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This morning I posted my fourth photograph in the Filling Facebook with Nature project.
This is it. It first featured in A Squabble of Seagulls on 14th March 2014.
Throughout the night torrential rain fell on the South East of England bringing widespread flash floods, especially to the London area. This put the trains out of action and prevented my journeying to Waterloo to meet Norman. The rain, which was to return later, left off this morning, which we spent tidying up, including staking up sodden roses.
Many of our plants, like these poppies, were so heavily waterlogged that their stems were broken and their heads drooped.
Sweet peas
and the white climber on the Gothic Arch were able to cling to their supports;
and this shield bug took shelter on a half-closed clematis.
This afternoon we visited our polling station in Milford on Sea to place our votes in the EU Referendum. All Saints Church, which dates from Norman times, was next door, so
we walked through the churchyard
to visit the place of worship.
I was not the only visitor wandering among the ancient tombs.
Do you see my camouflaged young companion?
Here he is.
Afterwards we travelled to Lidl where we loaded up what seemed like half a ton of compost and the inevitable couple of hanging baskets.
Jackie served her incredibly creamy mashed potato with the last of the beef stew this evening. This was followed by sticky toffee pudding and custard for me, with cream for her. She drank sparkling water and I drank Bordeaux Supérieur appellation controlée, 2014.
Such a beautiful Robin! Very colour coordinated indeed. 🙂
Thanks very much, Sylvia
Those old graves could stand a little sprucing up with flowers too. They look so lost and forgotten in time.
Yes, GP. And these are better kept than many. Thanks
The area where they are still interring remains (probably ashes from cremations) was very floriferous, however in the area in the photographs the dates (where legible) where 1800’s and earlier, probably no relatives left to leave flowers. I know what you mean tho’, it would look better with a flower bed or two!
Perhaps on a holiday or for a school project, the children could improve the area and show their respect?
So lovely to follow you through your day! I love that little robin!
Many thanks, Miss Kim
Your after rain photos always remind me of a line in a Chinese poem – 梨花一枝春帶雨 (like) a stem of pear blossoms in spring, draped with rain – that describes a lady in tears.
Thank you very much, Mary
Mary, that is so beautiful, so lovely to see it in the original text.
Very nice.
Thank you, Leslie
You captured those lichen covered tombstones perfectly Derrick – I could reach out and feel the texture beneath my fingers. The little robin[?] is just perfect there too.
I love that the robin is standing on one leg!
Rockin’ Robin!!
🙂
Many thanks, Pauline. I had to work very hard to get those shots in such poor light, so I am very pleased with your response
Wonderful photographs, Derrick…love the water droplets. Your robins are so much cuter than ours…they’re a lot smaller.
Thank you, Jill, as usual.
Love the little robin….though I didn’t dare call it a robin since it doesn’t look at all like my New England robins!
Thank you, Cynthia. I gather your robins are dramatically different
They’re closely related to our blackbirds (Turdus merula: I’m no Linnaeus-geek, this is just one I happen to know) but with red breast and belly, hence European settlers labelling them robins. I think North America does have birds similar in shape/size to our robins, but not sure what they are.
Thanks, Paul
Sorry about the torrential rain. Hope the right number of people got to the polls for the right decision (whatever that may be). The little robin is just perfect. May your garden soon recover.
Thank you, Lisa. Garden better today. 72% turnout which is far more than for a general election. So close that who knows what is to come.
Goodness, it’s big news here this morning! My work phone is full of updates.
What an impressive looking church and a poor little wet robin. I’m sure most of your plants will survive even though they look rather sorrowful at the moment. Lucky you to have sweet peas. One of my favourite flowers from my childhood.
It was a lovely church, parts of it dating back to 1080’s, so full of history you could feel it!
Many thanks, Val
Beautiful flowers as usual. Your photography skills are amazing. You managed to make even the graveyard look appealing 🙂 .
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Well, by noon here in the Land Down Under, we should know the results of your “Should we saty or should we go” vote.
You do now, Yvonne. Thank you
Your poor garden. That must have been some rain storm.
Hopefully your flowers will pick up their sodden heads as they dry out.
We’re down to 10C (50F), hail & thunder today. Quite cold for Melbourne, although it usually gets pretty cold at night in mid-winter.
Many thanks, Vicki. Much better today.
I liked the different, unique forms of camouflage shown in beautiful ways here, Derrick.
Well spotted, Robin. Thank you
You and Jackie have created a garden out of Wonderland. 🙂
Very many thanks, Robin
I am such a softie really…I just love those robins that always seem to help with the gardening.
Thank you, John. Of course you are a softie. You are a teacher, and therefore a caring person 🙂
I am reading that what we call a robin in the US is a sort of thrush. That’s such a pretty bird, and you caught him just so.
That is such a lovely church. I don’t travel out of the country but when I go to other towns, I always seek out churches with the doors open
Many thanks, Pleasant. We are lucky to find church doors open these days. We will return to that one on a brighter day
Too much rain can be just as bad as too little, and I hope the rain lets up so that your flowers can recover. Still, you got wonderful shots—the bird, the graveyard. Very nice!
Thanks very much, Laurie
The tomb stones really are a magnificent sight. And one wonders how Britain will feel in the morning after the celebrations/commiserations have finished.
Thanks, John. Strangely numb
Annoying as the rain must have been, your pictures came out great! Btw, I love the dinner descriptions!
Many thanks, M.L.
Cool close ups of the tombstones. Great work Derrick.
Have a great weekend.
Many thanks, Lonely. You too.
Thanks
I love these beautiful flower images with raindrops, Derrick! Robin is so cute and pretty. 🙂
Thanks very much, Amy
Wonderful shot of the robin Derrick!
Thank you very much, Mary
Such sweet sweet peas..lovely post.
Thank you, Cynthia
I adore old cemeteries and that little bird is just the cutest?
Thank you, Kim
Robins always seem to make aimiable companions – I love the close-up shot. That is a fine Norman church – wonderful architecture.
Thank you, Peggy. We will go back on a brighter day