello while Darrell was himself perusing the various market stalls for treasures ........
....... but that in no way detracted from him drinking in the wonderful atmosphere and trying to blend in like a local, among all the many nationed tourists, trying to see it through their eyes .........
...... and occasionally photo bombing their pictures just for fun.  What is he like?
There were a few little things that he saw that he jotted down in his "de rigueur" notebook that he thought he could perhaps introduce back at The Towers .......... 
........ like using old, topless salt and pepper pots en-masse as vases to display an array of small flowers.  
There was also "ar" everywhere ........
...... Darrell has always wanted to see/touch a real life Banksy, but with so many impostors he really needed Hugh with him to point out what was real and what was blatently not.
But when it came to the "very best fish and chips on Portobello Road", they seemed real enough ......

...... as Darrell and his tummy found out, they did not disappoint, well, it would have looked rude not to avail himself, he was on holiday.  Happy Days!

Tuesday 28 May 2019

Darrell Does Shepherd’s Bush Market

With Hugh away for the next two days advising on an up and coming quiz show Darrell decided to take himself off to Shepherd’s Bush, a name that has intrigued him whenever he’s seen it signposted, often causing him to ponder upon bygone shepherds and their flocks roaming the wild bushes of ancient Londinium.  
There was sadly no evidence of shepherds, in said Shepherd’s Bush, although had there been, Darrell mused, they would have  no doubt have been very impressed by some of the long flowing kaftan type garments on sale and may even have been tempted to make one or two considered purchases for themselves …..
There were however sheep …….. in what guise, well, we’ll leave that to your imaginations, however an accompanying dollop of mint sauce may give you a small clue.
However, there was indeed much to see, as well as exotic fruit and vegetables and other comestibles there were also  fabulous fabrics, clothes, bags and jewellery etc. there were even items of a religious type nature, in fact, Darrell did get his purse out to buy a small holy water font to adorn our newly refurbished shower room  …… after Hugh had told him that religious kitsch was another big thing this season, Heaven help me!
There were also hundreds upon hundreds of wonderful hats of every description and ethnicity but without Hugh’s advice, especially in London, Darrell felt lost, and of course, what might be considered tres tres de rigueur in London may not translate so well in Evesham …… unless of course you are as flamboyant as Hugh who can naturally get away with anything!
Nevertheless, Darrell had a brilliant  mooch and made an underlined note in his book to try and return to the market before Christmas as he thought that kaftans just might be the wow factor gift for 2019 back at The Towers.

Monday 27 May 2019

Darrell Is Hugh's Guest In London

After all the excitement of Eurovision it has to be said that Darrell was on a bit of a downer, so when Hugh suggested that he travel back to London with him and spend a few days at his Notting Hill pied a terre to recharge his batteries it was a no brainer.
Hugh had work commitments to meet for an up and coming game show, but while he was going hither and thither Darrell was most welcome to come and go as he pleased, avail himself of Hugh’s staff and all the luxury comestibles and beverages in his extensive pantry.  Let’s just say Darrell just couldn't wipe the happy grin off his face.
As ever, Hugh has proved to be the most attentive of hosts, making sure that Darrell was be surrounded by fresh flowers …and knowing how much Darrell loves a daffodil, he’d had a crate especially flown over from North America, as they are now well and truly out of season in the UK, to help further lift Darrell’s spirits.  It was emotional.
Said daffodils were then meticulously arranged throughout Hugh’s flat in the most en trend of en trend receptacles, with Hugh explaining to Darrell that no one, but no one was to be seen without “ …. zee zebra zis season darling” 
……. or they really were a no-one in the world of  style, a la mode and Donatelle Versace!
Hugh had also arranged for Darrell to be put in his newly refurbished guest wing ……..  again, it was emotional, especially as Darrell has never in his life slept between two bare naked ladies before ……
…….. and though initially somewhat distracted, he did manage to start making copious notes on zebras, anxious that The Towers would not to be found wanting of them upon his return.
Hugh is just such a hero to Darrell, someone to truly look up to, someone who is so generous in sharing his knowledge of all things   de rigueur, his wonderful home(s) and the occasional morsel of showbiz or royal gossip.
Darrell felt truly blessed in a Hello magazine type way …… even if Eurovision was now another year away, it didn’t seem to matter anymore.
's

Thursday 23 May 2019

Not Quite Goodbye For One Of Us ........

We had such a wonderful time staying with Hugh for Eurovision at Le Chicken Coop ..........
..... but I always sort of dread the goodbyes when it's time to leave as they can often get a little emotional, what with Hugh being a theatrical and all that. 
But, it was all agreed that it would be a case of same time, same place next year for Eurovision 2020, come what may and as soon as the official dates are announced Hugh will insist othat his PA clears his diary completely   ....... unless, of course, he was asked himself to advise. At the moment he is of the very strong opinion that Robbie Williams should be bought on board with Adele being asked to help co-write the "winning" entry with said Mr Williams.  If Hugh then becomes part of UK Eurovision team in the Netherlands he says he will absolutleyinsist on us all being part of his entourage (Hugh's not Robbie's).  We shall see.........
A few last minutes pictures were insisted upon ..........
......... several, it has to be said, including interlopers .............

However, I could see Darrell start to well up during the morning and then some serious looking conversations going on between Hugh and Darrell followed by Hugh and his "man that does" just as our bags were about to be put in the car.

It was then, at the very last minute Darrell announced that, if it was alright with Nigel and myself, he wouldn't be returning immediately to Evesham with us as Hugh had kindly invited him to stay for a few days in London. Well, who were we to say no, it would mean making a couple of changes to the school/nursery run rota .......... but we could easily sort something out ........
....... but the sight of Hugh's crestfallen face when Nigel teasingly said no ...... well, it was heartbreaking, so it was all settled ........
....... and happy faces all round.

Nigel Enjoys More Company Of Hugh's "Man That Does"

Hugh's "Man That Does" had such a lovely time with Nigel at the village plant sale on Saturday, that he wondered if Nigel might also like to join him at the local car boot sale on Sunday.  Again, he was looking for a few more plants, but was sure Nigel would have fun mooching from table to table to see what treasures were availing themselves.

Well, it goes without saying that Nigel was ready and waiting with several bags for life and his wallet when Arthur came to pick him up at the crack of dawn.  There is absolutley nothing Nigel likes better than a good delve amongst other peoples unwanted bits and pieces.

It was hard to know what direction to go in first, Nigel wasn't looking for anything in particular, but ..............
...... as soon as he saw a wonderful pot of cactus's/cacti, brimming with babies, that Arthur said he could, if he wanted, split up and separate for just £1 Nigel couldn't contain himself.  He wasn't going to split them, not unless the pot got too crowded, he was just going to admire it.  It was turning out to be a bit of a cactus fest type weekend for him. There were other treasures abound and therefore much excitement when the little fella returned to Le Chicken Coop for us all to admire his considered purchases.
It goes without saying that his cactus's/cacti were much admired. In Harolds, London's emporium to the stars, Hugh exclaimed a pot such a Nigel's would have had a designer price tag slapped on it that would have made your eyes water, he had really struck de rigueur gold.
There was homemade damson jam for me, a crystal cut decanter (the real thing, not pressed glass) for Darrell's bubble bath collection in his "designer bathroom" for £1 ..........
........ and some tiny farm animals for Hugh's latest moss garden projects.
Nigel also found a vintage beaded iguana and crocodile, that he bought for just 30p each and which Darrell and Hugh immediately started enviously cooing over and coverting.  These Nigel thought, would be best put away safely and then given as birthday or Christmas presents after seeing their reaction.
It was, again, a wonderful trip out for Nigel, especially after seeing everyones reaction to his thoughtful buys...........
........ carbooting in the Worcestershire countryside was just too brilliant he declared!

Wednesday 22 May 2019

Nigel Goes All Prickly

On Saturday afternoon (prior to Eurovision) Hugh's "man that does" asked Nigel if he would like to accompany him to the local village plant sale, there were a couple of plants he fancied for Hugh's herbaceous borders, the company would be much appreciated and having someone to stand over the bags in all the melee would also be most welcome.
As Nigel had been in previous years he was no stranger to the fact that it could get pretty rough as people jostled into postion, ready to grab the last lesser spotted begonia, tripled headed lupin or box of tomato plants ...... but the opportunity to spend time with a man who tilled Hugh's soil and discuss provocation propagation and cross population pollination made it all worth while. 
Plus..... there was also the promise of some "village ladies cake", as Hugh had asked him look out for a large walnut and coffee  to which he was very partial and a cherry bakewell, if they hadn't all gone.  Nigel was well chuffed as he managed to secure both. plus a rock bun for himself and Hugh's "man that does" to eat in the van on the way back.
Nigel guarded the purchased plants with great aplomb, a few people did caste admiring glances at them, but Nigel stood firm, saying that they were all spoken for.

And then, while Hugh's man that does was loading up the van, Nigel had a little mooch around too and duly purchased a cactus's something he's always, always wanted .......  way before he'd heard Hugh and Darrell discussing how en-trend and "must have" they were at the moment.  At 50p it was a considered and emotional purchase for the little fella. 
Then, as a small detour on the way back to Le Chicken Coop Hugh's "man that does" asked Nigel if he's like to see the "monument" the local hostelry had erected in honour of Hugh's custom! What can we say, except that it was an .....erm....... impressive accomplishment.
Needless to say Hugh was over the moon with all the treasures that his "man that does" and Nigel bought back with them .......
.......... and then followed a wonderful afternoon of endless chatter, celbrity gossip  .......
........ talk of our eurovision dreams and so much laughter it hurt  .....................

....... while Hugh's "man that does" did all the planting while listening to a podcast of Gardener's Question Time.  Happy Days.

Tuesday 21 May 2019

Three Days Later

When we put together our Eurovision post, with not a little haste, on Sunday so that we'd at least have something waiting for you by Monday morning re: our most favourite night of the year, (other than Christmas), it was with extremely delicate and fuzzy heads. Hugh's fabled Baileys infused chocolate trifle was, let's just say, was both fabbbbuuuuulous and potent,  as were his flaming cocktails ........ and smogasbord of international nibbles.
However, as a result, it seems that we may have started to celebrate very early on in the proceedings, peaking well ahead of schedule, because after Darrell had sucessfully downloaded the Eurovision App .........
....... I can't be entirely sure who exactly we voted for, all I remember was that there was a lot of button pressing and 12ps adding up!
As you will no doubt know by now The Netherlands were the joyous triumphants..........
...... despite their never being on any of our own euro-radars ..........
  
But now, in the cold light of a Tuesday day, three days after the event, we realise that Madonna, after all the hype was a very huge disappointment, in fact she was total pants (even Hugh, a lifetime fanclub member and despite his own celebrity status, had to sadly agree) .....  and that the rest of Europe was nochalant to the fact that the UK was left languishing right at the very bottom of the scoreboard with 16 points. Believe me, that was enough to sober us all up very, very quickly.  What can we say except that questions must now be asked in Parliament as to what went so wrong. Next year we say that we either send in Robbie Williams .........
........ or claim Mans Zelmerlöw (Swedish winner in 2015) as our own (since he now lives in London), everyone adores him and would never dream of tactically voting against him!