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We awoke to a garden covered in frost and fog. As the day progressed, some of the precipitation departed, but the mist remained. My photographs largely appeared as if in monochrome, and I undertook no editing at all.
I began with a wander round the garden. Some of these shots, especially the one featuring a dripping cobweb, were taken from an upstairs window. The other cobweb adds a hairpiece to Florence’s statue.
One front and one rear light had failed on the car, so it spent the morning in Downton Service Station.
This is what Christchurch Road looked like when we collected it, and drove off, first to
Lymington River where the moored boats were barely discernible,
and the ferry crews hung about on the upper deck because, like Southampton Airport, the services were fogbound.
Tanner’s Lane was our next target. There the flats at low tide took on the air of Paul Nash’s paintings of the First World War.
The barbed wire and gnarled trees separating the beach from the field added to the atmosphere.
As we drove off up the lane two red/brown ponies loomed up ahead.
Considering themselves safe from prying eyes, and ignoring the grey gooseberry further up the road, they embarked upon a passionate necking session.
Once we had circumvented the happy couple, we continued to St Leonard’s Grange.
Trees, both in the fields and along the road took on a spooky image, in keeping with the ruins of the ancient grange.
A pheasant stood proud on the old stone wall of the big house.
Soon after this the journey took an alarming turn. A warning light came on and a message stated that there was a steering fault. In the increasing fog. Several miles from home. Jackie, bravely, tensely, continued, having come to the conclusion that the power steering had failed. She made it back to the service station, and switched off the engine whilst I brought out a mechanic. He sat in the driving seat, switched the ignition back on, and spun the wheel with ease. The problem had righted itself. We decided that, like any computer, when there is a problem one should always try switching it off and switching it back on.
This evening we dined on lamb steaks flavoured with our own dried rosemary, cottage pie topped with cheddar cheese, and sautéed potatoes, leeks, carrots, and green beans; followed by bread and Benecol pudding with evap. I drank Reserve des Tuguets Madiran 2012, while Jackie chose sparkling water.
I love how some of the foggy photos still have bits of color that pop, while others look ghostly, or then there is the WWI painting. (It does look like that.)
I’m glad you got home safely.
Thanks very much, Merril
Yes – so scary to have steering trouble. My husband is always wary of the cars after they have been serviced. He says things can go wrong after all of that poking around. The turning off and on is a grand idea. I know to do that will all number of things – but never thought about it with a car.
Nor me, before, Jodie. Thanks a lot
I think fog is the next best thing after snow for the photographer. Some very atmospheric shots here!
Thanks, John. I agree
Gosh I remember those fogs. I found it really scary driving in them and avoided it whenever possible. You’ve taken a shot of your garden quite close to the angle of the one you sent me, which I have on my art room wall. I like to see the effect the change in atmosphere has on it.
That’s lovely, Pauline. Thank you very much
Wow, what an amazing day. Some of those shots are very reminiscent of WWI. There really isn’t any maintenance you can do in a garden at this time of the year by the looks of it. I keep thinking of how busy you will be in spring. The power steering went on me once and I couldn’t turn the wheel at all. A big problem. I can imagine how tense Jackie was!
Many thanks, Gwen
How can one tell the difference between fog and pollution?
I think ours is mist off the fields and from the sea. However there is certainly pollution about as well. I think it is in the smell of the stuff. The smog of the ’50s was choking
What a photo opportunity, particularly of the necking pair. It was 28ºC (82ºF) at sunrise here so it is hard for me to imagine how it feels. Do take care on the road!
Many thanks, Mary. We had better
I’ll bet that the car has been driven very slowly for a long time and the steering fluid got over heated. It probably won’t happen again but look at the reservoir where the fluid goes and make sure it is filled up. Or I could be a long way off in both senses.
Thanks for the thoughts, John. All we have to do is find the reservoir 🙂
Probably quite obvious and easy to get to and probably on the drivers side near the dash. Under the hood of course.
🙂
Jackie was brave to drive in that dense fog. It seems it would be dangerous for the horses as well as the drivers. I love the gardens shots, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill. As it turned out, the fog making everyone slow down was a help in getting back without power steering
Fog + Frost…makes for some great photos, Derrick.
Thanks a lot Van. Steve, at the garage said I wouldn’t see much for pictures. I replied that that was the point.
Cottage pie topped with cheddar. I’ll have to try that, I’m partial to a cottage pie.
Those ponies are beautiful and I feel kind of sorry for them stuck out in that weather, cold, frosty, foggy, ahhhhhhhhhh not fit for man or beast.
Yet they do seem completely oblivious to those condition, and happy enough.
I suppose that’s because they are; but I still can’t help feeling sorry for them
Thanks, Brian. They do grow longer coats in the winter. I feel most sorry for them in constant rain.
Yes they must be a sorry sight. All bedraggled and sad looking. They seem to have a sad look all the time, but must be worse in the rain
Many of them look very gentle
Beautiful photos. We love those foggy mornings and just posted one on the topic ourselves.
Thanks, Anarette. I’ll have a look when I get to my reader.
I’m crazy about these foggy photos.
Let’s face it – you are self-confessed crazy 🙂 Thanks a lot, Leslie
True enough!
Beautiful photos. I love hearing what you had for dinner–very curious about what you had for breakfast or lunch, snack even… perhaps something chocolatey, maybe 🙂
Thanks a lot Akuokuo. Actually we don’t usually eat breakfast, unless we have brunch at midday. Otherwise, then, we just have a sandwich or home-made soup.
🙂
I am forever obsessed with fog, thank you for your focus & beautiful pictures! Always a big pleasure reading your blog.
Many thanks, Debasis. I’m pleased you liked the fog
Glad to have seen these photos of fugacious fog. I nearly mist them.
Chuckle, Bruce. Thanks a lot
Fun to have such an opportunity to photograph good scenes!- Fog can evoke fascinating views, and the frost is always a fine decorative touch. The road looks very hard to drive, though–glad you both made it home safely.
Thanks very much, Cynthia
Having discovered what Benecol is, and that you could also make a nice Rice pudding using that, my curiosity is satisfied.
You have to watch for big horses making out, we keep an eye out for ‘roos, echidnae and wombats. We all have to be on the alert for warning lights.
Thanks very much, Yvonne
No worries, mate. 😊
This was an ethereal and atmospheric series which I thoroughly enjoyed, Derrick.
So glad Jackie seems to have nerves of steel! 🙂
My favorite of the horses was when just the heads and necks are barely showing brown. Very artistic and lovely!
Thanks very much, Robin
Gorgeous shots Derrick, I love the foggy atmosphere.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Nice fog photos – we have been having quite a bit of fog lately too.
Many thanks, Karen
Nice set of photos.
Thanks very much, Jim
The mix of black and white photos is striking and I love the pheasant on the wall
Many thanks, Sylvie. I shot all these in colour – the B/W is the result of the mist
Even more impressive!
Fabulous, foggy photos; particularly like the necking ponies.
x
Many thanks, Melanie. X
Very welcome.
x
I was driven through the New Forest today in the fog and didn’t have my camera with me. Glad you took the opportunity – it is magical
Many thanks, Sol
I always love the ponies, they do seem so sweet and gentle. My favorite photo, though, is of the gnarled trees and fence – so atmospheric – with the trees half blown over and that rough fence. love that.
Thanks very much, Jodie
: )
Beautiful foggy winter pictures!! Looks like out of a beautiful movie. Absolutely gorgeous!! And the horse pictures are splendid enough to be framed!! How amazing☺☺
Many thanks, Mithai
You’re most welcome 🙂
We decided that, like any computer, when there is a problem one should always try switching it off and switching it back on. 🙂 Glad nothing serious happened in the fog. Kudos to Jackie!
Many thanks, Timi
Love the pheasant.
Many thanks, Brenda