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Knowing that we were to expect heavy rain all weekend, and that the first hour or two this morning would offer sunshine and showers, we drove out to Mudeford seeking what light there was.
This proved to be interesting. The sun came and went, offering dramatic cloudscapes over the sea;
over the beach huts;
over the harbour;
and over the small town.
Recent downpours had left pools for cars to drive though.
Moored boats bobbed on the choppy wavelets in the sheltered waters,
over which sped a powered vessel.
A number of little rowing boats had filled with water
or capsized.
One, overturned, provided a resting place for juvenile gulls.
We felt sympathy for holidaymakers wrapped in waterproofs, and even more for the intrepid stallholders setting up for the weekend’s Art and Craft Fair.
Almost oblivious of the industry going on around them, a jogger,
a pair of dog walkers,
and a loving couple, continued about their business.
A heap of bright red paddle boards awaited rental customers.
The usual fishing paraphernalia lined the quayside. This couple examined
crab pots;
ropes and lines;
fluttering flags;
and buoys reflecting sunlight
or themselves mirrored in pools,
as were visitors following the first young lady forming a queue for the ferry.
Around the side of the quay the couple I had just passed gazed out to sea.
The most dramatic light of the visit fell on a group beside the car park.
As we left Mudeford for a late breakfast at Friar’s Cliff’s Beach Hut Café, three sail boats set out to sea.
They had made it safely to Friar’s Cliff by the time we reached there.
On the cliff top at Steamer Point lie three very large circular concrete bases.
Their story is now explained on an engraved metal plate fixed to a rock.
This evening we dined on chicken tikka and boiled egg salad. Well, we had had a large, late, fried breakfast. Jackie drank Hoegaarden, and I drank more of the malbec.
I enjoyed the diverse scenes and people in this post, Derrick. I love the last few black and white photos as well as the beauty in the different clouds displayed in the color photos.
Those circles at Steamer Point were interesting parts of history. Military satellite systems from in WWII up through the 80’s is a long span of usage. Thanks for sharing this.
Very many thanks, as usual, Robin
The opening shots of the gathering clouds have an almost Constablesque feel to them – that huge sky is quite ominous! We’ve just had a ‘weather event’ here for the past three days, including civil emergency, landslides, road chaos, evacuations and helicopter rescues of young intoxicated folk going out to watch the flood waters rise and getting stranded in their cars……… alcohol and hypothermia make not good pairing I now understand! (I was safe and sound the whole time so I’m feeling very grateful!).
Thanks a lot, Pauline. I was surprised to read of this on your FB page
The clouds have been fantastic lately.
Thanks, Jim
Beautiful cloudscapes, Derrick! Rain is something we don’t see here much at this time of year.
Thanks a lot, Lavinia. Unusually, we have almost been praying for it this year
The “loving couple, continued about their business” – Did he find any nits in her hair I wonder?
“The most dramatic light” is certainly a stunning picture!
Very many thanks, Bruce. Picky question.
I love the last black and white pictures in the car park. It keeps peoples privacy intact and shows only the shilloutte. Dramatic lighening. Well done!
Many thanks, Bridget
Love the moody black and white shots. Excellent clouds throughout. I thought the loving couple photo was super sweet.
Me too and I hear the song ‘Both Sides Now’…
X
Nice one, Mary!
They didn’t notice me at all 🙂 Thanks very much, Jodie
: )
I liked the way you managed to weave some color into the gray day! It’s all about your perspective, isn’t it?
Thanks very much, Diane. One advantage was that we didn’t have to queue in the café 🙂
The black and white shots are fantastic, Derrick!
Many thanks, Jill
A very detailed report on a dark and stormy day. Loved the B&W shots.
Thanks a lot, Paol
I love clouds and I am always fascinated by them. Nice photos as always Derrick.
Thanks very much, Arlene
And I searched in vain for the “boys reflecting sunlight.” 🙂
Dammit! Thanks a lot, Yvonne. Now corrected
I just wanted to see boys, of course.
Sorry to disappoint 🙂
Those are very engaging images and wonderfully exposed too. The monochrome shot with the silhouetted couple in the middle beside the car park is a beauty. The fishing paraphernalia is amusing. I had never witnessed crab pots before. Thanks for the outing, Derrick!
Very many thanks, Uma
If the last few days in Nottingham were an 80s pop group, they would be “Wet, wet, wet”.
🙂 Thanks, John
Hey, Derrick! 🙂
With the sun coming and going your pictures are really beautiful. The dramatism of the light is awesome. It’s like a game hide&seek.
Mo-hugs <3
Very many thanks, Mo. 🙂 X
<3
Great pictures, despite the adverse conditions. And an interesting story as a bonus.
Thanks very much, Quercus
🙂
No matter what the weather – life moved on – as shown by some great photography.
Very many thanks, GP
Having lived all my life near the beach/coast, thoroughly enjoyed your jaunt today.
Thanks very much, Ivor
Just wonderful Derrick.. even the rain doesn’t dampen our spirits.. Like you Sunshine and showers here also.. So enjoyed the photo’s of your morning.. Such wonderful observations, and loved the light in the car park and the reflections in the water.. Those crab pots too… I bet those sailing boats got plenty of wind in their sails..
My Dahlia’s survived the strong winds too, just one caught a gust and snapped a large bottom stem off, so can not grumble.. Especially when we saw what happened in the Cornish village the other day with the flash flooding they had..
Sending thoughts your way for a pleasant Sunday.. The Sun is now starting to shine after a long day and night of rain. yesterday xx
Very many thanks, Sue
😀 <3
This post is full of lovely shots Derrick.
Thanks very much, Brenda
Some wonderful shots–I like the dramatic black and white photos best!
Many thanks, Kerry. They were popular
Those are some crazy clouds!
Thanks, Uncle John
We are experiencing continuous downpour for the last five days. A number of pools have been formed on the roads making the situation worse…
Thanks a lot Maniparna. I hope you dry out soon
Hopefully….
Love those skys.
Thank you, Sherry. Pleased you do
Well it is summer! What do you expect? Must admit I do enjoy these photo’s. Makes me realize how lucky I am 😈
Thanks for that, Brian 🙂
Military communication systems. . .
Thanks, Robin
Such dramatic, stunning sky and seascapes, Derrick! Thank you. I can’t decide which I like best.
We walked in the garden of a different Christ Church on Saturday in the heat, and early this morning, a thunderstorm woke me up.
Many thanks, Merril
That photo of clouds over the harbor is beautiful. Reminds me of the clouds in some of the old masters’ paintings. Too pretty to be real.
Thanks very much, Dinata