Frost lay on the bright, sunlit, garden this morning;
glittering on benches,
and on geranium leaves;
and the Waterboy pond was frozen. Abstractedly.
This afternoon Jackie drove Becky and me to The Beach House via Milford on Sea Post Office where I posted the prints to Frances.
This hotel, formerly Westover Hall, was built in 1897 from a design by the famous Victorian architect Arnold Mitchell for Alexander Siemens. The magnificent building was a beach house looking across the Solent to The Isle of Wight.
I have often photographed the firs in the front garden, but never before against the lowering sun.
Similarly, this view of The Needles and their flashing lighthouse, is no stranger to my lens. It is the pastel shades of the scene that appealed today.
A cyclist,
and walkers promenaded alongside the changing palette.
Reflecting a new meaning to solar lighting, the sky appeared to have illuminated some neighbouring rooms.
Near these modern homes, in The Beach House Garden, a gnarled pine has staggered to the ground and created a Hobbit house with similar internal lighting.
When I had finished wandering I joined the ladies inside for tea and cakes. Becky said I should get outside again because the light had already changed. I handed her the camera. She went off to collect some images of her own. They included
a dovecote;
an anchor;
a herringbone path;
and more sunsets,
one of which was a backcloth to further walkers.
Turning to the building itself, she spotted the fire escape outside,
and, inside, the hall of mirrors from which all the loos lead.
One of these doors was labelled
She was unable to resist trying the door which was locked. Anyone fancy writing a story about it?
PS. Poet Rummager took up the challenge, with a beautiful poem. See the pingback on her comment below
About to put the car key in the ignition, Jackie asked: ‘Has anyone paid?’ at which Becky and I both leaped (poetic licence here) out of the car and sped to the reception desk. The man who had served us had binned our bill because he assumed his female colleague had taken our money. He had to put it all back into the computer. We thought the charge very reasonable and exchanged jokes about having missed the opportunity to do a runner.
This evening Ian drove us to Dynasty Indian restaurant in Brockenhurst where we enjoyed excellent food and service. My choice was Lamb Tikka jalfrezi with special fried rice. We all shared onion bhajis. Becky drank rose wine and the rest of us drank Kingfisher.
Wow, Derrick, the fir photograph against the lowering sun is stunning. Well done!
Thank you, Jill
Looked like a really nice day was had by all. Good shots too.
Thank you, steVe
Like Monet and his water lilies; the variations are endless 🙂 By the way it is impossible to have a bottomless pit, that would be a tunnel.
Thank you, Mary. I like the Monet comparison; so right about the tunnel
I often do a “runner” and then go back to pay. Some of us have to do it 🙂
Thank you, Sylvie. I guess we all do
I agree with Jill, but I also love the sunset with the shadow of the cyclist 🙂
Thank you, Monica
Sometimes, when I’m photographing sunrises/sunsets, I see other people going about their business, not even noticing the awesome display before them…
And here I am, driving down the road, with my mountain in front of me (or in the rear view mirror), having trouble keeping my eyes on the road…
People are strange. (Gorgeous photos, as always.) 🙂
Thank you very much, Johnna
That fire escape is especially interesting. And yes, I want to know more about the Bottomless Pit…maybe a storage area ?? ☺️
Thank you, Van. Becky’s pics suited you.
Absolutely lovely. So pretty..
Pleased you like it, Nina, Thank you
These are really lovely.
Thank you, Alex
Bottomless pit. Ah!
Thanks Nana
Brilliant sunset photos. Great evening..thank you.
And you, Ian. Thanks
See what you can get away with when you look like a decent, non-thief? I like Jackie’s photos, and that door leading to the bottomless pit.
Thank you, Cynthia. Actually the second set were Becky’s pics.
Beautiful again. I often wondered what the Dynasty was like. I can highly recommend the Tea Tree Indian restaurant in Ringwood – in fact all four of them there are pretty good.
Thank you, Sol. That’s the only one we haven’t tried
So many great pictures. The lighthouse, the silhouettes, the gnarled tree, and the fire escape. My favorite, though is the herringbone path. I love the lighted steps and the chairs at the side. So glad you didn’t do a runner.
Thank you, Lisa. All your favourites, except the tree, are Becky’s
Fantastic photographs. And the Bottomless Pit is indeed worth a story! It reminds me of the schoolboy’s misspelling: “The Dark and Bottomless Abbess”.
Many thanks, Bruce.
Some excellent photographs, from both photographers, but above all, congratulations on your honesty. A gold star for the older generation!
Wonderful photographs, both yours and Becky’s. You live in a very beautiful place. I will, however, admit that the bottomless pit picture gave me a shiver.
Fabulous photos, and I really love that Hobbit house. Becky takes very good pics. 🙂
Thank you Sylvia
I can see that you HAVE been out in the fab sunshine. Lovely images, all but particularly the frost and especially the fir tree.
A beautiful set of photos and such a lovely commentary. Very much enjoyed. (Is a bottomless pit the gents toilet, by the way or simply a warning of Danger keep out !)
We think it is a warning to keep out, Gill. The gents has photographs of early film actresses, whereas the ladies has such as Cary Grant. Thank you for your comments
You inspired me to write a proper day’s blog today Derrick. Thanks.
Thanks, Jerry. I’m pleased
Great atmospheric photos Derrick!
Thank you, Val
Man. I loved all of that!
Thank you, Weekly
I absolutely love these shots, Derrick … Especially that frozen pond. Looks like watercolor!! 🙂
Thanks, Ashley. Watercolour indeed 🙂
You have such a lovely eye for texture, color and mood in your amazing photos! I may have to try my hand at a story or poetry for that “Bottomless Pit” door 😉
Many thanks, Rose. For reading, for the compliments, and for considering the door.
Thank you, Rose. I am adding a link to my post
Thank you for the kind note, Derrick!