CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE, ESPECIALLY TO VIEW THE GALLERY GROUPS
Almost overnight, a stout fence has appeared in the place of our grizelinia hedge. This had been agreed with our neighbours who have the responsibility for it. The work is excellent.
This morning Aaron lopped more extraneous branches from large bay and holly trees.
This afternoon Jackie cut my hair and made a better job of it than the last professional. Later, she drove us to Beaulieu.
A family joined in the avian activity on the river.
The younger members perched on the grassy bank and conversed with the swans and their cygnets.
Across the other side of the tidal river, Beaulieu Abbey could be seen.
The birds found the receding waters sufficient for a paddle;
and the grown cygnets continued to clutch at their parents’ apron strings.
We had been promised a thunder storm at noon. This did not arrive, but the louring clouds overhead decanted their heavy rain purely in order to put a stop to my photo session.
There was nothing for it but to walk up the main street to join Jackie where she was enjoying hot chocolate in the garden centre. By the time we drove back past the river the tide was out.
For our dinner this evening Jackie produced roast lamb, roast potatoes and parsnips, crunchy carrots and runner beans, with gravy, even though she said it herself, “to die for”. I finished the malbec and the Culinary Queen drank sparkling water.
Lovely photo of the Abbey.
Thank you, Oglach
Love these photos!
Thank you, Lynn
Thunder, clouds, rain…..they’re all perverse!
🙂 Thank you, Cynthia
Beaulieu river has always been a tourist magnet, hasn’t it?
Yes, thanks, Geoff. What was interesting was that there were no ponies or donkeys around. They must have anticipated the rain
Beautiful! ❤️
Thank you, Kara
I am TERRIFIED of swans. I was chased by a nasty male while kayaking on the river. It was in the spring and I guess I got too close to his missus and maybe their nest but he chased me relentlessly downstream (thank god the current was with me) raising out of the water and making himself like an avian Trump.
Lord, is this a commentary on the USA and our sad judgement? I do apologize, if so. I have no explanation..
The analogy came to me as I was typing. I was thinking of the last debate and how he stalked Mrs. Clinton. I confess the US election, and DT in particular, has made me like a Crack addict and I can’t keep away from the coverage. Or maybe a better comparison is I’m like a rubbernecker at a car crash. I want to look but I don’t want to look. I’m certainly not passing judgement, but as your northern neighbor it scares the bejeepers outa me.
Suzanne, I can’t figure out how to reply directly to your comment – so I will do so here. I am also terrified. I always suspected some of my countrymen were of this ilk. But I have only recently come to understand how widespread and virulent that mindset is. There is still a little part of me that keeps waiting for him to say, “Just kidding!” I still really can’t believe this is happening.
I feel for you all, and for the rest of humanity
My comment would be that I am staggered at the money that must be poured into this whole ‘disaster movie’ that could be put to so much better use.
Thank you, Suzanne. That is a good analogy
Yes – it was a good analogy, and it allowed me to get a few things off my chest! 🙂
Is there no end to Jackie’s talents? 🙂 You better hang on to that woman, Derrick! Beautiful shots!
Thanks very much, Jill. I’ll do my best this time round
My favourite kind of gravy. 🙂
Thanks, Widdershins
Gravy to die for – that’s a good recommendation. : )
Thanks, Jodie – it was, too
: )
Either you cut out this food stuff, or I’ll take my custom elsewhere; have you no mercy? O_o
🙂
The Swans with their cygnets look beautiful and graceful as they glide across the water. 🙂
I will like the fence for you which won’t need trimming nor much care. Do you feel it is as private and fits in well with your stunning gardens, Derrick?
Thanks very much, Robin. It is very private – about 7 feet. The neighbours on the back drive are a care home, so they seek their own privacy.
“…their heavy rain purely in order to put a stop to my photo session.” I like that 🙂
Thanks a lot, Weekly
Dang louring clouds, always ready to decant, never to recant.
Thanks very much, Yvonne. 🙂
I particularly liked the picture of the parent swans and their cygnets swimming past the traditional houses. It looked so relaxing.
Thank you, Bun
Some lovely photos, especially the swan family.
Thank a lot, John
What beautiful shots! Oh, England!
Oh, thanks you, Laurie
Nice day, but it sounded like I wanted to be invited to the dinner. ?
Thanks, Jim. I think you would have enjoyed it
I especially like the photo of the abbey from across the water. It’s like a fairy tale scene.
Thanks very much, Merril
Good light for those photos, Derrick. I can almost see the barometric pressure in the atmosphere. If I was there I would smell the rain too; I have that sort of nose. I can almost smell that gravy 🙂
Many thanks, Mary. I love your sensitive nose. The light was so variable
Like i was there–thanks!
Thanks a lot, Cynthia
Such beautiful shares here Derrick.. Lovely scenes and like you my hubby has not visited a hair dresser in over 41 yrs of marriage 🙂 I keep telling him think of the fortune I have saved him. LOL..
Have a super day 🙂 <3
Have you saved his hair for a pillow:) Thanks, Sue
Haha.. no but the birds enjoy lining their nests with it in the Spring time as I put it on the lawn 🙂 And they soon gather it up..
” . . . but the louring clouds overhead decanted their heavy rain purely in order to put a stop to my photo session.” 🙂
You had taken too many photos it seems. XD
I love all the water photographs with the swans and the children. You have such a keen eye for beauty. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂